Experience with Total Wireless (div. of TracFone)

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Like I said many times, Cricket = no activation fees, no taxes (except on phone purchase), no shipping charges and the per month fee includes ALL costs, never an overage, unlimited everything, owned by ATT, no catch, no games, no taxes, no fees.


Quote:
1. Services and features of all plans are available for 30 days upon payment of rate plan charge. View Cricket Pay Dates for details and exceptions. $30, $40, $50, and $60 plans include a 1 GB, 2.5 GB, 8 GB, or 10 GB high-speed data access allowance, respectively. After your high speed data access allowance is used, your data download speeds will be reduced to a maximum 128Kbps for the rest of your billing cycle.

2. High-speed data access allows download speeds of a maximum of 8 Mbps for compatible 4G LTE devices and 4 Mbps for compatible 4G devices.


You get defensive when that is mentioned, that but at the same time you never do so it should be included. Maybe that doesn't matter to you but it is part of the deal.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Like I said many times, Cricket = no activation fees, no taxes (except on phone purchase), no shipping charges and the per month fee includes ALL costs, never an overage, unlimited everything, owned by ATT, no catch, no games, no taxes, no fees.


Quote:
1. Services and features of all plans are available for 30 days upon payment of rate plan charge. View Cricket Pay Dates for details and exceptions. $30, $40, $50, and $60 plans include a 1 GB, 2.5 GB, 8 GB, or 10 GB high-speed data access allowance, respectively. After your high speed data access allowance is used, your data download speeds will be reduced to a maximum 128Kbps for the rest of your billing cycle.

2. High-speed data access allows download speeds of a maximum of 8 Mbps for compatible 4G LTE devices and 4 Mbps for compatible 4G devices.


You get defensive when that is mentioned, that but at the same time you never do so it should be included. Maybe that doesn't matter to you but it is part of the deal.


Huh?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Does anyone know how much it costs (if anything) to port a number to Total Wireless or to Cricket?

BTW, when checking compatibility on Total Wireless website, it told me my device is not compatible (Nexus 5X). Sigh...



It cost nothing to port a number to Cricketwireless.com, in fact, when you port a number to Cricket they give you the phone cheaper

I should have mentioned that I already have a phone and don't need a new one.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Does anyone know how much it costs (if anything) to port a number to Total Wireless or to Cricket?

BTW, when checking compatibility on Total Wireless website, it told me my device is not compatible (Nexus 5X). Sigh...


Doesn't cost anything on Consumer Cellular. Sigh up or call them..they send you the SIM card when you get it, install, call them up with your contract # of your previous carrier...in two minutes its done. I did that for one phone the other I bought with a new number and as soon as I got it I was good to go.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Does anyone know how much it costs (if anything) to port a number to Total Wireless or to Cricket?

BTW, when checking compatibility on Total Wireless website, it told me my device is not compatible (Nexus 5X). Sigh...



It cost nothing to port a number to Cricketwireless.com, in fact, when you port a number to Cricket they give you the phone cheaper

I should have mentioned that I already have a phone and don't need a new one.


Ah, you know, after I posted I thought you mentioned your phone. If you check the site, they send you a new sim card for $9.99, again, NO other cost and you can check compatibility right on their under "Bring your Phone"

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Al
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Does anyone know how much it costs (if anything) to port a number to Total Wireless or to Cricket?

BTW, when checking compatibility on Total Wireless website, it told me my device is not compatible (Nexus 5X). Sigh...


Doesn't cost anything on Consumer Cellular.

Thanks, but their data plan pricing doesn't seem as competitive as Cricket.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Huh?


My point is that you extoll the benefits of Cricket but essentially gloss over a couple of points about data use by saying "True the first 2.5 gigs of each line are 4 g then slower after that but 90% of people would never know the difference, if even that much", which I don't think is true. Cricket throttles the data speed to 128Kbps after your allowance, which I certainly would notice. I use my phone in the car for streaming music and radio, maps and other programs such as Waze which I don't think is that unusual. Am I in the 10%? Maybe I am.

My plan with a major costs $200 a month for four phones, all of which are unlimited data with no throttling. Plus that data is at anywhere from 15 to 50 Mbps on enhanced LTE, a speed that is't necessary I grant you but it is what it is. Our combined data use on a typical month is 35 to 40 gigs. I still don't think that's all that unusual for four phones. Everything goes by data these days.

 

[alarmguy]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: alarmguy
Huh?


My point is that you extoll the benefits of Cricket but essentially gloss over a couple of points about data use by saying "True the first 2.5 gigs of each line are 4 g then slower after that but 90% of people would never know the difference, if even that much", which I don't think is true. Cricket throttles the data speed to 128Kbps after your allowance, which I certainly would notice. I use my phone in the car for streaming music and radio, maps and other programs such as Waze which I don't think is that unusual. Am I in the 10%? Maybe I am.

My plan with a major costs $200 a month for four phones, all of which are unlimited data with no throttling. Plus that data is at anywhere from 15 to 50 Mbps on enhanced LTE, a speed that is't necessary I grant you but it is what it is. Our combined data use on a typical month is 35 to 40 gigs. I still don't think that's all that unusual for four phones. Everything goes by data these days.


Hey, just having a conversation here so please understand that.

If you could, please post what service you use and your actual monthly payment.

I would think, most people reading this thread are interested in saving money. After all, its a TracFone thread.
We all buy what is important to us. For some, having a service like you describe is very important and cost no object or cost is just worth it to them. That is fine but again, this is a TracPone thread, I am not glossing over anything. This is about saving money vs spending $200 a month as you do.
For some people where cost is not a concern, I would have to guess that would be 10% or so of the population or again, cost is worth the service at the expense of other luxury's.

With that out of the way ...
IF and ONLY if cost was a concern to you at possibly a slight inconvenience based on what you say.
For unlimited 4 lines with a high speed cap of 8Mb per line, your monthly cost would be $140 actual payment vs the $200 you are paying now (still waiting for your actual payment) Plus you get free international texting.
For someone who doesnt care about needing all that high speed data, the cost for 4 lines is $100 a month and if they pay $100 a month, the fifth line is FREE. )

Take into account these are after tax dollars so that $60 difference you pay is more like somewhere over (or well over, just guessing here) $85 a month in earnings to the average person. If one is a homeowner that money could be applied to a home mortgage etc. Again, its what is important to the individual.

I get 10/10 up and download speeds on my $40 plan, advertised from Cricket are 8.
We have three lines, actual payment for all 3 lines 2.5g of high speed on each is $90.00 total. (actual payment)
I doubt anyone could possibly know the difference, again unless they were some super high speed user or in this case most likely 10% or less of the population for this type of usage.

/// and again, if they needed or decided after 30 days they needed more then 2.5g of high speed per line, since there is no contract, they can bump up their high speed data to 8gb per line at $140 for 4 lines or just plain cancel their service (if you get phones from them, you may have to wait 60 days to cancel).

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Thanks, but their data plan pricing doesn't seem as competitive as Cricket.

Yea understand Cricket has cheap data

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: alarmguy
If you could, please post what service you use and your actual monthly payment.


Yes, sorry. It is Sprint "Everything Plus SM Data Family 1600" and my last bill was $220.33. But that includes a $20/month tethering fee for one phone that is a business expense. I would not have tethering otherwise. The basic plan has unlimited data, unlimited texts and 1600 minutes of calling (which is useless to me since any mobile to mobile isn't counted, nor are calls after 7PM or weekends).

The plan includes unlimited international texting and data, but the international data is limited to 2G speeds (although I always get 3G in the countries I've been to).

 

[alarmguy]

Thanks for the update on your plan.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: alarmguy
If you could, please post what service you use and your actual monthly payment.


Yes, sorry. It is Sprint "Everything Plus SM Data Family 1600" and my last bill was $220.33. But that includes a $20/month tethering fee for one phone that is a business expense. I would not have tethering otherwise. The basic plan has unlimited data, unlimited texts and 1600 minutes of calling (which is useless to me since any mobile to mobile isn't counted, nor are calls after 7PM or weekends).

The plan includes unlimited international texting and data, but the international data is limited to 2G speeds (although I always get 3G in the countries I've been to).


Unfortunately sprint has no service in the back of my work building and is sketchy if you go 25miles south, Tmobile has no service anywhere in my work building and is even MORE sketchy if you go anywhere rural.

Meanwhile Verizon is the best, and AT&T is very similar.

My coworker has unlimited tmobile but has to go stand outside to talk on the phone(-14F windchill).. let alone get phone calls/missed calls.

If you stream music all day unlimited is nice... but for me I need coverage first... which will vary on area of course.

Total wireless right now is 60 for 2 phones with 8GB data.. that would be sufficient.

Cricket is 70$ with 2.5GB data per line.. out the door including taxes etc.

Honestly unless I am downloading updates (which I do on wifi anyway) I dont notice the 8Mbit vs 20Mbit on verzion.

I'm not going to participate or get dragged into any "my PHONE is bigger than your PHONE" type arguments.

This thread was just about low cost alternatives. If you are happy with what you have/it works for you.. that is great.

My verizon service was great.. the nearly 200$ for 2 phones was not. now at month to month with freedom to do anything I want.. and 70$ = priceless. I might try out total should be slightly cheaper and more data (although 5mbit vs 8mbit)

 

[Quattro Pete]

If you have one of these discount plans and you want to use your phone in Europe, what are your options? Cricket does not seem to support it...

Quote:
Can I use my Cricket phone while traveling in other countries?

If you have a plan that costs $50/mo or more, you'll be able to use your phone in Mexico and Canada. At this time, international roaming for other countries is not available.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
If you have one of these discount plans and you want to use your phone in Europe, what are your options? Cricket does not seem to support it...

Quote:
Can I use my Cricket phone while traveling in other countries?

If you have a plan that costs $50/mo or more, you'll be able to use your phone in Mexico and Canada. At this time, international roaming for other countries is not available.



Verizon charges you 10$ a day any days you use your device.

so I'd have a different option for international roaming personally

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Verizon charges you 10$ a day any days you use your device.

so I'd have a different option for international roaming personally


They do? That's insane, even lowly Sprint gives you unlimited text and unlimited 2G data under their regular plan. Voice minutes are 20 cents.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Not many can deal with Sprint and T-Mobile, with their dropped calls and weak area coverage. They charge less because they can't hang with the big boys.

The least problems are those that deal and do business with AT-T and Verizon dealer outlets. All the 2nd/3rd arty places and dealers are not as good. You basically get what you pay for in this business.

Sure, exceptions exist. So does Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Big Foot and the Easter Bunny on occasion.

 

[kschachn]

10 years ago I would have agreed with you. But I travel a lot all over the US and to Europe, and I've had little problem with Sprint coverage both here and in Italy, the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and France. Years ago I cursed Sprint too but I think that people who complain today don't have them and are relying on misconceptions.

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Not many can deal with Sprint and T-Mobile, with their dropped calls and weak area coverage. They charge less because they can't hang with the big boys.

The least problems are those that deal and do business with AT-T and Verizon dealer outlets. All the 2nd/3rd arty places and dealers are not as good. You basically get what you pay for in this business.

Sure, exceptions exist. So does Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy, Big Foot and the Easter Bunny on occasion.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Let me give you an example why you;re wrong:
My hunting partner and I have the same ATT coverage. His is thru ATT dealer and mine thru Consumer Cellular.

We both have the same exact cellphone. He can call out from his auto at the pop-up trailer where we stay inside the Huron National Forest and I must drive four miles down the road and get on top of a hill to call home.

Oh' by-the-way. The place we are both calling?..... We live one mile apart in populated subdivisions on flat land, with no nearby interference....ie..... electric lines.... towers......etc.....etc. No nearby factories - no dense woods..... nuttin!

Ist party (national conglomerate) is better than 2nd party lesser business..... which by-the-way, has to pay the 1st party to use their air space.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Let me give you an example why you;re wrong:
My hunting partner and I have the same ATT coverage. His is thru ATT dealer and mine thru Consumer Cellular.

We both have the same exact cellphone. He can call out from his auto at the pop-up trailer where we stay inside the Huron National Forest and I must drive four miles down the road and get on top of a hill to call home.

Oh' by-the-way. The place we are both calling?..... We live one mile apart in populated subdivisions on flat land, with no nearby interference....ie..... electric lines.... towers......etc.....etc. No nearby factories - no dense woods..... nuttin!

Ist party (national conglomerate) is better than 2nd party lesser business..... which by-the-way, has to pay the 1st party to use their air space.


Do you have the same phone? Because if hes not roaming on a partner network you should both be hitting the same tower.. which leaves phone as culprit.

My cricket coverage near carrollton ohio is seemless. Verizon is aprox the same. Sprint is about 1.5miles to get signal unless you are lucky enough that your phone will roam to verizon(for voice).

Tmob no service whatsoever.

@work inside large building I can be in an insulated cooler(metal walls and ceiling) and get 2.5bars.
being in the front half of building tmob might work.. might not. Sprint works almost anywhere except back rooms or coolers.

Verizon is similar to AT&T/cricket.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Let me give you an example why you;re wrong:
My hunting partner and I have the same ATT coverage. His is thru ATT dealer and mine thru Consumer Cellular.

We both have the same exact cellphone. He can call out from his auto at the pop-up trailer where we stay inside the Huron National Forest and I must drive four miles down the road and get on top of a hill to call home.

I also have consumer Cellular. They do use ATT Towers. Where I live you must have ATT to talk. My Consumer Cellular works and Verizon does now.

While I am not doubting what you said. I doubt it is the service. Just an opinion. ATT Towers are ATT towers.