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Gadgets > Switching to Prepaid Cellular > PROs
 Posted by Miss_J
Dec 12, 2006 08:58 AM
Switching to Prepaid Cellular
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Cellular phones. What in the world would we do without them? If you're current calling plan is more of a hassle than help, perhaps you should consider prepaid cellular. Prepaid cellular is now offered by many wireless carriers and although prices vary from carrier to carrier, the idea is the same: you buy the phone; you buy the minutes and you pay as you go. Think of it as the cellular equivalent to long distance calling cards. Have you fulfilled your two-year commitment to your current carrier? Are you kids begging for a cellular phone of their own? Would you like for your elderly parents to join the wireless revolution if only for emergencies? Consider prepaid cellular!
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| PROs |
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| Low Start Up Costs |
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| The cost of most prepaid cellular phones is quite reasonable. Of course, the more bells and whistles you add the more the price goes up, but for less than $100 you can purchase a decent prepaid cellular phone and enough minutes to get you started. |
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| No Credit Checks |
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| Perhaps you have less than perfect credit. Most regular cellular companies will check your credit and may require an initial deposit to open an account. Perhaps your credit is perfect but you're saving up for a house or other big ticket item and don't want to risk the two or three points that your credit score could drop just from the inquiry alone (yes! inquiries can lower your credit score). Consider prepaid cellular - no credit checks. |
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| Perfect for Kids |
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| Unlike regular wireless, with prepaid cellular when you run out of minutes, the phone stops working. Teenagers LIKE to talk on the phone. With prepaid cellular, you control your kid's airtime by allowing them a specific number of prepaid minutes. No surprise overages and no shocking bill for downloaded ringtones or games. |
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| Easier to Replace a Lost/Stolen Phone |
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| Consider the following two scenarios:
1. The unthinkable happens, you loose your phone and you use regular wireless. You had better get on the phone fast and inform your carrier - someone out there could be having a field day with your minutes! You'll need to replace your phone. If you didn't purchase the optional equipment warranty, plan on paying the full retail price for your replacement.
2. The unthinkable happens, you loose your phone and you use prepaid cellular. No worries. Purchase a new, inexpensive phone with the same carrier. Call the carrier, explain the situation and have your old number changed to your new phone. Done. |
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| Great For Elderly Parents |
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| Your parents still have a rotary phone at their house. They don't have a computer, much less a cellular phone. You worry about them. Prepaid cellular is the way to go. You can enter the important numbers into the phonebook, teach them how to use the phone and gain a little piece of mind. They have emergency communication if they need it. |
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| Keep Your Phone Number |
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| Recently, the FCC (Federal Trade Commission) enacted Wireless Number Portability (WNP). What this means is that you can transfer your old phone number to your new phone, even if you change wireless carriers. This applies to switching to prepaid cellular as well. |
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