Anyone have a cell phone provider they don't hate?

scottmandue · 07:07 AM

I have been happy with T-mobile for years...

But then I switched to a family plan and put the wife and daughter on a data plan.

They kept overcharging my wife for data... after several months and half dozen phone calls to customer service things settled down.

T-mobile used to do this thing where they would bring up your history and figure out ways to save you money on your bill, now... not so much.

Went into their store and talked to the guy... thought I could tweak our plan, save a few bucks, get me a new phone with a data plan for the same price... not happening.

My contract is up but wife and daughter are under contract until December.

So I am thinking maybe cut ties with T-mobile and shop around in December.

Currently paying $140 for family plan with two smart phone with data and my stupid phone with no data.

How much are you folks paying for a family plan and who do you like for service?

Thanks

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

I have 5 phones sharing a 700 minute family plan with unlimited texting. Also have 4 data plans for the smart phones. Grand total is $215/month from ATT.

Edit - I don't hate ATT. They are ok - coverage is not nearly as good here as Verizon though.

Evans, Marv · 03-09-2012, 07:20 AM

I don't think many will vote, since most do hate their providers. Maybe wrong, but not a lot positive to say about any one of them. Verizon has the best coverage nationwide, but another company may fit your individual location better. I think my wife pays around $159/mo. for our Verizon service. She has an Android, and I have a dumb phone - which is all I need. We don't even have a cell signal at our house. A few years ago she got slammed by Verizon. I forget exactly what it was now, but it was a change in a single item that shouldn't have involved changing her plan. When she called to protest, they said they had her recorded authorization from her original phone call. She had asked two or three times during that call if what she wanted changed/added/ subtracted - whatever would change her plan or what they charged her and was told it wouldn't. They are like most companies offering services not days - they all suck bigtime.

peppy · 03-09-2012, 07:24 AM

I have been with U.S. Cellular for about 4 years and have no issues with them.

legion · 07:40 AM

I was happy with Sprint and Nextel when I had them, but I ended up moving to Verizon as Sprint and Nextel didn't have coverage in two parts of the country I frequent (northern Arkansas and the UP of MI).

Verizon is about 3x as expensive as Sprint/Nextel. I've never really had any problems with them though. With Nextel the customer service was excellent. One phone call speaking with one person solved any problem. Heck, they sometimes even called me before I knew I had a problem. With Sprint it was pretty good. With Verizon, I feel like just another customer who is expected to understand what their business processes are. "You called the wrong department, I don't handle that..."

Superman · 03-09-2012, 07:34 AM

If and when you talk to another provider, you will be pleased with the service there. Until you accept a contract. Then you will be Scum of the Earth. That's how it works.

When I needed a phone, T-Mobile was offering no-contract service. That's what I use.

Scuba Steve · 03-09-2012, 07:48 AM

We're probably switching from AT&T to T Mobile in the next week or two. We own both of our phones without subsidy, and we'll be able to pick up a data plan for mine and up the cap on hers, and still come out ahead.

Targa Me · Targa Me's Garage

I've been with Verizon since they took over Air Touch.
They've always been good for me.

Joeaksa · 03-09-2012, 07:54 AM

Usiing ATT and no problems with them. Was with T-mobile and they suck...

skunked · skunked's Garage

Verizon has been fine for our business and they have the best National coverage for traveling.

Mark Henry · 03-09-2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I have 5 phones sharing a 700 minute family plan with unlimited texting. Also have 4 data plans for the smart phones. Grand total is $215/month from ATT.

That equals $2580. per year.
Not counting increases that's $25,800. in ten years.
Over a 30 years, an average mortgage period (again not counting increases) that would be $77,400.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

I have lots of cell phones in my company. ATT, Sprint and Nextel. No real issues with any of them once you get the plans set up properly. We review every couple of years and make any changes available to save cash.

gatotom · 03-09-2012, 08:33 AM

Out here in the mountains, Verizon has been good for me, it still is the best service even out in the San Juan Islands.

I have not gotten a smart phone yet but will in the near future with the main reason to get one is the apps for sailing.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

That equals $2580. per year.
Not counting increases that's $25,800. in ten years.
Over a 30 years, an average mortgage period (again not counting increases) that would be $77,400.

It is easier to stay single and use a pay per minute flip phone. Have as few friends as possible. Imagine the money you can save!

But it brings up a good point. Monthly fees add up. $20 saved a month can make a big difference in the long run.

Cheers,

George

HardDrive · 03-09-2012, 08:49 AM

I like AT&T, but cell phone coverage really is region by region, city by city. In L.A., AT&T is horrible.

Joeaksa · 03-09-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunked

Verizon has been fine for our business and they have the best National coverage for traveling.

As long as you never go out of the country, thats correct. Verizon is terrible if not un-available out of the country in most places.

onewhippedpuppy · 03-09-2012, 09:09 AM

I'm happy with ATT and my iphone 4 except for my dropped calls, which may be a combo of network and phone. Verizon has better coverage in my area but is nearly double the cost for what I need. T-Mobile is the devil, over the course of almost two years they never got our billing correct. They would say we had no balance for 2-3 months then send us a bill for $350 that was due in a few days. Sometimes the bill would show up after it was already due. My wife spent hours on the phone with their indifferent SOBs, eventually bringing her to tears in frustration. We hated them so much we paid the fee to end our contract early.

scottmandue · 03-09-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

I like AT&T, but cell phone coverage really is region by region, city by city. In L.A., AT&T is horrible.

That is my problem... I live in L.A. and very few people use AT&T here for that reason.

Wife was previously with Verizon and it seemed like every other month she had problems with billing. Looking at their site I don't see a family plan.

Sprint has kick butt signal in my area... unlimited family for 3 = $150

also friends have told me Sprint has terrible customer service.

T-mobile has good signal and just ok customer service so not sure if I should stick with them or not.

Kind of shocking going from a bachelor with a dumb phone @ $49 a month.

gtc · gtc's Garage

Verizon recently started throttling my data connection... really irritating. They want you to use their media apps (high bandwidth) but if you use them too much then they throttle you!

stomachmonkey · 03-09-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I have 5 phones sharing a 700 minute family plan with unlimited texting. Also have 4 data plans for the smart phones. Grand total is $215/month from ATT.

Edit - I don't hate ATT. They are ok - coverage is not nearly as good here as Verizon though.

Fark, would love to get the particulars on your plan.

I have 3 lines.

2 iPhones with unlimited data.

1 dumb phone for the daughter at $9.99 for the line.

Family Messaging: Unlimited text and mobile to mobile calling.

Just dropped from 1400 minutes to 700.

I'm paying $226