haven't bought a cell phone on awhile

[L. Wade Childress]

it seems like the carriers are moving away from two year contracts, is that correct?

I have sprint for my personal phone and Verizon for work so I'm fairly convinced that all carriers have shortcomings. sprint doesn't cap my data which is nice, but said data moves slow as hell. I live in DSM but spend time both in major cities nationally and in out in the middle of nowhere while boating and hunting so there's no good solution that I'm aware of.

looks like I can lease a phone, buy it upfront for full cost, or make interest free monthly installments. the latter two don't require a contract.

am I missing another obvious choice either in terms of a carrier or option to buy?

 

[Gimmered]

it seems like the carriers are moving away from two year contracts, is that correct?

I have sprint for my personal phone and Verizon for work so I'm fairly convinced that all carriers have shortcomings. sprint doesn't cap my data which is nice, but said data moves slow as hell. I live in DSM but spend time both in major cities nationally and in out in the middle of nowhere while boating and hunting so there's no good solution that I'm aware of.

looks like I can lease a phone, buy it upfront for full cost, or make interest free monthly installments. the latter two don't require a contract.

am I missing another obvious choice either in terms of a carrier or option to buy?

I have Straight Talk which uses Verizon towers here. 5 Gigs of Data at 4G and unlimited talk and text for $45 a month.

 

[Brian_Fantana]

I am grandfathered in a Verizon plan with unlimited data and no contract so I never get a new phone directly from them. If I were to take their deals, they would put in a new plan as this one is no longer offered. I also don't care about having the newest iphone or droid or whatever so last time i needed a new phone I bought a iphone 5 off Ebay. You can find some pretty good deals on a year or 2 old phone if you don't care about having brand new.

 

[The_Joker13]

Most carriers give you a monthly discount if you finance the phone through them and they usually wave any activation fee.

 

[Hawk and Awe]

I have Straight Talk which uses Verizon towers here. 5 Gigs of Data at 4G and unlimited talk and text for $45 a month.

What kind of phone do you use and did you pay full price?

I pay around $180 for 2 phones w/ 6 gif of data from Verizon. That includes payments on my phone lease (or whatever it's called) on one phone. As much as I use my phone I'd be willing to pay more

 

[L. Wade Childress]

does straight talk offer roaming or is it not needed on Verizon?

If I finance through the carrier does that show up on my credit report? obviously a minor deal, but I'm going to be apply for a couple loans in the coming months.

 

[Gimmered]

What kind of phone do you use and did you pay full price?

I pay around $180 for 2 phones w/ 6 gif of data from Verizon. That includes payments on my phone lease (or whatever it's called) on one phone. As much as I use my phone I'd be willing to pay more

Go to Straighttalk.com and see what is available for your area. I got a Samsung core prime for $128. Works for my world. Others might want a bit more horsepower.

 

[Gimmered]

does straight talk offer roaming or is it not needed on Verizon?

If I finance through the carrier does that show up on my credit report? obviously a minor deal, but I'm going to be apply for a couple loans in the coming months.

Actually it doesn't normally use Verizon. I think it will use AT&T normally, I could be wrong there. But as far as roaming it doesn't matter, it will go to any carrier.