Thursday, July 4, 2013

Straight Talk or Verizon Wireless Cell Phone Service

I have was trying to decide between using Straight Talk or Verizon Wireless Cell Phone Service. I searched the net for info, but decided to just chat with Verizon support. Here is the transcript of that conversation:


9:16 AM 7/4/2013


Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative, we appreciate your patience. Your current estimated wait time is 0 min 40 secs.

Add a tablet to the Share Everything plan for only $10/mo – no contract commitment - data only plans starting at $30 monthly access! Ask me how.

Your RealTime session ID is RT22615767785.
You are now chatting with 'Alexandria S.'
Alexandria S.: Hi! My name is Alexandria S. with the Verizon Wireless Sales Team. I am available to answer your questions and help you place an order. May I have your name, please?
You: Alexander
Alexandria S.: What may i assist you with today?
You: I am trying to decide between choosing verizon or straight talk. i do not want a contract of any kind, use my own phone, and have unlimited data
Alexandria S.: What phone device do you have?
You: a samsung droid smartphone unlocked
Alexandria S.: You are only able to use verizon phones on verizon network.
Alexandria S.: Also we do not offer unlimited data on out prepaids martphone plans.
Alexandria S.: *smartphone
You: you don't have unlimited data on any plan at all?
Alexandria S.: On our prepaid basic phones plans we do .
You: ok i am looking at your website now
You: looks like $35/mo, unlimited txt + data + 500 mins
You: is that what you're talking about?
Alexandria S.: Yes for prepaid basic phones.
You: it also says that for $50/ month unlimited talk mins
You: looks like the same as straight talk has for $45/mo
You: i am trying to compare equal service plans
Alexandria S.: Yes we have a $50 month also but it's unlimited talk and text.
You: does "Unlimited Mobile Web" mean than other apps on my phone that use data are also "Unlimited"
You: ?
Alexandria S.: The prepaid basic phones do not have apps.
You: oh, i see, it only works with those phones!
You: now it makes sense
Alexandria S.: Yes that is correct.
Alexandria S.: Yes, sorry if i confused you .
You: so can you give me any advantages that verizon has over straight talk?
You: at walmart they told me they use the same network as verizon and/or att
Alexandria S.: They use our towers but we have better phone devices depending on which plan.
You: ? they said i can use any phone at all
Alexandria S.: On which carrier?
You: sorry, i'm a bit confused. i was not aware that verizon manufactured phones. i thought apple, samung, etc made phones
You: at walmart they said i can use any device from any manufacturer on their service
Alexandria S.: Yes but they make them specifically for each network. We do not use the network as other carriers.
You: i know some phone are "locked" into a carrier, but i know they can all be "unlocked"
Alexandria S.: Our phones use CDMA network. That's why other carrier phones can not be used on our network.
Alexandria S.: We do not not unlock devices. You can call customer care and speak to them regarding this and they will be able to assist you with additional questions. 1-800-922-0204 .
You: a friend of mine had a verizon smartphone - droid, and transferred his SAME phone, SAME phone number and SAME verizon network to straight talk and now has unlimited talk, and data for $45/mo
Alexandria S.: Straightalk do not use our phone.s
You: i read some blogs and other things on the internet that verizon has better coverage, but if straight talk uses the same towers, it must be equal coverage
Alexandria S.: Okay then.
You: you seem to put alot of importance on the device, and i was under the impression that for example, i can buy an iphone 5, and use it on verizon, att, t-mobile, or straight talk
You: now I KNOW that each has a locked version of the same device
Alexandria S.: Yes the iphone 5 is unlocked.
You: but the device stil lhas the same capabilities
Alexandria S.: But none of our other devices are unlocked.
You: so what am i missed?
You: i understand that, but let's just take the iphone 5 to compare for simplicity
Alexandria S.: You can use a iphone 5 purchases from us and use on another carrier. But you can not buy a iphone 5 from another carrier and use it on our network.
Alexandria S.: *purchased
You: exactly how much would i be paying verizon for a plan for it?
Alexandria S.: For a iphone 5?
You: yes
Alexandria S.: We have unlimited talk, text, 300mb for $80 a month.
You: just to clarify - i am trying to compare service plan prices, not devices - i will use the "i found the iphone 5 on the side of the road"
You: ok so $80/mo = 300mg/mo data
You: what is 2GB data /mo?
Alexandria S.: Yes that is correct.
You: what is 2GB data /mo?
Alexandria S.: 2GB would be $100 plus taxes.
You: ok so if i found an iphone5 (from verizon) on the side of the road, and started today with a new service,
You: i would be getting unlimited txt, talk, and 2gb data/mo
You: and use verizon network, and towers with verizon coverage
Alexandria S.: Yes that is correct.
You: and pay verizon $100/mo or pay walmart (straight talk) $45/mo
Alexandria S.: Yes that is correct.
You: so exactly why would i choose verizon? is there some other advantage i would have using verizon?
Alexandria S.: No there are not any additional advantages.
You: ok thank you for clearing that up for me, Alexandria
You: have a happy july 4th
Alexandria S.: Thank you for visiting Verizon Wireless; I'm glad I was able to help you today!   At the end of this chat there is an opportunity for you to provide your feedback based on your experience with me today and to receive a copy of the chat.  We would very much appreciate your thoughts.
Thank you for chatting with us, visit our Online Workshops to learn more about your devices. Click "Close" to tell us how we did today via our survey.