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Best cell phone & service?

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JohnnyCockfight

JohnnyCockfight

Beer is God's proof that he loves us.
For those further ahead of the technology curve than me (that means everyone), what cell phone and service would you recommend for someone on a budget, who only would need 500-600 minutes outside of nights & weekends, good national coverage, and phone without a camera?

Good and bad experiences both are welcome--both would help me.
 
I've had experience with two companies. Sun Com sucks. They don't get it at all. Service is non-existant. Coverage is very poor, at least 5 years ago when I was with them. Cingular has been very, very good. Very consistant service, Very good coverage. Working, at least in this area, at improving service by adding new towers. A good value all around. Just my experience.
 
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I use the Verizon NationWide plan which gives me 600 anytime minutes, free nights & weekends, and free LD. There are also regional plans if you don't travel much and would be able to keep your usage in one area. I pay $40/month.

I also recommend going to a specific company store as opposed to say a Radio Shack. The company stores always have the better plan options and not all are advertised online or available at sublet agencies.
 
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I have always sung the praises of Verizon and recently saw the results of an independent study that confirmed they had the highest customer satisfaction.

You may be able to save a few bucks by staying away from Nationwide coverage, but if you ever plan to travel that would be a complete mistake.
 
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Thanks for the feedback that everyone has given me so far. I'm at the end of a 1-year contract with Nextel (my first and only cell phone experience), and I just broke my phone. I have been pleased with the national coverage, and know that Verizon also has a good national plan.

However, the deals they (Verizon) are currently running are for 450 minutes at $40/month and 900 minutes at $60/month, which are on the low and high ends of what I'm looking for. Basically, I'm weighing whether or not to extend my contract with Nextel another year and buy another phone through them, or change over to another service. I get 600 minutes plus nights & weekends for something in the low $50s with Nextel right now.

osugrad21 said:
I use the Verizon NationWide plan which gives me 600 anytime minutes, free nights & weekends, and free LD. There are also regional plans if you don't travel much and would be able to keep your usage in one area. I pay $40/month.
Click to expand...
If Verizon Wireless was running that deal right now, I would switch without a doubt.
 
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JohnnyCockfight said:
If Verizon Wireless was running that deal right now, I would switch without a doubt.
Click to expand...
Did you go into a Verizon store or are you basing that on their website? Also, if you tell them you are looking to switch providers, they may swing you a deal.

The advertised plans are not the only plans available.
 
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JohnnyCockfight said:
I'm at the end of a 1-year contract with Nextel (my first and only cell phone experience)
Click to expand...
So you're one of those many annoying people that feels the need to share your private conversation with the rest of us all awhile subjecting us to that annoying beep?
 
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Thump said:
So you're one of those many annoying people that feels the need to share your private conversation with the rest of us all awhile subjecting us to that annoying beep?
Click to expand...
No, I've never learned how to use the walkie-talkie, though the thought of some day learning how to use it for the sole purpose of annoying others did play a part in my decision to originally go with Nextel.
 
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JohnnyCockfight said:
No, I've never learned how to use the walkie-talkie,
Click to expand...
As a non-Nextel user I thank you on the behalf of society. Funny thing is those people who use the walkie talkies seem to forget that you can talk on the thing as a phone.

Here's the "typical" Nextel conversation overheard at the local Walmart.

Female hilljack: "What are you doin.' BEEP

Male Hilljack: "Nuttin." BEEP

Female: "What's goin' on?" BEEP

Male: "Not much." BEEP

Female: "Where you at? BEEP

Male: "WalMart." BEEP

Female: "Can you pick up a 12 pack of Old Milwaukee and some super
absorbent tampons on the way home?" BEEP

Male: "Aighht." BEEP
 
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osugrad21 said:
Did you go into a Verizon store or are you basing that on their website? Also, if you tell them you are looking to switch providers, they may swing you a deal.

The advertised plans are not the only plans available.
Click to expand...

I worked as sales manager at a corporate Sprint store for couple of years, and never was able to hook up a good plan out of the gate. I can't speak for Verizon, because I have never had a Verizon phone. With all the portability now days, most carriers are focusing on retention. They'll throw you some nice rebates and stuff like that, but usually have to stick to the minute plans. I can personally say that the only time I could hook up someone with a killer plan was for retention purposes, or contract renewal. I can't speak for every carrier though.

As for the original question, I would say to do your homework in regards to what phone you go with. There are huge differences in quality of signal, and dependability based on certain manufacturers. I can say that if you go with a Sprint, Sanyo are without a doubt the best phones (battery life wise, and reception wise), with Samsung being the worst.

With Verizon I think that LG, Audiovox, or Kyocera are some of your better phones (off the top of my head).

I know that Verizon is a better all around service if you travel into rural areas often. I live in Columbus, and have never dropped a call on my Sprint phone since I've lived here. But then again, it all depends on where you are calling from. I would assume down by campus there are a lot of dropped calls due to the sheer volume going out with all the college kids.

I know Cingular is the largest carrier in the U.S, but in northern OH they are non existent. Do your homework, and you'll be cool.
 
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Thump said:
As a non-Nextel user I thank you on the behalf of society. Funny thing is those people who use the walkie talkies seem to forget that you can talk on the thing as a phone.

Here's the "typical" Nextel conversation overheard at the local Walmart.

Female hilljack: "What are you doin.' BEEP

Male Hilljack: "Nuttin." BEEP

Female: "What's goin' on?" BEEP

Male: "Not much." BEEP

Female: "Where you at? BEEP

Male: "WalMart." BEEP

Female: "Can you pick up a 12 pack of Old Milwaukee and some super
absorbent tampons on the way home?" BEEP

Male: "Aighht." BEEP
Click to expand...


I can't stand when people use it like that. I have Nextel and use the walkie talkie constantly for work. It's a nice feature that won't use up your minutes.... but some people just use it the wrong way.

I haven't been too impressed with Nextel's service... I have a few areas that I drop service on a regualr basis.
 
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