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Planning on getting an iPhone with my girlfriend.. need some advice

kramjam

kramjam

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 3, 2008
322
32
California
My girlfriend and I have been really intrigued with the iPhone since they came out, and didn't want to switch to AT&T, but with the 3GS, we think we may just jump ship from T-Mobile and switch to finally stop envying other people's iPhones and have our own, instead of using our iPod Touch.

I guess there's no real way to get out of T-mobile contract and avoid paying an ETF, so I guess we have to pay that. We plan to keep our numbers, so we'd have to go ATT first, purchase the phones and request for the port, then talk to T-Mobile?

We're also trying to save money, and we think that having the cheapest Family share plan would be better than having two separate individual plans. Anyone have anything to say about that? We will have unlimited texting assuming we get a Family plan.

Thanks so much in advance
 
kramjam said:
I guess there's no real way to get out of T-mobile contract and avoid paying an ETF, so I guess we have to pay that. We plan to keep our numbers, so we'd have to go ATT first, purchase the phones and request for the port, then talk to T-Mobile?
Click to expand...

You shouldn't have to go back to T-Mobile. When you port the number T-Mobile will know your account has been canceled and send you a final bill.

kramjam said:
We're also trying to save money, and we think that having the cheapest Family share plan would be better than having two separate individual plans. Anyone have anything to say about that? We will have unlimited texting assuming we get a Family plan.
Click to expand...

This will be the cheaper route, yes.
 
abiyng87 said:
You shouldn't have to go back to T-Mobile. When you port the number T-Mobile will know your account has been canceled and send you a final bill.



This will be the cheaper route, yes.
Click to expand...

Could save by using text free unlimited, and getting the 200mms options on both lines...

that would be $10 per month opposed to $30 a month.
 
kramjam said:
My girlfriend and I have been really intrigued with the iPhone since they came out, and didn't want to switch to AT&T, but with the 3GS, we think we may just jump ship from T-Mobile and switch to finally stop envying other people's iPhones and have our own, instead of using our iPod Touch.

I guess there's no real way to get out of T-mobile contract and avoid paying an ETF, so I guess we have to pay that. We plan to keep our numbers, so we'd have to go ATT first, purchase the phones and request for the port, then talk to T-Mobile?

We're also trying to save money, and we think that having the cheapest Family share plan would be better than having two separate individual plans. Anyone have anything to say about that? We will have unlimited texting assuming we get a Family plan.

Thanks so much in advance
Click to expand...

No, you've got it backwards. They will not sell you a phone at Apple or AT&T without a contract. You need to call T-Mobile and tell them you are porting your number to AT&T and pay the ETF, then go to AT&T or Apple and purchase your new phone with new contract.

I don't know how strict AT&T is with family plans, but with some family plans you have to provide proof you are at the same address, etc. Additionally I personally think it's a very bad idea to go into contracts with people you are just dating (if you were married it would be different, as that is THE contract above all contracts) just to save $20-$40 a month on cell service.
 
jmpage2 said:
No, you've got it backwards. They will not sell you a phone at Apple or AT&T without a contract. You need to call T-Mobile and tell them you are porting your number to AT&T and pay the ETF, then go to AT&T or Apple and purchase your new phone with new contract.
Click to expand...

Not quite. T-Mobile need not be involved. Just show up at an AT&T store, they can handle everything.

doubleatheman said:
yes the unlimited texting on a family plan is $30 am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Seriously? You are wanting to argue about this? Family plans are cheaper than individual plans. That's all I meant. Period. How he decides to handle texting is none of my concern.
 
abiyng87 said:
Not quite. T-Mobile need not be involved. Just show up at an AT&T store, they can handle everything.



Seriously? You are wanting to argue about this? Family plans are cheaper than individual plans. That's all I meant. Period. How he decides to handle texting is none of my concern.
Click to expand...

You are right, assuming that t-mobile will just send him ETT in the mail when AT&T initiates the number port.
 
CocoaPuffs said:
Then pay for it...even simpler. So your post is basically to whine and moan?
Click to expand...

??? Don't talk when you are ignorant. He never moaned or whined, so idk why you are even saying that. He can't use 3G with Tmobile because tMobile's 3g runs on a different band than AT&T (along with the iPhone). You can only use Tmobile's Edge with the iPhone. So don't get all up on your high horse when you actually have no idea.

Good Luck OP.
 
doubleatheman said:
Could save by using text free unlimited, and getting the 200mms options on both lines...

that would be $10 per month opposed to $30 a month.
Click to expand...

What would be the point of getting this?.... Well, I suppose to answer my own question some users are having luck with MMS in the U.S..... Iunno, I think I may still go about my grassroots way of texting/MMS... The less money I pay the former Scamgular the better.

I say save the $120/yr and dont give anything to AT&T for SMS or MMS
 
Switz213 said:
??? Don't talk when you are ignorant. He never moaned or whined, so idk why you are even saying that. He can't use 3G with Tmobile because tMobile's 3g runs on a different band than AT&T (along with the iPhone). You can only use Tmobile's Edge with the iPhone. So don't get all up on your high horse when you actually have no idea.

Good Luck OP.
Click to expand...
Who's the ignorant one? He is concerned of the cost, and the best way to keep the cost down is to stick with T-Mobile and I offered the solution. Can't have best of both world, either you pay for it, or take the other option.
 
Switz213 said:
??? Don't talk when you are ignorant. He never moaned or whined, so idk why you are even saying that. He can't use 3G with Tmobile because tMobile's 3g runs on a different band than AT&T (along with the iPhone). You can only use Tmobile's Edge with the iPhone. So don't get all up on your high horse when you actually have no idea.

Good Luck OP.
Click to expand...

Agreed. It seems like accusing everyone of whining has become a sport here.
 
jmpage2 said:
Additionally I personally think it's a very bad idea to go into contracts with people you are just dating (if you were married it would be different, as that is THE contract above all contracts) just to save $20-$40 a month on cell service.
Click to expand...

I second that. But, I also know that love is irrational by design. ;)
 
Yeah, I can't wait to go to ATT and get the phone. We plan on buying the phones on July 2nd, and I had a question about how the ETF works, if anyone knows. If I call tonight and tell them I want out of the contract, will my service with T-Mobile stop or is that a specific date when my service stops?
 
Don't do it. You'll be tied to her for two years after you catch her blowing some drifter on your favorite chair.
 
kramjam said:
Yeah, I can't wait to go to ATT and get the phone. We plan on buying the phones on July 2nd, and I had a question about how the ETF works, if anyone knows. If I call tonight and tell them I want out of the contract, will my service with T-Mobile stop or is that a specific date when my service stops?
Click to expand...

DO NOT cancel your T-Mobile service before you port your number.

You have to go to AT&T first and tell them you want to port your number, then T-Mobile will automatically cancel your contract and charge you for the ETF
 
hokiepokie07 said:
DO NOT cancel your T-Mobile service before you port your number.

You have to go to AT&T first and tell them you want to port your number, then T-Mobile will automatically cancel your contract and charge you for the ETF
Click to expand...

+1.

If you cancel your contract you WILL LOSE YOUR PHONE NUMBERS.
You must go to AT&T, sign up, ask them to port your number. This will cancel your t-mobile contract and they will send you your final bill (maybe prorated).
 
lol @ dbell :/

Right, I understand the part about keeping our number, thanks. The reason I ask why if our service will continue to stay is because people have been contacting T-Mobile with a new price hike up for some fee and been getting out of their contracts without paying the ETF, and I'm kind of trying to do the same, :/

$400 is a lot! Kind of sucks.. so yeah, I was just wondering if I manage to get out of my contract without the fee, if I'll have service or not after.
 
kramjam said:
lol @ dbell :/

Right, I understand the part about keeping our number, thanks. The reason I ask why if our service will continue to stay is because people have been contacting T-Mobile with a new price hike up for some fee and been getting out of their contracts without paying the ETF, and I'm kind of trying to do the same, :/

$400 is a lot! Kind of sucks.. so yeah, I was just wondering if I manage to get out of my contract without the fee, if I'll have service or not after.
Click to expand...

it can be done. friend of mine did that with verizon. i forget, but he found some tax or something that increased. i'm not 100% certain what was increased, but i think it was a tax? either way, he was on the phone for about 30 minutes, talked to a few people, and got out of it.

my contract ended last saturday with verizon which is why I switched over to the iPhone.
 
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