Phone Plans

I am thinking about switching to tmobile or sprint, but have heard bad things about their service. However, I live in a big city and am ok with getting some spotty service in the burbs.

Thoughts?
Whats the best plan for the money.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:51AM

Ofgift Gift

· Tucson, Arizona

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Icon_minipost Jan 06 '09, 09:58 PM

My daughter used to use sprint, but quit. Everytime she called to make a change they automatically enrolled her in a new two year contract. I think they lost some business because of that, but may still do it.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:52AM

Matt DuSold

· Chicago, Illinois

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Icon_minipost Jan 06 '09, 10:25 PM

I would advise against sprint. I am on it because I am in missouri and that is where the headquarters are but am going to switch to ATT. Sprint service is ok but the customer service is TERRIBLE. If you ever have a problem it is going to be VERY VERY painful.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:52AM

Jeff Z

Real Estate Agent · Portland, Oregon

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Icon_minipost Jan 18 '09, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by Ofgift Gift

My daughter used to use sprint, but quit. Everytime she called to make a change they automatically enrolled her in a new two year contract. I think they lost some business because of that, but may still do it.

I believe there was a bill in Congress that was attempting to ban this practice, but I'm not sure what ever became of it.

I can tell you that Verizon Wireless has a unlimited plan for $100, and I believe that AT&T had a similar deal.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:58AM

Jon Holdman

Real Estate Investor · Denver, Colorado

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Icon_minipost Jan 18 '09, 10:59 AM

Service is terrible with all the carriers. Just accept this as part of the plan. I think Jeff's right that you can get an unlimited plan for about $100 from both AT&T and Verizon. Probably more than that for unlimited data. But if you use it a lot, just go with that.

If you travel outside the US, go with AT&T and get a "quad band" phone. They use the GSM standard, which is pretty much standard for the rest of the planet. A quad band phone will be able to use the frequencies used overseas. My AT&T phone works everywhere. Be sure you know the rates overseas, though, and sign up for a plan that gets you a decent rate for wherever you're going.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:58AM by Jon Holdman

Jon Holdman, Flying Phoenix LLC

Tim W.

Real Estate Investor · Indiana, Indiana

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Icon_minipost Jan 18 '09, 08:39 PM

I got a T-Mobile unlimited plan and will never look back. I get unlimited calls, texts, whatever and my bill is consistently $116 a month after taxes. I do all business from my cell. I've not had problems with coverage around any major city. Occasionally in the country I'll lose a signal but that's just part of life.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:58AM

Michael Rossi

Real Estate Investor · Ohio

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Icon_minipost Jan 19 '09, 03:03 AM

Not to be contrary, but I have Sprint and have had no problems with it. I have 3 phones on my plan with 1700 minutes a month (I think, it could be 2100 minutes). Of course, I get free Sprint to Sprint and free evenings/weekends. It's about $180 per month. The coverage is excellent and the customer service is pretty good as cell phones go. There is a Sprint store near my home and I just go down there on the rare occassion there is an issue.

Mike

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:58AM

Jeff Takle

Real Estate Consultant · Somerville, Massachusetts

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Icon_minipost Jan 19 '09, 03:40 AM

Just going through this myself. T-mobile (and I'm guessing others too) has a $9.99/month add-on for VOIP phone with unlimited minutes. If you make a lot of calls from home or T-mobile HotSpots like Starbucks, all those minutes will be included in the $9.95/mo.

I killed the data service b/c it's too expensive and instead moved to SMS alerts for critical items. Also, i found that far fewer items really require immediate attention that don't end up as phone calls anyhow. Nobody sends an email in an emergency. They want to hear a voice on the other end of a phone.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:59AM

Jonathan Rexford

Real Estate Investor · Vero Beach, Florida

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Icon_minipost Jan 19 '09, 03:55 AM

I have sprint. I like the service. I have unlimited cell service for $99.00 per month. I don't have the data pack. Which I am thinking about adding.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:59AM

George P.

Real Estate Investor · Baltimore, Maryland

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Icon_minipost Jan 26 '09, 06:13 PM

T-Mobile works perfectly in Baltimore
PM if you have specific questions about coverage

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 07:04AM