WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
FloridaJo
Newbie

Hey everybody, google 'WSJ Wireless Savings Calulator' and see how much Verizon is over charging us.

I got three flip phones for 700 minutes and I'm paying over $130.

I can get three smart phones at T-mobile with unlimited talk and 500GB data for $90 a month.

Should I switch?

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Heretic1989
Specialist - Level 2

Come 12/14 i may go with T-Mobile.

Thank you FloridaJo and thank you WSJ. 

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
SuzyQ
Community Leader
Community Leader

FloridaJo wrote:

... I can get three smart phones at T-mobile with unlimited talk and 500GB data for $90 a month.

Should I switch?

I think you mean 500 MB of data - which may or may not be sufficient for you. 

Yes, on the surface, T-Mo seems to be the better deal. If the service is adequate where you use your phone the most, then go for it.  That's all any of us can do - compare services and options, pricing for our individual usage, and get the best deal we can.

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Not applicable

I think you are a mite confused.

Each phone incurs a cost depending on which smartphones you pick. Even those that are no money down still have to be paid for, no free phones. So lets say average $500 per device is $1500 or between $25-$35 per month for 24 months. Then your service is this,

$50 Unlimited Talk & Text and $20 for Unlimited Data with 500Mb of tethering data per month. NOT Gigabytes.

The Next device is $40 for Unlimited Talk & Texts and again $20 for unlimited Data with 500Mb of tethering data per month.

The third line is $30 for Unlimited Talk & Texts and another $20 for unlimited Data with 500Mb of tethering data per month.

That's $180 for three lines of service plus surcharges and taxes. So lets say its $190 and add in another $75 for the EIP plan each month that brings the cost up to $265 per month.

Yep you saved a ton of money with that switch. Plus you will more than likely not have good coverage; and as I found out their customer service is not as bad as Verizon but they do give a new meaning to how not to provide it. Bogus charges appearing on your invoice, doubling billing, changing your bill data at will, employee percentage discounts changing from month to month, back dating bills incorrectly, then post dating to grab even more money. Spotty coverage outside major cities.

Trust me Verizon has the best coverage.

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Tidbits
Legend

Actually it's 2.5GB not 500mb for the $20 plan. I have the plan with 3 lines no EIP on T-Mobile. Total cost $150 without tax everything unlimited. I could remove the data plans and save $60(don't see a point using smart phones doing so).

For me I buy my devices outright for all carriers(except Sprint). Relatively speaking unless you EIP all your lines and don't have basic phones on your lines T-Mobile is always a better deal unless you don't have coverage.

Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Not applicable

My plan I just paid for is $50 unlimited talk and text. $20 for unlimited data with 500Mb of tethering per month.

Unless something changed before I left that is what my invoice states. I can PDF the document.

I don't pay over time. Like you I like to keep my service just for service. I also get a 15% discount (or did before the crazy billing etc. And the constant invoice reminders 20 days before the payment was due, and I always paid before the invoice even reached my mailbox)

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Tidbits
Legend

They changed the plan like 3 months ago. Try logging into the desktop version of their site and you should be able to get the 2.5gb tethering included.

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Not applicable

Ahh alas after fighting with them since the first day, after five months of customer service issues ( adding on phone protection plan, back dating my invoice two weeks before I even joined, then sending text messages for payment and account changes, and I called them constantly telling them to knock it off then billing me for two weeks ahead which I could not figure out. Paid the invoice and the next day they texted me again saying my bill was due in xxx number of days. When I called they said it was for a new billing period. Told them I just paid the last one a few days back. Then changed the bill payment date yet again, called and they said I had to pay it because my discount date changed, said they would take $50 off the invoice for all my trouble. Never happened so I ported out the next day.

I told them in all the time I have been with verizon I did not have to call them 3 times in 25 years. I called T-Mobile over 22 times in 5 months. Very poor company. There is a reason why they are in last place. I don't need the tethering so that was not an issue, the WiFi calling was great, there regular data was fast, but not to good call wise outside my city limits.

Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
Tidbits
Legend

It always boils down to coverage. Verizon is always top notch here(helped with the company they bought out. They had strong ties with Hawaii government. Any carrier would have great coverage if they purchased them). T-Mobile is actually better in most places here unless you are on a minor island.

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Re: WSJ Wireless Saving Calculator
acraftylady
Specialist - Level 2

I went from a basic Verizon contract phone to T-Mobile no contract about 6 months ago and I love it. Only thing is check the coverage for your area. I went with the unlimited talk text and data for $70 a month because we are traveling more and I use my phone in the car to watch Netflix and stuff. If you are a light user the 500 should be good. Just note if you use up the 500 before the month is done they will throttle you down to very slow 2g speed until the next month starts. I went with the LG optimus L9 and have been quite happy with it for my first smart phone. Mary