This Text-Message thing really IS a racket!

[Small White Car]

Apparently you got in over your head.

This is what you say to someone who has already signed up for something.

When you say it to someone who hasn't signed up for something yet, it makes it sound like you're not paying attention. How can one get in over their head by not doing anything? Did you mean to say "it sounds like you're considering getting in over your head" instead? That would work, although it's a little awkward.

 

[iNash]

Ha ha...funny non-Americans!

Yes, incoming and outgoing both count as "1 message" against your total number.

Funny American billing systems

 

[Rat-Boy]

I did read. After you said this I went back and read it again.

I still see nothing about what you're saying on the site I read. The $5 plan ONLY appears under the "individuals" section, not the "family" section.

If AT&T can't even put this info on their own website, how am I supposed to read it?

Obviously you're finding this info elsewhere (and thank you for that) but why would they make a page showing iPhone rates without putting all the rates on it? What were they thinking?

They were thinking you wouldn't come here and ask and research so they could make a buck.

As far as finding it elsewhere, well, yea, I find it on my bill every month.

I have a family plan with 2 cell phones, a blackberry and 2 iPhones.

And me and my wife each have the $5 200 SMS add on.

 

[runplaysleeprun]

I agree with the prices are getting our of hand but look at it this way, didn't t-mobile just switch their rates to .15 cents per text?

Did they really change it to .15 cents per text? Do you happen to work for either verizon or AT&T's customer service departments?

Thanks for the laugh.

 

[Private Dirt]

This is what you say to someone who has already signed up for something.

When you say it to someone who hasn't signed up for something yet, it makes it sound like you're not paying attention. How can one get in over their head by not doing anything? Did you mean to say "it sounds like you're considering getting in over your head" instead? That would work, although it's a little awkward.

Ya what you said! Guess I missed that part of your post. Sorry... Soooo, since you know about it and you think it sucks..stay away! Becasue the first bills is a killer! and so is the second bill..and the 3rd.. and so on.

You truly cant own an iphone if your budget is going to suffer from having it.

 

[slapppy]

Agreed that this whole text messaging scheme is a complete rip off. Unlimited texting should have been included with the iPhone data plans. The only time the 30 family txt plan would make sense if all of your members are on AT&T. 30 bucks divided by 5 users isn't so bad if you look at it that way.

 

[Auzburner]

I feel your pain, I have the $30 unlimited for the fam, but I use it a bit more now that I have it... Before, I had individual texting plans for each lines that's why I'm not sure you HAD to get the $30 texting option. I had a $5 texting plan for myself as well as another member on the family plan which ran at $5. Strange... Anyways, this pisses me off:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/12/text-messages-c.html

 

[nickspohn]

I've used 3000 texts in a week already. I get my money worth out of it.

 

[Turmoil]

It would only be a "racket" if they didn't tell you upfront how expenisve it is. Since it seems they led the OP to undersand that it's even more expensive than it really is, it can hardly be a racket. It's only a racket if they take it from you by force or fraud, if you give it up willingly, even if it is more expenive than you think it should be, it can't be a racket. I also agree with the other posters that texting is on it's way out. People are more and more using email, twitter and IM.

 

[Rayfire]

If you have a FAN on your account, try to add TMS3 (AT&T feature code) which is 250 messages for $3.99, look up the thread below for more feature codes which can help you save some extra money.

 

[daihard]

What I find sneaky on the part of AT&T is that there's no option between 200 and 1500 texts. I don't do a whole lot of texting, but I've found it easy to go over 200 in a month. OTOH, I can't imagine myself exceeding 1500 texts a month unless I keep sending and receiving texts all day long. Yet I am forced to pay $15 for 1500 texts because there's no plan like $10 for, say, 700-800 texts.

 

[kdarling]

What is sad is SMS uses the very same system that notifies you of a phone call and of voicemail. It costs the carriers little to nothing for upkeep (since they have to have that system up anyways) and they get the charge out the wazoo for it.

Therefore phone calls should be free, too, right? I mean, the system has to be kept up and running anyway, apparently at what some believe is no cost to anyone.

You are right: it uses the same system as a incoming ring or page. Therein lies why they cost the way they do. A text is not data. They are a phone call. And calls are charged by the minute.

How much does a minute cost on a voice plan? Let's say 450 minutes for $40. That's about 9 cents per ring. You can get 200 texts for $5. That's about 2 cents per ring. Pretty good deal in comparison.

Texts also require more processing, and are saved up to 24 hours for later delivery if the intended recipient is offline. That costs too, and is far past what a ring requires.

 

[daihard]

How much does a minute cost on a voice plan? Let's say 450 minutes for $40. That's about 9 cents per ring. You can get 200 texts for $5. That's about 2 cents per ring. Pretty good deal in comparison.

In that case, AT&T should introduce a plan with much fewer calling minutes (like 200) and 200 (or so) texts included. I mean, honestly, who would spend 450 minutes making/receiving phone calls a month on an iPhone, when you can send/receive texts and e-mail just as easily?

 

[diamond.g]

It would only be a "racket" if they didn't tell you upfront how expenisve it is. Since it seems they led the OP to undersand that it's even more expensive than it really is, it can hardly be a racket. It's only a racket if they take it from you by force or fraud, if you give it up willingly, even if it is more expenive than you think it should be, it can't be a racket. I also agree with the other posters that texting is on it's way out. People are more and more using email, twitter and IM.

The data plans and services are where they are making a killing.

Therefore phone calls should be free, too, right? I mean, the system has to be kept up and running anyway, apparently at what some believe is no cost to anyone.

You are right: it uses the same system as a incoming ring or page. Therein lies why they cost the way they do. A text is not data. They are a phone call. And calls are charged by the minute.

How much does a minute cost on a voice plan? Let's say 450 minutes for $40. That's about 9 cents per ring. You can get 200 texts for $5. That's about 2 cents per ring. Pretty good deal in comparison.

Texts also require more processing, and are saved up to 24 hours for later delivery if the intended recipient is offline. That costs too, and is far past what a ring requires.

Well they could make text messages consume minutes instead (much like the old days of phone internet).
So why not charge per voicemail? Same system is used. Why not charge per ring outside of minutes used to actually complete the call?


I was just stating that the SMS system uses the existing control/paging system in the cell phone system. We already pay for the upkeep of the system with our monthly rates (especially after we pay for our subsidy). So charging extra for text messages is just easy profit. Much in the same way you have to pay 30 bucks a month to get internet on an iPhone when standard phone internet would work just the same.

 

[Rayfire]

What I find sneaky on the part of AT&T is that there's no option between 200 and 1500 texts. I don't do a whole lot of texting, but I've found it easy to go over 200 in a month. OTOH, I can't imagine myself exceeding 1500 texts a month unless I keep sending and receiving texts all day long. Yet I am forced to pay $15 for 1500 texts because there's no plan like $10 for, say, 700-800 texts.

They have it, they just don't advertise it that much. Look for the thread which contains the AT&T Feature codes, you'll be amazed with what that thread can offer.

 

[daihard]

They have it, they just don't advertise it that much. Look for the thread which contains the AT&T Feature codes, you'll be amazed with what that thread can offer.

Wow... so if they do have unpublished options, can you choose them for your iPhone? I don't see any such options in their online account page.

 

[sdsvtdriver]

When I got my Motorola v60, it was the first phone on Verizon's network to be able to send SMS messages. All the prior phones could only receive an SMS.

Sending/receiving SMS messages was free for the longest time. I don't recall when, but after some eventual phone or plan upgrade, one had to sign up for 'unlimited SMS' for $5 a month. What a rip off that was.

Then came cheaper plans and every dumb teenager owning a cell phone. The rest is history.

 

[TuffLuffJimmy]

I'm confused by this whole thread. I have a family plan, previously we had one phone with 200 texts per month and I had unlimited. This went on for a month or two before we decided to upgrade and give both phones unlimited for $30.

In other words: the OP is uninformed and kind of an idiot for posting a rant about nothing!

 

[Rayfire]

Wow... so if they do have unpublished options, can you choose them for your iPhone? I don't see any such options in their online account page.

You can't add/view them directly from online, you have to call them. Like I said, please visit this thread for more info, you need a FAN discount on your account for most of them to work. Look especially at the last recent pages.

 

[Theophany]

The issue was, I thought I was going from 200 messages at $5 to 400 messages at $30. That sounds awesome to you?Now, it turns out that's not true

So you were wrong, my point still stands, which leads me to ask, what's your beef with me?

Either way, you're not getting ripped off by UK standards, now get crying.

 

[kwyn]

I know, I know, we need another "AT&T is ripping me off" thread like a hole in the head. Stop and leave now if you don't care. You've been warned.

But MAN, I just have to vent about text messages. I have a personal iPhone plan and pay $5 a month for 200 text messages. I send about 75 and get about 75 per month. So that counts as 150. I'm happy.

Now, my wife doesn't have an iPhone but may be getting one soon. She texts even less than me, so she'd be perfectly fine with a $5 plan as well. So, $10 a month. Great.

No, not great. If we get a family plan I'm forced to pay $30 a monthf for texting. Yep, 3 times the amount for no reason other than the fact that it's a family plan.

So I have to ask, why is AT&T anti-family? Where are a group of "family-first" protestors when you need 'em?

NOT TRUE. My wife and I have a family plan but each of us only pay $5.00 for our 200 texts.