Wireless / Cellular Service in SoWal

[ShallowsNole]

Guys, I know this has been discussed before...but tomorrow is my contract expiration date with Nextel (yee-haw!) and we ARE going to switch service providers on Saturday. I was with Alltel before and was perfectly happy (and, they stayed pretty much up through Ivan) so that was my choice. However, relatives are urging me to go to Cingular. OK, fine, I'll take a look, rollover minutes seem like a good idea. Now, my husband has a co-worker who uses Verizon and hub has just become enamored with said friend's phone ("It's clear as a bell in Inlet Beach!"). So, what was going to be a simple decision has become muddied. :bang:

Recommendations? Dead spots for each company in SoWal? Maybe SJ or Daddy-O can post a link to the thread we had before? :idontno:

[jessifunn]

my mom has alltel and lives in seagrove. she has horrible service.
i have cingular and it is pretty good. there is a dead spot between grayton and blue mountain for less than 1/4 of a mile. besides that i am happy with cingular.

[kathydwells]

my mom has alltel and lives in seagrove. she has horrible service.
i have cingular and it is pretty good. there is a dead spot between grayton and blue mountain for less than 1/4 of a mile. besides that i am happy with cingular.

And I can vouch for the fact that jfunns service is good. ;-) Even at 1:00 in the morning driving to the Seabar!!!!!

[whiteyfunn]

my mom has alltel and lives in seagrove. she has horrible service.
i have cingular and it is pretty good. there is a dead spot between grayton and blue mountain for less than 1/4 of a mile. besides that i am happy with cingular.

Cingular! :clap_1:

That reminds me I need to pay my bill.

[InletBchDweller]

I also have cingular and have been happy with the service. Although today I am sitting a parade of homes house and I only have one bar....:bang:

[steeleing1]

The only place I don't have a signal with T-Mobile is for about one mile between Grayton and Blue Mountain Beach. Their prices are good, too.

[Beachbummett]

I have Cingular and have great service there. Have friends with Sprint and T Mobile and they never have as many bars as I do. It does get low for a short distance in Blue Mountain. Compared to all the others I have much better service.

[Beach Runner]

I have T-Mobile. Can't get service between Troy and Defuniak Springs. On 30-A I can't depend on service in Seaside or at Alys Beach. I know this all too well because before I got plantar fasciitis, I ran from Rosemary to Seaside and back and was always scared early in the AM in areas where I couldn't make an emergency phone call.

My husband has Verizon and has service virtualy everywhere (except for a few random spots).

[taterbaby]

GO CINGULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! heheheheh I own a store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to know we will have service in July!!! Thanks Keep plugging CINGULAR!!!!!!!!! hehe

[taterbaby]

GO CINGULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! heheheheh I own a store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to know we will have service in July!!! Thanks Keep plugging CINGULAR!!!!!!!!! hehe :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

[kathydwells]

GO CINGULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! heheheheh I own a store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to know we will have service in July!!! Thanks Keep plugging CINGULAR!!!!!!!!! hehe

I too have Cingular and love it!!!!

[ShallowsNole]

GO CINGULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! heheheheh I own a store!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to know we will have service in July!!! Thanks Keep pulgging CINGULAR!!!!!!!!! hehe :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

Is your store here in SoWal? The closest one I've seen is in the little strip plaza by Wal-Mart in Destin.

btw, we are talking family plan here...

[jessifunn]

Is your store here in SoWal? The closest one I've seen is in the little strip plaza by Wal-Mart in Destin.

btw, we are talking family plan here...
hope that is not the store taderbaby owns b/c the customer service there is horrible.

[taterbaby]

Nope-guys-come on over and we will show you some Mississippi hospitality-we only hire the best and friendliest-hehehh- my momma used to say-you sure get more with honey than vinegar!!! heheh

[Miss Kitty]

I have Cingular and it works just fine for me when I am there and when I am here. I find it works best when I have it charged and turned on. :biggrin:

[jessifunn]

Nope-guys-come on over and we will show you some Mississippi hospitality-we only hire the best and friendliest-hehehh- my momma used to say-you sure get more with honey than vinegar!!! heheh
in sowal?? still confused. :idontno:

[taterbaby]

Nope-Mississippi

[jessifunn]

I have Cingular and it works just fine for me when I am there and when I am here. I find it works best when I have it charged and turned on. :biggrin:
what is wrong with you kitty http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/brick.gif

[Miss Kitty]

what is wrong with you kitty http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/brick.gif

Like you don't know! I am crazy! :blink:

[Smiling JOe]

Hate to burst your Cingular bubble, but I think their signals are not the greatest in this area. I used Cingular for a couple of years in a major city without problem. However, here it is a different baby. Most Realtors who are all over Walton Co will consistantly tell you that Alltel has the best reception here, although there are a few gaps here and there. As for JFunn's wonderful reception, ask her who had to send Kimmifunn a text message last night because of her lack of signal.

Also, please do some quick research online and you will find that Cingular, while having the most customers, also has the worst customer service complaints of all the carriers.

Altell is offering some new features like having up to 10 people on your buddy list where all calls to them are free minutes, no matter what company they use, or if it is a landline or cell. At one time, but I am uncertain if they will still do it (ask), they will let you try their company for something like 10 days to see if you are happy with the reception coverage.


From Clark Howard (http://ClarkHoward.com):

Tips on Cell Phones
• Choose a wireless plan that best meets your needs, whether for local, regional or national. Update!
• If you sign a contract, don't sign for more than one year, and make sure you're allowed, in writing, to test the service for a few days or a few weeks


Clark talks with Cingular rep about FCC (http://rep%20about%20FCC) - March 30, 2005
Clark talked recently about the FCC’s recent study on cell providers and customer satisfaction. The research showed that Cingular had the worst rating of any company while Verizon had the best rating. In fact, Cingular had three times as many complaints as Verizon. Cingular wanted to rebuke that research, so Clark talked today with a Cingular representative on the air. He said Cingular wanted to “clarify” that customers may be disappointed, in part, because of the merge between AT&T and Cingular. He said the company is coming up with ways to improve service, including bills that are easier to read, offering customers “point of sale” descriptions so people know what they’re buying and the 30-day grace period offered. Clark discussed the problems listeners have getting any help from Cingular customer service folks. The Cingular rep encouraged people to write directly to him at company headquarters if they are getting nowhere with customer service. So, give it a try. His name is Mark Siegel, Executive Director of Media Relations. You can e-mail him at </a>mark.a.siegel@cingular.com.


Here is another clip from ClarkHoward.com (http://ClarkHoward.com):
Cell phone industry ranks dead last among consumers - May 19, 2005
What one service do people loathe more than any other? The cell phone industry. USA Today listed the results of several customer service surveys and it was almost unanimous. Consumer Reports, for example, noted that the cell phone industry ranked lower than any other industry ever. Only 45 percent of people who use cell phones don’t “hate” their phone. J.D. Power’s survey showed the cell phone industry as dead last after the airline and utility industries. Why do cell phone companies manage to do this? The same report showed that it’s because the companies cram contracts down customers’ throats. Theses companies are basically afraid of losing you because they treat customers so poorly, so they keep you tied to them with contracts. A site where you can rail on your company is escapecellhell.org (http://www.escapecellhell.org/). There are a small handful of companies that stand above the rest because they have simple plans and no contracts. They are Metro PCS, Cricket Communications and Virgin Mobile USA. Think of switching to one of these plans if you’re tire of being treated poorly.
Want to get rid of hefty penalties for early termination of cellular service contracts, go here (https://secure.npsite.org/cu/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr003=hntx765a93.app5a&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=693)to take action.

[taterbaby]

hehehehhehe-you guys are too much!!!!! Wish I knew more people on here-seems like there are a lot of inside jokes I need to know about!!! hehehehe I don't know anyone-hehe

[jessifunn]

Hate to burst your Cingular bubble, but I think their signals are not the greatest in this area. I used Cingular for a couple of years in a major city without problem. However, here it is a different baby. Most Realtors who are all over Walton Co will consistantly tell you that Alltel has the best reception here, although there are a few gaps here and there. As for JFunn's wonderful reception, ask her who had to send Kimmifunn a text message last night because of her lack of signal.
Also, please do some quick research online and you will find that Cingular, while having the most customers, also has the worst customer service complaints of all the carriers.

Altell is offering some new features like having up to 10 people on your buddy list where all calls to them are free minutes, no matter what company they use, or if it is a landline or cell. At one time, but I am uncertain if they will still do it (ask), they will let you try their company for something like 10 days to see if you are happy with the reception coverage.

Dear Smiley J,

You fell right into my little trap by sending kimmi a text message. I knew that she would freak out if you sent her the message. So I just simply said I didn't have service so you would send it. :biggrin:

Muhahahahhaa,
jfunn

p.s. :biggrin:

[Kimmifunn]

Dear Smiley J,

Your sexually suggestive text message caused my latin lover to roll over and right out of my bed. In the long run, it's worth it.

And yes. I'll do everything you asked.

xoxo
Kfunn

[Smiling JOe]

Speaking of text messaging, did you know that when using predictive text, lips and kiss are the same numbers? ;-)

[Kimmifunn]

Speaking of text messaging, did you know that when using predictive text, lips and kiss are the same numbers? ;-)
Then what you said makes so much more sense.

[jessifunn]

http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/kiss5.gif
watch out smiley j i think love is in the air..........

[Kimmifunn]

http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/kiss5.gif
watch out smiley j i think love is in the air..........
I do love Smiley J. It's no joke. Lots of people do.

[taterbaby]

Wow-I didn't mean to start something-nevermind.

[whiteyfunn]

My Cingular works better here than it does at my house in Nashville. Pretty sure neighborhood won't allow tower in area.

Jfunn can tell you I am always outside because it's the only place I can get a signal.

[TreeFrog]

I must be the only person who thinks Sprint is good, too. Works fine for me in my neck of the 30A woods, which is from Seaside to Inlet. Only one little dropout in the "hole" at Camp Creek. I've been generally pretty satisified with customer service response from them, too.

I DID lose LD service for 5 days after Katrina, the Sprint LD switch was in NO. But local calls were OK.

[yippie]

I must be the only one who is satisfied with Nextel, who by the way is now owned by Sprint.

All my friends have had nothing but trouble with Cingular for the last couple of weeks.

Nextel was down for the storms, but he majority were.

I have even had good luck with them all through Europe and the Middle East.

[ShallowsNole]

Many folks in these parts are indeed happy with Nextel...and it is a good network, particularly for contractors, etc and those who like/need the direct connect. That's actually why we went with Nextel. And, for about six months, we were blissfully happy (and, honestly, my phone still works great and coverage is good). However, since then, it's been one thing after another with my husband's phone and our son's phone, and the correctlon of each little issue required us to extend our contract. :pissed:

As usual, SJ is correct...rarely is anyone completely happy with their cellular company. And the major source of frustration is the doggone contracts. I know that will be an issue with anyone we go with. :roll:

I do appreciate everyone's input! :D

[Smiling JOe]

Shallows, also remember that the model phone you have can make a difference in the reception of the signal. Typically, the extendable external antenae will have better reception than the internal antenae. This is the number one feature I look for in a phone and everything else is secondary.

If you are like me and your phone gets much use and abuse, I highly encourage purchasing the insurance on the phone which will reduce your total out of pocket expense if you tend to drop your phone, lose it, or get it filled with pocket lint. You should never have to extend your contract in order to get a replacement phone if you have the insurance. Many people sign a new contract to get a new phone every year. I just keep the same phone (when I don't lose it) and opt to have no contract.

[Mermaid]

We had Sprint and it was decent in SoWal, and now we have Cingular and have no complaints about it, either. What clinched the deal for us and Cingular is that the overwhelming majoritity of friends and family I love talking to have Cingular, so I can talk for free. Throw in my two teenagers who also yak it up 24/7 with their Cingular friends, and it's an easy, er, economical, choice. ;-)

[whiteyfunn]

We had Sprint and it was decent in SoWal, and now we have Cingular and have no complaints about it, either. What clinched the deal for us and Cingular is that the overwhelming majoritity of friends and family I love talking to have Cingular, so I can talk for free. Throw in my two teenagers who also yak it up 24/7 with their Cingular friends, and it's an easy, er, economical, choice. ;-)

You are so lucky that 2 out of 3 Funns have Cingular! :cool:

[waltondude]

hope that is not the store taderbaby owns b/c the customer service there is horrible.

Tell me about it. The only place I have ever been where you have to sign in to ask a question.

[sunshine]

The contracts are pesky to say the least. :bang: I agree that you should only sign up for a one year stint with any company, even if it means the telephone might cost more money. If the service (customer and reception) is inadequate, at least you have a chance of not paying a $200 cancellation fee after a year, if you cancel correctly.
I just renewed my Nextel service, and got a lower price directly with them than by going into one of the stores. My telephone is ugly, but has an external antenna and it works almost everywhere on 30A, including the stretch between Grayton and Blue Mountain. It does not work in the first floor of my house though.

[Miss Kitty]

You are so lucky that 2 out of 3 Funns have Cingular! :cool:

and a Kitty!

[kathydwells]

Dear Smiley J,

You fell right into my little trap by sending kimmi a text message. I knew that she would freak out if you sent her the message. So I just simply said I didn't have service so you would send it. :biggrin:

Muhahahahhaa,
jfunn

p.s. :biggrin:

Dear Smiley J,

Boo YA!!!!!!

xoxoxo
Darlene

[kathydwells]

and a Kitty!

and a Darlene!

[Smiling JOe]

Dear Smiley J,

Boo YA!!!!!!

xoxoxo
DarleneDon't believe everything those girls tell you. Boo-ya!

[SlowMovin]

I just got an e-mail from a friend who had a very bad experience with Verizon. This is not an urban legend...I know the guy personally and it happened to him (not a friend of a friend of a friend) within the last 10 days.

Here's what he said
…so I tried to buy a Treo 700p and sign up with Verizon. 15 day free trial, the guy says. Return it if you don’t get good bandwidth.

He’s laying out the bill, and there’s a stack of extra charges he failed to mention. So I told him I wanted my money back. I left the store without the phone.

Then I got a bill from Verizon for $231, including sign-up and early termination fees.

It will be up to 5 working days before they decide whether to credit my account or not.

Beware.

[aquaticbiology]

alltel works, even 5 miles offshore

still using the nokia junk pay-as-you-go alltel phone for down there and keeping the samsung for dry land

Alltel Retail Store
133 Beal Parkway Northwest
Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 301-2700
>MAP

>DIRECTIONS

Alltel Retail Store
4576 Highway 20 East
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-1001
>MAP

>DIRECTIONS

Alltel Retail Store
10859 Highway 98
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 650-2188
Emerald Coast Emporium

[imasunbum]

My Verizon works very well with the exception of a very few random places.

[lindatat]

My Verizon works very well with the exception of a very few random places.

My Verizon didn't work well at all in the Seacrest Beach area - kept losing the signal. But I didn't care - I like it better when I'm at the beach and no one can bug me!!!!!