Are There Any Service-Savvy Cell Providers?

By now, you’ve heard why I’m pissed off at Apple. So yesterday, I had a thought: leave a bad relationship. My cell relationship with AT&T mixed with my iPhone OS4 beef is a polygamist marriage made in hell and I wanna climb over the compound wall.

So I tweeted @sprint and @sprintcare asking how to get in touch with someone from their marketing department.

Apparently @sprintcare is a bit of a misnomer. No response, even 12 hours later. Their Twitter stream is filled with @ replies to account holders.

What about a potential new one?

My ponder this morning is this: are there ANY good cell service providers out there? We all know that the only reason AT&T has ANY client retention is the iPhone and our propensity for suckling Apple’s technological teat. I want to hear who MY readers have as a cell provider:

Who you have or had
What you love/hate
Why you’d build a statue in your front lawn to memorialize them or throw them in a room of Sarah Palin fans and a tank of piranhas.

Lay it on me. And maybe @sprintcare really does care and they’re working on getting back to a tech-savvy redhead who’s curious about engaging in a cell provider/client relationship that doesn’t land me in a Utah compound begging for divorce.

I’m headed to a meeting, but hey – I’ll dig into your comments when I’m back. Lay it on me.

Zac

I had Spint before buying my sweet looking drop call device …er… iPhone. I am actually considering moving back and eating the early termination fee. I’ve actually heard good things about T-Mobile – unless you step just a few feet outside the city limits…then all heal breaks loose. Verizon is good – but I was told once I would need to wait a few hours to “buy” a phone – so it made me think their service would be even worse.

I’m at a loss… but I didn’t mind Sprint. I never tried to use twitter for customer service issues – I would just call them.
Dhgatsby

I have had Sprint since moving to Colorado 11 years ago. I only got rid of Sprint when the iPhone 3G came out.
BUT, they are both problematic for these reasons.
1) sprint has suckass customer service but I liked their coverage except at my house. I had a SWEET calling plan that no one could beat.
2) AT&T has some of the worst coverage I have seen in a phone company but their customer service is amazing.
BUT i have not had the ongoing problems of reception issues lately as most are complaining about. I think AT&T have done a better job with CS than most other providers with the exception of Verizon which I hear from friends/Coworkers is pristine.
Amy

I have T Mobile and have been with them for 7 years now. I have had service with just about every provider out there and have been the most happy with them. I love them because 4 years ago I got call from them (yes, they called me) and said they have a special promotion for their loyal customers…my bill would not change, I didn’t have to sign a new 2 year contract, I didn’t have to sign over my first born…they offered to upgrade my plan from 400 minutes per month to unlimited minutes per month. I have unlimited talk, text and a data plan, plus no roaming fees ever for less than $100 per month. PLUS, because I now have unlimited minutes, I canceled my home phone, so they actually saved me $60 per month. About a year ago they began to offer the same loyal customer plan to all of their customers…didn’t bother me, I am glad they are able to offer such great plans to everyone now. I never have issues with service (it works in my mom’s home office where her Sprint phone is always in roam). I don’t travel outside of CO or NM much so I don’t know how well it works outside of those states, but it most certainly meets my needs. I love my little android phone – I just wish they had better skins for it – pink would be nice. Good luck!
Lesley

I’ve had tMobile since they were VoiceStream and have never had anything but good experiences with them. When you call customer service you get someone in the US (or else someone who does a really good southern accent) who is usually not only happy to help, but also happy to offer their personal experiences with various phones. When my father was in the hospital I WAY overran my plan and they retroactively upgraded my plan so I wouldn’t be paying by the minute. I’ve never been treated, by them, with anything but great service. In case it makes a difference, I have the Google G1 phone and quite love it.
Wherewegather

I have sprint. I was with Cingular before it was AT&T. I must say they sucked! I was on a family plan, had been for 4yrs, and wanted to get my own account. They wanted me put 400 dollars down! I kept my cool and walked out. I went to sprint and they were great! No depost. 150 dollars off my new phone. No activation fee. Great!

I love them for many reasons. 1. I have great service where ever i go. 2. I can’t remember the last time I had a dropped call. 3. You walk into there store, at least here in Austin tx, and they are the nicest and most helpful peeps. 4. There customer service is great! 5. Now this one is BIG. I was unemployed last year for a good ten months with no unemployment benefits. Sprint took care of my bill for two months! After that all they asked was for me to pay 20 dollars a month to keep my service. They even called me to tell me about a service that would save me money! What mobile provider does that?

I use to work for AT&T. I worked for there tech department. When I was hired I was told i would be getting this and that. When I started I got none of that! They done not care about there employees or there customers. I saw that first hand. I left with a grand total of 4 months of service. Did not even have a job lined up. Did not care. Just wanted out. My dad works for them and he even told me I made a good call by just walking out.

Just think about this. If the iPhone went somewhere else AT&T would be out of business due to there shitty service!
http://www.aweber.com/blog/ Justin Premick

Never had 'em myself as I'm iOwned, but multiple friends who have used T-Mobile claim their customer support rules all.
http://twitter.com/schippers jason schippers

I've had T-Mobile for a few years now and overall they have been pretty spectacular for me. If I have ever had any billing issues, they get fixed immediately. No escalating, no getting transferred twenty times for an answer. When I had an issue with my MyTouch3G, they got ahold of the correct people and got a new phone sent out to me asap. The one thing I will say is that I have had issues with some dropped calls. It's not a lot and from what I know of my friends on other carriers, I've got it pretty good.

Just my cent and a half worth.
http://www.KevinUdy.com/ Kevin

I appreciate T-Mobile's customer support, and cheap “unlimited everything” plan. Maybe try a Nexus One on T-Mobile?
http://twitter.com/grahamisawesome Cool T. Awesome, Sr.

I'll have to second (er, third…) the T-Mobile vote by proxy. I have quite a few friends who've been with them since they were still VoiceStream, and they love the service – decent support, no playing phone hop-scotch through the support queue. Unfortunately I'm stuck with Verizon through work, but should things change those folks can have my money.
http://twitter.com/PaleHoseComm Bill W

I can honestly say I've never had a problem with AT&T, though I'm a late iPhone adopter (only getting an 3G last fall). I started with Southwestern Bell Mobile, then it became Cingular, and now AT&T Mobility, and I've never had a coverage or connection issue, even in rural areas, that prompted a call to Customer Service.

Now, having said that, I now fully expect my phone to explode this afternoon, but…
Wendy

I've had Verizon for 18 months and have not had a problem with dropping calls. I also haven't had any crisis in which to test out their customer service.

Jeremy just got an Incredible 2 months ago and I literally just finished ordering my own online. Plus, Jeremy coded some of the chip in that phone, how's that for a personal connection?
robert

I'm encouraged by all the T-Mobile replies. I recently left Verizon for no other reason than I wanted, not needed, but wanted an iPhone. I was very happy with the service performance where I live and work and rarely had any issues.
So at this point Red, ditch the iPhone. You got your shiny new iPad so you can do all the cool stuff anyway. Just get yourself a phone that works.
http://twitter.com/galen_of_avalon Micheal

I think every mobile phone provider sucks in its own special way. I have Sprint as my personal provider and have had both Verizon and AT&T at work. Two of my siblings use AT&T and the third uses T-Mobile, and beyond the questionable customer service at AT&T, none of them have had major issues. Best coverage I've seen is with Verizon. My sister's AT&T phone was useless when her car broke down in the Utah desert. Verizon's customer care seems okay, but their response time is a bit slow. AT&T is horrible with customer care, which was the primary reason my workplace left them. In nine years I have hardly had to deal with Sprint's customer care, except for when my friend's phone went TU. After a horrid experience with Radio Shack, where she bought the phone, the nice folks at the Sprint store stayed late to try to get it working and finally replaced it, out of warranty, for a $50 fee.

Now, of course, I think Sprint has the best plan with their Unlimited Everything $69.99 plan. What irks me is that with the EVO the salespeople won't tell you up front that there's another $10/month charge for 4G (regardless of whether or not it's available in your area) and an additional charge still if you want to use the mobile hotspot capability. There was also a weird thing a few years back where they dropped a bunch of customers who were contacting customer care too often
http://twitter.com/dbelohrad Derek Belohrad

I have had T-Mobile for years now and any issues I have ever had resulted in a resolution and a new phone or discounted service for the month. I have managed to get my whole family to convert and I haven't heard one complaint.
http://twitter.com/FAVEditor Carrie Turner

Absolutely T-Mobile is the way to go. Their customer service department is 2nd to none and my G1 is the first thing I'd rescue in a fire. OK not the first thing – but you know what I mean. I compared it to my boss's iPhone and my phone did everything his did but for a 1/3 of the cost. Actually 3 phones all unlimited everything, internet, blah blah was cheaper than his one phone so yeah, I say it's an awesome company.
http://www.pintucked.com/ Amy

I've had AT&T (Cingular, before they merged) for the longest time, practically since cell phones started becoming common. I haven't had any real customer service issues but the call quality has always sucked.

I also had T-Mobile for a year, when I had a Sidekick with just a data plan. No problems there. I called them once to unlock the phone and the CSR was friendly and helpful.

We're switching though. I'm tired of dropped calls and not getting phone calls or voicemails and the iPhone 4 mess has made it so I don't care to stay with AT&T just for the phone. Sprint was a possibility but after your experience… We'll probably end up with Verizon.
http://allthingsmom.blogspot.com Chistinayak

I've had pretty good luck with cingular, then At&T after the buyout. I feel the in-store custormer service is really pretty good.

That said, I'm also an apple person because it's about the only thing about me that is COOL. I know… how lame is that?! 47 years old and still wanting to be cool.

Perhaps when I can someday get that ice green S-Type Jag, and actually afford to drive it, I can let go of the phone. Till then, I'm hoping my future will soon bring me an ipad.
mah man

It’s not common for somebody thinking about becoming a customer to ask for someone in the Marketing Department, particularly in the online world where “marketing” is a synonym for “leprosy.” I’m sure they thought you were looking for a job or wanting to do a story or some such thing, and probably thought they’d spend their limited time and resources helping customers.
Millercaster

I had T-Mobile going back to the VoiceStream days and never really had any issues with them, in fact my wife is still on them. As everyone else has indicated, their customer service is outstanding and you always get someone whose first language is English, which is nice. My major gripe with them is their phone selection sucks in comparison to the other companies.

I switched to AT&T 13 months ago for the 3GS and dealt with the dropped calls just to have the iPhone. When the iPhone 4 came out I waited in line and got it. Since then I haven’t had one dropped call. Not one. That is in Phoenix, Charlotte, Nashville and St. Louis since launch day. Even in areas where I dropped calls every single time.

Additionally, I just got a letter in the mail that gives me a free Micro Cell. Why I don’t know, but I grabbed that sucker up and now I have 5 bars all over my yard!

If I wasn’t for the iPhone I still would be on T-Mobile and may go back if they ever get the iPhone. The new iPhone is MUCH better and it might be worth getting instead of giving AT&T the ETF…
SkyddsDrake

I've had T-Mobile for years, now. I switched to them from Verizon because I wasn't happy with the high plan costs and some bad customer service phone calls I had with Verizon. T-Mobile, I'm ecstatic about. Any time I've run into a quirk with a phone or something, all I've ever had to do is drop into a store to have it fixed or the phone replaced. I like the way their website is set up. Pretty much everywhere I go, I have service. That being said, I'm more of a texter than a talker when it comes to cellphones, and I'm not sure it takes as much of a signal to do the one as it does the other… Any time I have ever hit a spot where talking was tough, I'd only need to go a few feet in one direction or the other to make it work (but that has been VERY rare).
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

3…2…1…*POOF*
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Laughing my ass off…”ice green Jag”
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

THAT is one helluva an endorsement. THANKS!
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

For the record, Sprint STILL hasn't responded. Total CS fail. I loved Verizon and wished I'd never left.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

*looks at bank account…cries*
http://twitter.com/schippers jason schippers

Also, I used to work at a cell phone company and heard stories about Sprint. I wouldn't sign up with them even if someone else was paying it.

It's like going to the doctor without insurance. You're going to go in for one thing, they are going to do 20 other things and ultimately what you originally came in for isn't solved. You'll keep going back like those scary meth billboards.

Stay off the meth, I mean Sprint. Think of the children.
http://blog.jeffharbert.com/ Jeff Harbert

I've never had T-Mobile myself, but everyone I know that's used them have been very happy with them. We're with Verizon currently and have been mostly pleased. I used to have AT&T way back when. You couldn't pay me enough to use them again.
Megan

I'm also a T-Mobile user. Everything you've heard about the customer service is true. Refreshingly so. I hear AT&T horror stories and cling to my pink flip razr (yes, you read that correctly). I've actually been with them since even before VoiceStream (it was called PowerTel). One thing, though. I've heard rumblings online that T-Mobile might be merging with Virgin Mobile or Sprint in the near future. I really hope it is just s a rumor.
http://billgreen.me Bill Green

I think T-Mobile has the best customer service though not exactly the greatest cell service. I've been using my iPhone on T-Mobile for a couple years with no plans to change. I had a brief tryst with Verizon to try out the Motorola Droid and discovered that while Verizon's cell coverage is amazing, their customer service is every bit as terrible as that phone was.
http://twitter.com/PaulJones3 Paul Jones

My name is Paul, and I am an iPhone Addict. The apps lure me in and suck dollar bills out of my hands like feature dancers at a pole dance festival. I have dropped some calls, yes. I started with then Cellular One in 1991, which became AT&T, after a while. I did defect to Nextel for a few years, but came back to AT&T when I became a Crackberry Addict. From there I stayed loyal, and got my iPhone 3G when the Crackberry did not survive the fall from my belt to the pavement 24 feet below where I was standing. The upgrade to iOS4 was ok, but took some noodling around forums to get some hints to solve issues, after that it works well. I would like multitasking however.

Wife has Sprint, and she likes her HTC Touch Pro II, even with the clunky Windows Mobile. Her phone has no more or no less issues than my iPhone. AT&T has better reception in most places than her Sprint phone. Verizon seems to have best coverage into buildings and thing vs AT&T and Sprint.

In our slice of the country (North Carolina) I get pretty decent coverage in most areas. Sprint is a paperweight outside urban areas.

I think its a crapshoot no matter where you go. I am still an iPhone Addict, and probably will remain so, and stick with AT&T, unless Verizon pulls me off the wagon.
http://twitter.com/milogirly Kyra Clark

I have used Alltel for 9 years and have had no problems whatsoever. In fact, their plans are fabulous and customer service has always been helpful. It turns out that AT & T has recently acquired Alltel in my area and will be transitioned in January. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS! Where I live (BFE), we have 2 options, Verizon or Alltel. Verizon coverage here is spotty at best and the calls get through depending on the direction one is facing. My mom can call me from out in the valley if she is leaning over her kitchen sink. I have NEVER had a problem with any calls being dropped through Alltel. After finding out about the AT & T transition, I have been trying to read all the info I can to decide whether I want to go with them or move to Verizon. So far, I'm not sold on either.
http://jimgrey.wordpress.com/ jim

I've had Verizon and Nextel, and I'm on Sprint now. I've been with Sprint the longest simply because where I live (central Indiana) they had the best coverage when I signed on (5 years ago) and have not caused me any problems in the time I've had them.

However, I use my phone only as a phone. (“How quaint,” I hear you say.) But the upshot of this is that in 5 years I've never needed customer service. I have found this to be a very comfortable way to be a mobile customer.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Yes, the packages are attractive. What's NOT attractive for me at this point is paying my “early termination fee” with AT&T since their service sucks balls and the iPhone OS4 sucks even more on a 3G model (and there's no downgrading).
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

You…ummm…

A “phone?”

Que?
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

“Just think about this. If the iPhone went somewhere else AT&T would be out of business due to there shitty service!”

I have nothing to add.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Ahh…the beauty of acquisitions in the tech world. Good luck, Kyra!
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

“Hi, Paul.”

Granted, I will miss the apps and Mac OS/interface. But what I'd really like is a phone that works. I *have* an iPad and a MacBook. And an iPod. Seems I'm covered on Apple products and now all I need is a phone.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Meth kills.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Another CON for AT&T! *shocker*
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Would you please TwitPic me a pic of you and your Pink Razr? *swoon*
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

It's beginning to sound like you can't have both – a great product AND great service :-/
http://blog.jeffharbert.com/ Jeff Harbert

I worked in IT for AT&T back in 2003 supporting WAN connections to retail stores. Short version: the connections sucked, big time. I spent a lot of time in AT&T stores last year for work, getting phones activated . In over six years *nothing* had improved.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

WOW. And the hits just keep on comin'.
http://billgreen.me Bill Green

You can downgrade the phone if you jailbreak it. If you pay the early termination fee and leave, you can still sell the phone or move it to T-Mobile. The huge downside with that is you lose 3G. The upside is $80/month for unlimited everything.

Of course, since you already have an iPad, you might as well go back to Verizon and get a phone and network that actually work.
http://twitter.com/PaulJones3 Paul Jones

You know, for less than your early term fee, you can probably find a 3G on Craigslist that has not been iOS4'd and pop your sim card in. Then when contract runs out, poof, hello new carrier.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Yeah, the sucker is going on Craigslist after I cut bait and wipe it. And excellent point regarding the iPad w/3G. Thank you, @Trada http://www.trada.com!
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

good point – but I have another 15 months left. too painful
http://twitter.com/cara19 Cara Ellison Halbirt

This is not really adding much to the discussion here but I've been with T-Mobile for 2 years now & been super happy with them. The price is way right; I *heart* their unlimited minutes & data and texting I have for my phone. There customer service is over the top. I sometimes wonder what they put in the Kool-aid, the agents really seem to want to figure out whatever is going on & they are friendly & nice. It borders on the frightening. I'm just not used to being treated like a person when I call most companies. And I know the G1, et. al. are supposed to be fabulous but I LOVE my BlackBerry 9700. I can hold it how ever I want & it does what I tell it to (a plus in almost any relationship). And the software upgrades have been painless. Good Luck!
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

I sooo wish I could do T-Mobile here in Denver. The network just isn't reliable enough. I want to drink the Kool-Aid.
http://www.redheadwriting.com The Redhead

Yes, well, you'd think that helping someone contact their Marketing department *would* be helping. I'm sure shareholders would see it that way. But then again, I could be a moron.

Are There Any Service-Savvy Cell Providers?

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