The Dissapearance Of Pay Phones - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jasonbigley · 11-09-2009, 03:00 PM

I have noticed around town lately that a lot of the pay phones are being taken out. With all the cell phones, there really is not much need for them anymore.

browneyes106 · 11-09-2009, 04:50 PM

I have been noticing this around my city for the past few years. Stores like Target, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart and a couple of malls in my city still have pay phones. Most grocery stores have taken them out. There are a couple of movie theaters that still have pay phones and a few restaurants. I do feel for a person who doesn't have a cell phone or who leaves theirs at home and might be stuck in an emergency situation without pay phones around.

Marvo301 · 11-09-2009, 06:21 PM

Hey now I have a great excuse next time I forget to call someone! Hey I meant to call but I just couldn't find a pay phone!

JamesG · 11-09-2009, 06:37 PM

On the streets I have seen less and less. Manhattan still has quite a few more than Brooklyn does on the street so they are not totally gone yet.

Some establishments like restaurants, movie theaters, schools, and the subway station still have pay phones. When I get bored waiting for the train sometimes I check the payphone to see if it has dial tone; just to check to see if it actually works or if it's broken down and they just never got rid of it.

phoebe7165 · 11-09-2009, 07:58 PM

From what I've been told, it costs businesses money to keep pay phones, so since so many people have cells, and hardly anybody seems to be using pay phones anymore, it's a waste of money to keep them.

MickeyMac · 11-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Here there are less pay phones, and half the ones left dont work. That said thankfully there are some that still work. I am guessing I am one of the very few here who still uses a payphone.

catlover79 · 11-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoebe7165

From what I've been told, it costs businesses money to keep pay phones, so since so many people have cells, and hardly anybody seems to be using pay phones anymore, it's a waste of money to keep them.

You really can't blame them. That said, there are still a few in my area, at the library, outside the gas station, etc.

Chelsea · 11-09-2009, 11:25 PM

Pay phone? I can do one better...I found a pay phone inside a *phone booth*.

catlover79 · 11-09-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

Pay phone? I can do one better...I found a pay phone inside a *phone booth*.

Wow! Where was this? I haven't seen one of these in ages!

JamesG · 11-09-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

Pay phone? I can do one better...I found a pay phone inside a *phone booth*.

Last time I saw one of those was about a decade ago in Upstate NY.

Actually, my old college had pay phone booths with a seat inside and doors that closed in one of the halls. I could tell by the decor it was probably from the 70s.

Family Ties Forever! · 11-10-2009, 12:11 AM

I feel sorry for people who can't afford a cell phone. If pay phones are removed completely some people will have a problem, esp. in an emergency.

Schmoopie · 11-10-2009, 12:41 AM

I work in a building that was built in the early 1900's and there is a pay phone booth but no phone. It actually is a good place to go if you are trying to talk on your cell phone but want a few minutes of peace and quiet.

catlover79 · 11-10-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I work in a building that was built in the early 1900's and there is a pay phone booth but no phone. It actually is a good place to go if you are trying to talk on your cell phone but want a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Not to mention it's considerate!! I can't stand people who just stand/sit in public places and just yammer on their phones (or who yammer on their phones and drive, don't pay attention, and smash into your parents' car...but I digress).

phoebe7165 · 11-10-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Not to mention it's considerate!! I can't stand people who just stand/sit in public places and just yammer on their phones (or who yammer on their phones and drive, don't pay attention, and smash into your parents' car...but I digress).

There are times when I'll be out really late, and I'm at a business getting things, and I'll hear somebody yammering on their cell and I'm thinking "Who the heck you talking to at 2AM??"

I, too, can't stand the yammering in public. I don't know what makes these people think that their lives are so exciting, that everybody else wants to hear about it!!

gidgetgrape · 11-10-2009, 06:07 PM

Some people talk so loudly that in the past I've embarrassed myself by thinking they are talking to me.

11-09-2009, 03:00 PM	#1
jasonbigley Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 14, 2008 Location: California Posts: 501	The Dissapearance Of Pay Phones I have noticed around town lately that a lot of the pay phones are being taken out. With all the cell phones, there really is not much need for them anymore.

11-09-2009, 06:21 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	Hey now I have a great excuse next time I forget to call someone! Hey I meant to call but I just couldn't find a pay phone!
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11-09-2009, 07:58 PM	#5
phoebe7165 Pop Culture Goddess Forum Star Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Location: US of A - the country of "really bad music" lovers Posts: 11,600	From what I've been told, it costs businesses money to keep pay phones, so since so many people have cells, and hardly anybody seems to be using pay phones anymore, it's a waste of money to keep them.
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11-09-2009, 11:25 PM	#8
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	Pay phone? I can do one better...I found a pay phone inside a phone booth. Attached Images
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11-10-2009, 12:11 AM	#11
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Star Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	I feel sorry for people who can't afford a cell phone. If pay phones are removed completely some people will have a problem, esp. in an emergency.
	__________________ Jenny

11-09-2009, 04:50 PM	#2
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I have been noticing this around my city for the past few years. Stores like Target, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart and a couple of malls in my city still have pay phones. Most grocery stores have taken them out. There are a couple of movie theaters that still have pay phones and a few restaurants. I do feel for a person who doesn't have a cell phone or who leaves theirs at home and might be stuck in an emergency situation without pay phones around.

11-09-2009, 06:37 PM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,316	On the streets I have seen less and less. Manhattan still has quite a few more than Brooklyn does on the street so they are not totally gone yet. Some establishments like restaurants, movie theaters, schools, and the subway station still have pay phones. When I get bored waiting for the train sometimes I check the payphone to see if it has dial tone; just to check to see if it actually works or if it's broken down and they just never got rid of it.

11-09-2009, 08:05 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	Here there are less pay phones, and half the ones left dont work. That said thankfully there are some that still work. I am guessing I am one of the very few here who still uses a payphone.

11-10-2009, 12:41 AM	#12
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I work in a building that was built in the early 1900's and there is a pay phone booth but no phone. It actually is a good place to go if you are trying to talk on your cell phone but want a few minutes of peace and quiet.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

11-10-2009, 06:07 PM	#15
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,509	Some people talk so loudly that in the past I've embarrassed myself by thinking they are talking to me.