Prepare to be shocked... I noticed price differences of up to 103 percent! And you thought everybody sold at approcimately the same price?

First, my method
I selected three typical cellular accessories for some of the most widespread cellular phone series among Nokia and Motorola phones: a battery, a car cigarette lighter power adapter and a travel charger.

For each cellular accessory, I noted the price in top online stores, and when possible, with bricks and mortar stores located in the streets of New York City.

To make sure that data would remain accurate over time, I did not take into account most promotions. But when it seemed obvious that the merchant was simply comparing its price to a theoretical "regular" price, I assumed the "reduced" price to be the regular price. See below "Almost misleading claims" for more on that typical technique that some cellular accessory merchants use.

Despite all my efforts for accuracy, prices can vary and those listed in this report should only be used as guidelines, letting you see how important it is to shop around before buying cellular accessories.

Lack of information
At ebatts.com, and online store, the chemistry of the battery (Li-Ion or NiMH, for example) is not specified, so you don't really know what you are buying. At Cell Phone Battery Warehouse and in some other stores too, the batteries are not illustrated, so that, for example, the 7mm thick Nokia battery sounds good... but you can't see it unless you buy it.

Directly from the manufacturer does not mean cheap
Buying an accessory directly from the manufacturer does not necessarily mean a bargain. For example, Motorola sold its car cigarette lighter charger for the highest price, at US$29.99, while others sold it for only US$19.99. and we're talking about the very same product, manufactured by Motorola. So beware.

Almost misleading claims
As elsewhere in so-called "discount" stores, merchants are quick on using the old trick: printing "retail price" and "our price" with a huge price difference to convince you that you're getting a great deal, discount or bargain. But in most cases, the "regular" price is exaggerated and can't be found elsewhere, and the "sale" price is sometimes only equivalent to the prices offered by other retailers, and sometimes even more expensive.

For example, at a well-known online cellular accessories store, I saw some "sale" prices that were no big deal. That store tends to use a lot of "sale" tags next to their products and then prints two prices with one in strikeout font, thus suggesting that the price has been cut.

Yet, despite the fact that one of their batteries sold for US$49.99 in some stores, it was marked as a "sale" price at US$54.99 in that store, compared to a so-called regular price of US$59.99. Ridiculous !

So beware of stores that try to suggest price reductions. In most cases, it may simply be a trick.

Shipping
I selected the cheapest shipping option available for the continental U.S. Usually with regular ground shipping where you have to allow up to 5 days for delivery of your cellular accessory.

What to look for:
•  is there a "no question asked" return policy?
•  what is the guarantee, and its terms? Guarantees can vary from 6 to 12 months or more.
•  don't forget to check the shipping delays and fees, which can vary from free to 6 dollars, so it really can make a difference.