New Phone...

There are times in life where technology is REALLY cool... and there are times in life where technology reaches out and bites you in the rear. Or more specifically, disappoints you.

Yesterday I had had enough! While I have endured several years of "Dude, that's one fat phone," I didn't think anything of it. I liked my phone. It was actually a popular phone at one point. In fact, if you're a fan of 24, it was "Jack Bauer's" phone... albeit, the 3rd season. It has rubber on the sides, which makes it durable and cool. And it even has speakerphone, which was BIG in its day.

But alas, the battery kept dying. I even went out a few weeks ago and got a new battery for "Old Fatty." Unfortunately, that still won't hold a charge longer than a day. Ridiculous. I guess I hit my breaking point yesterday when two things came together: One, of course, the battery was DOA. And two, I noticed on the Country Music Marathon's website that there is a service you can sign up for called "Bones in Motion." What it does is use the gps in your phone (and you have web service) to track you throughout the race. People can sign up to follow you - either receiving text messages, email messages, or they can simply log in and watch you run on the Google map. Really cool!

Of course, "Old Fatty" wasn't compatible. The Internet wasn't invented yet I guess when it came out. So I checked it out and looked at the phones and went out to the Sprint Store last night after work.

After waiting for about 30 minutes for some help, young Carlos came to assist. His first comment to me was, "How about we also set you up with another line." I'm like, "What? It's just me. I don't need another line." I then pointed out what I wanted, the Samsung M610, and told him why I wanted it. I figured it would take another 30 minutes to purchase and transfer my contacts to the new phone.

Well, enter "Store Manager." He took Carlos into the back because they wanted to research if they could save me anymore money. That took about 10 minutes. They both emerge and Carlos comes over and tells me he can save me $70 if I sign up for another line. I asked again, "Why do I need another line?" He said as a backup. Basically, he said it would be another phone in case I lose this one or it breaks. I'm like, "I don't need it." I mean, seriously... another phone? I finally pointed to my Blackberry and said, "look... I've got enough communication devices. Let's just do the deal."

Well, we go to checkout and then the store manager pulls Carlos aside and then comes over and introduces himself. He then, loudly, tells me how he can save me $70 by selling me another line. I don't want one, I tell him. He then tries to sell me a car charger or a case or any other accessory. I said no, I just want to buy the phone. He then says he'll drop my monthly charge by 5% if I'll buy an accessory and he'll drop $70 off the phone. I said, "look... I just want to buy this phone." Then he acted as if I was the biggest idiot in the store and said loudly, "Well sir, I was just trying to save you money."

Once Carlos and I completed the sale, he started transferring my contacts. He then said, "Yeah, he didn't believe me that I had said that to you." I said, "Your manager has a big problem communicating with people. He almost lost this entire deal." He just grinned and said, "Yeah."

But with all of that, the site that'll track me doesn't appear to be working with the new phone. Unless I get it up and running today, I'll be limited to only sending updates to a select few. Dang this unfangled technology! And Sprint Store Managers!