Experts say shop around when buying a cell phone

When buying a cell phone, there can be hundreds of options from which to choose. Many companies tempt you with everything from free accessories to free minutes to get your business. However, experts

Tuesday, September 12th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

When buying a cell phone, there can be hundreds of options from which to choose. Many companies tempt you with everything from free accessories to free minutes to get your business. However, experts say don't let those free minutes fool you. "You have an allotment of minutes, anywhere from 10 a month to a thousand or more per month, and the price of the basic service can be anywhere from $20 to $100 a month,â€ said Lou Richman of Consumer Reports. â€œOn a per minute basis, if you're not giving away those minutes at the end of the month, the ones you don't use can cost you anywhere from a dollar a minute down to 15 cents or less a minute.

Shop around for your service plan before buying a cell phone, and remember to get your contract in writing.