Is There Any Reason To Go Back to Contract-Based Plans?

[BBFXPro777]

2012 marks a new year, a new beginning and....... new plan recommendations. Even though I love VMUSA and don't plan on switching, some associates have told me to switch carriers. Hearing their outrageous comments, it has made me wonder - is there any real reason to go back to contract-based plans?

With VMUSA and many other no-contract carriers such as Boost Mobile and Simple Mobile, sure, you do not typically get the best latest phones and need to buy them at full price, but the plans are a steal. For instance, if I went to Sprint's main division, I would have to pay double to get the same service I get on VMUSA, which in 2 years, is a difference of $1200. Also add in various fees of contract-based plans (activation, cancellation, support, etc) and the big picture clearly gives no-contract services a massive advantage in the long run.

After rebuking their claims, my associates began saying contract-based plans are better for business (irony is that I am in business/finance and they aren't). I have used VMUSA for 9 months and service has been quick and reliable for my business. No dropped calls and internet connection is always on and extremely reliable. Add in the fact that BIS is included virtually for free and it becomes an even better bargain.

This is not a total rant against contract-based carriers, as I know certain people will definitely need contract-based plans. But for the needs of most people, is there any real reason to go back to contract-based plans?

[N467RX]

I still have my contract Nextel, just because my contract is good until September and I still use the radio.

The advantages I see
-Roaming
-Better phone selection
-More flexible options (add-ons)

Disadvantages
-Lots of hidden charges. My $69 plan means I usually end up paying between $75 and $85. On my VM plan $35 means $38 (taxes).
-If you want anything decent it ends up being expensive. Cheapest I could find a BB on Sprint was about $60-70

I don't see the subsidized phones as an advantage, as they heavily mark up the phone prices if you're not getting it with a plan (I recall the i1 being somewhere around $300 on Sprint, $200ish on Boost). A T-Mobile refurb 8520 is $250 without a contract, while a new 8530 is around $180 with Boost, that was also the price with VM, but nowadays you can find it for around $100.

[medicinILL]

I don't see any reason to get a contract with a major carrier. Yes, they do have the newest phones but it comes at a price. I'm very happy with my Curve 8530 on VM USA, it's very reliable and it does everything I need it to. At only $35 a month for unlimited text, web and just 300 minutes it's a great deal. I know some people might say "only 300 minutes?!" but that's more than enough for me, I rarely make it to 260. I have great signal in my area and their customer service hasn't let me down, at least not yet lol. Anyway, I know I'm saving money in the long run. The VM USA site even has a chart to let you see how much you would save if you were to get service through them. So, my answer would be NO, there's no reason for me to go with a contract based plan.

[RetroBerry]

There is definitely no rational reason to go back to contract-based plans. From seeing many articles and statistics, many go to contract-based phones to get the newest, "hippest" phone out there just to keep up with the Joneses. For me, on the other hand, it's like my business - I want the best value and biggest savings possible.

I am on Simple Mobile. They use T-Mobile's network and I pay $40 a month for unlimited calls, text and data (up to 3G speeds). If I went to one of the big companies on a contract, I would pay at least $80 a month and would need to stay with them for at least 2 years.

One other beauty about Simple Mobile is that you can choose any unlocked, GSM-based phone. If you love Blackberries, you can choose a retro 7230, 7290 to the latest Bold and Torch models. (But of course, if you want to take full advantage of the savings, get an older phone and the savings rack up very quickly )