| And those cell phone warranties pushed on | | | | contracts which ignore the simple fact that a lot |
| unsuspecting consumers when they purchase their | | | | can happen in two years. |
| phone? Simple math and a careful reading of the | | | | For instance, if you're traveling overseas on a |
| policy reveals that it's much more financially | | | | family vacation or business trip, your stateside cell |
| responsible to save that "nominal" monthly fee | | | | phone probably isn't going to have service |
| and repair your cell phone in the event of a | | | | overseas, leaving you out of touch for an |
| problem. At five dollars a month, you've spent | | | | extended period of time. Don't worry; a |
| sixty dollars in the first year of your | | | | competent cell phone repair technician may be |
| contract-which is more expensive than many | | | | able to convert your cell phone into a global cell |
| common cell phone repairs. | | | | phone for a fraction of what it would cost to |
| But what about consumers whose cell phones | | | | purchase a world phone at retail prices. The only |
| aren't broken? What if you just aren't happy with | | | | way to know, of course, is to ask-which is free. |
| the look or function of your cell phone? A qualified | | | | Cell companies discourage this practice, because |
| cell phone repair company often offers multiple | | | | they'd rather sell you a new, upgraded phone (and |
| modification services to existing cell phones, giving | | | | entice you into a new, multi-year contract). When |
| consumers the freedom to customize the look, | | | | they do recommend repair on a broken cell |
| feel, and function of their device. | | | | phone, they try to keep all repairs in-house, |
| And what if your cell phone needs have changed? | | | | dodging competitive market forces. |
| Cell phone companies lock consumers into long | | | | |