Contract vs buying phone

[Texter]

I hate 2 year contracts. About every 6 weeks a new phone rolls out that is better than the last one. In this progressive development phase 2 years is an eternity.

So I'm thinking instead of extending my contract for 2 years with a low priced carrier subsidized phone, I may start buying phones off craigslist, use them for a year and then repeat the cycle.

I figure I can sell the phone and apply the price toward another. Are there other ways you can get around the 2 year contract issue and still have a nice phone?

Thoughts?

 

[Clementine_3]

Verizon has 1 year contracts. The phones are $70 more than the 2 year price, which is worth it for me! I always had 2 year contracts and would upgrade early with another family plan line but now am going to only do 1 year contracts or craigslist/classifieds. There are too many new fangled phones coming out and 4G will eventually be in my area so I don't want to be tied to anything for too long. I'm not looking to upgrade my Droid just yet, but when I do it will be for 1 year. Same for all my other lines, I've already told everyone they need to pony up the extra cash and do 1 year contracts only.

 

[synjun]

Avoid any new contract scam.. if the economy (riots in your town) start spreading and your employer lays half off, you will be fined by your cell provider more than a used phone from e-bay, or cowboom... never ever sign a new contract

 

[DaSchmarotzer]

Since I can't afford new phones often (if at all... even used ones), I'd rather sign a contract and get a phone for free. For me, it's simply better than paying both the phone and the plan.

 

[Texter]

Bought a 4 day old MyTouch 4g off craigslist. Love this phone. Got it for $300, so I think I can use it for several months and still sell it for a decent price when I want something else.

 

[NunyaBidnez]

Though they don't advertise it anymore, I hear that T-Mobile still offers their non-contract plans which offer lower monthly rates but require that you purchase a phone at full retail value. If you're going to buy a phone at full price anyway, you might as well save on your monthly bill to recoup some of the costs. If you're interested, just talk to a sales rep and ask for the "Even More Plus" plan. Remember to say the word "Plus" so they don't confuse it with the similarly titled "Even More" plan, which is their normal contract plan with a subsidized phone.

 

[Texter]

It's complicated because we have 4 phones on our plan & my son just upgraded to a G2. I'm buying used so I can hold out for a barn burner down the road.