If you are a cellular phone user and live in or near Advanced Paging on Palmdale Boulevard in Palmdale, CA avoid this place. I have purchased two used cell phones from this place so far this year and have had nothing but problems. Yes, purchasing a used items is always buyer beware in my book and I’m not one to usually purchased used electronics. I had gone 32 years of my life without so much as a real desire to possess a cell phone. Yet, living in Lancaster, CA I have found it very necessary to have one. Especially when the woman I love lives in Illinois and I find myself currently homeless. Yet, it seem that Advanced Paging is in the business of knowingly selling used phones they themselves are aware of as having problems.

The first phone was an LG VX-8500 (Chocolate) and from the start did not work properly. First the battery was clearly water damaged and not holding a charge for much more than about 30-45 minutes. I had this reluctantly replaced. Then the screen decided to start having problems, with lines running across it. I had this problem looked at to only have the person there tell me I had dropped the phone (even though I had not) and tried to charge me $20 to have this fixed. So I got the phone fixed and it worked fine until I water damaged it, spilling coke on it. It was completely by accident and I accepted the cost to purchase another phone.

The second phone was an LG VX-8550 (Chocolate II) and it as well had issues from the start. The screen flickered at times when I slide open the phone, but I chalked it up to just a small issue, since the screen worked well afterwards. I went like this for some time and then the screen started “disappearing” in strange color bars. I was able to “correct” this by sliding the phone closed, waiting 20-30 seconds and sliding it open again. Finally it came down to me having to remove the battery for this to be corrected. I took the phone back to have it looked at yesterday and have been without a phone all this time.

Now I am being told the main board had to be replaced. This is after they replaced the screen, only to find out it was not the problem. I am hoping this phone lasts me at least long enough to collect some funds together for purchase of yet a third phone in less than 4 months. This time, however, I will be purchasing a new phone elsewhere (like one of the Verizon phones at Walmart) and have it added to my PagePlus account elsewhere. PagePlus in itself (being part of the Verizon network) has its own issues which cause me frustration at times, but I will be avoiding Advanced Paging on Palmdale Boulevard in Palmdale, CA like the plague and suggest those who live in the area do the same. Save your money and use another PagePlus authorized dealer.

Some changes to the blog is coming soon. Nothing too major as in another redesign (not yet anyways). Look out for new items.

Update: I found and fixed the coding issues. The blog now validates as XHTML 1.0 Transitional (December 21, 2009).

The blog template has been updated. I’m seeing some issues in the coding on this end and will be doing some troubleshooting. In the meantime, enjoy!

A new site looking is rolling its way out on Simplistic Technologies. The new look and feel is available for every section of the site except for the blog at the moment. The blog will be receiving the new look as well as soon as I put together a template WordPress can use. Stay tuned.

About a month ago, my father and I relocated ourselves to Lancaster, CA. This should be a permanent move but are still looking to make the move permanent. Currently, we are residing in a motel off Sierra Highway but are busily looking for an apartment or house to move into, along with my oldest brother.

Will post more when we are finally permanent. Accepting clients even during this transition.