Avoid cellphone pitfalls

A cellphone contract doesn't always have to be a drain on the wallet.

By avoiding the seven snares outlined below by the Utility Reform Network, a statewide utility watchdog group based in San Francisco, it's possible to avoid those unpleasant surprises in the monthly wireless bill.

•Underestimating or overestimating minutes. Consumers pay an arm and a leg for exceeding the number of minutes they sign up for, so be sure to purchase enough minutes to cover usage. When using a prepaid phone, be careful not to overestimate. Prepaid minutes are expensive, and most will expire if not used in time.

•Wasted minutes. If the usage pattern is expected to vary from month to month, look for a plan that allows rollover of excess minutes. Don't forget to use excess minutes for long-distance calls if they are included in cellphone minutes, rather than making them from a land line.

•Insufficient coverage. When using the phone for traveling, be sure to get a "national" plan- international travel is more complicated. If the coverage is mostly for local use, such as for a child or for emergencies only, less expensive local or regional coverage will do.

•Excessive data usage or data connection charges. If usage will include downloading ring tones, games and songs, don't buy a standard cellphone plan because it won't include any special deals on downloads, which can be very expensive. Don't wait for the salesperson to offer- ask for a data plan and research the options before purchase.

•Getting locked into bad coverage. Be sure to demand a trial period before committing to any service or provider.

If a provider refuses to offer a trial period, it is probably best to find one that does rather than risk an excessive early termination fee.

•Contract surprises. Think about how the cellphone will be used and question the sales rep carefully. Be sure to understand all of the charges that will be tacked onto the bill. Use the online worksheet at the website below to estimate the total monthly costs- and what to expect to receive- before signing on the dotted line.

•Kiosks selling cell service at malls and other shopping areas are notorious for ill-informed service reps and tacking additional early termination fees onto a phone bill. Don't use them.

For more information, visit the Utility Reform Network website at www.turn.org.