Getting a cellphone....

[scorpmatt]

ok, I've finally decided to get a cellphone. Im out here looking at different plans and what not and I would like to hear what others out here have to say about their experiences with cell companies. good and bad, lets hear it all.

Edit: ok, deciding on the phones themselves, looking at the motorola v220 (30 bucks) or the Sony Ericsson Z500a (50 MIR). anyone have problems/issues with these phones?

Edit/update!!!:

Ok, talked with my co-workers and they said to go to the sprint store in the PX (Post Exchange), went there, I got the 300/unlim @ 7pm plan. w00t, the phone was expensive (80 bucks), but that's because I didn't buy it online. oh well. They also gave me the 15% off military discount. im only a contractor, but she didn't care. I <3 the lady at the sprint counter.

 

[Jzero]

Short answer: The grass is always greener. Your own provider always sucks. You can switch providers, but they will suck, too.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: Jzero
Short answer: The grass is always greener. Your own provider always sucks. You can switch providers, but they will suck, too.

I don't have a cellphone atm, I am out looking at their plans right now. I just wanted to hear some experiences

 

[junkerman123]

cingular is cheaper but has crappier phones, verizon has better phones but is more expensive. reception is a crapshoot. Don't get t-mobile

/end

 

[bigrash]

brick phones are in these days. i hear they coming out with color soon

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: junkerman123
cingular is cheaper but has crappier phones, verizon has better phones but is more expensive. reception is a crapshoot. Don't get t-mobile

/end

looking at the plans between cingular and verizon, they seem to be the same price, in fact the verzion 450 minute plan has unlimited nights and weekends, the cingular one doesn't

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: bigrash
brick phones are in these days. i hear they coming out with color soon

thread crapping is not allowed, thanks

 

[Siva]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: junkerman123
cingular is cheaper but has crappier phones, verizon has better phones but is more expensive. reception is a crapshoot. Don't get t-mobile

/end

looking at the plans between cingular and verizon, they seem to be the same price, in fact the verzion 450 minute plan has unlimited nights and weekends, the cingular one doesn't

Talk to people who have cell phones where you are living. Find out what kind of reception from different providers you will get in the areas you will want reception most like work or home.

 

[squirrel dog]

I have Cingular , they suck like a Remora . Phones are crap too . But the employees stand out as the biggest group of listless zombies I've ever seen .

 

[sixone]

I don't know about Verizon, but Cingular's customer service sucks. And I mean sucks.

 

[scorpmatt]

anyone have any yahs or nahs on sprint?

 

[secretanchitman]

i got sprint...pretty good service and great phones. ive had t-mobile and they were good too. just that we got the t610 from sony and got it exchanged at least 5 times. just...dont pick a hopeless phone. lol.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: Jzero
Short answer: The grass is always greener. Your own provider always sucks. You can switch providers, but they will suck, too.

I don't have a cellphone atm, I am out looking at their plans right now. I just wanted to hear some experiences

I guess what I was getting at is that everyone has a horror story about one or more cellphone providers, so you won't get much useful input in that regard. What you need to do is find out which company has the best service coverage in your area and offers the phone/plan that you want.

I've found that as long as you don't have to ask anyone to think or help you out, one provider is pretty much as good as any other.

 

[LeiZaK]

I've had Cingular for a little over 4 years. I can get reception in a lot of BFE's where others can't, so I like it.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: Jzero
Short answer: The grass is always greener. Your own provider always sucks. You can switch providers, but they will suck, too.

I don't have a cellphone atm, I am out looking at their plans right now. I just wanted to hear some experiences

I guess what I was getting at is that everyone has a horror story about one or more cellphone providers, so you won't get much useful input in that regard. What you need to do is find out which company has the best service coverage in your area and offers the phone/plan that you want.

I've found that as long as you don't have to ask anyone to think or help you out, one provider is pretty much as good as any other.

ah.

i truly am not asking for help from anyone here, just wanted to hear their experiences. I know each will be different. I've heard good and bad on all providers.

 

[scorpmatt]

do the bump

 

[acemcmac]

T-mobil's 1900mhz (or is it 1800?) doesen't get as good indoor penetration as cingular's 850mhz or other services 900mhz signals. With about 10$ of separation for any given plan type, Tmobil<cingular<verizon, in terms of price with verizon being the most expensive. Cingular has rollover, which really helps eliminate overage charges. Cingular's customer service does suck hardcore, but their phones, while often having fewer features do tend to be more duarable. Why people willingly use non motorola/nokia phones is beyond me, but verizon pushes them hard and they BLOW.

<scratches head>

Thats pretty much what I know about cell phones. Oh, and buy your plan online. Stores are marked up considerably (at least the cingular ones are).

<<< 1000 minute, 5 phone family plan with all non administrative data transfers blocked (no web, picture, video or text transmission permitted)

 

[acemcmac]

oh, and FAR phones own all. It's a phone for christ sake. The only thing you need it for is phone calls (except MABYE server -> phone communications if you work in IT)

 

[So]

I hate non flip phones.

When I had an old nokia, I'd always forget to lock it and call my friends when I sat down...it was a problem.

Now I have a flip phone and all is well....

 

[leftyman]

have the family on Sprint. cant complain im happy with them

 

[Siva]

Don't forget, if you want a phone that Cingular does not offer that's not a problem. You could get a free razr with the right deal, have it unlocked, ebay it, and buy a completely different unlocked phone for about the amount you get from the razr. You could even profit

I don't understand why people complain about cingular's phone selection when GSM pretty much allows you to use any phone you want.

 

[spacelord]

Had Nextel a couple years ago.. reception sucked badly.

Have Verizon now for 2.5 years and can't complain. Customer service has been good, and they upgrade my phone for free every 2 years. Reception is usually good. Plus I get 25% off regular rates...thanks to a sweet deal through work.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
oh, and FAR phones own all. It's a phone for christ sake. The only thing you need it for is phone calls (except MABYE server -> phone communications if you work in IT)

Spoken like a man who has not used a Sidekick. The Internet is the most useful tool you can carry in your pocket since the Leatherman!

 

[Jpark]

I've had verizon over a year now and really like their coverage area, phones and customer service compaired to cingular (i switched to verizon b/c cingular was absolutely horrible with coverage where I was, customer service was non existent and the phones were junk).

 

[scorpmatt]

bumpity