People are taking cell phone related problems way too seriously and in some cases, it really takes time off their life–other than the time it takes trying to fix the problem. I am here to help heal you.



Please lie down on my couch and tell Dr. Prepaid what is bothering you.

Doctor, well I signed this contract. I expected my cell phone to work perfectly all the time. I expected the companies' low-paid customer service reps to always act professionally and knowledgeably. I expected them not to hang me by my contract when I tried to cancel. But my phone did not work perfectly, the company's service was not perfect, and they charged me a cancellation fee, so now I am mad beyond words.

My advice is to lower your expectations, or try some preventative medicine, and you will be cured.

First, lower your expectations. Realize that no cell phone company has perfect service, personnel or deals, no matter what they say. When you have problems, consider them as opportunities to develop your patience and people skills instead of taking it so personally and emotionally.

Second, practice some alternative and preventative medicine by choosing a prepaid plan.

Now, I know what you are thinking. I am a trained professional, you know.

You are saying, why, my situation was much different. If you were in my shoes, you would know the pain, agony, mental trauma, betrayal, and anger that I was feeling. My cell phone company charged me hundreds of dollars extra. I made 10 phone calls with no results. I finally had to write the FCC, the Attorney General, and take the CEO hostage to gain back a partial refund.

But I do understand, my dear patient. I too was once a sufferer. I attempted to cancel my Verizon plan last year and was instead charged a reconnect fee of $75 and then charged for 4 extra months at an even higher monthly plan rate while not using the phone. Finally, they did cancel my service with a $175 cancellation fee. I made a complaint with the state attorney general, and Verizon credited back 1/4 of the charges. Yes, I was annoyed and angry, but I got over it. If you are having a problem, my advice to you is to write a certified letter to your carrier with your initial request that includes the name of the customer service rep and what you instructed them and what they told you. That will probably work and will save you 10 phone calls and a ton of stress. If not, then contact the Attorney General. However, only contact any authority if it is worth it. Don't waste their time because there may be others that really need help.

While real problems exist with cell phone companies, there is a growing epidemic of people who go beyond what I would call healthy behavior. I call it cell phone rage. People go nuts if their phone hits a dead spot. They get angry at a mentally challenged customer service rep. They blame the world if their cell phone breaks. That is life. Get used to it. Again, I am saying to try to get the best value and service you can. If you don't get it, complain or leave. Before you buy, look at the contract or the terms so you know what your options are. However, try not to get too emotional or go overboard with ridiculous claims or actions.

I really believe that going prepaid would prevent most stress, or it should. Try a Tracfone or Virgin Mobile for $29 or less. Try a Prepaid Cingular Go Phone for free - see below. Go ahead and even try a more expensive and nicer prepaid phone for $100 or more. If these don't work out or things change, just don't refill the phone. You are done. No calls to customer service reps and not a lot of money lost.

However, I am witnessing something alarming. People are having “heart attacks” over their prepaid phones. I have seen comments on the net from people who are besides themselves over their $19 Tracfone or $29 Page Plus Phone problems. Now, I just read a web site with people going hysterical over a prepaid company that raised their fees on the plan. Price increases do bother us all, but this company is still cheaper than most of the competition. Companies do have the freedom to raise prices if there is no contract. Consumers have the freedom to leave if that company is not competitive. In this case, most of these people received their mobile phone for free and now they are going nuts over a $3 a month fee on their prepaid mobile program. They are writing local and federal authorities to have this repealed. Yes, some even calling for fines and jail time for the company's owners. If this is a joke or just venting, then fine. But a few are authentically upset over a few dollars. This is not healthy.

They are clogging up channels that could be used to help those who have really suffered a consumer loss of hundreds of dollars or more.

If you buy a prepaid phone and have a problem, try to solve the problem by contacting that company, or go to another company, or accept it as a normal annoyance. Breathe deeply, think calming thoughts and always have smile on your face.

Here is to your mental health. Cheers.