PLEASE!Question about purchasing new service

Only one disadvantage that I know of. Go to the Company direct, you can get a new phone every 2 years, free or $100 less than if you buy from an agent.

 

Remember, although agents are sometimes more flexible on the price of the phone and selection, there are other things to consider.

Some agents require you to give them your credit card upfront so they can charge you the ETF fee automatically if you cancel. This ETF (early termination fee) is usually on top of the ETF that VZW will charge you and can be as high as $ 400.

Also, because agents sometimes offer a different variety of phones, VZW doesn't guarantee that they will support or honor an exchange of equipment since you purchased the phone from a third party. This comes to play if you ever have problems with your phone down the road. Agents at our local mall would not help customers when the phone their customers bought from them broke. They usually would just say: " Take it to VZW, they'll give you another one for free." Customers would drive miles to our store just to hear the bad news.

Be careful when going to indirect agents. (No offense to the honest ones) Get any promises in writing and be clear of any fees that will or can be imposed on your account. Find out how and when you will get a refund if you return your phone. Also get the phone #'s to the agents main office just in case you need it down the road. If they won't give it to you, don't buy from them.

I bought a phone from an agent. I asked him for the # to his corporate office. First, he gave me VZW's phone #. I said, "No, I meant the phone # to the company you work for.." He said he didn't know. I was like, "How could you not know your phone # for the people you work for." He finally gave me his direct line and assured me if I had any issues to just call him.

Later on, I finally returned my phone because I didn't like it. I thought I'd get my money back right there. He said, no, we will mail you a check. I really didn't like that idea because I purchased the phone with my Debit Card, but agreed and said okay. Well two weeks later, I still haven't received the check in the mail. So I go back. He said he'd call his boss and take care of it. He called his boss on his mobile and his boss said it was in processing. Two weeks later. Nothing. Go back to the mall, and the kiosk was gone. Asked the mall CS for a business phone # to the kiosk that left and they gave it to me. I called it and left numerous messages for someone to call me back. Nothing. Finally I reported them to the BBB. A month later, the company in question responded with a impersonal letter explaining their return policy and a check.

Got a letter back from the BBB stating numerous complaints with the company in question who did business under three different names. The company apparently would not process returns until after the trial period so they could charge their ETF to your credit card.

If I didn't know better, I might blame VZW. But it wasn't their fault. Some dealers just give the companies they sell for a bad name.

I guess it was just one of those lessons in life I had to learn the hard way. You better believe I will be more careful in the future.

 

Hmmm...I would probably get any phone I wanted and have like a 3 watt analog phone thats 911 ready (some kind of prepay/CC hookup in place) If I was travelling to those places(Maine). But thats just me.

 

Could anyone view the coverage map from sylviecat's link? When I clicked it I had to enter my ZIP code. I was curious as to how Dru knew that sylviecat was travelling to Maine....

 

Check the original post.

"I live in NNJ, but go to midcoast Maine often"

 

lol, maine isnt a dangerous place, atleast no more dangerous than any other state. the rules change of course if you go hiking, skiing etc. (however, this is true of any state)

 

How about using a portable hand-crank charger like the SideWinder? There is another hand crank charger from Haimei that also has an FM radio (I have not yet found a place to buy the Haimei).

What I'm thinking of doing is getting one of these chargers for emergency use with my AT&T Nokia 3360 (TDMA). What do I have to do to make the 3360 "911-ready" (I have discontinued service with AT&T)?