While researching information about cutting costs on cell phone bills, I stumbled upon information on Mobile Maven, a blog for all things mobile. The post had some helpful tidbits about cell phone bills and providers.
Here’s a few facts every wireless subscriber should know:
Buy at the end of the month. Apparently salespeople in this industry have quotas too. So, if you’re looking to buy a cell phone or plan, sales representatives maybe a bit more flexible towards then end of the month when they’re grinding to meet that quota. Sweeten the deal by offering to opt for a family plan. Also, be sure to do your research before hand. Know what other providers are charging for the same or similar services. Companies may be even more inclined to add more to your package or offer a greater discount.
No service, no fee. If you’re moving overseas, even to an area of the country your provider does not service, you do not have to pay a cancellation fee. Be sure to check your contract to verify. There’s no reason you should be charged roaming fees or international fees, since it’s not initially what you signed up for. You may even want to talk to a supervisor to get out of your contract.
You can call 411 for free! This is probably the best piece of information I found since my family dials 411 more than we dial each other. Dial 1-800-FREE-411 or 1-800-GOOG-411, which will connect you to Google’s directory service. This can save on those exorbitant surcharges just for calling information.
Above all, understand your bill. This is crucial, as it can prevent wasteful spending on features you don’t need or never knew you had. Set aside a few minutes one day to call your provider and have every charge on your bill explained. Tedious? Maybe. Helpful? Without a doubt. I took the time to do this over the summer and found that my mother’s line on our shared plan was being charged megabytes usage. Nevermind the fact that she just learned how to open her e-mail a month ago. The Federal Trade Commission offers a breakdown of every charge on a sample bill.
Cell phones are convenient and a great way to keep in touch with family. They can even occupy your time when you’re simply bored. But there’s no need to break the bank paying the bills.