Cell Phones

[Colliemom]

As I mentioned in Morning Coffee, I’m cell phone hunting. Pretty much decided on the phone, but still looking at Carriers, plans etc. favoring Consumer Cellular, but also looking at TracPhone and Verizon. How about giving me some input here. Who’s your carrier, you happy with it, the plan etc? Not looking for a big data, talk, text plan, but comparing plans, carriers etc., and best prices on the phones I am looking at. Talking with friends and getting input from others goes a long way

[Rufflesgurl]

I have had the iPhone 6s+ since they came out. I like the bigger screen. Also have had Verizon for years without problems.
Good luck with your search.

Linda

[Bethers]

I love AT&T... Switched at one point to Verizon and their terrible customer service lost me. Had they really had better coverage I might have stayed, but it's a toss up between them. That said, look into Straight Talk or similar. They use various towers at much lower prices.

[OregonLuvr]

After traveling the USA for over 18years as a travel nurse I have had ATT, Sprint, and Verizon. I found Verizon to be the best for coverage for me. I havent had the same experience as Beth with their customer service. They have always been very accommodating to me when I have had issues. Even loaned me a phone once because mine died on a Friday night and I was on call all weekend so it saved me from buying another phone. AT&T was the worst for me, with Sprint a close second. Sprint is good in the cities but you get rural and there is huge signal loss. My friend had AT&T and I had a Sprint phone and a Verizon phone. We went on a road trip and kept comparing our bars with all 3 phones. It was a fun experiment. Verizon won hands down tho.

I dont know much about the smaller companies. I adjust my plan based on if I am on the road or not. I increase my data plan when traveling and decrease it when I am home.

[retiredhappy]

We just changed from AT&T to Verizon. Had MAJOR problems with AT&%T. Our account got hacked and AT*Ts customer service was NOT helpful at all. The hacker was changing passwords and adding an unknown person to the account while we were ON THE PHONE with the security dept at AT&T. Verizon has better coverage, at least where we are, than AT&T or Sprint.

[JudyJB]

I have Verizon and am happy with their unlimited data plan.

However, and this is really important, make sure you go to a corporate store and not one that says it is an authorized retailer. Look it up on the verizon site under locations. One of my students who worked for verizon gave me that advice

Corporate stores will give you better advice and have the corporation behind then For customer service. Retail stores just want to sell you a phone.

[snowball]

I am also a Verizon user have been for years....I don't know if it still true but used to be years ago up in Yellowstone nothing worked except Verizon.... like I said that was years ago
I had heard of a device when we first came to the desert for WIFI that Sprint offered I was tired of having to
go to the library for limited wifi so went to Sprint thankfully they said that Sprint doesn't work out there in the desert (this was 10 years ago.) I assumed that has changed...but I got the air card from Verizon at that time.
never had problems with anything we shared with one of my daughters and have unlimited I am so used to not using the computer all day that I forget although out here I try not to use a lot of electricity so still stay off it unless ginny is running so mark us a happy Verizon user
sheila

[avalen]

Verizon for me too. I love the unlimited data plan and the customer service has been great. Only had one bad experiance, last year when i had to replace my phone and got that apple iphone, i didnt care
for the iphone, didnt have it a full 24 hrs and took it back, traded it for a galaxy. Ive found 99% of the time i have a signal.

[SoCalGalcas]

We have Verizon here in San Diego. Have been happy with it. Our 32 story building is now being fitted with fiber optics from AT&T. As we are paying lots and lots of $$$ for COX cable, we will be looking into what AT&T has to offer once they complete the instillation.
My daughter has an iPhone 6 and I have an iPhone 5s. She uses her phone for everything, even reading books. I use my phone for texting and phone calls, like a regular person/phone.
lyn

[monik7]

After years of frustration with AT&T, I switched to Verizon last year when I upgraded my iPhone. Been a very happy camper since. Right after switching when I was on Maui with my daughter, we were driving not far from the busy tourist area and needed to look up directions. My daughter’s AT&T didn’t work. My new Verizon did! Yay!!
Sandi

[Cudedog]

Last August at the Eagle Lake gtg it seemed like almost everyone around the dinner table had a smart phone in their hands, surfing, online, and checking whatever.

That is, all except me and a couple other ladies.

At the time, I had Virgin Mobile as my carrier. When I asked around the dinner table, I found out that those with a connection at this somewhat remote campground (way up in the Sierra/Cascades) had Verizon. Those that did not have a connection had something other than Verizon.

Nuff said.

When I got home from my trip a week or so later, I immediately switched carriers to Verizon. I have been happy with them ever since.

Anne

[Bethers]

Just saying, having had both... You'll find places Verizon doesn't cover, same with AT&T. To me it's about equal so I tell people to have one or the other. Just because I prefer AT&T, I'm honest and realistic about the coverage of both.

And I hate people sitting around the campfire/dinner on their phones. To take a picture of the group and maybe post it, ok. But hate the way people ignore who's in front of them to check messages/FB/etc.

[snowball]

We have Verizon here in San Diego. Have been happy with it. Our 32 story building is now being fitted with fiber optics from AT&T. As we are paying lots and lots of $$$ for COX cable, we will be looking into what AT&T has to offer once they complete the instillation.
My daughter has an iPhone 6 and I have an iPhone 5s. She uses her phone for everything, even reading books. I use my phone for texting and phone calls, like a regular person/phone.
lyn

I think now Lyn that what your daughter does is more the norm than what you do... but have to agree with Beth
hate how the phone has taken over. I of course live in my 5th wheel in the summer it is parked next to my daughters although not right next to her house there is perhaps several hundred feet and a building between us.. for the most part I spend the days in the 5th wheel go up to the house when people are home from work ect. help with supper clean up then I usually go back home around 8 or 9.. but for the most part they are on their phone then accuse me of hibernating in my 5th wheel...
sheila

[Colliemom]

Thanks for the input ladies. Think I have it narrowed down now. Verizon is more expensive for what I really need, but I know they have the better coverage for the most part. Consumer Cellular is also an option. Surprisingly, Sprintbis coming up fast too and some ratings have them listed as number one. Like Beth said, and I’ve noticed looking at coverage maps, there are areas where no signals can be had.

Need to buy a phone now and debating about buying one from independent like Walmart or Amazon orvgoing with one through carrier. See better prices with the carriers but wonder how good they are about “unlocking” when you want to switch and have one of their phones even though you own it.

And yes, I agree with the everybody spending time looking at cell phones when out with others. It’s my pet peeve along with doing same in parking lots, in stores etc., not that grocery lists may be on the phone, but pay attention to your surroundings.