The Cost of Service: Leaving Verizon for AT&T
photo credit: elisfanclub
I switched to ATT from Verizon with monthly cost being the motivator because of advanced technology and lower rates with the AT&T Family Plan. For the last 3 years I’ve had the Verizon Palm Treo, but with my recent decision to downgrade our budget, the Treo had to go. I could no longer justify the heft bills. Welcome iPhone and AT&T.
Service:
Verizon, while I will admit they have the best reception and customer service and would rate them at a 9, ATT follows close behind at an 8. The customer service has been great between Apple and AT&T as they were very helpful in getting me familiarized with the iPhone and coordinating my initial setup. AT&T also let us keep our 4000 rollover minutes when hubby added me to his account. AT&T also includes the data within the overall rate plan whereas Verizon does not, forcing me to pay an additional $40 for unlimited data in order to access the Internet. Not hot. Especially when Sprint (although known for their horrible customer service), charges $15 for the same data plan.
Price:
Verizon/Treo
As I mentioned above, with Verizon and the Treo, I was paying $40 for the data plan, $79.99 for the voice plan which didn’t include charges for text messaging, picture messaging, insurance, taxes and other miscellaneous fees. Our bills were CONSTANTLY $300+ and hubby’s bills were around $150 for his Treo. Over the summer we paid $600+- for our CELL phones due to overages and going overseas. I could no longer justify staying with Verizon paying that much just for service. Are you kidding me? Once I found out about the family plan offered by AT&T for the iPhone I made plans to jump ship.
AT&T/Apple iPhone
We are currently on the Family plan with ATT. We get 2100 minutes for $109.00, which includes text messaging, voice and data. So in total OUR bill will be $150. That’s a $300-$400 savings in our pocket and an individual rate plan cost of $75 per user. Verizon who?
Technology
Palm/Verizon kept insulting my techie sensibilities with the paltry upgrades they were giving the Palm Treo. I LOVED the Treo but even now with the 755p, its still not an upgrade worth spending Treo money on.
The iPhone is a superior device, not perfect but I believe for my needs, the best on the market. I am not particularly picky so you won’t see me crying for the lack of a camera recorder on the Howard Forums.
The Voyager released by Verizon last month was made in response to the iPhone. It is in no way innovative which means that this will be the ONLY version of it you will have. That’s it. Verizon hoped to sell a few thousand units by the end of 2007 while the iPhone is shooting for somewhere in the millions? How is that the iPhone killer or the answer? Sure, it builds on the iPhone weaknesses but really, if Verizon planned to come with it, then they would have given us the iPhone features and built upon its weaknesses in the Voyager. Instead, they chose to copy and create a device, which pales in comparison to the iPhone.
People tend to stay with their cell phone providers for a variety of reasons. However, I could no longer justify the crazy bills due to having a high maintenance smart phone. So there you have it. Those were my reasons and I swear I haven’t looked back.
About the Author: Girls Just Wanna Have Funds is for the woman that wants to take charge of her personal finances. We value budgeting, investing, frugality and remain mindful of our spending habits. Move over and make way for women who are in control of their financial destinies and not afraid to say it. We're armed with a positive net worth and not afraid to flaunt it while breaking financial ceilings one stiletto at a time!
iamyoursuperwoman (1 comments.) | Mar 18, 2008 | Reply
Hi Gingerlatte,
It’s iamyoursuperwoman from xanga. You have a great site here. I just upgraded to a plam treo with At&T and so far so good. I don’t have all of the bells and whistles but I do have a text message plan and all together it comes out to about $54 a month. I love there roll over minutes too. Blog on girl!!!!!!! I started a website too, stop by if you would like http://www.lskcrochet.etsy.com
Meg from The Bargain Queens & All About Appearances (5 comments.) | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
My husband and I just switched from Verizon to Helio. We love the phones with the full keyboard, not to mention a lot of other great built-in features. We got the unlimited plans since he uses a lot of minutes for work.
DallasHoney | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
I have a Blackberry with Verizon and I’ve never been happier. The service is excellent and my bill is ALWAYS below $50 per month. And I text like crazy!!! Of course, I don’t have data but I currently don’t need it. Maybe if I were running a small business it would be helpful. I think you should go with the company and the plan that best fits your wallet. I don’t think one is superior to the other.
Missy (1 comments.) | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
I have been looking into EXACTLY this situation for the past month. Great timing with this post! Haha. I have a Verizon Treo 700 and really want the iPhone. My fiance isn’t sure switching carriers is worth it, but it sounds like you have no regrets! I’m going to go to the at&t store this weekend. Thanks!
BK (8 comments.) | Mar 24, 2008 | Reply
Hey Ginger!
I totally agree and I did the same thing in December. My family all had at&t and I was on sprint/nextel with my s/o. We moved to at&t and I utilized my corporate discount as well so I save an additional 27% off of my monthly bill. I pay 201 a month for 4 phones vs. that for 2 phones with sprint/nextel! ha.. I have a blackberry and I have NO COMPLAINTS about the service with at&t.
It’s also funny how a lot of people justify staying with their carrier because they don’t want to incur the early termination fee. Sometimes it’s cheaper to incur that fee than it is to wait it out.
Great post!
Ginger | Mar 24, 2008 | Reply
Hey BK!
I agree with people staying for the early termination fee. Most times its around $200? Please! Even if VZ had a termination fee I would have paid it and left. But I’d been off contract for close to a year so it was time to go!
I do think the Iphone is superior but that’s just the Apple Geek in e LOL!