Registered: Jul 2001
Location: Providence, RI
Posts: 78

Re: Re: Making No Sense

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Originally posted by mensachicken


If handspring gave me the option of getting a deal with a provider here, i'd gladly take it. but they are not. instead, they're offering you a phone for $49 and me a phone for $499. it's the same damn phone. yes, you would incur the cost of a service provider, BUT SO WOULD I if they'd sell me the phone.

mc

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Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

I had a similar problem. However, my contract did expire. When I was ready to sign a new one, I talked to the service rep and made sure that I could get a "new" phone at the "upgrade" price. I was interested in the Nokia 7190, but told that Nokia is discontinuing them because of a software problem. So, I talked to a rep who assured me that I could order the phone through Handspring at the special "upgrade" price, and they would let me keep my existing number. Make sure they note this on your account! I just ordered on 07/17, but should receive the phone is a couple of days. In any case, I would call Cingular when your contract expires. The entire deal is up to them. It is just processed through Handspring's website. I am also going to make sure that I call them when I receive the phone. I just want to make sure that they don't activate another number in my name. I will post updates as necessary. Hope this helps.

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: NC
Posts: 6

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Originally posted by lgerald
I had a similar problem. However, my contract did expire. When I was ready to sign a new one, I talked to the service rep and made sure that I could get a "new" phone at the "upgrade" price. I was interested in the Nokia 7190, but told that Nokia is discontinuing them because of a software problem. So, I talked to a rep who assured me that I could order the phone through Handspring at the special "upgrade" price, and they would let me keep my existing number. Make sure they note this on your account! I just ordered on 07/17, but should receive the phone is a couple of days. In any case, I would call Cingular when your contract expires. The entire deal is up to them. It is just processed through Handspring's website. I am also going to make sure that I call them when I receive the phone. I just want to make sure that they don't activate another number in my name. I will post updates as necessary. Hope this helps.

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__________________
Rob Baker
Webcentric Applications Developer

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

Ok. Got my VP yesterday. I switched the SIM card that they provided with my old one. You have to activate the SIM card that they provide if you want a new account. Also checked my credit card, and they only billed it $76.00 for the VP. This was for taxes and shipping. Called Cingular because the phone worked, but data access through my own ISP (Earthlink) did not work. I got the same no carrier error that was discussed previously. Spoke to the reps today. You MUST have Wireless Internet on your account to use the VP for data services. The cheapest service is $6.99 and includes 100 SMS messages. Once you activate Wireless Internet, they will give you a local access number that you are supposed to dial instead of a separate ISP. This number can take from 1-24 hours to activate (it rings busy). However, the data portion generally becomes available in 20-30 minutes. I am up and surfing, but it can be painfully slow and only certain websites look good. The Blazer web browser will automatically dial up whatever ISP you select in your network settings. Now, the only thing I am concerned about is getting the right information on my bill. It appears that they did give me the phone at the upgrade price, but I don't want to get a bill for another phone number or the additional $200 for the VP if someone doesn't do things right at Cingular. Everything else works great on the voice side. I do recommend getting an external headset with a mic because the mic on the Visor barely picks up sound. Hope this information helps. By the way, I use a Visor Prism/VP combination.

Attachment: vp.gif
This has been downloaded 159 time(s).

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 413

How were you able to get the VisorPhone for only 70$ when you had an existing contract?

what was the trick?

Registered: Jul 2001
Location: NC
Posts: 6

quote:

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Originally posted by lgerald
Ok. Got my VP yesterday. I switched the SIM card that they provided with my old one. You have to activate the SIM card that they provide if you want a new account.

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__________________
Rob Baker
Webcentric Applications Developer

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

No, I talked to the customer service rep and she said that I did not have to activate the card and even if I did I could transfer my existing number to the new card. But, don't get the data access feture. Sign up for just the wireless internet w/o messaging for $4.00 additional per month. This is in addition to your regular charge and the minutes come of off your regular time. But, it is better than $4.95 plus $.15 per minute. Everything works great and I am surfing away!

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 4

Re: Handspring Makes the Deal not Cingular

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Originally posted by NetPoser
[B]This is a Handspring deal.

If you talk to Cingular they'll tell you that buying from Handspring is like buying from a non-Cingular retailer. This means that the same warranties do not apply. If I buy direct from Cingular I can return the phone within 30 days. Cingular only provides the cellular service. If you have a problem or question about your phone you have to contact the reseller that sold you the phone--not Cingular.

You can only buy the Visor Phone thru the Handspring website.

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