By
Conrad Melancon
Are you one of the nearly 200 million
Americans who owns or uses a cell phone?
If so, did you pay for your cell phone
or did you get it for “free” when
you signed up for a service plan. Have
you ever wondered how much your free
cell phone really cost?
Look in any newspaper or drive down
any street and you’re bound to
read an ad or see a sign that entices
even the most skeptical consumer - “Free
Cell Phones”. Do you believe
in the tooth fairy, a free lunch or
the boogeyman? If so, read no further,
I would hate to shatter the dream world
you call home. These signs might just
draw you in so you can be one of the
lucky people to receive that “free” cell
phone.
You’re in the store shopping
for a new cell phone and have numerous
options to choose from – which
one do you pick - the “free” cell
phone or the one that may have more
features but costs money today. You
may pick the “free” cell
phone, but make sure you pay close
attention to the fine print.
The truth of the matter is that cell
phones cost money to manufacture, distribute
and market. A “free” cell
phone is one that comes to the carrier
or retailer with a low enough cost
that they can underwrite it by signing
you up on a service plan which carries
a preset monthly minimum charge. Additionally,
retailers receive a sales commission
from the service provider when they
sign you up for service. This means
that in many cases independent retailers
can make you an even better deal than
a carrier owned store on your cell
phone depending on the plan and length
of time you sign up for.
Also keep in mind that just because
one model of cell phone costs more
than another, that doesn’t mean
it will perform any better. When you
go shopping it’s most important
to keep in mind several basic things.
- Which type of cell phone do you
like the best…flip, candy
bar, or another shape?
- What features will you really use
and which ones are just nice to have?
- What type of service plan are you
being required to sign? In many instances
the price of the cell phone may be
determined by the length of the contract
you sign as well as the monthly cost.
- Will you keep the cell phone for
the length of the contract you sign?
Remember, there
is no such thing as the tooth fairy,
a free lunch, the boogeyman or a “free” cell
phone. You’ll either pay for the
cell phone when you sign up for service,
or later through your monthly service
fees. When you shop, determine your needs,
gather information about the type of
cell phone.
Conrad
Melancon is the Vice-President of
Sales & Marketing for RMS Communications
Group, Inc. He joined the company
in November of 2004 as the Director
of Business Development and assumed
his current position in July of this
year.
RMS
Communications Group, Inc. |
