[alabama24]

I am debating making a switch from Verizon to T-Mobile. We live in Lynchburg, and make at least one car trip to MI (via WV & OH) and another to AL (via NC, SC, GA) each year. Our current plan is $130, but we typically get stuck for $8-18 for text messages that OTHERS send to us.

1. Cost must be an advantage or a wash.
2. We must get good coverage in the burg. It seems that we would based on their maps.
3. We are still under contract, but T-Mobile says they will pay to terminate w/ Verizon.
4. Since we travel, I am wondering about coverage along the way when roaming. Any experience with this?

Thoughts?

[VAGolf]

I had Verizon when I was in high-school, then I switched to Sprint a few years ago. When I was with Sprint, I never got service outside of a major city. In fact, there were parts of New York where I lost service. I've also had other friends and family struggle with service with other carriers. Verizon is expensive and customer service can be a pain in the arse. But I never have to ask to use someone else's phone when I travel, and that's worth it to me.

[ALUmnus]

You can't beat Sprint's prices, but their coverage seems to be getting worse in the Lynchburg area.

I looked at T-mobile, because they seem to be cheap. But it looked like they have these extra fees that bring the price back up to their competitors.

[alabama24]

I looked at T-mobile, because they seem to be cheap. But it looked like they have these extra fees that bring the price back up to their competitors.

What extra fees? Or do you just mean the "you don't have to have a 2 year commitment, but we will take the price of the phone, break it up into 24 monthly payments" (which is really a 2 year commitment).

[bballfan84]

I had Verizon for a good while and switched to sprint 2 years ago bc of pricing..well let me say sprint has awful service and reception..all across Richmond I would drop phone calls...once I left a big city forget it..I am now back with Verizon. Yes the prices are high but you get what you pay for

[ALUmnus]

I looked at T-mobile, because they seem to be cheap. But it looked like they have these extra fees that bring the price back up to their competitors.

What extra fees? Or do you just mean the "you don't have to have a 2 year commitment, but we will take the price of the phone, break it up into 24 monthly payments" (which is really a 2 year commitment).

Sorry, I was thinking of US Cellular, with their monthly connection charges.

[lynchburgwildcats]

T-Mobile will be offering wifi calling and texting, that could cut down on your costs. Sprint is garbage outside of cities, t-mobile can be pretty sketchy too outside of cities. My parents have T-Mobile and it doesn't work on the outskirts of Farmville, for example.

[BJWilliams]

I know you said you wanted to switch from Verizon, but the little house my wife and I were in in Lynchburg was a terrible spot, regardless of who the provider was. Take your location into account when you look at other providers. We were in a little valley of sorts between two towers so getting coverage was an exercise in frustration.

[alabama24]

I <think> I will stay with Verizon. They offered me a pretty good plan, but couldn't switch me over to it today.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I <think> I will stay with Verizon. They offered me a pretty good plan, but couldn't switch me over to it today.

If you decide to switch, I'd ask your neighbors what they have (if you are comfortable doing that). Coverage maps say they have excellent or good coverage, but they aren't always accurate. THe first place I lived out here in Farmville was supposed to have good Sprint coverage where the house was located, get out here and I could only get a signal if I went into the heart of town. I had to stick with a basically useless cell phone for a couple months before I could switch over to AT&T.

[Purple Haize]

I <think> I will stay with Verizon. They offered me a pretty good plan, but couldn't switch me over to it today.

I think you will find, or have found, that at the end of the day they are all about the same price wise.
Now I'm fired up (I think) for the iPhone 6. Just not sure which one to get

[ATrain]

Check to see if your company has any deals with cell phone providers. I know working for the Commonwealth of VA, I got a great plan with US Cellular, no extra fees. I also know state employees and City of VB employees got a discount with Verizon as well.

[flamehunter]

Has anyone used Verizon's pay as you go plan? Is the only downside vs contract plans the phone costs?

[lynchburgwildcats]

Has anyone used Verizon's pay as you go plan? Is the only downside vs contract plans the phone costs?

No, but I do know it is a huge ripoff compared to AT&T. Other than price and coverage, all the pay as you go providers pretty much operate the same.

And you can get good phones "cheap" off contract, as long as you don't shop through the cell phone provider's store. They generally offer garbage phones for pay as you go (exception being Boost Mobile but Sprint is garbage).

I haven't paid more than $300, most of the time much less, for a phone and I've been on pay as you go since 2007. I've had five different Android phones, most I paid for any one of them was $300, and the last three I have had have all been well reviewed phones (Nexus 4, Moto G, Nexus 5). Of course, you aren't going to get the newest iphone or the latest galaxy phone that cheap, but for Android there are plenty of other quality phones out there off contact you can get "cheap".

One downside is no roaming, so if you aren't in an area covered poorly or not at all but Verizon, you won't get a signal (or a very weak one) even if someone like AT&T has it covered well. And they mostly absolutely ream you on mobile data, but I don't have a need to use that much.

If you don't call or text much, the downside is worth it for the cost savings. I spend maybe $25 every two months, but I save a lot of money by using google voice. I text a lot, but with google voice I have can do wifi texts and calls for free. And it's great to be able to just drop your service provider whenever you want without penalty (well other than throwing away any minutes you may have already bought)

[flamehunter]

I have been on Virgin mobile for several years and overall can't complain. The only reason I would go to Verizon would be for better coverage. But I'm not thinking the extra $10 per month is worth it. I am also thinking about Republic. Some family use it and love it. Only 2 phones available, but for about $10 per month it may be worth it. I think the coverage is about the same as Virgin.

[flamehunter]

Has anyone used Verizon's pay as you go plan? Is the only downside vs contract plans the phone costs?

No, but I do know it is a huge ripoff compared to AT&T. Other than price and coverage, all the pay as you go providers pretty much operate the same.

Am I missing something? Verizon's monthly prepaid plan is $45 and AT&T's is $60. Both with unlimited talk and text. AT&T gives you more data, but that's not a big deal to me. Why is Verizon a ripoff?

[jbock13]

Wildcats has always been anti-verizon and anti-apple. Because there's nothing else to do in life I guess.

[alabama24]

I <think> I will stay with Verizon. They offered me a pretty good plan, but couldn't switch me over to it today.

I had problems switching plans again today. I will give Verizon a little bit of time to figure things out. If not, I might jump to T-Mobile... but it is a little scary...

If you decide to switch, I'd ask your neighbors what they have (if you are comfortable doing that). Coverage maps say they have excellent or good coverage, but they aren't always accurate. THe first place I lived out here in Farmville was supposed to have good Sprint coverage where the house was located, get out here and I could only get a signal if I went into the heart of town. I had to stick with a basically useless cell phone for a couple months before I could switch over to AT&T.

I know you aren't a Verizon fan, but most people seem to have it and like it. I don't have any complaints, except that we need a new plan and I would like a new iPhone. The second isn't necessary. The first is.

T-mobile has a "we'll loan you a phone for a week to try us out" deal... which I would REALLY like to take them up on... except that the "catch" is that you have to turn the phone into a retail location. I have no idea where the nearest location might be... but it isn't within 100 minute drive.

[Kolzilla41]

We have Sprint. I switched to a non contract plan that is $100 for 20 gigs of data, up to 10 lines, and then $15 per line for unlimited talk and text. I get a 23% discount through liberty so it ends up being a little over $30 a month, plus tax. I also did the phone payment versus the 2 year upgrade so I pay another $30 for my Galaxy Note 3, including insurance. I know their coverage isn't the best here but you won't find a better deal. I would love to go to Verizon but I cannot afford $100 a phone.

[Hold My Own]

Good call on the discount. Remember guys Liberty Alumni/Staff/Students get discounts with most of the major providers. Go to http://flames.lu/aLUmniBenefits to get more info. VZ can still get a discount but we're not able to promote it...should be able to be added on the website under your account information. I do not think you can do this over the phone though.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Has anyone used Verizon's pay as you go plan? Is the only downside vs contract plans the phone costs?

No, but I do know it is a huge ripoff compared to AT&T. Other than price and coverage, all the pay as you go providers pretty much operate the same.

Am I missing something? Verizon's monthly prepaid plan is $45 and AT&T's is $60. Both with unlimited talk and text. AT&T gives you more data, but that's not a big deal to me. Why is Verizon a ripoff?

There's more than one type of pay as you go plan...

[lynchburgwildcats]

But alas, flamehunter, you failed to point out that AT&T has a monthly $45 prepaid plan available at Walmart (and Walmart is basically everywhere these days) that offers 1GB of data and unlimited everything else. And AT&T's unlimited international texting covers over 100 countries, Verizon lists just three. The exact same price as Verizon offers, but double the data and a whole lot more international coverage. Like I said, ripoff.

[flamehunter]

All i did was a quick google search of the prepaid plans available. International and more data are pretty much useless to me. Alas, your disdain for Verizon ignores the fact that they are pretty overwhelmingly recognized by everyone I've talked to and articles I've read as having the best network. I know you will deny that but that confirms my suspicion that your opinion is worthless.

[Purple Haize]

All i did was a quick google search of the prepaid plans available. International and more data are pretty much useless to me. Alas, your disdain for Verizon ignores the fact that they are pretty overwhelmingly recognized by everyone I've talked to and articles I've read as having the best network. I know you will deny that but that confirms my suspicion that your opinion is worthless.

Don't. Feed. The. Troll.

[flamehunter]

My bad. Please forgive me great potentate!