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Thursday, March 8, 2018
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
GreatCall® or Best Cellular™, What"s The Best Plan For Seniors?
[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]GreatCall is a company that targets senior citizens with their plans and services although Best Cellular is quickly rising as a great low-cost alternative. GreatCall sells additional services that can be added to their plans. Alternatives to GreatCall like Best Cellular focus on keeping plans inexpensive and affordable. Below is a detailed table that compares some of the current rates and features available from Best Cellular™ and GreatCall®.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”15587″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Best Cellular vs GreatCall Plans
As you can see with the chart above, Best Cellular and GreatCall both have similar plan offerings. However, the costs are very different. For example, the average customer talks for 551 minutes, sends & receives 352 text messages, and uses 291MB of data every month on Best Cellular. On our basic Unlimited Talk/Text plan, they would pay only $35 (with no extra fees) and still have over 200MB data to spare!
When we compare with GreatCall plans, that same customer would have to pay $49.99 every month (plus the $35 startup cost the first month), plus an additional $19.10 to cover their data usage. That means their first month with GreatCall service would cost a total of $104.09! Check out the breakdown below. These costs don’t include taxes or the purchase of any physical products from either company, just a plan with average usage for the first month.
Many of our older users are able to stay on our $15 plan comfortably without fear of overages. Best Cellular does offer even cheaper plans but in the table below, we used the $35 Best Cellular plan since it offers the closest comparison to GreatCall rates.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content” full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving-fade”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”15627″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”link_image” css_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]
GreatCall® Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
Great Call plans are significantly more expensive when compared to Best Cellular plans for seniors. However, the company does offer some neat features available for additional monthly fees. If you’re looking to purchase a phone plan for a senior citizen who requires these services, GreatCall may be a good option. Their additional services each cost an extra $4 per service every month. GreatCall also sells Urgent Response Devices and wearables for Seniors. Devices such as these can help seniors to remain self-sufficient.
Best Cellular™ Plans for Senior Citizens
Best Cellular offers multiple alternatives to GreatCall Jitterbug phones and plenty of plans that fit the needs of our senior citizens. The Best Cellular plans start at just $15 per month with no contract, no credit check, and no hidden fees. Best Cellular plans are typically a good fit for self-sufficient seniors. If you are independent and don’t require monitoring services, Best Cellular has several great low-cost options.
Current GreatCall customers who are looking to port their number into Best Cellular can use our handy Great Call Account Number, Password & Contact Info tool to get the information they need to transfer a phone number away from Great Call. We also offer live, American customer service reps that are happy to help!
Get Started With One Of The Best Alternatives to GreatCall
If you were looking for alternatives to GreatCall, feel free to reach out and chat with us. We would love to earn you as a customer! We are available by phone, chat or email.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Details About The GreatCall® Company
GreatCall is based in San Diego, California. The company was founded by Arlene Harris in 2006. GreatCall® offers health and safety products and services for older adults. On June 7, 2017, GreatCall announced that it was being acquired by the private equity firm GTCR. They continue to provide phone service although ownership has changed.
Details About Best Cellular™
Best Cellular is a multi-carrier prepaid wireless company that operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator on the nation’s largest wireless carriers. As a prepaid wireless operator using multiple carriers, Best Cellular is able to offer greater coverage than single carrier MVNOs while helping our customers find the best option for their lifestyle. Our policy is to find the best coverage in your area, eliminating as many dropped calls and missed texts as possible.
Best Cellular offers local, American customer service and we focus on creating American jobs. Learn more about our core values here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Friday, February 23, 2018
What They Don"t Tell You About "No Contract" Phone Financing... by Sam
You’ve seen the ad and you want what they’re offering – a bright new device at a low, low price. Who could say no? You might if you knew better.
No More Contracts?
Mobile carriers in the US have recently shied away from using phrases such as “2-year contract” or “long-term commitment.” To the unsuspecting consumer, this may sound like a good deal… However, like many “developments” in the wireless industry, this trend is meant to be misleading. Instead of locking you into a contract for service, many carriers will lock customers in with a lengthy payment plan on the device. This way they still guarantee an ongoing profit. That’s great for business, but are you really getting a better deal? Let’s take a look at what these “no contract” agreements actually contain.
The Fine Print
Direct quotes are included from the fine print at StraightTalkSmartPay.com as of 02/13/18. These may be subject to change at any time. The terms of the example agreement below are typical for these types of offers. Best Cellular is not affiliated in any way with Straight Talk or SmartPay.
Who Really Owns Your Phone?
This is a lease-to-own transaction… Customers will not own the device until all payments are made, but may be able to exercise an early purchase option.
From the moment you receive it until you’ve paid the full balance, the device you choose to lease is legally not yours. You are under a 15 to 24-month leasing contract. There is one upside though:
Your leased device is covered by the Handset Protection plan during the lease term.
A handset protection plan is included as part of your lease. (A handset protection plan covers damages, but not loss or theft of the device.)
Damage is covered by an insurance plan, but if you lose your phone or it gets stolen, you still owe the remaining balance.
A savvy shopper will notice that there are two separate entities mentioned here – Straight Talk (Owned by Tracfone) and SmartPay.
All leases will be purchased directly from SmartPay Leasing, Inc., an independent company. TracFone Wireless, Inc. is not a party to the lease-to-own transaction.
As you may know, Straight Talk is a Mobile Virtual Network Operator that uses multiple carriers in the US. Straight Talk is owned by Mexican telecom company America Movil. (The same Mexican telecom company that owns Tracfone, Total Wireless, NET10 Wireless, Page Plus Cellular, Telcel America, and SIMPLE Mobile).
Straight Talk is a registered trademark of TracFone Wireless, Inc. 2017, a subsidiary of America Movil.
The other party to these leasing agreements is a financing company called SmartPay. While they are not owned by Straight Talk, we’ll look at how their lease terms do require service with Straight Talk.
What About Warranties Or Returns?
If you scroll to the bottom of the page on StraightTalkSmartPay.com, you will see this message:
Orders are processed and fulfilled by Quality One Wireless.
There is nothing irregular about using a third-party for distribution. However, this is something else to note as neither Straight Talk nor SmartPay are physically processing any shipments or returns. Quality One is based in Florida.
If you are a Straight Talk Plus or Net10 (online) customer, we suggest contacting the retailer for warranty-related concerns first.
In other words, you may get the runaround when you attempt to get a warranty replacement. If you do decide to use this type of phone financing agreement, we recommend having all three contact numbers on hand.
We’ll look at the total cost in a moment, but the main point to remember here is that you are under obligation to SmartPay (and therefore Straight Talk) until the full amount is paid. “Your phone” isn’t actually yours…yet.
Is this Available to Me?
For customers eligible under credit score path… For no credit score path, FICO score will not be used to determine eligibility, but credit information and consumer reports will still be reviewed. Approval not guaranteed.
Phone financing requires a credit check against your FICO score to determine the level of financing available. Many customers choose phone financing when they can’t afford a premium device upfront. Unfortunately, the total cost paid will be substantially higher and must be completed within 15-24 months.
The True Cost Of Financing A Phone
…the total cost of Google Pixel 2 XL LTE shall be $1107.05 divided into 24 30-day payments of $46.13, plus any taxes and applicable fees.
For customers eligible under no credit score path, the total cost of Google Pixel 2 XL LTE shall be $1729.22 divided into 15 30-day payments of $115.80, plus any taxes and applicable fees. Final payment may be more in North Carolina.
The example phone we chose is the Google Pixel 2 XL, which Verizon Wireless and other vendors list as $849.99 retail. (Although SmartPay lists the MSRP as $100 higher)
Retail cost of Google Pixel 2 XL LTE is 949.00, but is subject to change. The customer may end the lease and return their phone at anytime.
Let’s Do The Math For These Payment Terms…
15-month (Low or No Credit Score)
- Payments of $115.80 a month
- Total of $1729.22
- You pay more than DOUBLE the retail price of the phone! (203% to be exact).
24-month (High Credit Score)
- Payments of $46.13 a month
- Total of $1107.05
- You pay 130% of retail price for the phone.
There’s Another Catch
So here’s the real question: Are these financing plans really different than a contract?
Wireless service with Straight Talk Wireless is required and is additional. You will be required to use the new SIM card included with your new phone and you can keep or port your existing number. If you’re an existing Straight Talk customer and have remaining service days on an existing plan, your new service plan will automatically be added when your existing plan expires. Wireless service is subject to Straight Talk Wireless Terms and Conditions.
Lease-to-own requires a Straight Talk 30-Day Unlimited plan and is additional.
After 30 minutes on the line with outsourced SmartPay customer service, we finally received an explanation of these terms. The representative stated that a plan with Straight Talk is not required upon registration for the lease. However, immediately after signing the agreement, you will be set up with an autopay program to ensure service through Straight Talk (she recommended purchasing a plan through them ahead of time to keep your number). The service must be active for the entire length of the lease, right up until 2 days before it ends.
In this way, customers are obligated to stay with Straight Talk for 2 years (or 15 months, depending on credit approval). That’s the standard length of a postpaid wireless contract.
Also note, there are some states where this program simply is not available. There was no information on the site about this.
Not available in MN, NJ, WI, and WY.
A phone call to the SmartPay number listed on the site did not reveal further details, other than the rep telling us that, “some states have laws preventing the ownership of the devices.” When asked for clarification, the rep on the other end stated that you can buy the phone, but not own it in those states.
The truth is: States like Minnesota, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Wyoming have usury laws protecting consumers from loans with abusive or excessive interest rates.
Conclusion
If you want to use a new phone, but don’t have the money to pay for it upfront, leasing gives you the ability to have it now and pay for it later at an extremely high-interest rate. In addition, keep in mind that you are locked into service with a specific carrier, effectively giving you a contract for the entire length of the lease. And remember, that phone is not yours until it’s paid off. After reviewing the details, you may want to shop around for other options when purchasing a phone.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
"Unlocked Phones" - Here"s What You Should Know by Austin Abbott
The term "unlocked phone" has become very popular as online phone sales increase. At this point, "unlocked" has become a trendy term that people search for when they buy cellphones online. Here"s what you should know before buying an unlocked phone.
Types of Unlocked Phones
- GSM-Unlocked - GSM-unlocked phones are the most common type of "unlocked" devices. These devices are unlocked only for GSM networks (In the US, the main GSM devices that can be, or already are GSM-unlocked are T-Mobile and AT&T). You can use that device on any GSM network, but not other network types. A GSM-unlocked phone will not be compatible with CDMA or PCS networks. One benefit to GSM-unlocked devices is they will work in other countries where GSM networks are available. If you buy a Chinese phone or order an unlocked phone from a country outside the United States, it will usually be a GSM-Unlocked phone.
- Unlocked CDMA devices with a GSM antenna/chipset - These phones are able to work on both CDMA and GSM networks. Many CDMA phones are backward compatible with GSM networks. However, since GSM networks use an older technology, GSM devices may not be forward-compatible with CDMA networks. If you activate an unlocked CDMA phone on a GSM network, keep in mind you"ll need to update the APN settings (Access Point Name settings) for features like MMS or Data to work.
- Unlocked PCS Devices - Unlocked PCS devices are backward compatible with GSM-A & GSM-T networks. Most PCS devices cannot be used on CDMA networks, even if unlocked.
- Completely Unlocked Devices - There are very few phones that are truly compatible with every mobile carrier and it is recommended that you check the device ESN/IMEI number against the carrier you wish to activate it with to remove any unpleasant surprises.
Is My Phone Unlocked?
If you"re unsure which carrier(s) your phone is compatible with, feel free to contact us so we can help you find out which networks your phone can be activated on!
Unlocked Phone won"t recognize SIM Card
- If you ordered a phone online that was sold as unlocked but you plan to activate it on a PCS (Sprint) or CDMA (Verizon) network, it might not be compatible. Feel free to call our customer service line if you"d like to ask any questions!
- A GSM-Unlocked phone can be activated on GSM-A (AT&T) or GSM-T (T-Mobile) networks. All you need to do is to edit your APN settings (Access Point Name) settings.
https://bestcellular.com/new-unlocking-rules/ GSM-unlocked, Is My Phone Unlocked, recognize SIM Card, Unlocked Phone, Unlocked Phones
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Phone Conditions - What Is The Difference? - Best Cellular
New | “New” phones mean the product is in new condition. These phones have been opened in order for our staff to test every single feature to assure proper functionality. Every device we sell undergoes a 94-point inspection before being sold. New phones will show absolutely NO signs of use. |
Certified Refurbished | “Certified Refurbished” phones are devices that have been previously returned to a manufacturer or vendor for various reasons. Certified Refurbished phones are repaired by the device manufacturer and tested for functionality and defects before they are sold. These devices are typically given a 90-day return policy by the phone manufacturer. |
Mint | “Mint Condition” is an expression used to denote the quality of pre-owned products as displaying virtually no imperfections and being in pristine condition, similar to its original production state. |
Refurbished | A “refurbished” cell phone typically refers to a model that has been returned to the manufacturer, tested for problems, and restored to full-functioning, factory-standard condition. Refurbished phones are previously owned phones but they are enhanced, often featuring brand new parts and freshly installed software. A refurbished phone will have the stock firmware restored and not any type of prepaid branding or boot logos. |
Certified Pre-Owned | “Certified Pre-Owned” or CPO phones have been thoroughly inspected by the manufacturer’s technicians. Certified Pre-Owned phones are in factory-quality condition. |
Used | “Used” phones vary greatly in the amount of wear and signs of use, depending on the previous owner. Used phone conditions typically range from A-Stock to D-Stock with A-Stock being the best quality. |
A-Stock | A-Stock or “Grade A” phones are lightly used phones. These devices will have some small nicks or scratches but they are re-packaged & kitted like a refurbished phone. |
B-Stock | B-Stock or “Grade B” phones are used phones with medium nicks or scratches. These devices are repackaged & kitted like a refurbished phone. |
C-Stock | C-Stock or “Grade C” phones are heavy with significant nicks or scratches. These devices are repackaged & kitted like a refurbished phone. |
D-Stock | D-Stock or “Grade D” phones may have worn out or broken parts. The screen is readable but severely scratched. |
Parts Only | Phones that are sold as “parts only” would typically include phones with cracked screens, bad ESN numbers other damage that would render the device useless to anyone besides a repair shop looking for scrap parts. We do not sell any devices that are damaged or unusable and we don’t offer “parts only” devices. |
Why buy used or refurbished phones?
These phones are greatly discounted because they may show signs of wear from previous use. Many customers prefer used or refurbished phones because they can have the same device specs of a brand new phone at a fraction of the price. If you would rather a new model, feel free to order a new model (at additional cost).
Every phone we sell is in working condition and undergoes a thorough inspection to make sure every feature works before we sell them. Many people prefer the refurbished phones because they can save a lot of money and, let’s face it, most of us need a fully functional device at less than new price.
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Double Commissions (For Best Cellular Affiliates) by Sam Liedtke
Shortly after announcing that Best Cellular is offering double mobile data on plans, we are also upgrading to offer double affiliate commissions! We offer these higher affiliate payouts for both new and existing affiliates.Prepaid Wireless Plan Affiliate Program
When we launched the Best Cellular affiliate program, affiliates only earned commissions on physical goods. This included cell phones, accessories, and signal boosters, but not plans. Now that all changes! Affiliates earn commissions on any product purchased through our site including plans, cash cards, and even International Long Distance.
Double Affiliate Commissions
In addition to the increased eligible products, we have decided to introduce double commissions. In the past, our prepaid wireless affiliate program only offered 5% commissions on tangible goods. Starting December 18th, 2017 affiliate commissions have increased to 10%! This means that any product sold through an eligible affiliate link will earn double our previous commission. These double affiliate commission rates apply to all prepaid wireless plans. Many online customers will be shopping for our improved rate plans, and our affiliates can share in the sales. Between the improved products and double commissions, our affiliates can earn more than ever before!
What About Existing Affiliates?
Current Best Cellular affiliates will be pleasantly surprised. Unpaid commission earnings have doubled as well! (Ex: If you already earned $500 USD this month, we will double your earnings to $1,000 USD). We appreciate all of the members of our affiliate program, and we work to pass on increased earnings in any way we can.
How Do I Become An Affiliate?
It"s easy to join the Best Cellular Affiliate Program, and these new updates make it better than ever. We give new members a customized link code which they can use with any of the products on our site. Our 90-day affiliate tracking cookies make sure you get paid for each and every sale you refer. (That means we pay you whether someone takes 3-seconds or 3-months to make a purchase!) Minimum payouts are only $10, so Best Cellular Affiliates can cash out quickly and easily.
Affiliate Program Highlights
- 10% affiliate commissions
- 90-day tracking cookies
- Low, $10 minimum payout
- Earn affiliate commissions on prepaid plans, cell phones, accessories, SIM Cards, signal boosters, cash cards and even International Long Distance!