question about buying a phone

MetalRage · Post by **MetalRage** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 2:33 pm

I always had a pre paid phone (Tracfone) but im looking at a phone from T-Mobile. When I was looking at the info on buying it, i noticed that during the credit check they want my social security number. Is this normal for them to want your social security number?

Post by **js3901** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 5:08 pm

MetalRage wrote:I always had a pre paid phone (Tracfone) but im looking at a phone from T-Mobile. When I was looking at the info on buying it, i noticed that during the credit check they want my social security number. Is this normal for them to want your social security number?

they do the credit check using your social security number. it's how you're tracked by the credit bureaus as well as needed to obtain a credit card.

so, basically, yes, it is normal for them to want a social security number if you're getting a post-pay account (instead of a pre-paid phone like you're used to)

MetalRage · Post by **MetalRage** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 6:41 pm

ok thanks. I just wanted to be sure before giving my social.

Post by **Len90** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 8:28 pm

I would rethink T-Mobile. I know around NJ they have very spotty coverage. I know my friend who has T-Mobile barely gets any service around the college while every other carrier has perfect reception. If were you, I'd look into AT&T or Verizon. The only reason I would reccomend AT&T over Verizon is the rollover minutes.

MetalRage · Post by **MetalRage** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 8:59 pm

Len90 wrote:I would rethink T-Mobile. I know around NJ they have very spotty coverage. I know my friend who has T-Mobile barely gets any service around the college while every other carrier has perfect reception. If were you, I'd look into AT&T or Verizon. The only reason I would reccomend AT&T over Verizon is the rollover minutes.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 10:05 pm

But you really have to talk to other folks too. The best way to find out how the service is is to talk to co-workers, friends, family, etc. Find out what carriers they have and see what experiences they have had. I know that where I live Sprint has good cell reception but the Nextel half of the service is BAD. Also if there is a phone you want to get over something else look into it more, play with it, find someone who has it, ask question, fiddle with it. This is a purchase that will be with you for 1-2 years.

Post by **js3901** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 10:15 pm

Len90 wrote:The only reason I would reccomend AT&T over Verizon is the rollover minutes.

the rollover minutes isn't really worth it. you don't keep the minutes indefinitely, they do expire. That's one thing that people don't understand about them.

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:This is a purchase that will be with you for 1-2 years.

unless you'd be willing to pay full retail price before you're eligible to upgrade and/or your contract expires. and by full retail cost (for those that don't know), I mean:

promotional price of phone when you sign new contract: $49.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate)
full retail cost of same phone when ineligible for promo price: $299.99 without rebate

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Mar Wed 18, 2009 10:20 pm

js3901 wrote:
the rollover minutes isn't really worth it. you don't keep the minutes indefinitely, they do expire. That's one thing that people don't understand about them.

Yeah it is like when they say unlimited Data yet it is limited to 5gb per month. Someone really needs to sue them over this, if you call it Unlimited Rollover or unlimited Data it should be.......ta da UNLIMITED. I should call up sprint and tell them I'm going to pay the entire bill but pay them 1/16th of the bill, when they ask I will say Oh well if you read the fine print when my mouth says Entire it means 1/16th..........er[/rant="for_now]

wdwannabe · Post by **wdwannabe** » Mar Thu 19, 2009 9:32 am

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:
js3901 wrote:
the rollover minutes isn't really worth it. you don't keep the minutes indefinitely, they do expire. That's one thing that people don't understand about them.
Yeah it is like when they say unlimited Data yet it is limited to 5gb per month. Someone really needs to sue them over this, if you call it Unlimited Rollover or unlimited Data it should be.......ta da UNLIMITED. I should call up sprint and tell them I'm going to pay the entire bill but pay them 1/16th of the bill, when they ask I will say Oh well if you read the fine print when my mouth says Entire it means 1/16th..........er[/rant="for_now]

Yeah, good luck with that one.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Mar Thu 19, 2009 10:36 am

Len90 wrote:I would rethink T-Mobile. I know around NJ they have very spotty coverage. I know my friend who has T-Mobile barely gets any service around the college while every other carrier has perfect reception. If were you, I'd look into AT&T or Verizon. The only reason I would reccomend AT&T over Verizon is the rollover minutes.

I live in Tennessee and my T-mobile coverage is really bad. I drive to South Carolina, Georgia, and other places in the south and T-mobile doesn't have service in place my co-workers do. As a matter of fact I lose service first. I would try other companies.

emnbensdad · Post by **emnbensdad** » Mar Thu 19, 2009 1:24 pm

I've had Verizon for over 4 years now and I've had an easy time with them. I may be paying a little more on average but I've never had an issue.

Good luck! So much to choose from . . . so many phones . . . features and stuff.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Mar Thu 19, 2009 6:11 pm

I've had Sprint for the past 8 years and it's been great, I wouldn't switch carriers. The coverage has always been great, even when we visit the Mouse!

MetalRage · Post by **MetalRage** » Mar Thu 19, 2009 9:07 pm

thanks everyone for the advice about buyin a cell

Post by **Len90** » Mar Thu 19, 2009 10:09 pm

Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:
js3901 wrote:
the rollover minutes isn't really worth it. you don't keep the minutes indefinitely, they do expire. That's one thing that people don't understand about them.
Yeah it is like when they say unlimited Data yet it is limited to 5gb per month. Someone really needs to sue them over this, if you call it Unlimited Rollover or unlimited Data it should be.......ta da UNLIMITED. I should call up sprint and tell them I'm going to pay the entire bill but pay them 1/16th of the bill, when they ask I will say Oh well if you read the fine print when my mouth says Entire it means 1/16th..........er[/rant="for_now]

Very true on this. I am aware of the rollover minute thing. The minutes expire after 6 months but it is a good feature if you accidentally go over for a month. Secondly, the data card is a thing that we recently have been fighting with Verizon. You get 5gb of unlimited data.

As for what carrier is right for you, I agree with Dr. Ravenscroft. You need to ask around and find out what works best where you are out. In all honesty it will probably come down to Verizon and AT&T being the main 2 carriers people with have.

cinderella75 · Post by **cinderella75** » May Fri 01, 2009 5:34 pm

I had at&t which back than it was cingular for 2 years until 2001. I always had probs with them maken calls

and calls would drop all the time

or couldn't get a signal

and so on

. Plus the calling plan at that time wasn't like verizon . Call anywhere in the US including Puerto Rico with no extra charges

. I have been with verizon since 2001 and never had a prob with making calls or txting in the US or Puerto Rico. Thats including my parents liven in the mountains. I would do your research and think of all the places you travel

Also it always great

for a woman to have a cell that works no matter where she at in case she may need help

you never know in these times

crazy people out there

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