A problem with cellphones.

[Dave Gray]

Ms. Dave and I are different.  If I feel I'm wronged by a company, I'll get on the phone with that company and try to work it out.  If you talk to higher ups long enough (granted you aren't just being frivolous), they will generally waive whatever stupid policy they have to accommodate you.

Ms. Dave just gets abused by these companies, and sucks it up -- gives them what they want.

So, when our worlds collide, I get frustrated with her inability or unwillingness to fight when she's getting screwed.  And she gets grumpy with me for fussing at her about it.

Here's our situation -- advice please.

---

She got a new cellphone a couple of years ago.  It's a Blackberry Curve.  It was costly, and overall, has been a good phone.  Recently, the phone, despite being in very good condition physically -- has something wrong with it internally.  It's turning off on just about every phone call.  A few minutes in to a conversation, it loses power and has to be put back on the charger to "re-set".

Fine.  Technology breaks.

So, she wants to go buy a new phone.  ...even the same one is fine.  But now, they won't sell her a new phone unless she upgrades to a full data package.  The cost for that is considerably higher than her current rate (like $80 per month higher).

I'd understand if she were a new customer -- she could just say no and go somewhere else.   But she's on a family plan with her mom and brothers and is locked into a contract through them.  And the only reason she needs a new phone is because the product they sold her no longer works.  Essentially, she's trying to replace an existing product and they're making it financially unreasonable to do it.  For the exact same phone she currently has under contract, why would she need to add a data plan all of a sudden?

[SportsChick]

Who is her carrier? if it's T-Mobile or AT&T, I'd buy one online and toss my SIM into it and be done

[Dave Gray]

AT&T, I believe.

[SportsChick]

She can get any AT&T or unlocked phone that take a SIM card and have a nice day

[Brian Fein]

She can buy a phone from anywhere, doesn't have to be AT&T store.  The buffoons at the store are idiots.

Switching phones with a Blackberry is seamless.  I am assuming that, since she doesn't have the data plan she doesn't use it for email, web, etc?

I would do one of three things:
1.) call AT&T customer service and complain on the phone.  don't go to the store.  They know her current plan, there should be no reason why she can't get another phone without changing her plan.  She might have to re-up her current contract to get ther $80 price, otherwise the Curve is a $500 phone.

2.) buy a new curve on ebay or something - they're everywhere.

3.) if her phone is recently new, call Blackberry directly and see if she can have it repaired or maybe even replaced under warranty

Its a BS decision, but in the end, its AT&T just wanting to get more money out of her.  I can tell you, for a fact, that you don't NEED a Blackberry data plan to use a Blackberry (obviously you know this).

[Phishfan]

Why would anyone buy a Blackberry without  a data plan? Just get a cheaper phone if you don't need the features.

[Dave Gray]

[sexism]
Because she's a woman.
[/sexism]

[Buddhagirl]

I'm with Phish on this. Why is she getting a Blackberry w/out a data plan? What's the point? And being a woman isn't the reason. I'm a woman and wouldn't do that in a million years.

[Dave Gray]

Maybe I'm selling her short -- she originally had the data plan when she got the phone.  Then, she got rid of it, because she wasn't using it enough to warrant the much higher cost.

She likes the phone and the interface.   ...and she texts a lot and enjoys the full keyboard.

Ms. Dave is a lot more impulsive than I am in regards to a lot of that kind of stuff.  She just goes with what she likes, and doesn't always consider all the choices and what works best for her.

[Buddhagirl]

She likes the phone and the interface.   ...and she texts a lot and enjoys the full keyboard.

Then that's the reason. That's the same reason I like my phone. Though mine is not a BB.

[Brian Fein]

Although the Blackberry is most well-known for its email-on-the-go capability, it is actually among the best in its class in cell phone reception and coverage on AT&T's network.  My phone works in places where my Samsung and Motorola phones just didn't.  My Blackberry ALWAYS has service - I can't remember any time when I looked at it and it said "No Service."

In the end, it is a phone first and foremost, and she can use it as such if she desires, I suppose.  To "force" someone to pay for a service which they don't want is ludicrous in my view.

[Dave Gray]

Yeah, and she works hard, so if she wants something for its sexyness factor -- so be it.  She deserves it.

God knows I have tech that I don't take full advantage of.

[janetmschulte]

It probably doesn't help much now, but I pay $4/month for phone insurance. If anything happens, I get a new phone for $50. I figure with my luck it's well worth it especially when my phone would be about $350 to replace. I also have AT&T and have had good luck with them.

[bsfins]

I'm with Dave on this issue,I call the company to see if I can get it fixed. I argued with Direct TV for 5 straight months over my bill,to get charges off my bill,that didn't belong....

I've always had MUCH better luck dealing with AT&T by going to the store,and telling them my problem the sales agents seem to get through the red tape faster than I do....I had multiple problems getting my number ported over to my new phone,and all the features activated....I went to the store,they fixed me right up....I always felt they treat me better when I'm standing right there,versus on the phone....

[fyo]

Recently, the phone, despite being in very good condition physically -- has something wrong with it internally.  It's turning off on just about every phone call.  A few minutes in to a conversation, it loses power and has to be put back on the charger to "re-set".

Have you tried fixing it?

The problem you describe makes it sound like a simple battery issue. Without meaning to offend, have you tried simply switching the battery? (maybe you or she knows someone with a matching battery that works)