Cell Phones
May 7th 2005, 10:41 pm
#16
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 3,100
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Pimpbot
Why didn't you just wait until you got here to buy one to save all the hassle?. It's not like cellphones are much more expensive here. Plus give it 6 months and your new phone will be out of date and missing a few bells and whistles. Sure Tri band phones are nice, but the cost of making a call should you need to abroad is so expensive. I remember with Orange when I had mine, it cost £1.10 pounds a minute to make a call in the U.S. but if someone called me, it was just £0.55 pence. I use to call home and say call me right back. 
to be honest, cellphones are a LOT more expensive out here than the Uk and its likely that the OP's phone will still be advanced by US standards in a years time.
I brought my P800 over here and people were amazed
Six months ago I brought a sony ericsson s700 over, (only in the last month or two became available here). over here its $400 on a 2 year contact - I got it for 100 quid on a 1 year contract in the UK
to the OP - your phone one will work fine over here. just pick up the crappest phone cingular have and either flog it on ebay or keep it as an emergency phone in case yours goes tits up
May 7th 2005, 10:57 pm
#17
I love Marmite, she don't
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 454
Re: Cell Phones
The 2 phone systems are so far apart - even the different carriers use such different technology...
A couple of points :
RELY on NOTHING anyone tells you in customer-dis-service over the phones. Most people who work in these departments know less than my 10 year old.
I think a new thing that is starting to grow (thans to WallMarts pushing) is pay-as-you-go... Apparently it's HUGE in the UK so give it 5 years
If you want a great phone though, for now forget it for PAYG.
You need to get to a store when you get here and find someone really smart (few and far between) but when you do, they will go out of their way to help you.
Good Luck.
A couple of points :
RELY on NOTHING anyone tells you in customer-dis-service over the phones. Most people who work in these departments know less than my 10 year old.
I think a new thing that is starting to grow (thans to WallMarts pushing) is pay-as-you-go... Apparently it's HUGE in the UK so give it 5 years
If you want a great phone though, for now forget it for PAYG.You need to get to a store when you get here and find someone really smart (few and far between) but when you do, they will go out of their way to help you.
Good Luck.
May 7th 2005, 11:06 pm
#18
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Cell Phones
I hate it that only Cingulair and T-Mobile support GSM. Verizon has the highest customer satisfaction ratings of all the major carriers; but cell phone service here vs the UK *sucks*. It may be cheaper, but just the sheer difficulty in covering the country with cell towers means worse service, and there's just no way to get the density of coverage.
By all means try to use your existing phone; but folks are right: phones are evolving at such a rapid pace that you may end up buying a new one anyway. However, GSM phones are few and far between here.
By all means try to use your existing phone; but folks are right: phones are evolving at such a rapid pace that you may end up buying a new one anyway. However, GSM phones are few and far between here.
May 7th 2005, 11:09 pm
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,113
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by BritGuyTN
to be honest, cellphones are a LOT more expensive out here than the Uk and its likely that the OP's phone will still be advanced by US standards in a years time.
I brought my P800 over here and people were amazed
Six months ago I brought a sony ericsson s700 over, (only in the last month or two became available here). over here its $400 on a 2 year contact - I got it for 100 quid on a 1 year contract in the UK
to the OP - your phone one will work fine over here. just pick up the crappest phone cingular have and either flog it on ebay or keep it as an emergency phone in case yours goes tits up
I brought my P800 over here and people were amazed
Six months ago I brought a sony ericsson s700 over, (only in the last month or two became available here). over here its $400 on a 2 year contact - I got it for 100 quid on a 1 year contract in the UK
to the OP - your phone one will work fine over here. just pick up the crappest phone cingular have and either flog it on ebay or keep it as an emergency phone in case yours goes tits up
May 7th 2005, 11:56 pm
#20
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 68,280
Re: Cell Phones
Goddam ..What thing is proved by this posting ... The younger generation really believe you cannot survive without a cell phone hanging on your belt...
But honestly you really can ...
But honestly you really can ...
May 8th 2005, 12:40 am
#21
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: West Sussex, UK
Posts: 348
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Pimpbot
Yes, but you wouldn't get that phone for £100 quid without the yearly contract, so in the original posters case, I assume he bought a phone with a years worth of contract to run, when he won't even be in the country. I understand that UK phones are more up to date, as my best friend in the U.K. was a manager of a cellphone store for a number of years, which enabled me to have all the latest gizmo etc, etc while I lived there. But unless he bought the phone outright without a contract which I assume would be vastly more expensive than buying with a contract as it always use to be. This seems like an extra hassle in an already hassled visa and moving process that could have been left until he got here. Just my opinion.
May 8th 2005, 12:49 am
#22
Lapine Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Austin, Texas in my own little world
Posts: 21,691
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Ray
Goddam ..What thing is proved by this posting ... The younger generation really believe you cannot survive without a cell phone hanging on your belt...
But honestly you really can ...
But honestly you really can ...
Horses courses.....My own current phone is triband but sucks so badly I almost never use it cos the battery runs down (yeah battery has been replaced) etc. I am in the process of looking for a new one -- I need mine primarily to stay in contact with my kids, their dad, the schools. When I travel I also get a load of messages and ways to meet up with people in different cities. In the UK I ran up an unholy bill but it was still cheaper to use my mobile than to call back to the States using any phone card I could find and far less confusing -- as a mum I'm on call 24x7 when I don't have the kids.
May 8th 2005, 2:05 am
#23
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2003
Location: West Sussex, UK
Posts: 348
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Ray
Goddam ..What thing is proved by this posting ... The younger generation really believe you cannot survive without a cell phone hanging on your belt...
But honestly you really can ...
But honestly you really can ...
But I do believe a cell phone is a neccessity these days, and the fact that you can have free network to network calls on some plans, that makes them pretty useful. I want my wife to be able to call anytime should she need it. Plus, with my job I will always need to be contactable, and lots of other reasons.
May 8th 2005, 2:52 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: back in Gods own country..
Posts: 4,007
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Ray
Goddam ..What thing is proved by this posting ... The younger generation really believe you cannot survive without a cell phone hanging on your belt...
But honestly you really can ...
But honestly you really can ...
May 8th 2005, 3:48 am
#25
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,877
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by woodsey
you can, I am proud to say I haven't got one
May 8th 2005, 4:32 am
#26
Gurning up a storm!
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Just moved back to NH from UK after the wife and I tried living in UK
Posts: 80
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by ukmancoll
Ok, again, I am leaving for the US in a month and I am going through all of those things that after a while just start to piss you off!
Latest thing - Cell Phones.
I have recently bought a new Triband phone to use when I get to the States, and got my fiancee to call Cingular to find out about adding me, etc. Basically, they said that they won't let me use their service unless I buy one of their phones!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outrageous!!
I have my own phone thank you very much! I am a potential new customer, and I want to use your service - give you MY business - but I already HAVE a phone!!
Now my fiancee thinks that every operator in the country is like that. You can't use your own phone with a different operator.
The reason I thought Cingular would be ok is my fiancee told me they have a Sim card system (like in Europe), unlike a lot of phones in the US. If I have a Sim card, I can just pop it into any phone no??
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this? Did anyone take their phone over with them? Is she right, that every operator will be the same??
It may seem like I am overreacting - but it is the fact that I have bought this new phone coupled with the whole principle of the thing! That I can't use their service unless I buy their phone.
Please help... someone....
Latest thing - Cell Phones.
I have recently bought a new Triband phone to use when I get to the States, and got my fiancee to call Cingular to find out about adding me, etc. Basically, they said that they won't let me use their service unless I buy one of their phones!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outrageous!!
I have my own phone thank you very much! I am a potential new customer, and I want to use your service - give you MY business - but I already HAVE a phone!!
Now my fiancee thinks that every operator in the country is like that. You can't use your own phone with a different operator.
The reason I thought Cingular would be ok is my fiancee told me they have a Sim card system (like in Europe), unlike a lot of phones in the US. If I have a Sim card, I can just pop it into any phone no??
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this? Did anyone take their phone over with them? Is she right, that every operator will be the same??
It may seem like I am overreacting - but it is the fact that I have bought this new phone coupled with the whole principle of the thing! That I can't use their service unless I buy their phone.
Please help... someone....
Mobile phones??? What are they then?
May 8th 2005, 6:56 am
#27
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,532
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by ukmancoll
Ok, again, I am leaving for the US in a month and I am going through all of those things that after a while just start to piss you off!
Latest thing - Cell Phones.
I have recently bought a new Triband phone to use when I get to the States, and got my fiancee to call Cingular to find out about adding me, etc. Basically, they said that they won't let me use their service unless I buy one of their phones!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outrageous!!
I have my own phone thank you very much! I am a potential new customer, and I want to use your service - give you MY business - but I already HAVE a phone!!
Now my fiancee thinks that every operator in the country is like that. You can't use your own phone with a different operator.
The reason I thought Cingular would be ok is my fiancee told me they have a Sim card system (like in Europe), unlike a lot of phones in the US. If I have a Sim card, I can just pop it into any phone no??
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this? Did anyone take their phone over with them? Is she right, that every operator will be the same??
It may seem like I am overreacting - but it is the fact that I have bought this new phone coupled with the whole principle of the thing! That I can't use their service unless I buy their phone.
Please help... someone....
Latest thing - Cell Phones.
I have recently bought a new Triband phone to use when I get to the States, and got my fiancee to call Cingular to find out about adding me, etc. Basically, they said that they won't let me use their service unless I buy one of their phones!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outrageous!!
I have my own phone thank you very much! I am a potential new customer, and I want to use your service - give you MY business - but I already HAVE a phone!!
Now my fiancee thinks that every operator in the country is like that. You can't use your own phone with a different operator.
The reason I thought Cingular would be ok is my fiancee told me they have a Sim card system (like in Europe), unlike a lot of phones in the US. If I have a Sim card, I can just pop it into any phone no??
Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this? Did anyone take their phone over with them? Is she right, that every operator will be the same??
It may seem like I am overreacting - but it is the fact that I have bought this new phone coupled with the whole principle of the thing! That I can't use their service unless I buy their phone.
Please help... someone....
May 8th 2005, 7:01 am
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,532
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Pimpbot
Why didn't you just wait until you got here to buy one to save all the hassle?. It's not like cellphones are much more expensive here. Plus give it 6 months and your new phone will be out of date and missing a few bells and whistles. Sure Tri band phones are nice, but the cost of making a call should you need to abroad is so expensive. I remember with Orange when I had mine, it cost £1.10 pounds a minute to make a call in the U.S. but if someone called me, it was just £0.55 pence. I use to call home and say call me right back.
May 8th 2005, 7:03 am
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,532
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by franc111s
The 2 phone systems are so far apart - even the different carriers use such different technology...
A couple of points :
RELY on NOTHING anyone tells you in customer-dis-service over the phones. Most people who work in these departments know less than my 10 year old.
I think a new thing that is starting to grow (thans to WallMarts pushing) is pay-as-you-go... Apparently it's HUGE in the UK so give it 5 years If you want a great phone though, for now forget it for PAYG.
You need to get to a store when you get here and find someone really smart (few and far between) but when you do, they will go out of their way to help you.
Good Luck.
A couple of points :
RELY on NOTHING anyone tells you in customer-dis-service over the phones. Most people who work in these departments know less than my 10 year old.
I think a new thing that is starting to grow (thans to WallMarts pushing) is pay-as-you-go... Apparently it's HUGE in the UK so give it 5 years
If you want a great phone though, for now forget it for PAYG.You need to get to a store when you get here and find someone really smart (few and far between) but when you do, they will go out of their way to help you.
Good Luck.
May 8th 2005, 7:06 am
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,532
Re: Cell Phones
Originally Posted by Eskimo
this is why we argue constantly about you never being anywhere on time....
