Expert: DebiN - 10/2/2010

Question
Hello. I just bought a metro pcs samsung caliber on Sep 20. I've had no problems up till a couple days ago. I've been 4 and a half hours from home since the 22nd and all of my regular texting friends have gotten my texts, except one. Her mom, dad and brother all have verizon and they aren't getting any of my messages, though I get theirs. I thought this might be due to being so far from my home, same with them since we were visiting some places together, but upon arriving home I've texted her brother twice and he hasn't gotten either message. My mom said I should wait and see if anything changes over the weekend, but I have a feeling something more might be wrong then just being so far away. Can you please tell me what you think is wrong and how I can fix it, or get it fixed. I had a metro cricket before I got this caliber, I just had the plan switched from one phone to the other. Also I just got her dads, brothers and a couple more friends #'s while we were there. That was my first time texting them. Thanks!

Answer
Whenever you switch carriers, especially to a small one like MetroPCS, it takes awhile before the switch populates in other carrier's databases. Also, for people who are having problems receiving your texts, call them and ask them to delete you from their contacts list. Then, send them a text message and have them use that message to add you back into their contacts. Oftentimes, the issue is that the number is saved with the carrier information associated (whether they realize it or not) and deleting the contact and reentering it from a text will solve the problem. It's not about where you are located, it's about the switch. The people who got your text are likely on a different carrier than those that didn't get your texts. Also, because it was only 2 days from when you got the new phone and left your home area, it may also be possible that the new information hasn't registered into your phone because you are out of the MetroPCS area. In any case, either having the friends delete your contact info and then when you get back home, turning off your phone and then back on, will very likely solve all of these issues. Don't worry though, because this issue will iron itself out and you will not need to call MetroPCS because it isn't something that they can change behind the scenes. It's all about the other carriers, etc. MetroPCS and Cricket are two different carriers, so if you if you had Cricket before and Metro now, those are different carriers. You may also want to delete your contacts and then send them texts manually and not from your contact list. Hope this helps.