^ Cell phones *themselves* aren't a scam, just the calling plans. Early termination fees, 1- and 2-year contracts, etc. Those are the true scams.
Curious if I'm the "only one"...
- Thread starter Middle Earther
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That's what I'm talking about, yes. (Considering there are options out there without contracts or termination fees, I guess I'm REALLY just talking about the monthly service bill.)
They charge a price, you can decide if you want it or not.
If that's a scam then food is a bigger scam, and gas and clothing are not far behind!
Is that where this thread is headed? All products are a scam?
That doesn't make it right.
Some people don't have all possible cell phone plans to choose from. If they only have one or two available, all of which charge unbelievable fees, then where does that leave the consumer?
You're talking nonsense.
Your need for a product is neither here nor there.
Your needs mean nothing to me. If I have food, and you need it, then you'd better have something to offer me in exchange. Either that, or a compelling reason why I should give you some for free.
Otherwise, you're going hungry--and rightly so. You have to be a pretty abject failure as a human being if you can't even persuade your fellow countrymen to spare you some food.
'Scam' is a synonym for a fraud or a swindle. For a scam, fraud, or swindle to take place, there must be deception. And there's nothing fraudulent or deceptive about me refusing to share my food with you if you have nothing to offer in return.
In that situation, a scam would take place only if I offered you food in exchange for money, and took your money, but didn't give you the food. Or vice versa.
If you want to argue that cell phones are not a scam, you need to stress the honest nature of the transaction, not people's need for the product.
Those people should move to better locations. Or buy plans online. I have unlimited minutes and unlimited text and picture messaging, and it costs less than my parents' landline...and they don't even have voicemail or caller ID...and they still have to pay extra for long distance!
I have one, but I hardly ever use it... a natural side effect of being so unpopular, I suppose. 
It's not terribly fancy, and I don't have any major bells and whistles on it -- heck, I usually don't even keep it on. It's nice to have for emergencies, or when I need to contact someone while I'm outside of my home; neither situation happens too often, but it's good to have one just in case.
My parents gave me my cell phone... they gave my sister hers as well. We're all on some sort of family plan, so the bills go to them, which suits me just fine.
It's not terribly fancy, and I don't have any major bells and whistles on it -- heck, I usually don't even keep it on. It's nice to have for emergencies, or when I need to contact someone while I'm outside of my home; neither situation happens too often, but it's good to have one just in case.My parents gave me my cell phone... they gave my sister hers as well. We're all on some sort of family plan, so the bills go to them, which suits me just fine.
Same here, for the last several years. But apparently my mother-in-law decided my wife and I really need the iPhone 3Gs, so my reign as a cell phone holdout will be over.
I'm grateful for the gift, but some part of me is dreading being so reachable.
You don't have to answer. I almost never actually answer the phone unless I want to hear from whoever is calling.
I have a feeling that this will be my approach.
landlines are more expensive then cell phones around here if you want any kind of long distance service.
the reason why i am getting rid of my land line.
right now i have a prepaid cell and i dont know what i would have done without since i got it.
i am of the i hate to see people using them in a prolong conversation when driving type but they have been great in being connected with people in making arrangements to meet or just making sure where everyone is when we are getting together.
when my mother was still alive it enabled me to go out knowing that she could reach me even if i wasnt near a landline.
i also didnt have to worry about missing a call from one of her doctors ect..
considering how long i did without one now i cant imagine not having one.
the reason why i am getting rid of my land line.
right now i have a prepaid cell and i dont know what i would have done without since i got it.
i am of the i hate to see people using them in a prolong conversation when driving type but they have been great in being connected with people in making arrangements to meet or just making sure where everyone is when we are getting together.
when my mother was still alive it enabled me to go out knowing that she could reach me even if i wasnt near a landline.
i also didnt have to worry about missing a call from one of her doctors ect..
considering how long i did without one now i cant imagine not having one.
"Insurance" plans. Case in point: My verizon contract has repair/replacement insurance on the phones. One of our phones has gotten damaged recently and we went to file a claim: Now here's our choices - 1) By a new phone 2) Renew our contract for 2 years. However our policy originally said that were no deductible, no fee beyond the monthly and no contract renewal. Verizon's excuse: Well we know that, but we changed out claim procedure on Jan. 1...we know we didn't send you a notice but is it really that big of a problem for you? Just renew the contract or buy a new phone. I told them I'm not going to pay for nothing, which is what I'm doing, "Oh we're sorry, but you have to keep insurance on this plan...no, we know it was optional when you signed up, but as of Jan. 1 it's mandatory."
Of course this the same company that has twice charged me with a "bounced check" fee when I paid the bill in cash at a Service Center both times.
So come July or August, we're probably just going to pay $175 and be done with the damn thing.
As for going to other plans or buying online: A lot of companies won't let you buy online if the plan isn't offered instore in your area. And our coverage is shite down here anyway, so our options are Verizon or Tracfone, that's it.
As for moving: Give me $150,000, gurantee a good school, jobs and a access to the specialist and doctors that I need for treatment, and you've got a deal. Otherwise: Just move, is not really an option.
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Oops, clarification: No I don't think cell phones are a scam, I meant some of the hidden fees within the plans. It looks like, IMO, that prepaid are one of the better ways of avoiding these fees. I wonder about scamming when I hear that incoming text messages cost users here 15 cents each. I've always wondered how cell plans get away with charging for incoming calls and messages. Landlines only charge for outgoing calls.
I have one but I usually keep it off as I have a landline. However, I've never liked talking on the phone in general so I don't use it too often. Most of my contact is through email/messaging. I find that hearing only in one ear with the phone is a pain in the ass.
Wow, send me a picture - I gotta see how your ear is connected to your ass!
Sadly, it took me a minute.
You know, I was just quickly scrolling down the thread, scanning for an interesting post to read, and this all-caps bit catches my eye.
The rest of your post disappointed me in its tameness.
