topic Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE? in Electronics

GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

lovestodance — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 15:43:15 GMT

Had ordered the new Jitterbug 5.5 smart phone.... Was advertised before Christmas holiday at sale price...

They do not provide labels for returns...Had to make my own label.. Cost was over $11 to return with insurance which i felt was necessary... Also they do charge for restocking.... Nevr mentioned that to me when i ordered.

Did call and ordered it.... I am a Senior 78,my husband is 81... He does not know how to use a pc.....

Have a desk top hp with keyboard and mouse...

Stuck in a room with bad lighting...

Just have a basic small flip cell phone...

With all the new techology am so confused with what to get right now..

Got cold feet and returned the Jitterbug the other day...

Now wondering if i did the right thng or not

Do to several health issues i just felt wrong timing....

So just to be curious.. Does anyone have the Jitterbug smart phone comments welcomed...

Oh to add what about the Celular smart phones that are advertised?

Just don't want to make any wrong decisions with what to get...

Am not Pc or tech savvey as they say...

Lovestodance

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

LTT1 — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 15:57:43 GMT

@lovestodance

I don't know about the jitterbug phone, but here is what I think!

There is a market for large-screen, large text, simplified technology.

Younger generation --mostly teens -- enjoy playing with their pads/phones.

Most of the time, most of us do not.

For now, my best suggestion is to head to a provider (i.e.: Verizon -- ours isn't very busy when we go)

Tell the SA what you need to be able to comfortably do on a regular basis (email/text/internet search/ dial out/ catch missed calls)

Ask them to show you the largest screen hand-held tech that they offer.

Ask them to set it up using large font settings.

Ask them to "fix it up" for immediate use not requiring you to do anything right away.

Companies need to get right on this problem. There must be quite a market. REALLY

My DBIL, who is not all that elderly but shakes due to diabetic neuropathy has such a difficult time. He texts items needed to DH, but the information is jumbled due to the fact that the buttons are so small.

Good luck with your quest-- wish I knew of other solutions!❤

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

millieshops — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 16:13:06 GMT

@lovestodanceLike you, I am older than even the Baby Boomer generation - and while I have a tiny bity of tech savvy, I am just not comfortable with all the new stuff.

I agree with @LTT1. You need to go into a storefront and shop (assuming you can), but before you buy anything else, you do need to decide how much you need your new phone to do beyond ordinary telephone use.

Do you want to take lots of pictures, listen to music, download all kinds of aps, text friends and family, do any banking, shop via those aps - and on and on.

The more you can tell the salesperson, the more pleased you're likely to be with your new phone.

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

Marp — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 19:26:09 GMT

@LTT1said: My DBIL, who is not all that elderly but shakes due to diabetic neuropathy has such a difficult time. He texts items needed to DH, but the information is jumbled due to the fact that the buttons are so small.

My nephew has MS and often has difficulty texting but has learned to dictate his text messages. So much easier for him to do and for recipients to read.

Perhaps if someone would take the time to show your DBIL how to use the voice feature it would be a good solution for all.

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

lovestodance — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 20:04:11 GMT

Many thanks to all that replied.. Really appreicated all taking to time to give me some great pointers...

Just have to mention i did go to a Verizon store not far from my home....

That was about a year ago... It was a smart phone...

Had to return since it felt too complicated to use..

My husband took it back the next day.... The charged us a restock fee...

Will not buy any phones etc in the future that does that..

lovestodance

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

glb613 — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 20:31:05 GMT

@lovestodance wrote:
Many thanks to all that replied.. Really appreicated all taking to time to give me some great pointers...

Just have to mention i did go to a Verizon store not far from my home....

That was about a year ago... It was a smart phone...
Had to return since it felt too complicated to use..

My husband took it back the next day.... The charged us a restock fee...

Will not buy any phones etc in the future that does that..

lovestodance

You better stick with QVC or HSN if you don't want a restocking fee. I don't know of any other retailer who doesn't.

I really don't understand why people think they have to use every feature of a smart phone. Just because the features are there, doesn't mean you MUST use them. There isn't anything complicated when using a smart phone to make or receive a call.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a smart phone if all I was going to do is text and talk. You can get phones with pull down keyboards for texting when you need it. If all you are going to do is make phone calls, get a flip phone. They are much, much cheaper than a iPhone or Galaxy.

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

sugar22 — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 21:10:04 GMT

Did not like dealing with GreatCall. Ordered an emergency button for my mother but she didn't like the looks of it. I had a very difficult time getting them to take it back. Forceful sales pitch, lots of pressure to keep it for her safety. I finally gave up and got them to cancel the service, but threw the gadget in a drawer rather than try to return it. She now has a flip phone with my number programmed on the emergency button and I call her every day to check on her. That's our solution.

I also think its better to go into a phone store and get personal service. We have a friend who is legally blind and he uses Siri to send texts and make calls. Good luck!

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

LTT1 — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 21:15:51 GMT

DH bought an iPad -- I wanted this for him so he can see texts from DGCs and use the keyboard.

He is learning to slowly trust it!

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

Kachina624 — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 22:29:33 GMT

I have a feeling the Jitterbug was a good phone for you. Isn't it marketed for seniors? You probably do not need a "smart phone". These are phones that have advanced features for people who "live" on their phones. Yes, they are complicated for the reason they have many functions, most of which most seniors will never use. You need a simple phone with big buttons your husband can easily manipulate. It sounds like Consumer Cellular would be the perfect company for you. Target is a dealer, I believe. I'd go talk to someone there.

@lovestodance You'd probably do well with a phone like this. I'm a senior too and have had many cell phones. I know this is all I need.

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

gidgetgh — Sun, 15 Jan 2017 22:29:01 GMT

My dad had a regular Jitterbug phone for 5 years and it was great for him. They were easy to work with and when he passed away In July and I called them to make sure I got the final bill and his account closed, they couldn't have been nicer.

Again though, it was a regular flip phone. He had no interest in a smart phone.

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

qbetzforreal — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 00:14:55 GMT

@lovestodance- Why do you feel to switch?

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

SouthernBee — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 06:24:52 GMT

I love the Jitterbug Smartphone. In my area the carrier provides a larger service network. I only use certain features when need like on a long trip . I can change the amount of minutes, data as needed and not have a big bill each month. I needed a larger screen. A friend really tried to force me to purchase a smaller smartphone from consumer cellular. She has issues with the service network and dropped calls and has gone over her plan limits each month. I noticed that she has trouble reading her emails and texting. The Jitterbug has big numbers and very easy to make a call. I will be making a week long trip and increased my minutes etc and had a bigger bill this month but will resume the regular bill of $24 . Southern Bee

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

violann — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 12:43:46 GMT

In my experience, many very bright, capable "seasoned adults" grossly underestimate their potential to learn new things.

The Apple Store offers very good training for its smart phones and iPads.

There are also some sales assistants at our local store who have gray hair and wrinkles- very heartening when I stop by to tune up my skills with my equipment.

Don't sell yourself short with electronic devices. They can be wonderful servants.

Be patient with yourself, seek out a paper book, or online book that gives you step by step instruction in doing what you want and need to be able to do.

YOU have the dollars to make your purchase, and you don't have to pay your hard earned cash for anything until you find the equipment that is right for you!

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

mima — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 14:14:51 GMT

OP, what all do you want to be able to do on your phone? You might not even a smart phone. Depends on what you want to do.

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

LTT1 — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 16:16:04 GMT

My DH has that "man thing" of wanting the biggest and the best and was thrilled to get the largest iPad! But he is rather resistant to accepting instructions from me! I am the little wife (still) who doesn't know how to do the tech stuff! I have heard him tell other proudly "ask K, she knows how to do this stuff.!" (Nice!)

DBIL with the neuropathy and keyboards also has cognitive disability resulting from health issues. The "other brother" uses his phone in the "Siri" mode, so maybe he can help.

DBIL also is not understanding his tv remote and computer set-ups well... so....

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

LTT1 — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 22:18:39 GMT

The companies selling these products just get them in their "hot little hands" and can't wait to get a sale!

If the buying public slows them down a bit, perhaps they would begin to "invent" ways to make the products more useful to "our group."

In fact, these days, with two kids, DD often does not have time to fiddle with her technology.

The iPad will operate just like a computer and so will an iPhone. The technology is constantly improved to be more user-friendly.

I picture a future "Apple" store with a partition down the middle... one side being a "grab and go" and the other side having comfy chairs where we sit, talk and get our questions answered!

Re: GREATCALL JITTERBUG NEW SMARTPHONE?

cuddlesmama — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 10:43:02 GMT

Do you have to add time and minutes like the Tracphone? I have had a traphone for years but you ccan't just add time and minute yo have to add both all of the time so if you don't use your phone a lot you end up with too much time and then run out of minutes. I don't want another phone that does the same thing. I just want a basic phone. I have a computer so I don't need anything fancy.