We've had a couple of Nokia cell phones for several years through TracFone. We decided to go with the Motorola W376g phones because it is hearing air compatible, plus my wife wanted a new phone. Using the TracFone web site, transferring the minutes and telephone number from the first one went fairly smooth and it took just a few minutes before the new phone was working. Trying to do it with the second phone has been a problem and after 3 days is still not working. They first told me it would take 24 to 48 hours for the transfer to take place. and then they said it would take up to 10 days. I've tried calling them but with my hearing problem it's almost impossible to understand their overseas Service Representatives. So I've been dealing with them by e-mail. It cost $49.99 is supposed to have "double minutes for the life of the phone upon activation."

OK, not good news. I bought a big screen Samsung a few months ago. So far, so good though. RE your phone - keep pushing for a new one. I bought an LG from a Verizon "store" (didn't know it wasn't a real Verizon store). It NEVER worked well. I accidently dropped the phone in a cup of coffee (yes, it was an honest mistake LOL), and had to replace the phone. The new one works fine. I can't tell you the trouble I had with Verizon with the old phone. Had the same problem with not getting message, even when the phone was new. Verizon didn't want to do anything since it wasn't purchased at a real store. The store owner was PO'd because Verizon never told him the phone had very dated software. I would love to change from Verizon, but so far, they are the best, as far as I can tell from my friends and family with other carriers. RE Samsung, I think it's a toss-up. I've had Samsung TVs for years - cheapies at that, and had no problem. I've also had some bad products as well. With warranties, it's pretty tough for all products. They are written to make you buy new products.

This is reprinted from the Dollar Stretcher-I have been a subscriber for years. Great publication. http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm My Story: Cell Phone Hardball contributed by Gordon Reeder Be prepared to negotiate the best deal possible Play hardball when it comes to selecting a cell phone plan. And don't buy the standard offering. Several years ago, I had to update my AT&T (now Cingular) cell phone plan. I also needed a new phone. Unfortunately, new phones are only given to new customers. Existing customers have to pay for new phones. I balked. I decided I wanted the new phone free. First, I tried pleading with them. That didn't work. Then I appealed to their sense of customer satisfaction and loyalty. That didn't work either. Then I realized that my best hand was to let them know that I was willing to walk away, so I did my homework. I went to three of the biggest cell providers in the area. I got details of their plans and the free phones they offered. I took notes. Then I walked into the AT&T store, carrying their competitor's pamphlets in my hand. Let the game begin. "Hi, I need to renew my cell plan." "Yes, Mr. Reeder, I see that you have our 'blah, blah, blah' plan. Is that what you want to renew?" "Hmmm, I see that night and weekend minutes begin at 9:00 and XYZ starts theirs an hour earlier. I really like that." "I see, well we can offer..." And just like that I got unlimited nights and weekends starting at 8:00pm instead of 9:00pm. And so it went until I also had an additional 200 bonus minutes and free mobile-to- mobile calling. But I still didn't have that free phone and I wasn't leaving until I got it. And so... "Well there is only one more thing before I agree to renew my plan. I need a new phone." "Of course, Mr. Reeder, we have a great selection of phones. This one is only $49.95, and this one is $99.95, and..." "No! No! You don't understand. Phones are free if I switch carriers." "Right. We can offer..." And out came the credits and rebates. By the time it was over, the $99 phone was free. Yes! I win! I walked out with a better plan than I went in with and I got a free new phone. So don't just settle for what is put in front of you. The cell phone market is very competitive. You can use that to your advantage. Be prepared to negotiate for what you want.

I can't possibly imagine being without a means of communication at any time, regardless of where I am and that's what I grew up with personally. Yes, I know humans survived for thousands of years without phones, they also survived without the internet, electricity, modern plumbing, etc. It doesn't mean I want to live that way. I was 17 when I had my first ticket and wreck because I rear ended someone on a country road. The deputy said he could drive me to the city line but that's it. I lived almost 10 miles out of town and had no cash for a payphone. The guy I rear ended was so kind to me. He had a mobile phone and let me use it to call my mom. Unfortunately, she happened to be in the middle of one of her 2 hour gabfests with her sister and call waiting was disabled due to dial up internet. This man was kind enough to wait with me til the tow truck showed up and then he gave me a lift home. I swore I would get a cell phone as soon as I was able to sign a contract, and I did. I've followed and upgraded my phone continuously as the technology has improved. I remember having to stop at a local gas station to buy a map for the town to find out where I was going, having to find a phone book and look through it to find the right business to call, having to call businesses to find out their hours of operation. No more, thanks to smart phones. I truly don't understand the vitriol some have towards evolving technology. I get lost on vacation, I don't need to stop and buy a map and ask the locals, I don't need to buy a fancy GPS device, I use the power of the internet in the palm of my hand to get my answers. I'm not "glued to my phone" BUT it is a tool, a very powerful one at that, why would I purposefully NOT use it? I switched to Project Fi from Google a few months ago and it has been the cheapest phone plan I've ever had and provides everything I want. We were previously with Sprint and we paid 150 a month for 2 phones with unlimited data. We now pay less than 70 for 2 phones. The downside is you have to purchase a current gen phone (either the Nexus 5x or the Nexus 6P) at full price. (Not a problem for us as our old phones WERE old and outdated) The upside is our unlimited cell costs only 20 bucks a month per line, plus 10 dollars per gig of data. If you don't use all the data, you are credited back on the next bill for the unused data. Almost all our data usage is at home over our own Wi-Fi so we have received a credit on every bill since we signed up. Google's Project Fi works over wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile networks so we have better coverage than we did with only Sprint. If you think you might ever use data (aka the internet) from your phone and you can afford the upfront cost of a new smartphone, I strongly encourage you to look at Project Fi.