Cell Phone rant

[spacemountainmom]

It is time for our family to update our cell phones. We currently have three phones and all text. Why is is next to impossible to find new cell phones that have keyboards and don't require a data plan? Are we just the only family in America who doesn't want a data plan?

I just can't see spending an additional $90 a month for a service that I neither want nor need. The other issue is that we were planning to add ds12 to our plan finally. So that would add another $40+ a month to add a line for him and data. Our cell phone bill would more than double at that point.

I am getting beyond frustrated with the whole situation. I would just say what the hay and keep our old phones, but all three phones are in poor shape. My dh's is literally about to fall apart.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yep, feel your pain. I know that with AT&T you can get a phone from WalMart and plug in your SIM card and go.

Not sure with Verizon though.

Also we have been getting used phones online with ebay or Craigslist. There is a market out there for used phones now.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

If you are with Verizon Wireless and want "dumb" (not smart) or "feature" phones, you have to look online. They have none in the store but the phones are still available online.

 

[spacemountainmom]

If you are with Verizon Wireless and want "dumb" (not smart) or "feature" phones, you have to look online. They have none in the store but the phones are still available online.

I checked them out and the only phones available were poorly rated and would be a downgrade from our current phones.

 

[YodaGirl]

Is there a such thing as a family data plan?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is there a such thing as a family data plan?

Not yet with AT&T, even though they pretend they do. And until they put it out, we wait.

 

[mjantz]

My son has a text only phone with a keyboard (physical, not touchscreen) & no data plan. AT&T calls them texting phones as opposed to smart phones.
I don't think family data plans are offered. We have individual because I'm grandfathered into AT&Ts unlimited data plan.

 

[yoopermom]

If you like any (or all) of the phones you currently have, I would second buying the same exact phone off of Ebay (or Craigslist). My family is in the same situation as yours (and don't want to start another two year contract just to get a "free" phone), so that's what we've done this past year.

Terri

 

[lovetoscrap]

This may seem silly, but you might check out Kajeet. It is intended primarily for kids but I have my phone through them too. Their plans are extremely reasonably priced, phone prices aren't too bad and you can get unlimited texting. Their lower price plans do have limited talk minutes but since we pretty much only text it works out great for us.

We pay $30 month for DD and I to each have 60 mins talk (and we rarely use even 15 mins) and unlimited text. I am getting ready to add a basic phone with just a few minutes of talk and no texting for DD 11 to have for certain situations for just another $5.

 

[IDoDis]

Check out the LG Octane if you have Verizon:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5554

It's free right now. I paid $100 for it in September. It opens up to a qwerty keyboard. I have not had any problems with mine and do like it.

 

[Southernmiss]

I too feel your pain!

I had an experience with our Cell provider yesterday. Arghh! It's a racket I tell you!

We have 4 phones text, email but no data plan. DH and I just upgraded last year to text can't afford data for 4 phones. Would love to have the latest bells and whistles, but can't spring for the upgrade in the monthly bill. (We still have 2 kids without cell phones to be added in the next few years.)

There has to be another option.

 

[yoopermom]

We have Verizon not ATT, but have been VERY happy with both our Octanes and our LG Env3s. They both have QWERTY keyboards, but are otherwise fairly "simple". Have bought both off Ebay from 100% sellers in the past year with no issues...

Terri

 

[ScottOKW2K]

There is another option - go prepaid. That's what I did about a year and the savings are significant. I looked at was was available as far as providers and availability of compatible phones and ended up choosing a provider called Page Plus. Here is a link to this provider's forum on Howard Forums http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php/364-Page-Plus-Cellular I have my wife and daughter using Droid Incredibles and I have an older windows based smartphone. You can get a basic phone refill card good for 4 months for as low as $10, and can add texting packages to this.

 

[SandrA9810]

Avoid the Samsung flight, I believe it is. It's a slider phone with a full keyboard. That thing is horrible. But there are a few texting phones available. They have full keyboards, but are not designed to go on the internet, and do not require a smart phone data plan.

If you do buy used, you can always call up your carrier and ask if they classify it as a messaging phone or smart phone.

 

[mamacatnv]

Check Costco. We reupped with Verizon in June. Only DS has a data phone, he got the Android. DH, DD and I all have dumb phones.

I got the touch screen samsung that slides open to reveal a keyboard(I love my phone). DD has a slide open non touch screen and DH has an old fashioned flip phone. We all are very happy with our phones and we are happy with Verizon but learned a few years ago to avoid their stores and head straight to the kiosk at Costco.

 

[Planogirl]

I just got a phone that flips open on the side and has a keyboard inside. I got it through AT&T and it requires no data plan. It's made by Pantech.

http://www.pantechusa.com/phones/impact

 

[goofy!]

You can always go to Sprint.

Their family plan with 1500 minutes and unlimited texting (no data) is $99 a month and includes 2 lines. To add the third line it would only be $9.99.

The LG Rumor Touch - a touch phone with a full slide out keyboard (but not a smart phone) is free with new activation or upgrade.

There are a few other sliding keyboard phones, but none of them are as highly rated as the Rumor.

 

[maelstrom]

I have at least 3 "dumb" phones that I could stand to get rid of, all of them work on AT&T. I have previously sold old phones on Ebay. I used to be a phone junkie until I got an iPhone. Look around on Ebay or Craigslist for a GSM "dumb" phone. I have a red Pantech Matrix which does slide two ways and has a keyboard, but isn't a smart phone. I have a black Nokia flip and a green Samsung slider. Tons of other people on Ebay have them too. Just slip your SIM card in and you're good.

 

[DMRick]

I really like my Verizon Octane. I had all the 'smart' wifi stuff turned off, however so no one made a mistake and we ended up paying as we go using it.
The keyboard is very nice (You flip it open) and it's nice and clear.

 

[msjprincess]

My son has a Samsung Intensity through Verizon. It has a slide out keyboard