I just purchased a cell phone for the gf when she gets here and was amazed at the cost. Considering you have to buy the phone and the contract itself it prob worked out to double what we pay in the UK. That was a suprise, I would hav expected this sort of item to be at least equal value.

Anyhow, have I done the right thing? I am happy to pay it if it is the most cost effective option. I took a 2yr AT&T contract with my companies discount, had to pay $300 due to the lack of credit (no problem with that) and have 450 mins, unlimited texts & 5GB data / month for $110.

Let me know if I have done the right thing

Thanks

If it helps my contract is just about the same, and had the same cost. Only paid $199 for the iphone though. As for the lack of credit, i assume part of the $299 was a deposit that you will receive back or was the whole $299 a deposit, what sort of phone was it ?

Is that $110 for her alone? .... Couldn't you share the same plan? ..... because that is the easiest way to cut your costs.

BTW The primary cost of building a cell network is building the mast network, and the number of masts you need is a function of area. Britain has 60million people in an area the size of Virginia and North Carolina - so if you moved everyone in the US into New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, you'd get the efficiency of operation of the UK, and lower cell phone bills.

I hate to tell you this, but depending on where you live, I think you made a big mistake.

Straight Talk from Walmart is only $45 per month with unlimited everything and phones start at around $80 for an LG Android Smartphone. There is no contract either, so no deposit or credit checks.

Does it really matter? You're lumbered with the contract now.

Anyway, probably all depends on your location...

Yes, it matters. I know at least with Verizon you can change your mind within 30 days, so if the OP is within that period, he may want to return it and go with the much cheaper option.

I am in East PA? I'll check if I have a cool off period (I def have a $35 restock fee) but I cannot share my business phone as that is all paid for from central contract. The phone was a Sony Xperia TL ($99)

+1, great deal from Walmart.

Republic - $19 per month.

Piggy backs on Sprint.

Crikey. We pay $50+ a month for unlimited texts, 700 shared minutes, 3GB of data each (I used 300MB last month and I'm always on my phone when out and about, though I don't stream videos or music). Sometimes we're over because of the shared minutes but I'd rather PAYG for the extra than pay and not use it. That's with AT&T, no contract, phones bought outright, but is on a family plan.

I have an iPhone with AT&T I'm not getting much use out if it as others seem to, my son talked me into getting one for myself..mistake. Question is what phone could I get instead I just need. Emailing,text,and able to take photos, I don't use anything else ..any suggestions?

Also I'm ashamed to say I've no idea what it costs a month, my bill is confusing as its a Combination bill,TV, wireless Internet,land line phone and iPhone. I just realized I'm much too old for an iPhone, I know my contract up in march but I don't want to wait that long..will they exchange it for something cheaper and simpler ?

Contracts are no longer the best deal. You're paying around double what you would have done had you used the most cost-effective services.

I just "updated" to a Samsung Galaxy lll, with US Cellular. They no longer tie you into a Contract. I have unlimited National Dialling, Texting on 3 Lines and 2 GB Data on my line for $145 per month..

They are trying to keep you loyal to them by offering excellent service at a competitive rate. I've been with them since 1997, and have very few "Dead Spots" or Dropped Calls, when I travel around the Country.

Jim.

We bought the dude an iphone 4S from Virgin (at the time $650 but now $450). We pay $30 (additional $5 discount for direct debit) per month for 300 mins talk, unlimited text and data. Even paying for the phone we will save around $750 over 2 years. With the reduced cost of the phone you would save a bundle. If you want more talk time you pay a bit more.

I had to pay $500 deposit but got all my money back after 6 months