Wha!!! Cell Phone Angst

[theworm[$]]

I'm driving myself bonkers! (even worse than usual). It's time - I need a new cell phone and a better cell phone plan. I've gone to stores, I've looked on the web, and everything looks lousy! I'm having trouble figuring out what I really need, so I don't know how to identify a good deal.
Right now, I have T-Mobile. My phone is garbage. Now I pay very little a month, but I only have 90 free minutes (local and long distance), and I don't have free roaming.
I want a decent phone. It doesn't have to be the best - don't need a color screen, or camera or internet - just a good, reasonably sized, reliable phone. And I think that I should get he phone for free.
I want more minutes free - but I really don't know how much I need - I'm thinking that 300 will be more than enough.
I want free long distance, and I don't want to pay for roaming.
Free calls to other cell phones would be nice, but not nice enough to pay for.
I've looked at T-mobile
Verizon
Cingular
At&T
Sprint

A lady at the store said Cingular is the best deal, but there extra minutes and roaming fees seem really high.
I've been told that T-Mobile has the most towers in S. Florida.
I've heard that Verizon is good, but has lousy customer service.

I'm thinking that I'll probably have to pay $29.99-$39.99 per month plus taxes. The $29.99 number is nicer than $39. Is there someplace on the web where I can easily compare plans from different companies?
If not - can one of you just find me the best deal?
(That last part was only half a joke)

[theeye]

You really need to find out what the service is like in your immediate area. Ask your neighbors what they use and whether they run into a lot of dead zones.

I also wouldn't obsess too much on getting a free phone. Let's say you spend $50 on the phone and end up using it for 2 years. That's roughly $2 per month. No point in going for a plan that costs you an extra $5/month just to get a free phone.

Try to get a plan that gives you free long distance and no roaming charges -- and unlimited evening/weekend minutes. Then go for the fewest included 'prime time' minutes.

[theworm[$]]

Ok.
Seems like T-Mobile or Cingular are the way to go.

T-Mobile has a basic plan for $19.99 - 60 anytime minutes and 500 weekend minutes (no evenings)
no roaming in their network.
Free Samsung phone.


They have a basic plus plan for $29.99 - 300 anytime minutes - unlimited weekends
no roaming
free Samsung phone

Cingular has a plan for $29.99
300 anytime minutes - free long distance
free motorola phone


Sooooo - if these are the options - the $29.99 plan from T-Mobile seems best, because 60 free minutes has to cover the evenings, and I seem to make more calls in the evening.
Should I torture myself more, or just go with this?

TheWorm - who now has to find a darned store because I don't want to order it on-line.

[slick4591[$]]

Don't know about the service plans cause Tracy handles it, but I recently got a Nokia 6340i and really do like it. The best feature I like is that I can program in five numbers and have them dialed voice activated. Lots of other whistles and bells I'll never use, too.

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

Wormie, you've hit upon one of the reasons Hubby and I don't have cell phones.

mj
who has wanted a PDA desperately for the past 6 years but has not bought one because she cannot decide which one she wants

[theworm[$]]

Yeah, MJ - I'm not good at these decisions! Now I see that even if I go with that plan, there are several phone options!
I found a store downtown - near where I need to be tomorrow. I think maybe I'll just go to the store and see what they'll give me. It should be at least as good as the web. Now I guess I have to go to Eps to check out samsung vs Nokia phones. Slick likes Nokia, but I don't see that model - I see 3390 and 3596.
I HATE shopping!

[briandalsmom[$]]

Use Amazon.com's cell information--it'll tell you what's available in your area and the deals they offer. Then you can use that information to go directly to the provider's site and look for better deals.

Good luck!

Connie

[theworm[$]]

briandalsmom said

Use Amazon.com's cell information--it'll tell you what's available in your area and the deals they offer. Then you can use that information to go directly to the provider's site and look for better deals.

Good luck!

Connie

Thanks, Connie! Didn't know I could find that info on Amazon! Well, it has convinced me that the plan I mentioned above is probably the best in my area and for my needs.
I think I'm "sold". For some reason, I still don't want to buy this on the web. I'll go to the store tomorrow, and see what they'll do for me in terms of phones. Looks like the Nokias are the best, but we'll see whats available!

[theworm[$]]

ARgh!
Ok - I think I found the right plan, but they still play games. They don't consider me a new account so they won't give me a phone and the charge a re-connect plan.
Here's what I'm thinking - I don't think this is unethical, so I need ya'll to let me know:

My current phone is not in my name - it's in my husbands name. If I get a new contract in my name, I will get a new phone for free. I'll have to pay a $40 connection fee, but I'll save upwards of $50 on the phone. The only downside is that I'll have to change my phone number, but this is not a big problem since not tons of people have my number. This is not unethical right? It's just a way to save me some money.

[mtomm[$]]

If the phone is in your husband's name you have been borrowing his phone all this time. It is time for you to get your own phone in your name.