Shopping Tips
You can purchase a new phone directly from a carrier store; if you're not sure what to buy, however, we recommend going to a third-party retailer. Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, and even Walmart sell phones, as well as carrier plans. A big advantage of buying a phone or a tablet from a third-party seller is that you have dozens of phones from multiple carriers at your disposal. If your contract is up and you're trying to choose between the iPhone 4 (AT&T) and the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G, for instance, you can compare the two phones side by side in the store. You can't do the same at a carrier store, because those phones are on different networks.
If you're considering buying a phone as a gift, definitely consult with the recipient before you go shopping--and although it will ruin the surprise, you'll probably want to bring them along on your shopping trip. We recommend getting as much hands-on time as possible with multiple phones before settling on one.
When dealing with store representatives, ask them to be as straightforward as possible. Tell them exactly what you're looking for, and what kind of phone or plan will fit your requirements. If you're completely unsure, ask the representatives what phone they use, or which phones impressed them this year. Don't let them jump into a sales spiel, or else you'll end up spending way too much time in the store. And remember, they're human beings too, and they're working during the holiday rush--be courteous, and you'll receive the same treatment in return.
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