| So it's time for a new cell phone, your old one | | | | kids and are not always going to have 100% |
| isn't what it used to be. How do you decide which | | | | perfect reception. And, when the cell phone |
| phone to buy? Are some cell phone deals better | | | | salesman at the local dealer is about to close his |
| than others? Is there a carrier you should avoid? | | | | sale the last thing he is going to do is wreck it by |
| Here's what you need to know before you buy | | | | telling you that the local mall is a dead zone! (an |
| your new cellphone. | | | | area where cell phone has poor or no reception) |
| Keeping your number is probably very important | | | | We have found that if you question a cell phone |
| to you. Most people don't like to change their cell | | | | sales man about dead zones and coverage they |
| phone number and alot of people don't realize | | | | will try their best to give you an honest answer |
| they can keep their cell phone number when they | | | | and hand you a coverage map. The worst case |
| find a new cell phone deal. Luckily number | | | | scenario is after you've signed a one or two year |
| portability is the law - as long as you still have the | | | | contract, you then go home, or to your office or |
| old number you should be able to take it with you | | | | on vacation only to discover the new service plan |
| even if you switch to a different carrier. So if | | | | you've just signed is worthless because you have |
| keeping your number is important to you then | | | | no coverage. |
| contact your existing carrier to make you sure | | | | Unfortunately, you realize too late that most of |
| you can keep it. | | | | the places you make your calls from are dead |
| Before you decide which phone is right for you | | | | zones, so much for the carrier coverage map. A |
| find out which cell phone carriers have good | | | | good tip is to always try out a friend's phone in |
| reception where you live. If you live in a big city | | | | the places where you talk the most! |
| you can usually choose any of the major carriers. | | | | Also remember that most carriers will give you 2 |
| Don't look at coverage maps. Coverage maps are | | | | weeks to 1 month to try out your coverage |
| basically a marketing ploy. Instead, ask people | | | | before you get locked into a new cell phone deal |
| who live and work in your area which carriers | | | | and contract. Use this time span wisely, trying out |
| have the best reception. Don't sign up with a | | | | your new phone in key spots and if there are any |
| carrier unless you know that they provide good | | | | problem do not hesitate to contact your new |
| reception in the places where you spend most of | | | | carrier and if need be cancel the contract. Do not |
| your time. This includes your home, work, | | | | be timid, most of us learn by trial and error. |
| business trips, and vacation destinations. | | | | Better to find out sooner rather than later and be |
| Cell phones are in fact just an advanced version | | | | locked into a contract you can't get out of. |
| of the old walkie-talkies we all came to love as | | | | |