| In the last few years, cell phones have become so | | | | phone person YOU are. Many people just need a |
| versatile that the once simple act of buying a cell | | | | basic cell phone and basic cell phone service. This is |
| phone can seem almost impossible. Even more, the | | | | what my mother-in-law has. She just wants a phone |
| thought of finding the best cell phone buy among all | | | | for 911 calls in an emergency and for frequent |
| the possibilities seems even more impossible...it that's | | | | check-ins with her family as she bombs around the |
| possible! | | | | Arizona country side. A busy executive, on the other |
| It is true that with so many cell phones and so many | | | | hand, may need all, or most all of the features |
| cell phone services, finding the best cell phone and | | | | available. A traveler is going to have other concerns |
| cell phone service to buy is daunting. Arming yourself | | | | such as whether the phone and the service will work |
| in advance with some basic data and expectations, | | | | in most of the places where they travel. |
| might just make the experience a little easier. | | | | The fashion conscious may be more concerned with |
| Possibly more important than the cell phone itself is | | | | what the phone looks like than with performance |
| the selection of the service provider. In fact, many | | | | features. Many cell phones DO have interchangeable |
| different providers offer the same cell phones with | | | | face plates so that one can accessorize if necessary. |
| the purchase of their cellular phone service package. | | | | In addition to the abiity to communicate in |
| With all the names, big and small, it can be a daunting | | | | walkie-talkie fashion, my two daughters love this |
| task to wade through their individual offers. | | | | feature! |
| First, there are the numerous and varied providers | | | | Once you have figured out your wants, needs, and |
| themselves. As this is written, you can choose | | | | budget, then the real fun begins. There are places, |
| among Cingular Wireless, Sprint, Nextel | | | | particularly in large metropolitan areas, where you can |
| Communications, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless | | | | pick through a myriad of cell phones and cell phone |
| among the big companies. While the smaller | | | | services, and generally competent staff can help you |
| companies such as Alltel, Metro PCS, Amp'd Mobile, | | | | pick the best combination of features and costs. |
| and U.S. Cellular tend to sometimes more regional, | | | | Today, it seems that every street corner, mall, or |
| their services may still provide what you need at a | | | | strip mall has a big sign screaming Cingular, Verizon, |
| cost you can afford, and cost is a major | | | | and I am seeing more Metro PCS in my neck of the |
| consideration for many. | | | | woods. Most of the time, however while the cell |
| However, no matter which cellular phone service you | | | | phones offered and the services may be quite good, |
| eventually pick, you will need to look into such things | | | | you will be limited to what that particular storefront |
| as roaming, amounts of minutes, when minutes can | | | | or kiosk is prepared to offer. Often, comparing rates, |
| be used, and the coverage area. These are important | | | | service areas, features and so on means driving to |
| factors when selecting a cell phone service provider, | | | | several different locations and getting sales spiels |
| and it is a good idea to sit down and make a list of | | | | from several different businesses. Then YOU get to |
| such things as how many minutes you think you will | | | | go home, figure out what you really want, and then |
| need, where will you be using your cellular phone, | | | | go back to one or more of those businesses to place |
| what will you be using it for, who will you be | | | | your order. |
| communicating with, and what features you would | | | | Fortunately, particularly for those in isolated areas, |
| like it to have. | | | | there are websites where you can shop for and buy |
| Here is a partial list of features you might want to | | | | a cell phone online and just have it shipped to you. It |
| consider when buying your next cell phone. Does it | | | | generally arrives in a few days and these are the |
| have or need to have an external screen or caller ID; | | | | same cellular phones and services that you would find |
| can you store phone numbers and save text | | | | if you went to a physical location in New York City, |
| messages? Does it even support text messaging? | | | | Sacramento, or Dallas. In fact, some online |
| How about instant messaging and email features? | | | | distributors have special sales and offers that may |
| You might feel you need a camera phone, and, if you | | | | not be available in town or at the mall. Another factor |
| do, you need to know how many pictures can you | | | | is that many of these sites allow you to compare |
| take and store, whether or not you can take video, | | | | the phones, the features, the service details, and the |
| and if you can send those pictures to others. | | | | costs of several different offers at one website. |
| You might want a speaker phone or a phone with | | | | Another factor is that while I personally have often |
| the ability to make conference calls. If you do want a | | | | found knowledgeable and helpful representatives who |
| speaker phone, you will have to decide if you need a | | | | operated in my best interests in storefront |
| full-duplex speaker phone. This feature will allow both | | | | operations, these service sponsored kiosks and |
| you and your caller to speak more naturally at the | | | | stores are sometimes trying to make the best cell |
| same time as if in a normal conversation. | | | | phone buy...for themselves. Internet operations have |
| Many businesses find cellular phones with | | | | much less overhead, employee salaries, rent and so |
| Push-To-Talk capability to be of value because this | | | | on, that they often can afford to just put the |
| walkie-talkie feature allows employees and | | | | options up for you to browse through at your leisure. |
| management to instantly reach others in their group | | | | You view all the info in the comfort of your home, |
| without having to place a telephone call. Close friends | | | | make your selection, fill in a few blanks and a few |
| and family members often appreciate this feature as | | | | days later you have a new cell phone delivered to |
| well. Another feature that a business user might look | | | | your home or office. |
| for is the ability to connect to, and interact with, | | | | Whether you like driving around and talking to sales |
| other devices. Newer cell phones provide such Buck | | | | people or if you like the convenience of shopping |
| Rogers type abilities as power point presentations. | | | | online, finding the best cell phone buy is going to |
| In addition to the performance features of your cell | | | | depend on you doing your homework in advance. |
| phone, you may want ask yourself what kind of cell | | | | |