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Getting a cell phone in Los Angeles, Last Minute Help

L

LakerGod

Platinum Member
I've been on a quest to purchase a cellular phone and plan.

I started this thread in order to see how people like or dislike their plans.

With help of the thread and word of mouth, I've decided to go with an AT&T plan.


I still have a few questions I need help with.

1. Should I purchase the cell phone and plan directly from AT&T or should I go to a independent retailer to look for a better deal? I've been getting mixed answers and I need some clarity.

2. I've looked over all of the phones at&t offers, and I've found two that I'm debating over. I LOVE the Motorola V60t phone. It looks awesome, has great features, and would fit well on my pocket. The bad thing about it is that it's too expensive. My alternate is the Nokia 3360.

Depending on where I purchase the phone, will I get a discount with activation? Please post any experiences or opinions about these phones.

3. Will I be able to choose the phone number, or at least the last four digits? Would I have a better shot of being able to do this at a specific retailer?

4. Any other tips about being a cell phone owner will help.


Thanks again for all of your help. 🙂
 
think you should go indepedent. shady rowland heights people might be able to hook you up for a phone paying just tax. thats how i got my 8290. i think they buy bulk and stuff. doesnt really matter once you sign on cuz u deal directly with att after you leave their place. theyre more willing to sell you their service because they get commission. you probably could get a couple of faceplates while you're there too. you can bargain with them cuz they want to sell you stuff.

if you're going online ... i think amazon has a 100 dollar off deal going on right now. i'm actually looking into getting a cell phone right now with a northern cal # ... but options in northern cal aren't too great ... so online is the only option i've ended up at.

the 3360 is aiite ... but i think its chubby. =) just my own opinion. the motorola one looks cool.

if your experience is anything like mine, you'll be able to select your own phone # from a list of available #s they give you. that was at the shady place. =)

tips? dont put your keys and your cell phone in the same pocket. also ... don't wear really baggy pants with deep pockets cuz you'll probably end sitting on your phone. not a good thing if you have a flimsy phone like the 8290.


 
Go for the Motorola if you want the prettier one but get the Nokia if you ever plan on dropping/sitting on your phone.

I've got a 3390 and the thing's built like a rock. It's fallen out of car windows, down stairs...and there isn't a scratch on it
 


<< Go for the Motorola if you want the prettier one but get the Nokia if you ever plan on dropping/sitting on your phone. I've got a 3390 and the thing's built like a rock. It's fallen out of car windows, down stairs...and there isn't a scratch on it >>



3390 also has space invaders. =) not sure if motorola has any games at all...
 


<<

<< Go for the Motorola if you want the prettier one but get the Nokia if you ever plan on dropping/sitting on your phone. I've got a 3390 and the thing's built like a rock. It's fallen out of car windows, down stairs...and there isn't a scratch on it >>


3390 also has space invaders. =) not sure if motorola has any games at all... >>


Ha ha...And can't forget about Snake 2
 
Do me a favor and PLEASE don't get that Nokia. I dont know how many times I have to see that freakin phone, and even worse here those damn annoying custom ring tones. Also by changing face plates with different colors doesn't make your phone any more special than anyone elses. I admit they are good, reliable phones... but please god, not another. 🙂

I would purchase from an independent retailer. Compare them and also try to find a nice person that might possibly hook you up with sutff. You can always haggle with them for free acitivatioin, free belt clip, etc etc. (Depending on which plan you get, which phone, etc.)

You might be able to pick your numbers (vaires place to place I believe) .. but you should at least be given choices and such.

I hear AT&T has good service and that Motorola phone is sweet (I wanted it lieka year agao, but back then it was $300 or something).
 
I really do want the Motorola phone, but I'll go with the Nokia if it comes out to too much. And I know what you mean, I'm also sick of all the nokia's and their stupid freaking ring tones and colors. If i get the nokia, i'll get it black, and set it to normal or vibrating tone.

Thanks for all the help, keep the suggestions coming.
 
independent dealer.

get the motorola . i got it. it rules. don't get the nokia 88xx phone. that is old, and it has reception issues. plus, it's chrome so it scratches so easliy.

if u go independent, you will get a great phone deal. there are no cons to going independent. u still deal w/at& t directy for billing. the reason why independnts are so cheap is because they get a crazy commision for each phone and contract they aqcuire.

if u go to monterey park, alhambra, or rowland heigths, u may be able to get the motorola for $150 w/2 year contract....not sure about the price...but last time i saw an ad for it, it was this price.

if u are chinese, they will hook u up more...i don't konw why , but they alway s hook me up more than my friends -- thats why they ask me to go w/them when they get phones. hahah

good luck
 
hey Croton, i've seen your picture, i just think they're afraid you're gonna kick their ass :Q
 
Thanks for the reply. If something goes wrong with the phone, do I have to take it back to the independent dealer, or can i take it to one of the att wireless stores?

One of my friends suggested going to a chinese estblishment. But i'm not chinese. 🙁 Hehe.


How much did you get your phone for?
 
well, if u don't like it...look at the contract.....soem say u have 3 days to cancel (as long asyour phone has under 10 min on it)...or something like that.

or some contracts are final, and if u cancel, u have to pay $300 to the independent dealer or something.

but ya , u do save lots more $$

i got my phone for $140. !! 🙂 i've been w/at&T for 7 years, so i called them up and they hooked me up.. 🙂
 
for nokia/cingular, if your phone gets messed up you deal with cingular, not the place whre you got it from
 
Wait, i'm confused. So if i like the plan and i decide to keep it, and then four months into the plan my phone goes wacky, who do i take the phone to deal with?
 
My guess is that you take it to an AT&T store and they'll get you taken care of, if you have insurance through AT&T. (If it's still under the manufacturer?s warranty, I?d definitely go to the AT&T store.)

If you get it at a place like Best Buy, for example, and you buy one of their 2 year ESP's, etc, there would be no need to have insurance on the phone through AT&T. You would take it to Best Buy and ask them for a replacement.

I'm not sure which is the better deal. If you get a phone replaced by the non-AT&T retailer, AT&T might decide to charge you an activation fee for moving your account to the new phone. But OTOH, there might be a deductible on the AT&T insurance similar in cost to a (re)activation fee. I?d ask AT&T CS what their polices would be regarding these two scenarios, and decide from there.

I?ve come to prefer flip/clamshell phones, because when it?s closed, you won?t accidentally dial the phone, so I would choose the Motorola V60.

If you?re still considering Verizon at all, they have the LG-TM510, which has a similar design to the V60, and is awesome for the price (I have one and I like it). It?s $150 tops for the black model, $175 tops for the silver. I like the black one because it doesn?t show scratches easily.
 
I have AT&T right now with a Nokia 5165 from service I got in April of 2001 in Northern California. I now live in Southern California-San Gabriel Valley, quality of service is still great. I too, will be looking for a new phone soon. I'm planning to get that Motorola v60t, I live right next to Rowland Heights, where are these places I can get deals? Or can I get deals on the phone even though I'm an existing member?
 
i dont htink you shouild buy insurance....just make sure the phone is brand new. these phones will last you a while. also, i would recommend dont sign up for a 2 year contract. The plans are always getting better and better so you dont want to be stuck on a long term contract. As for choosing your own phone number, i went to an independent dealer 2 years ago and he gave me a choice of 4 numbers.

as for getting a discount at activation, ATT has its own rebates usually for buying a certain phone on certain plans, you'll have to the form at the store displays or online somewhere. here is a 50 dollar rebate for the 3360. best buy usually gives gift cards and some rebate if you buy a phone and activate with them.

for the current deal att has that if you activate for 2 years with them they give you 50% more minutes, i know people who signed just a 1 year deal. then after a month called att and asked about getting the current 50% promotion. att gave them the added minutes for extending the contract just 3 months.

also remember that no one can change the plans. like no one can just give you more miniutes for a less rate or something. just some dealers can offer you more accessories like car charger, case, etc....

also when you sign up, make sure that on the contract you havent signed up for ride side assistance or something like that....usually its free for 3 months or something and then they will start billing you for it.
 
insurhace is great if u break your phone or if u lose it or if it gets stolen.

for all the plans, all the dealers offer the same plans -- at&t or independent.

you can always cnage your contract in the middle of it. if a better contract deal comes up in 3 months, u can just call up AT&T and change to that plan. u might have to extend your contrtact a few months, but it's no big deal.

i've been doing this w/at&t for over 7 years...

 
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