I wanna' ditch Verizon - other options?

[Atlas Mugged]

I've been having a nightmare of a time with Verizon which isn't worth explaining. It's their screw up and they've still not straightened out this problem and it's been almost a month. How bad is it? Well, now their giving me cash credits, so, yes, it's that bad. Anyway, what other company offers nationwide long distance at a reasonable rate?

[Eurobabe]

1. If you have cable modem, go with VONAGE

email me and I'll give you the lowdown. It's VoIP and I have saved about $1500 since I have had them March 2003. Very satistfied!!

On edit, were you talking wireless or land line?

[Atlas Mugged]

4. Land line

Sorry, I should have specified. I also have Verizon Wireless on my cell phone, wherein lies the problem. My numbers got switched and it's pure hell getting them switched back. I've had the same land line number for 12 years and I live with a stock broker, so this is seriously bad. Oh, and the cell phone rarely, if ever, works at my home since I'm in a valley deep in the wilds of Western New York. You know - lions and tigers and bears - not to mention no reliable cell phone service.

[wtmusic]

2. I love Verizon

think twice before you jump ship. They seem to have the most reliable service, and at least they're giving you credits...

[histohoney]

3. cingular

has been great for me so far.
Look in to the coverage though, there are a few places that they may not have coverage for.

[cprise]

5. There is Working Assets

http://www.workingassetswireless.com/

They're a very progressive outfit.

[Texasgal]

6. Whatever you do.....

Don't go with sprint, they suck!

[frylock]

9. i would disagree..

I've been using Sprint for 4 years now, and have had limited issues as compared to people I know using other vendors. Sprint probably has the best infrastructure of all the wireless carriers. Welcome to the board, btw. :hi:

mi dos centavos.

[On the Road]

7. I Thought I Had Heard Every Phone Problem There Was

but switching cell and landline numbers? What a nightmare.

VoIP might save you money. (I hate to say it, because I work for Verizon landline.) But it's a cheaper technology, and I hear the reception has improved. Other competing local phone companies would probably use the same Verizon loop and resell it to you, which introduces another company into the mix with addditional chances for something to go wrong, even if you save a few dollars each month.

If you stay with Verizon landline, there are some things you can do to save money:

--Use a low-cost carrier for long distance. I have Qwest 5 or 6 cents a minute with no monthly fee if billed on a credit card. IDT is low, but I've never used them. There are lots of cheap LD companies if you do a search. Or, if you make lots of LD calls, a flat-rate plan might be cheaper, like Verizon's Freedom.

--Ask about the price for measured local service if you don't make too many local calls. The majority of people would save money this way and pay more for the feeling that calls are free.

Unless you need voice mail or caller ID, just buy the basic line. Packages have made things cheaper, but extras still push the monthly bill up a lot.

[On the Road]

8. Oh, and For Wireless

a lot of it depends on local reception and exactly where your wireless company have towers. I'm inside the DC beltway, but it's an odd little nook and Verizon gets terrible reception. The best way may be to ask neighbors about their reception.

Just make sure the places you call the most are in the cellular coverage area, and you don't have to pay roaming.