Adding text messaging

[PADisneyNut]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I always look at DIS boards when trying to find answers.

I only send 2-3 text messages a month. However, I just got a new job. I am a teacher and now, I am also the Athletic Director of my school. I have coaches that send me text messages all the time, so my cell phone bill is increasing. I still have 15 months on my current plan. Can I change my plan with Verizon to add text messaging???? Will they be able to give me a different phone that will be easier to text on??? Who much might it cost to add texting on a phone???? I never taught that I would be at this point, saying that I am 34 years old and technology is passing me by, and I don't know what to do. I know that I can go in and talk to them, but I don't fully trust the cell phone companies and what information before I go in. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!!

 

[mster425]

For my account with Verizon it's $5/month to add 250 messages. Just did it yesterday. Call them and they'll tell you if you are due for a phone upgrade (means extending your contract 2 yrs). Get the cheapest phone you can get with NO data plan needed, but add the texts for $5/mo.

You can add the text messaging without extending your contract. It's expensive to replace your phone without extending your contract.

I'd just add the texting and keep your phone. You'll catch on to texting quickly.

 

[disneymom2003]

Yes. You can add most anything anytime you want. They are happy to increase your bill every month

 

[MickeyP]

A word of wisdom: Please tell all of your coaches to NOT text the kids (ex: if practices or games are cancelled.) We had a student change a teacher's text and report an obscene text.

 

[disney1990]

We have Verizon too. I think it was $10 to add unlimited texting. Once people start to text you on a regular basis -- 250 texts will go quickly.

 

[lucigo]

A word of wisdom: Please tell all of your coaches to NOT text the kids (ex: if practices or games are cancelled.) We had a student change a teacher's text and report an obscene text.

This kind of thing boils my blood. Seems there are so many kids out there who would feed their teachers to the wolves just to get out of work/responsibility. And these poor teachers are working for pennies and risking their reputation everyday for the little brats.

 

[mcorbo]

Keep in mind, that all texts to and from other Verizon phones will not count towards your 250 limit on the $5 plan

 

[Sagginit]

i pay the $10 a month for 500 txts i think with verizon. trust me once people find out you are open to txting thats all they will do. i got txting kicking & screaming about four years ago. all my friends had it and as a college student i had no choice but to get it to keep up. my mum just got it this year after realizing it was dumb to pay per txt and wiegh out if she wanted to spend the money before txting someone. if you think you are in a verizon heavy area i would go with something like 250 or 500 to start and track the amount of txts you get and adjust. most phones that are out are capable of txting, it just takes practice.

 

[PADisneyNut]

Thanks for all the replies.

my mum just got it this year after realizing it was dumb to pay per txt and wiegh out if she wanted to spend the money before txting someone.

I know what you mean. My wife and I always joke around when one of us thinks about texting. Do I really want to spend 15cents??? And if we happen to text each other, 30 cents!!!!!

I did not realize that texting from verizon to verizon would be free with the 250 text for $5. Thanks!!!! Most everybody I know has verizon.


As for coaches texting kids.... It got me thinking. We have something set up at my school where the coach texts the school district and then the district forwards the text to all the student/athletes/parents that it is intended for. I have my coaches set up groups in the District Office and parents/athletes can subscribe to different groups to receive messages. I am sure that kids could find some way to "break into" this also, but it has worked well so far.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Fire14]

Keep in mind, that all texts to and from other Verizon phones will not count towards your 250 limit on the $5 plan

Are you sure on this? I just got a new phone and added texting, the book I have from VZW store Doesn't list this with $ 5.00 plan. It is listed on 10.00 and up plans
I am just asking b/c it makes a differance if i upgrade texting plan or not.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Are you sure on this? I just got a new phone and added texting, the book I have from VZW store Doesn't list this with $ 5.00 plan. It is listed on 10.00 and up plans
I am just asking b/c it makes a differance if i upgrade texting plan or not.

You are correct. The $5.00 plan is just 250 texts, period. When you have the $10.00 text plan , it is unlimited to all verizon carriers and 500 texts to and from non-verizon customers. I just upgraded my plan. And I do agree 250 texts are nothing if people start texting you all the time. This mom of 2 had 850 texts in one month, and neither of my kids have cell phone yet. So they were all texts from my friends. Our bill was over by $50.00. My husband hit the roof. That is why we upgraded to the $10.00 plan.

 

[DAPford]

my daughters soccer coach calls our landline which of course only I anwser ( and its me DH DSS(22) and DD(14) and then speaks to her and has her text the team any info this seems to work well and of course we have unlimited text thru sprint no overage to worry about ! and then she posts it on facebook so either way everyone gets the info ! he calls her his own social network !

 

[thinkerbell]

Are you sure on this? I just got a new phone and added texting, the book I have from VZW store Doesn't list this with $ 5.00 plan. It is listed on 10.00 and up plans
I am just asking b/c it makes a differance if i upgrade texting plan or not.

We have the $5/250 text plan and we only text our kids and each other for the most part. We are all on Verizon and ALL of the texts count. We are not really big texters but if something special is going on we can really rack them up in a hurry. If I needed it for work too, I would definitely go with the $10 unlimited deal.

 

[PADisneyNut]

Just got back from the verizon store.

$5.00 for 250 text. Does not matter verizon or sprint or ????

$10.00 unlimited verizon and 500 text to other carriers.

I decided to add myself for $5 and my wife for $10. All of her friends text all the time and now they can text her. I will keep track of how my texting goes to see if I need to upgrade. Call me cheap, but that extra $5 matter.
Thanks