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Venting 101: T-Mobile
I've been with my cell phone provider, T-Mobile for six years. That's right, SIX flipping years! My contract ends next month. I called T-Mobile yesterday to see what kind of deal they could give me for the Motorola Cliq --- being their loyal customer and all. I've had a Blackberry Curve since 2008, and this is the longest I have ever used one phone. I'm not half as bothered about the wear and tear on the phone as I am its functionality - or lack of it. Randomly deleting my text messages and call records and shutting off (and refusing to come back on) is really more than I wish to deal with at this point.
So what does T-Mobile offer me --- after congratulating me for being their loyal customer? They offer me the phone for $149.99 (and this does not include the monthly data plan of $24.99 which I would now have to also pay). The customer service lady had the effrontery to tell me that I was getting a better deal than new customers. Really?!?! New customers get to pay the same amount for the phone and data plan --- except, of course, that they also get to pay the one-time $35 connection fee.
So there, you have it. For being a loyal customer to T-mobile, I get to pay $35 less than a brand new customer. Isn't that wonderful? By 2016, I'll get to pay $70 less! Whoop-tee-doo! Just the deal I have been waiting for all my life. Oh, the supervisor also included what he dared to call a tempting offer: $30 off my next bill. Yeah, whatever. I am a very, very dissatisfied customer, and I will tell anyone that cares to know that T-Mobile SUCKS!!!
...And no, I don't feel better after venting. I'm really just so frustrated. You have no idea.
Oh, Happy Love Month. There are now officially only six days left to send your picture(s) in for the Valentine Blog Event: Show Me Your Love. Send pictures to project@verastic.com
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Hey Vera,
On behalf of KTravula.com and the folks there, I want to make you an offer to send you one of our most famous photographs – of lovers by the lake, of course – if you promise to make a donation of $50 or more to the Nigerian Red Cross Jos Relief Funds.
What say you, ehn? This is a better offer than that of T-mobile. Trust me.
Ugh, I feel your pain. Cell phone companies suck. What I always do to get a better plan is threaten to leave. If you have always paid your bills on time they will be desperate to keep you.
Just tell them that you've researched other carriers and they have offered you some better deals. T-mobile will most likely try to keep you by offering something better as well….
Worth a try.
hmmmmm…I use TMobile(UK)as well, so I understand ur frustration…just try n stay cool Vera…u big pass them…lol…cheer up!
Throw your phone against the wall, jump on it face up 3 times. That should do it. But face up only o! Wont work if its face down.
Lol
Vera, I have had AT&T since 1998, and I considered switching to T-Mobile last week. I have researched all the major carriers and T-Mobile is the cheapest, voice and data wise. If I had $225 to pay AT&T to break my contract (2 lines) I would be with T-Mobile right now.
T-Mobile's 'Even More Plus' plan is great! This is a no-contract plan. For $79.99 you get unlimited talk, web and text. No other major carrier offers that. You are probably paying more than $79.99 because you are with their Even More plan.
Get on the "Plus" plan, and you may become a happier camper. I wish you well!
I co-sign what Ndubuisi said oh Vera. I don't know if you were expecting a free Cliq phone just cos you've been a customer for 6 years…lol.
They have to do business nau and the phone just came out like 2 months ago.
But with the Even More Plus Plan you'd have to pay for the phone upfront but you won't be bound to a contract. It all boils down to what you want.
I don't think that is a bad deal. T-mobile is pretty cheap so I'd say hang in there.
I have verizon and I'm pretty sure they would look at me crazy if I asked for any kind of discount because I'm a loyal customer. I deal with them because they have the best service as far as connectivity is concerned.
I tire for una oo
Isn't it possible to buy your own phone, stick to your recharge card and mind the way you call. That way you are not bound by any contract.
For connectivity, you can subscribe for a dsl, shikena. With your dsl, make all the landline calls you wanna make with any of all these viop applications. Do as I done!
Aww, sounds frustrating! I have to love the last bit of the post reminding us it's love month after a rant!
Naive question: I thought Blackberrys already required a dataplan to use them…does the Cliq require a different dataplan?
You switch phones less than every two years? Please o, can I take your discarded phones?
Vera u only payin 149 and u dey complain..
I am payin 300 just for a friggin upgrade can u imagine.. Am with sprint though..
KT: If this is your attempt at making me feel better, you have failed woefully! At the rate my blackberry is going, I'll be out of a phone in a little while.
MissyMe: Well, I don't even have the strength to threaten them. I've really been looking around for other/better options.
Anoda Phase: LOL. Indeed. Some day, they'll be begging me to use their service for free. They had better be nice to me.
Fabulola: I knew you'd be here to give me exactly what I need to make me feel better. Thank you! :: rolling eyes::
Ndubuisi: Oh, wow. Since 1998? Nawa oh. I agree with you. T-Mobile has the cheapest rates for voice and data, but I just want a little incentive to remain with them — seeing as I've been loyal to them. Just like you, I have two lines with them.
KG: No, now! Of course, I was not expecting the phone for free — although I wouldn't have minded. But I have come to learn that these companies can generally do more than they usually do. You'll never know until you ask.
Anonymous: Don't be too sure. Big companies are fond of giving their customers breaks. The problem is that we (the customers) don't usually ask for it.
Elean John: LOL @ recharge cards. I guess that would be the equivalent of prepaid phones here, but either way, that would be more expensive abeg.
Good Naija Girl: Hahahaha. Doesn't everyone [switch phones that often]? Tehehe. Babe, of course, I had to remind you it's the love month. I was really pissed when I was typing that post. Goodness. These companies! Oh, to answer your question: when I got the Blackberry Curve from T-mobile, I was not required to get a data plan, but now, T-mobile (and other phone companies) do not let you buy smartphones from them without a data plan. The Motorola Cliq is a smartphone, too, hence the required data plan.
Azazel: I hate Sprint's website alone. I can't imagine giving them a penny of my money for their service. Yuck. lol
Wow…sorry o Vera, wat kinda dumb offer is that!!!
Been with tmobile since 2002. Noone's perfect, I have no problems with them. They are pretty good with upgrades unless na free phone you dey look for.
compared to the other providers, tmobile is like a {peach?:)}; trust me i was gonna switch one time like that so i did some research. you should ask about the grandfather plan…i think i hv unlimited data, txting, mobile to mobile, free nights and wknds but just 500 daytime mins for 60. But then again that works for me cos i dont really talk on the phone during the week. My suggestion? call again, ask to speak with a supervisor and express your dissatisfaction with the lousy(u'll find a more diplomatic word for lousy of course) deals being offered – it's worked for me a loooot of times:) just be super sweet hehe.
If you want an unlocked treo pro smartphone, dell has a deal on it, and it's compatible with Tmobile and other SIM card using phone companies (which means you can use it in Naija). Of course u don't need a data plan with it, 'cos u can connect to the internet with the WiFi. Plus you can ask dell for an interest free payment plan for the first 4 or 6 months, depending on your credit history. That way u're not bound by any of Tmobile's contract.
My BB used to do that till I upgraded the software. You should look into that. LOL, Tmobile has been good to me sha, I usually have to twist their arm sometimes but they've been good.
Hey Vee, I feel you. This works in the UK, don't know if it'll work for you. Wait till your contract has ended. Your negotiation power is greater once you are no longer under contract. Call T-Mobile preferably at the end of the month, and ask to be put through to cancellations. Tell them you are leaving them. The retentions team have a lot more clout than customer services, they also have targets that must be met at the end of the month, so are usually a lot more generous. They will ask what will make you stay, and most times will meet you more than halfway. You will definitely get more than you were offered initially. Try it, let me know if it works.
like anoda phase said, u big pass dem. sowwy!
have a great month tho
Vera, I'm sorry to hear that you feel disrespected by T-Mobile. If it's any consolation going forward, I may be able to help you achieve significant savings off your T-Mobile bill that might make up for not getting a discount on the phone and plan. I work in the consumer advocacy division of the Houston-based company Validas, where we electronically audit and subsequently reduce the average cell bill by about 22 percent, or around $450 annually, through our website, http://www.myvalidas.com . From regular people to top corporations to huge entities like the State of California, an incredibly varied group of wireless customers uses Validas to slash their wireless bills. In other words, Validas works, and it can probably work for you too.
You can find out for free if Validas can modify your plan to better suit your individual needs by going to http://www.myvalidas.com . Also, check out Validas in the media, recently on Fox News at http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/consumer/conlaw/lower_cell_phone_bills_072409 .
Good luck to you everyone reading at retaking control over your wireless expenses and potentially freeing up some extra cash in 2010!
Dylan
Consumer Advocacy, MyValidas.com
Blowing Blessings: My sentiments exactly!
lol
TayneMent: No, I'm not looking for a free phone, of course. And even if I were, I know the kind of phone they would give me for free. What I do know for a fact – and I still stand by it – is that they can do better.
48: LOL @ the more diplomatic word for lousy. What, lousy isn't diplomatic enough? Well, I'll give one more chance, and I'll be "sweet as can be." When am I not sweet anyway? LOL! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Cherub: Really??? Didn't know of that. I'll look into it. But come oh, how much does the phone cost — considering that I'll now need to finance the phone. LOL. Anyway, will check it out pronto!
Original Mgbeke: But that's not fair na! Why do we have to twist their arms first? In all honesty, they haven't been completely bad, but they haven't been completely good either. Next time, I'll be attacking Geico, a big company that likes to pretend its good.
JustJoxy: Okay, will do. But by the time I'm calling the Cancellations Team, they better be giving me something good, or else, I'm canceling for real.
Omotee: LOL! Well, Amen! From your mouth to the ears of God. Thank you, darling. Have a good month, too.
Dylan: Really?!?!?! Never heard of it, but will definitely look into it right now – as soon as I post this. I don't like FOX News (LOL), but I won't punish MyValidas for that. (HAHA). Thanks for the info
Vera the reason your phone is misbehaving is because you don't have enough memory or you don't have the latest software. Check the File Free under Status menu, this should be over 13,000,000 I think. Check your pictures, they usually steal the most space, so download them & delete them or sore them on a memory card.
FYI: T-Mobile is far better than AT&T, I have smartphones on both networks, aside from the difference in prices, there's also a huge difference in customer care. I suggest that if you must switch, you not go to AT& T they are the debil!!!!
Vera, come over to Verizon and join us. I have not paid for a phone in six years. Not one cent. and every year, i get upgrade offers.
Could almost feel the fumes coming out from your ears. hahahaha. i know, these companies are really annoying. threaten them, and i'm sure they'll give you a better offer.
Love your blog.
Kpakpando: I'm still stuck on the part of you owning smart phones on both networks. Nne, na you biko! LOL. Well, I'll look into updating my software. Thanks for the info, babes.
LucidLilith: Ehn?!?! You have not paid for a phone in six years??? That is sooooo unfair! Goodness. You have not paid for a phone in six years and T-Mobile is here meskafunking with my emotions? Hmmph!
Naija Mom Abroad: Yes ooo. The fumes are definitely there. LOL. I was so, so, so angry. Well, I'm gonna call them and threaten them, but it's not going to just be a threat. One wrong move, and I'll be gone for real. ::HISS:: Oh, thanks for loving my blog. LOL. I'm off to check yours out.
Same amount they offered me for the phone after been with them for 5yrs. Cant wait to leave T-mobile once my contract ends. Oh mine, am in love with that motorola cliq, money, money, where ought though!
Uche
Uche: It sucks, doesn't it??? You should talk to me again after your contract ends and see what they'll say. Hope it works out for you…