I looked into buying an unlocked phone for similar reasons but didn't do it. New, unlocked phones are quite expensive, and you may want to take that cost into account. Would it be less than the long-term cost of signing up for a new and more expensive plan BUT with a free or cheap phone? If you're paying a lot of money, maybe not. That was one of the things that stopped me. The markup on unlocked phones was INSANE.
Amazon and eBay both have unlocked phones for sale through third-party dealers, and I guess my advice there would be the same as for any other product: buy from a reputable dealer with good user feedback. I would also do research on phones before buying one. Cnet has good reviews that are technical but accessible, and that, perhaps coupled with some store visits to look at the phones themselves, can give you an idea of what models to zero in on.
I seem to remember Cingular trying to root out ancient AT&T plans after that merger a few years ago, but I'd have to ask around for the specifics. I left AT&T right after the Cingular merger was announced (I might have stayed if Vodafone had been the buyer), and when I left I had a strange old NY metro area plan where I incurred roaming charges in other parts of the state. I was just as happy to get rid of that and felt it was worth it to pay $10 extra for twice as many minutes and national roaming with T-Mobile. Also, AT&T was lousy at that point.
Thanks! All solid advice that I would give to others in my situation. I've already spent a good amount of time on eBay and Craigs List.
The main question I still have, though, is whether or not unlocked GSM phones really do work with ANY sim card, or if there are catches. I've not yet talked to anyone who's gone the unlocked route.
The plan is seriously that cheap that I'd rather go through the hassle. Just don't make me talk to another AT&T rep -- I might go into shock from the ineptitude.
I think they theoretically should work with any SIM card, yes, as long as the phone will work on the GSM network in the country/area where you are (unlikely to be a problem with any phone you would be buying). I had a Nokia phone (originally an Irish Vodafone phone) unlocked in Ireland a few years ago, and then a friend was able to use it with a UK SIM card about a year later with no problems.
From what I've heard, the only thing you have to be mindful of is that when a phone is branded to a certain carrier, that company has a great deal of control over the phone's features--what works and what doesn't, and so on. Even an unlocked phone could still be set up for its original carrier and might have some quirks if you're using it with another carrier. I don't know much more about it than that, but it's something to think about.
Yeah, one of the reasons I left AT&T was the inept sales and customer service reps. Trying to get anything done with that company was such a struggle. I encountered a bad egg at the T-Mobile store in Harvard Square last month, but on the whole, they have been much better than AT&T was back in the day. I have better luck in a lot of cases with people in the store than on the phone, but that could just be my preference for dealing with people face to face.
Amazon and eBay both have unlocked phones for sale through third-party dealers, and I guess my advice there would be the same as for any other product: buy from a reputable dealer with good user feedback. I would also do research on phones before buying one. Cnet has good reviews that are technical but accessible, and that, perhaps coupled with some store visits to look at the phones themselves, can give you an idea of what models to zero in on.
I seem to remember Cingular trying to root out ancient AT&T plans after that merger a few years ago, but I'd have to ask around for the specifics. I left AT&T right after the Cingular merger was announced (I might have stayed if Vodafone had been the buyer), and when I left I had a strange old NY metro area plan where I incurred roaming charges in other parts of the state. I was just as happy to get rid of that and felt it was worth it to pay $10 extra for twice as many minutes and national roaming with T-Mobile. Also, AT&T was lousy at that point.
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The main question I still have, though, is whether or not unlocked GSM phones really do work with ANY sim card, or if there are catches. I've not yet talked to anyone who's gone the unlocked route.
The plan is seriously that cheap that I'd rather go through the hassle. Just don't make me talk to another AT&T rep -- I might go into shock from the ineptitude.
Reply
From what I've heard, the only thing you have to be mindful of is that when a phone is branded to a certain carrier, that company has a great deal of control over the phone's features--what works and what doesn't, and so on. Even an unlocked phone could still be set up for its original carrier and might have some quirks if you're using it with another carrier. I don't know much more about it than that, but it's something to think about.
Yeah, one of the reasons I left AT&T was the inept sales and customer service reps. Trying to get anything done with that company was such a struggle. I encountered a bad egg at the T-Mobile store in Harvard Square last month, but on the whole, they have been much better than AT&T was back in the day. I have better luck in a lot of cases with people in the store than on the phone, but that could just be my preference for dealing with people face to face.
Reply
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