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Do Working Cell Phone Demos Exist Anymore?
Peridriga asks: "I've been using the same cell phone now for going on about 4 years. I personally love it but, new technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc leave me wanting more from my 24/7 tool. I haven't gotten rid of it because I can work it in almost any condition (dark, drunk, asleep), with only occasional glances at the screen. Menu functionality, layout, ergonomics, and button layout are of real importance simply because I want a phone I don't have to think about using. The problem comes in that none of the cell stores/kiosks/provider retail outlets/etc have working demos of phones available. Simply shells of the phone model physically attached to the displays. How am I supposed to drop down $200-$500 on a top-of-the-line phone when I can't even see how it works? Does anybody know of a provider that has working demo models of phones on display so you can actually see what your buying? How about websites that review phones with their function and purpose in mind, not just the specs and the manufacturer provided marketing fluff?"
Return it if it doesn't meet your needs or expectations. Do it enough, and you have created an incentive for them to provide working demos again.
I haven't seen any store with working demos on display, but if I ask nicely they always let me try the phone out before deciding. I bought two phones last year, one in Sweden and one in France, and I think I played with at least 5 to 10 phones in the process.
Good luck!
AT&T Wireless is presently a dead company walking. The deal is signed, they're on the way of being folded into Cingular. So, I wouldn't expect any major upgrades to their network... they're not going to get any better.