Sign The Petition: Get Rid Of Contracts For Wireless Service - Off-topic

Getting rid of carrier contracts is a win for customers. Verizon's CEO, Lowell McAdam, has already expressed his willingness to do away with them if consumers speak loud enough about it. So here's your chance: sign this petition to tell Verizon to end carrier contracts and create an affordable way for consumers to purchase their devices. If you're a current customer, you don't have to switch carriers or have plans to switch carriers. I've been a long-time Verizon customer and I don't see myself ever leaving; but I want that choice myself; I don't want them making it for me and imposing stiff penalties if I do decide to leave.
T-mobile Did It, Why Cant Verizon And Then The Others Do It Too? Lets create a ripple effect in the wireless industry! Thanks For Your Support.
Sign Here: Change.Org/Petitions

Becool0130 said:
Getting rid of carrier contracts is a win for customers. Verizon's CEO, Lowell McAdam, has already expressed his willingness to do away with them if consumers speak loud enough about it. So here's your chance: sign this petition to tell Verizon to end carrier contracts and create an affordable way for consumers to purchase their devices. If you're a current customer, you don't have to switch carriers or have plans to switch carriers. I've been a long-time Verizon customer and I don't see myself ever leaving; but I want that choice myself; I don't want them making it for me and imposing stiff penalties if I do decide to leave.
T-mobile Did It, Why Cant Verizon And Then The Others Do It Too? Lets create a ripple effect in the wireless industry! Thanks For Your Support.
Sign Here: Change.Org/Petitions
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I've been a long time T-mobile customer. It's not that straight forward. I asked about going from my current contract to a non contract plan. Problem is, my four lines all have contracts. I had to buy out my current contracts to go to a non contract. I would have to pay $600 before I was able to go to non contract plans! :banghead: I would have to wait a year or so before that price will go down to a reasonable price. Now, the deal is, it's a "non contract plan. You pay a down payment on a phone, then pay it off in two years. Hmm, what happens if you want to leave in a month after you get your contract, that's right, you owe the balance of a phone. But, at the same time, you can bring an old phone to sign up with Tmobile. It has its positives, and negatives

LoopDoGG79 said:
I've been a long time T-mobile customer. It's not that straight forward. I asked about going from my current contract to a non contract plan. Problem is, my four lines all have contracts. I had to buy out my current contracts to go to a non contract. I would have to pay $600 before I was able to go to non contract plans! :banghead: I would have to wait a year or so before that price will go down to a reasonable price. Now, the deal is, it's a "non contract plan. You pay a down payment on a phone, then pay it off in two years. Hmm, what happens if you want to leave in a month after you get your contract, that's right, you owe the balance of a phone. But, at the same time, you can bring an old phone to sign up with Tmobile. It has its positives, and negatives
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Well, you'd have to remember the basic principle. Nothing is free in this world, as so you will have to pay for the phone you bought and nothing more if you decide to leave. Keep in mind, you can pay as much off as you'd like overtime if you dont pay in full from the start. I think getting hit with your device fee is the same as breaking your 2 year contract fee. They both equal the same more or less....
Lets say that you want to pay $100 instead of the regular $70/month, which btw includes your $20/month device fee. Then you would be paying $50 and effectively paying off your phone much quicker. Its definitely better than a car loan as it doesnt incur interest.
Above all, I think if you payed for your phone in FULL from the start -meaning your on prepaid- then your OPTIONAL monthly payment should be lower and not the same as someone on a postpaid plan. The other carriers love to charge the same amount of money for postpaid vs prepaid.

Bump
Seriously no support? You'd rather be forced to buy phones with contracts?

Related

Upgrade question - need your input

I'm hoping that some of you guys can help me sort things out and point me in the right direction on an upgrade strategy.
At present, I'm an AT&T customer on a monthly (because my contract expired) using an HTC TYTNII (not Tilt) with MEdia Net at $20/month. I like the new Pure but it just doesn't seem to make sense to buy a Pure from AT&T and spend $150 for the phone upgrade plus an additional $240 at $10/month for two years because I'd be forced into their $30/month data plan. That would make the phone $390, when it seems you can buy 'em all day at $240 on Ebay.
I'm also wondering why, if AT&T is willing to apply a $150 subsidy toward a phone purchase, that they wouldn't offer $150 as a credit to your account if, for argument's sake, you didn't want to upgrade your present phone. After all, what if I were content with my TYTN and wanted to simply renew and further subsidize the cost of the phone I already have?
So I'm wondering if any of you upgrade-savvy buyers know of a way that I can purchase a Pure/Topaz at a decent price, while still getting a subsidy from AT&T for renewing my contract and making another 2-year commitment while avoiding the strongarm tactics that force customers into a $30 data plan that does the same thing as their $20 data plan.
Hoping some of you experienced upgraders can help me sort it out.
Thanks!

Trying to get out of tmobile contract. tips?

The whole reasoning switched to Tmobile (besides the obvious). Was to get a cheaper phone bil. Now for various reasons they wont let me transfer to my dads unlimited family plan. So I want out of my contract. Any tips or suggestions? I know I can get out if they change my rates right? Is there any websites that will keep me on top of that? Thanks.
Hmm, maybe you should go to a different store or try through online chat. They let me move a contracted phone to my Even More Plus account. The only thing is, the phone remains in contract but at the cheaper non-contract rate. Once that one phones contract expires, I'm fully contract free. I did it all through the online chat.
never
ever sign another contract......
but for now ask to be released, then if the disagree just pay the fee and then setup a no contract account, buy a phone outright and remember the lesson. carriers only have contracts because they have no reason for poeple to stay.... sorry

$500 deal from T-mobile

On T-mobile, there is a $500 deal here, no annual contract
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/default.aspx#HTC-HD7
I can't figure out exactly what this means. Is this just the phone itself without having to pay monthly? Or do I have to pay monthly but not go by their contract? I really want to buy it that cheap, but I went to their site and I find it rather confusing.
lol thats without a contract of course u have to pay your monthly usage
There are 2 options:
(1) Buy the phone at a subsidized price ($199 or is it $249? for the HD7). You are locked into a 2 year contract with a $200 or so early termination fee. You pay a higher price than with option 2 for your monthly service. (This is the "Even More" plan.)
(2) Buy the phone at full retail price ($499 for the HD7). You are not locked into any contract and can leave T-Mobile, buy a new phone, etc. at any time. You *also* pay less for your monthly service with this option (This is the "Even More Plus" plan).
Hope that helps.
Regardless of which pricing option you choose, you still need to pay for service.
If you get the phone at a discount, you are stuck on a 2-year contract and pay slightly higher monthly service fees. This is called "Even More".
If you choose to get the phone at full price, there is no contract and you pay slightly lower monthly service fees. This is called "Even More Plus".
Refer to the T-Mobile website for more details on pricing for these plans. In either case, you can choose to spread out payments of your phone over a few or many months, or just pay up front for everything.
In the long run, going with Even More Plus is cheaper. Less monthly service fees, spread out phone payments over a long period of months, and best benefit of all, no contract.
do note that if u have t-zones with t-mobile, it works on the hd7! that means it's only going to cost you $3-6/mo for full internet access. if u have such a plan, you can save approximately 27 dollars/month on data alone. over a course of a 2 yr contract, that's 648 dollars. you can then spend the money you saved on the next phone and sell off the hd7

[Q] How Purchasing a phone works in the US

Hey all,
I see the HD7 is now only $50 on the Amazon site.
How does this price work? If someone already has a T-Mobile contract can they buy this phone for $50 without having to spend any more money? Or does it count as an upgrade and then they have to wait another 2 years before they can buy another phone at that rate?
Do you have to renew your contract to be eligible for that price?
I know some people in the US who have a T-Mobile contract and, if possible, $50 is quite a lot less than $520 but I'm sure that this is not how it works.
Could anyone fill me in on the details?
Thanks!
There are normally at least 2 different prices for phones here on US carriers. The full price, and the contract/upgrade price (which is usually the much lower price).
To take advantage of the lower price, you either need to:
- Be eligible for an upgrade and renew your contract (on either a 1 or 2 year contract, depending on the carrier, and the price you want to pay for the phone), and sometimes pay an upgrade fee
- Start a new contract/add-a-line on a new 1 or 2 year contract, and pay an activation fee.
When you are locked into a contract, you are subject to the terms of that carrier, so that may include a required data or text package in addition to your voice plan. These required packages cannot be removed for the duration of your contract (and depending on the carrier, for the life of your phone). That also includes a termination fee should you decide to cancel before your contract is up. These fees vary depending on the carrier.
prjkthack said:
There are normally at least 2 different prices for phones here on US carriers. The full price, and the contract/upgrade price (which is usually the much lower price).
To take advantage of the lower price, you either need to:
- Be eligible for an upgrade and renew your contract (on either a 1 or 2 year contract, depending on the carrier, and the price you want to pay for the phone), and sometimes pay an upgrade fee
- Start a new contract/add-a-line on a new 1 or 2 year contract, and pay an activation fee.
When you are locked into a contract, you are subject to the terms of that carrier, so that may include a required data or text package in addition to your voice plan. These required packages cannot be removed for the duration of your contract (and depending on the carrier, for the life of your phone). That also includes a termination fee should you decide to cancel before your contract is up. These fees vary depending on the carrier.
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Ok, thanks very much.
We have a similar system in this country but phone prices aren't advertised as the price you have to pay to get them on contract, they're either a certain price with a certain contract or they advertise the Pre-paid price.
It was confusing seeing websites that said "Buy the HD7 now for only $50" but all cleared up now, thanks!
If you actually go through the Amazon Wireless store and buy a phone, prior to payment you have to agree to the terms with which they save you so much money. If you don't use the phone for a minimum of 120+ days, they retroactively charge you for the full amount of the hardware.
Also, if you plan on buying the phone and then cancelling the contract after a month, you can forget about it.
You will have to pay the carrier's ETF
The one-month of service, prorated accordingly
And Amazon's own termination fee.
All of this will be greater than simply buying the phone for full price.

What's your thoughts on Sprint considering doing away with contract plans?

Me personally I rather have the contract plan and pay $100 - $200 for a phone then have to pay full price.
Here's the source material since it wasn't included in the OP:
http://www.androidcentral.com/sprint-may-go-un-carrier-and-ditch-phone-subsidies-and-contracts-2015
I was afraid this would happen... I too rather pay a discounted price for a phone than have to pay full price...
Nooooo! I don't mind my contract phone. At least I bought it for a good price, not full retail. ?
Sent from my 831C using XDA Free mobile app
I certainly would not mind it. Sprint has terrible coverage in my area but T-Mobile has awesome coverage. I would probably switch given the chance.
Phrostbite said:
I certainly would not mind it. Sprint has terrible coverage in my area but T-Mobile has awesome coverage. I would probably switch given the chance.
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Well I read somewhere that T-Mobile is paying off early term fees if you switch to them. Just a thought....
Sent from my 831C using XDA Free mobile app
Yeah we did the math and if we did that then after phone costs and what not we wouldn't break even until about two years in anyways.
But yeah T-Mobile is paying. Up to 350 dollars a line. They send it to you in the form of a gift card.
Good to know. Thanks for the update. Looks like it's not even worth checking into for our family. ?
Sent from my 831C using XDA Free mobile app
Sprint can't ever get away from the contracts or they would go under. They are hands down the worst provider of all the cell services and pretty much everyone I know including myself would leave them in a heartbeat if they could right away. I am just biding my time until I can be free from this god awful 2 year contract of pure **** service.
We got a call in January stating they are finally putting LTE in our service area (Detroit) and there are only 3-4 places I actually get it. I finally went into the store yesterday to talk to a rep and they told me my problem was that I need to disable 4G LTE for another 6 months until they have completed the roll out, and to just stick with 3G for the time being.
I can barely stream music, can't load video, and web pages crawl at best.
"Disable your LTE to get better service" was their official reply. They should be ashamed of themselves. I the last 6 months of having them my TOTAL DATA consumed is 1.8GB. I want to be using 1.8GB a week, not every 6 freaking months.
It wouldn't be so bad if retail for a phone wasn't so darn expensive. Could never figure out why a phone costs $500 - $700 typically out of contract. For that price, I could buy a notebook (and possibility a tablet too). The price of a higher end tablet with a larger screen is in the $200 price range - and that is pretty much a phone minus the radio. So my deduction is they charge $400-500 for just the radio.
That is why I tend to get a new phone and sign a 2 year contract or else I am leaving money on the table by not upgrading at a subsidized rate.
weidnerj said:
It wouldn't be so bad if retail for a phone wasn't so darn expensive. Could never figure out why a phone costs $500 - $700 typically out of contract. For that price, I could buy a notebook (and possibility a tablet too). The price of a higher end tablet with a larger screen is in the $200 price range - and that is pretty much a phone minus the radio. So my deduction is they charge $400-500 for just the radio.
That is why I tend to get a new phone and sign a 2 year contract or else I am leaving money on the table by not upgrading at a subsidized rate.
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The idea is that the plans where you have to buy your device are going to be cheaper than the ones with the subsidy built in. You won't be leaving any money on the table if it's implemented correctly.
I'm on Sprint no contract no credit check option with an HTC m8. I love this option the m8 was only $325 off craigslist brand-new and I'm not tied down for two years. $60 unlimited everything plan and I have no credit this is awesome!
Will a more reputable company buy out my contract with Sprint? Like say, Verizon or AT&T?
PhallusOfGod said:
Will a more reputable company buy out my contract with Sprint? Like say, Verizon or AT&T?
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I believe only T-Mobile it's the only one offering this right now.
Sent from my 831C using XDA Free mobile app
Toyeboy said:
I'm on Sprint no contract no credit check option with an HTC m8. I love this option the m8 was only $325 off craigslist brand-new and I'm not tied down for two years. $60 unlimited everything plan and I have no credit this is awesome!
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I believe you're new to sprint. I joined sprint with same idea $60 unlimited plan. I got the bill for first month, it's $132. When I asked them, they told me $40 is the activation fee and rest are government taxes, etc. That means going forward my bill will be $92.
I asked them to add international calling add on for $15, they told me I need to do the credit check for that and after that they asked me to keep a deposit of $100 for 1 year, though the device is my own.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
Cashreedhar said:
I believe you're new to sprint. I joined sprint with same idea $60 unlimited plan. I got the bill for first month, it's $132. When I asked them, they told me $40 is the activation fee and rest are government taxes, etc. That means going forward my bill will be $92.
I asked them to add international calling add on for $15, they told me I need to do the credit check for that and after that they asked me to keep a deposit of $100 for 1 year, though the device is my own.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
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I knew all that about the first month being $130. But Sprint employees told me $70 a month with fees and taxes after the initial activation month. I don't need international anything.
---------- Post added at 08:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:40 PM ----------
Cashreedhar said:
I believe you're new to sprint. I joined sprint with same idea $60 unlimited plan. I got the bill for first month, it's $132. When I asked them, they told me $40 is the activation fee and rest are government taxes, etc. That means going forward my bill will be $92.
I asked them to add international calling add on for $15, they told me I need to do the credit check for that and after that they asked me to keep a deposit of $100 for 1 year, though the device is my own.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Free mobile app
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You must be paying for the optional phone insurance it's an extra $11.00 every month. Check your account options and opt out. There's no reason for that to be $92 a month
I finally said F Sprint, and opened an account with Verizon. I can hardly make calls on Sprint let alone look something up online. On Verizon I have fast LTE 99.9% of the time, and I couldn't be happier. Trying to pick up a nexus 6 unlocked.
I will never understand people who cry and complain about a service provider. This isn't Yelp. It seriously showcases the most ignorant and uneducated. Look at a service map. Do some math. You're making an investment for crying out loud. So on to the point of this thread.
The HTC M8 Harman Kardon is currently $230 in most retailers on a 2 year contract. Also known as subsidy. The minimum rate plan for a single line with unlimited service is $80. 24 months of service is $1920 plus the $230 investment of the phone itself.
The same phone under the EZ Pay monthly installment plan is $0 down. The minimum rate plan for a single line with unlimited service is $60. 24 months of service including the $15 a month installment is $1800.
That is big time savings both up front at zero down and total two years savings. Even if you find a sale or promotion on subsidy the total two year investment is more. Period. This also doesn't take into account if you are eligible for membership or employer discounts. Credit Union members get waived activation fees and 10% off a month! No one else can touch this plan. Even T-Mobile. The installment plan is a complete and total win. Stop the belly aching about paying for a phone. You were always paying for a phone over subsidy it was simply masked in the rate plan cost. Remember when Sprint was charing $10 for "premium data"?
Sprint is just way more transparent now. More so than ever, maybe as a result of T-Mobile being aggressive. But it is flat out the most cost effective way to get a flagship phone and unlimited service. AT&T and Verizon don't even bother with unlimited service and T-Mobile short of their more expensive $70 plan will throttle you straight to the stone age. If you can't do homework over coverage or think the middle of Arkansas is as important as the Mid Atlantic then I'm sorry. Use Wi-Fi or look at a coverage map!!!
Sprint. Now and forever.
The only thing I don't like is sprint forces you to buy through them when you have 5 or more lines on your account. Tried to get my m8 on Amazon a few months ago and that was the case
mreniigma said:
I will never understand people who cry and complain about a service provider. This isn't Yelp. It seriously showcases the most ignorant and uneducated. Look at a service map. Do some math. You're making an investment for crying out loud. So on to the point of this thread.
The HTC M8 Harman Kardon is currently $230 in most retailers on a 2 year contract. Also known as subsidy. The minimum rate plan for a single line with unlimited service is $80. 24 months of service is $1920 plus the $230 investment of the phone itself.
The same phone under the EZ Pay monthly installment plan is $0 down. The minimum rate plan for a single line with unlimited service is $60. 24 months of service including the $15 a month installment is $1800.
That is big time savings both up front at zero down and total two years savings. Even if you find a sale or promotion on subsidy the total two year investment is more. Period. This also doesn't take into account if you are eligible for membership or employer discounts. Credit Union members get waived activation fees and 10% off a month! No one else can touch this plan. Even T-Mobile. The installment plan is a complete and total win. Stop the belly aching about paying for a phone. You were always paying for a phone over subsidy it was simply masked in the rate plan cost. Remember when Sprint was charing $10 for "premium data"?
Sprint is just way more transparent now. More so than ever, maybe as a result of T-Mobile being aggressive. But it is flat out the most cost effective way to get a flagship phone and unlimited service. AT&T and Verizon don't even bother with unlimited service and T-Mobile short of their more expensive $70 plan will throttle you straight to the stone age. If you can't do homework over coverage or think the middle of Arkansas is as important as the Mid Atlantic then I'm sorry. Use Wi-Fi or look at a coverage map!!!
Sprint. Now and forever.
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Click to collapse
Are you referring to me? I would love for you to point out where I'm crying. And maybe before you assume things and start calling people ignorant and uneducated you might want to instead assume that maybe you don't have all of the information.
So let me break it down for your simple mind. I have been a Sprint customer for 12 years, I moved 3 years ago and no longer had cell reception at my house, no biggy I got an airrave, and I basically only used my phone at home or work and both places I had reception. In the last month I have started doing a lot of driving for work and have been making a lot more phone calls, and after one phone call dropping for the fourth time I drove to the nearest verizon store looked at their coverage map and switched that same day. No more issues with dropped calls and I have reception everywhere I have gone so far.
As far as living in the middle of no where is concerned, I think not. I live 30 minutes north of Los Angeles. I hope berating others on internet forums makes you feel better about yourself. Have a wonderful day.

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