Poll

[adelagia]

It's my very first LJ poll! And it's for something totally boring!

Okay, American LJ friends who use cell phones: which company should I go with? Traditionally I don't use my cell phone often because I don't really like talking on the phone, so I'd go for the lowest rate plan, the prices of which all seem to be fairly similar across the board, so I'm looking for more in terms of good coverage and customer service, I think.

[Poll #1480799]

Comments

[glimmergirl.livejournal.com]

Actually, my vote might be pretty useless, since Verizon is the only one I know anything about. I think I ended up with it because most of my friends had it and it seemed to be the one with best coverage where I was living. I use my phone for texting more than talking, though, so idk if that's a factor for you, too. (Not that I even know if Verizon is a good choice for that. OH GOD. Just ignore me!)

:D

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

LOL. You crack me up. :D

[mynuet.livejournal.com]

If you're not going to use it much, have you considered getting a prepaid phone?

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, that's definitely under consideration!

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

Personal experience is that none of them are fantastic, but the one I'd definitely avoid is T-Mobile. Really terrible customer service... I mean, *stand out terrible*, whereas the others are just pretty average. I'm using AT&T right now and have the occasional cut out problem, but that probably happens w/ every carrier now and then. Anyway I'm not so thrilled with them that I'd necessarily champion them over Sprint or Verizon.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Ooh, good to know. T-Mobile's website is also a bit of a bear to navigate so I was already feeling a little meh about them. Thanks for your input!

[sarea-okelani.livejournal.com]

I see that someone else's T-Mobile experience was totally different from mine -- I can tell you that Jade and I both experienced horrendous customer service from them and they did their utmost NOT to help us, even though we told them repeatedly that their poor service would cause us to cancel our subscriptions when they were up. They didn't care, and when they were up and we went to cancel, they had the gall to ask if there was anything they could do to keep us ... the response being, of course, to have helped us WHEN WE ASKED FOR HELP.

In any case, for a more unbiased view, this is what Consumer Reports says -- though specific statistics are only available to paid subscribers: Verizon is a standout cell-phone carrier for most people, based on our exclusive best cell phone service survey of readers in 23 cities. The company received high marks from survey respondents in overall satisfaction and customer service, and service is available in most of the country.

...

Our Ratings (available to subscribers) show that Verizon ranks among the top carriers in every city we surveyed, along with Alltel where it was rated. (Verizon was awaiting approval to acquire Alltel as we went to press.) T-Mobile was statistically on par with the top carriers in almost two-thirds of the cities where we were able to rate it.

I think maybe when my AT&T service is up, I'll have to give Verizon a try. :D

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Oh dear, sometimes I wonder how people can end up in customer service jobs when they have no idea what it means.

Anyway, thanks for doing the research for me! Very helpful! :D

[seegrim.livejournal.com]

I've had Verizon for five years now and have lost about five calls in that time. Also, their customer service is impeccable. The only negative is that you can't get an iPhone with them.

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thanks! The iPhone thing doesn't really matter to me; all that technology is way too advanced and scary for my puny mind. :)

[goeungurl.livejournal.com]

T-mobile is the cheapest and actually have the best customer service. I know they've won that award for many years running. Their network isn't as widespread as verizon but it really depends on where you live. As long as you are not in the middle of no where you'll be fine. (Best phone, hands down, is the google phone.)

Good luck!

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

Oh no, you and Sarea's experiences with T-Mobile cancel each other out! D'oh.

Hee, I remember your big happy freak-out post about getting the Google phone. :)

[goeungurl.livejournal.com]

Hee!! I still love the phone and tell *everyone*. I'm never switching to another non-google phone again. For the rest of my life. You know you can edit GoogleDocs directly on your phone?

I've been with T-mobile for about five years now. I have friends who actually said the only good thing about T-mobile is their customer service. They don't give out free stuff so easily (so far, only happened to me twice), but they always try their best to help you.

That being said, if coverage *everywhere* is important (including underground bunkers and storm shelters), you may want to consider Verizon or AT&T.

Wow. That was long. Good luck!! :D

[the-muppet.livejournal.com]

I have never owned a mobile phone in my life which apparently makes me a freak; I am inordinately proud of both those facts.

Also, don't live in the US so this is a random and pointless comment.

♥

[adelagia.livejournal.com]

*points and laughs*

I kid, I kid. :) If you can manage just fine without one, then good on you. ♥