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General discussion

New Service/phone... what's the best deal if I go with Cing.

Jun 7, 2005 10:44PM PDT

I've decided on switching from Alltell to Cingular, mainly becuase I believe Cingular has the best coverage for my area (coastal NC). Question is, should I get a one year contract and phone from the local Cingular store? Or buy a phone off Ebay then get a one year contract with the store? Or buy the phone elsewhere off the internet and not sign an exteneded contract at all? Not familiar with cellular services much at all.

Also, which phone would you recc.? I need (in no particular order of preference): speakerphone, small size, clamshell or flip style, great reception ability, Bluetooth, good battery life, 1000 contact phonebook, decent display, and some of those little extras like calculator, alarm, voice memo, etc. that most of the phones come with now anyway. I don't want to spend over $200 or so on the phone, since I don't need alot of the whizbang stuff, and could care less about ringtones, covers, cameras, PDAs, instant messaging. Do want one that looks nice though. I'd love to be able to pull up a few websites on it, such as Yachtworld.com as I sell boats for a living. But I doubt that I would be able to get that kind of website up on a cell phone. Am I right or wrong about that?

Any suggestions/help appreciated!

Discussion is locked

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NEW SERVICE
Jun 8, 2005 8:26AM PDT

The best thing that I can tell you is to stay the hell away from cingular. I have been a cingular customer since September 1994 when it was Bellsouth. Since August or September of 2004 cingular customer service has been the worse. Go whit some on else.

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NEW SERVICE
Jun 8, 2005 8:28AM PDT

I mean to say go with anyone but cingular.

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suggestion
Jun 8, 2005 10:11AM PDT

Cingular or Suncom will have strong service in your coverage area. You can try the service w/ Cingular for up to 30 days and terminate without penalty. If you only want a 12 month contract, go to the store. Virtually any online offer is w/ a 24 month agreement. Otherwise, simply buy the phone without contract at non-commitment price. Based on your needs, I think the Motorola V551 should suit you fine.

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Cingular vs Suncom
Jun 8, 2005 11:07AM PDT

I used to be with Suncom. But their phone selection (at that time anyway) was horrible. That's why I went to Alltell. Then Alltell had horrible coverage in the areas I traveled the most. And a huge problem I've had with Alltell is that I received voicemails on the phone, but no notification of it being there. The vmail delivered to the phone, but the phone never told me there was a vmail received. Then it would just suddenly notify me of a vmail, perhaps 1-2 days later. Talk about irrate customers. I have no choice but to leave Alltell. Of course, they told me for months that this couldn't happen. Finally last week they explain to me why it is happening.

Regardless, my only good choices seem to be Sprint and Cingular. My sister has Cingular and is very happy with them. I called Cingular customer service just to test it today. On hold 4-5 minutes, but they answered my questions courteously, no problem. I can live with 4-5 minute hold time, since I just keep working anyway.

JB