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Help picking smart phone and plan

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bogey21 said:
Some like me have made a decision to avoid all Smart Phones. I have a Kyocera ClamShell with ATT service. I have text messaging and voice mail blocked and don't miss either. Every now and then I check my call log to see if I missed any important calls. Truth is that over half of my missed calls are numbers I don't recognize which I don't return. My cost is about $30 month for 300 minutes but have about 1,200 rollover minutes accumulated from the minutes I have not used in the past. One feature I like with my phone is one digit speed dialing for numbers I use a lot.

George
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Yesterday I told my first customer that we are out of business at the end of the year. I gave her the contact info for the young couple who will take our business over, telling her that I'd decided over the weekend that I did not want my 80 year old husband working on the scaffolding required when the tops of her windows are 20+feet above the floor. This means it's about time to hit our business with the price of a smartphone and a first year's plan.

My flip phone is in the bottom of my purse, turned off. With few exceptions the only time I use it is on vacation to check messages on the (gasp) answering machine on my desk. Cliff's flip phone is supposed to be on in his pocket when he is out in customer's homes, but about 1/3 the time it is sitting plugged into the charger on the kitchen counter because he walked out without it, and another 1/3 of the time there is no reception anyway.

The reception issue has made it very easy to ignore technology. We each pay $115 for a year or some maximum(he usually has to renew at about 10-11 months), and our T-Mobile phones only work sporadically because we are in a hilly coastal area of Los Angeles and it is hard to get a signal. When our computers are out, I have to drive the iPad a mile or so down to the CVS parking lot to even get the AT&T plan that comes with it to work.

Because several people we know have given up their land lines, Cliff thinks that we should do so too. I've been able to squash that idea by saying it is impractical here (bad reception and large two story house where phone will always be somewhere other than where I am). I am willing to consider it when we move into a retirement community in a few years.

Whatever we get will be an Apple product because I have half a chance of being able to operate it since I can use the iPad. When my brother died in 2014 and his phone would occasionally ring, I could not for the life of me even figure out how to answer it in time. Sold it on eBay!
 
taterhed said:
T-mobile has great deals for over 55 folks (works best with 2 lines).

I'm loving T-Mo after dropping Sprint after 25 years plus!

Keep in mind: you need a NEW, Current edition T-mobile phone if you choose to go with them...they have added so many new bands, that older phones will have less coverage available.

Costco has great deals on phones usually; bit dry right now. Expect new promotions in the may-june time frame due to phone releases. Apple is expected to discontinue the IphoneX in 2nd quarter 2018. So, should be some good deals coming.
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Sorry to hear about your changes at work. Companies are getting so cheap these days.

+1 on T-Mobile. We had AT&T for years with dropped calls and spotty coverage where we live. Plus VERY expensive with nickeling and diming and their customer service and website are horrid.

Quality of T-mobile is great. We got a great deal during the downturn of 4 lines for $100 with unlimited text, voice and more than enough data for most of our family. (When my daughter watches too many videos a month and hits the data limit, it simply slows down vs. charging more or shutting off - not a bad constraint on her TV watching.)

On top of $100 for 4 lines, my husband's company has T-Mobile phones at work so you can get a "Business Family Discount" on top of whatever rate you have. We now pay $80 a month for 4 lines + $10 a line up to 10 lines with no contract.

Plus they have T-mobile Tuesdays offers - most not worthwhile but we download the Shell $.25 cents off 20 gallon coupon offers that come out every 4 weeks on several phones to fill up our cars.

re: Costco. You can simply buy the phones there and don't have to buy the T-mobile plan there. Shop around.
 
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bogey21 said:
Some like me have made a decision to avoid all Smart Phones. I have a Kyocera ClamShell with ATT service. I have text messaging and voice mail blocked and don't miss either. Every now and then I check my call log to see if I missed any important calls. Truth is that over half of my missed calls are numbers I don't recognize which I don't return. My cost is about $30 month for 300 minutes but have about 1,200 rollover minutes accumulated from the minutes I have not used in the past. One feature I like with my phone is one digit speed dialing for numbers I use a lot.
Click to expand...
George, your phone needs are pretty modest, so take a look at this one. It's built for simplicity, and has emergency calling built in, as well as camera and texting. This might serve as an easy step up from your clam shell. https://smile.amazon.com/GreatCall-...-1-spons&keywords=jitterbug+smart+phone&psc=1
 
Passepartout said:
There really is life beyond clam shell phone. For instance having quick, easy access to all your photo memories. I was out with friends Saturday night and the subject of travel to favorite destinations came up. I whipped out my smartphone and with just a few swipes, showed travel photos back as far as 2002.
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I'm sure there is and believe me I don't knock it but it just doesn't interest me. All I want out of a cell phone (haven't had a land line in over 20 years) is the ability to make and receive calls at a low cost. I think I am there with my clam shell with the ATT network. My cost is about $30/month and with accumulated rollover minutes I have all the capacity I need.

Like I've said on other posts, to each his own.

George
 
Passepartout said:
George, your phone needs are pretty modest, so take a look at this one. It's built for simplicity, and has emergency calling built in, as well as camera and texting. This might serve as an easy step up from your clam shell.
Click to expand...

I've looked at the phone you suggest and would probably head in that direction if it weren't for inertia. As for emergency calling I have my phone set up so all I have to do is hit "9" and "Send" to get a 911 operator. I've tested this in 3 or 4 different localities and have had almost instantaneous response every time.

George
 
bogey21 said:
I've looked at the phone you suggest and would probably head in that direction if it weren't for inertia. As for emergency calling I have my phone set up so all I have to do is hit "9" and "Send" to get a 911 operator. I've tested this in 3 or 4 different localities and have had almost instantaneous response every time.

George
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I bet the 911 operators love it when you call to "test" it out.
 
Warren Buffett recently disclosed that he does not own an i-phone but uses a flip-phone instead.
He says that, when he buys an i-phone, Apple will know that the market is saturated.
This despite his company, Berkshire-Hathaway, owning more than 134 million shares in Apple (valued ~$23.5 billion).
 
I will update if it changes, but so far, T-Mobile is AWFUL!!! Phone and text is fine, but data is as slow as our 1990's dial up internet service! We're supposed to have full LTE (4G) service here, but when we called in, they said it might be the rain. Grrrrrr....
 
PamMo said:
I will update if it changes, but so far, T-Mobile is AWFUL!!! Phone and text is fine, but data is as slow as our 1990's dial up internet service! We're supposed to have full LTE (4G) service here, but when we called in, they said it might be the rain. Grrrrrr....
Click to expand...


Some carriers are better than others on certain areas. This is why I really want Verizon for my service provider when/if I get a good phone because they are the primary carrier here and most everywhere we go. Your phone also has to be compatible with the carrier- CDMA or GSM.

Meanwhile, I just found out my tracfone will not be arriving until today sometime and it needs an in person signature. For some reason I cannot leave my signature on a postcard on the door! For a $10 phone! So- being I work for a living I will end up having to call FED Ex tonight -AFTER the delivery attempt-to see if I can pick it up tomorrow at a facility near where I work. They will not allow me to pick it up TODAY even though I called YESTERDAY to tell them I would not be home TODAY! Good thing I work somewhat nearby to the FED EX facility- otherwise the phone would be sent back and I would be charged for it and no refund!! SMH...

So now I am going to feel a bit vulnerable driving around for two days with no phone in my car. Guess I will keep a white handkerchief in my car in case I need to hang it out my window.
 
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PamMo said:
I will update if it changes, but so far, T-Mobile is AWFUL!!! Phone and text is fine, but data is as slow as our 1990's dial up internet service! We're supposed to have full LTE (4G) service here, but when we called in, they said it might be the rain. Grrrrrr....
Click to expand...

sorry to hear that..... You should immediately contact your nearest T-mobile store or @ customer service. T-mobile has a service warranty (see below).

T-Mobile Warranty and Returns...
 
mpumilia said:
Some carriers are better than others on certain areas. This is why I really want Verizon for my service provider when/if I get a good phone because they are the primary carrier here and most everywhere we go. Your phone also has to be compatible with the carrier- CDMA or GSM.
Click to expand...

Not to be contradictory, but let me amplify your statement:

Just because a cell phone is "GSM" or "CDMA" compatible etc... doesn't mean it will work on another carrier's network. Even if the phone WILL work on the 'new carrier's' network, that doesn't mean it will work well or as well as new and/or carrier-branded phone.

Below is a link to check compatibility. Be aware: most carriers have unique frequency bands that render other carriers phones crippled--especially in rural areas. Additionally, carriers add new spectrum and enhanced technology to their devices....so older devices may or may not be fully capable on the original carrier or any other carrier. Finally, some phones are sold 'unlocked' while others are locked. Some phones may be unlocked--but only before you terminate your agreement with the 'old' carrier. Google it and you'll get the answers you need or call your carrier.

Cell phone compatibility checker...
 
taterhed said:
Be aware: ... Additionally, carriers add new spectrum and enhanced technology to their devices....so older devices may or may not be fully capable on the original carrier or any other carrier..
Click to expand...

Good info. :thumbup:

When I bought my first smartphone in 2012, I made statements for a long time that the phone would last me "forever" as long as I didn't break it or lose it. So far, so good on those two things. I'm being told by DH that it's definitely time to upgrade. I'm starting to lean in that direction, kinda.

Thanks, Rob, for breaking it down into the simplest terms to allow me to "embrace" the fact that even though she ain't lost or broken, she "may not be fully capable." Dang it.
 
Luanne said:
I bet the 911 operators love it when you call to "test" it out.
Click to expand...

My experience is that they have no problem with it as it takes all of about 15 seconds. They answer; I say " This is not an emergency. I am just testing my cell phone access"; They respond with something like either "OK" or "Good Enough"; I say "Thank you" and we disconnect. In truth I think testing is somewhat normal.

George
 
Sugarcubesea said:
Can you buy the phone at Costco and use any service. Dang, all these years as a Costco member and never knew that they sold phones
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Yes, the phone is unlocked. They don't sell it at the cell-phone kiosk, it's just in the adjacent electronics area. Well, actually, you pick up the cardboard thingy and pick the phone up at the room where the small expensive things are delivered.
 
bogey21 said:
My experience is that they have no problem with it as it takes all of about 15 seconds. They answer; I say " This is not an emergency. I am just testing my cell phone access"; They respond with something like either "OK" or "Good Enough"; I say "Thank you" and we disconnect. In truth I think testing is somewhat normal.

George
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Interesting. I'm going to check with a friend who is a 911 dispatcher to get her thoughts.
 
PamMo said:
I will update if it changes, but so far, T-Mobile is AWFUL!!! Phone and text is fine, but data is as slow as our 1990's dial up internet service! We're supposed to have full LTE (4G) service here, but when we called in, they said it might be the rain. Grrrrrr....
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. Every carrier has good and bad spots. For our area, AT&T was horrible and Verizon was not as good as TMobile. YMMV. The good news about T-mobile is that they don't lock you into a contract so you can change with no strings attached. Cannot say that for AT&T and Verizon where we have been locked in.

If you paid by credit card you should be able to return the phone if you are within 30 days.
 
So Fed Ex attempts to deliver my phone at 10:30 am and of course, I am at work. They tell me I have to sign for it in person and I cannot pick it up at their facility either because of restrictions Tracfone has put on its' deliveries! A $10 phone!!! I contact Tracfone per chat. Essentially tell me tough luck! I try to call them- on hold so long I had to hang up. Fed Ex is supposedly going to make 2 more attempts- well- if they don't come to my house until after 5pm that will do me no good. Going to dispute the charge with my credit card compnay when I get home. I am also going to put a complaint in to the BBB. This is just so infuriating!

Meanwhile, at my crazy job I return the phone to the "old" boss today. he asks me if I got another phone. I tell him. that the "new" boss said "no". He couldn't believe it. He calls the "old" boss and then tells me to keep the phone for another week and the "new" boss will supposedly work on getting me a phone. Of course, last night I had spent a nice amount of time erasing and resting the phone to factory settings!!! SMH.....
 
Elan said:
Price is $180. Been thinking about buying one for my wife. I have the Moto G5S Plus, which a slightly enhanced version of the G5 Plus. Great phone with phenomenal battery life.
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Not a bad deal. My wife ordered a G5 from AZ. It was unable to tether & she sent it back. IDK if it was the phone or the operator.
 
Passepartout said:
Not a bad deal. My wife ordered a G5 from AZ. It was unable to tether & she sent it back. IDK if it was the phone or the operator.
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Interesting. I haven't tethered anything to mine, but looking at the settings it seems as though it's pretty straight forward. USB tethering, wi-fi tethering and bluetooth tethering all available.
 
Elan said:
Interesting. I haven't tethered anything to mine, but looking at the settings it seems as though it's pretty straight forward.
Click to expand...
I had similar difficulty with a new Nokia 6 (Darn Nice Phone) last week- that even the big guns at AT&T support couldn't make tether or work on 4G/LTE. I sent it back, then learned that only one of it's 2 SIM slots would run 4G/LTE.

I ended up getting a BLU R2 32/3GB. It has been the easiest-to-setup phone I've ever had. Take the SIM out of my R1 & slip into the R2. Within an hour, I'd upgraded all it's apps, loaded all my photos back to 2002, populated all my contacts, customized it's ringtones. It came with a case, 2 screen protectors, all for $130.
 
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