Cell Phone Query - 1 year or 2 year contract?

[dartworth]

The PTT system from Verizon should be out by the end of the week. Should be a popular item. They just have one phone for the system, the V60P, made by Moto. More phones to follow shortly.

I picked up a VX6000 a few weeks ago. The camera is a cool feature, but the phone is awesome. It sounds great, and looks great. Nice bright screen and a loud ringer.

You can check out some pics from the camera over at fotobin.com. I didn't get the phone for the camera. It's just the best phone that Verizon currently has IMO.

 

[zippy]

So how does the PTT work? Is it just like walkie talkies where you talk back and forth? Why is that so great? It seems silly to pay $20 extra a month for that (rumor on howard forums is that it's like $20 extra/month for unlimited PTT) is riduclous when I could just call someone and use my regular minutes. Am I missing something?

Anyway, I started thinking about that VX4400 phone...then I called some Ithaca area Verizon places and they said that there is a digital tower on Cornell so the reception is great and that between Ithaca and my home and some other places I'll be visiting there is also solid digital service. So it looks good on the A530 and I really have no need for a cameraphone - it just seems like a waste the more I think about it.

Now I'm just struggling with the 1 year vs. 2 year contract. 2 year the phone is $30 less (I was wrong - $50 rebate applies for both contracts, but the phone is more expensive with the 1 year) and there is no $35 activation fee, plus, at the end of the 2 years I get $100 towards a new cell phone. However, I also might be stuck with a phone that isn't that great for a year. Or, is it possible to get a new phone/plan at any point during the 2 years and just make another contract?

Also, should I get the Wireless Phone Protection for $3.99/month and/or the Extended Warranty for $1.99/month?

 

[anxi80]

Originally posted by: zippy
So how does the PTT work? Is it just like walkie talkies where you talk back and forth? Why is that so great? It seems silly to pay $20 extra a month for that (rumor on howard forums is that it's like $20 extra/month for unlimited PTT) is riduclous when I could just call someone and use my regular minutes. Am I missing something?

Anyway, I started thinking about that VX4400 phone...then I called some Ithaca area Verizon places and they said that there is a digital tower on Cornell so the reception is great and that between Ithaca and my home and some other places I'll be visiting there is also solid digital service. So it looks good on the A530 and I really have no need for a cameraphone - it just seems like a waste the more I think about it.

Now I'm just struggling with the 1 year vs. 2 year contract. 2 year the phone is $30 less (I was wrong - $50 rebate applies for both contracts, but the phone is more expensive with the 1 year) and there is no $35 activation fee, plus, at the end of the 2 years I get $100 towards a new cell phone. However, I also might be stuck with a phone that isn't that great for a year. Or, is it possible to get a new phone/plan at any point during the 2 years and just make another contract?

Also, should I get the Wireless Phone Protection for $3.99/month and/or the Extended Warranty for $1.99/month?

yeah, if you have no use for the walkie talkie (thats how it works, exactly, just like with nextels), then skip it. if you have a digital tower, you're set, a530 will work nicley for you. in the contract, you change the plan anytime you please, it just extends your contract out from the day you change it. but you cant change the phone unless you are out of your contract and get the rebate, or pay full retail for the phone, or buy one off ebay and have it activated by verizon. and yes, i purchased the warranties. something goes wrong with my phone, i take it in, they swap it out, simple as that. hope i answered all of your questions.

 

[dartworth]

I was about 14 months into a 24 month contract. I called up Verizon and picked up the VX6000 at the current promotion price.I did have to start a new 24 month contract too. No big deal for me. Verizon has the best service hands down. I've tried them all too.

It's hit and miss when dealing with customer service. I just call back till I get a person that gives me what I want, or something close...

Yes the PTT system is just like the Nextel system. I would get the 4400 over the A530 myself. I guess I'm just a LG fanboy

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: jfano
I was about 14 months into a 24 month contract. I called up Verizon and picked up the VX6000 at the current promotion price.I did have to start a new 24 month contract too. No big deal for me. Verizon has the best service hands down. I've tried them all too.

It's hit and miss when dealing with customer service. I just call back till I get a person that gives me what I want, or something close...

Yes the PTT system is just like the Nextel system. I would get the 4400 over the A530 myself. I guess I'm just a LG fanboy

The 4400 is a nice phone. It's just a little bit larger and heavier (though not significant), doesn't have the external color LCD, and I didn't like the interface as much.

jfano - that makes sense. Basically if I'm persistant enough I should be able to get the promotions and pricing on new phones/plans well in advance of the contract running out? Starting a new contract is no big deal really since Verizon rocks. I don't see that going down in the next 2 years.

 

[dartworth]

Another thing to look at, make sure that that they enable Express Network on your phone. They did it automaticaly with my phone.

I am waiting for the the data cable to come out for the VX6000 so I can use my phone with my lappy on the road. No more dial up ISPs and nights and weekends are free.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: jfano
Another thing to look at, make sure that that they enable Express Network on your phone. They did it automaticaly with my phone.

I am waiting for the the data cable to come out for the VX6000 so I can use my phone with my lappy on the road. No more dial up ISPs and nights and weekends are free.

I don't have a laptop, so it's probably not worth the call.

 

[Thegonagle]

I'd definitely get the LG VX-6000 over the Samsung. LG phones for Verizon are top-notch. Even if it didn't have the camera, I'd still try the LG first.