Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing a Cell Phone Carrier
Whether you’re getting your first cell phone or are interested in changing carriers, you have many things to consider. Every cell phone carrier wants you to sign up with them, so it’s easy for plans to hide stuff behind flashy deals and promotions. If you want to make a well-informed decision, avoid these common mistakes when choosing a cell phone carrier.
Ignoring Low-Cost Plans
The big three phone carriers in the United States are Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a cell phone plan, but you’ll likely choose one of the big three. However, instead of just signing with Verizon and paying more than necessary, we recommend checking out some of the lower-cost flanker brands.
For example, Verizon’s flanker network is Visible, which is more affordable and typically offers the same coverage. Depending on how much you use your phone, making a Visible plan could save you hundreds of dollars per year.
Neglecting Potential Incentives
Many cell phone companies want to offer you some sort of incentive to sign with them or change your service. These incentives may include a brand-new smartphone, or your contract may consist of a partnership with a streaming service like Netflix or Disney+. While it’s always a good idea to check out these incentives, deciding solely on the giveaways is a common mistake to avoid when choosing a cell phone carrier. AT&T may provide you with a great phone, but their coverage options may not be the best choice for your location.
Cancelling Your Current Service Too Soon
In many cases, you can easily transfer an existing plan with one company to another. Many carriers are happy with your switch, so they’re willing to help you sever ties with your current provider and possibly even offer to handle any fees that may come up. We recommend holding onto your current plan for as long as possible before canceling it and only doing that when you know you have a new plan ready to go.
