Question for anyone who knows a lot about AT&T phones...????!!!!!!?

Ok, so i'm like, really confused about a bunch of stuff w/ at%26amp;t.

here's the deal--i want/need a new phone!! don't ask why, i just do! so...the thing is, i am in the middle of a contract right now. i was told that i cannot get a new phone until, like, november. that's what the at%26amp;t guy told me. but what i need to know is:

- when u extend ur contract, HOW LONG DO U EXTEND IT FOR?

- is there any way to geta new phone AT THE DISCOUNTED PRICE when ur in the middle of a contract?

- is it easy or hard to change phone services. like would it be this whole big thing to change from at%26amp;t to verizon?

- does anyone know where i can get a really cheap phone(that ISN'T used), besides ebay and craigslist?? or any coupons??

- any suggestions for a good phone that is like the envy(like with a QWERTY KEYBOARD)

- does anyone know anything about the Samsung Blackjack. is it agood phone, and is it too complicated?? i don't want a whole lot of apps and stuff on a phone. but i want texting, camera...the basic stuff etc.

PLZ ANSWER WHATEVER U CAN

i moslty want to know how i can get a new phone at a DISCOUNTED price b4 my contract ends, and if anyone know hos long i have to extend my contract



REMEMBER I HAVE AT%26amp;T



THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!Question for anyone who knows a lot about AT%26amp;T phones...????!!!!!!?
OK I'll try my best to answer...



1- When you extend your contract, to get a discounted phone price you have to extend it for 2 years. They have a 1 year option also I believe, but the phones are pricey-er. If you want just the phone and no contract, you'll pay the asking phone price. No discount for you :(

2-The only way to get a discounted phone price while your in the middle of the contract is pretty much to wait until the period of 6 months before your contract runs up, that's when you can renew it, and get the cheap phone price.

3-It's not hard to change services if you can afford the big expensive phone contract cancellation charges! *cough* a couple hundred dollars! That's a lot to choke up! If your going to do that, you might as well purchase the phone you want at full price! It'd be about the same money wise.

4- try TigerDirect.com there's a few under $50. Google %26quot;new cell phone%26quot; you'll come up with results of diff. sites you could check out!

5- Pantech Matrix. AT%26amp;T quickfire, Blackberrys, etc.

6- Samsung Blackjack is a good phone. Similar to Blackberry's. But it is a Smart Phone, so it AT%26amp;T requires you to purchase a Smart Phone data package, and they aren't cheap. If your not looking for a lot of apps, avoid all smart phones!



You can renew your contract in MAY-JUNE (that's 6mths before), and you'd be able to get a new phone at a discounted price, only with a contract tho! I'd wait until then, because AT%26amp;T will just keep getting new and improved, and better phones.



Hope this helps you hun!





ps- edit - AT%26amp;T doesn't budge as easily as others. But they are nice, and if you are a loyal customer and you pay your bill on time, that's when they reward you with the option to renew your contract 6mths earlier.

The only other option you could do is sign up for add a line for 9.99 and then you'd get a cheap phone. But they don't have a %26quot;1 month only%26quot; contract. Even if you ask. So you'd be paying 9.99 + tax a month, for a year or 2, for that extra line, all for a new phone. And you couldn't cancel without fees. I asked at 3 diff. stores in my area, %26amp; I called customer service and asked. %26amp; AT%26amp;Ts' GoPhones (prepaid phones), they don't have any thing special. =)Question for anyone who knows a lot about AT%26amp;T phones...????!!!!!!?
You could get a pre payed phone and switch the Sim card. Any SIM card based cell phone will work just fine however if its not an AT%26amp;T phone you may need to have the phone unlocked.Question for anyone who knows a lot about AT%26amp;T phones...????!!!!!!?
Okay, so here is your deal. First thing is first, to get a phone for contract price (with at%26amp;t) you need to either ride out the contract for 2 years or pay to end it early. When you get a new phone you will be either signing another 2 year contract (normally) or a 1 year contract (not often). The 1 year contract is going to make the phones more expensive.



Secondly, there are a few tricks to get around this problem. Go into the store and tell them you want to sign up for their prepaid service for a month and then put that phone onto your contract :-). This is a new phone and it is cheaper than buying it retail. (I'm not supposed to tell you these things) Or you could also call their customer service and plead with them, telling them that your phone is damaged and you need a new one and have been a customer for X years. (you know the routine)



As far as changing services, it is VERY easy. You just keep your current service up and go into another carriers store with a bill. The bill will have your account number and mailing address on it, so you can keep the same phone number that you have now. But because you still have a few months left on your current contract at%26amp;t will hit you with a $200 early cancellation fee.



As far as those phones, I am not familiar with them seeing that I work for a different carrier :-P. But I have heard a lot hype about the blackjack. I'm guessing it is pretty easy to learn.

Hope all this info helps you make the best decision :-)