by Dan H.
Member since:
August 9, 2007

I need to buy a new phone

December 01, 2007 01:29 AM EST
views: 590 | comments: 91
I need to buy a new phone since my screen got cracked and now I can't see anything on it. I have been considering getting a new one since my phone is 2 years old and the battery is dying, but this definitely sealed the deal for me. I'm with AT&T but I don't want to get a new plan so I am thinking of hitting up Best Buy to just get a new phone. Any thoughts?
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Comments: 91

Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 1:30am EST
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Jan S. Dec 1, 2007, 1:37am EST
A friend dropped her phone in the pool. Since it was too expensive to replace, she bought a cheap phone at Target and switched the sim cards. If you can do this, you won't need to sign up for a new plan.
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 1:37am EST
You can probably just upgrade your phone with At&T if you have finished your contract. They love to offer sweet deals to keep you under contract.
If you want some giftcards to Best Buy, check out my Boomertowne article.
I suggest that you look online for a phone because often the deals online are much better than in store when it comes to phones.
Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 1:38am EST
I'm already under contract and I'm not looking to extend it.
POPS B. Dec 1, 2007, 1:38am EST
Are you listening? If you hear anything, let me know Alright?
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 1:38am EST
Jan, your friend had a GSM phone. AT&T has the same network, so you can do the same thing.
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 1:40am EST
Ouch. You are probably going to have to pay full price then. You might want to check out ebay for unlocked phones to see what there is available.
Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 1:41am EST
what pops?
Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 1:41am EST
well, I am looking to get a new phone so I was expecting it.
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 1:43am EST
k, so what type of phone do you want? A regular phone or a smartphone?
POPS B. Dec 1, 2007, 1:44am EST
Just joking....Hearing a thought is sorta like feeling a smell. Since I've lost my mind, and a thought is generated in the mind, I was under the impression that if you heard a thought of mine, you would have found my mind.
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 1:44am EST
How much are you looking to spend?
Steph-in-NE ..... Dec 1, 2007, 1:46am EST
go to walmart or target can just get the phone and sim card swictch and whola,,, new phone
Nancy S. Dec 1, 2007, 1:47am EST
My grandson dropped his phone & broke it. He took it in & they gave him another. It's not quite as fancy but it has most of what he had.
Stacie N. Dec 1, 2007, 1:47am EST
Get something cute. Think pink.
Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 1:48am EST
what's the difference between a regular phone and a smart phone?
Janis V. Dec 1, 2007, 1:52am EST
Well I agree with you here. I need to get a new phone and have hinted that I wanted one for christmas. Maybe if I am good Santa will bring me one. it seems like as soon as you buy one though, they have an even better one on the market the next day....kinda like computers.
Elsie Duggan Dec 1, 2007, 1:52am EST
You don't have to renew your contract with ATT,just go to them and get a new phone, they might give you as good a deal as any of the other places, no insurance on It? you know I got mine wet and it fried because it was a camera phone and it was a 200. one , so they found me another brand which was ony 79.00 also a camera phone which I like as well. That won't extend your contract, but it will let you finish it out might as well use the service,
Elsie Duggan Dec 1, 2007, 1:53am EST
And I think if you are going to change carriers try Verizon, best service in the country , more towers.
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 1:59am EST
There is a huge difference between a smartphone and a reguar phone. A smartphone lets you check your email and surf the web and stuff. Example: Apple iPhone and Palm Treo
These types of phones require a data plan besides your regular plan.
A regular phone lets you maybe surf the web but it is more for personal than business use. Example: Motorola Razr and LG White Chocolate
These types of phones do not require a data plan.
I know I sound like a salesperson (I should work for the cell phone companies) but I have been in the same situation. I stuck with T-Mobile for over two years and never changed my phone because I did not want to pay full price. I finally changed my provider and phone a couple of months ago and I did extensive research before I switched.
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 2:00am EST
George, Dan might not have a data plan with his current contract so the Apple iPhone may not be for him.
Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 2:01am EST
yeah, I'm not looking to get anything special at all, change carriers, or extend contracts. All I want is a new phone that works.
Tara T. Dec 1, 2007, 2:14am EST
Considering how I feel about the scourge called a cell phone, I suggest two cans and a string, LOL. good luck.
blaine d. Dec 1, 2007, 2:19am EST
i just though out a compon from at&t two free phones, let me know
Dan H. Dec 1, 2007, 2:20am EST
I use AT&T, what are you suggesting Blaine?
Jennifer N. Dec 1, 2007, 2:23am EST
Hm I never had one break, so I suppose I'm not much help there. I've switched phones when renewing my contract, though.
Jill~Sexy Back~ V. Dec 1, 2007, 2:49am EST
we were in the same boat about six months ago....and ended up buying our phones on ebay and then swapping out the SIM cards.
THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT. I am not a phone salesperson, I just play one on TV. I have tried several and the best I have found is Virgin Pay as You Go. After putting a few phones through the wash and dry cycles and having experienced the dead battery quickly syndrome, I discovered it is the best for me. I kill it, I owe no one.
Sandra T. Dec 1, 2007, 3:06am EST
Hubby and I have to pay as you go Virgin Mobiles so I'm not any help at all sorry!
Nancy O. Dec 1, 2007, 3:17am EST
most cells offer an insurance plan , do you have one ? You get replacement phone if you do !!!
Jim Swan Dec 1, 2007, 3:49am EST
Not quite on topic, but I hate my cell-phone here in Japan. The Japanese kids seem to love them, but to me the operations are so clumsily thought-out, I can never predict how the damn thing is going to react to whatever button I'm pushing. In that respect, I suppose US models are no different, are they?

The Apple iPhone is not on sale in Asia yet, but I'm planning to be an early adopter once it is. Yesterday I acquired an iPod Touch, which is ostensibly quite similar to the iPhone, and it is head and shoulders above my current phone. A whole different planet. Using it for just one day has made me want an iPhone all the more.

Since you're an ATT customer already anyway . . . . is it the entry price that's holding you back?
Betty DeRamus Dec 1, 2007, 4:59am EST
if your under contract you should be able to get one free, and with a warrenty.
just be careful that they do not add time to your contract.
Emma L. Dec 1, 2007, 5:05am EST
I have ATT and it has pretty skitchy coverage in OC- so don't go with them again! Verizon is supposed to be good and yo can get a good deal on phone...if you don't want a contract- I think most places have that option now too.
Jivan l Dec 1, 2007, 5:32am EST
here in chennai MOOR MARKET you get the best second hand cell at
bargaing prize.
Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Dec 1, 2007, 6:07am EST
Don't look at me... I renew every two years with Verizon to get a new phone. Been with them since Y2K!
LaRue B. Dec 1, 2007, 6:19am EST
I'm with Verizon and have razor. Doesn't shave well, but it is a decent phone. All of them need to be charged every couple of days.
John B. Dec 1, 2007, 6:39am EST
I just had the same problem. You can go on the net and find a new phone or go to Wallmart and get a Go Phone. You know one of those pay as you go phones. You can pay as little as $20, you get what you pay for, or pay a little more and get a phone that is a little better. I got one of the $20 phones and swapped my SIMS card and I was back to work. I had to make it a month and a half till I could get a new phone. I was use to a better phone but maded do until I could renew and get a good phone like I wanted. Att was running a sale last weekend and I got a BlackBerry for $100 which was what I wanted. Before the sale the BlackBerry was $200 if you renewed or opened a new account or $400 to buy there at the ATT store.
I have had cell phones for more years than I can remember. I had one of the bag phones, I payed over $300 for it and today this phone is not able to be used at all. Each year phones come out that replace last years phones. And the price drops. I paid $100 for a Razor 2 years ago and now they are giving them away to get you to renew, I have seen some cases where the will give you 2.
I helped put the equipment in the first cell towers in Central Alabama, being with the phone company, and have watched them grow. To tell you the truth there is not much difference in the equipment in all the providers. The Goverment now has laws that tell the cell phone people what they can and can not do, how high their tower can be, How strong the signal can be, and the lis goes on and on. Now days most companys even share towers with each other, and the towers are owned by a 3ed party.
My husband washed his phone...and dryed it too, and we were able to call up Verizon (our carrier) and buy a replacement phone. We were still under contract, so there were no free phone offers to current customers (as their should be to keep us with them!). So we bought a lower model to just get him a phone.

Now last week, I just re-uped our contract (2 years yikes!) and got 3 new phones to replace our 2 year old other ones. We got the Verizon Eny phones, today I will be activating them & giving my daughter her's, for her birthday.

All that said, if you are still in contract, AT&T is probably not going to do anything for you. They have you between a rock & a hard place so to speak - you can't leave without paying fines.
They may offer you a slight discount on a newer phone, or Best Buy (or any phone kiosk) should have upgrade prices displayed for all of their phones (I noticed this when we were shopping around to see if we wanted a new carrier).

On the other hand....can you really get a pay as you go phone & swap out the sim card & it will work with your carrier? If that is true...I had no idea!
Danielle P. Dec 1, 2007, 7:05am EST
I've been with Verizon for years and years too!! I just keep renewing.
F. Jeanette c. Dec 1, 2007, 7:21am EST
I bought a Trach phone a few years ago. I thought I'd try something different. I would by the minutes periodically. I had no monthly fees or contract. Some times I may only use 50 words a month, because I email a lot. The trach phone (Nokia) was excellent then and still is now. I paid 19.95 for it on sale at the drug store. I have it set aside now for emergencies. Good luck with your decision.
Picture Me 3D Mel Dec 1, 2007, 8:34am EST
find one on craigslist.org or on ebay :)
or go get an Iphone haha!!!!! I love mine!! :)
another good phone is the a707 by samsung
Erika S. Dec 1, 2007, 8:38am EST
Check to make sure yours isn't covered under a warantee first.
Terry A. Dec 1, 2007, 8:49am EST
dump the phone
Kimber L. Dec 1, 2007, 8:59am EST
depends on how much longer you have on your contract with at&t, if you aren't happy with them and don't have that much longer left, switch carriers and you can get some really great deals on some really really nice phones!!!!! I love my phone company but don't wanna sound like I am advertising for them but I Have tried all cell phone companies in my area and they are the only ones I have not had problems with and I have been with them for 5 years now! I got to upgrade to a $400 phone for free just for resigning! LOVE THEM! Plus great coverage and no dropped calls. If this interests you let me know via email on here anD I will tell you which company it is!
Sharon B. Dec 1, 2007, 9:51am EST
check with your company, sometimes they will give you a really good deal on a replacement phone and if you have been with them for a certain amount of time, they will sometimes let you upgrade your phone for free. Otherwise, I would buy from e-bay or wal mart and switch the sim cards.
luckky _. Dec 1, 2007, 9:56am EST
Whatever you do, don't go to Walmart as they sell cheap sh*t that readily breaks down.

That's the problem I had a couple of years ago when I bought one of their phones. It broke down in less than 6 months. Afterwards, I bought the same type of phone in Target and it still works just fine.

BTW, it was the same price.
Debra H. Dec 1, 2007, 9:58am EST
I would like to hear about what you get because Im getting ready to change mine too.
DIANE D. Dec 1, 2007, 10:14am EST
YES, SWITCH SIM CARDS. DAN I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO READ MY ARTICLE ON SUCCESS. I WROTE IT IN COLLAGE. I HAVE A DEGREE IN CHEMICAL DEPENENDACY COUNSLONING. I SPONSOR ALOT OF PEOPLE, BUT AM NOT IN PRACTICE DUE TO M.S. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR SUCCESS.
Vicky P. Dec 1, 2007, 11:04am EST
Weigh your options carefully, shop around.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 1, 2007, 11:26am EST
I need one too. Mine no longer holds a charge for very long.
necee t. Dec 1, 2007, 11:26am EST
i have AT&T... thanks to my son who's paying for the bill... on a family plan...
Good Luck Dan...
Ginger C. Dec 1, 2007, 11:50am EST
Call up At&T and see what they say before you buy!
JoAnne D. Dec 1, 2007, 12:10pm EST
Sounds like a plan as long as it's compatible, You don't have to change numbers with a new phone do you?
Rita j. Dec 1, 2007, 12:18pm EST
I like AT&T
Margaret C. Dec 1, 2007, 12:29pm EST
I get the cheapest one I can , I only want a basic one, I get the same for my son as he is forever loosing his lol , He is 27 but has CP and he keeps forgetting where he left it , we make a joke of it now xx
Jerri H. Dec 1, 2007, 12:32pm EST
Wow......good luck Dan!!
Sherrie H. Dec 1, 2007, 12:42pm EST
No Clue. My husband is the phone man in the family.
HEIDI F. Dec 1, 2007, 1:03pm EST
we get a discount through work so i'm not much help to you.
Fran S. Dec 1, 2007, 1:44pm EST
my cell phone is 5 years old and won't give up the ghost!! I want a new one with a camera, but can't find a good enuff excuse to spend the money! Good Luck to you on finding one with a good place that has all the features you want (and I agree with Else that Verizon is the best, most towers, less dropped calls)
Deeanna M. Dec 1, 2007, 2:53pm EST
hmm.. not really sure what kind of plan you have.. or phone for that matter.. so i guess i can't help ya much.. sorry!
Mary K. Dec 1, 2007, 2:54pm EST
If you decide to use ebay, make sure to get an unlocked cell phone that uses GSM so you can just switch the cards.
I use Virgin Mobile and I spend just as much money as I would with a traditional carrier. I love my phone but dislike Virgin.
Good luck!
I have sprint...don't bother..it sucks.

had Verizon, that was worse.

I hear good things about alltell(come and get your love) you can change your plan when ever you want with out a fee...not sure about the reception though.
Georgiana S. Dec 1, 2007, 4:04pm EST
I broke a phone, and am with AT&T (Cingular) anyway, they replace them for $30 if you have insurance. I pay the $3.99 a month for it and it is a helpful deal. Like someone said, if you have any old phone around, like I do, just change the SIM card. You can do that as well with charging. Always have a phone on charge and change the SIM to the charged one.
donna h. Dec 1, 2007, 4:17pm EST
Not sure how to add!
*[Heather]* Norwood Dec 1, 2007, 4:49pm EST
what ever you do.. dont get a razor. They suck :) I have one. lol
Roberta G. Dec 1, 2007, 6:16pm EST
I have Cingular and have always gotten a free phone when I resign. Never had any problems with my phone.
CyberGwen ! Dec 1, 2007, 7:02pm EST
Aren't you sorry that you asked now??

I say call AT&T and see what they can do for you first, then try ebay or friends. I sort of went swimming last year with my phone in my pocket and ruined my phone. (Yes, I was fully clothed, it was actually a fountain, and there was alcohol involved, but that is a story for another time) I was able to use a friend's old phone that they had lying around and just took it into my carrier so they could set it up. It worked fine until I was ready to switch contracts and get a new phone:)
Savannah K. Dec 1, 2007, 8:07pm EST
If you do not have insurance on your phone unfortunately you have to buy a new one out right..
Ellie !. Dec 1, 2007, 10:42pm EST
I think you can do better than AT&T. You should also check to see if there any discounts...employer, school, etc. We went for years paying more...then we found out we got 20% off because of my husband's employer.
Picture Me 3D Mel Dec 2, 2007, 1:02am EST
Hope you found something good
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
Rick Dreamie Dec 2, 2007, 2:33am EST
Thanks for Sharing!
Roberta A. Dec 2, 2007, 2:37am EST
What in the world did we do before cell phones.? Or computers for that matter? I admit I'm hooked on my computer. However I fought like blazes about the whole cell phone idea. I figured an answering machine was a good enough consession to those ppl who simply insisted they must be able to reach me if it is important and I'm not home. If I'm not home, I don't want to be tracked down by some phone from ppl who don't think they can wait until I'm finished at the grocery or whatever. Then we took a trip to my parents in Ohio and realized our roadside asst. wouldn't do us any good if we couldn't call them, so we broke down and bought a Tracfone at the Dollar General. It's not fancy. It makes phone calls. Isn't that the point?$19.99 for a phone. buy phone cards or go online and buy minutes as needed. Perfect for my lifestyle. Nobody has our #. We only use it when we travel. Good luck in finding what you want. Personally, I say go simple.
April H. Dec 2, 2007, 1:53pm EST
Wow. Great Article, Thanks For Sharing. Please Feel Free To Take A Look At Some Of My Videosimages & Articles As Well
Heather W. Dec 2, 2007, 2:08pm EST
Great , Thanks For Sharing. Please Feel Free To Take A Look At My Work As Well
Rosalyn G. Dec 2, 2007, 2:23pm EST
Just do it, boy-way you move round, you def. need it!
Deb D. Dec 2, 2007, 9:12pm EST
If you have insurance on it, it can be replaced although it might be pro-rated. I'm a clutz. I always get the insurance.
Jennifer G. Dec 3, 2007, 2:32am EST
Be sure to get an unlocked phone if you go to a store, or something ATT compatible...
I had a friend who bought a phone, and it didn't work with her plan, but she couldn't return it... she ended up selling it but lost some money in the process.

I need a new phone but I just can't afford it...
Lyn Owen Dec 3, 2007, 11:40am EST
I need a phone too. after reading all these comments, I'm more confused than before. Hope the one you ge5t is great.
T J. Dec 3, 2007, 3:30pm EST
Don't know don't have cell phones.
Cheryl R. Dec 3, 2007, 3:46pm EST
Sorry Dan, I'm barely capable of saying hello on a cell.
Sophiya S. Dec 3, 2007, 6:32pm EST
thanks for the share!
Leslie T. Dec 3, 2007, 7:52pm EST
For your new phone, it just depends on what suits you best. If you don't text much and just use it for talking, then I'd get just a basic phone. But if you want something more business-like or for better texting, there are phones for that too. I don't have ATT so I'm not sure which phones they have.
Jessica I. Dec 3, 2007, 10:28pm EST
I got the Samsung Sync. It's not a bad phone at all. I definately like the 3G technology and it has amazing clarity in picture and sound (mp3). I don't particularly like the iPhone though. It's seems more hype than usefulness. I had the RAZr before and like that one as well, but I'm not sure if the newer RAZr has the 3G technology.
I have no thoughts. :-)
golds g. Dec 4, 2007, 5:35pm EST
verizon lg phone!
Jessica Austin Dec 12, 2007, 11:48am EST
Try radio shack. They carry AT&T phones. They can also activate it for you if needed.
Amy C. Dec 12, 2007, 12:53pm EST
Thank you!
Nick H. Dec 12, 2007, 1:49pm EST
Thank you for posting this article. I am just stopping in to give you a 10 and to let you know I appreciate your posting here!

Take care!
Ruth F. Feb 21, 2008, 10:16pm EST
No thoughts, just comments.
Dan H. Aug 8, 2008, 8:26pm EDT
Thanks For Your Thoughts Everyone.
Dan H. Aug 8, 2008, 8:30pm EDT
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