[Daytona_John]

Originally Posted by Squawks

Hold on - are you saying every two years you get a new phone (with a new contract)?

EDIT: n/m I checked - only valid for phones valued at a maximum of $100...if you want a more expensive phone they'll credit you back $100. Nothing fancy but I guess that's ok.

T-Mobile has a very similar arrangement.

[BellasBmw]

I thikn im going to switch to T mobile. Verizon rapes me on the charges. I text alot, and i just want a plan that is going to work well in NY (long island).

My plan with verizon is $59.99 (900 min plus unlimited and long distance). $20 for unlimited text to verizon customers (but 2000 for outside.. HOWEVER they didnt tell me that this was sending and recieving. I assumed it was just sending). I pay $5 for insurance. So my bill is around $80-90.

Yet, every month my bill comes up around $110. I dont know why, usage fees?? It sucks. At t mobile i can get 1000 min plus unlimited for $49.99.

[Squawks]

T-Mobile's untlimited texting is pretty cool. I am not sure if you're going to include the pic-msging but the pic-msging is awesome as well. My big bro has T-Mobile and he loves it. I cannot, however, comment much about T-Mobile's network range relative to Verizon.

EDIT: 900 minutes are a lot, too. Cut back on the boy-toys you have in your phone book, who I imagine are calling you nonstop.

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by Squawks

T-Mobile's untlimited texting is pretty cool. I am not sure if you're going to include the pic-msging but the pic-msging is awesome as well. My big bro has T-Mobile and he loves it. I cannot, however, comment much about T-Mobile's network range relative to Verizon.

EDIT: 900 minutes are a lot, too. Cut back on the boy-toys you have in your phone book, who I imagine are calling you nonstop.

I dont go over on my minutes. Its the texting that kills me. I have never gone over 900 min. But, if i can get a better deal, why not. you know?

[Squawks]

How many minutes do you use, then? Don't pay more than you don't have to.

EDIT: But T-Mobile sounds like the better deal if they're going to be $60 cheaper. I don't think you can make Verizon go that low.

[BellasBmw]

I use about 7-800.

[Explorer3253]

Yeah...but GSM in the NY Metro area sucks....Alot of my friends have Cingular / T-Mobile and to get in touch with them is like pulling teeth..yeah their plans are alot cheaper...but with verizon theres a good chance you'll get through when you need to..and with fewer dropped calls..Do I sound like a Verizon Spokesperson yet Can you hear me now?

[RedStripe]

Most schools sponsor a specific carrier that can save you about 15% off the total bill. Ask to see if you can get a school/corporate discount plan. That might make the choice easier.

Anyways, about the discussion on minutes, and you'll have to excuse me if I'm not up to current promotions because I haven't gone wireless plan shopping in some time, but with T-Mobile, you get 1000 ANYTIME minutes, but it doesn't include free NIGHTS & WEEKENDS. At least that's what it was back when I was shopping, so maybe things had changed. So, Bella, if you say you only use 700-800 minutes a month, you should go back to see if your free night & weekend minutes are included in that number.

Currently, I have Cingular $59.99 for 800 anytime minutes and 2 additional lines for $9.99 each that bump my anytime minutes another 100, for a total of 900 anytime minutes across my three phones. Free Nights (starting at 7pm) and Weekends, and Free Cingular calls. No text messaging though.... it's like 5 cents each or something. And because this is a school plan, I get 15% off the total amounts I quoted above there are no contract fees or specified lengths of time I need to commit to them. After adding in the taxes and the regulatory fees I pay $82-$84 a month.

Is this good? Should I be shopping for a better deal? Thanks.

[sdorn]

Verizon has the best reception by far. I have been with them for like five years or more (back when they were AirTouch around here). It would really suck if you switch over to another carrier, sign a contract, and then can't get good reception.

Verizon does eat you up on text messages though. They are $.10 each over your limit, so they add up really fast. They used to be only $.02 to receive and $.10 to send, and that wasn't too bad.

[Ghunger]

I have Verizon as well and stay with it mostly because most my family is with them as well so any calls to them are free. If you include the nights and weekends I only need 500 anytime hours and my cell is my primary line. I don't text much at all though, so I can't really comment on that side.

[nabutes]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

I thikn im going to switch to T mobile. Verizon rapes me on the charges. I text alot, and i just want a plan that is going to work well in NY (long island).

My plan with verizon is $59.99 (900 min plus unlimited and long distance). $20 for unlimited text to verizon customers (but 2000 for outside.. HOWEVER they didnt tell me that this was sending and recieving. I assumed it was just sending). I pay $5 for insurance. So my bill is around $80-90.

Yet, every month my bill comes up around $110. I dont know why, usage fees?? It sucks. At t mobile i can get 1000 min plus unlimited for $49.99.

I'll make a bet with you that in two months of using Tmobile in the city, you'll kick yourself in the ass for getting it. Yea, sure it might be cheaper, but it doesn't matter if your reception keeps dropping...

See what this site says: http://www.cellreception.com/

[BellasBmw]

OK turns out my contract with verizon isnt up until nov 9th. Im due for an upgrade cause ive had the phone for 2 yrs. So.. do i cancel for $175 and get a cheaper/better plan with tmobile. Or stick with verizon, get a new phone (re new contract), and quit texting haha.

[Collanrf]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

I think i need to stay with verizon cause of the discount towards a new phone .Whereas if i switched, i gotta buy the phone flat out with a contract. So if a phone at verizon is $199, i get $50 mail in rebate, and $100 off. If i go to tmobile, they phone is $149 with a contract

If you got insurance with the phone, they'll replace it for free.

[magmd]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

OK turns out my contract with verizon isnt up until nov 9th. Im due for an upgrade cause ive had the phone for 2 yrs. So.. do i cancel for $175 and get a cheaper/better plan with tmobile. Or stick with verizon, get a new phone (re new contract), and quit texting haha.

Sounds like your biggest problem is text msg....

Can you get a better text msg plan with Verizon?

Just remember....your use of total minutes might go up than your usual...you will be calling your family more now that you will not be seeing them all of the time.

[wweoholic]

bella if you have plans to come out here (tri state area) then stay with verizon and keep your 619 area code.... Verizon is the best in NYC and the surrounding areas here.

[wweoholic]

By keeping your current # while out here it does 2 things. 1) Preserves your # in everyone of your friends address books. #2 Guys will prolly think its hot that you are a Cali girl when you give out ya # - lol

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by wweoholic

By keeping your current # while out here it does 2 things. 1) Preserves your # in everyone of your friends address books. #2 Guys will prolly think its hot that you are a Cali girl when you give out ya # - lol

O well screw my family and friends.. ill keep it cause guys will love my 619 area code! woo hoo! hahah...

[BellasBmw]

Originally Posted by magmd

Sounds like your biggest problem is text msg....

Can you get a better text msg plan with Verizon?

Just remember....your use of total minutes might go up than your usual...you will be calling your family more now that you will not be seeing them all of the time.

No i cant get a better plan with my text. i had one that was unlimited for $5 it was FREAKING GREAT. But when they saw my account, they took it off cause it wasnt current anymore .NOW my text plan is $20 for unlimited to verizon customers and 2500 to outside verizon. I thought i would send 2500.. but nope , 2500 including recieving too.

[magmd]

I thought i would send 2500.. but nope , 2500 including recieving too.


shit girl....you make/receive 80+ txt msg per day to non verizon people

[SCA]

Originally Posted by BellasBmw

i had one that was unlimited for $5 it was FREAKING GREAT. But when they saw my account, they took it off cause it wasnt current anymore.

Whoever told you that is full of it. It was a grandfather clause, unless you made a change to your plan they can not randomly change it because they no longer offer it.

We used to see elderly people paying $15-20 a month for plans that only offered 50 - 100 minutes a month. We couldn't get them to give it up for a larger, more expensive plan and so long as they do not change their plan the carrier had to continue to offer it to them.

I've worked for Cingular & Sprint and I have to say that when it comes to reception Verizon is the best, hands down. Yes, they are more expensive than most carriers but if you have a tri-mode phone through Verizon you will have service nearly everywhere. Also, do not forget that Verizon has the 'In-calling' where calls to and from other Verizon customers do not take from your monthly minutes.

[BMW F22]

Isnt there a text plan for like $2.99 or something?? If you add a feature to your plan, they will extend the contract another year. But I think that's the best thing to do.

[CALIF65GM]

I had Verizon and switched to AT&T (then it became Cingular and now it's AT&T again) about 2-years ago and regret it. Verizon coverage is excellent.