Cell Provider Plan Puzzler

[demon42]

I have a puzzler that hopefully someone can help with... I apologize if this is the wrong forum for it, it seems the best fit.

The Setup
I have a phone with Verizon, my wife has a phone with t-mobile. Both of us are no longer under contract, we can switch providers.

The Outcome
We need...

• To get new phones

• To be on a family plan

• To keep our numbers

The Questions

1. What's the cheapest way to get the above result?

1. Can it be done via 3rd party retailers (wirefly/letstalk/etc)?

1. Is it best/possible to choose t-mobile or verizon... or someone else?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Raduque]

My advice: Find the service that has the best coverage for the areas you go. Don't chose the carrier based on who has the flashiest phones, because what good is a $500 phone if it always says "No Service"?

Do some research based on your needs, find the carrier that you think will fit those needs at the prices you're willing to pay, and then get a prepaid phone with that carrier to see how the coverage is. If it's good, open a contact and take advantage of the guarantee period. Be absolutely sure you like the service before you port in your old numbers.

Edit: You should be able to setup a family plan through letstalk/wirefly, then port in your numbers afterwards. Be careful with the resellers, read their fine print well. You may get hit with extra fees if you make changes to your account prohibited by the contract with the reseller.

 

[uli2000]

Check out the reseller ratings and BBB on wirefly and lets talk, they are atrocious. Personally, if you want to buy phones off the internet, I think amazon is the way to go. But be careful, some resellers also make you sign a contract with them saying you wont swich your plan during your first 6 months or they will bill you for your discounted phones. These companies get paid by the cell phone provider, but if you change your plan within the first 6 months of the contract, their commission gets reduced or taken away in some cases, so they have these additional contracts to cover them.