Cellphone battery life

 I have a Tracfone.  I bought it for emergencies a month ago.  The
instructions say that the phone will withstand  temperatures to -10C
and will hold a charge for 10 days.

They lie.

Because I only use my phone for emergencies, I left my phone in my car
for two nights.  The temperature came near freezing, but did not drop
to freezing.

The phone battery died.

I took it back.  The girl at the counter said that all phones are like
that.  Don't leave the phone in the car.  Is she telling the truth or
should I insist on another phone?

 

Terry Terry wrote:

Maybe the battery was bad or not fully charged. Since you only use it
for emergencies, presumably outgoing calls, why not remove or
disconnect the battery when not in use. It should keep it's charge for
weeks or months. I have a couple in a drawer here and I charge them
every 2-3 months, but they are still plenty live enough to make a call
even then. I am speaking about lithium-ion batteries. NI-CAD or NMH
won't hold a charge as long as they have a shorter shelf life.

 
How would taking out the battery extend its life?

I am thinking that the battery is bad and I should be able to exchange
it for another phone.  I had that in mind when I returned it to the
store, but the girl at the counter said that was typical operation.

 Terry Terry wrote:

At least turn the phone off. But even with the phone off it is still
drawing some power, that switch is a software switch not a hardware
switch like your home light switches.

   I'm thinking you did this awkwardly by starting a complaint about the
phone, hence putting the counter girl in confrontation mode.

   It's always easier if you ask people to help you. Just tell her the
phone died and you don't know why, what can we do about it. Don't go
into why can't it stand the cold, don't even mention that.

   I have similar problems when my girlfriend tries to take something
back, she complains and they refuse. Now she gets me to do it and there
are no problems. People will go out of their way to help if they want
to, otherwise you are by the book.

   Jeff

 
I don't think that is what happened.  I have started shopping at Radio
Shack again.  I quit for shopping there for a very long time because I
bought my first IBM compatible machine there.  Anyway.....I know the
salesperson.

I could have insisted for an exchange and got one.  I wasn't
complaining.  I just told her what happened.  I also think she told
the truth to me when she said that if I got another one it would do
the same thing.

I just wanted to hear from other cell phone users that may treat their
phones the same way.    I want to leave my phone in my car when I am
away from home and not have it in my pocket.  I know most people keep
their phone handy even if they don't plan to get any calls.  I know I
will not be getting any calls, because I haven't given out my phone
number.  I don't consider being out of bread an emergency.

The only thing I care to spend a dollar a min to call would be 911 or
a tow truck.