Retail Therapy

[jamesq]

I bought a new cell phone yesterday.

I've wanted one (a new phone, not necessarily that new phone) for awhile now, but have avoided getting one because it would have meant giving up my awesome phone plan and getting a new one (my biggest beef is by-the-minute plans when I have a by-the-second plan). Every salesman during the last year was clear on that point - my plan would not be grandfathered into a new phone.

So I avoided it for a long time. Then the switch to 10-digit dialing came to Cowtown. I figured, if I was going to reprogram my phone, I might as well get a new one. If you're thinking "how hard could reprogramming the old phone be", well the answer is "harder then you're thinking. You cannot move the cursor to the beginning of the number and prepend the area code on my ancient phone - you have to erase the number and retype it.

Yesterday I went down to Future Shop. I was going to get the phone there, but the sales guys where ignoring me. This turned out to be a good thing because I went to the Phone Experts in Northland Mall instead. Talking to the young lady there, I once again asked, "can I keep my old plan" she was the first to say "Let me see if I can" rather then a blanket "no you can't".

With a little bit of farting around, she managed to do it. So I now have a shiny new cell phone with my wonderful old plan, plus a re-bundling of some extras that will cost me a few bucks more, but gives me texting and web access. I'm starting to thing that I might need texting to talk to anyone under the age of 20. Plus that whole Internet thing is starting to look like more then just a silly fad.

An interesting thing happened as I was programming my new phone: The triage of the old phone numbers. I have numbers that I have not called in years, possibly since before the time I programmed my old phone. These numbers I got rid of. Not to save any memory (because I am never going to need to conserve the 500 number memory of my new phone) but as a sort of mental house cleaning. It also spelled out for me how many phone numbers I don't have, or how many I have that are probably wrong. So if I ask you (in person) what your phone numbers are, don't be surprised.

Comments

[sagaciouslu.livejournal.com]

No. You were right the first time. The internet is a fad. Like tie-dyed shirts, or disco. I have noticed, too, that the staying power of television is seriously in doubt, that movie theatres are in decline, and the automobile is becomming passe.

My suggestion? Invest in a radio. One with tubes. And an antenna. Made of bakelite...

[bungle-lord.livejournal.com]

If you show up in person to ask for my phone number, I will be surprised. Unless you call ahead, of course.

[(Anonymous)]

If that's the phone you got then it's a great find...assuming it was cheap.

I love the oled/led external displays because they're less conservative on the power saving so you can actually use it as a clock.

Samsung makes great little phones.

PS: Internet es bueno

[evilscientist.livejournal.com]

Tubes! You're a slave to the whims of fashion. Crystal sets are where it's at...

[jamesq]

Wireless?!? Bah, you kids have it easy. Back in my day we used telegraph wires and we liked it.

[(Anonymous)]

I too, suffer from having a great plan that cannot be grandfathered. An old Telus plan from over 10 years ago. Something like 500 minutes for $20. I've had dealers offer to take it off my hands if the 'need ever arose' (it hasn't as of yet). My favourite is when Telus (and I don't really mind Telus) calls and wants to discuss rates and what is best for me. They start by saying this is how many texts you have sent, how many 'prime time' minutes you have used. I let them carry on for a bit, then I ask them to look at my current plan. Every time the silence is deafening. Once I get them back they all say 'err, yeah, that's a great plan - can't beat that one'.

It's loads of fun. But, there is a drawback - I also want a new phone that does the internets, etc. What plan did you get? Are you with Telus? I'd say give me a call, but I'm probably one of those you ditched....! I'm just curious if I can get a good deal and not lose my original one!

Cheers!

Gareth (ex OD Gareth).

[jamesq]

You can buy a new phone anytime and apply your old plan to it. The problem I had is I wanted a subsidized phone. If you're willing to pay the no-contract rate, you can get any damn phone you want. Texting and internet access are an extra that gets added to your base plan. This is what I ended up doing. It might be worth it to simply pony up the $250 to keep your old plan - I imagine that's what those dealers would have done if you let them buy the plan off you.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah - that's what I thought. I was just wondering if you had found some sort of loophole I could take advantage of - you know, stickin' it to the man and all. Oh well, time to find a stolen credit card and get me a new phone.

[jamesq]

I was just lucky enough to find a salesperson willing to do it. I suggest bribery. Seriously, find out what their commission is and slip them that much to apply your old plan to your new phone.