Do other carriers have in-network free service?

[louise]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

I've become unhappy, yet again, with my verizon coverage and their lack
of any real efforts to fix it, ie, trouble tickets that were never
filed, etc.

The only reason for me to stay with VZ is that my daughter has it and we
are opposite coasts. Since we can call in-network any time of day or
night for free, this is very important.

But we could both switch if there is another provider offering free in-
network minutes.

Suggestions?

TIA

Louise

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (More info?)

Louise,
Yes, all the major carriers offer it. To do it right you should each get 3
phones: T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Take all 3 home and to work,
check the maps, and keep the best one. Or pick the one with the cutest
phones and make sure it works in all your important places. Tryouts are
free, except for minutes used.

Bill Radio
Click for Western U.S. Wireless Reviews at:
http://www.mountainwireless.com


"Louise" <none@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1cd4eb7f4345e0d198984e@news-server.nyc.rr.com...
>
> But we could both switch if there is another provider offering free in-
> network minutes.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Bill Radio wrote:
> Louise,
> Yes, all the major carriers offer it. To do it right you should each get 3
> phones: T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Take all 3 home and to work,
> check the maps, and keep the best one. Or pick the one with the cutest
> phones and make sure it works in all your important places. Tryouts are
> free, except for minutes used.

Sprint's activation fee is nonrefundable even if you return the phone. You'd be
liable for minutes used and the $36 fee if you didn't keep the Sprint phone.
Not sure about T-Mo and Cingular.

Newsgroups for the other carriers have been added so other people familiar with
the other carriers can comment.

--
JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET (4638)
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED

"The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
--New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation fee,
only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.

Capt.


"Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
news:d4gmaf$agf$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
> Bill Radio wrote:
>> Louise,
>> Yes, all the major carriers offer it. To do it right you should each get
>> 3
>> phones: T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Take all 3 home and to work,
>> check the maps, and keep the best one. Or pick the one with the cutest
>> phones and make sure it works in all your important places. Tryouts are
>> free, except for minutes used.
>
> Sprint's activation fee is nonrefundable even if you return the phone.
> You'd be liable for minutes used and the $36 fee if you didn't keep the
> Sprint phone. Not sure about T-Mo and Cingular.
>
> Newsgroups for the other carriers have been added so other people familiar
> with the other carriers can comment.
>
> --
> JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET (4638)
> Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
>
> "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
> --New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

I was told by Cingular after 3 days they got to keep the activation
fee..
but still ahd the 30 day tryout -- and pay for the minutes..

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Verizon will return your activation fee; only need pay for minutes used if
you try it. make sure you return it within 15 days. dr
--
dr. wireMORE (don't accept "less", demand "more")
Wireless Consultant/Engineer & FORMER Midwest VZW Master Agent
Data, wi-fi, national access, smartphones, and home
computer healthchecks, stop worrying... just ask for the dr.

If you need specific help, leave your email address & we'll try to contact
you. Worried about leaving your email address..... yup, me too.
cingular<snip>@<snip>wiremore<snip>.biz<snip> remove the obvious please
"Capn" <capn@charter.net> wrote in message
news:1UWae.20708$Ow2.8977@fe06.lga...
> With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation fee,
> only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.
>
> Capt.
>
>
> "Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
> news:d4gmaf$agf$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
>> Bill Radio wrote:
>>> Louise,
>>> Yes, all the major carriers offer it. To do it right you should each
>>> get 3
>>> phones: T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Take all 3 home and to work,
>>> check the maps, and keep the best one. Or pick the one with the cutest
>>> phones and make sure it works in all your important places. Tryouts are
>>> free, except for minutes used.
>>
>> Sprint's activation fee is nonrefundable even if you return the phone.
>> You'd be liable for minutes used and the $36 fee if you didn't keep the
>> Sprint phone. Not sure about T-Mo and Cingular.
>>
>> Newsgroups for the other carriers have been added so other people
>> familiar with the other carriers can comment.
>>
>> --
>> JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET
>> (4638)
>> Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
>>
>> "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
>> --New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"
>
>

 

[george]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Capn wrote:
> With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation fee,
> only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.
>

Be careful with tmobile. A family member got a tmobile phone and was
surprised to find out that not only it didn't work at her house but even
though she was in the biggest city in this area it was spotty out on the
street and didn't begin to work until she went 1/2 mile away. She called
and asked me and I told her that tmobile was not a good choice. She
returned the phone the next day and tmobile later sent her a bill for
$60+ . She called and explained the situation that she had used the
phone for 3 minutes max (because there was no signal) and they tried to
muscle her by telling her they would report it to the credit bureau if
she didn't pay. The best she could get was a compromise reduction to
$35.00. So it cost her $10/minute to try out tmobile.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

I tried both t-mobile and cingular for the max trial times and only had to
pay for the minutes used, not the activation fees, I was even told to call
back if I was charged. Maybe it depends on who you talk with or just luck of
the draw.

Capt.


"George" <george@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:78-dnZF7GZzCZ_HfRVn-tw@adelphia.com...
> Capn wrote:
>> With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation fee,
>> only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.
>>
>
> Be careful with tmobile. A family member got a tmobile phone and was
> surprised to find out that not only it didn't work at her house but even
> though she was in the biggest city in this area it was spotty out on the
> street and didn't begin to work until she went 1/2 mile away. She called
> and asked me and I told her that tmobile was not a good choice. She
> returned the phone the next day and tmobile later sent her a bill for $60+
> . She called and explained the situation that she had used the phone for 3
> minutes max (because there was no signal) and they tried to muscle her by
> telling her they would report it to the credit bureau if she didn't pay.
> The best she could get was a compromise reduction to $35.00. So it cost
> her $10/minute to try out tmobile.

 

[Aaron McKenna]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"George" <george@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:78-dnZF7GZzCZ_HfRVn-tw@adelphia.com...
> Capn wrote:
> > With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation
fee,
> > only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.
> >
>
> Be careful with tmobile. A family member got a tmobile phone and was
> surprised to find out that not only it didn't work at her house but even
> though she was in the biggest city in this area it was spotty out on the
> street and didn't begin to work until she went 1/2 mile away. She called
> and asked me and I told her that tmobile was not a good choice. She
> returned the phone the next day and tmobile later sent her a bill for
> $60+ . She called and explained the situation that she had used the
> phone for 3 minutes max (because there was no signal) and they tried to
> muscle her by telling her they would report it to the credit bureau if
> she didn't pay. The best she could get was a compromise reduction to
> $35.00. So it cost her $10/minute to try out tmobile.

how can you tell the service is really bad if you keep a phone for one day
and only use 3 minutes?
maybe the phone they gave her was bad and had a defect.

 

[george]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Aaron wrote:

>
> how can you tell the service is really bad if you keep a phone for one day
> and only use 3 minutes?
> maybe the phone they gave her was bad and had a defect.
>

That is why she called me and asked my opinion. I know tmobile does not
have very good coverage in our area. She bought it because she assumed
like many people who have never had a mobile phone that it works
everywhere and all you need to do is get the one with the best price or
perhaps the "cutest" phones.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Capn" <capn@charter.net> wrote in message
news:ku7be.20794$Ow2.17153@fe06.lga...
> I tried both t-mobile and cingular for the max trial times and only had to
> pay for the minutes used, not the activation fees, I was even told to call
> back if I was charged. Maybe it depends on who you talk with or just luck
of
> the draw.
>
> Capt.

I'm not going to go through this whole thread, to find the one message where
someone said that Sprint PCS would not refund the activation fee, but that
prior statement is absolutely incorrect.

If one goes to www.sprintpcs.com, and scrolls down to the "Better Wireless
Guarantee", then clicks on "Learn More" link, the pop up window says that
SPCS will refund the activation fee if coverage is cancelled within the 14
day trial period.

Bob

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Aaron wrote:

> how can you tell the service is really bad if you keep a phone for one day
> and only use 3 minutes?

VERY easily. I tried TMobile as well and only eeked out about about 5
minutes of use. I WANTED to use 30 or more, but I could only HOLD a
connection for 1 or two minutes at a time before the call would drop
out. 4 consecutive dropped calls later, I made the conclusion that
TMobile service probably wasn't very good in my area, and I'm quite
secure about the accuracy of that conclusion.

Fortunately for me, they were very gracious about returning the phone
and refundng my fees. I only paid for minutes used (my bill came out to
around $3.00).



--
E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.

 

[Aaron McKenna]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Isaiah Beard" <sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> wrote in message
news:116qkrajvvtjbe8@corp.supernews.com...
> Aaron wrote:
>
> > how can you tell the service is really bad if you keep a phone for one
day
> > and only use 3 minutes?
>
> VERY easily. I tried TMobile as well and only eeked out about about 5
> minutes of use. I WANTED to use 30 or more, but I could only HOLD a
> connection for 1 or two minutes at a time before the call would drop
> out. 4 consecutive dropped calls later, I made the conclusion that
> TMobile service probably wasn't very good in my area, and I'm quite
> secure about the accuracy of that conclusion.
>
> Fortunately for me, they were very gracious about returning the phone
> and refundng my fees. I only paid for minutes used (my bill came out to
> around $3.00).
>
>
>
> --
> E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
> Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.


i guess im one of the lucky ones to live in a place that has really good
service with every cell phone company.
i cant tell the differance between any of them.

 

[Tom]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Sprint let me take a trial phone home to try out. That way I got to see if
I like the phone and if coverage was good for my area. Maybe they have
loaner phone at your location to try phones and service too.


"Aaron" <aarons6@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TP6dncRfHMKwT_DfRVn-jg@comcast.com...
>
> "Isaiah Beard" <sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> wrote in message
> news:116qkrajvvtjbe8@corp.supernews.com...
>> Aaron wrote:
>>
>> > how can you tell the service is really bad if you keep a phone for one
> day
>> > and only use 3 minutes?
>>
>> VERY easily. I tried TMobile as well and only eeked out about about 5
>> minutes of use. I WANTED to use 30 or more, but I could only HOLD a
>> connection for 1 or two minutes at a time before the call would drop
>> out. 4 consecutive dropped calls later, I made the conclusion that
>> TMobile service probably wasn't very good in my area, and I'm quite
>> secure about the accuracy of that conclusion.
>>
>> Fortunately for me, they were very gracious about returning the phone
>> and refundng my fees. I only paid for minutes used (my bill came out to
>> around $3.00).
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
>> Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
>
>
> i guess im one of the lucky ones to live in a place that has really good
> service with every cell phone company.
> i cant tell the differance between any of them.
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Where did you get a trial phone? They do not do this is So Cal.

"Tom" <notme@invalied.coop> wrote in message
news:ipCdneTt6PlJqu3fRVn-qg@midco.net...
> Sprint let me take a trial phone home to try out. That way I got to see
> if I like the phone and if coverage was good for my area. Maybe they have
> loaner phone at your location to try phones and service too.
>
>
> "Aaron" <aarons6@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:TP6dncRfHMKwT_DfRVn-jg@comcast.com...
>>
>> "Isaiah Beard" <sacredpoet@sacredpoet.com> wrote in message
>> news:116qkrajvvtjbe8@corp.supernews.com...
>>> Aaron wrote:
>>>
>>> > how can you tell the service is really bad if you keep a phone for one
>> day
>>> > and only use 3 minutes?
>>>
>>> VERY easily. I tried TMobile as well and only eeked out about about 5
>>> minutes of use. I WANTED to use 30 or more, but I could only HOLD a
>>> connection for 1 or two minutes at a time before the call would drop
>>> out. 4 consecutive dropped calls later, I made the conclusion that
>>> TMobile service probably wasn't very good in my area, and I'm quite
>>> secure about the accuracy of that conclusion.
>>>
>>> Fortunately for me, they were very gracious about returning the phone
>>> and refundng my fees. I only paid for minutes used (my bill came out to
>>> around $3.00).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> E-mail fudged to thwart spammers.
>>> Transpose the c's and a's in my e-mail address to reply.
>>
>>
>> i guess im one of the lucky ones to live in a place that has really good
>> service with every cell phone company.
>> i cant tell the differance between any of them.
>>
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Mij Adyaw wrote:
> Where did you get a trial phone? They [Sprint] do not do this is So Cal.

Sure they do. 14-day trial; if you cancel within 14 days you only pay for
minutes used and forfeit the $36 activation fee. That's a nationwide policy.

It's not a 14-day trial of the phone, per se. It's a 14-day trial of the
service. I don't believe you have a 14-day trial period on new phones if you
already have service.

--
JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET (4638)
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED

"The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
--New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

I was under the impression that they gave him a test phone. It is too bad
that they do not allow you to get a phone for a few hours so that you can
take it home to determine if it will work without signing all of the
contracts, etc...They could require that you leave a credit card number in
the event that you do not return the phone. Just an idea....

-mij

"Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
news:d4pkhb$vqb$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
> Mij Adyaw wrote:
>> Where did you get a trial phone? They [Sprint] do not do this is So Cal.
>
> Sure they do. 14-day trial; if you cancel within 14 days you only pay for
> minutes used and forfeit the $36 activation fee. That's a nationwide
> policy.
>
> It's not a 14-day trial of the phone, per se. It's a 14-day trial of the
> service. I don't believe you have a 14-day trial period on new phones if
> you already have service.
>
> --
> JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET (4638)
> Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
>
> "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
> --New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
news:d4pkhb$vqb$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
> Mij Adyaw wrote:
> > Where did you get a trial phone? They [Sprint] do not do this is So Cal.
>
> Sure they do. 14-day trial; if you cancel within 14 days you only pay for
> minutes used and forfeit the $36 activation fee. That's a nationwide
policy.

Actually Steve, as I mentioned before in this thread, SPCS has changed their
policy on the activation fee. Check out the wireless guarantee @
http://www.sprintpcs.com/common/popups/pop-betterWirelessGuarantee.html SPCS
will refund the activation fee, if coverage is not wanted within the 14 day
trial period.

>
> It's not a 14-day trial of the phone, per se. It's a 14-day trial of the
> service. I don't believe you have a 14-day trial period on new phones if
you
> already have service.

As for this, it's not mentioned within the wireless guarantee.

Bob

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Bob Smith wrote:

> Actually Steve, as I mentioned before in this thread, SPCS has changed their
> policy on the activation fee. Check out the wireless guarantee @
> http://www.sprintpcs.com/common/popups/pop-betterWirelessGuarantee.html SPCS
> will refund the activation fee, if coverage is not wanted within the 14 day
> trial period.

Sweet!

> As for this, it's not mentioned within the wireless guarantee.

No carriers have a phone guarantee that I know of... just a service guarantee
for the first (usually) either 14 or 30 days.


--
JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET (4638)
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED

"The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
--New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

You don't have to pay the activation fee if you go through a T Mobil store.
I went to an independent dealer & found out the hard way.

"Capn" <capn@charter.net> wrote in message
news:1UWae.20708$Ow2.8977@fe06.lga...
> With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation fee,
> only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.
>
> Capt.
>
>
> "Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
> news:d4gmaf$agf$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
> > Bill Radio wrote:
> >> Louise,
> >> Yes, all the major carriers offer it. To do it right you should each
get
> >> 3
> >> phones: T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Take all 3 home and to
work,
> >> check the maps, and keep the best one. Or pick the one with the
cutest
> >> phones and make sure it works in all your important places. Tryouts
are
> >> free, except for minutes used.
> >
> > Sprint's activation fee is nonrefundable even if you return the phone.
> > You'd be liable for minutes used and the $36 fee if you didn't keep the
> > Sprint phone. Not sure about T-Mo and Cingular.
> >
> > Newsgroups for the other carriers have been added so other people
familiar
> > with the other carriers can comment.
> >
> > --
> > JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET
(4638)
> > Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
> >
> > "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
> > --New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon,alt.cellular.gsm.carriers.voicestream,alt.cellular.cingular,alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Stay away from Cingular...they will rape you on a trial of their phones, see
a thread called wow what a bill on the cingular newgroup.
"Capn" <capn@charter.net> wrote in message
news:1UWae.20708$Ow2.8977@fe06.lga...
> With both cingular and t-mobile you don't have to pay the activation fee,
> only for minutes used, definitely go with them for your trials.
>
> Capt.
>
>
> "Steve Sobol" <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message
> news:d4gmaf$agf$1@ratbert.glorb.com...
>> Bill Radio wrote:
>>> Louise,
>>> Yes, all the major carriers offer it. To do it right you should each
>>> get 3
>>> phones: T-Mobile, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Take all 3 home and to work,
>>> check the maps, and keep the best one. Or pick the one with the cutest
>>> phones and make sure it works in all your important places. Tryouts are
>>> free, except for minutes used.
>>
>> Sprint's activation fee is nonrefundable even if you return the phone.
>> You'd be liable for minutes used and the $36 fee if you didn't keep the
>> Sprint phone. Not sure about T-Mo and Cingular.
>>
>> Newsgroups for the other carriers have been added so other people
>> familiar with the other carriers can comment.
>>
>> --
>> JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET
>> (4638)
>> Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
>>
>> "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free"
>> --New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle"
>
>