Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

Re: Credit is not for phone only

quote:

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Originally posted by mpk65281
FYI, my first post-statement came and the credit applied to my monthy service (i.e. I have a negative balance) so they either put it in wrong or have no way of making it an "equipment only" credit.

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__________________
The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Dec 2002
Location:
Posts: 2

Take the plunge?

Howdy folks. I'm sorry to hear that so many people have had a bad experience.

Like you, I was excited about the DL, but reading this thread, I'm having second thoughts. I hope you can help me make a decision.

Here's a little about me: I've never owned a cell phone before, but have just realized that I need one. I'm destitute (okay, a student), so price is a factor. I own a Visor Deluxe which I like a lot, when I use it, but often don't. All I really want is voice, a little email, very little web browsing, very little text messaging. I don't care at all about ring tones, games, screen savers, do-das or gimmicks.

I see that the DL doesn't work with vision plans. I'm considering getting it, (free from Handspring) and a PCS Free and Clear Plan.

My first question is: Does this PCS Free and Clear plan include the email and data capability? I read something earlier about needing PCS Wireless Web (and an additional monthly charge), but I don't see anything about this on the the Sprint webpage. I'm supposing that what used to be known as Wireless Web is now included in the package known as Vision. Since the DL doesn't work with Vision, does wireless web still exist? Does it cost extra?

My other option would be to get the same Free and Clear Plan (or a nearly identical Cingular plan) and get a free phone. This probably means retiring my Visor because I'm already neglecting it and I don't think I'll want to carry two devices.

Your advice is appreciated.

Registered: Nov 2002
Location:
Posts: 5

Some comments that may help:

1) I have DEARLY loved having the DL as I did NOT want to carry two devices, and having the DL be able to "look up" incomming calls against my 15,000 stored phone numbers in my visor is great.

2) being able to dial OUT any of 15,000 phone numbers without having to remember them is VERY cool too!

3) Since it is free now (I think a lot of the negative comments are from those of us, myself included, that paid big money for the thing and were mislead about upgrades) I would seriously think about trying it, and if you don't like it bail.... I must admit my son thinks I look like a bit of a geek talking into my PDA ;-) but otherwise I have no issues with it as a phone.

4) You can get the Blazer V2.0 web browser at no charge which seems to work pretty well, except that is it SLOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW...........

5) Go to local sprint store and hammer them on the useage plans, they have many to choose from and they change often... See if they have one you like.....................

6) No comment on e-mail as I don't do that........ :-0

Jim

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 108

To: ljb5

Another possibility is to get the Visorphone (also free from Handspring, with a qualifying service plan) which is, as I understand it, practically the same as the DL, but for GSM systems. DL is for PCS. Depending on where you live, Cingular may already have GSM service, or will soon. Usually VoiceStream, now T-Mobile, has service in metro areas that Cingular does not.

I have had a Visorphone for several weeks now with T-mobile service and it is great. I do not "e-mail" with it, but I can send short text messages (SMS) to other SMS capable phones OR to actual e-mail addresses. I think DL will do the same. People can also send SMS to me from their phones or from their e-mail by using a special e-mail address which is the cell phone number @tmomail.net, which works very well. You can also send text message to any T-Mobile phone from the T-mobile website by typing in the text right on the page, as you do here on VisorCentral to post.

You can access the internet with either DL or Visorphone, however, you need to have a dial-up internet account through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Some people have had good luck on T-Mobile using a special T-Mobile ISDN number, using T-Mobile as the ISP for browsing only, but I have not been able to do this myself. Either way, you still need to have a dial-up ISP with SMTP capability to send out regular e-mail from your Visor. I find that the SMS capability (up to 150 characters per message I think) is quite adequate for my mobile needs.

Hope this helps!

__________________
The Prismer

"I am not a number, I am a person!"

Registered: Dec 2002
Location:
Posts: 2

Thanks for the advice. Handspring tells me that the Visorphone is not an option here. It seems everyone I know uses PCS for their (sadly primitive)voice-only phones and seem happy with that.

My main question now is which plan to get. I see only two options on the Sprint web page - with Vison and without. I know I can't get it with Vision, but the alternative, PCS Free and Clear does not specifically mention anything about data. I don't see it offered as an option either.

Did Sprint abandon non-Vision data service when they introduced Vision? Is it available as an option to Free and Clear? Is it included with Free and Clear but not mentioned on the web page? Is it obtained from a different vendor? How do I find such a vendor?

Thanks again.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 2682

quote:

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Originally posted by ljb5
My main question now is which plan to get. I see only two options on the Sprint web page - with Vison and without. I know I can't get it with Vision, but the alternative, PCS Free and Clear does not specifically mention anything about data. I don't see it offered as an option either.

Did Sprint abandon non-Vision data service when they introduced Vision? Is it available as an option to Free and Clear? Is it included with Free and Clear but not mentioned on the web page? Is it obtained from a different vendor? How do I find such a vendor?

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__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Registered: Nov 2002
Location:
Posts: 5

I use a "non-vision" plan and have as an option the "Wireless Web" package which is either $5 or $10/month. No ISP required. You should be able to add that option to any of the non-Vision plans....

Jim

Registered: Aug 2002
Location:
Posts: 9

Re: Re: Credit is not for phone only

quote:

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Originally posted by Prismer2


Try going a month (or two) without making a payment and see if your next statement merely reduces your negative balance or if it asks for your payment on the outstanding current balance from the prior month!

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