Is Cheap Cell Phone Service Right For You?

It seems as if everyone has a cell phone these days. There are just about as many different options and plans as there are subscribers. Many plans have for more options than you think you need, so you are considering a cheap cell phone service to meet your needs. But you are not sure if this will be the right fit for your situation. Here's a few things to consider before you sign up with a cheap cell phone service.

First, evaluate where you go and how often you go there. If most of your time is spent in fairly close proximity to home, you most likely will not be going outside the local calling area established by most cheap cell phone services that operate in your town. Under those circumstances, going with a less expensive plan may do the trick nicely. But be aware that most cheap cell phone services do not include and free roaming options; this will make any minutes you generate while outside your local calling area very expensive.

There are cheap cell phone services that allow you to prepay for a block of minutes. On the front end, this may seem like a good idea. However, what is often found only in the small print is that both inbound and outbound minutes eat away at the minutes you purchase. Contrast that with some of the slightly more expensive monthly plans where inbound minutes are free, and your cheap cell phone service may not seem like such a bargain after all.

Customer service concerns may also come into play when deciding if a cheap cell phone service is a good option. Often, the support is only via the Internet or by email. If there is a way to reach a customer service representative by phone, keep in mind that your call will most likely eat away at your bank of minutes, just as any call would. Should you find yourself holding for a long period of time only to have to hang up and try again later, you may soon find your cheap cell phone service is not worth the few dollars you appear to save on the front end.