MyRatePlan 2005 Holiday Tips for Selecting Cell Phone Service

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MyRatePlan 2005 Holiday Tips for Choosing the Right Cell Phone Service

Top 10 Ways to Save Time & Money During (and After) the Busy Holiday Season

ATLANTA, GA --- November 29, 2005 --- MyRatePlan (www.myrateplan.com), an unbiased shopping comparison site for the evaluation of cell phones and plans, today released its top tips for saving time and money when purchasing cell phone service this holiday season. These tips can save consumers $200 or more before signing a contract, and hundreds more over the life of the service plan.

"The holiday season is traditionally the most active period of the year for consumers to shop for cell phone service, either for themselves or as a gift", said Allan Keiter, President of MyRatePlan. "Given the many distractions during this busy season, and the fact that a contract for wireless service will still be with the buyer long after Santa has returned to the North Pole, we offer these tips to help consumers get the best wireless service, for the lowest cost, each month."

The MyRatePlan Tips:

Buy from an independent retailer --- not directly from the carrier --- to save up to $200 or more even before the first phone call is made;
Take advantage of the two week trial period offered by most carriers --- the coolest phone is little more than a paperweight if it doesn't work where and when needed;
Pick a plan with 10% more airtime than needed -- additional minute charges of 40 cents can quickly double a cell phone bill;
Choose a family or shared plan for two to five users --- the additional lines are as little as $7.99 each and often allow unlimited talk time between family members;
Consider a prepaid plan for light users, or if no contract is desired --- the rates have become more competitive, and emergency-only options can cost under $10/month;
Avoid two-year contracts --- they reduce consumer options in the event of better plan pricing or in wanting the latest and greatest phone more frequently;
When switching carriers, order new service before canceling existing service --- if you wish to take advantage of the ability to transfer a phone number between carriers;
Choose the cell phone first, then the rate plan, particularly if looking for advanced features --- there is wide variety in phones, while plans are becoming more similar across carriers;
When considering various phone offers, look both at the out-the-door price and the final price, after rebates --- to avoid tying up extra cash for several months;
In the spirit of the season, consider donating your old phones to a needy cause --- or sell them for some extra holiday cash.

MyRatePlan gives consumers the facts they need to make a more informed decision about choosing a cell phone and plan, whether they ultimately buy online or at a store. The site can save shoppers hours of time (no need to go from store to store) by offering the widest possible choice of carriers, plans and phones to compare. By showing consumers the best phone prices from among the retailers we work with, and by offering interactive tools to help them select their optimal phone or minimize their monthly bill, MyRatePlan helps consumers save time and money without ever having to leave the comfort of home.

If you find this information useful, there are many more time and money-saving tips in our Cell Phone Buying Guide.

Holiday Buying Tips