Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CabbageTownRoyals]

whats better, prepay or contract? I've had 2 contracts, first one in a Korean's name (with LG) and second one in my name (with KTF). But, both experiences were difficult: most operators don't speak English, getting put on hold whilst waiting for someone that can, ALL phone accounts in Korean only with very confusing statements also only in Korea, plus in both cases it was SO time-consuming ending the contracts, involving all sorts of documents/ID being faxed etc etc to the head office bla bla bla. (and both times they Fckd it up too)


anyways, I do need a phone unfortunately for work, but am juggling both options.

Whatya reckon?

[pkang0202]

They both have good and bad points.

If you will be here less than a year, get a prepay. If you wil be here a year or longer, get a contract.

Get SK telecom. I've never had problems with them. I know places where LG or KTF users will have zero signal and I'll still be at full strength. Specifically, near Dolgogi Station in Seoul. If you wish to test this theory, I'll take you to the exact location where this happens.

[Hyeon Een]

I had a contract phone in a Korean's name, then a prepay, and I've had a contract phone in my own name with LG telecom for 3 years. I've never had any problem with my LG phone at all. I don't receive bills because I didn't update my address from when I moved three years ago haha.

I set it up to have my phone bills deducted from my bank account though which is much easier. I think some people (especially N. Americans for some reason??) are scared of doing this. I'm pretty brave though so I don't mind^^

My bills are around $20 a month or less, unless I stupidly make a bunch of international calls. I've never called LG Telecom so I've no idea how hard it is to get an English speaking operator. Why are you calling your phone company any way? For a chat?

I haven't tried cancelling my phone so I don't know how difficult that will be. Probably easier than in the UK where I would have signed a 12 or 24 month contract.

I HATED having a prepay phone. It's way way way more expensive to make calls. I think texting might be more expensive too. I also had to go to a shop to top it up which was somewhat annoying.

Contract phones are cheaper too. My current phone cost me $30 I believe. The shop I got it from was selling them for $0 just a few days later.. I felt like I got ripped off haha. In contrast my pre-pay phone cost $60 and was 2nd hand. And it sucked.

LG Telecom contract phone is the way to go.

[Hyeon Een]

[bangbayed]

Anyone know a good phone shop that sells contract phones to foreigners? The one I used to go to is gone now and I need a new phone.

[Hyeon Een]

[OiGirl]

I don't believe in cell phone contracts. Never had a problem with my prepay phone. Never called the cell phone company. Pay about 20,000 a month. I have SK and don't know of any dead spots in my city or anywhere in Korea, really.

[Illysook]

I don't know many people here yet, so I wonder if I will use enough minutes to justify a contract. Can anyone describe how this might shake out?

Thanks

[ttompatz]

[wanamin]

I would highly reccomend prepay, provided you enjoy giving your cellphone company extra money for making a call.

[poet13]

I have a phone card. it was costing me abotu 20k a month. 2 X 10,000 loads. I got about 30 minutes for 10,000. I found an international calling card though that gives me 5 hours 14 minutes for 20k (cell to cell). That's about 5 times better. If you look on international card specs, at least some of them not only have the international rate, but a korean rate too.

[KYC]

[OiGirl]

[Illysook]

So, the difference is about a dollar a month? Maybe it doesn't matter.

[CabbageTownRoyals]