How to Avoid a Lemon of a Cell Phone Deal

There are so many different cell phone deals around today that it can be absolutely mind-boggling. The advantage to so much competition is that chances are you can obtain a well-crafted phone at a cost-effective rate. The major disadvantage, however, is that, with so many cell phones and cell phone plans to choose from, you may have difficulty choosing the best deal.

Here are some basic tips for avoiding lemons when selecting cell phones and cell phone plans:

Consider obtaining a reference. If you were looking for someone to babysit your children, chances are you would obtain references first. The same principle holds true when selecting cell phones and calling plans. Check with your relatives and friends to see what kinds of phones and plans they're using and find out if they are happy with what they have. If so, consider giving their cell phone company a ring.

Read the fine print. This is an absolute requirement when choosing a cell phone plan. If you don't read your agreement, you could end up with a cell phone bill you can't pay. The more you know about your plan in advance, the better off you'll be in the end.

Comparison shop. Don't settle for the first cell phone you see. "Test drive" a few different models so that you can determine which features you like and which ones you can do without. You're less likely to end up with a lemon if you do a credible amount of comparison shopping.

Be sure to read product reviews. These are a great deal like movie reviews. They can tell you which products to embrace and which to avoid. They can also provide you with an accurate thumb-nail sketch of various phones and plans, which can save you time in the long run.