Should You Finally Flush Your Cell Phone Company?

Maybe Not...Yet, Anyway: Here's Why!

Plus: Two Tips That'll Save Your Butt This Holiday Season

 

Air Date:    November 26, 2003

 

With the official start of the holiday shopping season beginning Friday, our consumer watchdog and un-common sense expert and Dallas Morning News columnist Benjamin Dover joins us this morning to try to prepare us for the onslaught at the malls.

 

Question #1:    What's the number one thing consumers should do the day after Thanksgiving?

 

Answer: Easy...stay away from all of the cell phone stores.  As I first predicted last summer when it was announced that cell phone number portability would become reality this week, there's alotta confusion surrounding this new cell phone customer-empowering option.  My bottom line?  If you're twisted off at your current cell phone provider, waiting another month isn't gonna kill ya. 

 

Trying to jump ship and take your number with you right now is a recipe for disaster.  Between the mass of interest surrounding this new option, combined with no hard-and-fast rules on how long the change-over should take--we've been hearing times quoted ranging from 2.5 hours to "a day or two"...just chill. 

 

Another reason to relax?  I think you're gonna see the knives come out in the next few weeks and the cell phone companies are going to do their best to raid each other's clients by offering all sorts of deals and enticement to jump ship.

 

Question #2:    So Ben if someone does jump ship, will they be able to use their same telephone with the new cell phone company?

 

Answer:    Probably not.  Even though your new cell phone provider may use a Nokia phone model that's identical to the one you're using right now [for instance], there's a good chance it won't work with your new company.

 

Question #3:    Why's that?

 

Answer:    As I first reported in my column in The Dallas Morning News almost three years ago: "All cellular phones are loaded with software that makes them work specifically with the networks of the phone carrier that sold the phone into service in the first place."

 

Question #4:    Okay, so we're gonna stay away from the cell phone stores--for now anyway.  What other advice do you have for shoppers as they begin the big shopping push the day after Thanksgiving?

 

Answer:    Two things quickly come to mind... 

        Don't waste your money on extended warranty service contracts: Salesmen love to try to add these on because they're paid pretty nice commissions on 'em.  Frankly, most electronics are priced in such a way these days that it probably makes most sense to roll the dice and take the bet that your purchase--which is probably going to be a gift, anyway...so let the recipient worry about service--the bet is that it won't break and if it does, it's cheaper to buy a new one, anyway.

 

        Make sure you keep your receipts!  Not only are more and more stores really holding consumer's feet to the fire and making them show proof of purchase, but alotta stores still print way too much information on those receipts....like your name and full account number.  There's movement in Washington to make merchant credit card processing equipment block this information, but it hasn't happened yet.  And a receipt blowing across a parking lot or laying on the floor of the Galleria can be just as dangerous as the card itself in many cases.

 

Close:    For all of Ben's tips covered this morning, as well as his 2003 Holiday Gifts Picks list that we'll talk about next week, check out his award-winning website at www.benjamindover.com, or you can always link over through our own www.khou.com. 

It's finally here.  Ben's 2003 Holiday Gift Picks List: Wanna get a letter from the President? How about a sheet of uncut $1/$5/$10/$20 bills? Maybe you're at a loss for the perfect gifts for the woman in your life.  Maybe you've got someone on your gift list who already has "everything....."  Outta the box solutions...all here and all $$$ affordability rated.....

Struggling with your monthly house payment? You might not have to if you take this shot of Dover Mortgage-related Common Sense! Especially for Texans (God bless the intelligent voters that allowed Proposition 6 to pass last month), homeowners over the age of 62 in Texas (other states age-limits will vary) can eliminate their monthly house payments if they know where to go. Oh yeah...here's where you can find more info on how to stretch those fixed-budgets.....

Diamonds are still a girl's best friend.  Here's how to buy 'em right, getting maximum bang-for-your-buck: It doesn't matter where you live on the planet, I've got the absolute best, Internet-based resource for diamond rings, tennis bracelets...or even high-end watches like Rolexes. 

Still looking for a cool birthday (or other special occasion) gift that'll keep on giving, all year long? Then give 'em a subscription to the Dose of Dover...the most reliable source of insights and no s*** ideas available on the planet. (You can afford it...it's free!) Time to share the wealth! Sign-up for a subscription to the weekly Dose of Dover Newsletter right here!

'Tis the season to dig deep and give to the charity of your choice. Just make sure they're legit.  Check out my special section devoted to helping you make the best charitable choices this holiday season--or any time of the year.  Also included: My personal charities of choice for the 2003 holiday season.....

Why not be a hero this holiday season for a change? Instead of showing up at someone's house with a cheapo bottle of wine that either nobody will drink or it'll end up being "re-gifted" somewhere down the road, bring something that's sure to set you apart! Screw-off tops or canned cranberry sauce can be the quickest way to be de-invited for future events so spend a few bucks and do a little planning today to bring beautiful flowers, direct from Hawaii with you. Ben's affordable choice? Tropical Colors. Order on-line or give 'em a call toll-free (remember to call after 1p ET/12n CT/11a MT and 10a PT because of the time difference): (800) 965-9732.