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This is a thread for sharing your praises and complaints with cell phones and providers.

I’m currently using an LG VX8300 and the only complaint I’ve had with it in the past three and a half years is that it chews through memory cards quite fast. Overall, I’ve really liked this phone. This is what it looks like below:



Unfortunately, for a Christmas gift, a friend got me an LG VX9900 enV that was malfunctioning right out of the box; there appeared to have been a short in the inside keypad and needed to be returned. And since this model is no longer manufactured, the only place to find one was eBay, and we’ve had all kinds of trouble with the seller in getting it replaced. This is what the enV looks like:



So here I am considering a completely different model, an LG VN530 Octane, and I’m getting the heebie geebies bigtime reading through customer reviews. Some say it’s an awesome phone with no problems, others report an annoying echoing problem, others report the phone shutting off and on by itself, others report possible fixes for these problems, others completely reject the phone – period. This is what the Octane looks like:

Front & Back:


Flipped Open:


At this point, I’m completely frustrated and actually thinking that sticking with my VX8300 is probably the best bet. But I’m undecided. But there’s another issue I have with Verizon altogether; their StraightTalk subsidiary. StraightTalk has unlimited web and texting services for about $45 a month with their services through Walmart. StraightTalk is through Verizon, but Verizon’s cheapest contract deal was (when I last signed a 2 year contract) was about $52 after taxes, but only 500 out of network text messages and 450 minutes out of network talk time. Wtf? Their subsidiary service, Straight Talk, is cheaper and better than an actual Verizon account? Not sure what’s up with that :/

So, what are your praises and complaints with cell phones and providers?

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I have an "chocolate" that I've had for several years. It's wearing out and I'm ready to upgrade, so I'm curious to see what everyone has to say....

I will be sticking with Verizon because of the family plan.

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Originally Posted by Jann Morrison Kostka:
I have an "chocolate" that I've had for several years. It's wearing out and I'm ready to upgrade, so I'm curious to see what everyone has to say....

I will be sticking with Verizon because of the family plan.

One reason I stick with Verizon is because most people I communicate with also have Verizon and they have their free in-network thing I like - because their 'unlimited' plans are a little pricey I think. But I haven't felt trust for other providers around here because they tend not to stick around very long or other people have reasonable complaints. Also, Verizon has a lot of towers so I get good signal strength most every place I go around here. But finding a phone to upgrade to where I don't see a lot of negative customer reviews is getting annoying.

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According to the latest Concumer Reports, the top 5 phones from Verizon are:

LG enV Touch

Samsung alias 2

Casio GzOne Brigade

LG enV3

LG Chocolate Touch

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Originally Posted by Jann Morrison Kostka:
According to the latest Concumer Reports, the top 5 phones from Verizon are:

LG enV Touch

Samsung alias 2

Casio GzOne Brigade

LG enV3

LG Chocolate Touch

What's everyone's opinions on the Touch Screens? I don't particularly like them. I'd get the screen all smudged and that alone would bug me.

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I'm on Verizon and my contract is up next month.  So I'm going for an Android.

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I have US cellular - mainly cause it is one of the only services we have found that we can get a signal pretty much anywhere!  I have even had the other providers tell me that USC is the only one with that kind of coverage.

I had a LG Tritan with the sliding top that revealed a full qwerty keyboard.  It died the other night and I am now using  my old phone which is a samsung that looks like a compact - not my favorite but I can't sign a new contract yet and I refuse to pay full price for a new phone.

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I hate many of the cell phones out there. I use them as a phone only, I don't access the internet, send e-mails, download apps take pictures or any of that other stuff and finding just a basic phone is getting near impossible. I think the next time I wont update or get a new phone, I will just get some military grade radios (30+ miles broadcast distance) for my family and myself. And go back to a land line in the house.

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Originally Posted by Farmer Up:
I hate many of the cell phones out there. I use them as a phone only, I don't access the internet, send e-mails, download apps take pictures or any of that other stuff and finding just a basic phone is getting near impossible. I think the next time I wont update or get a new phone, I will just get some military grade radios (30+ miles broadcast distance) for my family and myself. And go back to a land line in the house.

A coworker was telling me recently that many land line companies are finding it difficult to stay in business because of how many people are discontinuing their land line services and going only with cell phones. I can't help thinking that land lines will soon be a thing of the past. I don't like it, but it seems likely.

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Convergence has arrived.

In 5 years, the biggest difference between your P.C., your phone, and your TV will be screen size.

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BTW, when I see what my son does and compare it to this forum, we're in the stone ages.

He plays video games online and talks to lots of people at the same time ... with motion involved.  And these video communities have all that we have ... and a whole lot more.

We'll be watching TV and a message will pop up at the top of the screen ... one of his bro's will be wanting to talk about something or is inviting him to play a game in a cyberland of their choosing.

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Originally Posted by Shawn Ishness:

Originally Posted by Farmer Up:
I hate many of the cell phones out there. I use them as a phone only, I don't access the internet, send e-mails, download apps take pictures or any of that other stuff and finding just a basic phone is getting near impossible. I think the next time I wont update or get a new phone, I will just get some military grade radios (30+ miles broadcast distance) for my family and myself. And go back to a land line in the house.

A coworker was telling me recently that many land line companies are finding it difficult to stay in business because of how many people are discontinuing their land line services and going only with cell phones. I can't help thinking that land lines will soon be a thing of the past. I don't like it, but it seems likely.

I haven't had a land line in years. Doesn't suit my life style. As a retired employee of Pac Bell/AT&T I should be ashamed of myself. Corporate America is keeping the phone companies in business.

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Originally Posted by Jann Morrison Kostka:
I haven't had a land line in years. Doesn't suit my life style. As a retired employee of Pac Bell/AT&T I should be ashamed of myself. Corporate America is keeping the phone companies in business.

I think it's been about 2 years since I discontinued my land line. But for years, I was paying for both land line and cell phone, and I NEVER used my land line, only for DSL connection to the internet. So it seemed a smart financial decision to disconnect my land line, and I haven't regretted it once.

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Originally Posted by Scott Terry:
I'm on Verizon and my contract is up next month.  So I'm going for an Android.

Scott, i have the Droid X ...i got it for christmas... it has only touch screens but a miriad of applicatons..if you are one for investigating the world of technology... i like it alot  .. takes some getting used to cause i am not the most computer savvy person..but i do enjoy a challenge!! the problem with the smart phones or actually most all of verizon phones now..is the data packages.. mine was around $40 a month.. but if you want all the gadgets ..you dont have a choice. i do like it tho.. it sucks battery life more when u use Apps.. but just phone and texting i had battery power for 3 days strong! ohhh and the Droid X has a camera with flash..one of the reasons i want it..and you can manage your videos and photos into files..etc.. its all around an awesome phone.. fast as hell.. and comes with GPS apps. the Droid Global has a qwerty keyboard if you need one.. it has a little less to offer than the droid x.. the screen is a little smaller too.. but not a bad choice..   and no i  dont work for Verizon lol...

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Originally Posted by Diane Condon:

Scott, i have the Droid X ...i got it for christmas... it has only touch screens but a miriad of applicatons..if you are one for investigating the world of technology... i like it alot  .. takes some getting used to cause i am not the most computer savvy person..but i do enjoy a challenge!! the problem with the smart phones or actually most all of verizon phones now..is the data packages.. mine was around $40 a month.. but if you want all the gadgets ..you dont have a choice. i do like it tho.. it sucks battery life more when u use Apps.. but just phone and texting i had battery power for 3 days strong! ohhh and the Droid X has a camera with flash..one of the reasons i want it..and you can manage your videos and photos into files..etc.. its all around an awesome phone.. fast as hell.. and comes with GPS apps. the Droid Global has a qwerty keyboard if you need one.. it has a little less to offer than the droid x.. the screen is a little smaller too.. but not a bad choice..   and no i  dont work for Verizon lol...

Great feedback and it get's me kinda excited (Imma geek)

And "Hi" Diane.  Great to see you again!