A Guide to Buying Cell Phones without Contracts

There are many options available to those individuals who want to have a new cellular phone but do not want to go through the pain and obligation associated with being under contract for two to three years. In fact, in this article we will bring up three great ideas for getting your hands on a great phone.

Get a Prepaid Phone

The most obvious and readily available option for obtaining cell phones without contracts is imply to go to the local store and purchase one. You can find them everywhere, actually. There’s no need to look for a special store that sell cell phones and accessories. You can simply jog on down to the local drug store or convenience store and peruse the options available there. The phones themselves with range in price from $10 on up to $80 for the phones with more features and options. The basic $10 phones may actually come free with your first purchase of minutes, so definitely look for that. When you have found your phone, make sure that you know what type of minutes you need to buy for it. Specific companies have their specific topping-up cards and methods that you can purchase. These are typically situated on racks near the phones.

Scour the Internet

If you want a great phone without a contract or plan then you can shop online as well. You can find amazing phones that need no contract just about everywhere. There are huge selections of phones available either used or new but be aware of what you’re buying and make sure to read all of the fine print. You may accidentally get a contract phone from a second-hand seller without realizing it. While you would only be out the expense of the phone, you will need to buy a new one, you may need to pay for the return shipping and it will take longer to get the phone you want. Just be cautious and be sure to find cell phones without contracts if those are what you want.

Ask a Contract Carrier

But, what if you need a phone right now and you cannot take the time to look online? You can always go to your service carrier and shop their store for some great optios in phones without plans or contracts. This option is typically for those who do not care about what it costs to obtain one of these types of cell phones without contracts or for those who have no idea what they need and simply need to ask someone who is knowledgeable about phones. Now, getting a no-contract phone from a carrier will not entitle you to the same deals, discounts and specials as you would receive if you were under contract, so be sure to ask all of your questions before making your decision. You may actually be paying far more for the phone than it actually costs under contract, but the trade-off is freedom.

Features and Benefits of Cell Phones without Contracts

It may be true that cell phones without contracts are more utilitarian and less fashionable in design, but does that mean that you are sacrificing on the benefits and features of other cellular users? The short answer is no, but let’s delve a bit deeper into the actual features and benefits you can enjoy with a prepaid phone.

Benefits of the Prepaid Phone Option

There are a number of benefits to owning and using a prepaid phone. Of course there are disadvantages, too, but that true with any option. Let’s just list some of the benefits of owning and using the pay-as-you-go phone. First, there is no age restriction because there is no contract to sign. Persons under the age of 18 are not able to sign and be bound by a contract and prepaid options are fantastic for circumventing that issue. If a prepaid phone is lost then there is no fear of identity theft or overuse and the fees that it can incur. Not to mention the fact that there is no hefty fees incurred for phone replacement. If you use all of the prepaid time on the phone, then it simple stops working rather than racking up charges and fees for overuse of minutes and the like.

Features Available in Prepaid Phones

Now let’s look at the features you can expect to find available on cell phones without contracts. If you want to be able to simply make and receive phone calls then you can definitely do that, but if you are a teenager or a young adult then you would most likely be interested in all of those fun and funky features found in contract phones. Don’t worry; you have plenty of really awesome options available. Just like the contract counterparts, prepaid phones can make use of SMS text messaging. Most prepaid phones are made by well-known and popular manufacturers so you can dress them up with designer skins, silicone holders, rhinestones and dangles. You can also download ringtones, music, games and background pictures, too. There really isn’t anything you can’t do to make a fashion statement with a prepaid phone.

For parents it may be important to note that you can register the cell phones without contracts with name and address information in order to take advantage of any emergency services that the provider may furnish. But, it is also important to note that many of the pay-as-you-go type phones may not offer a 911 emergency calling service and you will need to research that thoroughly if that is something that you feel you need to have. There are some that do offer this service, so do not get discouraged and keep looking for the phone and features that are right for your specific needs.

Cell Phones without Contracts vs. Contract Cell Phones

If you are reading this article then you are no doubt interested in the differences between cell phones without contracts and those for which contracts are needed. You are not alone. You may think that you already know all there is to know, but there may be some points that have either never been mentioned or that you may not have even considered before. Let’s take a moment to consider the differences between the two options.

The no contract type of cell phones and services are also known by a couple of other names; prepaid cellular and pay-as-you-go plans are just a couple of those monikers. Let’s compare the differences between the cell phones without contracts versus those that require a contractual agreement.

One major benefit of the prepaid option is the elimination of the age restriction. Did you realize that those under the age of 18 cannot enter into contracts for cellular phones? If a minor wants a cell phone for her birthday, then this is definitely the way to go. But, you may be thinking that you could simply put the minor under your own contract. Well, think about it more thoroughly. If, for some reason, you feel the need to take that phone away, you are then obligated to fulfill the contract you signed regardless of whether that phone is in use or not.

If the phone is lost—and we know how pre-teens and teens can be when it comes to being careless with their belongings—then it is not as devastating as losing a phone that is contracted. There’s the cost of replacements, sure, but think also of the charges that you could incur if someone finds and uses a phone that you have under contract. With a prepaid phone you have the option of transferring your credit to a new phone and not worrying about any form of identity theft.

We have discussed a couple of the lesser-known advantages of cell phones without contracts, but what about the drawbacks? Of course there are drawbacks, as with anything else. While there are no commitments and extra bills to worry about with the pay-as-you-go option and the phones are often less expensive, you will find that the phones themselves are not necessarily up to the same standards as those offered with plans. If you choose to go the non-contract route then you will be trading fashion for utility with these phones. You will not find a Smartphone on the prepaid market, unfortunately. No one offers a prepaid iPhone, either. This is the major drawback that keeps a number of consumers away from the prepaid options. If you can be happy without a fancy phone with a lot of bells and whistles, if all you need is a way to communicate in emergencies or when necessary, then the prepaid option may be the way to go. Do not overlook it as viable simply because the phone isn’t the best available on the market.