cell phones - a new scheme to force us to Data?

[Deleted]

Our cell phones are ageing. We love the multi-way flip phones we have as they work well tossed in a purse & don't pocket dial but have full keyboard for texting.

So, now I'm looking to replace the phones because they are starting to fall apart (we got 3-4 years out of them & so sad to see them go). What I see is that the Basic Phones are either badly rated phones or don't have full keyboard for texting.

So, get a junky phone or go on a more expensive plan and get all smart phones. I think this is verizon's scheme to get an extra $100/month out of me.

Anyone here recently get a text/talk phone that is outstanding? I'd prefer not to have to move to the data plan and get smart phones. I can't stomach paying $180 per month for 3 phones. ouch!!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

When TD and I bought our last phones, we bought mil spec phones. You can't kill these phones. Both of our phones are well over 5 years. I've had to replace the battery in mine (it's the oldest) and his has gone for a swim.

We don't text though, so the flip phones really suck if we try to do so.

[Deleted]

I looked at the Convoy 2 (mil spec) but the keyboard is not great for texting. My kids almost exclusively text so I think I make phone useless to them if I go that route. I might try one Convoy for the one that does less texting . . . but I'm just mad that this seems intentional to force us over to much more expensive data plan phones.

1 of the phones is pretty much dead now & the other two are physically starting to fall apart, so we have to do something soon.

[Sam_2.0]

I don't think its some devious scheme. Most people want the data. You have to be in a very small minority (although, maybe not here on YM).

Have you looked at other carriers or options?

[p8nt]

Rock It - I have found the same problem. I have to get DS a new phone next month and I do NOT want data for him. His current phone is completely falling apart also, ringer doesn't work now, etc. I want to go back to a basic phone when my iPhone contact expires next year. There's just nothing good out there in the way of a "basic" phone.

Please do tell us what you find.

[wvugurl26]

Have you looked on Amazon for an unlocked phone or one set up for your carrier? Maybe you could find what you want there? I'd ask your carrier about getting one of the older smart phones with the keyboard online and getting service without data. Of course your carrier may not want to do that.

I have Verizon and don't want to lose my unlimited data. I have my eye on a newer Android phone unlocked to Verizon on Amazon. I paid $200 for this one at Verizon so I'm fine with paying that.

I'm a single so Verizon's new plans don't benefit me. My phone is getting wacky and I'm hard on phones so I am looking. I refuse to pay $600 though and don't need the latest/greatest.

I held out without data for a long time. I love it though as I'm gone from home a lot.

[Deleted]

Nov 11, 2012 20:12:36 GMT -5 wvugurl26 said:

Have you looked on Amazon for an unlocked phone or one set up for your carrier? Maybe you could find what you want there? I'd ask your carrier about getting one of the older smart phones with the keyboard online and getting service without data. Of course your carrier may not want to do that.

I have Verizon and don't want to lose my unlimited data. I have my eye on a newer Android phone unlocked to Verizon on Amazon. I paid $200 for this one at Verizon so I'm fine with paying that.

I'm a single so Verizon's new plans don't benefit me. My phone is getting wacky and I'm hard on phones so I am looking. I refuse to pay $600 though and don't need the latest/greatest.

I held out without data for a long time. I love it though as I'm gone from home a lot.

you can't get a smart phone without data.....if you even put your sim card in a smart phone (that isn't associated with your plan) it detects that and starts charging you for a data plan.

when I got my last upgrade (a year of so ago) it was torture trying to find a phone with a full keyboard and no data plan.

[ginpin]

I have AT&T, so take this for what it's worth. We had the Samsung Strive phone, which is a slider phone with a full keyboard. This is a great durable phone, but the keys are TINY! I ended up fat-fingering everything. Our current phone is the LG Xpression, which is a touch-face non-smart phone with a full slider keyboard. You can lock the screen so you don't butt-dial. I like the keyboard and the touch face. My only complaint is that the battery doesn't seem to last as long.

Is there a 'quick text phone' section/menu on the Verizon website? They should tell you if data is needed.

ETA: sorry, didn't see where you said the basic phones have low ratings.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

ETA: sorry, didn't see where you said the basic phones have low ratings.

I went to look at the mil spec phones available now. They don't have near the reviews that our phones got. In fact, they were pretty crappy.

I know that when these phones die, we will need to make decisions too. I'm hoping we can avoid it for a couple more years anyway! When TDs phone went for a swim, we thought we'd have to decide. Fortunately, it dried out well!

[taz157]

mil?? What does that mean?

I know MIL means mother-in-law, but I don't know what lower-case mil stands for? I doubt mother-in-law too.

[Sam_2.0]

military?

[Sammy]

I have the family plan and pay $10 per month for my huaband's phone. Neither of us text. I've been researching new phones(Verizon) for the two of us without a manditory text package and the choice has dwindled down to a handful of phones.

The following phones require no data plan:

www.amazon.com/Verizon-Phones-No-Data-Required/lm/R18Y5RXOCHT68

You Tube Video: (best 3 basic phone)

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Nov 12, 2012 12:11:18 GMT -5 taz157 said:

mil?? What does that mean?

I know MIL means mother-in-law, but I don't know what lower-case mil stands for? I doubt mother-in-law too.

Military specification.

The phones are virtually indestructible. If you drop them, they bounce. They handle dirt, moisture well.

Not pretty phones, they are black rubber. But they have a decent battery life before charging and good audio.

[Sammy]

I want one of those MotherInLaw phones!! Where do I get one??

[hoops902]

Verizon wireless prepaid (which is like $50/month for unlimited talk/text) has a phone with a full keyboard.

Otherwise you can always buy a phone, then get the prepaid plan and activate your phone on the prepaid plan.