Today I took the plunge into the world of a new cell contract and technically a new provider. About twelve years ago when I first got a cell phone I went with Cellular One – they were about the only provider that provided service to this area.
I’ve been happy with them. When everyone else was on minute plans, I was happily dealing with unlimited minutes for less money. Things were good – then AT&T came along and bought up my company. They continued to honor Cell One contracts and would do so until you needed a new phone. When the old ones conked out, you had to switch over if you wanted a new phone.
Even now companies like Verizon have ignored the area where I live so it was a no-brainer to simply go with AT&T. I could use other services as long as I didn’t plan on using them in my own town, workplace, or house.
I’d put off the switch as long as I could. My own phone was dying a slow death and within the last month both cubs ran their phones through the washing machine. Only the hub’s SIX year old phone was going strong.
I pranced into AT&T, set up a plan, picked up four shiny new phones, and eagerly hurried home to learn how to use them. Babycub chose a phone she thought was adorable. For the hub, I picked up the most basic and simple phone I could find. I knew anything with even a wee bit of advanced technology would send him into a tailspin. Finding a phone to suit him was a challenge. Boycub and I have the same phones – different colors.
The cheapo hubby phone and the adorable Babycub phone seem to be just peachy keen fine. The phones I purchased for Boycub and I sucketh. Both of us had more bars on our older phones. Reception here at my house bites the biggie and has me crazed. I’m back to the days of standing on one’s head on the corner of the deck while holding a piece of aluminum to get any kind of reception.
Needless to say – I am pissed!
I went back to the store determined to buy a more expensive (therefore, in my mind, better) phone. The phone dude suggested I keep this one for a couple of days to see if things improved. Like an idiot, I did. I came home, made a few calls, and quickly realized that my new phone is a terrible phone for my house.
I have to make a switcheroo on this thing.
Tomorrow morning I am heading to the lake again – I shall be paying a visit to AT&T on my way out of town. Wish me luck!
For those of you celebrating the 4th – I hope you have an awesome holiday! I’ll be at the lake with a whole lot of family – playing and having a luverly time (hopefully, with a spanking new phone!).
See ya’ when I get back into town!
Peace
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Wishing all my American friends a great July 4th….
and good luck with the phones….lol
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Happy 4th, neighbouroonies to the south!
July 5th, 2009 at 11:37 am
What 4th of july is for you americains is 21th july for me, belgian. So have fun at 4th of july i certainly will have at the 21th.
Hope the phone issues will get solved quickly and not to expensive.
July 5th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I had this problem when we came to Tasmania; my old provider had zero reception and it was a real pain. I had to switch. Fortunately it didn’t cost me anything (one of the advantages of such heavy competition between mobile companies). Hopefully it will work out the same way for you.
XXX
July 7th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I had the same problem then I got a booster for the house. My phones worked great outside but inside I had at most 1 bar and the sound was nasty. I put an antenna on top of the house, ran the cable and put the in-door antenna in the living room with the amplifer. It works great now. It was a few $$ but since I do not have a home phone any longer it was really worth it to me. I got mine from here (http://www.mycellularsolutions.com/index.html) but you can pick them up almost anywhere. And I have AT&T as well. I will be getting one for the truck one of these days too.
July 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I was never crazy about signing on for a 2 year ride with a cell company but I did, now 6 years later I’m still with them. With the exception of their customer service people being in India, and though the people are very nice, they can’t speak English.
But I have no dropped calls, upgrade my phone at no charge, and the plan I’m on suits me fine.
Sorry about those troubles…I know how bad it can sucketh!
July 26th, 2009 at 1:19 am
I had AT&T. but, I had nothing but problems with them. They would act so snotty when I asked for help. I now have Verizon and they go overboard to help me.
Good luck with your new provider!