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Calling All PrepaidGAF, Commin and Hang Out
- Thread starter tino
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Allforce
Member
I'm interested in doing this, as I barely use any data or talk time on my phone, yet I'm paying like 120 bucks for two smartphones a month on Verizon.
Problem is, my contract ends this October, my wife who is on the same plan ends like Jan. 2016. because she couldn't wait to get an iPhone 5.
Is there any way out of this? And by being on Verizon and having those phones (me: Galaxy S3, her: iPhone 5), are we screwed out of switching those phones over to something like TMobile's 30 dollar a month plan? I would ideally like to keep my phone but if I have to buy a whole new smartphone for this then I'm not really sure.
Problem is, my contract ends this October, my wife who is on the same plan ends like Jan. 2016. because she couldn't wait to get an iPhone 5.
Is there any way out of this? And by being on Verizon and having those phones (me: Galaxy S3, her: iPhone 5), are we screwed out of switching those phones over to something like TMobile's 30 dollar a month plan? I would ideally like to keep my phone but if I have to buy a whole new smartphone for this then I'm not really sure.
Only applies to those who have the unlimited data plan (and not even the older unlimited plan. It has to be the one that has 5gb of hotspot data)
Verizon phones do not work with T-Mobile.
BruiserBear
Banned
The OP is pretty dense reading. So I've got a few quick questions about converting to prepaid.
Let's say my wife and I both want the new iPhone coming out this fall. We want at least 5 gigs a month between the two of us for data. Call minutes are of a far lesser importance.
What are our options, and what would it cost us to get that new iPhone? We live in an area with all the major carriers, ATT, T-mobile, Verizon.
Let's say my wife and I both want the new iPhone coming out this fall. We want at least 5 gigs a month between the two of us for data. Call minutes are of a far lesser importance.
What are our options, and what would it cost us to get that new iPhone? We live in an area with all the major carriers, ATT, T-mobile, Verizon.
Starting from iphone 5s and onward they do. Verizon has an agreement with the government to leave their phones GSM sim unlock So if your new Vzn phone has a new nano-sim slot, most likely it will work on any GSM carrier.
My wife's Verizon iphone 5s work onTMobile perfectly
I know the new Galaxy S5 work too.
How much are willing to pay?
Also, take a look at tino's chart. It's very helpful.
Prepaid brethren, I need recommendations on a Boost Mobile smartphone within the $150 range. My mother's going to get me a new phone as a birthday present since my piece of crap Samsung Galaxy Prevail's power button and camera stopped working (functional but god awful first smartphone).
The Faceless Master
Member
I got the LG Optimus L70 for $50 at MetroPCS + $2 sim unlock code for my dad and wow, I actually think its a pretty good phone for the price. Not a lot of lag, the screen has nice viewing angles, but my god only 1GB of storage left...really annoying, plus I havent found a way to automatically install apps to the sd card along with downloads, and the phone feels ridiculously light. Nowhere near as good as my HTC One M7 but its still definitely a damn steal at that price. Definitely good for being an "Android Touch" like the iPod but WITH the option of being a phone.
Am using Cricket service, had the $50 plan but somehow most of the data was used in like a week from using it as a hotspot for my PS3 to play online games, so I just dropped down to the basic $25 plan. They credited me the difference and remaining days left so it came out to around $18 so I only paid $7 total. Pretty decent customer service, but their web chat people are clueless and somewhat unprofessional. Needed a new sim as the one I got somehow got damaged even though it never left my phone, I had to convince them to send me one for free, it comes then the activation had to be done manually because they sent me their old AIO sim card, but finally got it to work.
Overall, they are decent for being a bit more accessible than other MVNOs for having a dedicated account app, easy to reach customer service and good presentation. Though I will always be behind with phones, it beats draconian 2 year contracts (that and my credit isnt strong enough to qualify anyways). Probably going to get the Note 3 when the 4 comes out, cause I really need good battery life and the One is....passable after rooting it and Greenifying it.
Am using Cricket service, had the $50 plan but somehow most of the data was used in like a week from using it as a hotspot for my PS3 to play online games, so I just dropped down to the basic $25 plan. They credited me the difference and remaining days left so it came out to around $18 so I only paid $7 total. Pretty decent customer service, but their web chat people are clueless and somewhat unprofessional. Needed a new sim as the one I got somehow got damaged even though it never left my phone, I had to convince them to send me one for free, it comes then the activation had to be done manually because they sent me their old AIO sim card, but finally got it to work.
Overall, they are decent for being a bit more accessible than other MVNOs for having a dedicated account app, easy to reach customer service and good presentation. Though I will always be behind with phones, it beats draconian 2 year contracts (that and my credit isnt strong enough to qualify anyways). Probably going to get the Note 3 when the 4 comes out, cause I really need good battery life and the One is....passable after rooting it and Greenifying it.
Yes plenty of people - you should read through this thread
get the Moto G 8gb 3G for $180 or 4G/LTE with microSD card slot for $220 at amazon or motorola.comAny Verizon LTE phone should work on GSM with TMO or ATT. SIM slot on those devices is unlocked out of the box.
Nexus 5.
OP, I didn't see the TMO free 200MB tablet data plan listed in the OP. Useful if you just want GV texts on the go.
Also, if you want to try TMO service, you can currently get a loaner iPhone 5S w/a TMO SIM card for free for a week. Have to have a credit card (they put a $700 hold on your card to ensure you don't blink off with the hardware) but the hold is released when you return the device.
The 200MB seem to have wired requirement for the supported tablet hardware. Plus my iPad mini's free 200mb plan stop working after turn it off for a few months. I don't want to deal with the tech support questions.
Hello PrepaidGAF, I am looking to join your ranks.
I am thinking about ditching the shittiness that is Sprint and getting the TMobile $30 plan. What I'm wondering is if I were to purchase a sim activation kit (like this) and a Moto 4G LTE and activate the service, will I be getting a new number from T-Mobile? Or will I have to port my number over from Sprint while activating it? I plan to port my number over after making sure it's what I want to do and take care of leaving my family plan, but I want to hop on this $30 plan ASAP.
Will I find any issues with: buying a kit + Moto G 4G LTE -> Activating it and getting a number -> Leaving my current plan after I'm happy with TMo+MotoG -> Port old number to the plan/Moto G or whatever phone I might want to change it to?
Thanks in advance.
I am thinking about ditching the shittiness that is Sprint and getting the TMobile $30 plan. What I'm wondering is if I were to purchase a sim activation kit (like this) and a Moto 4G LTE and activate the service, will I be getting a new number from T-Mobile? Or will I have to port my number over from Sprint while activating it? I plan to port my number over after making sure it's what I want to do and take care of leaving my family plan, but I want to hop on this $30 plan ASAP.
Will I find any issues with: buying a kit + Moto G 4G LTE -> Activating it and getting a number -> Leaving my current plan after I'm happy with TMo+MotoG -> Port old number to the plan/Moto G or whatever phone I might want to change it to?
Thanks in advance.
Yes you will get a new number if you activate a kit.
When you are ready to port the number, call T-Mo and let them do the job. Don't call Sprint. Sprint will close your account and send you the final bill.
Okay, sounds good guys, thanks, it's very much appreciated. Gonna buy the Moto G 4G LTE and the kit today. Now, since I'm a part of a family plan, does anyone know whether or not that process be any different? Will the line be closed and the next bill have the ETF on that line added?
In addition, what's the process for refilling the plan? If it's a 30 day plan and I activate it on the 30th of June, on the 28th or so of July so I just purchase a physical refill card, or is it done at T-mobile, online, or what?
I did read the OP and saw about callingmart but I want to know what some gaffers are doing exactly to keep the plan going.
In addition, what's the process for refilling the plan? If it's a 30 day plan and I activate it on the 30th of June, on the 28th or so of July so I just purchase a physical refill card, or is it done at T-mobile, online, or what?
I did read the OP and saw about callingmart but I want to know what some gaffers are doing exactly to keep the plan going.
You can get a Target red card, order tmo refill cards from target.com and get 5% discount. They are out of stock frequently though. You can use the $25, $30, $50, $100 refill cards.
Yeah I actually do have a target red card so the 5% would be nice. Good to know that's an option. Now you mentioned I could purchase refill cards with varying dollar amounts - if I purchase a $25 card how does that reflect on the initial $30 plan? Will I get less data or something?
If on the renew date you don't have more than $30 balance on your account you number gets suspected. You have 60 days to add money on the account. As soon as you add enough money, $30 will be deducted from the balance and you start a new 30-day cycle.
So technically people can just fund it however they want and at the beginning of a new cycle $30 continues to be deducted? That's pretty cool. And when it comes to switching phones, it's as simple as putting the sim I have into the new phone? What about when it comes to switching sims? The kit I am buying comes with a micro. If I get a nano separately front tmobiles cheap deals, do I just activate it on the other SIM card?
Jeez, I never understood how prepaid worked and how much better it is depending on use-case. It always has a stigma of inferiority attached to it, but I guess that's because carriers are much better off duping consumers into contracts.
Jeez, I never understood how prepaid worked and how much better it is depending on use-case. It always has a stigma of inferiority attached to it, but I guess that's because carriers are much better off duping consumers into contracts.
Get a new sim, call tmo and ask them swap it. You don't even need the old sim serial number if you have cut it.
captmcblack
Member
What's the best phone available for Virgin Mobile, and what's the best bang-for-the-buck option? It doesn't seem like Moto G is usable on VMo, so that sucks. :x
My girlfriend currently runs an Evo 3D on Virgin Mobile, and I'd love to get her a worthy upgrade...
My girlfriend currently runs an Evo 3D on Virgin Mobile, and I'd love to get her a worthy upgrade...
Prepaid means just that, prepaid. So long as you have enough funds in your account to pay for the next month of service, it is automatically deducted. If not, no service.
SO yeah, it'll keep deducting that amount from your account until you either switch plans or stop funding and cancel service.
As for switching SIM cards, yes, you just swap from once device to another. If you need a new SIM, just walk into any TMO store. If you're a customer, they'll give you a new SIM free of charge.
Go to slickdeals and search "virgin mobile". I saw a Galaxy s3 deal.
The Faceless Master
Member
The Faceless Master
Member
NO DATA, ONLY AVAILABLE TO SOME DEVICES
Going prepaid had been one of my main goals with my phone from the minute Google announced the Nexus One, but I was never able to swing it due to either still being on contract or lack of funds for the phone (it was always going to be a Nexus phone). The Nexus 4 going on sale last year (before the Nexus 5's release) was the out I needed since I was month to month with Verizon and I had the money.
I'm never going back to a contract phone (especially with Verizon, screw that shit). I'm currently deployed and I've got pre-paid service on my phone where I'm at. Having an unlocked phone just fits my life a hell of a lot better.
BlackGhost
Banned
iphone 4 just died. any of you bros know sites with cheap unlocked iphones? or deals. buying phonea off contract can be expensive! : /
quickwhips
Member
Had bought 2 moto x on republic wireless. Was paying $150 a month on sprint. now its $28.51 a month per phone. So much cheaper and WiFi hybrid dialing is great and 3g service is the same.
Newegg...700....there is no such thing as cheap iPhone.
Oh, you can get this as well
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32GB...1-1-5S-Goophone-i5S-1GB-Ram-4/1861318222.html
So I found a Galaxy S3 on eBay for $148 with free shipping and pulled the trigger to order it. I was going to get one off craigslist for $150 but the dude said it was local pick up only (he's based in Jersey City, NJ). I was going to make the trip but then I realized it was substantially cheaper on said website as opposed to spending 3 hours and $10 on traveling fare and obviously one can never trust craigslist.
I'll order a spare battery just in case since the phone is used. Good riddance to the steaming pile crap that's the Samsung Galaxy Prevail come next Monday. 128MB of internal memory is god awful. I'm looking forward to activating it and moving up. Sucks that Boost Mobile doesn't have the Galaxy S4 for some odd reason despite having the S5.
I'll order a spare battery just in case since the phone is used. Good riddance to the steaming pile crap that's the Samsung Galaxy Prevail come next Monday. 128MB of internal memory is god awful. I'm looking forward to activating it and moving up. Sucks that Boost Mobile doesn't have the Galaxy S4 for some odd reason despite having the S5.
evilpigking
Member
Trying to get into these coming from scratch as I've never had a smartphone or my own cellphone before. Is the Tmobile plan (like the kit thing Stat Flow linked) still good with all the issues I hear about Tmobile lately?
Also if anyone here is Chicago-gaf: what networks are better around there? Virgin/Tmobile?
For phones I guess I can just look around slickdeals or do basic searches once I pick a plan I'm interested in I suppose.
Also if anyone here is Chicago-gaf: what networks are better around there? Virgin/Tmobile?
For phones I guess I can just look around slickdeals or do basic searches once I pick a plan I'm interested in I suppose.
samus i am
Member
I can't answer your other questions, but I guess one of the benefits of doing prepaid with Tmobile is that they couldn't overcharge me, so no complaints in that regard.
evilpigking
Member
Cool.
Ordered an unlocked Nexus 5 and a tmobile starter kit since coverage in Chicago area looked pretty good. Here's to hoping everything works!
I'm looking at a plan for my mom, she is not very savvy at all when it comes to cell phones. Is there is distinct winner between the plans? The ones that stick out are straight talk and cricket...
Data would be necessary, not worried about high speed but Nav may be useful. Minutes aren't too much of a concern, maybe 2-400.
Data would be necessary, not worried about high speed but Nav may be useful. Minutes aren't too much of a concern, maybe 2-400.
Both Straight Talk and Cricket are unlimited text and unlimited minutes, only the data is capped.
Prior to me leaving for my deployment, I used Straight Talk and I had no issues with them at all (probably going to go back to them when I get back).
You can't beat $45 a month for your phone bill.
The Faceless Master
Member
$20 for unlimited talk and 50 msgs or unlimited text and 50 minutes?
lol wtf
evilpigking
Member
Nexus 5 came today and activated the $30 Tmo plan. Didn't have any issues~ Now I just gotta figure out how to work the damn thing and look into a cover.
samus i am
Member
Yep. You probably won't have the same number though.
Will need a new SIM card.
ChoklitReign
Member
My family has finally decided to ditch Verizon for AT&T. They must have been tempted by that $160/mo 4-person plan. We pay >$200 on Verizon currently after all the taxes and charges, so would we actually save money after charges on AT&T? I'm really interested in prepaid plans like Straight Talk. What are their charges like? Would a family of 4 save money with 4 separate lines? If there are charges along with the $45/month plan it sounds like a waste. What are all the AT&T prepaid services?
That's actually not a terrible deal.
$20 for unlimited talk and 50 msgs or unlimited text and 50 minutes?
lol wtf
This is a great plan If you don't care about data and you either talk or text more.
n64coder
Member
I'm a Cricket wireless customer and have been happy with it. I have the 2.5gb plan and my wife has the 500mb plan. Together we pay $80/month ($50 + $40 - $10 group save discount). When I get a phone for my daughter, I will be able to get $20 additional discount. For the 4th and 5th lines, the discount is $30 each. That's pretty good.
After you use your monthly allotted data, you still get data but it's throttled bug still usable.
vatstep
This poster pulses with an appeal so broad the typical restraints of our societies fall by the wayside.
Target has prepaid minutes/plan cards on sale for 5% off this week (it seems like they do this once per month or so, which I only recently discovered). Combine that with the standard RED card savings and you can get refills for 10% off. May be more or less desirable depending on whether or not your state charges tax on the cards (versus using a tax-free site like CallingMart for refills).
T-Mobile cards seem to only be available in store, and they unfortunately can't be ordered for pick-up. Bummer, since Target has a $10 off a $40 in-store pick-up order offer going on right now.
T-Mobile cards seem to only be available in store, and they unfortunately can't be ordered for pick-up. Bummer, since Target has a $10 off a $40 in-store pick-up order offer going on right now.
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