Verizon rant

Zach Hill · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:00 pm

All telecom companies can have bad CS. Pick one with the device and plan that you want, and that has good reception for where you're going to use it. Then just cross your fingers when you need their customer service, and call back/go to a different store to get a different rep when they are being difficult.

Judi Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:14 pm

One tip, the Verizon store in Brier Creek sucks, but the new one in Beaver Creek is awesome! Totally different experiences at both. I like Verizon because I get service almost everywhere. Although we are considering "SmartTalk" (sp?) from Walmart. Supposedly they use all the Verizon towers.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:14 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

While we are talking cell phones here (sorry for the tangent) I have a question. Is there such a thing that will actually increase the signal strength in your home?

My SIL says there is, and she has one, but she's a total idiot so if she said the ocean was wet I wouldn't believe it.

I have Verizon as well (Alltel customer before the takeover) because the coverage is better in rural areas like B.F.E. where I live.

I can go from four bars to zero and not move an inch. This is really annoying and I basically can't use my cell at home because of it.

Anything I can do/buy?

Unless you want to put a radio tower looking device on your property, there really aren't any real devices that will improve cellular reception in your area (outside of a new cellular tower).

It's a function of the geography and the placement of the closest cellular tower for your carrier. You can get 2nd level support on the phone at VZW and open up a ticket that you are getting service that is spotty at your home, but it's probable that they will look up the closest tower location and let you know that they plan to expand into your area, but it's not going to happen in the immediate future. - AB

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:23 pm

VK, have you tried the *228, option 2 'trick' to reset your roaming towers or whatever?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:25 pm

JamesShort wrote:

VK, have you tried the *228, option 2 'trick' to reset your roaming towers or whatever?

Never heard of that. Do tell.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:28 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

JamesShort wrote:

VK, have you tried the *228, option 2 'trick' to reset your roaming towers or whatever?

Never heard of that. Do tell.

Hell I don't know

, just call *288 and choose option 2. Some people say their service gets noticeably better after doing so:
http://cellphoneforums.net/alt-cellular ... -list.html

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:34 pm

Yeah, what James is talking about is programming your phone's roaming list and it may help if it's been a year or more since you bought your phone. - AB

JasonWatts · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:35 pm

I have heard you cannot be forced to remain in a contract when they cannot provide service. if you can play your cards right, you might be able to use that as a way out... this might only work when your area does not show up on the map period.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:38 pm

JasonWatts wrote:

I have heard you cannot be forced to remain in a contract when they cannot provide service. if you can play your cards right, you might be able to use that as a way out... this might only work when your area does not show up on the map period.

I don't get the feeling that Vincent wants out, considering there probably aren't a lot better alternatives. That said, it's difficult to do unless you move to an area with no service.

Have you ever wondered why every contract talk starts with your billing zip code? They look up the coverage ahead of time to determine if they can provide any coverage. - AB

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:40 pm

Judi Westerfield wrote:

One tip, the Verizon store in Brier Creek sucks, but the new one in Beaver Creek is awesome! Totally different experiences at both. I like Verizon because I get service almost everywhere. Although we are considering "SmartTalk" (sp?) from Walmart. Supposedly they use all the Verizon towers.

If you live in Durham, "Got To B Wireless" handles Verizon Wireless, which is what we have. They have always done whatever it takes to fix any problems we've had. Very willing to help. Plus, Garrett, the guy who owns the store has been there for years, so I feel like I know who's helping me.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Vincent Keene wrote:

While we are talking cell phones here (sorry for the tangent) I have a question. Is there such a thing that will actually increase the signal strength in your home?

My SIL says there is, and she has one, but she's a total idiot so if she said the ocean was wet I wouldn't believe it.

I have Verizon as well (Alltel customer before the takeover) because the coverage is better in rural areas like B.F.E. where I live.

I can go from four bars to zero and not move an inch. This is really annoying and I basically can't use my cell at home because of it.

Anything I can do/buy?

http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid- ... roidx.html

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:26 pm

Yeah, Aaron's wrong on this one. What Mike posted is good for Verizon, and ATT and Sprint have similar devices. They plug into your broadband connection and pass your cell service (phone calls, text messages, and even data).

The ATT one is the only one I have experience with. It's okay, but occasionally has near satellite-phone-like latency...like a full SECOND. Makes having a conversation nearly impossible. And it ain't my 10Mbs Metro-E fiber connection, that much I know. It also needs to be RIGHT in a good window for GPS signal or have an external GPS antenna connected...they don't want you taking it to Europe, for example, and using to make "free" calls to the US over an internet connection. Thanks to that, it can be tricky to get it to understand it really is sitting at your address, too. They're quirky, but better than nothing for those of us with zero cell service in our houses otherwise.

--Donnie

JasonWatts · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:38 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

JasonWatts wrote:

I have heard you cannot be forced to remain in a contract when they cannot provide service. if you can play your cards right, you might be able to use that as a way out... this might only work when your area does not show up on the map period.

I don't get the feeling that Vincent wants out, considering there probably aren't a lot better alternatives. That said, it's difficult to do unless you move to an area with no service.

Have you ever wondered why every contract talk starts with your billing zip code? They look up the coverage ahead of time to determine if they can provide any coverage. - AB

good point... I wasnt reading that clearly. its really not as cut and dry as "this is your zip code... thanks for trying" but you really do have to push it to get past that I am sure. I found a out of one of the lines I had for my dad in NM... but he called in and killed the line before I found a way around.

now, what was the orginal topic again? oh... big corporations not having to hold to any higher level of customer service

yes... lets get the political/economical flame war's going :twisted:

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:48 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Yeah, Aaron's wrong on this one. What Mike posted is good for Verizon, and ATT and Sprint have similar devices. They plug into your broadband connection and pass your cell service (phone calls, text messages, and even data).

The ATT one is the only one I have experience with. It's okay, but occasionally has near satellite-phone-like latency...like a full SECOND. Makes having a conversation nearly impossible. And it ain't my 10Mbs Metro-E fiber connection, that much I know. It also needs to be RIGHT in a good window for GPS signal or have an external GPS antenna connected...they don't want you taking it to Europe, for example, and using to make "free" calls to the US over an internet connection. Thanks to that, it can be tricky to get it to understand it really is sitting at your address, too. They're quirky, but better than nothing for those of us with zero cell service in our houses otherwise.

--Donnie

I forgot about the broadband device hookups. They do work. I was thinking about my dad in the mountains of Colorado. They can't get broadband and cellular boosters without using that don't work work well. - AB

JohnByers · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 8:18 pm

JamesShort wrote:

My wife had a line on her folks family plan that we wanted to cancel but she wanted to retain the number. I know there is an option for 'transfer of liability' but then the line wouldn't be eligible for the promotion on the Droid X which was worth more than the cancellation....

First question my wife asked me was if her old phone from her parents account was a smart phone and if it was a primary or secondary line on her parents family share plan.

She said that "if" her phone was a non smart phone, she absolutely could request the "transfer of liability" form, upgrade to the Droid X promotion without any problems.

She said if the person helping you couldn't "help", see a manager or try another store as who you were dealing with isn't giving accurate information.

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