WirelessAdvisor.com

06-22-2002, 7:40 AM

Hello - I'm new to both this forum and cellphones in general. I've never owned one, yet am finding a great need for the mobility offered. I live on the east central coast of Florida and will be calling all over Florida and Georgia. Occasionally, I might call California but could probably put my phone card into memory to accomplish this without extra charges. I have heard that Voicestream is offering an excellent package. I would also need a very durable cellphone, yet have no desire to have Internet capabilities or even e-mail capabilities. Basically, I just need a very good phone with excellent audio qualities and high battery storage time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

cryogenic · 06-22-2002, 1:23 PM

AT&T also offers GSM service in many areas of FL, and I've heard their service is quite good... I know their TDMA service in FL gets high marks, so you might wanna look into them. They don't offer wireless web on their TDMA phones, but for what you'd be using it for, they'd be great. Just don't travel to Atlanta, because their service there is absolutely horrible. :-)

Mike · 06-22-2002, 3:39 PM

If you go with AT&T then don't travel to Orlando either. I have had very bad luck using AT&T in Orlando. It loves to drop calls there.

I have found great coverage in Florida with VoiceStream. It works great on the East Coast also, and I live on the West Coast and have great coverage here. Traveling from Tampa to Orlando, several time a month and ocassionally over to Melbourne I have had no problems with VoiceStream.

Get a plan with no long distance coverage, then you can save your phone card as most plans include that today. Many people are using their cell phone instead of their house phone today because of the large amount of minutes and free long distance calling.

Sarasota · 06-22-2002, 7:00 PM

Have you checked out Verizon? They have good coverage nationwide and some durable, reasonable priced phones.

Greg

aiwapro · 06-24-2002, 4:17 PM

I agree with Mike, I too have traveled many places with my Voicestream phone to have excellent service whereever I go.

06-25-2002, 3:36 AM

Thanks to everyone for the responses...I think I might give VoiceStream a shot...

07-06-2002, 12:52 PM

FWIW, I just left VoiceStream for ATT after VS jerked me around big time.

Apparently, due to a lost wallet and my closing (and reopening) all credit cards and checking account, I was given a "bad rating" even though I have super credit.

They charged me an extra $75 NONREFUNDABLE fee.

I exchanged my phone three times until settling on the V60 (they only have dummies in the Kiosk, unlike ATT which lets you try them out).

I was, at last, content and programming my phone AND my online "my voicestream" account. I saw I had used many minutes already in "can you hear me? can you hear me now" as I tried each phone, and mentioned this to the service rep.

"What's the next step up if I find this is not enough time for me?" I asked.

She said "oh no, you can't make any changes on this account. You are restricted for a year. The only thing you can do if you run over your 600 minutes is pay the $.35 per minute up to $150, then you are cut off. It's because of your very bad <EEEK> credit. "

Of course, I figured they'd review it in a month or so and release the restriction when they saw my stellar record.

Wrong again. She told me they NEVER review cases again and I was NOT allowed to have any other service. Except/unless I wanted to go for 3000 local minutes a month (not . . . I signed up with them for the long distance and the GSM).

I talked to her supervisor. He echoed her adding, with a vocal sneer, that perhaps my bad credit wasn't all due to the lost wallet . . . and implying that I was a loser, bad risk, and could only qualify for the loser's restricted plan that they were kind enough to give me. It was, he said, etched in stone that NO review would be made and there were NO exceptions to be had. It would be ONE year.

I blew my top (politely . . . blood pressure up and all. I was really angry, yet non abusive (although I wanted to be). I HATE not having options. I hate being treated unfairly. I hate feeling cornered.

I went to ATT. They treated me nicely and allowed me to play with and work with the phone. I got the Allure because my son likes his. The rep there even gave me a fine discount on the phone and accessories because I'm a teacher. There wasn't even a HINT of credit problem. My activation fee was waived. I get 900 minutes.

And I found out that the VoiceStream boys had charged me each time for my phone, so VS has cost me almost $1000 so far (I hear they are really rotten at refunds). Further, a VoiceStream rep told me that there is a chance the sellers/resellers get a kickback on that $75.

So, I'm using (at least temporarily) an Allure, and everyone I have called through ATT has remarked at how much better and clearer than I did on Voicestream.

So . . . if you DO go to voicestream, beware of fraudulent practices and mediocre sound.

Hope this helps.

Sugarwuss@excite.com

aiwapro · 07-06-2002, 2:47 PM

It sounds like to me that the Authorized Dealer just screwed you over. Maybe you should have went to a corporate store. I have been with Voicestream for almost 2 years and have gotten about 10-12 people to sign up for Voicestream just here in my area, not to mention the people on this forum. Anyways, I have never heard of a restricted rate plan. That makes not since. If they even did have such a rate plan, then the person at the store should have told you.
The last person that I got to sign up for Voicestream happened last week. I sold him my Nokia 3390 and he went and had it activated. His mother's credit wasn't the best either so he had to pay $75 which he did, just like you did. $75 really isn't bad; I know someone who was asked to pay $250 and someone else who was asked to pay $400. Well back to the person who payed $75. His rate plan wasn't restricted. He started out with the Get More plan which was 600 anytime minutes, UNLIMITED Weekends, and the other stuff like voicemail, call-waiting, etc. I then taught him how to send & receive text messages, so he started using those alot, so he called Customer Care and had the Ping Pong 500 (500 extra text messages, send & receive). They did it with no problem. That sounds like a change to me. What you said doesn't make since. Why wouldn't they allow you to go to a higher plan, which would in-turn have you giving them more money. That's what they want, money, that's what drives the business.

Well like I said, it sounds like the problems that you had are all the Authorized Dealers fought. Maybe you should report it to Voicestream.
Also I noticed that you said that Voicestream isn't good about giving refunds, that is wrong. They have given me alot of refunds like when they mess up on the bill or something. When my mother went to Vegas they charged all of her calls roaming & long distance fees when they were suppose to be free. It was over $200. All I did was call Voicestream and let them know about their mistake, the rep took a look at the rate plan, and then the bill, and then credited my account for the the whole $253. She credited half of it first and then had to wait for a supervisor's approval for the rest of it. The other half was tooken off overnight, because when I checked my balance online through my phone (iStream: WAP-GPRS), it showed that both of the credits were successful and had went through just fine.

Where are you located at?

Joe0378 · 07-06-2002, 3:01 PM

I'm traveling to Orlando next month...Disney World. How does Verizon work there?

Jack · 07-06-2002, 7:10 PM

Might have been a problem with the authorized reseller

Jack

TNDan21 · 07-06-2002, 8:02 PM

I'd have to agree I dont think its VoiceStream's fault directly. I think the authorized reseller just screwed you over.

07-07-2002, 12:27 PM

Yes, it could be that the authorized reseller screwed me over . . . cuz he didn't tell me anything about this "restriction" or restricted plan and I had NO clue until the very nice customer service rep told me.

It is not the seller (supposedly a VoiceStream kiosk, not a reseller) who created the policy, it is VoiceStream. And it is that corporate structure that made me feel cornered.

Another losing thing, was VoiceStream's ridiculous 3-day evaluation period. Had I not been rushed to make an immediate decision, I probably would have stayed with them. After all, I probably will not need more than 600 minutes, and I could have found other ways to deal with the problem they created for me. But, I felt backed into a corner, restricted, restrained and tied down -- and I clicked into a high anxiety situation where flight seemed best. Had I more time to decide, I would have talked myself into figuring I'd deal with it later IF it came up.

Also, the supervisor, instead of insinuating that I was a lying low-life, could have said, "this is the policy now. Perhaps it will change and we can find a way to help you out."

With ATT, I have 30-days to evaluate the phone and the program and can opt-out if the service doesn't work for me. <bfg>

I believe I'll get all my money back. There was a billing error online. If I DON'T get it back, I'll be back here yelling and screaming.

Thanks for your input.

sugarwuss

Mike · 07-07-2002, 6:29 PM

My original plan with VoiceStream was the 350 North America Plan. It was 350 anytime minutes, and I don't remember how many weekend minutes but there were some. The NA Plan included free roaming and long distance to both the US and Canada.

I upgraded to the 500 minutes, unlimited weekends when that came out. Just after my 1st anniversary with them, on MyVoiceStream.com they offered to bump it to 600 minutes anytime with unlimited weekends, which I clicked on and took.

I had no problems upgrading, not once, but twice now.

Jack · 07-07-2002, 8:35 PM

all you pay for during the trial is the activation fee and the minutes that you use if you cancel at&t within 30 days

Jack

Spaceman · 07-15-2002, 7:12 PM

Spaceman · 07-15-2002, 7:17 PM

Joe, I said VS and actually meant to say Verizon in my last reply. The Cell Phone dealer at the space center says that Verizon followed by Cingular are the best in this area. You should not have any phone problems. I hope You enjoy the vacation.

rbw411 · 07-15-2002, 8:55 PM

If anyone needs anything phones or accessories in the central fl. area let me know, I will get you them at the best deal I can. Acc. I can get you 50-60% off.

08-03-2002, 7:10 AM

i live in the new smyrna beach area, north of cocoa beach florida, and i'm starting a business 'rent a nerd' pretty much house call computer service [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

heres what i'm looking for in a plan: free nights and weekends, no long distance charges, and quite a few minutes because i will most likely be getting alot of 5-20 minute calls. at the moment im not that worried about the phone email and instant messageing stuff because i spend most of my time on the computer anyway

if any of you guys can help me find a good service, it would be much appreciated!

rbw411

Quote:

If anyone needs anything phones or accessories in the central fl. area let me know, I will get you them at the best deal I can. Acc. I can get you 50-60% off.

you said you can get cash off cellphones? i really like the nokia's, if you wouldnt mind, would you email me with some prices?
mbentti@ucnsb.net

raziel · 08-03-2002, 7:23 AM

the annoymous user above is me, i just registered to make sure my email would be shown [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

mbentti@ucnsb.net.. im probably going to make a new thread about this to expediate things, sorry for the double post :]

06-22-2002, 7:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Good Service and Good Phone (E. Central FL.) Hello - I'm new to both this forum and cellphones in general. I've never owned one, yet am finding a great need for the mobility offered. I live on the east central coast of Florida and will be calling all over Florida and Georgia. Occasionally, I might call California but could probably put my phone card into memory to accomplish this without extra charges. I have heard that Voicestream is offering an excellent package. I would also need a very durable cellphone, yet have no desire to have Internet capabilities or even e-mail capabilities. Basically, I just need a very good phone with excellent audio qualities and high battery storage time. Any help would be greatly appreciated.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

06-22-2002, 1:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
cryogenic Join Date: May 2002 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,443 Phone(s): Samsung A990 Provider(s): Verizon Devices: iriver H10 6GB mp3 player Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AT&T also offers GSM service in many areas of FL, and I've heard their service is quite good... I know their TDMA service in FL gets high marks, so you might wanna look into them. They don't offer wireless web on their TDMA phones, but for what you'd be using it for, they'd be great. Just don't travel to Atlanta, because their service there is absolutely horrible. :-) __________________ Firefox My blog/pic gallery/etc

06-22-2002, 3:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mike Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tampa Bay Area Posts: 282 Phone(s): Motorola RAZR V3, Motorola V60c, Motorola V551 Provider(s): T-Mobile, Verizon, Cingular Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you go with AT&T then don't travel to Orlando either. I have had very bad luck using AT&T in Orlando. It loves to drop calls there. I have found great coverage in Florida with VoiceStream. It works great on the East Coast also, and I live on the West Coast and have great coverage here. Traveling from Tampa to Orlando, several time a month and ocassionally over to Melbourne I have had no problems with VoiceStream. Get a plan with no long distance coverage, then you can save your phone card as most plans include that today. Many people are using their cell phone instead of their house phone today because of the large amount of minutes and free long distance calling. __________________ Mike a/k/a Shepp elsewhere on the net http://www.pcsws.com/ T-Mobile is the third largest wireless network in the world - and growing!

07-06-2002, 7:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Might have been a problem with the authorized reseller Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

07-07-2002, 6:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mike Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tampa Bay Area Posts: 282 Phone(s): Motorola RAZR V3, Motorola V60c, Motorola V551 Provider(s): T-Mobile, Verizon, Cingular Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My original plan with VoiceStream was the 350 North America Plan. It was 350 anytime minutes, and I don't remember how many weekend minutes but there were some. The NA Plan included free roaming and long distance to both the US and Canada. I upgraded to the 500 minutes, unlimited weekends when that came out. Just after my 1st anniversary with them, on MyVoiceStream.com they offered to bump it to 600 minutes anytime with unlimited weekends, which I clicked on and took. I had no problems upgrading, not once, but twice now. __________________ Mike a/k/a Shepp elsewhere on the net http://www.pcsws.com/ T-Mobile is the third largest wireless network in the world - and growing!

06-22-2002, 7:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sarasota Pre-members Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 56 Phone(s): Sanyo 8100 Provider(s): Sprint Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Have you checked out Verizon? They have good coverage nationwide and some durable, reasonable priced phones. Greg

06-24-2002, 4:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
aiwapro Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,455 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I agree with Mike, I too have traveled many places with my Voicestream phone to have excellent service whereever I go.

06-25-2002, 3:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks to everyone for the responses...I think I might give VoiceStream a shot...

07-06-2002, 12:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	FWIW, I just left VoiceStream for ATT after VS jerked me around big time. Apparently, due to a lost wallet and my closing (and reopening) all credit cards and checking account, I was given a "bad rating" even though I have super credit. They charged me an extra $75 NONREFUNDABLE fee. I exchanged my phone three times until settling on the V60 (they only have dummies in the Kiosk, unlike ATT which lets you try them out). I was, at last, content and programming my phone AND my online "my voicestream" account. I saw I had used many minutes already in "can you hear me? can you hear me now" as I tried each phone, and mentioned this to the service rep. "What's the next step up if I find this is not enough time for me?" I asked. She said "oh no, you can't make any changes on this account. You are restricted for a year. The only thing you can do if you run over your 600 minutes is pay the $.35 per minute up to $150, then you are cut off. It's because of your very bad <EEEK> credit. " Of course, I figured they'd review it in a month or so and release the restriction when they saw my stellar record. Wrong again. She told me they NEVER review cases again and I was NOT allowed to have any other service. Except/unless I wanted to go for 3000 local minutes a month (not . . . I signed up with them for the long distance and the GSM). I talked to her supervisor. He echoed her adding, with a vocal sneer, that perhaps my bad credit wasn't all due to the lost wallet . . . and implying that I was a loser, bad risk, and could only qualify for the loser's restricted plan that they were kind enough to give me. It was, he said, etched in stone that NO review would be made and there were NO exceptions to be had. It would be ONE year. I blew my top (politely . . . blood pressure up and all. I was really angry, yet non abusive (although I wanted to be). I HATE not having options. I hate being treated unfairly. I hate feeling cornered. I went to ATT. They treated me nicely and allowed me to play with and work with the phone. I got the Allure because my son likes his. The rep there even gave me a fine discount on the phone and accessories because I'm a teacher. There wasn't even a HINT of credit problem. My activation fee was waived. I get 900 minutes. And I found out that the VoiceStream boys had charged me each time for my phone, so VS has cost me almost $1000 so far (I hear they are really rotten at refunds). Further, a VoiceStream rep told me that there is a chance the sellers/resellers get a kickback on that $75. So, I'm using (at least temporarily) an Allure, and everyone I have called through ATT has remarked at how much better and clearer than I did on Voicestream. So . . . if you DO go to voicestream, beware of fraudulent practices and mediocre sound. Hope this helps. Sugarwuss@excite.com

07-06-2002, 2:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
aiwapro Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,455 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It sounds like to me that the Authorized Dealer just screwed you over. Maybe you should have went to a corporate store. I have been with Voicestream for almost 2 years and have gotten about 10-12 people to sign up for Voicestream just here in my area, not to mention the people on this forum. Anyways, I have never heard of a restricted rate plan. That makes not since. If they even did have such a rate plan, then the person at the store should have told you. The last person that I got to sign up for Voicestream happened last week. I sold him my Nokia 3390 and he went and had it activated. His mother's credit wasn't the best either so he had to pay $75 which he did, just like you did. $75 really isn't bad; I know someone who was asked to pay $250 and someone else who was asked to pay $400. Well back to the person who payed $75. His rate plan wasn't restricted. He started out with the Get More plan which was 600 anytime minutes, UNLIMITED Weekends, and the other stuff like voicemail, call-waiting, etc. I then taught him how to send & receive text messages, so he started using those alot, so he called Customer Care and had the Ping Pong 500 (500 extra text messages, send & receive). They did it with no problem. That sounds like a change to me. What you said doesn't make since. Why wouldn't they allow you to go to a higher plan, which would in-turn have you giving them more money. That's what they want, money, that's what drives the business. Well like I said, it sounds like the problems that you had are all the Authorized Dealers fought. Maybe you should report it to Voicestream. Also I noticed that you said that Voicestream isn't good about giving refunds, that is wrong. They have given me alot of refunds like when they mess up on the bill or something. When my mother went to Vegas they charged all of her calls roaming & long distance fees when they were suppose to be free. It was over $200. All I did was call Voicestream and let them know about their mistake, the rep took a look at the rate plan, and then the bill, and then credited my account for the the whole $253. She credited half of it first and then had to wait for a supervisor's approval for the rest of it. The other half was tooken off overnight, because when I checked my balance online through my phone (iStream: WAP-GPRS), it showed that both of the credits were successful and had went through just fine. Where are you located at?

07-06-2002, 3:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Joe0378 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 553 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm traveling to Orlando next month...Disney World. How does Verizon work there?

07-06-2002, 8:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
TNDan21 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kingsport, TN Posts: 5,964 Phone(s): LG enV2, Samsung t219 Provider(s): Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile Devices: iPod Nano Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I'd have to agree I dont think its VoiceStream's fault directly. I think the authorized reseller just screwed you over.

07-07-2002, 12:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Yes, it could be that the authorized reseller screwed me over . . . cuz he didn't tell me anything about this "restriction" or restricted plan and I had NO clue until the very nice customer service rep told me. It is not the seller (supposedly a VoiceStream kiosk, not a reseller) who created the policy, it is VoiceStream. And it is that corporate structure that made me feel cornered. Another losing thing, was VoiceStream's ridiculous 3-day evaluation period. Had I not been rushed to make an immediate decision, I probably would have stayed with them. After all, I probably will not need more than 600 minutes, and I could have found other ways to deal with the problem they created for me. But, I felt backed into a corner, restricted, restrained and tied down -- and I clicked into a high anxiety situation where flight seemed best. Had I more time to decide, I would have talked myself into figuring I'd deal with it later IF it came up. Also, the supervisor, instead of insinuating that I was a lying low-life, could have said, "this is the policy now. Perhaps it will change and we can find a way to help you out." With ATT, I have 30-days to evaluate the phone and the program and can opt-out if the service doesn't work for me. <bfg> I believe I'll get all my money back. There was a billing error online. If I DON'T get it back, I'll be back here yelling and screaming. Thanks for your input. sugarwuss

07-07-2002, 8:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jack Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,475 Phone(s): Motorola T720 Provider(s): Alltel Devices: Sirius Satellite radio, ipod, laptop, pda Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	all you pay for during the trial is the activation fee and the minutes that you use if you cancel at&t within 30 days Jack __________________ Current Plan with alltel 3000 anytime minutes w/nationwide LD $74.95 a month---Waiting not so patiently for the Alltel version of the V710

07-15-2002, 7:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
Spaceman Shoulda joined long ago! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads for: Good Service and Good Phone (E. Central FL.)
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cingular pretty darn good in semi-rural central Ohio	AnthroMatt	Central US Wireless Forum	6	11-17-2004 10:05 PM
Good provider(s) for Central MN & Middle of Nowhere, MI?	DingoStick	Central US Wireless Forum	7	11-21-2002 11:20 AM
Central Jersey... Who's good and Who's GREAT...	jpd	Northeastern US Wireless Forum	10	11-04-2002 11:46 AM
I NEED HELP FINDING A GOOD PHONE A DECENT SERVICE	annamaria	Western US Wireless Forum	4	09-10-2002 2:47 PM
Good Service/Small Phone??	dbruhn1	Central US Wireless Forum	11	05-30-2002 9:46 PM

07-15-2002, 7:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
Spaceman Shoulda joined long ago! Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Joe, I said VS and actually meant to say Verizon in my last reply. The Cell Phone dealer at the space center says that Verizon followed by Cingular are the best in this area. You should not have any phone problems. I hope You enjoy the vacation.

07-15-2002, 8:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
rbw411 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 116 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If anyone needs anything phones or accessories in the central fl. area let me know, I will get you them at the best deal I can. Acc. I can get you 50-60% off.

08-03-2002, 7:23 AM	#19 (permalink)
raziel Shoulda joined long ago! Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good Service and Good Phone (E. Central FL.) the annoymous user above is me, i just registered to make sure my email would be shown [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] mbentti@ucnsb.net.. im probably going to make a new thread about this to expediate things, sorry for the double post :]

WirelessAdvisor.com

Clearing the static since 1998.

WirelessAdvisor.com