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Step 1
Know what you have. Check the last few bills to see what billing plan you are on. Also, it helps to know the model of your cell phone, not just the company but the version of the phone you have.
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Step 2
Know what you need. You know better than anyone else what you need in a cell phone and a provider. If games and ringtones are important to you, look for that. If you just want a phone to call friends and family locally, know that as well.
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Step 3
Know what you're doing. Are you looking to upgrade your cell phone itself or are you looking to make changes in your plan too? Or do you want to do both at once?
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Step 4
Do a phone upgrade. For a phone upgrade, the options are very simple. Head to the website (see References below) and check out what phones Cingular has available. A new favorite phone is the LG CU 400. Take some time to read the specs for each phone that interests you.
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Step 5
Do a plan upgrade. The same techniques apply for a plan upgrade. Look at the website and see what specials are running. If you ask a customer service tech, you may be able to get that as an existing customer.
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Step 6
Head to the store. While it might be tempting to try to do everything from home, your best bet is to go and talk to a Cingular representative. Not only can you touch and feel all the phones in the store, but you can get real help from the rep. It's amazing what a little face time will do.
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Step 7
Marinate over the weekend. Give yourself 72 hours to think over the upgrade. There's nothing worse than doing an impulse buy on a cell phone or contract and getting stuck in a two year contract.
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Step 8
Ask a couple of Cingular customers about their phones and plans. If they have the phone you're looking at, ask them what their least favorite part about the phone is. Customers will be more honest than employees.
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Step 9
Head back to the store and get the deal. Make sure to go and try to get the same representative as you had before. This will ensure you get the same prices discussed previously.
