The 'man' is bringing me down

[Cheekie]

Ok....seeing as I watched my Motorola, it was a nice one to, get run over by a bulldozer this past weekend at the dump (damn thing feel out of my pocket while I was walking around on top of the bed of the dump truck) I am looking into getting another Motorola but the Razor this time.

Question, I have another phone that I am temporarily using (LG - I hate it) and without checking, if it has a SIM card in it I should be able to purchase an unlocked phone, possibly Ebay, and add the SIM to it. Correct? My contract is up so if I don't have to re-up for another 2 years it that would be a good thing. Are SIM cards account or carrier specific?

What does this statement mean? "quad-band GSM — for global calls where GSM network coverage and roaming agreements are present."

SIMs are what ID's you and your account to the network, so if you get an unlocked phone you should have no problems using it with your SIM. The Quad band just means you can use it in more places (different countries use different frequencies) - if it's unlocked that is (which would allow you to pop in a different SIM in a foreign country instead of paying over-seas roaming charges; pre-paid SIMs are more common overseas, you can even get limited data plans, etc. If you're using T-Mobile or Cingular, you've most likely got a SIM as they use GSM networks. Sprint and Verizon are CDMA - no SIMs (generally speaking of course).

You can get good deals on new or used phones, but I wouldn't recommend eBay unless you're looking for an older used phone. If you want to buy new or used, there are a lot of places that sell and guarantee unlocked phones (something that would be sketchy at best will an eBay seller):
http://www.dweiniger.com
http://www.mobilecityonline.com/
http://www.mobileplanet.com/t.aspx?f=22

Remember, you're going to pay a huge premium for an un-subsidized phone (IOW, without a contract)

The only problem you may have is getting a crappy Razor (unless you like having to recharge their notoriously crappy batteries once or twice a day )

I agree with Rob on this one- It took Moto three versions to get this model right and I STILL think it AIN'T right-
But- considering which provider and who you know you can score some phones ( especially later model TEMP phones for REAL Cheap ) If you are on NXTL - PM me I might have a spare somewhere.

 

[PSTAN]

Thanks Rob and Cheekie for the input. In terms of what service is available in my area the only "reliable" one is US Cellular. I have not had any service or accounting issues with them but what I do HATE is that they order their phones that are "blue tooth" but have the phone manufactures turn off all the blue tooth features BUT the hands free/ear piece option. They make you use their own program, EasyEdge, which sucks big time and costs out the wazoo. So I purchased the requird programs and cables and bypassed that crap.

My previous Motorola was a model V710 (clam shell) and I really liked it a lot. Not heavy, sound levels were great and easy to control. I will go back to a Motorola before I ever go back to the LG and Kyocera brands or a low grade Samsung since those are my only options with this service provider.

No SIMM card so I am SOL in terms of an easy phone swap out.