Cell phoney

[gordonzola]

Ok, I'm interrupting the Midwest talk to ask a question. I've decided I can live no longer without a cell phone. I'm seriously considering that Virgin pay-as-you-go option under the, probably delusional, idea that I plan to keep my land line and won't use the phone $40/month worth which seems to be most people plan amount.

Any cell phone advice from you folks out there?

The other day I counted four separate instances where my life would have been easier had I had a cell phone. I can admit the world has changed.

Comments

sad but true

[slipkid.livejournal.com]

i hate cell phones but view them as a necessary evil. i don't know much about virgin's pay as you go plan or what their coverage is like but i do know that at&t and verizon are probably the best nationwide. i used to work for sprint and then verizon so i learned a lot about the business and coverage is everything. of course price is a close second but if you don't have coverage then you can't use your phone - and then i guess you are really saving money :-) i used to have a $100 a month plan but now that i don't work in the biz i have the pidly $40 a month plan and it suits me just fine. but i don't use my phone much, just to coordinate on watering holes.

[rhiannonstone.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you're as much of an information freak as I am, but if you are, you might want to check out the T-Mobile Sidekick (aka the Danger Hiptop). Phone, web browser (real web browser, none of that WAP crap), email (built-in account plus you can add your own POP accounts), AIM instant messenger client, games, and PDA functions. Best. Mobile. Keyboard. EVER. Data connection always on. It looks cool, feels great in the hand, and has a very intuitive interface.

Downsides: it's a bit bulkier than the most popular phones out there (which I actually like, I hate holding a tiny phone with two fingers up to my ear and feeling like it's going to fall in and get lost). Also, if you use the phone bit a LOT, this isn't the device for you, as T-Mobile doesn't offer a lot of great minutes-heavy plans for it. And the next-gen device is going to be out in Q4, and it's going to be AWESOME, so you might not want to buy the current-gen device right now. :)

[arasay.livejournal.com]

Does US Virgin pay-as-you-go include cheap texting? That was what sold me on it here. Do people even text in the US? I didn't have a mobile there, so I don't know, but I kind of think not...

Anyway, if what you're doing on the mobile is making arrangements and coordinating, not having hours long heart-to-hearts, I'm betting pay as you go is a better deal. All those plans make my scam-sensors ring.

[surlygrrrl.livejournal.com]

we text here, but i think not nearly as much as in other countries.

[rhiannonstone.livejournal.com]

Texting is starting to catch on in the US, but yeah, nothing like in the UK. I work at the US branch of a UK mobile company, and it's interesting to see the difference.

[arasay.livejournal.com]

This disappoints me. I'm going to be very used to texting by the time I move back.

[ammonoid.livejournal.com]

Text messaging is actually kind of expensive (can be as high as $1 a message with some carriers) so usually its cheaper to call! Still its catching on, and can be damn usefull sometimes.

[arasay.livejournal.com]

Wow! It costs me 3p! That seems nuts to me, as it can't use as much data space (or whatever the units are) as voice does...

[lth.livejournal.com]

I like my cell phone for exactly two reasons: 1. daycare can reach me where ever and when ever, and 2. it's cheaper than having a long distance plan on my land line. AT&T, the $40 plan. They just got rid of roaming charges in the contiguous, so it's even cheaper if you travel.

Also, I find that I get good reception anywhere (all of town, all over Florida, all over rural Washington, etc.), unlike most of my friends who use other companies.

Hate Machines

[bebopmonkey.livejournal.com]

The night before i went and got a cell phone, i had a horrible nightmare in which all the phones were about 10 times the size of what they actually are (people walking down the street carrying huge burdens). Haha, so yeah, they're a bit of a drag but neccessary.

I have ATT, which is expensive but has good coverage (ive used it in hawaii even) but am thinking of switching to metropcs, which is cheap but has bad coverage.

[systemerror.livejournal.com]

you may want to look at what plan gets you the most "free" minutes: night and weekend, as well as in-network calling. Sprint, what I've got, now gives you pretty much unlimited night and weekend minutes, and new plans, according to their ubiquitious ads I'm told, start at 7:00PM. Plus, you can get in-network calling for like $5 extra a month. Since most of my friends have Sprint as well, calling other Sprint customers doesn't come off my minutes, even in the day. Since getting that, I've hardly ever gone over my $50 a month plan. Plus, you get free long distance, so depending on how much long distance you use from your land line, you can factor that into your cost equation.

I need one for work (I do on-site tech work... hello tax write off!) and unfortunately, can't imagine the problems I'd have if I didn't have a cell phone.

[warsop.livejournal.com]

You only qualify for the 7pm night unlimited plan if you sign a 2-year contract.

[rzr-grl.livejournal.com]

Also, Sprint coverage *blows*, as do many of their phones. Sprint is the last company I'd choose.

[warsop.livejournal.com]

I disagree about coverage. I've been using them for five years and haven't experienced any problems with the coverage area. I travel reasonably extensively, and I can't remember the last time that I didn't have coverage.

I've no clue about their current phone offerings. I have an older flip-phone that does what I want it to do (well, it makes calls, but that's about all that I want). My bf recently got a nifty little SonyEriccson T608 of which I'm rather enamoured, although I missed out on my chance to get one myself.

YMMV, of course, and it looks like it does. :)

ObDisclaimer: Sprint gives employees of my company a 25% discount on all hardware, accessories, and service. This discount a major reason that I haven't seriously looked at switching providers. I'm happy enough with what I currently have, and the price that I pay for it is significantly lower than it would be with any other provider. Other providers also offer discounts to my company's employees, but the Sprint one is the best.

[surlygrrrl.livejournal.com]

as someone else already said, i think a pay-as-you-go option may be best for you since you don't plan on using it too much.
i have sprintpcs because my mom works for sprint. i've never used any other service, so i can't comment on that.

[surlygrrrl.livejournal.com]

oh. and what "midwest talk"?

[walktheplank.livejournal.com]

oh. and what "midwest talk"?

Seriously. I'm still waiting for the much-rumored sweeping generalizations based on random encounters with people on the street. ;)

(Just remember: our hippies can beat up your hippies.)

[surlygrrrl.livejournal.com]

yeah. what erik said.
you're such a tease, gordon.

[lemon-says.livejournal.com]

I use the T-Mobile $40 plan, and I don't think I've ever used all my minutes a single time. You can easily keep it under your minutes if you don't become an abuser who uses it as a crutch or to keep from being bored whenever you sit still.

[ericaceous.livejournal.com]

I have no advice, but I will commiserate. I'm one of the last few cell phone holdouts. In fact, I mostly like it that people can't reach me anytime, anywhere.

However, since so many people have cell phones, it is nearly impossible to find a pay phone anymore. And get this: the last time I needed a pay phone, ALL the nearby, (within 4+ blocks, alt least 12 phones total) otherwise functioning pay phones SHUT OFF FOR THE NIGHT AT 7 PM. Yes, 7 PM.

Since clearly the only people who need to use a pay phone between 7 PM and 6 AM are criminals of some sort.

Increasingly phone-phobic.

[bikenerd.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. I don't have one, and the more and more people use cells, the less and less I like being phone accessible. Call it rebellion.

[qthebrave.livejournal.com]

my hunch is that the pay-as-you-go plan will end up costing more than the monthly plan. plus, it can be really inconvenient when you run out of minutes and you have to buy more before you can make a call. also, as someone else mentioned, you may end up saving money on long-distance, because cell phone long distance (domestically) is almost always free. a lot of plans offer free nights and weekends, so you can actually have lengthy long distance conversations if you time it right. just buy a headset so you lower your risk of brain cancer with the phone stuck to your head all the time.

[vestalvixen.livejournal.com]

I have Sprint too. I've only ever been off network once, and that was in east Bumfuck, Maine where I didn't get any reception anyway, so it doesn't matter. I'd get a flat out plan too, instead of a pay as you go. You can get them cheaper than $40, and since you'd barely use your phone in the daytime.

[seattleforge.livejournal.com]

Do you travel? Do you plan on using the phone for long distance? Does everyone you call live locally?
Those are the types of questions you should be asking.
Also, I don't know what kind of reception Virgin gets, or whose backbone they get their signal from.
All the big carriers have pay-as-you-go plans. You should get one that has the best reception where you live and where you travel to regularly.

Just my two-cents on the matter.

Also, consumer reports did a feature last year on the mobile carriers, and the reception and service that can be expected in different urban centres.

[bebopmonkey.livejournal.com]

how come?

[bebopmonkey.livejournal.com]

really? hmmm. damnit, more research required. hah, i guess i'll keep reading people's posts.

[sanmiguelmalo.livejournal.com]

i use sprint pcs, $35 unlimited nights and weekends, 300 peak minutes and i've never gone over. plus they have this whole new thing where even if you do go over, you just get bumped up to the next higher plan rate instead of paying overtime minutes. most of the people i know also use sprint so pcs to pcs (for $5/mo) is rilly rilly good.

[jamie-miller.livejournal.com]

we're thinking about getting rid of our land line altogether and just getting two cell phones. it will actually be cheaper! under the plan we are considering, calls between our two phones will be free, which is fine since we call each other the most anyway.

cellphone plans change ALL THE TIME. our current plan is excellent, which is why we are holding on to our old phone that requires frequent (free) repairs. if we change phones we have to change plans. it's ridiculous. if you can't find a plan you like, wait two months and look again.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

I don't have a cell phone either. Twice this weekend I was standing at a pay phone and people lent me their phones instead. So sweet!

I think I will give up and get one as soon as either Steven or I get a job out of the house.

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

it's funny. I was on a bus, running way late to meet someone, and I thought about asking my seatmate (a stranger) if I could borrow his phone (he had pulled it out to check the time). It seems like that is a total breech of ettiquette, but that it shouldn't be.

Come to the dark side, Luke...

[chitinous.livejournal.com]

T-Mobile: YES! Good coverage, good minutes, good rates.

Working ASSets: Sadly, NO! Good coverage, shitty minutes for the same going rates elsewhere. Disorganized billing. I've had some not-so-great customer service experiences with them, as well. Unfortunately.

Re: Come to the dark side, Luke...

[trixiefirecat.livejournal.com]

aww, it's so sad about working assets. i've gotten their promotions and wanted to support them but i'm in a very iffy reception area & decided to pass.

[wearingabeanie.livejournal.com]

QUITTER!

[gordonzola.livejournal.com]

it was never ideological. I just never felt the need until recently.

[whimsicalpops.livejournal.com]

Nooooo don't do it!!!


Okay fine. Be that way.

I finally succumbed a couple years ago after breaking down on the bridge and not being able to tell my partner that I wouldn't be picking her up since I was broken down on the bridge.

I hate it though. I hate talking on the phone in the first place and the cell phone interuptus drives me crazy. I tend to leave it on silent and put it in a pocket that I don't feel the vibrations.

One word of advice to keep your bill low. Don't give it to people who call you on it to chat. You know those cellphone addicts who love to chat in grocery lines, bank lines, riding bikes, bathroom stall hangerouters.

[ammonoid.livejournal.com]

I have Att wireless. For the most part I'm pretty happy, except I get dropped calls a lot when I'm moving around (like when I'm, um, talking on the phone while driving on the highway). Coverage is usually pretty good with Att.

[trixiefirecat.livejournal.com]

any pay-as-you-go phone plans are for people with bad credit who have no other option. i know it seems like a flirtatious way to avoid marriage, but it's bullshit and way more expensive than signing on to a low-minute plan.

first, think of how you might use your cell phone. do you have a high long distance bill on your land line that you could avoid with a flat-rate national plan? if you pay more than $20 per month on long distance, this is something to consider. most national plans run $30-$50 per month [depending on the phone you buy].

second, talk to people in your neighborhood about their service. my neighborhood has notoriously bad service and it would be a shame if your phone didn't work at home. i say this because they all have different networks, so some companies may have good reception while others don't at all. also, if you travel anywhere regularly, it's good to find out if they cover that spot or if you'll be paying for roaming to a different cellular network.

third: prices. if i wasn't worried about reception, i'd have gone to t-mobile. they offered the best deals, had nice phones and everyone i talked to was happy with the service. they don't have the biggest network though, and verizon was who i was already with so i stayed. verizon gives less for the money though, so there's the trade off. other things i've heard... at&t wireless: people could go either way & not a very big network; cingluar: some love it some hate it some reports of bad reception; sprint: all i've ever heard is that people are unhappy with them.

fourth: phones. make sure to look them over. many have gimmicks that nobody needs. i always had the free phone included with either starting or renewing a contract during a promotion and was always happy with them. i only recently got one that does some wireless stuff and that is something i'm not really using. i'm down on the camphone, but mostly because i would never want crappy quality digital photos.

there may be other companies in your area, maybe call around and ask for a plan breakdown...

what I have learned:

[jwz.livejournal.com]

• Do not be taken in by the siren song of extra features.
  • You don't need a camera in your phone (and they all suck ass anyway.)
  • You don't need a web browser in your cell phone (and they are all totally useless anyway.)
• Get the cheapest phone that is as large as you can stand.
  • This probably means "take the phone they give you for free when you sign up", since those are plenty small these days.
  • It will probably come with a camera and web browser anyway. Do not be distracted by this.
• All cell phone companies suck. It is their nature. Figuring out which one is the least suckworthy on any given week is difficult, and if you ask five people, you'll get seven opinions.
• If you do your homework, and match up your actual usage with the cell phone plan, it is very likely cheaper to cancel your land line and use a cell all the time.
• If the phone rings, you do not need to answer it.
• Nobody over the age of 15 is able to master cellphone-keypad text messaging.

[rzr-grl.livejournal.com]

I've mostly been very happy with AT&T's coverage. Somehow, all of SJSU seems to be in a Faraday cage, but I get consistant signal all the way to Redding, which will soon be important, and lots of times when my friends are waving their phones around in the air like a divining rod.

I have gotten totally ass-fucked on roaming and extra minutes a few times - though with the new [3-letter acronym] system, there is no roaming (I still have an older [4-letter acronym] phone, which has different plans for some reason). AT&T is definitely not the cheapest, but I am hesitant to switch. Plus, with the Cingular merge they should have even more options.

As mentioned above, the hiptop is a nifty device. However, it's very big-brother, as all info lives on the spaceship, not on your phone. Good if you lose it, I suppose. I've heard it's not actually a very good telephone.

'can you hear me now?'

[beautifultoxin.livejournal.com]

i almost got a metropcs phone, to avoid a contract, but i opted for at&t; found a deal online for a free phone with a $115 rebate; so basically, 8 weeks after i got the phone, i got a check. i have not so hot credit and had to pay a deposit, which is the kicker, but the rebate balanced that out nicely.

t-mobile in sf has spotty service in my neighborhood (hayes valley), but i love their customer service but their phones of late are pretty fugly, with the exception of the sidekick (best ever, i'm waiting for the new one) and the nokia videophone, which has a nice big screen and looks llike a futurephone.

at&t's phones are keener, simpler; but they will seduce you with a good deal only to whomp down a deposit if you don't pass their credit check. the store at 3rd & market was pretty good, and a cute punk rock girl works there. when i went, i was offered a $99 phone for $9 that wasn't marked; maybe it's a gimmick, but it's worth asking.

or buy online -- letstalk.com, they had the great rebates, and were easy to deal with customer service-wise.

[superchones.livejournal.com]

here is the most ugly site ever: sf bay area cell phone comparison charts

here is a similar site with better design and a message board: wireless advisor

and finally, don't get a tumor phone: cnet cell phone radiation chart

also cnet.com has radiation charts for cell phones, don't get a tumor phone!

you really do not need unlimited nights and weekends; 1000 or 5000 minutes is sufficient unless you plan on developing a serious phone addiction problem within the next couple of monthes.

mobile internet is nice when people are bizarre and email you important things instead of calling you. i use it alot for mail, directions and im'ing but it's so unnecessary.

but seriously, you just need a phone that you can use wherever you go without paying jacked up prices and a phone that has good local and national coverage area.

if you need help, i can accompany you. i will ask lots of annoying questions until the cell phone swindler cries.

[ayebee.livejournal.com]

Hey! Since I'm getting rid of my car and biking it, I too have decided to get a cell phone, and am contemplating the pay-as-you-go deal myself. Let me know if it works for you, okay?

the wishy-washy road

[maria-sputnik.livejournal.com]

I had a pay-as-you-go phone for a few months, and I hated it. Fucker cost like thirty-five cents a minute and when I called people to try to meet up with them I was always like HEY HI HI OK TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE QUICK!!!!! cause spending a dollar on a three minute call is annoying. Mostly what I used that phone for was to yell into it OH HELLO HEY LISTEN CAN I CALL YOU BACK [from a payphone]?? It was not worth it at all. A weird, ringing albatross. Plus in the end I paid more than I would have with a contract adkslskddkfdkdsks//.d

Re: the wishy-washy road

[ayebee.livejournal.com]

Okay, thank you - this is important knowledge. I'm mostly getting mine in case I get stranded somewhere on the side of the road, or other such emergencies. (But doesn't every first-time cell phone user say that?) It'd probably be better just to go the $40/mo route, sounds like.

way too much information but I get all excited when I get near arithmetic

[maria-sputnik.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I just did the math. If you talk 3 minutes a day with [t-mobile] pay-as-you-go, you pay $31.50/month.

if you really only want a phone for SOS calls when your leg has been chewed off by tigers, pay-as-you-go would be a good bet. If you think you'll use it an hour or less each month, a $20 contract would be your ticket. A $30 contract will get you ten minutes/day (enough for multiple daily calls like WHERE ARE YOU and THE BUS IS SUPER LATE BUT I'M STILL COMING). And with a $40 contract you can get 1000 minutes a month and start making lengthy phone calls, preferably in public at the top of your lungs!!!

Re: way too much information but I get all excited when I get near arithmetic

[c73m.livejournal.com]

for a brief second of my life i worked for a phone company...
and yes, they are evil swindlers if you dont know what yr doing.

i was the kid that took the calls from the people whos bills were hundreds of (unexpected) dollars, and had to walk them thru the bill and explain why 'yes, $486 is the correct ammount..'...gRR.

the people who did the pay as you go plans were always calling and having to pay extra cuz the phone company i worked for counted each minute as from 1second-60 seconds. so if you had a phone call for like 2 minutes and 2 seconds. they counted it as 3 minutes. its a scam... but alot of phone companies do this..

my big advice is to ensure you get it all in writing. Some of the people in the store will try to rush you into a contract, but the people who get rushed usually dont understand their plans and then get bilked with huge bills and/or have to pay big money to terminate their contracts.

on a positive note, i do have a cell phone. I decided to have my home phone disconnected and just go with a monthly cell phone bill instead. the cell has voice mail and i can turn it off whenever i dont want to have to talk to anyone (which sadly is often)...
but yeah, i would say 'get one'. just be prepared.
yay.