Looking for a Place to buy cheap cell phones

[Mike G]

Any ideas on where to buy cheap cell phones, other than ebay?

I'm looking for CDMA phones, to use on U.S. Cellular's system.

let me know where to look.

Thanks!

 

[faramir]

No experience with the US phones/phone companies but my past internet lurking led me to believe that companies out there are almost lined u to offer cheap (and sometimes even free) phones to customers who sign up for their service.

Last set of website links i recall was on the http://www.slickdeals.com - there is alink that leads to"free cell phones" somewhere, then it's just a matter of picking a subscription package, the way i understand it at least. If abve website doesn't provide any useful links just give Google a try, it's boundto leadyou to biggest cell phone companies and their customer recruiting special deals.

 

[Mike G]

I'm after phones that I can buy without having to sign a service contract.

I need to replace two of the phones on my account, and I'm not signing a service agreement to get a cheap phone from the cell company. The fees are too high for breaking a contract, and my contract doesn't expire until next January.

I suppose ebay is my only recourse.

 

[Thirteenth Star]

Neighborhoods with a high concentration of illegal immigrants often have a place that sells cheap cell phones, though you'll probably need to speak Spanish in order to find such a place, and I wouldn't stay in the neighborhood any longer than necessary.

 

[Bob W]

If you don't want a contract at all, you can buy prepaid. The phones are inexpensive, but you do get soaked for time cards, and the minutes expire if not used within a certain amount of time.

If you want to keep your current service but replace the phones, your service company may be the best bet. Most phones are under $50 anyway, and there's always rebates on some models. I don't think they'll make you sign a new contract just for buying a replacement phone. But you probably won't qualify for the low advertised prices.

Newegg, TigerDirect, and other major online electronics retailers sell phones. Just make sure your service provider will activate whatever model you're going to buy.

Good luck with all of that,
Bob

 

[Mike G]

In order to get a new phone from my service provider, without a new contract, I have to pay MSRP. That is not an option unless I win the lottery.

All of the retailers I have checked want to sell you a service contract; that is where they make their money. They also want MSRP for the phone without a contract.

Thanks for the help.

 

[bquinlan]

eBay is the only place I've been able to find non-contract phones at less than full price. It is frustrating...

--Bob Q

 

[Bob W]

I didn't realize the msrp of phones were so high. Actually, I can't find the msrp of my phone listed anywhere (Kyocera Soho). At the CellularOne website, the 'regular' price is $50, and there's a $25 rebate. But those prices are only for new contracts, and you have to contact CellularOne to find the replacement price.

So how does it work if you have to sign another agreement? Can they just add another year to the existing contract, or would you have to cancel your current contract and begin a new one?

Just wondering. I've never lost a cell phone, but now you've got me worried.
-Bob

Also, I wanted to clarify a consequence of buying a phone from someplace besides your provider. They may not initialize a phone that you bought on eBay or elsewhere. For instance, at work I prefer the durable and rugged Motorola bag phones. The boss used to buy them on eBay and take them to the local service provider for activation. Now the service provider won't activate any more of those phones...

 

[Mike G]

Bob;

No one will activate the old bag phones anymore; because they are analog, and outdated technology. Everything is digital now for the most part, and analog is used only in very rural areas.

I can get a phone I buy on ebay activated without any problem, as long as it is compatible with the network. That is from U.S. Cell themselves.

The Kyocera SoHo retails at U.S. Cell for $149.99 without a contract. The phone I'm after, a Motorola v810 retails for $299.99. I looked at a new Motorola at U. S. Cell yesterday (Model number escapes me) and it was $399.99 without a contract.

I'd rather pay the early termination fee and switch carriers than have to pay MSRP for a stupid cellphone that costs hardly nothing to manufacture.

 

[Gollnick]

Many of the older Motorola phones require a programming machine at the store to activate and a technician at the store who can open the phone up, remove the memory chip, program it, replace it, close the phone back up again, etc. The programmer machine is expensive and the technical operation required is way beyond what the highschool dropouts that staff most cell phone stores can handle. This also placed a substantial amount of control over the programming of the phones into the hands of highschool dropouts and their all-to-often unscrupulous employers. Over-the-Air activation is easier for the retail store people AND it allows the cell phone carriers to supervise what's getting programmed into the phones.