Cell phone advice please.....

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:42 pm

Hello Everyone,

My contract with AT&T is FINALLY over. I'd like to buy a new cell phone from Verizon.

Here's my problem with choices of a phone and a reasonable package.,,,

I don't really use my cell phone except for emergencies.

But now, I'd like to buy a phone that I can use more often if I have a camera phone, access to the internet, email, texting, and maybe a word processor. I'm also going to be away for most of this summer in Florida and Ireland next summer. I'd like to be able to call my family and friends. Also wondering if I could use my phone in Ireland.

I was looking at the Blackberry phone and a plan for $40 a month and 450 minutes a month. Should I go for the 900 hours for $60 if I want to surf the net?

If I decide what I want, is it ok to order the phone and plan on the net or should I go to a store?

Sorry for stupid questions...I had an awful phone that I hated from AT&T and never upgraded:-5

Thanks for any advice.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:25 pm

Kathy Ellen;1066560 wrote: Hello Everyone,

My contract with AT&T is FINALLY over. I'd like to buy a new cell phone from Verizon.

Here's my problem with choices of a phone and a reasonable package.,,,

I don't really use my cell phone except for emergencies.

But now, I'd like to buy a phone that I can use more often if I have a camera phone, access to the internet, email, texting, and maybe a word processor. I'm also going to be away for most of this summer in Florida and Ireland next summer. I'd like to be able to call my family and friends. Also wondering if I could use my phone in Ireland.

I was looking at the Blackberry phone and a plan for $40 a month and 450 minutes a month. Should I go for the 900 hours for $60 if I want to surf the net?

If I decide what I want, is it ok to order the phone and plan on the net or should I go to a store?

Sorry for stupid questions...I had an awful phone that I hated from AT&T and never upgraded:-5

Thanks for any advice.

Verizon has a great deal that allows you to talk to your friends and family for free in certain situations if they are also on the same plan. I used to have a Blackberry... it's a pretty decent phone.

Do check the rates for using your cellphone on the net... they can be rather exhorbitant.

I'd recommend that you go into one of the stores where employees can help you in person and they're very familiar with all of their plans.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:28 pm

G-man;1066588 wrote: Verizon has a great deal that allows you to talk to your friends and family for free in certain situations if they are also on the same plan. I used to have a Blackberry... it's a pretty decent phone. Do check the rates on using it on the net... they can be rather exhorbitant.

Oh, thanks Gman. I think I should probably go to a dealer and really take a look at the phones and plans.

I bought a s**t phone from AT&T and couldn't get rid of it. That is an awful company who have no respect for their customers.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:29 pm

Kathy Ellen;1066592 wrote: Oh, thanks Gman. I think I should probably go to a dealer and really take a look at the phones and plans.

I bought a s**t phone from AT&T and couldn't get rid of it. That is an awful company who have no respect for their customers.

I know. :wah:

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:27 pm

Thank you...

I ordered a Motorola Krave because of the good advice of La and Carla.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:42 pm

Kathy Ellen you should be pleased it looks like a good choice. I was checking this very phone out. I don't use my cell for anything but calls. I have all the internet and email I need at the office don't want it on my phone after hours. I order all my phone from Verizon on the internet. You may have to go in to activate it or call them and they can walk you through it. I have been with Verizon forever and for the most part they have great service in all areas.

[QUOTE]Thank you...

I ordered a Motorola Krave because of the good advice of La and Carla.

[/QUOTE]

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:51 pm

CARLA;1066667 wrote: Kathy Ellen you should be pleased it looks like a good choice. I was checking this very phone out. I don't use my cell for anything but calls. I have all the internet and email I need at the office don't want it on my phone after hours. I order all my phone from Verizon on the internet. You may have to go in to activate it or call them and they can walk you through it. I have been with Verizon forever and for the most part they have great service in all areas.

Thank you so much Carla for your time and good advice. I was so confused about ordering a new phone because I had such a bad experience with AT&T.

I once had my home-based phone with Verizon, but changed over to AT&T due to a 'good deal that they offered to me':wah::wah: Would never go with AT&T again...They have no respect for their customers:mad:

Thank you so much Carla...I just want a phone that meets my needs. The Blackberry is a lovely phone, but it seems that it has too many bells and whistles, and expenses that I don't need.

I really just need my phone for emergency calls and extra minutes when I'm on holidays. So, hopefully this phone is the right choice.

Thanks Carla:-6

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:03 am

Hey Kathy!

I had a sprint/nextel account for the last 4 years and recently had a real bad experience with them. I went without a cell phone for about 2 months and then really needed one when my grandmother passed away due to traveling back and forth from PA....anyway, due to financial constraints, I purchased a prepaid type phone which I've never done. It was very inexpensive and even has a camera in it. It is Verizon brand and can be bought at Wal-Mart and Target, I found out a week later that they are CHEAPER at Target and bought my two boys one each for $20.00 each. It works for me, because I'm the type of person that only uses the cell phone when I'm out and about and need to contact someone. Texting is fun occassionaly, but I'm not quick with it and prefer the computer for that type of communication.

I agree with you about AT&T, my grandfather has his cell phone account with them and they weren't very helpful to him when he called to tell them that my grandmother won't be using her phone anymore since she passed away. Instead, they confused him into thinking that he could use the same phone number for both phones, which we all know isn't possible!!:-5

Big hugs to you Kathy, I hope you find a good plan with Verizon, I would highly recommend them for cell phones, not land lines though....different story for a different day!

:-4

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 7:30 am

I need a new cell phone too, mine is starting to act funny. I tend to keep them forever!

cars · Post by **cars** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 3:06 pm

Kathy Ellen;1066560 wrote: Hello Everyone,

My contract with AT&T is FINALLY over. I'd like to buy a new cell phone from Verizon.

Here's my problem with choices of a phone and a reasonable package.,,,

I don't really use my cell phone except for emergencies.

But now, I'd like to buy a phone that I can use more often if I have a camera phone, access to the internet, email, texting, and maybe a word processor. I'm also going to be away for most of this summer in Florida and Ireland next summer. I'd like to be able to call my family and friends. Also wondering if I could use my phone in Ireland.

I was looking at the Blackberry phone and a plan for $40 a month and 450 minutes a month. Should I go for the 900 hours for $60 if I want to surf the net?

If I decide what I want, is it ok to order the phone and plan on the net or should I go to a store?

Sorry for stupid questions...I had an awful phone that I hated from AT&T and never upgraded:-5

Thanks for any advice.
Hi KE, sorry to hear of your problems with AT&T! I inherited Verizon cell phone service when they took over my old mobile phone co I had a dozen or so years ago. I actually was never all that happy with the lack of reception areas verizon had, so after several years, I finally switched to Sprint. Had Sprint for over the last 3 1/2 years, again was not happy with the many "no service" areas of Sprint!!! So, now just about 3 months ago I got a new cell phone company called, AT&T!!! :wah:

So far so good with AT&T co., go figure!!!

I think a lot may have to do with the actual "Cell phones themselves", some brands are better the others. With Verizon I had Motorola, Sprint, had Samsung, now with AT&T have Nokia!!! So far, have gotten great reception now with my AT&T Nokia in the same areas that I could never even get a "signal at all" with Verizon & or Sprint!!! So . . . . . Hate to muddy up the waters, but maybe make sure you get a better grade "cell phone" with whatever cell company you choose! Good Luck!!!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:42 pm

I have a Nokia through AT&T and it is the simple model, you can text, take photos, send them to people, and lots of unlimited options. You will find this with any big phone company, everyone has different experiences. (and I had bad ones with Verizon, but that was years ago) When I went to LA the AT&T just changed over to the area and no extra charges, it was handy to have. Look into all you options and have fun shopping!

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:54 pm

Well, I received my new Motorola Krave yesterday. It's charged and ready to go...Now I have to learn how to use it:yh_rotfl It's lovely:-6

Post by **spot** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:57 pm

Kathy Ellen;1069726 wrote: Well, I received my new Motorola Krave yesterday. It's charged and ready to go...Now I have to learn how to use it:yh_rotfl It's lovely:-6

Switch it on, hold it to your mouth, say "One to beam up" and see what happens.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm

Hey Chonsi and Cars,

Originally, I liked AT&T until I cancelled my account with them. I decided to go the 3 way route with my cable company. I had 2 lines coming into my home from AT&T and cancelled both.

2 months later I started getting bills from AT&T for $15. I kept calling them to tell them that I was no longer a customer. I also wrote them letters with documentation that proved my account was closed. They flagged my calls and would not talk to me.

I was afraid that my credit would be ruined by them. Finally after 3 months they sent me a letter letting me know that my account was closed:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

I do love my new phone. I text my Irish cousins and their function is really cool. You have a full keyboard to text.