T-Mobile: What can one do about reception?

[GTaudiophile]

My GF has T-Mobile. She loves her phone (Dash) and their customer service but the reception in her condo sucks. So we started going to local Verizon Wireless stores because she thinks their network will solve her reception problems. Thing is, after spending a total of about 3 hours in two different store, we've come to the conclusion that their phones SUCK! She hates the OS on the non-Blackberry phones. The OS is the same on all of them, no matter the brand. She wants a full address book but the non-Blackberry phones don't have this.

Yesterday, we got as far as the $180.00 payment process (but not the activation process) on a Blackberry Curve when I asked the question, "So what will her monthly payment be?" The Verizon dude said, "$75/month."

Wait, stop the processes.

My GF just asked for the Basic $40/month plan along with the $5/month unlimited texting option, for a total of $45/month.

WTF?

The Verizon dude says, "Oh, the Blackberry phones come automatically with the $30/month data plan. Didn't I mention that?"

Fuck no, he didn't.

He tried to pull a fast one on her. We voided the entire process then and there and walked out the store. She hated the experience, and I must agree, that all of the VZW salesmen we've worked with so far have been complete dicks.

In short, she likes the Blackberry phones but doesn't want to have to pay for a data plan.

------------------

So, I got to thinking. Is there anything she can do to salvage her T-Mobile account? Anything she can do to improve her reception at home?

So far, I have thought of the following...

1) Buy some sort of signal repeater? How much? I have no experience with these.
2) Get the T-Mobile @Home service. How well does this work?

What else can she do?

 

[Semidevil]

I use to have Tmobile too, and the reception was really bad at my house and my work. The only thing I can suggest is going with ATT. A bit more then Tmobile, but not as much as Verizon and sprint.

ATT was much better in reception.

 

[pm]

Buying a signal repeater is an expensive affair. The cheap ones are all snake-oil (ie. don't work at all ever) and the ones that do work are $450+

T-Mobile@Home is basically VOIP. As long as your internet connection works well, it is great. It should solve the problem completely. You might ask T-Mobile about the problem and see if you can't get the T-Mobile @ Home fee reduced (or waived).

The 3rd option is that she can switch to AT&T - and take her Dash with her.

 

[Tiamat]

Frankly, I have just dealt with the tmobile coverage for the past 7 years. Everytime I tried to switch to Cingular/AT&T, verizon, or sprint, I was met with horrific customer service compared to what I get from tmobile. Over the years, the reception has improved dramatically with tmobile, but still has a ways to go. However, I won't give up the quality of customer support and phones. Good luck with your (her) decision. Sorry couldn't have been of any help.

 

[eternalone]

Tmobile is hard to get reception inside Houses I agree, its hard to get bars in my house, but it has gotten a little better with time but with my old razor it was horrible got rid of that phone just because I could not get one bar inside my house. But I still have T mobile so they have good plans.

 

[Muadib]

I was going to try the zBoost YX510 repeater, after a friends glowing review of it. I couldn't find it locally though, and Cnet's mention of placement restrictions, had me afraid to order it.

If your gf has no problems regarding placement. you might want to give it a try.

 

[corkyg]

Been using the zBoost for over a year. It works quite well for me. Gives me an increase of indicated signal strength from 1 to 4 bars in my computer room. This is the wireless output unit.

zBoost1

Sometimes the receiving antenna has to be placed outside - but i found a good strong signal in the next room. I ran the 50 ft coax through the wall.

zBoost2

This is about 8 feet above the floor, and nicely hidden behind a molding. Sometimes, this unit has to be outside if your building is the main cause ofg attenuation.

The alternative is to change carriers to one that you can receive in that location.

 

[Muadib]

Sometimes the receiving antenna has to be placed oputm side

 

[GTaudiophile]

She went with T-Mobile@Home and is very happy with it so far.