Americans are seeking ways to cut costs in today’s tight economy without sacrificing quality or value. Respondents ranked wireless service among the top three things they would not sacrifice, despite having tighter budgets.
These customers have the advantage of wireless carriers offering affordable options that enable them to manage their spending. Budget-savvy consumers may not be aware that prepaid plans and pay-in-advance plans are not the exact same. They may find themselves spending more than expected when using prepaid plans.
Prepaid plans require consumers to purchase a set number of minutes and then pay for reloading the minutes. Some companies charge extra for every day a phone’s usage. These charges and fees for extra minutes can quickly add up, and turn what was originally intended to be a budget-saver in to a financial disaster.
Consumers with pay-in advance plans like MetroPCS pay a fixed monthly fee for unlimited minutes or texts. There are no hidden fees. Asking smart questions will help informed consumers cut down on their wireless costs without compromising quality or abandoning wireless phones altogether.
These are the questions to ask when considering a new wireless service plan:
1. Will I receive a predetermined amount of minutes or an unlimited number of minutes if I pay a fixed dollar amount?
2. How much per minute will it cost to purchase more if my prepaid plan runs out?
3. 3. Are there penalties for each day I use the telephone?
4. 4. Are there activation fees?
5. Do you have options for customizing the service (e.g. number of handsets, packages, etc.) to fit my wireless service needs?
“Unlike some wireless plans, staying within your budget is easy with MetroPCS,”Karyn Holgens, a money management expert. “It’s a planned expense without hidden fees or extra charges, and for a flat monthly rate you can text and talk all you want.”
