Getting a new cell phone. (Got T-Mobile).

[logan82]

I am surprised you have to pay for incoming text messages with Verizon. Are you sure that is the case?

[cweber39]

I am surprised you have to pay for incoming text messages with Verizon. Are you sure that is the case?

 

Yeah that seems odd. I have Verizon and pay for no texts messages they are unlimited I know last year if you texted someone outside the Verizon network you had to pay for it, but thats not the case anymore.

[theavrock]

Go with US Cellular. I worked in the cell phone industry for a long time and they have hands down the best coverage in Wisconsin. The only thing they lack in is the "latest and greatest" phones. They also are the most "customer friendly" phone company you will find in many different aspects. You will hear good and bad stories with every carrier, thats just the way it is. I will echo someone's statement that you should stay away from their kiosks. Go to a retail store. People actually know what they are doing there. The same could be said for any carrier though. No matter which company you go with make sure you go to a corporate store and not an independent kiosk. You can call and ask them if they are corporately owned or not.

[PeaveyFury]

Not to sidetrack from Jimbo's inquiry, but AT&T is the network that the iPhone uses- for those that have one, have you had network issues?

[Jimbo]

The votes are in and the winner is... T-Mobile!

For $50 I got a nice phone with activation. I'll only need to pay $40 a year to get the minutes I'll need. I'll have good coverage from home. Madison and Central WI will be roaming. I have a 14-day trial and 10 free minutes to see how it works. In spite of the pink website and their ad campaign targeting 16-year old girls, I decided this was the best value.

Verizon. I see Brewerfan Nation gives them a lot of love, so I decided to go back tonight and give them a second chance. This time I talked to the rep's boss. Turns out the rep quoted me some wrong prices last night. I could get a good phone for $50 with $35 activation, but a $15 a month minimum to get any minutes. I said straight out to him "This is what T-Mobile is offering, I'm giving you a chance to match it." He shook his head. He admitted they were more expensive, but had a better network.

U.S. Cellular. This was my second pick. I would have gone with them but for one thing: a small (but annoying) $6 monthy access fee. They had a couple of nice phones to choose from for just ten bucks.

at&t. I liked their plan the best and was all set to up with them Thursday night until the rep showed me the selection of phones to choose from. I found them pretty much unappealling. They had a free phone, but it looked like it came from a Cracker Jack box. Then the three negative comments here today.

Sprint. My wife is with them, so I went there first. They didn't have a pre-pay plan, which I find out later they are they only one. I e-mail the rep the following day and mentioned Virgin Mobile which an earlier poster mentioned. But I had moved on.

Thanks to all who responded. Verison was just too pricey for me. The T-Mobile rep said they get higher commissions, so they're looking to sell. And she mentioned dissatisfied Verizon people who occassionally come in.

[logan82]

Wow, Madison being roaming would be tough on me, but I use my phone for more than just emergencies. Did you look into getting a 2nd phone on your wife's plan?

[Jimbo]

Basically, I just wanted my own plan/provider, independent of what she had.