Cell Phones

I've never owned a cell phone, but I have a question, if anyone wouldn't mind answering. When you buy a cell phone (iPhone and Blackberry, for example), does a service plan come with it (in the price), or do you have to pay separately for that? I realize you have to pay a regular fee, but I mean, initially, when you buy the phone, do you have a month or a year or whatever of service already included? I have very little knowledge of cell phones and the things associated with them. Thanks!

I have never texted.

i'm one of the last 10 people on Earth also not to own a cell phone...dont need one...have no friends....never owned one and never willl....so I have no clue what plans are what

people say : well you need one for emergency's

what the hell...emergency's didnt exist before cell phones??????

cell phones allow people to become complacent in my opinion...

It is usually the cell phone itself that comes very cheap in price, you can usually walk out of the store with a cell (given proper ID) only paying $30 or $40....then the monthly fee is usually $40 a month for about 300 monthly minutes (all evening & week-end minutes are free..evenings start after 9 monday-friday) usually $60 a month for more like 700 minutes...some enjoy text messaging added on for $10 or $20 a month more..

another option is going into Wal-mart and buying a pre-paid phone & only using the minutes you pay for as you go..

also you may want to buy Verizon if you have friends and family that also use it, or T Mobile if you have friends & family that use it, since calls to THAT CARRIER are free!!

You may want a family plan if you have a family or a boyfriend/girlfriend it is sometimes cheaper to go in on it together & get free calls to and from each other..

Good luck- the convenience of a cell, to have anytime you need info anywhere you can be reached, is unbeatable- you may not have to even pay for a home phone anymore, put your money into cell instead!

Good education of Cells ~2 thumbs up~ The only thing I wanted to add ok well there are two things. I have had Verizon for years, only one actually and I haven't had any problems with them and they are helpful even over the phone with helping you resolve issues.
OK 1st Verizons prepaid cells have a 25 cent connection fee ever time you connect on top of the minutes.
2nd T Mobile was the best prepay that I found. Got reception, no connection fees and could add minutes from computer or call or buy the minute cards at places like Walgreens.
3rd. We got a Tracphone for our daughter, another prepay and it SUCKED. There was NEVER service anywhere.
For reg monthly plans I recommend Verizon, I love them. For prepays I recommend T Mobile.
I would be lost without my cell. I feel naked if I forget it at home. My kids are happy knowing they can get a hold of me no matter what. And I love that it's free long distance so it cuts down on our home bill too.

I love my cell phone!! It has a calendar, and alarm clock, I can check my email from it, send email, browse the web, send unlimited texts, and I get free long distance.

I haven't had a home phone in over 5 years and I haven't missed it. You know what I have missed though is those annoying telephone solicitors that can't call me anymore.........Gosh, I soooo miss them.

My cell plan is pretty advanced because I use it for so much. You can get a simple cell quite in-expensively though if you don't need all the bells and whistles.

I have had good experience with AT&T and Verizon, but I prefer AT&T.

Happy hunting!!

I dont have a cellphone either, but my fostermother recently got a new plan. She pays 7.50 euro's a month for 100 minutes and.... a certain amount of texts, not sure how much. It's a one year plan.
you can also chose to just buy a phone and then not get a plan but just buy credit. Comparatively, that is more expensive though. However if you only plan to use it for emergencies, it may be cheaper in the end.

I love having my cell phone it makes my telephone bill much cheaper because AT&T is my phone carrier and they don't advertise that they do this but my home phone is set up that I can receive all the phone calls I want for free but if I make any out going calls it costs me something like $.50 a minute. So when I want to call someone I just use my cell phone. I have Cricket as my cell phone provider. I have unlimited local and long distance and I pay around $35.00 and my home phone is about $8.00. I have the home phone for emergencies just in case my cell isn't working.

Jan

Thanks, all. I'm not really thinking of getting one right now, because it costs more than I can afford, and I don't really need one (I'm home almost all the time, and with my boyfriend, who does have a cell phone, when I do go out). I figured I'd get a little info, though.