It is important to remember that cell phone companies are always on the lookout for new customers. They want you to sign you up and sign you up fast, because once you have committed to them, you are in it for the long haul. This means they have got you on the hook for 2- to 3-years minimum. Pulling out of a smartphone contract is not easy and their entire business model is built around you signing on the dotted line.

Luckily, there are several things you can do to ensure you get a good smartphone plan. You can typically get a bargain on things like unlimited cell phone plans or a discounted price.

Here are the steps you can take towards getting a better deal on your smartphone plan:

1. Research online and in store before buying
It is important to remember that cell phone carriers offer cell phones in different plans. You can also go online, visit a retail store, and some companies even intimate users via flyers. Therefore, if you’re close to the end of your current contract, try to visit a retail store as opposed to shopping online. Check out the locations of the more well-known carriers. You can also use an app like OpenSignal to check whether your carrier has good network in your area. It makes no sense to buy a cheap phone if it simply will not work in the area where you live.

2. Consider prepaid phones
While people are searching for a good contract, they tend to overlook prepaid phones. Prepaid phones are competitively priced and they typically offer a number of deal options. Quite often, these prepaid phones are tied directly to larger providers, in that they use their network too. You can do a quick online search to find out some of the best prepaid options. The network and connectivity can also be determined online.

3. Negotiations
If you have your mind set on a particular deal, but think certain conditions like price or features could be better, you can always strike a bargain by arming yourself with more information and negotiate around competitor’s deals to drive a better deal. Keep in mind that salespeople work on a commission basis, so they will always try to close the sale. You could quote plans of competitors and ask if they are willing to match it. Remember that the worst thing that could happen is them saying no. Some of the big ticket phones, like the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, might be cheaper in one store compared to others.

4. Professional discounts
Many companies work with cellular providers to give discounts to their employee base. Verizon is famous for that, and they give steep professional discounts if you are a part of a particular company. If you are unsure about any discounts you may be eligible for, you could approach your manager or HR department for a quick discussion about the providers they work with.

5. Non-contract plans
Non-contract smartphone plans generally work out cheaper since the phone does not come at a discounted rate. The benefits of buying a phone outright with no plan is that you pay less in the long run with an unlocked phone, which you can shop around to any compatible provider you wish. The savings that come out of this are considerable.