Cell phones and plans...

[Orsorum]

Just curious if anyone has any personal experience with them. I'm looking at getting one for a few main reasons...

First, I'd like to be able to be contacted anywhere. I'm rarely in my room, so it's always difficult for family to contact me.

Second, being an RA next year, I'd like a way for my residents to be able to contact me immediately if they need me.

Third... well, that's it.

I'd like a plan that had unlimited nights and weekends, maybe free long distance? I have no idea what plans are like around here. I was thinking a good $40 a month should get an okay plan.

As for the phone itself.. well, anything but those really small Nokia phones. Thanks.

 

[RossMAN]

Most cell phone carriers make you enter a 1 to 2 year contract, if you break that contract (even if you are unhappy with the customer service and/or call quality, dropped calls) you're subject to a rather hefty termination fee. So don't get all wrapped up in "the best priced plan", you want a cell phone provider which has consistently good coverage throughout the area you live in. The best way to get this is ask around, what provider do people have, do they like it or not, why or why not?

As far as I know Verizon is currently offering UNLIMITED nights and UNLIMITED weekends but I think there's a 1-2 yr contract required but they are giving away a really cool LG cell phone after rebate. Also VoiceStream is (or was) offering 500 weekday with free long distance and free USA roaming with UNLIMITED weekends for $39.99 a month.

Make sure to read the fine print, unless you work for a cell phone company, a reseller (Best Buy, etc.) or Radio Shack you're not going to get a killer deal.

Cell Phone Plans @ Amazon.com

 

[Orsorum]

Sweet action... thanks!

 

[RossMAN]

Also I don't know if that Verizon deal is includes free long distance and/or free nationwide roaming ... they rip you off on their definition of "night time" which usually starts around 9 PM and ends 6 AM the next day. So if you plan on getting MOST of your calls after 9 PM then get Verizon, it's hands down the best deal.

I've been a VoiceStream customer for over 3 years and have been extremely happy with it. They consistently offer the best bang for your buck promotions but their service around the country is spotty. Some areas they rock, some areas they suck.

 

[RossMAN]

Here's the Verizon deal. Again make sure to read the fine print.

 

[Thegonagle]

The Verizon deal is even better at $35/mo for 300 minutes, if you can get by with only 4000 night and weekend minutes. IMHO, America's Choice is a lot better than Sprint PCS. Americas Choice includes coverage through Sprint PCS and Alltel if a Verizon tower is not in range, without roaming charges.

 

[RalphWiggum]

I think the first thing you should do is determine which provider you are going to sign with. Ask around, or here even, and see what gets recommended for your area.

After that you can decide on a plan and phone.

Hehe as for getting it for your RA job I'd consider that carefully. Do you really want drunk people callig you up at 4:00 am complaining that their key doesn't work or they forgot it and they're just at the wrong room? Think about it...

That being said I have an AT&T plan for $40 a month with so many minutes I don't know what to do with it. Its got the free nights and weekends like you want plus free long distance. Oh, my phone is the PAnasonic Allure because I also didn't like the Nokias.

Good luck...

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: Garfang
The Verizon deal is even better at $35/mo for 300 minutes, if you can get by with only 4000 night and weekend minutes. IMHO, America's Choice is a lot better than Sprint PCS. Americas Choice includes coverage through Sprint PCS and Alltel if a Verizon tower is not in range, without roaming charges.

This is the plan I have.

 

[Orsorum]

In retrospect, I'd probably leave it only for other staff members to use... and, in case I knew one of my residents was suspected of having suicidal thoughts or something, I could use it in case someone needed help immediately. Otherwise, I just refer them to the RA on duty.

 

[Supermercado]

As far as being an RA goes, I highly doubt that any of your residents will really ever need to contact you. Not once in two years have I ever had to see my RA about anything. The only times I ever spoke to them was if there was a hall meeting or they needed me to sign something.

I have a regional plan from Alltel. Anywhere (for the most part) in North Carolina, South Carolina, and part of Georgia is my calling area. I get 150 minutes and 1500 nights and weekends. That's a heckuva lot more than I use. I pay just about $30 a month for it.

 

[RossMAN]

Here are some reviews of cell phone providers for the Seattle area.