ChasingBlueSky 0 #1 December 21, 2003 After I figured out that AT&T turned off my cell phone service today, I gave them a call. Now, after spending a very frustrating hour on the phone with AT&T trying to figure out their F*cked AP/AR system that turned off my service by mistake (they never changed my service plan and I was massively overcharged, and somehow I had a 2nd account that they never told me about) - and having a manager tell me it was my fault followed by him hanging up on me.....I'm hoping they turn my service back on soon.....they told me "maybe in the next 24 hours." I've had it with AT&T and will be switching companies as soon as I figure out which company is the lesser evil. I'm a bit worried about the number portability since AT&T was rated the worst company after the initial deluge of people changing. I realize every cell company has it's downfalls....but looking for opinions on cell phones that will work in the Chicago area and Tampa. From what it looks like, Sprint and Cingular may be my best bets, but it looks like Cingular has more fine print than any company I have delt with before in the past. Verizon has terrible coverage in my home neighborhood, therefore they will not be an option, and Nextel seems to have some of the most expensive plans._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #2 December 21, 2003 Sorry to hear you've had a hard time. I have AT&T and have never had a problem and have found that they have the largest footprint and best coverage no matter where I go in the US. They may not have as competitve plans as some of the others but the reliable service is what keeps me happy."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 December 21, 2003 In terms of coverage in Chicago, SBC/Cingular is your ticket. They may have the most fine-print, but they're also one of the incumbents for cellular in the area (System ID 00001, in fact, Chicago had the first cellular system in the US). I don't know Cingular's coverage in the Tampa area. In terms of service though, you won't beat Verizon. Plus, their coverage in Florida is very good.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Plaedouh 0 #4 December 21, 2003 Well, I've just signed a new contract with Sprint. I did a lot of talking and researching, and in the end for me it was between Sprint (old carrier) and Verizon (new carrier). I like to travel up and down the east coast, so both coverage and nationwide plan were big for me. Verizon and Sprint seem to have the best coverage, followed by Cingulair, who has some noteable dead areas. Nextel is a step worse for coverage, and I ignored AT&T because so many people told me to. Verizon has ok customer service, it's solid from what i've seen. Sprint has ok service some days, and frustrating other days. But they are improving over the last year. Can't speak for the others, like Cingulair. Nextel is the only one without nationwide plans, and everything costs too much. My sister has Cingulair, and is content with the service. My mother has them too, and complains of frequent dropped calls. In the end I got Sprint because they had an ok price on equiptment, rates competitive with everyone else (prices just dropped $5 a month a few weeks ago)...and the biggest factor was that I discovered that I am entitled to their MVP program because of who my employer is. I save 20% a month on my bill. So one thing I highly reccomend you do is ask carriers if they have a corporate discount plan associated with your employer. Sprint has a history of really pissing me off, but seemingly they all do that to everyone now. Best of luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #5 December 21, 2003 yeah. Sprint. I just got thier plan and the redi-link service. (hmmm, good thread idea)I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #6 December 21, 2003 Be careful if you ask a company to let you change and keep your old number. There was a report on 20/20 last night and people were really irritated with the lack of service they got with their request with multiple companies, but one of them mentioned was AT& T. I think it took that guy 11 days to get his service back. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #7 December 21, 2003 Wow, talk about dirty business tactics..... I just tried calling in to check on the progress of getting my account working - to get into AT&T customer service, you need to enter your phone number. I entered mine in and the phone disconnected me. I figured it had to be a glitch and tried again....four times it did it to me. I called back in and entered my roommates cell phone number, also from AT&T, and now it lets me in to talk to them!_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaaska 0 #8 December 21, 2003 Just out of curiosity, what are the average rates for calls (wireless) over there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #9 December 21, 2003 Brian, I have had them all, I still think AT&T has the best service. I do hear that Sprint is good as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeyRamone 0 #10 December 21, 2003 I have an AT&T gms phone i got a year ago, I use over 8,000 minutes a month, , I got a plan for 100 a month unlimited usage for 2 years.... They did not advertise this plan either... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricaH 0 #11 December 21, 2003 Unfortunately, I love AT&T - had them for 5 years & they're the best!! Sprint customer service is top o the line in my opinion. HOWEVER, in Chicagoland the coverage is very sketchy & there's huge parts (like most of lincolnpark) where it don't work at all!! If you can afford it, most phone companies have a week or even 30 trial period. Sign up for one a week, try it out everywere; call customer service w/ totally benign questions. Then make your decision to switch to them. I'm thinking of switching to AT&Ts GSM service, but am afraid it won't work @ the dz. Right now, I'm one of the only people @ hinckley that has reliable cellular coverage out there. Not that I use it that much, but when you NEED it, it's good to have it. There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear. PMS #227 (just like the TV show) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #12 December 21, 2003 QuoteUnfortunately, I love AT&T - had them for 5 years & they're the best!! Sprint customer service is top o the line in my opinion. HOWEVER, in Chicagoland the coverage is very sketchy & there's huge parts (like most of lincolnpark) where it don't work at all!! If you can afford it, most phone companies have a week or even 30 trial period. Sign up for one a week, try it out everywere; call customer service w/ totally benign questions. Then make your decision to switch to them. I'm thinking of switching to AT&Ts GSM service, but am afraid it won't work @ the dz. Right now, I'm one of the only people @ hinckley that has reliable cellular coverage out there. Not that I use it that much, but when you NEED it, it's good to have it. I have AT&T GSM - have two phones, one that does TDMA/GSM so you don't need to worry, and a pure GSM phone. Since GSM phones work off of SIM cards, you can switch between phones by putting your SIM card in it. This is one reason why I am thinking of going to Cingular GSM. The AT&T GSM stuff worked great, and that is one reason why I am upset about the way I have been treated. It works at SDC, and it worked about 90% of the way on the drive from here to Tampa (and at Rantoul). It worked from Tampa to Orlando as well. This is the first year I didn't make it out to Hinkley, so I am not sure if it works there or not._________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
