Sigh. I have to join the real world and get a cell phone.

[DeAnna]

So most people recommend a Blackberry since (I think) it has a GPS and corp. email. Can I just get a used one on Ebay and just buy a service plan for it? Any recommendations on service plans? I'll prolly need one with a lot of miutes (2,000 minimum).

Thanks peeps!

 

[Jersey Girl]

I wouldn't recommend buying a used one, though that's just me. You could probably get a decent deal through Verizon or some other company depending on what you are looking for.

BTW, love your avatar!

 

[DeAnna]

hehehe ... isn't the kitty cute with his lime football helmet?

They have new ones on Ebay also - but darn, there are so many blackberries. I have to go thru each one and read the descriptions.

BTW, what'cha been up to? I asked Linderbee about you the other day since I didn't know if you were still alive.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

I've been in the industry since 1991 and work for one of the major carriers. I'm very well versed in Blackberries and all other phones...if you have any specific questions, just ask.

 

[DeAnna]

I've been in the industry since 1991 and work for one of the major carriers. I'm very well versed in Blackberries and all other phones...if you have any specific questions, just ask.

ok, which model is the newer one? is it the 8230? are the 7000's the older models? which one has gps, bluetooth and speaker phone? On second thought, if it has speakerphone then don't really need bluetooth (or is there an advantage to bluetooth?)

How about a Palm Treo? how does that one compare?

Thanks!

 

[jw7]

I am not an expert in cell phones at all.

But in my experience, the industry works in the "razor and blades" model. Meaning that if you commit to a service plan (which you are going to have to do anyway) they will give you the phone anywhere from free to a substantial discount.

There are people with much more expertise, but IMO, get a new phone and a plan. Just web search "ATT wireless", "Verizon", "T-Mobile", etc, and see what they offer.

 

[Desert Quest]

Uf you can get any phone you want why arent you getting a LG VOYAGER? I'll sell you my blackberry curve it sucksssssssssssssssssssssssss. $240.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Verizon is the best most of the time. The Blackberry pearl is like 80 bucks right now when you sign up for new service.

 

[DeAnna]

Found a great site that compares all the plans. Holy-moly! Who knew it would cost so much to talk on the phone!?! I was looking at the AT&T plan (since it has roll-over minutes) and for 1350 minutes it's $80 plus data and gps - it's already up to $120/month. yikes!

The Tilt and the Voyager look pretty similar so I'll look into those as well.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

ok, which model is the newer one? is it the 8230? are the 7000's the older models? which one has gps, bluetooth and speaker phone? On second thought, if it has speakerphone then don't really need bluetooth (or is there an advantage to bluetooth?)

How about a Palm Treo? how does that one compare?

Thanks!

The 8300 Series is the newest...The Curve being the newest model and the Pearl right behind it. They are basically the same, but the Curve has a full QWERTY keyboard and the Pearl has a multi-tap style keyboard. Depending on the carrier they should both offer GPS services.

As for the rate plan, the BB's always cost more because BB requires an additional plan to be added.

All of the new ones should also offer bluetooth and speakerphone.


I would recommend the BB over the Treo. I've used both, extensively, and while the Treo has some features I like, the ease of use for emailing on the BB makes it the winner.

If you want to know more about the different carriers and rate plans, PM me. I don't want to reveal who I work for publicly, because I'm sure I'd get lambasted...even though no carrier is perfect...in fact we are all far from it.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Found a great site that compares all the plans. Holy-moly! Who knew it would cost so much to talk on the phone!?! I was looking at the AT&T plan (since it has roll-over minutes) and for 1350 minutes it's $80 plus data and gps - it's already up to $120/month. yikes!

The Tilt and the Voyager look pretty similar so I'll look into those as well.

For $120 at Verizon you get unlimited minutes and SMS.

For $130 you get that plus unlimited GPS.

If you get a blackberry you get Unlimited min, SMS, GPS, e-mail, and internet for $160.

Deanna, Why would you choose 1350 minutes if you think you may need more? Cell phone companies make their money when you go over. My advice to you is to always overestimate at first, then move back if you see your usage is less than what you anticipated. Also, Rollover means nothing if you are going over your minutes every month. But it is very nice for people who have a business that changes by season.

 

[DeAnna]

Deanna, Why would you choose 1350 minutes if you think you may need more? Cell phone companies make their money when you go over. My advice to you is to always overestimate at first, then move back if you see your usage is less than what you anticipated. Also, Rollover means nothing if you are going over your minutes every month. But it is very nice for people who have a business that changes by season.

Real estate is defininately seasonal and that's what my boss recommended. Since I'm a newbie I prolly won't use that many to start - I thought it would be easier to "up" the minutes later. I was looking at AT&T since most people recommend that one and they use GSM.

Wow, I'm really liking the new Blackberry Bold but not available in the US yet.

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[Dr. Jones]

Being in Real Estate.... The palm devices might be best due to the key boxes using the IR ports.

I heard some might go bluetooth, but until it is used more widely, the Palms seem to have the market cornered.

GSM only means something if you travel internationally. Otherwise, choose the best network for where you are. In fact, the national Verizon CDMA network and its high speed EVDO network are both bigger than the AT&T network and high speed data coverage areas.

AT&T is also about to lose the claim that they have the largest customer base in the US. Once the Alltel merger completes in December, Verizon will have more customers, a larger National Network, and a lager (and faster) high speed network.

Take into consideration Verizon's in-house technician's and warranty services and they usually always trump what AT&T offers. AT&T uses a mail-order warranty service, and does not offer any sort of New-Every-Two credit when it is renewal time either.

Well, that's my speil. Sorry. lol

 

[DeAnna]

I played around with the Palm Centro but the qwerty keyboard was so tiny I had a hard time with it.

Played around with the iPhone and really liked the feel, display and touchscreen but no voice dialing and no bluetooth - which are both a deal killer for me (and I didn't really need a souped up iPod anyway).

So I ended up with the LG Vu CU920 which is very similar to the iPhone but has the (above) features I need (including Windows Mobile v6). And I can switch out the SIM card for when I travel overseas! Ended up getting it at WireFly.com since none of the local AT&T stores had it in stock.

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http://www.wirefly.com/Phone_detail...e&showselectbutton=false&ShowPhonesLink=false