The biggest problem with the iPhone (aside from the fact that the only models in existence are apparently in rotating glass cases, minded by angry security guards), is the carrier deal. Those of us who have our cell phone contracts through companies not represented with a crazy orange stick figure are out of luck.
For the time being anyway. But you’ve got six months between now and the release of Apple’s newest lust-worthy object, so if you’re coveting an iPhone, it’s time to start planning your escape from the maximum security prison known as your cell phone contract.
The Consumerist has put together a resource for those wishing to switch to Cingular, though they preface it with this less-than-heartwarming comment:
Bear in mind we are not advocating that you switch to Cingular, a service which has tendency to suck and hate its customers…Come on Consumerist: tell us what you really think.
Also, WIRED (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.08/howtodigital.html) and WikiHow (http://www.wikihow.com/Get-out-of-a-Cellular-Service-Contract) have tips on how to end your cellular contract.
As a former Cingular customer I can say firsthand that "Cingular sucks and hates it's customers." I broke my contract with Cingular and switched to VerizonWireless over 4 years ago with no regrets. Verizon's service is the best for me and Customer Service has always been friendly, helpful, and efficient. I will not switch even for an iPhone.
well, i already have cingular, so the burden to me is only the price of the phone and the fact that's have to sign a new contract just when my current one expires.
to tell you the truth, cingular sucks. it simply doesn't work. they say they have the least dropped calls of all carriers, to that i say it's true: if you can't make any calls, you're less likely to have them dropped.
i can't wait for my contract to end so i can go elsewhere. and now apple comes and does this to me. well, the phone is amazing, but is it worth it having cingular for another 2 years??
PS: cingular's service started to suck after the AT&T merger. before that, only their customer service was horrid.
gee, my Sprint contract is up June 3rd.
how convenient.
unfortunate Cingular service is the poorest service where I live and sprint is the best.
who knows, maybe i'll move.
As a previous Cingular customer for 4 years, I pity the fool who actually expects professional, courteous customer service from them. I moved to Verizon several months ago and have been very pleased.