Reliance on Cell Phones

[Koolau]

Okay, this discussion of phone apps for Sams got me ticked off to the point I called Sams Club. Here is what I was told (no way to verify.)

Sams is (sorry, I just can't believe what I'm telling you, but the nice lady just told me) having trouble getting or making or something new cards. SO, they offer a phone app that can be substituted for a card. IF you don't have a card and you don't have a phone or don't want an app., you can use your Sams membership number (you know it don't you, or you wrote it down, right?) instead of a card. SO, I asked the question this way: SO, you do NOT need a phone app to shop at Sams and Sams is NOT planning to switch all shoppers to phone apps? Answers: No and No.

As I said, I can't vouch for this but it's what I was told when I called Sams customer service line. By the way I told the nice lady "That's good, 'cause the day Sams requires and app is the last day I will be a Sams Club member." She thanked me for my input and asked if I needed anything else. I thought about saying "lower prices" but I thought that would be pushing it. YMMV

 

[braumeister]

DW just walked in after going to Sam's Club. She lost her card, and went to the desk to get a replacement card after loosing hers. Nope. No cards are being issued. You MUST have a phone with their app running to shop there. What?

This is on their website:

RENEWALS: When renewing a membership, you will not receive a new membership number or require a new card, but you can receive a replacement membership card by requesting one at the Membership Desk on your next visit to the club.

 

[ncbill]

It's no secret that I am not a big fan of cell phones. Other than being able to call for help if my car breaks down, or being able to read news when I'm bored visiting family, I would be perfectly happy not to own a cell phone. Unfortunately, cell phones are becoming more and more pervasive in today's world.

For starters, I can't log on to most web sites these days without requiring two factor authentication with my cell phone. Yeah, it enhances security, but it's a hassle waiting for the code to arrive (if it even comes), assuming I can even get a cell signal here at home. Then I have to type it in on the web site, especially annoying when the page doesn't default with the cursor ready to type. I end up typing in the number only to discover the cursor wasn't ready and I have to type it all in again. Not to mention all these 2FA's used up my cell phone minutes last week and I had to buy more minutes...

Tello (T-Mobile) or US Mobile (Verizon) offer unlimited talk & text plans for $8/month.

For secure 2FA websites should be offering the use of Yubikey or something similar.

 

[Sue J]

DW just walked in after going to Sam's Club. She lost her card, and went to the desk to get a replacement card after loosing hers. Nope. No cards are being issued. You MUST have a phone with their app running to shop there. What?

Wow! That’s just wrong.

Our Sam’s still issues cards and I used mine and the regular check out until an employee offered me a $10 discount if I tried the Scan and Go feature on the app. She showed me how to get started and that day I shopped and used it. It was FUN and EASY and now I use it every time I’m in Sam’s.

It should be an option, not a requirement.

 

[Sue J]

though it is getting better there are still many web pages that are not very friendly for a small cell phone screen, though they work fine on a large PC screen. Getting better but very slowly. For that reason i never do banking on my cell, other than maybe check a balance.

I do my banking on my desktop computer. But if I need to use my bank’s Zelle feature it’s only available on the app. I have to use my iPad or phone. Makes no sense to me.

 

[Koolau]

Wow! That’s just wrong.

Our Sam’s still issues cards and I used mine and the regular check out until an employee offered me a $10 discount if I tried the Scan and Go feature on the app. She showed me how to get started and that day I shopped and used it. It was FUN and EASY and now I use it every time I’m in Sam’s.

It should be an option, not a requirement.

As I related above, Sams representative said the current issue is some problem with actually producing new cards. I have no idea what that means, but the app is co-equal with cards that still exist. I think cards will be available again. In any case, there will be no REQUIREMENT to get the app (from what I was told.)

 

[mountainsoft]

Why did the OP select products which REQUIRE a phone app?

Because it wasn't made clear a phone was required, and/or there was no other option.

Do you want to juggle multiple controls for your speakers, mini-split AC, etc?

YES! Unlike most people, I do not walk around with a phone in my hand. If I'm in the living room I use the TV remote to control the TV. If I'm in the kitchen/dining I can control the mini-split with it's own remote. If I'm using a camera outside.... Why do I need a remote at all?

 

[mountainsoft]

Get a Google Voice number if you don't have one already and change your banks' 2FA settings to send the code to the GV number, not an SMS to your phone.

That's what I ended up doing. I already had the Google Voice number, so I just changed the 2FA I visit most frequently to text the GV number instead. It meant I had to install yet another app on my phone to get the Google Voice messages, but at least it comes over WiFi instead of using up my text minutes.

I only switched the most frequent accounts (YouTube, Amazon, etc.) as they were using up my minutes the most. I'm not worried about banking or other sites that I don't visit very often (and thus don't use up my text minutes).

 

[Music Lover]

Not all customers are created equal.

Many businesses make more money by getting rid of, ahem, low profit customers.

Yup. My parents are at the end of the land line on the street. Service has been horrible the last couple years and every time their phone went down it took longer and longer to fix.

The last time they lost service it was for 5 days. They finally decided to get cell phones. Now they have features they never had before and although it's only been a month I can tell that they're a lot happier. So it worked out for them but not everyone wants a cell phone.

Those who refuse to play the cell phone game can dig their heels in but they're fighting a losing battle. Once it reaches the tipping point they'll move from being a nuisance to a non-entity. When my parents switched it reduced the voice of the few remaining land line people on their street.

 

[ERD50]

...

Those who refuse to play the cell phone game can dig their heels in but they're fighting a losing battle. Once it reaches the tipping point they'll move from being a nuisance to a non-entity. When my parents switched it reduced the voice of the few remaining land line people on their street.

For those who need/choose to drop their old copper landline, but want the convenience of multiple handsets around the house, real buttons, etc, consider one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/bluetooth-home-phones/s?k=bluetooth+home+phones


When in Bluetooth range, the base connects to the cell phone, and you make/rx calls on the cell and/or any handset. You still have the cell phone for those extra features when you are on-the-go.

Like some others, cell phones are great when you need them, but I also hate being forced to use them when I am sitting at my desktop. My desktop/laptop computer has a camera, why can't I mobile deposit from that? So much easier with the large monitor, full keypad, mouse, etc. If I'm at me computer, I want info sent to me via email, but many give text as the only option, so instead of copy/paste from email, I need to go to where my phone is, read the text, enter the info manually, a minor pain for no reason.

I hate being told I need to load an app for something that could be easily done with a web page. I can't load that app on my desktop, so it's limiting. Both cell and desktop work with web pages.

-ERD50

 

[disneysteve]

Like some others, cell phones are great when you need them, but I also hate being forced to use them when I am sitting at my desktop. My desktop/laptop computer has a camera, why can't I mobile deposit from that? So much easier with the large monitor, full keypad, mouse, etc. If I'm at me computer, I want info sent to me via email, but many give text as the only option, so instead of copy/paste from email, I need to go to where my phone is, read the text, enter the info manually, a minor pain for no reason.

I hate being told I need to load an app for something that could be easily done with a web page. I can't load that app on my desktop, so it's limiting. Both cell and desktop work with web pages.

-ERD50

I think the issue is that a growing number of people no longer own a desktop/laptop. Their only computer is their smartphone. Companies are focusing their efforts on the way the majority of users are accessing their services.


I was shocked to learn a while ago how many people no longer own home printers. They see no need. They do everything electronically. On the rare occasion when they need to print something, they do it at work or go to the library or find a friend who still has one. Me? I use my printer daily. I can't imagine not having one.

 

[sengsational]

This is on their website:

I suspect that's the long standing policy that they're moving away from, and that it's one of those things that hasn't been updated on the web site.

SO, you do NOT need a phone app to shop at Sams and Sams is NOT planning to switch all shoppers to phone apps? Answers: No and No.

I believe that.

The desk agent would not / could not produce a replacement card for my wife's lost card. The rep didn't give her the option of just using her Sam's Club number, but that doesn't mean it's not an option. My wife is amenable to phone apps and wouldn't have pushed back. But the headline, when she walked in the door yesterday was that if your loose your card, you need to switch to an app.

So I think the solution if your don't like the idea of being roped into an app is to scan your Sam's card and keep an extra copy in your files in case you lose your card.

 

[Koolau]

Yup. My parents are at the end of the land line on the street. Service has been horrible the last couple years and every time their phone went down it took longer and longer to fix.

The last time they lost service it was for 5 days. They finally decided to get cell phones. Now they have features they never had before and although it's only been a month I can tell that they're a lot happier. So it worked out for them but not everyone wants a cell phone.

Those who refuse to play the cell phone game can dig their heels in but they're fighting a losing battle. Once it reaches the tipping point they'll move from being a nuisance to a non-entity. When my parents switched it reduced the voice of the few remaining land line people on their street.

Yeah, I switched to cell phone from land-line long ago. The final straw was when the phone company added a charge of $5 for long distance connectivity. DW already had a cheap cell she used for emergencies and the occasional LD phone call. Not a great plan but it was worth it for the LD savings. SO, we told phone co. we didn't need to use their phone for LD. They replied that's okay, we won't charge you that new $5 fee for LD, BUT there is a fee of $3 for NOT having LD on our phone. Wait, what? During THAT call I told them to come get their phone and stop all our service - they have just lost a very reliable customer and he will never return! YMMV

 

[Koolau]

I hate being told I need to load an app for something that could be easily done with a web page. I can't load that app on my desktop, so it's limiting.

-ERD50

Hear, hear!

There IS a reason that we are being moved to phone apps. I'm not certain I know what it is but I'd bet money it's for the "requirer" to make more money from its customers in some convoluted scheme, er, plan. It may be as simple as traking your movements to see where you shop or to see who else you buy from on your phone. In any case, there is no need for apps on phones IF they are not wanted. Any connectivity COULD be on a computer, but some companies will NOT do that and insist on a phone app. As I said, it is NOT for your convenience - though you may actually find it convenient - it is for the companies' convenience or profit. (All stated without supporting proof so YMMV.)

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

I dumped my phone company landline in 2012 after finding out about and testing Google Voice. I still use it now with an Obi 200 at home and have full "landline" capability using my internet connection and my old cordless phones plugged into the existing house wiring in 5 rooms. My total cost has been 2 OBI's for less than $100. This secret number also rings on my cell via the GV phone app using my data and is the number that the family calls so they can always get a hold of me.
Everyone else gets the cell number which I rarely answer unless I recognize the number and if I don't answer, I don't even think it charges my phone minute allocation.

 

[ERObjd]

There is no guarantee that they are getting rid of "Ahem, low profit customers", if that is even their intent. Even wealthy customers who spend a lot of $ at SAms likely do not appreciate the big brother technique any more than a lower spending customer.

 

[mountainsoft]

For those who need/choose to drop their old copper landline, but want the convenience of multiple handsets around the house, real buttons, etc

We still like having a home phone, but ditched the old copper landline for VOIP phone service many years ago. We have five different handsets around the house and garage, and it only costs us about $13/month.

I use my cell phone like a disposable phone number. Unless it's my wife or daughter calling, I never answer my cell phone.

My desktop/laptop computer has a camera, why can't I mobile deposit from that? So much easier with the large monitor, full keypad, mouse, etc.

Agreed. My local US Bank used to allow mobile deposits from their web site, but now they only allow mobile deposits from their app on a cell phone. It was much easier for me to scan a check on my scanner than do all the picture taking with a cell phone (and the quality was better).

Thankfully, I rarely ever need to deposit a check.

 

[Sue J]

For those who need/choose to drop their old copper landline, but want the convenience of multiple handsets around the house, real buttons, etc, consider one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/bluetooth-home-phones/s?k=bluetooth+home+phones


When in Bluetooth range, the base connects to the cell phone, and you make/rx calls on the cell and/or any handset. You still have the cell phone for those extra features when you are on-the-go.

Like some others, cell phones are great when you need them, but I also hate being forced to use them when I am sitting at my desktop. My desktop/laptop computer has a camera, why can't I mobile deposit from that? So much easier with the large monitor, full keypad, mouse, etc. If I'm at me computer, I want info sent to me via email, but many give text as the only option, so instead of copy/paste from email, I need to go to where my phone is, read the text, enter the info manually, a minor pain for no reason.

I hate being told I need to load an app for something that could be easily done with a web page. I can't load that app on my desktop, so it's limiting. Both cell and desktop work with web pages.

-ERD50

Interesting. When DH retired in 2010 we dropped our landline and started using MagicJack. I wanted an answering machine and extensions around the house just like the old landline. We hooked up the Magicjack to the router and then connected that to our old landline wiring in the house. The base with the answering machine is connected in the kitchen. Then all the extensions are cordless handsets. It all works very well. But it does not connect to our cell phones like these Bluetooth ones.

 

[Midpack]

A thread for late adopters/change averse to commiserate, same as those who thought horses were better than automobiles, trains better than planes, until they weren’t.

 

[mountainsoft]

A thread for late adopters/change averse to commiserate, same as those who thought horses were better than automobiles, trains better than planes, until they weren’t.

Don't get me wrong, I think cell phones are amazing inventions. Being able to make an emergency call from most anywhere is wonderful. I actually prefer texting over phone calls. I do like being able to read news feeds on the go, check the weather, or look something up on Google.

However, I don't think cell phones should be the answer to controlling everything. What's the old saying "if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". Personally, I prefer a bigger variety of tools in my toolbox (i.e. more specialized tools than just a cell phone).

 

[disneysteve]

I don't think cell phones should be the answer to controlling everything. What's the old saying "if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". Personally, I prefer a bigger variety of tools in my toolbox (i.e. more specialized tools than just a cell phone).

I can understand that to some extent. But the flip side is that our cell phones have replaced numerous other items and put them all into one super convenient pocket sized device. Phone, phone book, camera, maps, calculator, pager (remember those), physical gift cards and store reward cards, calendars and appointment books, and even banks to a large extent except for when you actually need to obtain or deposit cash, just to name a few.

 

[Koolau]

A thread for late adopters/change averse to commiserate, same as those who thought horses were better than automobiles, trains better than planes, until they weren’t.

That's one take, I suppose. However it's rather disrespectful of those who think differently than you do. I actually had a cell phone fairly early. It was just after bags/bricks. All it did was make phone calls, but that's all I needed at the time. It eventually allowed me to drop my land line which was liberating. But even before that, I was one of those who insisted that my kids take it along when they traveled say on school trips/away games/with other parents, etc. My phone was often the only phone available to the various groups. Early adopter? I are one.

Heh, heh, by the way, HORSES are still in use in many applications where (especially) cars and even 4 wheel drive vehicles aren't as useful. Trains are still THE way to travel for commuting for the most part. A trip from NYC to WADC, for instance is way faster by train than by air - because of the rigamarole before boarding AND the train ends up (either direction) closer to more places folks want to go than air lines.

In short, you might need a different comparison to describe those of us who may resist multiple apps on our phones.

I'm a bit more skeptical of adding dozens of apps to my phone than some here. There have already been multiple vulnerabilities discovered from some of these apps. My current phone came with so many apps I don't even know what some of them are for.

But my big complaint is that apps are not being added for our benefit (though they may, indeed benefit us.) They are being added for the benefit of the companies that are either pushing them OR requiring them. IOW COMPANIES want you to have the apps and they market these apps to get you to accept them. You may want them, but not as much as the companies offering them want you to have them. For that reason alone, I think a bit of skepticism is in order but I understand I'm probably in the minority here as YMMV.

 

[disneysteve]

You may want them, but not as much as the companies offering them want you to have them.

As they say, if the product or service is free, YOU are the product.

 

[travelover]

That's one take, I suppose. However it's rather disrespectful of those who think differently than you do. I actually had a cell phone fairly early. It was just after bags/bricks. All it did was make phone calls, but that's all I needed at the time. It eventually allowed me to drop my land line which was liberating. But even before that, I was one of those who insisted that my kids take it along when they traveled say on school trips/away games/with other parents, etc. My phone was often the only phone available to the various groups. Early adopter? I are one.

Heh, heh, by the way, HORSES are still in use in many applications where (especially) cars and even 4 wheel drive vehicles aren't as useful. Trains are still THE way to travel for commuting for the most part. A trip from NYC to WADC, for instance is way faster by train than by air - because of the rigamarole before boarding AND the train ends up (either direction) closer to more places folks want to go than air lines.

In short, you might need a different comparison to describe those of us who may resist multiple apps on our phones.

I'm a bit more skeptical of adding dozens of apps to my phone than some here. There have already been multiple vulnerabilities discovered from some of these apps. My current phone came with so many apps I don't even know what some of them are for.

But my big complaint is that apps are not being added for our benefit (though they may, indeed benefit us.) They are being added for the benefit of the companies that are either pushing them OR requiring them. IOW COMPANIES want you to have the apps and they market these apps to get you to accept them. You may want them, but not as much as the companies offering them want you to have them. For that reason alone, I think a bit of skepticism is in order but I understand I'm probably in the minority here as YMMV.

Amen to that. I never complained about the technology, only that it seemed sloppily or maliciously applied such that the useful life of a device was minimized. I can turn on a radio from the 1950s and it still works as intended yet my iPod is in the trash because it couldn't be updated sufficiently to run a a simple app.

 

[Qs Laptop]

I can turn on a radio from the 1950s and it still works as intended yet my iPod is in the trash because it couldn't be updated sufficiently to run a a simple app.

Yes, you can turn on an AM radio from the 50's and after the vacuum tubes have warmed up you can hear staticky mono music from one 4 inch diameter speaker with tons of commercials, whereas with a cell phone you have access to tens of thousands of songs on demand, podcasts, news shows, etc. Or you can watch videos and the sound can be sent wirelessly to your ears in stereo. You can also use voice commands to pull up almost any song or video you can name.

I would like to know which app rendered your iPod obsolete.