Upgrading to a New Phone at Best Buy

Disclaimer: I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

I haven't talked about it much on the blog, but before nursing school, I sold cell phones. When I sold them, I usually got a new phone every 4-6 months. I've had my current phone for 18 months and it has been killing me! I love new technology so seeing all the new phones roll out each month has been torture!

My upgrade on my account with ATT was finally available on July 18th and you can believe that I went to get a new phone right after I got out of bed. 

I decided to go to a Best Buy Mobile Store to get my new phone. There are a few reasons for this. One of them is that I didn't have to go to the big Best Buy Store and fight crowds (although I could have if I wanted to). Instead, I just went to my mall and found their little storefront. They are still stocked with the same phones and most of the same accessories as the bigger stores. 

The staff was amazing and since I knew that they did not earn commission, they really do help you find the phone for you without having an angle. Since I just needed an upgrade, I didn't need them to explain the different companies and plans to me, but they are more than happy to do so. They were very friendly and helpful and explained everything as they went, so I could be sure they weren't doing anything I didn't want them to do on my account.

The best reason I picked a Best Buy Mobile Store? You can trade in your phone! I traded in two phones and you can actually earn up to $200 toward your new phone! If you're keeping track, this essentially means you can get a top of the line phone for free. You can make sure your phone is eligible for trade in here. And yes, this is an everyday thing and not just a promotion for right now!

So I know you're wondering what phone I got, right?

I got the Samsung Galaxy S4 and after playing with it for a few days, I love it. I also got an Otterbox case for it and an invisible shield by Zagg to protect it.  Updated to add: You can trade in your iphone too! In fact, I believe that if you trade in a 4, you can get the 5 free or nearly free! I'm just an android girl myself :)

The screen on the phone is crystal clear and the battery life is fantastic! I still had over 40% when I got off of a 12 hour shift on Friday and it had been a slow day so I had been on the phone, on apps more than usual and texting more than usual. My old phone barely held on to it's life even when I only texted a couple of times throughout the day.

It has a ton of other cool features too, like the android version of Siri and a feature to wave your hand over the screen to switch pages not to mention the Samsung Hub which seems to be a place for exercise apps, books, music and more but I haven't had time to play with it. This phone has already become permanently attached to my hand for simply all that it can do and the speed it can do it in!

I also signed up for the Best Buy Mobile Protection plan while I was there. It's $9.99 a month and if you break your phone you can bring it in to get it replaced (they ship you another one) with no deductible, which blows the $199 deductible I have through ATT out of the water.

Disclaimer: I have been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

Need to get a new mobile phone but dreading the experience of shopping for one? Explore Best Buy Mobile specialty stores – these shops are found locally in malls or in your neighborhood shopping centers, and are focused on mobile devices and accessories. Shop for the latest smartphones and tablets from Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, from all the top brands, along with stylish accessories to suit your lifestyle. The staff is highly trained, yet non-commissioned, so they can help determine the right phone for you, as well as compare plans across the carriers. They can set up and activate your new phone, transfer your contacts and data and set you up with the complimentary Walk Out Working™ program. To find a Best Buy Mobile specialty store, go to www.BestBuyMobile.com

Have an old phone in a drawer?  Get a Best Buy Gift card when you trade it in at a participating Best Buy Mobile specialty store location – and if you have a newer working phone, you could get up to a $200 Best Buy gift card. Learn more and find a participating Best Buy Mobile specialty store:  http://bestbuymobile.com/promotion/tradein/

Have you met this amazing blogger?