I'm thinking of getting a cell phone.

In My Humble Opinion
1

First of all, I will state right away that I have hated cell phones for a long time. But, my opinion of them has been changing now that they are so common, and I am even considering getting one myself. I really know very little, almost nothing about cell phones, plans, costs, etc.

My situation is that I just graduated college in December, and I’m living at home temorarily while I search for a job. I won’t be moving out until sometime between March 1 and August 1, probably around to the middle of those dates. I’d like to have my own phone for a number of reasons.

One main reason I want the phone is so I don’t have to have people calling me at my mom’s. I think it would be a little weird for jobs to be calling me and having my mom answer. I also think it would seem kind of lame for me to meet anyone and give them my mom’s number.

Another main reason for the phone would be continuity as far as phone numbers when I move out. This way, I could just put my cell number on resumes, and not worry about changing it when I move, and not worry about having jobs call my mom’s if I don’t live there anymore.

I guess there may be some other minor reasons why I want the phone, but those 2 are the main ones.

I do have access to a “regular” phone at home right now to make calls when I’m home. When I move out, I don’t know if I’ll end up getting a regular phone or not, or if the cell will be my only phone. Anyone out ther have experince with a cell phone being your primary/only phone? Is this a good or bad idea?

One thing I would consider if it wasn’t that much of an added cost would be internet access through my phone. You can do simple things such as check your email and look up scores and stuff right? Is this a lot more expensive or is it reasonable? To be honest, I’d have no real need for these features, I’d only be getting them as a novelty or whatever. Is this a good idea? About how much extra would this proably cost me?

Any suggestions as far as companies to go through? What kind of phone to buy? What to look for in a plan, or what to avoid? Other advice?

2

There are so many options, it is impossible to give you any real advice.

Go to your local mall…most likely there are representatives of every cell phone company in your area. Pick up the brochures (do NOT allow them to talk you into signing anthing yet) and then go home and compare them.

There are also quite a few sites on the net that compare various plans.

The next step is to figure out what your really need, and what you can really afford.

You will get a headache.
Most likely you will wind up with a plan that costs about $50-70 a month.

One tip that seems to work for everyone - ask friends and strangers in your area what plan they have, how is the reception, how is the customer service and how much was the phone. Most people are happy to tell you their horror stories, and their satisfaction level.

3

Blunt,
buying a cellphone without looking at wwwvirginmobileusa.com is ALWAYS a mistake, IF you are in a major city, Virgin phones KICK ASS! ($7.00 a month minimum, no bill, no deposit).

unclviny

4

If you are getting a phone reluctantly, you might like to get a combined PDA/phone, it makes you more likely to bring it with you and have it turned on.

If you would like to be able to use the internet occasionally, without breaking the bank, get a GPRS enabled phone. GPRS is a fairly high-speed internet connection, where you you (generally) pay separatly for the amount of data you download.

Consider buying a phone second hand, from e-bay or something, without a specific plan attached. That way you are left flexible in your choices of phone and also in the long run end up paying a lot less.

Iteki - very soon to be the owner of a cell-phone with built in camera/camcorder, tri-band, and an OS that allows me to also play games, read e-books, watch movies, play mp3s and play emulated gameboy games.

5

I have Sprint and the service stinks. I have too many dropped calls. In fact, it seems that when I need it most the service is out. I loathe Clare, the virtual operator that answers all of the questions you don’t care about.
Months ago, I had a phone replaced under warranty. This proved to be a nightmare. They charged me for the new phone and I spent literally hours on the phone with them sorting the problem out.

Sprint Stinks.
Good Luck.

6

Are you asking for thoughts on phones or plans Blunt?
If plans, then your location would be very relevant :slight_smile:

7

I have a Motorola Talkabout (one of the older “flip phones”). of the Motorola phones I’ve seen, they all seem to have pretty logical menu design… there are a few phones out there are are just… odd. I use Sprint PCS, with their nationwide longdistance program, which rules, I pay $40/mo for 1200 anytime, 200 peak minutes (since I’m at work during peak times, its not much of an issue), all of that can be long distance, which is good with my parents in NYC, my brother in San Fran, my best pal in Virginia, etc. I actually started on their “free and clear” no contract plan, but then I realized that I had no plans to get rid of the phone and signed up with a 1 year contract promotional plan. Free and Clear is good if you’re not sure if the phone will be a long-term thing for you.

As far as doing the internet through the phone… it’s absurd because to type anything in using your keypad is just ridiculous. My email password has thirteen characters and it just isn’t worth the time it takes to key it in. The phone-enabled PDAs are probably much better for that, just from an input perspective.

Oh, I use the phone as my primary and only phone. ^%$#@! Ameritech can blow me, if you’ll pardon my language. It’s been… 3 years since I had a land line and I’m perfectly happy with the arrangement. Did you know telemarketers aren’t allowed to call cell phones?

Of course, you have to check that your provider offers strong signal where you live. Having so-so signal at home is a real pain in the tuckus.

8

I bought my cell phone to make all of my long distance calls and use my line for for internet access. I have cable internet now. I was hoping to totally eliminate line calls. Except:

I second the “Sprint Stinks”. Do not get Sprint. I preface all of my calls with and apology “I’m sorry. I have Sprint. During the conversation we will be disconnected. Likely more than once. Please hang up and I will redial.” It is a pain, but since I get disconnected on nearly every call, it is fair to warn the receiving end. And fair to bash Sprint. I don’t think they deserve any more business. Along with a “generous” 200 minutes to use anytime (primetime is considered anytime), my cell phone has become unusable and worthless. A waste of money.
I have heard that the FCC has approved number transfer to take effect in November. You can switch service and keep your existing cell phone number. As soon as I can I’m switching to another service. F*** you Sprint!

9

Blunt, you must know your zip code & sometimes your address to check your coverage. It all depends on coverage first. A cheap phone is useless if you don’t have any coverage for it. If you have a local 7eleven store, you can see what phones theyhave.

10

Coverage is the most important feature; as a general rule, the only two can’t-go-wrong providers in that regard are Verizon and T-Mobile.

T-Mobile recently added Unlimited Nights (9pm to dawn) on its standard plans, which is basically the tiebreaker in my book. Their standard $40/mo plan (which I just switched to) is 600 minutes anytime, unlimited nights, unlimited weekends, nationwide.

And 600 daytime minutes is plenty, especially since most people in your situation are of the sort who use their cell phone as their only phone, and won’t let you call them before 9 anyway.

Verizon is also extremely good coverage-wise, but I don’t know anything about their rate plans.

As for the actual phone – you’ll research features all you want, but in the end a phone is a phone. The only feature I’d justify paying extra for is the Sony Ericson phones with Bluetooth, so you could use a wireless handsfree set (a la Minority Report). I use handsfree all the time, but I hate the wire and can’t wait for bluetooth prices to go down.

11

Also, check with your friends/family in the area, see who they use for their cell phones. In some areas, Sprint is really really bad. In others, they’re really really good. It all depends on where you’re at. (Where I’m at, Sprint’s coverage is spotty. But Verizon couldn’t find its okole with the help of the entire U.S. Marine Corp.)

See if whomever you are considering has loaner phones: that way, you not only get to see if their coverage is sufficent for you, but you get to use the phone long enough to make sure it’s one you like.

Personally, I prefer flip-phones, and not the stick kind. The flip-phones feel more like a real phone to me: the placement of the ear and mouth pieces are better. The stick ones I’ve tried I’ve always had problems with pressing the keys accidentally with my cheek/jaw when I’m trying to talk, or having the keys get whacked by stuff I’m walking by (when the phone is in a holder).

That said though, the more popular type of phone you get, the bigger the selection of accessories for it, if you care for such things.

<< As you read the scroll, it vanishes… >>

12

Blunt - if you are going to be calling potential employers on the phone, use your mom’s land line, not the cell phone. The quality is usually noticeably inferior, and it’s not going to help make a good impression. If the employer(s) call you, no big deal, but I would never originate job phone calls on a cell. (Then there’s the whole battery issue, too.)

13

neuroman - like I implied, most of my friends are of the “my cell phone is my only phone variety”, and aside from wanting me to call only at weird times or the occasional disconnection, I haven’t noticed a difference. The only time I can tell anything’s “off” is if they’re using a handsfree set and picking up extra noise.

YMMV