Buying Cell Phone Online?

[Slim]

Anyone ever buy a cell phone and plan from an online retailer besides the cell companies themselves (i.e not from att.com, sprint.com, t-mobile.com)?

I'm looking at new phones and plans and have found deals at a few online retailers (wirefly) but am unsure if I should trust them. Anyone with experience in this realm would be appreciated. Does it work the same as buying from say att.com?

[dmention7]

My first cellphone plan was purchased through some random online shop. No problems for me...

Do some digging on the site you're looking to buy from. How long has the company been around, are there BBB complaints against them, etc

[JustROLLIN]

Also, read the fine print about any possible contract extensions. I know the stores are very upfront about the two year agreements, but I dont know if the online stores are quite as frank about it.

[Slim]

Everything with the plan would be handled by the phone company though, right?

Like I'd pay them for the phones and they'd ship them, then I'd be calling the phone company to activate it. It wouldn't be going through the online retailer at all?

Joe, are you meaning to just be sure what contract I'm agreeing to with the purchase?

[JustROLLIN]

Yeah, but typically when phones are discounted, regardless of whom is discounting it, they are making the money back through the service contract. Now, its possible the online vendor is selling only the phone, but make sure thats the case. I just dont want to see ya get roped into some contract you didnt know you were signing.