My 2 Yr. Contract Is Almost Up And I Have a Few ?s

I have been with Cingular for the last 2 yrs... (actually ATT). I am trying to get the best deal possible on a new contract. I currently pay <$98 month for 2 phones (800 anythime mins, nights (7pm), nationwide, 200 text messages)...

Now, I would like to include a 3rd phone for my mother which SHOULD enable some type of better deal than I am currently getting now. What is the best way to get the best deal from a provider? It seems no one wants to get my business because they (Cing., Sprint, T Moblie) will not provide anything additional then their current plans.. You USED to be able to wheel & deal. What happened?

Any suggestions will be appreciated. I would also like to get new phones in the deal as well. I would like to get the Razors but I know I won't get a good deal on them...

Thanks in advance, Paul

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chances are you won't be able to get a better deal on priceplans. if they gave 1 person a deal they would have to give everyone a deal. you can't make money giving everyone deals. you might get a deal on a phone if you get alot of minutes but probably not on 800min.

It depends on where you go. If you go to a store that is regulated by Cingular meaning they are actually Cingular wireless employees or they are authorized agents of cingular then you will get the same deals on any phone. Online sales will probably get you a better price on the phone but just pay attention to some of the threads on this website and you will see that sometimes its not worth it. Bottom line is the in-store is going to be able to provide more one on one action which is why sometimes its worth it to eat the additional money you pay on the phone to have the peace of mind that your activation will go through correctly and you also have a contact in a store then who will be able to assist you with personalized customer service. Now as far as wheeling and dealing wireless carriers have opted to stray away from that very thing because it complicates matters with billing and it makes many customers envious at the deal someone else got. This takes up alot of time for customer service reps who already have so much to do because you have people calling in all of the time saying so and so got this so why can't I. This leaves an occasional person happy but for the most part doesn't please those who don't get the same deal. Cingular as well as every other wireless carrier have thus sacrifised appeasing the customer in every situation by tacking on extra minutes and instead have opted for a more standardized system of operation thus creating happier customers overall. As for specifics in my market you can get 700 rollover minutes unlimited m2m and nights and weekends starting at 7 for 83.99 and then the added line would make it 92.99 before taxes per month 3 phones w/ 700rollover+ unlimited m2m+nights and weekends starting at 7:00= 92.99. Now I dont know if this helps but if you have any other questions let me know. Oh by the way I am a Sales Manager for a premium agent of Cingular. Forgot to mention that earlier

Pchicone, as far as finding the best deals on handsets, yes you can shop around, you can even get your Razrs for free most of the time after rebates, but for calling plan discounts all corporate stores as well as independent agents will have the same calling plans, there's no bargaining when it comes to set prices on plans....good luck.