Nickname: Nada

Review: Well..Motorolas are very good and they hardly break! so go out and buy one!

Date reviewed: Apr 12, 2007 9:18 PM

Nickname: Hissss

Review: Regarding termination fees: I have been with VerizonWireless since 1985 (GTE) and have shipped them thousands of dollars but when I offered to buy out the rest of my contract (10 months) on one number on a share plan that I dont use anymore--they said tough expletive, it's $175 for a contract cancellation. I'm waiting for all my contracts to end so I switch to Cingular (ATT)and use the phones I use overseas. Their network is improving and I believe they have VerizonWireless in their crosshairs. Tyler

Date reviewed: Feb 8, 2007 11:07 PM

Nickname: benspikey

Review: It is corporate fraud. No one can estimate the true cost of a cell phone, as they are propriety of the cell phone providers. Don't believe, then try to take your Verizon phone and use it on a different network. Oh, it doesn't work. Try and buy a new cell phone and it doesn't work on the Verizon network. What you didn't buy a Verizon compatible phone? This is immoral business practices. When you buy Internet access do you get a free computer, no why not, cause you can buy a computer from anyone, unlike a cell phone, they are designed for a certain carrier network. The value of the cell phone is lost immediately, I can't sell my used phone for anything. Check eBay. Cellular companies trap consumers with this business practice and it needs to stop.

Date reviewed: Aug 8, 2006 11:06 PM

Nickname: KMW

Review: To Kam and Jay, I recently had a water damaged phone. And I had insurance. But unfortunately for me, unlike the birthday of my child and my graduating from college, I couldn't recall the exact date my phone got damaged. Problems did not manifest themselves the same day--they did a couple days after. I called told them this, but the insurance carrier insisted that they needed the date. I couldn't remember so no claim. My phone company's solution was to upgrade and lock in another contract-- nothing doing. I'm looking to buy my own phone (gsm). That way I can use it where I want in that network. I have watches that I've had for years and they're not cheap but I can send them for a fee get a new band face bezel, whatever, and the warranty is past. I told them to send me even an old phone nobody wanted. Just waiting for my contract to end. Tell me where is the justice in that--and I did it the right way.

Date reviewed: Jun 2, 2006 9:03 PM

Nickname: cell proprietress SFLD,MI

Review: Rule of thumb: All phones have a one-year manufacturer's warranty on them! A customer does not have to buy another phone in the one year of purchase if his or her phone breaks, due to a maufacturer problem. They just have to call the maufacturer, e.g., Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, etc, and explain the problem. The manufacturer in turn will set up a complaint number and they will make arrangements to receive your broken phone. They will ask you if it is a GSM phone to remove your SIM card and the battery because the SIM card is the brains of your phone and your phone number. The battery is irreplaceable, so you must keep it before shipping the shell of your phone. Now the down side of doing this will be the wait time. Generally it can take up to 2-3 weeks before your phone is repaired and shipped back to you. And if it cannot be repaired, the maker will ship out a refurbished working phone to you. But you will have saved money without having to purchase a new phone.

Date reviewed: Apr 30, 2006 7:11 PM

Nickname: dave

Review: It is a simple matter of economics. The typical customer gets a high-end phone for $99 with a contract. After 6 months, the phone dies due to abuse or is lost or stolen. Replacement of that phone is now $250 retail. That's because the $99 price was a subsidized price. The wholesale cost of the phone, the price the dealer paid, is probably $200. Initially, they were able to buy down the cost of the phone out of their commission. But there is no commission on a replacement phone and the dealer isn't going to sell it for less than cost. Even selling it for $250 only yields a $50 profit. The average consumer doesn't understand the way the industry works. If they had to pay full retail when they initially subscribed, at $250 there would be far less subscribers out there. Many years ago the carriers recognized this as a barrier and adopted the subsidy business model. The customers who have to replace their phones prematurely are the only ones who experience the fallout.

Date reviewed: Apr 27, 2006 7:28 PM

Nickname: BobD1080

Review: When you go shopping for a replacement phone (especially on eBay) keep in mind that the less expensive GSM will not work on the Verizon Network (CDMA) and read the fine print. Many of these phones are sold with a "no refund" policy. If you bought the wrong type phone or one that won't function with your network, too bad! Tom Pica is right, the new high-end phones are very expensive to replace. The company (Verizon) will charge almost $420 to replace it with a new one. The monthly insurance premium is a lot cheaper. Or buy a cheaper phone next time.

Date reviewed: Apr 26, 2006 1:20 PM

Nickname: ik

Review: My friend has almost the same experence with his laptop. His laptop could not work and he took it to a repair center and was told by the technician that because my friend had poured some coffee on the keys of laptop they would charge him for the repair. That really ticked my friend off because he never drank coffee. Faint

Date reviewed: Apr 26, 2006 9:51 AM

Nickname: Salusu

Review: We can also look clearly at the term and condition (T&C) of the product warranty of the mobile phone. We can see what can be covered when the phone is broken or not running properly and this analysis must be done before we sign the contract. If we find a "grey area" at the T&C then we can compare to other vendors and get the best one. And if we find no vendor, try to look for another purchasing scheme.

Date reviewed: Apr 26, 2006 9:51 AM

Nickname: RabidRabbit

Review: This issue is more to do with legality. In China people pay for the cell phones and plans seperately. Of course, this means choosing from two government bodies and being charged for incoming and outgoing calls. This is one reason cell phone companies can profit so much in the PRC. Anyway, read the ToS/fineprint.

Date reviewed: Apr 26, 2006 7:22 AM