vB Easy Archive - Lost my phone...what are my options?

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Lost my phone...what are my options?
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Posted by: m_thrizzle

Hi everyone, I just lost my phone while skiing and now I'm trying to figure out what to do. I had an L7 SLVR with AT&T and my contract with them is up in 1 month (Feb 23, 2008).

I am debating whether to stick with them or go to Verizon (while keeping my #), but since I am still under contract, will AT&T slap me with an early termination fee? If this is the case, is there some way I can get a phone for a month until my contract ends? Should I just check Craigslist for a cheap phone ASAP?

If I stay with AT&T, are there any tips on how to get a better price on a phone?

BTW, I get a corporate discount with both carriers, and I'm in the SF Bay Area if that makes any difference.

Thanks!!

Posted by: bachviet

Get a cheap AT&T prepaid phone and you will be good to go.

Posted by: m_thrizzle

Hmm, so prepaid phones can be attached to an existing account? That's good to know.

Posted by: colin!

any gsm phones (unlocked or locked to at&t) will work on your account, just put your sim card in.

Posted by: bachviet

Quote:

Originally Posted by m_thrizzle

Hmm, so prepaid phones can be attached to an existing account? That's good to know.

Just swap your SIM into your new phone and you are good to go, i.e. the beauty of GSM.

Posted by: m_thrizzle

But I don't have a SIM card...I lost my phone w/ the SIM card in it. So now what?
If I buy a used phone and it comes w/ a SIM card, can I get it activated under my account? Will it work if the SIM card is for a pre-paid phone? Thanks.

Posted by: PhreakIgor

Go to wal mart, get a cheap at&t go phone like the motorola c139 ($20-$30.) Go to an at&t store, tell them you lost your phone, you already have a replacement and that you need a replacement sim card. If you argue, you might be able to get them to waive the $10 replacement sim fee. Once you have your replacement sim, pop it in the at&t go phone and youll be making calls in no time, without resetting your contract, and without terminating your service.

Either way, it is very important to report your phone lost so that you dont get stuck with a big bill if someone uses it.

Also, even if you dont get a replacement phone, it is still better to pay your final month of service rather than an early termination fee in most cases. You might be without a phone, but youll be able to port your number over to verizon or whoever else without incurring the wrath of early termination fees. Dont go to anyone and port your number before your contract with cingular/at&t is up. The number porting process is the same thing as calling and terminating your service. Youll have a big headache getting them to waive the early termination fees if you port your number to soon.

Good luck.

Posted by: DubDub

Coverage, coverage, coverage. Go with the carrier that gives you the best coverage where you use it - where you live, work, travel and play. If those are equal, look at phones, features and price. You are really the only one who can make that choice.

If you are happy with ATT, why change?

Also, make sure you notify your carrier about the lost phone. You are liable for all charges up and until you tell the carrier.

Posted by: colin!

do corporate stores still give out free sim cards?

Posted by: RogerPodacter

ATT has excellent 3G network in the bay area.

Posted by: m_thrizzle

My sister had an old Samsung SGH-X426 phone and I went to the AT&T store to get a new SIM card but it wouldn't work in that phone because it is too old. The SIM card was free though!

I'll grab a cheap prepaid phone so I can have a phone for another month until my contract runs out, when I'll re-up w/ AT&T or switch to Verizon.

AT&T works well in the Bay Area and I've heard Verizon does too. My parents are getting a cabin in Montana and it looks like only Verizon works in that area so I may switch so I will have reception there when I visit 2-3 times/year.

Posted by: m_thrizzle

I bought a Moto C168i at Fry's for $20 and popped my SIM card in it and it's working. Thanks for your help!

This will give me some time to figure out which phone/carrier I want to go with.