FYI On 3-18 Verizon's merger with alltel was completed in Johnston County. I understand that 28 towers were converted to Verizon. If you have not updated your phone recently then you should re-program it to take advantage of the towers. You can program your phone by dialing *228 and press option 2 The signal at my house improved after the update.
For quite awhile I could never get a signal in or out of the Clayton Wal-Mart. I had to step outside to use the phone. Of course, when I got my first "hand-held" which was one of those big Motorolas with the pull-out antenna, I could get better reception. The phones I've had in recent years could never get a signal. However, other than there, I've never had a complaint with Alltel/Verizon service over the years.
I was the same way-no service in Walmart. When I updated to a new phone 1 1/2 years ago, I suddenly had service there. Now the only place I don't have service is in Kohl's...and I had service there before...go figure!