And yet it’s more likely for customers to switch providers for Internet, pay TV, banking, and other services. Go figure.
phones
Time to Do the Math and Switch to a Prepaid Smart Phone?
The number of smart-phone users electing to skip the locked-in two-year contract and instead go with a prepaid plan is on the rise. But considering how much consumers stand to save by switching to prepaid — easily more than …
The Blackberry Moral (Or: The Trouble With Too Many Options)
We were intrigued but not surprised by a recent article in the New York Times detailing troubles at Research in Motion, maker of the Blackberry. Among several problems facing the Canadian tech company is an overabundance of …
10 Questions: What Makes a Pasta Worth $26? Do Health Insurers Owe You a Refund? What Is Money Anyway?
For thoughtful, insightful answers—or at least discussions with some funny comments—about these and other pressing consumer issues, here’s a roundup of recent posts and stories. The list even includes a special bonus question: What’s the difference between a collection and junk?
It’s a Deal: Free Phones on Fridays at Best Buy
Every Friday in October (starting today), Best Buy hosts Free Phones Fridays, when the retailer offers four different phones at no upfront cost. The catch? You have to sign a two-year service contract, but that’s a fairly typical requirement when you get a subsidized phone.
Tough Call: If You Never Use a Landline, Why Do You Still Pay for It?
One in seven households still pay for landlines despite the fact that nearly all of the calls made or received are handled via cell phone. What’s holding them back from ditching the landline for good?
Fee Alert: Have You Been the Victim of Phone Bill ‘Cramming’?
You might be paying $14.95 a month for “enhanced voice mail” or some other service that’s totally unnecessary, that you never purposefully signed up for, and that you simply don’t want.
Shout-Out: Kiplinger’s Fabulous Freebies 2009
Kiplinger offers a handy roundup of 30 websites, restaurants, stores, and services that are legitimately giving stuff away. The third annual list features free e-books, free video games, free ATMs, free phone directory assistance, and more.
