And Now...The Tale of the Phone

I would like to dedicate this post to Christina, because it sounds like something that would happen to her.

I've been with the same cell phone company for eleven years and never had a moment's problem with my plans or any of the phones I've purchased. Until this last time. I upgraded, got a new phone (supposedly a good one) and within six months the touch screen gave up the ghost. Fortunately the phone was still under warranty and they happily shipped me a new one. About six months later - same thing. That time I procrastinated taking it in, and by the time I did, it was on the other side of the warranty. Woops.

I needed a phone, though, so the nice lady in the store told me I could purchase a phone and she'd knock $50 off the price because she could. Okay. I got a low end phone and have been using it since October. About 3 weeks ago, the screen died on that one. Seriously! What is up with these phones?!? I could still make and receive calls but texting was out...picture taking was out...internet was out...and did I mention texting was out? Gasp...for...air.

I went right in to the store and asked the lady when I was eligible for upgrade. June 16th, she said. Maybe earlier if I was lucky but they'd cracked down on that early upgrade thing, so she wouldn't make any promises.

(Side note: I found out during that time frame that it would be most helpful for my new job if I could get a smart phone while upgrading anyway. I'd need it for the work I do there. Sweet! Never had one of those before!)

Two days before upgrade day, I went back in to the store to choose my phone so on upgrade day...I could be in and out and back to texting. The man working that day confirmed the 16th as upgrade day and helped me choose a smart phone.

The moment the realtor left my house on June 16th, I practically sped to the store to get my phone. The lady who first told me of the upgrade day was working again and I plopped down in front of her and told her I was there to upgrade. She looked up my account and said these words:

I'm sorry. Your account isn't eligible for upgrade until June 16th 2012.

wha???????

Of course the concept of an inside voice was lost to her, so all other customers turned to stare at me. I knew my face was ridiculously red, but I maintained as even a voice as possible and said, "Um....but I was told twice that it was today, and my phone doesn't work. What am I supposed to do?"

She had no good answer.

So I continued. "I'm about to start a new job and I need a smart phone for that job. Can I just buy one?"

Again...no inside voice...Sure, but they run between six and seven hundred dollars.

DOLLARS?????? I didn't even pay that much to go to Florida for a week!

I had no idea what to do, so I left the store.

Just for kicks and giggles, I drove across the parking lot to the other cell phone company to see what they could do for me. I didn't really want to go through the hassle of switching companies, but I needed a phone...and desperate times call for desperate measures. Their phones were indeed cheaper - and they'd be happy to switch me but I'd have to pay an early termination fee to cancel my current contract.

Super. That probably cost as much as the phone!

So I decided to drive home and call the company. I did not intend to have an evening of confrontation, but no phone is worth seven hundred dollars...let me tell you that!

The phone call was classic. Do come back tomorrow to be further entertained....