We all want to save a little money these days, and yet you might need a new mobile phone. Mobiles are such necessities for some of us, because of work, or maybe because we’ve already ditched that expensive home land line, that being without one is unthinkable. So what exactly can you do when you need that new mobile but you’re short on cash? Today we’re telling you how you can save money and get a new phone. So if you’re shopping on a budget, then read on…
Buy Mobile Phones Online to Save Money…
The first point is that you should always buy mobile phones online. This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it’s far easier to compare prices online, so you’ll know that you’re getting the cheapest price on the model that you want. Secondly, you simply get more discounts online. If you buy mobile phones online, even directly through a mobile operator, you’re likely to get at least a small discount. The overhead costs for online retail are so much lower than those for physical retail that sellers can afford to offer lower prices. Whatever kind of phone you’re looking for, you should always search online first to see what the best offers are.
Incentive Contracts and Instalment Plans…
If you have very little cash and desperately need a new phone, you have a couple of choices that are going to get you the phone you need whilst paying little or nothing up front. The first option is to go to a mobile operator and sign an incentive contract. This is a service plan with a calling plan that also comes with a phone. These phones are often free, with no down payment. But your monthly bill will be a little higher to accommodate the instalment payment that you’ll be making on your phone. The second option is to buy from a major electronics retailer. These retailers will often let you buy mobiles on instalment plans, but they generally require a down payment. The down payment is usually one month’s instalment up front. Be aware that with both of these options you will end up paying a little more than retail cost for the phone when you add up all your instalments. This is the price you pay for the convenience of not having a large initial cost.
Budget Smart Phones…
If you’re looking to buy a brand new phone and don’t want to pay in instalments, there are some great budget phones on the market. You can get a good, fully functioning, touch screen smart phone for under a hundred and fifty pounds these days. You’re going to have to be a little careful with the specs, because you don’t want to sacrifice too much performance for a low price. Look for a screen that’s at least three and a half inches, a processor that’s a minimum of 800 MHz, and a minimum of 512 Mb or RAM and 2 GB of internal memory. If you’re looking for some good budget models, check out the Huawei Ascend range. The Ascend W1 is a great new budget Windows phone, whilst the Ascend G330 is an Android model. The lower end Sony Xperia models, such as the Miro, also make great choices.
Refurbished Phone Models…
Another option to get savings, particularly on mid-range phone models, is by going for a refurbished phone. Some mobile operators sell these, as do manufacturers on their web sites. A refurbished phone is one that has been bought and returned, generally unused. It is then sent back to the factory to undergo a thorough technical inspection, then to be cleaned and rebooted. The great thing about refurbished phones is that they are indistinguishable from new models. You will not be able to tell the difference, either in appearance or in functionality, between a refurbished device and a brand new one. You’ll even get a warranty. These models tend to be sold at a good discount, and can mean getting great savings on what is essentially a brand new mobile. Budget models and top end models are tough to find, but there’s a good choice of mid-range mobiles that are refurbished.
Reconditioned Phones…
If you’re willing to sacrifice a little more in order to get bigger savings, you can also consider reconditioned phones. These are generally sold online or through manufacturers. Unlike a refurbished model, a reconditioned phone has been used. They are usually phones that have been rented by companies to use as business phones and then returned at the end of their rental period, although they may also have been personal phones. These are basically second hand devices, but the risk of buying reconditioned is less than that of buying second hand. This is because the phone has been returned to the factory and given a complete technical inspection, so you can be assured that nothing is wrong with it. It will also be cleaned and rebooted. Reconditioned phones may get software updates, where appropriate, and have worn or broken parts replaced. Batteries are often also replaced on reconditioned models. Because these phones have been used you are likely to see cosmetic flaws, such as scratches on the casing, but they should function perfectly.
Second Hand Choices…
Second hand buying can be risky, though there are some great deals out there. Your decision will be easier if you can physically inspect the phone before purchasing, but unfortunately the majority of second hand phones are sold online these days. If you’re thinking about buying second hand there are some basic guidelines that will help you to lessen the risk. Try to avoid buying person to person, which means not using sites such as Craig’s List or eBay. There are dedicated second hand phone web sites, some with better reputations than others. Try to buy using these sites, and look around for some customer reviews to see what kind of experience other people have had with the site. If possible, choose a site that has a return policy just in case you want to send the phone back.
Sam Jones daughter was looking to buy mobile phones for her family. She checked out the latest deals online using sites like uSwitch before she handed over any money!
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