Every carrier out there wants you to sign your name to a contract. They’d love it if you’d put your John Hancock on a two-year contract, but some of you out there much prefer only a year’s worth of a ball and chain. And while three-year contracts aren’t going to come around anytime soon (probably), the only other option is to buy your phone out-right, whether that’s from an actual retailer or from someone else personally. Unless you’re like some people I know, and actually hoard phones.
If you’re a fan of smartphones, tablets, or any piece of technology really, then you’re probably someone who would more than love to get your hands on the next best thing, no matter what. So while you may have purchased a new phone not too long ago, and even signed that two-year contract to get it, that next big thing is just too attractive to pass up. So, however you figure out how to get it, you end up buying it and now you’ve got two brand new phones. That’s an exciting time, because it’s always fun to have a new toy, even when the old toy isn’t all that old.
For me and a few people I know, hoarding phones isn’t a bad thing. It isn’t just because we live and work in this type of field, either. Having a back-up device is never a bad idea, especially when phones can cost so much money. And, let’s face it; hoarding phones is probably a bit better than hoarding applications. Especially if you mustered up north of $400 to get your hands on it; making sure that you’ve still got it “just in case” is invaluable sometimes.
I can’t even tell you how often I switch phones. If I ever have less than three phones easily accessible to me, then something isn’t right. Yes, I hoard phones, but that’s because I’m incredibly picky when it comes to my phones. And, I’ll admit it: I tend to get bored quickly when it comes to a device. Sure, having an Android phone makes it slightly easier because I can just root it and add custom ROMs to it, but that only goes so far. That’s why having an iOS-, BlackBerry-, Android- and Windows Phone-based device handy is always a good idea.
Not too long ago I had all of those things ready to go. Some of them were already active on my personal account, while others were just sitting idly by, waiting for their time to shine. And, let’s face it, sometimes there’s just a lot of fun in going back to an old device. Nostalgia, if you will. And then when a new phone is coming out, sometimes going back to a phone that’s reminiscent of that new device is the best way to get ready for that big purchase. Have you ever been on a different platform, like a BlackBery device, and suddenly felt yourself enticed by a new Android phone coming out? Going back to an Android device to get ready for that new phone is a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to shed all those other tendencies you learned on that other platform during your time with it.
I’ll be the first to admit that hoarding phones isn’t a bad thing at all. Sure, people may look at you strangely because you keep buying new phones and keeping the old ones, but I think it’s worth it. I love being able to look at my phone library and smile, based on memories, or based on the fact that I can’t help but love the phone industry, and everything that has come of it.
Where do you stand on hoarding phones? Do you love to keep all your old toys? Or are you someone who tends to sell them to make sure you can get the newest and best? Let me know.
