Cheap cellphones?! ...and what does ''unlocked'' mean?

[Independent Gal]

You ladies have info on the oddest range of things, so I thought I''d try if you have any ideas for how to get an inexpensive cellphone. DH lost his 2 weeks after I bought it for him (with our contract) and now I can''t bear to spend $200 on a new one at the Verizon store, since he''ll probably just lose it again.

Are there places that sell older or discontinued models for good prices? Other ideas?

And I was looking on overstock.com where they have ''unlocked'' phones, but would that then work with any provider?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Cleopatra]

"Unlocked" means that it works with any service provider....I bought an unlocked RAZR back in the days that it was crazy popular - but a few features didn''t work on the phone because it was unlocked - liked i couldn''t get on the internet or exchange multi-media files....

 

[Stephanie]

To unlock a phone, you have to take it to your provider to have the system "unlocked". I had a friend who purchased an Iphone and took it to Tmobile and they unlocked it for a charge of $100. I would assume that an unlocked cell phone means that it could work with any provider, but I could be really wrong on that. Does Verizon sell any refurbished phones? They are usually much cheaper and work just fine.

 

[Independent Gal]

Thanks for the ideas! I''m going to check them out.

 

[Octavia]

Ahh, Verizon. The odd one out...it uses different technology than AT&T, T-Mobile, etc. so you can''t use phones from those providers on Verizon''s network. So it doesn''t really matter if you get an unlocked phone, because in this case it only means that the phone can''t be used on Verizon''s network anyway.

My suggestion is to hit up your local Craigslist and in the "For Sale" section, search "Verizon phone." You''ll probably come up with some local people who have upgraded and want to get rid of their old phones. Failing that, ebay.

 

[laine]

Yup, what Octavia said. It''ll have to be a Verizon phone. Try asking friends who have Verizon if they have a spare phone: I usually keep my old one as a back up, I would just have to take it to the store to have it activated.

And if you do buy him a new phone, get the insurance on it!

 

[FireGoddess]

Unlocked phones are great, and there are internet sites where you can buy a code to unlock any phone you buy, but I had some trouble when buying an unlocked Tmobile phone and trying to use it on the ATT/Cingular network. I couldn't get text messages, it was a royal PITA, and ended up having to return the phone and buy another one that was unlocked but originally made for use with ATT/Cingular. Ebay is a great place to buy new, unlocked phones.

 

[neatfreak]

I don't know if this works at Verizon, but at ATT you can simply buy the cheapo "go phones" that are prepaid for like $20 and just switch out the sim card to a "real" one for your account...

I got a pretty nice phone for $20 that ATT wanted to charge me $200 for if I had bought it with my regular account! Crazy.

 

[Octavia]

Neatfreak, Verizon doesn''t use SIM cards, which is why no other phones will work on Verizon''s network. The chip is built right into the handset and can''t be switched out. I have terrible luck with phones, and next time I need to replace mine I''m probably just going to switch my network because getting new phones on Verizon is crazy expensive and kind of a nightmare.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 5/14/2008 1:53:15 PM
Author: Octavia
Neatfreak, Verizon doesn''t use SIM cards, which is why no other phones will work on Verizon''s network. The chip is built right into the handset and can''t be switched out. I have terrible luck with phones, and next time I need to replace mine I''m probably just going to switch my network because getting new phones on Verizon is crazy expensive and kind of a nightmare.

Ahhh that is so annoying! I love ATT because of that feature, I always wreck my phones.

 

[Independent Gal]

Thanks guys. I wish he hadn''t lost his phone! ARAGHH!

 

[Amandine]

I have Verizon, too. I just wanted to let you know that my phone, the Motorola Krzr, is probably pretty cheap now as it has been out for close to two years, and I love mine. My FI has the same phone in another color, and we both have been very happy with them. Just FYI!

 

[monarch64]

I was going to recommend Craigslist as well, either look for one on their electronics for sale section, or post an ad in the wanted section stating exactly what you want and how much you want to pay for it. Good luck!

 

[arjunajane]

I''m not sure what they are as we don''t have them here - but I always hear about these "disposable" cells you''re supposed to have in the US. What are these?