# AT&T Cellphone deals **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 16, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212 "2009-07-16T12:44:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/1 "2009-07-16T12:44:03Z")
Need to replace my current cellphone. Would prefer to remain with AT&T as they have best service in this area. In order to get free phone must upgrade from current plan. Where can I get the best deal? Tried [letstalk.com](http://letstalk.com) at friends recommendation. Small discount from AT&T list price, nice phones available but they insist on tacking on monthly charge for roadside assistance. WTF?? Any better suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/2 "2009-07-16T12:47:16Z")
[Billshrink.com.](http://www.billshrink.com) Found a promotional plan from my carrier that is not advertised on there website, I will be saving over $25 a month and I got a new phone in the deal. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/3 "2009-07-16T14:22:47Z")
> [@Fir\_na\_tine](#): > > Need to replace my current cellphone. Would prefer to remain with AT&T as they have best service in this area. In order to get free phone must upgrade from current plan. > > Where can I get the best deal? Tried [letstalk.com](http://letstalk.com) at friends recommendation. Small discount from AT&T list price, nice phones available but they insist on tacking on monthly charge for roadside assistance. WTF?? > > Any better suggestions? How many months are on your current plan? If you don’t want to sign a new contract, you could just buy a phone off eBay. I am not eligible for a discounted phone from AT&T until February 2010, so I just bought one yesterday. There’s plenty of decent phones on there in the $80-$120 range. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/4 "2009-07-16T14:29:03Z")
Depending on your usage patterns, a prepaid phone might work for you. The downside is those don’t tend to be the coolest models on the market, and of course the phones aren’t free. Check to see if there are any discounts available to employees at your company (I could get about a 25% discount through my workplace - the phone is entirely in my name, I just have to sign up using my work address). Might there be a discount available to AAA members (if you’re a member)? I’ve never investigated that myself. Or for members of any other trade group or such that you’re in? ---
**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/5 "2009-07-17T00:51:01Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > How many months are on your current plan? If you don’t want to sign a new contract, you could just buy a phone off eBay. I am not eligible for a discounted phone from AT&T until February 2010, so I just bought one yesterday. There’s plenty of decent phones on there in the $80-$120 range. Is there any problem with doing that? Does the carrier charge for connecting the new phone? I know I have to be careful to pick one that’s Sprint compatible. I want a phone with a keyboard but Sprint will only sell me one if I also get a more expensive plan with texting. But I just want the keyboard for entries in my phonebook and calendar, not texting. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/6 "2009-07-17T04:11:07Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > Is there any problem with doing that? Does the carrier charge for connecting the new phone? I know I have to be careful to pick one that’s Sprint compatible. > I want a phone with a keyboard but Sprint will only sell me one if I also get a more expensive plan with texting. But I just want the keyboard for entries in my phonebook and calendar, not texting. I’d poke/ask around [here.](http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53) They are the experts in questions like these. ---
**Author:** ![TheMadHun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/7 "2009-07-17T15:06:52Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2009, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-t-cellphone-deals/503212/8 "2009-07-17T23:41:06Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > Is there any problem with doing that? Does the carrier charge for connecting the new phone? I know I have to be careful to pick one that’s Sprint compatible. > I want a phone with a keyboard but Sprint will only sell me one if I also get a more expensive plan with texting. But I just want the keyboard for entries in my phonebook and calendar, not texting. Generally, with Sprint, as long as the phone has a clean ESN (account it used to be registered to in good standing, etc.), you can connect it to your account for free. But you do always run some risk of falling through the cracks of the system and not having an official retailer you can threaten to chargeback if you go the eBay route.