Cell Phone Info

SWAMPFOX

Senior Member
I'm old, don't like change, set in my ways. Having said that, I'm in a quandary with my cell phone.

Verizon is my carrier. I have $30 a month, pay as you go, talk and text deal. I been happy. I have a 3G flip phone and like it. It's convenient, small, I can work it with one hand.

However, lately things have not been good. Calls are not connecting; it takes hours for texts to get to me; voicemails sometimes take up 12 hours; etc.

Went to Verizon store and that was like talking to an alien. Was told Verizon is moving everyone to something else and 3G is only gonna be supported for emergency responders, or something along those lines.

They tried to put me in a Smart phone which I've tried and hated. I can't abide the darn thing. For me, it is hellishly complicated. It takes two hands to operate. Plus it has too many bells and whistles.

I said I was willing to go with a military grade flip like either a Convoy or a Kyocera Dura-Max. So then I'm told that both the Convoy and Kyocera phones are still 3G. And then I'm told that since my phone can't accomodate an "ap" that I'll probably have to move all my old numbers to the new phone manually. I've never had to do that.

So what's the bottom line?

I know technology moves at warp speed these days but I just want a plain, simple, sturdy phone that is convenient and no hassle.

Anyone here who can help me make sense of all this?

Thanks.
 

GoldDot40

Senior Member
According to Verizon's website, the Kyocera is indeed a 4G LTE compatible phone. Either you misunderstood, or somebody lied to you. Or were they talking about your phone plan? Looks like a good rugged phone if you insist of not going smart phone.

Cellular representatives are like any other industry. They're trained to push the latest and greatest products and technology out there. Good for you for asking questions and not taking their word naively.
 

JackSprat

Senior Member
Been through that.

You probably will have to move your contacts manually. If you have a Gmail account, you may be able to store them there on your computer and restore them to your new ph.

I got a "smart phone" because my work requires me to access my email. First thing I do is start deleting all those bells and whistles. I don't think a smart phone is harder to operate than a flip phone.

You don't need the latest and greatest ph. which is what the store will sell you. You can step back one or two generations and save considerable money. Like hundreds of dollars.

BTW I use Straight Talk which runs on the Verizon system and I am very satisfied with it.
 

transfixer

Senior Member
Call Verizon 611, get ahold of one of their tech support people, tell them the problems you've been having, and see what they have to say, if you do need to upgrade to a 4g phone then ask for a customer retention specialist, and tell them what you want, they will usually find a way to solve the problem.
 

dwhee87

GON Political Forum Scientific Studies Poster
You should also be able to upload your contacts to the 'cloud' to back them up, then restore them onto a new phone. Tech support should be able to help with that.
 

Darien1

Senior Member
I kept my flip phone until it just wouldn't work any more. I had tried the smart phone, hated it and took it back in about 10 days and went back to the flip phone. I finally bit the bullet and got and I phone. Other than it takes two hands to operate I am getting used to it. My son sat down with me and showed me the basic features and how to operate it. It didn't take long and I bought a book that is basically I phone for dummies. Moving to a good smart phone is not the end of the world for old men like me.
 

JackSprat

Senior Member
https://www.ajc.com/technology/the-flip-phone-the-new-protest-statement/b2kpbvuq9KmtGYPJpEBbCP/

Steve Van Dinter, Verizon’s public relations manager for the Great Lakes market, said there’s definitely a “subset” of customers who buy flip phones, primarily those who work outdoors and need a device that can withstand drops, corrosive materials, water and other extreme conditions. Verizon wouldn’t continue to stock them, he said, if there wasn’t “consistent demand.” The latest models have access to 4G LTE, HD voice and the ability to create a mobile hotspot for up to 10 devices.
 
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