| people hear that they can save money on their | | | | the Blackberry 8830 is retailing for about |
| cell phone if they go the used or refurbished | | | | $400-$500, depending on the provider. That's a lot |
| route, but rarely do you actually hear how much | | | | to pay for a phone upgrade, and if I'm not |
| money you can actually save. What if I told you | | | | considering a used or refurbished phone, my plan |
| that you could feasibly save enough money by | | | | to upgrade probably stops here. |
| purchasing a used phone to pay for your cellular | | | | However, a quick search on Google for "used |
| bill for 3 to 6 months? | | | | blackberry" points me to a site that has |
| Perhaps you've read some of my other articles | | | | numerous 8830s available for most major |
| where I've been as guilty as anyone as simply | | | | providers. If I'm a Verizon customer, I can get a |
| saying "used cell phones help you save money." | | | | used 8830 in "Excellent" condition for about $120. |
| Most people probably read statements like that | | | | That seems more reasonable to me. The phone |
| and either don't believe them or begin to wonder | | | | has been tested and is fully functional and comes |
| exactly how much money can be saved. So, I've | | | | with the same 30 day warranty that I'd get from |
| compiled a little bit of data to make things clear, | | | | my local carrier store. Jackpot. |
| once and for all. | | | | If you're not a math wiz or are only slightly |
| To set the stage, let's assume I'm a regular Joe | | | | paying attention, I'll give you a hand here. Full retail: |
| who is in a common situation - I need to upgrade | | | | $400 - $500 (well compromise and say $450). |
| my cell phone but I'm not ready to sign another 2 | | | | Used Price: $120. |
| year extension with my provider (meaning I won't | | | | Thus the total savings that I can get from |
| be able to get one of the great deals they're | | | | purchasing the exact same model phone in |
| offering). I'm growing professionally so I've | | | | "Excellent" used condition versus buying a brand |
| decided that a Blackberry is the right phone for | | | | new one is somewhere around $330. |
| me. I can either go down to my local carrier store | | | | Think of all the things I can do with that $330. At |
| or their website and pay full price for a new | | | | the very least, I can pocket the extra cash and |
| Blackberry, or I can look around for a used | | | | set it aside to pay my cellular bill for the next 3-4 |
| Blackberry that's in good shape and activate that | | | | months. |
| on my plan. | | | | The Bottom Line: |
| Blackberry offers a lot of different models for | | | | New phone: $450, paid in full today |
| their phones, so to make this demonstration, I'm | | | | Used phone: $120, paid today, $330 savings that |
| going to talk about one of their more popular | | | | will cover my bill for the next few months or help |
| phones - the 8830. Since I'm not eligible for a | | | | me buy some accessories, upgrade my plan, etc. |
| discount through my provider, my only choice | | | | Given those numbers, I'm not sure why anyone |
| with them is to purchase a new one. Currently, | | | | would opt for the new phone. |