Judging by the tremendous amount of radio, television, and print ads touting this cellular company over other cellular companies, one is lead to believe the market is terribly competitive. I’ve been with one cellular company for the past eight years. My phone was yesterday’s technology to the point that the sales rep in the store laughed when I brought in my dog-gnawed Motorola Startac phone in response to a letter asking me to bring my phone in for a check. My phone, despite the gnawed antenna, was operating just fine and although caller ID and all sorts of other stuff was available to me under my plan, I wasn’t using it.

In reality, they wanted me in the store to sell me a new phone. Thinking I was a valued customer who paid the bill on time and since I had been a good customer of long standing, I figured they would roll out the red carpet and offer me the moon if I would renew my contract. I waited for the good news and none was forthcoming. They offered me a free low end no name phone that obligated me to two more years with the company, noting I had 15 days to change my mind. I took the phone in good faith and found it to be difficult to program and pretty much a piece of ca-ca. I took it back and waited for a better offer. None was forthcoming so I activated my old phone and left somewhat confused.

I mulled over this for a couple of weeks. I just couldn’t understand why they didn’t make me an offer of one of those snappy Motorola Razr phones that do everything but tuck you in at night. They seemed rather casual about the whole thing, even though their ads claim they are the best. Truthfully I always had good connections with the phone, no matter where I was. When others in this area couldn’t get a good connection in Seaside, I could, so I had some respect for the company. In fact I told them that when I was in the store, but to no avail. They simply didn’t want to do anything for me. I even mentioned I would be on the lookout for better deals elsewhere. They shrugged.

Then one evening, I came into my office to play a game of cards online before retiring for the evening. When my home page popped up, here was an offer from another company, offering a free Motorola Razr, a one year contract, three times the minutes I already had, (which I never use all of) plus all the other features I didn’t particularly need or want, for $10 less per month than I was paying. The catch was I had to complete the whole transaction on line and I only had until midnight to make up my mind. I made up my mind in 20 seconds and went to work filling in the blanks. I wanted the same number, no problem. After completing the paperwork, they said Fed Ex would send the phone at no charge. It was and now I have this snappy phone that is voice activated so if I have to use it in the car, I can do it hands free. It has a 4MB camera in it, which is the same as the large digital camera I generally use. I don’t anticipate using the camera, but it’s there if I ever need it provided I remember to bring the phone with me, a chronic problem.

When I called my old cellular company to formally disconnect, they already knew because of the number going to another company. The rep asked me why I changed. I told her. She said why didn’t you call…we can make deals they can’t in the stores. I told her that made no sense whatsoever. Who would think to call when a sales rep in a store basically says their hands are tied. In essence because this company does not allow the people in the field wheel and deal as the reps can on the phone, they lost a long term customer.

So far, the new phone and me are bonding. I haven’t yet taken the time to figure out how to make it voice activated, but it is on my to do list for the weekend. Best yet, there is no antenna for the dog to gnaw on.

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