[hydralisks]

My family's looking to purchase a family plan but don't know what phone to get. It'd be best if the phone is free but if a phone is significantly better, we're willing to pay a max of $50 for one.

Are the refurbished phones any good?

Suggestions would be great! Thanks!

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› See More: Please recommend me a phone!

[charlyee]

My family's looking to purchase a family plan but don't know what phone to get. It'd be best if the phone is free but if a phone is significantly better, we're willing to pay a max of $50 for one.

Are the refurbished phones any good?

Suggestions would be great! Thanks!

Hi there, welcome to CPF.

You posted the same question in AT&T and Verizon forums, which provider's phone are you looking for?

[hydralisks]

I'm trying to decide between ATT and Verizon and I didn't find a "General Questions" forum so I thought it best to post in both - thanks for the welcome!

[charlyee]

Thanks, I understand. As for phone recommendation, why don't you try the "www.att.com" and look at what they offer and pick a few and someone on the board can help you decide, I am sure.

I have only had refurbs from Verizon and they usually ended up being in better condition than phones with normal use.

I have been told that all refurbs are individually tested as opposed to the new ones which are quality checked by sampling from a batch.

So, in my opinion, the refurbs are a very good deal.

[hydralisks]

I've been looking at the Razr V3, Sony 580, and Samsung 737. Is one of them better than the others? I'd like as thin of a phone as possible since it's uncomfortable when phone bulge out of my pocket, but these 3 models all seem to be of comparable thinness.

[charlyee]

I've been looking at the Razr V3, Sony 580, and Samsung 737. Is one of them better than the others? I'd like as thin of a phone as possible since it's uncomfortable when phone bulge out of my pocket, but these 3 models all seem to be of comparable thinness.

All three have different features and it depends on what you are looking for. The V3 is a tried and true phone and there is a ton of information on it if you have questions. I like Sony Ericson's, they offer good quality phones. A friend of mine has the Samy 737 and has had some problems sending & receiving mms.

Here is a comparison of the 3, hope it helps.

[hydralisks]

Thanks for the link. Is there a trustworthy site of reviews of all the current most popular phones?

Of the three phones, is there a way to find out which has the best call quality (no sudden dropped calls/service) and sound clearness when talking?

[charlyee]

Thanks for the link. Is there a trustworthy site of reviews of all the current most popular phones?

Of the three phones, is there a way to find out which has the best call quality (no sudden dropped calls/service) and sound clearness when talking?

That site has "trustworthy reviews" of all the phones available in the US. If you read through the reviews you maybe able to get answers on the call quality questions.

To the best of my knowledge I don't know any of the three having any issues, if it was me, I would rank them as SE 580. Moto V3, Samy 737, only by manufacturer since the feature sets are different.

I don't know how important this is to you but the Samy is the only one with 3G.

[hydralisks]

Where's the cheapest place to purchase plans or do most people purchase directly off the AT&T and Verizon websites?

Is Wirefly.com any good?

[haq46q]

i love my blackberry curve, but it is too much.

if you want a cheap phone, i would say go with samsung slider, or moto razor

[charlyee]

Where's the cheapest place to purchase plans or do most people purchase directly off the AT&T and Verizon websites?

Is Wirefly.com any good?

I have heard some bad things about wirefly, no personal experience. I buy my phones from the provider's corporate store. I like to be able to go in there and try the phone out, ask the sales rep questions and bring it back to them if a problem develops.

[Cellplanman]

not a pro w/ the states side... but

Go to your local wireless wave... or equivalent. Then say "I will give you 3 new activations on 3yr terms if you give us decent phones for under 50$" and you should be set. W580 is most popular choice amongst teens in canada. (before iphone)

[charlyee]

not a pro w/ the states side... but

Go to your local wireless wave... or equivalent. Then say "I will give you 3 new activations on 3yr terms if you give us decent phones for under 50$" and you should be set. W580 is most popular choice amongst teens in canada. (before iphone)

You know this could be yet another difference between Canada and US. I don't believe 3 year contracts can be done normally and although there is always enough room of bargaining, this may not work.

In my experience, what you can sometimes get from the provider is upgrade eligibility moved up and from an independent dealers some price negotiation.

[Cellplanman]

You know this could be yet another difference between Canada and US. I don't believe 3 year contracts can be done normally and although there is always enough room of bargaining, this may not work.

In my experience, what you can sometimes get from the provider is upgrade eligibility moved up and from an independent dealers some price negotiation.

Im pretty confident that this rule should work in the states too.

If you go to a 3rd party (T-booth,Wireless Wave.. even future Shop and Bestbuy) has special in-store promos.

In Canada @ least.. T-booth and wireless wave you can "sweet talk the lady rep into giving you a discount" or some free accessories

FutureShop/Bestbuy/The Source have in-store promos all the time

eg:
The Source By Circuit City : Search Results
when this was released, on the rogers website it was 299... and some The Source stores were selling it free on a three yr term

when
Future Shop: Cellular Phones: Rogers: Rogers Nokia N95R 8GB Quad-Band Cellular Phone - 3 Years Agreement - In-Store Only
came out (last week it was 99$.. only yesterday it went up)
and
Best Buy Canada Web Store: Phones: Cell Phones: Rogers Nokia N95 Quad-Band Cellular Phone - 3 Years Agreement - In-Store Only
came out, Rogers dropped their price to 199 on a 3yr term

https://www.rogers.com/web/Rogers.po...l=WRLS_BuyFlow

Im going to the states tomorrow for 4 days (HTC touch w/ bell gives me 2GB of internet for 10$ roaming :P).. Ill see if I can confirm this. Im not much of a shopper (malls) but im going to be in enough of them, and Ill see what the US equivalent is.. if there is one