Best way to activate a Brand New Phone

[rgireyev]

Hi.

Just bought my mom a brand new Samsung SCH-R600 Vue II. It's a flip phone and is marked as Alltel. Cowbom has 'em for about $15.
I'm a bit of a noob at this as I don't own a cell phone and my mom is even more so. I've been reading this amazing forum for a while, getting all the great advice. But now I have a totally noob question. What's the best way to activate this new phone?
I'm not porting any number to it, since it's going to be her first ever cell phone. So I just need an activation. I called callingmart yesterday and they told me that I must activate with PP first. But calling PP leaves me on hold for hours. When I try to go through the PP web site I get some sort of an error. I also called some stores that are local to where mom lives and they claim they will do an activation, but some charge as much as $25 for it. So I thought I'd post the question here to see what the experts think.

On an unrelated note. I did not see any software updates for this phone on the Samsung website, so if anyone happens to know of one that should be used/applied for PP I'd be happy with a link or instructions.

This phone is for calling only as my 77 year old mom is unlikely to MMS, or text or even use the internet.

TIA
Rudy

[jay_rm]

P+ has NEVER left me on hold for more the 3-4 minutes - ever.

Quit messing with 3rd parties and just call the source.

[billm261]

I waited about 15 minutes to initiate service today.

Call them in the am (they get busy I was told from the late afternoon till close) and deal with the source like jay_rm stated.

[icebook]

You can call Pageplus directly and they will activate your phone for free: (800) 550-2436
You can also visit their website and activate it there for free.

Or you can also contact one of the dealers listed here: http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...-Dealers-lt-lt

[rgireyev]

Wow thanks everyone. So it seems like the overwhelming advice is to activate with PP themselves.

You can call Pageplus directly and they will activate your phone for free: (800) 550-2436

Yup that's the number I've been calling. Option 1 to activate new service. I have it memorized. It sounds like the problem is that I'm on the West Coast (Los Angeles) so by 9am for me it is already noon for them. I'll try calling earlier tomorrow. I just hate using the phone early in the morning and waking the neighbors downstairs up.

You can also visit their website and activate it there for free.

Did that too. Actually for new activation it is $10. Only for number transfers is it free.

Thanks Everyone.
Rudy

[notalent1]

Try the number again. I've had to wait almost 30 mins before (last weekend) but they eventually answer. The activation with a CSR is free, not sure why the webpage is $10

[shengchieh]

For call to CS, any CS, not just P+, study their hours and call at the beginning of their work hours.
E.g., P+ is 9am-10pm EST M-Sat and 12-8pm EST Sun. So call P+ at 9:05am EST.

Sheng-Chieh

[vey9]

Why I just go ahead and pay a dealer to sign up by web page 24/7 and no hold time. The reason that the webpage is $10 is so they don't completely cut the legs out from under the dealers.