Avoid these 10 rip-offs and cell-phone carrier tricks
Your phone maybe wireless, but unfortunately there are often strings attached with your state of the art wonder. Here are 10 of the most common issues customers dealing with carriers are having to put up with and how to overcome them.
I've started sending e-mail with my cell phone, and suddenly my bill is up $30 or more a month. Carriers will often charge differently for data than for voice transmission. And "data" by their definition, can include text messaging, e-mail, photos, music or internet pages, so do extensive research on the carrier you plan to use first.
My advice if you expect to use your phone extensively for anything other than talking, is to ask your carrier about the cost of adding a data plan to your contract.
I changed plans with the same carrier, and now I'm at the beginning of another two-year contract. This can happen not only when you switch plans but if you change numbers, add features, or simply get a new cell phone.
My advice is to never switch anything without asking the carrier whether there's a hitch. Chances are there is something fine print somewhere.
I downloaded a new ring tone, and now I'm being charged a monthly fee. When you download special features, such as a ring tone or wallpaper, you may find yourself enrolled in a monthly plan without your knowledge sometimes.
My advice is to make sure you check for any little boxes when you download a special feature online, and be sure to uncheck them if they're committing you to ongoing service you don't want, tricky little sneaks hey. Also make sure to read all terms and agreements completely before downloading any content or information. Be especially wary of downloading content from third party sites.
My bill is a lot higher than I expected. The prices you see in TV and print ads don't include all the taxes, surcharges, and fees that the provider will probably pile onto your responsibilities.
My advice is to expect to pay up to 30 percent more than the advertised price and compare plans on that basis. Before you commit to a carrier have them list all the extra charges and explain how they will be calculated.
I never got the rebates I was promised. Judging by recent surveys, this seems to be a common problem with people who buy cell phones from independent Web sites. In June 2006, the Washington, D.C., attorney general sued InPhonic, which operates sites including Wirefly.com, alleging that it "imposes restrictive conditions on the rebates that prevent many consumers from receiving the promised savings." In a letter on its site, InPhonic says it "respectfully disagrees" that its practices are too restrictive.
My advice buy from a retailer that gives the full discount up front.
My minutes were suppose to roll over, but they disappeared instead. Just because monthly minutes roll over doesn't mean they never expire. For example, Cingular's rollover minutes expire 12 months after they're accumulated. You might also lose your rollover minutes when you switch to another plan, such as from an individual to a family one.
My advice is to know how your rollover minutes are handled, and use them before they do their vanishing act. If you also have landline long-distance service, make those calls on your cell instead if you'd otherwise lose the minutes.
I plan to travel to Europe, and friends tell me I'll be charged exorbitant international rates or my phone won't even work. Most of Europe and much of the rest of the world is on GSM networks, the type used by Cingular and T-Mobile. But even if you have a GSM cell phone, it might not work overseas unless it's using the proper band. What's more, if your phone does work and you haven't made arrangements with your carrier for international calling, you could end up paying astronomical prices.
My advice is to ask your carrier whether your phone will work in the areas you'll be roaming. If not, your carrier might be able to rent you another phone.
I signed up for a family plan and now costs are out of control. Family plans often seem like a good deal, both for convenience and for cost. But you're likely to face separate activation and termination fees for each family member's phone, and you may have a hard time controlling your kids calls.
My advice is to consider putting children on a prepaid plan, which limits available minutes to the number you've purchased. This will not only control costs but may even teach your progeny to be responsible with their airtime, okay so this maybe a bit of a fantasy, but you can always hope.
I cancelled my service during the trial period, but I'm still getting bills. If you cancel during the trial period (usually 15 to 30 days), you shouldn't have to pay an early-termination fee, but you'll still be on the hook for such things as activation fees, access charges, equipment-restocking fees, taxes and airtime.
My advice is not to rely on the trial period as a way to choose carriers but only as an opportunity to bail out if you've made a bad mistake.
My provider is already nagging me to sign up for another two years. Carriers will do almost anything to keep you under contract, whether that's offering discounted or free photos or giving you additional airtime for the same price.
My advice is not to be pressured into doing anything. Usually you can continue with your current plan on a month-to-month basis, which gives you the freedom to switch carriers or upgrade equipment whenever you decide to. If you do decide to renew, don't hesitate to try negotiating for better terms. This might be the only time in your relationship with a carrier, when you hold the negotiating hand. So enjoy and use it effectively!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Avoid_These_10_rip-offs_and_Cell_Phone_Carrier_Tricks.
Best,
Warren Hayashi |
349 days ago by Michael V [