switch to T-Mobile - does it really save $$??

[Donald]

Has anyone gotten annoyed with Verizon and switched to T-Mobile with one of their unlimited plans? When I go to their website it is hard to find the $50 month plan. Do you really save any money?.

Verizon eliminating the unlimited data plan is the straw that broke the Droid's back. Its grandfathered for now but.......

 

[gathermewool]

The unlimited data plan has been gone for a while now. I'm grandfathered in, as well, and probably won't change even if I lose that, since I usually only ever use 1/10th of the lowest plan anyway.

I've also had no issues with Verizon, and have to think that sticking with one company (one I like, and gives me good service, mind you) counts for something when it comes to dispute resolution.

 

[Sayjac]

Having recently switched from Verizon to another carrier one of the biggest considerations besides montly cost should be the coverage in areas you frequent. Liked T-Mobil for a it's basic monthly pay as you go plan, but no coverage in my home area. So check each companies coverage map you are considering, if it's close to limited then imo you should pass.

The other thing is if you're going to switch make sure if you do so very near the end of your montly Vz billing period. There are no prorations...period, as I learned the hard way.

I think one can save money if the coverage works for you.

 

[HerrStig]

I had to put my son's college address in for T-Mobile to sell me a phone for him, they claimed "no service" at the home zip code. The school is only 10 miles from here. Turns out the phone works fine at home, but we're on a hill with salt water in all directions. With T-Mobile, because their network IS a little sparse in some areas it would be wise to buy a phone from them with better than average performance. We have three now, no problems to speak of.

 

[daves66nova]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
I but we're on a hill with salt water in all directions.
just Curious, what does this do to reception?

 

[Donald]

I have not had Verizon cell service at home since I moved here in 2007. They said it might work, but it will be spotty. Offered to sell me a network extender which runs via internet. Yet what I need is for a backup phone if my DSL goes down. A network extender does not help there.

My back is my VHF radio hand held for emergencies if the Coast Guard is listening.

 

[DBMaster]

^They tried to sell you a femtocell when what you want is a signal repeater. You basically mount an antenna outside and it is wired to an amplifier that "repeats" the signal inside. If you have zero signal outside, though, it probably won't help. I read an article that stated if you press the provider enough times they may GIVE you something. The cost of these devices is around $150-200 so they could make their money back pretty quickly, especially when the alternative is losing a customer.

 

[yesthatsteve]

If T-mobile coverage is good in the areas you frequent, then go for it.

I'm on T-mobile prepaid: $30/month for 5GB data, unlimited text, and 100 minutes of talk (addl. minutes @ $0.10 ea.). My wife talks a LOT more than I do, and is on the $50 unlimited prepaid plan (though she gets throttled to EDGE speeds after a certain amount of data). We order our refills online through Callingmart to avoid sales tax, and we often can find a 5% discount code on top of that.

We pay less now than we did five years ago under our AT&T contract, which gave us a whopping 350 shared minutes, no texting, and no data.

If I need more minutes, I'll go directly to a Straight Talk SIM card for $45 a month unlimited everything.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: yesthatsteve
If T-mobile coverage is good in the areas you frequent, then go for it.

I'm on T-mobile prepaid: $30/month for 5GB data, unlimited text, and 100 minutes of talk (addl. minutes @ $0.10 ea.). My wife talks a LOT more than I do, and is on the $50 unlimited prepaid plan (though she gets throttled to EDGE speeds after a certain amount of data). We order our refills online through Callingmart to avoid sales tax, and we often can find a 5% discount code on top of that.

We pay less now than we did five years ago under our AT&T contract, which gave us a whopping 350 shared minutes, no texting, and no data.

If I need more minutes, I'll go directly to a Straight Talk SIM card for $45 a month unlimited everything.


I do not talk a lot, my daughters text or email.

So what kind of smart phone can you get to use with a T-Mobile prepaid plan without paying a fortune?.

 

[RTexasF]

Quote:
I do not talk a lot, my daughters text or email.

So what kind of smart phone can you get to use with a T-Mobile prepaid plan without paying a fortune?.


Walmart has a T-Mobile prepaid Samsung Exhibit 2 4G for $175. We have two and they work well. Plans start @ $30 (limited data) and can be set up on autopay with a credit card.

We made the switch from Verizon some years ago and have been pleased overall. If you wish to keep the same phone # you must port the number to TM while the Verizon account is still active. They did NOT make it easy for us....what should have taken a few hours took days.

 

[yesthatsteve]

Originally Posted By: RTexasF
Quote:
I do not talk a lot, my daughters text or email.

So what kind of smart phone can you get to use with a T-Mobile prepaid plan without paying a fortune?.


Walmart has a T-Mobile prepaid Samsung Exhibit 2 4G for $175. We have two and they work well. Plans start @ $30 (limited data) and can be set up on autopay with a credit card.

We made the switch from Verizon some years ago and have been pleased overall. If you wish to keep the same phone # you must port the number to TM while the Verizon account is still active. They did NOT make it easy for us....what should have taken a few hours took days.


I also have the Exhibit II (or "Galaxy Exhibit," as Samsung/T-mo re-branded it after a recent software update). It's a good phone - not bleeding edge, but it keeps up with my daughter's Droid Incredible (ex-wife has Verizon).

When I switched from Virgin Mobile, I ported that number to Google Voice so I can keep it forevah, regardless of who provides my service.