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I'm thinking about switching cell phone carriers: Any suggestions / warnings?

By Ralph Gorgoglione

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Metro Life Homes RS-78439 / BRE #01708344

September 03, 2010 03:18 AM

I'm thinking about switching cell phone carriers: Any suggestions / warnings?

I've been with Verizon for quite a while now. The advantage is that they have great signal strength.

But other than that it seems that if I bat an eyelash, there's a fee for that.

And I don't really dig how no matter what kind of change to your plan you want to do, they lock you into another 2 year contract.

I've heard some good things about Metro PCS. Is anyone using them? They seem really affordable and I don't believe they make you sign a contract. Not sure about their signal strength, though.

I just cancelled my broadband card with Verizon because I'm not using it that much anymore because there seems to be free WiFi just about everywhere. But that cancellation cost me $120.00!!!

I have a Blackberry, but I'm even open to switching phones. I know the iPhone seems great, and the reason why I haven't gone there is because I've been hearing it's coming to Verizon (for the last 800 years now!), and I've been told by some that AT&T's signal strength is not that great. Is that true?

But email is critical for me, and since the Blackberry email system is very reliable that's one of the reasons why I chose it.

And of course, I have to keep my cell phone number, which I believe these days is not a problem from one carrier to the next, correct?

Any suggestions / warnings would be appreciated!

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Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

In my opinion (for my area at least) there are only two choices (verizon and at&t) and I choose verizon over at&t ANYDAY (I've had both).

Sep 03, 2010 04:10 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

I've had Verizon here in San Mateo County for years. The reason: best signal coverage. However, at some little beach cottages south of Half Moon Bay, my AT&T client had great reception; I was dead. So--it's definitely area specific--check with everyone local that you can.

Sep 03, 2010 04:54 AM

Jennifer Prestwich

Henderson, Thornton, Broomfield and Westminster - Henderson, CO

Madison & Co Properties

The only thing I can add is that I have friends who really don't like their at&t service as they have no service right in the middle of the downtown area. It's spotty at best. I've been happy with Verizon service, myself.

Sep 03, 2010 05:08 AM

Lynn911.com ~ Dallas Real Estate Agent Top Team

Dallas Houses for Rent Dallas Apartment Rentals Lynn911.com - Dallas, TX

Here in Dallas home of Metro PCS - I have had there service for 3 1/2 years I LOVE IT... flat $45 per month my old cell phone carrier approx. $200 per month YES take that $150 extra per month.

NOTE: Metro PCS - up their nation wide coverage however I don't travel much so great regional phone.... if I travel I have a T - Mobile phone I just pay for minutes.

Sep 03, 2010 05:18 AM

Chris Alston

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley, California

I love my iPhone, and I am not mad at ATT. I know that with technology, everything is not awesome all the time. So no complaints from me, and the SF area (well, Im in Saratoga) and NY are the worst, but I am ok. :)

Sep 03, 2010 05:30 AM

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Hate Sprint...although the coverage is pretty good nationwide. The phones stink!

Sep 03, 2010 06:25 AM

Stephanie Reynolds

Integrity First Financial Group, Inc. - Santee, CA

East County San Diego Homes 619-838-4408

I have Verizon and have always been pleased with them. My business partner has an IPhone and loves it, although does complain about calls dropping more than she would like!

Sep 03, 2010 06:31 AM

Joe Homway

Exit Realty Premier - Springdale, AR

The I-Phone and AT&T. Get it online and save some serious dollars. I've had it a year and simple plans with family time and no problems as far as signal strengh with my wireless system at home it picks it up and I can get calls I would loose before.

Sep 03, 2010 07:18 AM

Melissa Zavala

Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA

Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

I have an iPhone. I'm onto my second one actually the '4'. Prior to that I had the Blackberry, but was jealous when everyone else could do all these extra things (watch videos, plat games, get really cool apps) and I could not. I have been very impressed with the iPhone. I do have certain areas where I do not get good cell service--but that's in Encinitas, not Los Angeles County. When I'm in SHerman Oaks visiting my folks, I always have full service. Calling AT&T on the phone to get assistance on your bill is akin to the support you get from some of the banks on the short sales.

Sep 03, 2010 07:35 AM

Bree Long

Keller Williams Realty - Los Angeles, CA

I have an Iphone and the coverage is awful. I hear the new generation Droid is the way to go. I think Verizon provides coverage...

Sep 03, 2010 11:52 AM

Richard Ruggaber

Metro Life Homes - Los Angeles, CA

California Real Estate - (818) 422-5035

I was with At&T for years and made the switch to Verizon about 5 years ago. Verizon coverage is terrific. I alway know when I am talking to someone on At&T because I only get half their conversation. (in the L.A. area) My good friend was with sprint in L.A. and the coverage was always spotty until she switched to Verizon.

Sep 03, 2010 04:45 PM

Juli Vosmik

Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

I have Verizon and love the coverage. Recently, when I upgraded my phone they added a fee for additional texting or web or something.

On Tuesday, I called them and went over my bill line by line - guess what??? I reduced my monthly expenses by $25.

I would suggest you call them, tell them you're thinking of switching and asking what they'll do for you - I bet you'll get a $20-25/mo reduction in your fees!!!!

Let me know.

Sep 03, 2010 05:19 PM

Jane Peters

Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I would not switch from Verizon. It has the absolute best coverage bar none. I know TMobile have great rates, but no good having great rates when you have poor service.

Sep 03, 2010 06:08 PM

Richard Ruggaber

Metro Life Homes - Los Angeles, CA

California Real Estate - (818) 422-5035

I am with you Jane. It's the best service in L.A. You get what you pay for. :)

Sep 04, 2010 06:53 AM

Ritu Desai 703-625-4949

Samson Properties - Chantilly, VA

Northern Virginia,Washington DC & Maryland Realtor

Ralph, my hubby just bought Samson Galaxy S, similar to iPhone but has Andriod operating system. We have been with Tmobile for years with unlimited data, text and minutes.

Sep 05, 2010 03:47 AM

TODD PICCONI INLANDEMPIRE & SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY, CA

TODD PICCONI REAL ESTATE - Dana Point, CA

Personal Engagement,Precision, and Professionalism

Hi Ralph,

I've had AT&T for years and currently have the iPhone. I've had the iPhone for about 2-3 years now. What I love most about it is the easy use and also that it holds my iTunes and I love listening to my music in the car, etc.

Recently, I have acquired a new phone number for expanding my business into the PalmSprings area...and so I went to Verizon since 1) I also heard come early 2011, they will have an iPhone or it's equivalent. I purchased a Droid2 and although not really sure how to use yet, I can already tell I love the systems much better and they are better/easier for me to use than the iPhone has been in 2-3 years.

I also am hopeful that Verizon's service is much better in coverage than AT&T has been.

There is a 30 day trial basically for a new phone, so you may want to try that?

Let us know what you end up doing?

Sep 05, 2010 04:39 AM

Lorrie Semler, REALTOR® in the Dallas area. Call/text 972-416-3417

HomeSmart Stars - Addison, TX

Real Service. Real Results. Real Estate

Love my iPhone. The AT&T coverage is OK, except in my house. The microcell has improved the dropped calls problem from inside the house. But, as soon as anyone other than AT&T can support the iPhone, I'm going to switch!

Sep 05, 2010 04:40 AM

Anonymous

Garett Chipman

Hey Ralph:

I agree with Tammy: Verizon has better coverage than ATT.

Part of my business is supporting companies Technology needs and they just happen to have every type of mobile device out there.

The questions to ask yourself is:

1. Coverage

2. What do I need it for?

Coverage:

ATT is still deploying cell towers and acquiring/building more partnerships to spread their spectrum, but they are really slow at it. I was on ATT for 7 years, but had to get off because of poor data services and phone call dropping. If your in a central area and don't travel much, and ATT is solid, great. But if you travel you have to move off of Verizon. Even Sprint is better(their customer service is horrible)

What do you use it for?

Showing pictures of properties? Only need reliable email? Taking videos? Once you narrow that down you then choose the flavor of phone you want.

Blackberry ROCKs for email Reliable and just works. Their browsing has "sucked" but their new TORCH actaully beats out the IPHONE's browser. Hmmm. Something to consider. In IT, I need to get my email. It just worked. But I needed a better browser. So I tried the Iphone as well.

IPHONE

Very cool phone, but not at simple as a Blackberry. Iphone browser works(when ATT is relaible) really well. If you have patience, IPHONE works well with images, taking photo's and posting them. The only 2 things are: 1. It's on ATT which is horrible for relability sake 2. Does your company policy support it. Alot of company's will not because the insecurity if the phone gets stolen and your IT deparment cannot REMOTE wipe it. Blackberries you can and that is a huge selling point. Deleting the phone if stolen. BUT Iphone has new software that potentially works.

Personally, I need reliable service and I went with Verizon because I drive and travel alot. ATT just does not have to complete coverage here in Socal like Verizon does. We getting ripped off by all the carriers but I'd rather at least have some service while I'm getting ripped off.

NOTE: I am now using the Droidx and seeing how it compares. Very nice fast phone. Does not have the blackberry simpleness, but very cool indeed.

Hope that helps.

Garett

CEO|TVG Consulting

Sep 08, 2010 11:41 AM

#24

Anonymous

Suzy Smith

i have been with att for many years we have 5 members on our family plan. we live in arkansas and our service is terrible! we still don't have 3g, but have been promised countless times it will be ready by x date, of course it is not.

i want to switch providers without paying a cancellation fee! is that possible? i heard a news broadcast a while ago regarding a regulatory agency attempting to make that possible. did that happen? or was i dreaming again?

Jan 09, 2011 03:58 AM

#25

Anonymous

John

MetroPCS sucks terrible horrible customer service.

For over a week I argued, begged and pleaded at every level, 6 store reps, 6 online reps. In my opinion all of them incompetent and many rude. Autopay account deleted and recreate at least 4 times. Everyone keeps saying the same thing just go in and update to account info. The account was even verified by a Corporate Center supervisor. Phone service has been shut off twice. Even after the store manager at the corporate Center assured me that it ad been restored.

Then I found the emails for coroprate HQ. Two emails to three execs and the problem was fixed in two hours. You do the math. Corporate email, fax number, phone number and my complaint letter is at http://SwensonStudio.com/MetroPCS.htm

I switched to Virgin. Better cheaper phone (HTC EVO V 4g, better coverage, Cheaper plan, WAy better customer service. Better and cheaper in every category. Easy decission.

Jul 08, 2012 12:21 AM

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