Yep, I share something with Warren Buffett, we both don't have Smart Phones. I don't have one because I absoulootly, ain't a gonna pay $500.00 plus the apps, fees, insurance, etc. for a phone. I get my funky Verizon flips phones at yard sales etc. Most costs about 2 bucks. If I happen to kill one while working, no problem, I simply grab one out of my stash and get it "Hooked Up". With the way technology drasticly changes every 5 years, I'm not going to be one of the ones to finance it. I have a extremely modest lifestyle. My only big or "Gift to Myself" is great food. I buy the best when it comes to food. Grilled cheese with lobster? No problem, I have 2 old trucks and a flip phone.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Apple has a net worth of 900 Billions dollars, lots of it in cash they don't know what to do with. I also read that they have, in 2017, 246 billion dollars in overseas banks. Just that one company alone tells me they make too much money, they overcharge. And as long as the people pay, tell will sell. If more people stood their ground, prices would come down dramaticly. I-Phones 8 would be selling for 100 bucks. But people just wipe out them credit cards and buy. Yes for the phone, but more for "Lookie what I got" mentality. If my dog is not impressed, neither am I
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
I like your thinking Alicia and I totally agree with most of it. Especially the obsession of paying megabux for the latest and greatest.
I started off, years ago, with a simple flip phone and a $22/month, 2 year contract for very basic service.
After 2 years I got an e-mail that I was eligible for a new free phone with the same contract. I went for the offer and got a new smart phone. (No strings attached, no additional fees, same contract). Since then, over the years, I have received 3 new smart phones for free. I also get to keep the old ones.
The only down side was last summer when the monthly service charge finally increased from $22/month to $25/month.
I do get the new smartphones "unlocked" so that I can install my Mexican SIM card when we are in Mexico. But, at that point I stick in my Canadian SIM card into the older phone, so it is still useable too.
The "newer" model phones I get for free are probably 2 models older, but each one is new and is an improvement over the previous free one.
My experience with smartphones has been "no cost" for the actual units and I love being able to take pictures, access the internet etc. wherever I am without needing a laptop. I also use the MagicApp, so I can call anyone in North America for free! (well for $30/year)
I wouldn't be without my smartphone these days.
[ February 08, 2018, 05:40 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
we always stay behind a few versions, they work fine for us
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I do have a smartphone, albeit one that is a generation behind the latest. I love it!
I seldom use the phone for web stuff except for when I travel.
I used to carry a camera with me on my belt but found the cameras in the current smart phones are much better than a point and shoot. Smaller too. The pictures I take daily in the shop and of installations are of a good enough quality to publish on the web and in the magazine articles I write. Video is good too.
I love the fact that I can enter an address, phone number or email addy on my computer, laptop, phone or tablet and it is instantly on every device.
Carrying my phone on my pocket means my portfolio is always with me too.
I believe having a smart phone is good for business.
-grampa dan
Posted by David Thompson (Member # 2395) on :
I have a flip phone too. I don't have a desire for a thousand dollar smart phone along with the monthly bill that comes with it. My phone has a 3.2 mp camera and that is good enough for me.
I get some snide remarks from people about being in the stone age, my reply is is always the same, "What are you, a 14 year old girl who judges someone for what phone they have?". that usually shuts them up!
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Beware of the hype on the "greatest" smart phones. I had the latest Samsung Galaxy a while back. I think it was close to $700 at the time. It accidentally got washed ( not going into that story ). I didn't have the money to replace it and got a Motorola for $150. The Motorola was a much, much better phone. I don't think I know anybody with an Iphone that doesn't have some kind of hassle with them, usually battery related. We've been with Consumer Cellular for a number of years, no complaints.
Posted by DianeBalch (Member # 1301) on :
I don't have a smart phone, and never will. I am semi-retired from the sign business, so I don't need it to grow the business. I have a $5 flip phone from Target, use. Trak phone for my service. I don't text nor care to receive photos. Don't need to go on line with it. My cost for minutes is about $100 for year. I use it mainly for emergency Or for my 2 brothers to get a hold of me.
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
I carried my Samsung flip phone for about 7 years - until I could see the circuitry through the worn paint and it could no longer take a charge. I went the iphone 5 route for awhile but never came to love it.
Now I have a galaxy s8 with 64g internal and 64g SD, and it has become an indispensable work tool. I can plug in a thumb drive. I can get paid on site with my CloverGo card reader. I rarely need to use the Nikon, the work camera or even the scanner anymore. It's my radio and podcast buddy. And I can even give my grandson whittling lessons from 200 miles away.
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I love my iPhone 7 and my iPad. It's hard to imagine not having my devices. The bad news is I surf a little too much. The good news is I'm only robbing time from watching TV
Posted by Chuck Peterson (Member # 70) on :
I have a smart phone and I like it for the most part. I have not, however had a TV for five years now. I gave the last one away when I moved back here to California. I don't miss it. I read books and I do watch short videos on YouTube. Sometimes I just don't do anything.
