BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted November 20, 2009 BassResource.com Administrator Posted November 20, 2009 Want to know how AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint are gouging you? Want to learn how to save money (more than $1,000 per year in some cases!)? Then check out this article from PC Magazine: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2356098,00.asp
Uncle Leo Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 This does not surprise me. Nothing is for free, someway somehow you will pay for it.
ABLE2DISABLE1 Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 > >:(With in a week my first phone statement was 210.00 and the end of the month was 225.00. Next month the same stuff 225.00; whats up with that, they called courtesy of my minutes,witch I pay for,just to let me know about my 3rd billing coming up 215.00[ ya its lower] were going to disconnect, told them go right ahead I wasn't breaking the contract they where.I still have the d**n thing.I have two phones and the current bill just arrived due November 4 09 /251.70. That's the total for this month,I'm calling in,will do no good, but what the ....
moby bass Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Which economist (Keynes?) said, "There is no such thing as a free lunch." Unfortunately, this kind of questionable business practice, although legal, is what leads to more government regulation. I think a cellular company that had full disclosure of its pricing structure and billing might make significant inroads with consumers. I had serious billing issues with AT&T a few months back, where my bill was over $500. Eventually found that my son was on a separate line, all by himself, with unlimited this that and another thing. I could not decipher the bill. Took 3 months to straighten it out. Couldn't leave ATT because of being locked into the 2 year deal. However, when that contract expires and I'm on a month to month, we're outta there. Frankly, their service stinks!
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted November 20, 2009 Author BassResource.com Administrator Posted November 20, 2009 Read through that article carefully. You'll note that T-Mobile is NOT doing this; and is offering NO-CONTRACT rate plans at HALF the cost of the other carriers. To quote: If people actually wanted to save fistfuls of money, hundreds of thousands of people would be jumping over to T-Mobile's "Even More Plus" plans right now. In response, the other carriers would introduce their own subsidy-free plans, and then we'd all have a lot more money to spend on smartphone fart apps. This will never happen. T-Mobile's brilliant plans will fail, because the only price tag anyone reacts to is the misleading "free!" next to a phone. So please don't lump T-Mobile in with the other carriers. You have a choice.
Bantam1 Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 I've been with TMobile for over 5 years now. My phone pretty much works everywhere. My plan is unlimited minutes for $40/month. I have been more than happy with them. I don't have one of the new style phones with a data plan, but I'm sure it will be a great deal if I decide to upgrade. They are a legit company.
moby bass Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 I misunderstood what T-Mobile was offering but following the link and briefly looking at their plans doesn't appear to be any great savings to me. With the unsubsidized plan I would be buying my phone(s) up front. Then they show a 2 line family, unlimited minutes for $99.99. I currently have 4 lines, unlimited night and weekend minutes, unlimited anytime mobile to mobile, rollover of unused minutes and the phones, for the same price. Its all very confusing to me. .
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted November 20, 2009 Author BassResource.com Administrator Posted November 20, 2009 With the T-Mobile plan, you get unlimited calling, text, and data to eveything all the time (not just a calling circle, or mobile-to-mobile). It's unlimited everything. No need for "rollover minutes" - it's unlimited every month. You get unlimited calling to any number, land or mobile. Unlimited texting, unlimited browsing, all for the same price every month. No more surprises in your bills. You get 2 options with your T-Mobile plan: unsubsidized and subsidized. Meaning you can pay for your phone upfront (or over 20 months interest free), or get a free phone (or cheaper phone). I suggest going to a T-Mobile store near you to get the full details, and compare it with your current plan. You'll see you will save a LOT of money. Just trying to help you guys save some dough!
Super User 5bass Posted November 20, 2009 Super User Posted November 20, 2009 If T Mobile would get with it and build some towers in Virginia where we could get decent service, I'd love to make a switch. The T Mobile coverage for my neck of the woods is non existent. I'm with Verizon now and it's the best service around these parts....nobody else even comes close in my opinion. But it's expensive.
alwayslooking Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 i concur with F.B.L.,,,sitting at the 'puter, i could use any service,,,at the lake, only verizon gets coverage,,
b.Lee Posted November 20, 2009 Posted November 20, 2009 Never thought of it in that manner, has opened a new can of worms for me meow.
Rebel Angler Posted November 23, 2009 Posted November 23, 2009 phone companys seem to always try to screw you over somehow. When I got my first phone, I ran up the bill to like 300 dollars the first month cause my family thought we all had unlimited texting...apparently not
slider head Posted November 23, 2009 Posted November 23, 2009 If T Mobile would get with it and build some towers in Virginia where we could get decent service, I'd love to make a switch. The T Mobile coverage for my neck of the woods is non existent. I'm with Verizon now and it's the best service around these parts....nobody else even comes close in my opinion. But it's expensive. ah ahhh ahhhh FBL. The DeathStar has the largest nationwide 3G coverage including Va. Have you not seen the new commercials. Also, a lawsuit pending against the V for thier false claims. As always,......"Your World Consumed"
FishingBuds Posted November 23, 2009 Posted November 23, 2009 Thanks Glenn, I for one will check it out cause my contract is up in Dec.
Super User 5bass Posted November 23, 2009 Super User Posted November 23, 2009 If T Mobile would get with it and build some towers in Virginia where we could get decent service, I'd love to make a switch. The T Mobile coverage for my neck of the woods is non existent. I'm with Verizon now and it's the best service around these parts....nobody else even comes close in my opinion. But it's expensive. ah ahhh ahhhh FBL. The DeathStar has the largest nationwide 3G coverage including Va. Have you not seen the new commercials. Also, a lawsuit pending against the V for thier false claims. As always,......"Your World Consumed" Alright slider, break that down into layman's terms. I'm not real familiar with who Death Star is. Are you saying T Mobile has good coverage here and Verizon lied about how much coverage they actually have? Talk to me.
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted November 23, 2009 Author BassResource.com Administrator Posted November 23, 2009 I think he means DeathStar=Verizon, and AT&T is suing Verizon over their 3G coverage map ads. Here's the skinny: Verizon is claiming they have more 3G coverage than AT&T; which may or may not be true. To counter, AT&T is running ads that THEY have the most OVERALL coverage (in other words, they claim their non-3G coverage is more than Verizons). AT&T is also suing Verizon over those ads, claiming they're misleading (notice I didn't say "inaccurate"). Thing is, AT&T sues all their competitors, all time. It's their standard operating procedure. They try to stifle competitor's ads via cease and desist orders, which rarely are granted. But you have to give them credit for trying. Just remember this when watching those ads by both of them: more coverage doesn't equate to better service.
tyrius. Posted November 23, 2009 Posted November 23, 2009 I think he means DeathStar=Verizon, and AT&T is suing Verizon over their 3G coverage map ads. The Verizon maps are actually very misleading. I have AT&T coverage and get 3g coverage is many areas that are not on Verizon's maps. I haven't seen anything on the ads dating the AT&T maps, but I do know for a fact that I get 3g coverage is areas that the Verizon maps say that AT&T doesn't provide it.
Super User K_Mac Posted November 23, 2009 Super User Posted November 23, 2009 Glenn I've never given the coverage/service comparison much thought. It does make sense that a large coverage area does not mean good service if the coverage isn't comprehensive. The adds showing the red/blue comparison of Verizon/ATT may not give the whole story but they do make for good television. :
Super User 5bass Posted November 23, 2009 Super User Posted November 23, 2009 I can tell you this. I've been on Verizon for over 4 years now and I dont think I've ever been anywhere that I couldn't make or get a call. Switching to T Mobile, although tempting, is still iffy on the coverage thing here in Central Va. I was on US Cellular prior to signing with Verizon and they had pretty good coverage for this area, well, everywhere except on the lake.
Super User cart7t Posted November 23, 2009 Super User Posted November 23, 2009 My son has T-mobile, he can't wait for his contract to expire so he can switch.
slider head Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 OK a fairy tale to try and explain. There was once a very proud Blue and Gold bunch. Thier first name was Bell and they were from the South. SouthEast to be exact. Mostly warm states. They had a great business and treated everyone real nice. They owned half a wireless business and used a funny little orange guy to represent thier company. One day a bully appeared on the horizon and they wanted the funny little orange guy company all to themselves. This bully uses a symbol that kinda resembles a deathstar. Sure enough one day the DeathStar rounded the merger and acquisitions moon and the proud blue and gold Bell people from the South were no more. There World had been consumed! Funny thing is that in 96 the blue and gold guys had a chance to buy the bullys.....but at the 12th hour walked away from the deal. Morale of the story watch out for bully's or your world could be consumed! I hope this explains things a little better!
slider head Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 I think he means DeathStar=Verizon, and AT&T is suing Verizon over their 3G coverage map ads. The Verizon maps are actually very misleading. I have AT&T coverage and get 3g coverage is many areas that are not on Verizon's maps. I haven't seen anything on the ads dating the AT&T maps, but I do know for a fact that I get 3g coverage is areas that the Verizon maps say that AT&T doesn't provide it. The verizon maps are VERY VERY misleading thus the lawsuits!
llPa1nll Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 If T Mobile would get with it and build some towers in Virginia where we could get decent service, I'd love to make a switch. The T Mobile coverage for my neck of the woods is non existent. I'm with Verizon now and it's the best service around these parts....nobody else even comes close in my opinion. But it's expensive. This is the situation in my area as well. I have tried other carriers but Verizon has the best reception in my area. Yes, it would be nice to save some money but Id rather pay a tad more and get the service everywhere I go.
tyrius. Posted November 24, 2009 Posted November 24, 2009 This bully uses a symbol that kinda resembles a deathstar. I've had every incarnation of the "Death Star" service offered in Chicago since 1999 when I got my phone after graduating college. Except for one apartment, I've had excellent service. The only time I've changed plans is when I went to a family plan, so I have an older plan that is much cheaper than they offer now. The biggest gripe I have with AT&T is the cost of their text messaging plans and the fact that you have to pay for data and messaging for the second phone of a family plan. It looks like T-mobile includes two phones in their price. However, for what I use I really wouldn't be saving any money by switching and I wouldn't be able to have my iPhone, which is the best phone available!!!
Super User senile1 Posted November 26, 2009 Super User Posted November 26, 2009 With the T-Mobile plan, you get unlimited calling, text, and data to eveything all the time (not just a calling circle, or mobile-to-mobile). It's unlimited everything. No need for "rollover minutes" - it's unlimited every month. You get unlimited calling to any number, land or mobile. Unlimited texting, unlimited browsing, all for the same price every month. No more surprises in your bills. You get 2 options with your T-Mobile plan: unsubsidized and subsidized. Meaning you can pay for your phone upfront (or over 20 months interest free), or get a free phone (or cheaper phone). I suggest going to a T-Mobile store near you to get the full details, and compare it with your current plan. You'll see you will save a LOT of money. Just trying to help you guys save some dough! According to T-Mobile's links listed below, the top section of each plan page states that free calling is only T-Mobile to T-Mobile calling. When I check the links to look at the plan details it states that it is unlimited nationwide calling. So which is it? Sprint Nextel was the only company to offer unlimited calling, texting, and data to any phone, anywhere, at anytime for 99.99 a month but maybe that has changed recently. In addition, Sprint topped PC World's 3G network comparison made in 13 metropolitan areas. http://www.pcworld.com/article/167391/a_day_in_the_life_of_3g.html. And Sprint is the only company with 4G in a number of cities and the rollout continues. Sprint has had some difficult times and this has led to some bad perceptions of their service. Fortunately, over the past couple of years Sprint has made tremendous improvement, but it takes awhile to turn around bad public perception to match reality. In the interest of full disclosure, I work for Sprint but I'm not stating anything above that you can't find and read for yourself. I work with Cisco VoIP in a group separate from the cellphone departments. By the way, you'll notice T-Mobile wasn't included in the network comparison by PC World. Their 3G coverage nationwide, according to their maps appears to be mediocre when compared to the other three carriers. T-Mobile Even More Plus Plans: http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Cell-Phone-Plans.aspx?catgroup=EvenMorePlus&WT.z_shop_plansLP=EvenMorePlus T-Mobile Even More Plans: http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Cell-Phone-Plans.aspx?catgroup=EvenMore&WT.z_unav=mst_shop_plans_evenmore
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