Topic: cellphone help

[74cb750]

HI aLL,
seeing as this forum has the smartest/most connected people around the interweb I thought I'd ask:
what cellphone plan is the cheapest/most convenient in the NorthEast usa for someone like me whom only uses it for making calls and receiving emails (not sending out emails or pictures etc etc).
thanks all,
michel

[333]

While the plan is important, coverage is more important. A cheap plan is worthless if you don't have service where you regularly go. I have a friend who is obsessed with his plan, but the only room he can use it in his condo is his bathroom.

As a former phone salesman, do your best to figure your usage, and then find the right plan.  Your current phone may be able to track your minutes, as well as other data to determine your actual needs.

[Duke McDukiedook]

As far as I understand Verizon has very good coverage but you shall pay $$$.
The wife went with T-Mobile and the coverage can be spotty but I can't complain too much. Sprint is probably about the same as T-Mobile.
Couldn't tell you about Ma Bell, haven't had a phone with them for a while.

[Gordon]

I've had my family on Ting for 4 years, and I've been really happy with it.  They run on the T-mobile and Sprint networks, so if you have decent coverage from either of them then you're good, and if you don't use much or any mobile data (only connect to the internet through home, work or public wi-fi) then your bill will be really cheap. 

When it was just two phones, we were paying about $30-$35/mo.  We added two phones for the kids earlier this year and are now paying about $40-$45 for a total of 4 phones.  If you use a lot of mobile data, then you really need an unlimited plan, but if you only use wi-fi, then don't pay for it if you don't use it. 

[74cb750]

While the plan is important, coverage is more important. A cheap plan is worthless if you don't have service where you regularly go. I have a friend who is obsessed with his plan, but the only room he can use it in his condo is his bathroom.

As a former phone salesman, do your best to figure your usage, and then find the right plan.  Your current phone may be able to track your minutes, as well as other data to determine your actual needs.

yeah, about that...haven't had a working cellphone in months.

[74cb750]

I've had my family on Ting for 4 years, and I've been really happy with it.  They run on the T-mobile and Sprint networks, so if you have decent coverage from either of them then you're good, and if you don't use much or any mobile data (only connect to the internet through home, work or public wi-fi) then your bill will be really cheap. 

When it was just two phones, we were paying about $30-$35/mo.  We added two phones for the kids earlier this year and are now paying about $40-$45 for a total of 4 phones.  If you use a lot of mobile data, then you really need an unlimited plan, but if you only use wi-fi, then don't pay for it if you don't use it.

thanks Gordon, I will be sure to check them out, but I've never heard of Ting here in Vermont. I only use the cell when people need to contact me on the soccer pitch.

[74cb750]

Just contacted Ting, ended up w/ some guy from Sprint! what the heck? anyways his cheapest plan was $65/month even though I'm looking at my screen of the computer & it says $20/month. Hmmmmm

[Gordon]

Just contacted Ting, ended up w/ some guy from Sprint! what the heck? anyways his cheapest plan was $65/month even though I'm looking at my screen of the computer & it says $20/month. Hmmmmm

That's strange.  Even though Ting uses the Sprint and T-mobile networks they are their own separate company, so I don't know how you ended up talking to Sprint.  Are you looking at Ting.com?  They don't have traditional phone plans.  You just pay $6/month per line, and then you pay for what you use on top of that. 

On the website click on "check your phone" on the top right, and it will tell you if the phone you have now will work on their networks. 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I use Cricket by ATT. $35 a month using autopay. I believe they have a more limited data option for $5 less. Mostly unlimited. I think they would throttle the data at 5gb but I don't come close.

[74cb750]

Hi all,
thanks for the help.
I ended up going w/ Consumer Cellular. Verizon made it as difficult as possi ble to switch over as they could.The salesman at Target was on the telephone w/ Verrizon over 2 hours over the course of 2 days.

Here's what happened:

VERIZON is a terrible company, as I imagine most large corporations are when it comes down to them losing $.
I had to drive 30 miles each way to the store I purchased the cellphone at 3 years ago, to be told

"....you have to go to the 'corporate store ' in order to unlock my cellphone so I can get another carrier...."

At the 'corporate store ' I'm told "....WE don't lock cellphones,..." but they used to years ago until the US congress made it illegal to do so.  SO, can you unlock my cellphone, "NO, you have to do that online or on the telephone."

OK, "What if I don't have a telephone but jjust a cellphone?"

"Not my problem" manager says.

Hmmmm I think and verbalize, "Why don't we call Verizon on your telephone right now and get this cleared up?"

"Why should I help you if you're going to be dropping us?"

"Well I paid you for many years, so you already made a profit. I paid off the cellphone. and
Well , you charge too much for someone whom hasn't used the cellphone for 3 months ($60 a month, couldn't deactivate account)"

"Get out of my store" the  rude manager says.


I'm thinking tyhis is not very nice.

Wondering if all cellphone providers are the same when it comes time to cancel your PAID up contract.

Yeah, I'm definitely bad mouthing Verizon and especially their corp. store in Keene, NH and the a$$holes whom work there....

michel