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OMG! Is it really this expensive?!?

R

Ryuukumori

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 18, 2008
467
0
Okay, so I'm planning on what my new cell phone situation is going to be by June 3rd, since my 2 yr contract for Sprint ends that day.

I have a good deal proposed to me with someone who plans to upgrade their iPhone to 3G, and I will be buying the used iPhone.

That means I have to switch to AT&T (not T Mobile hacking, since I don't really like their service). I researched a bit, and even called a rep about some questions.

If I were to sign up with them, I would be on a family plan of 3 lines, 550 shared minutes. That means a flat out $60 a month. I would be the only user with an iPhone. That means I would want the unlimited data plan for the internet, it's an extra $20.

Now if I went unlimited texting, that's another $20! And that's only for me, not for the family! Why so damn expensive? That's already $100, $40 if which is only on my phone!

This is crazy. When I'm with Sprint, I get unlimited texting with 2 people for $20 a month.

So is there a way to negotiate pricing? I did so with Sprint and got free cases, and got money back from bill mishaps. If I really can't do anything else and have to live with what they offer, I will drop the entire AT&T idea.

I need help. Comments?
 
If you're polite (don't go psycho or act like you're entitled to anything), AT&T may be willing to work with you on the price. I've heard of people getting a $20 texting plan for $15 or even $10.

Unfortunately AT&T is not the cheapest service provider.
 
Yeh, I just got done talking to family with the situation.

As far as it goes, I'm not going for AT&T. In fact, I really don't want to think about data plans or anything. All I really need is the texting.

So anyways, if AT&T changes in the future as far as it is now, I'm sold on Sprint. Too bad the iPhone isn't available for all 4 carriers (Including T Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint).

Maybe if Sprint had SIM cards I could unlock it to that. But sadly, they don't.

Any further comments?
 
Ryuukumori said:
Yeh, I just got done talking to family with the situation.

As far as it goes, I'm not going for AT&T. In fact, I really don't want to think about data plans or anything. All I really need is the texting.

So anyways, if AT&T changes in the future as far as it is now, I'm sold on Sprint. Too bad the iPhone isn't available for all 4 carriers (Including T Mobile, Verizon, and Sprint).

Maybe if Sprint had SIM cards I could unlock it to that. But sadly, they don't.

Any further comments?
Click to expand...

The AT&T data plan for iPhones is actually pretty good. The normal Data Plan for a PDA is $40 a month, so it's hard to complain about that.

But for a basic/family plan, I agree, Sprint is probably cheaper.
Then again, people are FLOCKING to AT&T and FLOCKING AWAY from Sprint (which may very well be MIA by this time next year), so AT&T has no real incentive to lower prices right now.
 
geekmommy4 said:
So how much do you pay on Sprint for equal services?
Click to expand...

The same price goes for 550 minutes shared, at $60 a month. I have a friend who's dad is a manager of a Sprint store and could possibly lend me an employee discount after my 2 yr ends to prove I have been with them for some time.

As far as texting, it's cheaper. I believe it's around $7.50 per person for unlimited texting, and with 2 people, that's $15. With the luxury taxes, it comes to about $85 a month. But with that bill, I had taken off unlimited texting a year ago, because my brother never used his texting so much. I used it ALL THE TIME. Oh yeah, and this plan is for 3 people.

I wanted to try something new with the data plan internet, but I'm always thinking to myself I wouldn't be using it so much.

Maybe I should stay with Sprint and get texting back, maybe on employee discount, but I doubt it. It'll still be good. I get a free upgrade anyways.
 
I know Sprint has the $99.00 everything plan... So it sounds like it is about the same..... sort of.


From Sprint website........

http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/SubmitRegionAction

Simply EverythingSM Plans

Everything your phone, PDA or smartphone can do nationwide — text, surf, email, listen, watch, find and, of course, talk — on one simple plan.
This plan includes

* Unlimited mobile internet and messaging: Web surfing, email, GPS Navigation, Sprint Music, Sprint TV®, BlackBerry® Internet Services (BIS), text, pictures, video
* Domestic long distance and roaming
* 900/450 plans: Unlimited mobile to mobile, night calling starting at 7 p.m. and weekends
* For multiple lines, call 1-866-866-7509 to order
* More about what’s included in this plan
Click to expand...
 
Diode said:
If you got to justify something in order to afford it you probably shouldn't be buying it in the first place.
Click to expand...

Th I've ats was not the most intelligent thing heard on MR.

I have to justify everything I buy(in which case my budget can afford it)..why would I buy something I don't need?

I justify food, because its very important.
 
rhett7660 said:
I know Sprint has the $99.00 everything plan... So it sounds like it is about the same..... sort of.
Click to expand...

If you look at the fine print, you will see that PDAs and smartphones are disallowed on the sprint everything plans. Bummer, but you really need to be careful on such things.

I have about a $1000 a month sprint plan in addition to my fiancée and I's plan. Sprint generally speaking sucks wind.
 
I have news:

the sprint employee plan is basically available to anyone, regardless of loyalty status.

500 min, unlimited texting, unlimited data, early nights/weekends, etc, is $30 a month.

Can't split it into a family plan, though.

I would never have stayed with sprint if it wasn't such a good deal to be on this particular plan.
 
I have about a $1000 a month sprint plan in addition to my fiancée and I's plan. Sprint generally speaking sucks wind.[/QUOTE]

What ???
 
hey Ryuukumori

i have a shared family plan with AT&T and for $30 a month i get unlimited texting on all lines. Not sure if that would apply also if one of the lines is an iPhones since i havent been able to afford one yet :( , but i dont see why not.

well just wanted to let you know about this option.
 
ipodtouchy333 said:
I have about a $1000 a month sprint plan in addition to my fiancée and I's plan. Sprint generally speaking sucks wind.
Click to expand...

What ???[/QUOTE]

Yea, well sometimes little initiatives start building.

My point is there are many on this forum that have no idea what is to funnel large amounts of money into a wireless carrier every month for marginal service. AT&T's plans, while not what I would like them to be, aren't bad for the iPhone. Especially when we look at how much Apple is sucking up of that. Granted they signed up for it, but at least AT&T has a network. I agree AT&T is about on par for with Verizon and Sprint for spending on infrastructure, but the T-Mobile fanboys on this site kill. T-Mobile (aka voicestream) is a joke and is frankly the anomaly in US cell service.

AT&T really isn't screwing anyone, not cheap, but not out of line.


And as a BTW, that Sprint account supports 2 Nextel handsets used for development. 3 Blackberries on a shared plan for business. Another Blackberry on a dedicated plan and 4 air cards.
 
ReneH0059 said:
hey Ryuukumori

i have a shared family plan with AT&T and for $30 a month i get unlimited texting on all lines. Not sure if that would apply also if one of the lines is an iPhones since i havent been able to afford one yet :( , but i dont see why not.

well just wanted to let you know about this option.
Click to expand...

I'm on a family plan in which two of the lines are iphone's, and it most definitely applies.
 
It is expensive but worth it, imo

I am paying more than what I paid previously with Verizon but I am also using my cell-phone 10x more with a phone 20x better
 
I use T-Mobile's MyFaves family plan, 2 lines $69.99 (9.99 for each adt'l line) for 800 shared minutes. Unlimited calls to 5 people, Nights, Weekends. $20 For Unlimited Family messaging, meaning every line (up to 4) has unlimited text, pics, video, sound messages. And on my line I have $20 Total Internet for my iPhone, both lines use iPhones.
 
Neobond said:
I use T-Mobile's MyFaves family plan, 2 lines $69.99 (9.99 for each adt'l line) for 800 shared minutes. Unlimited calls to 5 people, Nights, Weekends. $20 For Unlimited Family messaging, meaning every line (up to 4) has unlimited text, pics, video, sound messages. And on my line I have $20 Total Internet for my iPhone, both lines use iPhones.
Click to expand...

What happens when you call one of your Favs and their phone is on VZ, don't the get charged minutes for all your incoming calls?
 
ReneH0059 said:
hey Ryuukumori

i have a shared family plan with AT&T and for $30 a month i get unlimited texting on all lines. Not sure if that would apply also if one of the lines is an iPhones since i havent been able to afford one yet :( , but i dont see why not.

well just wanted to let you know about this option.
Click to expand...

Is the entire plan $30 a month? That sounds too cheap.

I'm thinking $30 per person (maybe 3 or 4 in the plan)?

I'm just so used to spending like $90 a month for just minutes and three phones on a 3-person family plan (luxury tax is a pain in the ass though).

Ideas? I haven't made the decision to stay with Sprint yet, neither an upgrade, as I am still thinking of what to do. The family is only paying month by month now on our ancient phones.
 
Ryuukumori said:
Is the entire plan $30 a month? That sounds too cheap.

I'm thinking $30 per person (maybe 3 or 4 in the plan)?

I'm just so used to spending like $90 a month for just minutes and three phones on a 3-person family plan (luxury tax is a pain in the ass though).

Ideas? I haven't made the decision to stay with Sprint yet, neither an upgrade, as I am still thinking of what to do. The family is only paying month by month now on our ancient phones.
Click to expand...

$30 per month gets you unlimited texting on all family plan lines. It requires a voice plan.
 
SmartIndianKid said:
$30 per month gets you unlimited texting on all family plan lines. It requires a voice plan.
Click to expand...

Still, on top of the lowest minutes plan at $70 and texting for $30, with luxury tax, you're looking at over $115 a month! That's insane.
 
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