So how are you supposed to buy a phone these days?

Looks like my phone has finally died and will need to be replaced. Looking at Verizon's website, they don't seem to have a phone for less that $350...and all of the "good ones" are like $800+. Doesn't seem like they offer the free or deeply discounted phones any more.
Seems dumb when you can buy an array of burners at the grocery store for less than $100...and some less than $50. I'd like to buy from Verizon just because that's what we've always done and we have our service through them, but I'm not overly enthralled with the idea of overpaying that much. I just need a basic phone to make calls, take decent pics, and e-mail/surf the web a little.
[Post edited by JoesterVT at 02/11/2019 08:52AM]

Posted: 02/11/2019 at 08:52AM

So how are you supposed to buy a phone these days? -- JoesterVT 02/11/2019 08:52AM

I might use pageplus cellular -- HokieDan95 02/12/2019 08:23AM

I use Ebay, buy a year down from the current models... -- RUHokie 02/11/2019 7:11PM

Give TracFone a try. I just got the J7 Crown for -- AZHokie59 02/11/2019 2:56PM

Keep an eye on deal sites for unlocked phones -- HokieDan95 02/11/2019 12:52PM

If regular security updates are important to you, check out -- Femoyer Hokie 02/11/2019 11:43AM

Swappa.com -- Beerman 02/11/2019 11:21AM

Have you looked on Amazon? -- Hokie in CT 02/11/2019 11:13AM

I bought 2 smart phones from amazon ... both lemons. Not a fan. ** -- HokieHutch 02/11/2019 12:57PM

Check out refurbihed phones on Gazelle.com -- vt_mughal 02/11/2019 10:26AM

Just bought an upgrade for wife through Verizon "special" -- TomTurkey 02/11/2019 10:26AM

With money ** -- CPRVHokie 02/11/2019 10:20AM

Check out either the Moto G (midrange) or Moto E (budget). ** -- HokieNoVA 02/11/2019 09:44AM

I have the G6, not real happy with it... -- Burruss Writer 02/11/2019 11:06AM

Actually the back is glass ** -- 133743Hokie 02/11/2019 8:37PM

That's weird. I've had the G6 since it came out and no problems. -- HokieGator 02/11/2019 12:56PM

They have fooled people into a never-ending lease model, which IMO sucks -- WestyHokie 02/11/2019 09:44AM

Two words: Refurbished phones. Never bought a brand new one. Cheap -- CochraneResident 02/11/2019 09:35AM

One more word. Prepaid. -- Tafkam Hokie 02/11/2019 10:11AM

This. Not sure why anyone still has a cell phone contract. -- HokieNoVA 02/11/2019 10:24AM

For years, the only good reason for the cell phone contract was to get -- Tafkam Hokie 02/11/2019 10:30AM

How do you clean a used phone ** -- bigbadbird 02/11/2019 09:51AM

Washing machine ** -- BTHokie 02/11/2019 09:54AM

Do used phones come with other peoples dirty selfies? ** -- bigbadbird 02/11/2019 09:56AM

If you're lucky! ** -- BTHokie 02/11/2019 10:01AM

There is a line of Android phones ranging from $150-$300 -- Vienna_Hokie 02/11/2019 09:10AM

Yup, I do the same thing & generally get 3 years or so out of them ** -- GoobyPls 02/11/2019 2:08PM

Different models but still the same costs roughly -- HokieTV 02/11/2019 09:01AM

They've gone up on the price of their contracts too. -- EDGEMAN 02/11/2019 09:03AM

I am with verizon and bill has never changed more than a few dollars -- HokieTV 02/11/2019 10:07AM

I've received at least two $5 bumps from ATT -- EDGEMAN 02/11/2019 12:26PM

My bill is almost the same as it's been for over 6 years -- hoosnowahokie 02/11/2019 09:10AM

Lease it ..built into your bill..I usually go to Best Buy when they have a -- capitals1 02/11/2019 08:57AM

So how are you supposed to buy a phone these days?

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