I see all of these so-called deals out there that include a free cell phone – whats the catch?
Most deals that include a free cell phone (or cell phones) require that you sign a one-year or two-year contract to stay with a specific wireless carrier. If you cancel or change service before this agreed-upon contract is up, you face an early cancellation fee. The amount of this early cancellation fee varies widely with different carriers and plans. Also, some of these free cell phone deals are, in fact, rebate offers. In these cases, the consumer actually pays for the cell phone when signing up and then is required to mail in rebate forms, proof of purchase, etc. in order to be reimbursed. So, as long as he/she mails in the required information in a timely fashion, the cell phone will be free. Not all free cell phone deals are rebate offers, though. Some deals actually do include a cell phone at no cost when signing up. So, there is no real “catch” with this type of deal, as long as you honor the terms of your contract (usually 12 or 24 months). Before signing up with a carrier, be
