Buying a Mobile Phone
Buying a mobile phone can be confusing as there are many different types of deal. Take time to look at what is available and try more than one retail outlet. The same deal may be cheaper with another store.
Be wary of aggressive sales techniques – some salespeople may overwhelm you with the positive side of a deal. Be wary of getting into a deal before you’ve considered all the pros and cons.
There are two types of contract available:
Pay As You Go
This type of contract offers you the option to be in control, as you only need to ‘top up’ when you can afford to. The initial cost can be higher as you need to buy a handset but once you have the phone it’s up to you. If you are on a tight budget, or your finances can be unpredictable, this one is the easier option.
Pay Monthly
This type of contract can often offer a free phone as part of the package but there is usually a minimum monthly payment, whether or not you can afford it, and a minimum term over which you must keep the contract. It can be expensive.
With the Pay Monthly option, up-to-the-minute phones are used to sell a wide range of ‘deals’ which may be misleading if you don’t read the small print carefully.
It is very tempting to sign a contract because of the number of services on offer but consider whether a ‘deal’ is offering you things you don’t really need.
Some networks also add on an extra monthly charge if you don’t pay your bill by Direct Debit.
It is best to seek advice before making a decision if you are unsure about what you are signing. Once a contract has been signed it can be very difficult or even impossible to cancel and you may end up with a bill you cannot pay.
For more information contact The Advice Centre