teleguy
Enthusiast
Mar 8, 2005, 10:55 AM
Post #2 of 2
(713 views)
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This is always the question isn't it? Is it my service or my handset that are so bad (or sometimes so good)?
It's really hard to answer without more info. If you have,in this example, TMobile and get no service at your work location, then find some other TMobile users with different handsets at work and find out if they have the same problem. If so, it is probably a weak (or nonexistent)signal from your carrier. If you can't find another TMobile user at work, maybe that's the reason why!
If other TMobile users have no problem and yours can't hold a signal, then either the particular handset you have may be defective or that particular model may just be ineffective in the location that you are. Try another handset.
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All of this is especially important just before and immediately after buying a phone.
Way too many people are swayed by cool commercials on TV and do an impulse buy -- only to find that the phone or the service don't cut it in the places where they live and breathe (home, work, school, shopping, etc)
Before you buy a phone or switch carriers, do your homework. Talk to other cell users. Forget the cliches (X carrier stinks, ABC carrier is the pits, etc) If the people where you frequent get good service in those locations, then the carrier(s) they are using should be at the top of your list.
Remember, all the cool features in the world don't mean anything if the phone doesn't work where YOU need it.
Don't be so eager to save $5 a month on "a great deal" only to be stuck with it for 2 years and it doesn't get the signal to where you live, walk and breathe.
Once you have bought the phone, most carriers give you a trial period of at least 2 weeks to return it and escape a binding contract if you are dissatisfied. Use the phone like crazy during the initial days that you have it. Call everyone for no reason at all and find out if it is going to work where you need it. If not, do not keep it no matter how cool the phone is or how "great" the plan is or how persuasive the salesperson is.
Customers really are in the driver's seat but too often we settle for a lot less than we should because we are afraid to change our ideas or preconceived notions of what works.
Just because your friend or neighbor says you should always (or never) buy a cell phone from XYZ carrier, doesn't mean beans unless he works where you work, goes to school where you go to school, and frequents all the places you frequent in your spare time and will need a phone that WORKS.
If you have to try out 2 or 3 carriers, or 4 or 5 different phones don't let that be a frustrating experience but a cool chance to learn a lot about different phones, etc. Then maybe you can help someone in the future. They'd be glad to hear an educated opinion based on some experience instead of a recycled commercial!
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