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- #5,451
They are fine. Not sure they are fine in a few of our travel areas however. I know Sprint, Verizon and AT&T seem to work in the areas we head to the most.
Electronics Pondering
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They are fine. Not sure they are fine in a few of our travel areas however. I know Sprint, Verizon and AT&T seem to work in the areas we head to the most.
- Admin
- #5,453
Thanks. They all have hidden fees such as line fees, hot spot fees, etc. So we will get to the bottom of it today and figure it all out.
Huge fan of the Surface Pro. The 3 looks absolutely great.
Wake
Active member
So while at the Verizon store yesterday I looked at how much data every one on our plan was using. My sister was using over 20 gigs every month. Holy data usage batman.
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- #5,457
Getting real info out of these stores is hysterical. They don't even know their own rates and this goes for all of them.
Wake
Active member
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- #5,460
Spent all morning at the different stores and it really comes down to gimmicks and how much things have changed. These Edge and Buy it Now programs are quite interesting if you break down the numbers vs what they were previously. But the companies are smart enough to know they cant just pull the wool on people, so instead offer different plans only available if you take these programs.
As an example, a phone costs $199 up front and the subsidy of course will be packaged into the plan (traditional in the past).
Now, the phone is $25 per month and the plan is cheaper. However when you break it down, you end up paying for more than in the past with every single carrier.
Phones got too expensive so the options are going to shrink until it ends up with this "rent to own" model. Makes sense for those that like to upgrade frequently. And makes sense for those that cannot afford the phone cost up front. But it punishes those that want to keep their phone or dont need an early upgrade.
Example. VZW. They have their pooled data plan that you need to pay $25 for each phone when you buy it. WHen you pay for the entire cost of the phone over the course of 2 years, you no longer have that $25 bill included, which is a nice savings of about $300 a year. So here I am with no contract but new phones on Verizon and say I want that plan. It should not matter to them, because according to Verizon, all I am doing is covering the cost of the phone with that $25 a month and they give it back to me in savings. But because I am not buying a new phone, they wont let me have that plan. That cheaper plan is only there if I want to go rent to own...EVEN knowing that once I pay for the phone after 2 years, that I would still be on that plan. It makes no sense. I paid for my phone in full. I should have access to the plans that are offered to those that are paying for their phones.
It shows how much VZW makes on selling the phones broken up over that 2 years.
As an example, a phone costs $199 up front and the subsidy of course will be packaged into the plan (traditional in the past).
Now, the phone is $25 per month and the plan is cheaper. However when you break it down, you end up paying for more than in the past with every single carrier.
Phones got too expensive so the options are going to shrink until it ends up with this "rent to own" model. Makes sense for those that like to upgrade frequently. And makes sense for those that cannot afford the phone cost up front. But it punishes those that want to keep their phone or dont need an early upgrade.
Example. VZW. They have their pooled data plan that you need to pay $25 for each phone when you buy it. WHen you pay for the entire cost of the phone over the course of 2 years, you no longer have that $25 bill included, which is a nice savings of about $300 a year. So here I am with no contract but new phones on Verizon and say I want that plan. It should not matter to them, because according to Verizon, all I am doing is covering the cost of the phone with that $25 a month and they give it back to me in savings. But because I am not buying a new phone, they wont let me have that plan. That cheaper plan is only there if I want to go rent to own...EVEN knowing that once I pay for the phone after 2 years, that I would still be on that plan. It makes no sense. I paid for my phone in full. I should have access to the plans that are offered to those that are paying for their phones.
It shows how much VZW makes on selling the phones broken up over that 2 years.
My wife and I are both sucked into the AT&T Next plan due to water damage. I think eventually all companies will stop subsidizing phones as they're losing quite a bit of money. It sucks but that where we're headed.
The other thing to look closely at is data usage. Many of the rent to own plans seem (I haven't done thorough research because I'm not in the market for a phone) to only include a finite amount of data, which would barely cover my access to THP alone.
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- #5,463
I'm this instance you choose how much data.
I could see how that would benefit many people then as most people want the newest and shiniest thing out every year and don't want/have $300+ to drop.
I personally have a sprint shared plan with unlimited data and some obnoxious amount of voice time, but I have had that plan for 5 years. I'm curious to see what I get asked to change to next year when my contract is up.
They arent losing money subsidizing phones. However they know how much we love smartphones and upgrading so they can fleece us for even more.
- Admin
- #5,466
Very true. The problem is that those that don't need to upgrade as often suffer because of it.
mikedean441
6X HOF
Yeah and I think the word "need" is used loosely
All cell companies are a joke. Thankfully the Costco guy left me on the unlimited data plan again. I don't really understand what he was saying (it was mostly salesman BS) but because my phone used the same SIM card as my S3, he could hide the upgrade and not take me off the unlimited data. I didn't question his logic and just said thanks.
Wake
Active member
It seems they are slacking off on the no upgrade thing. They let us upgrade and keep unlimited as well.
You just have to call the carrier and make a stink. Wife is still on unlimited since iPhone 3GS.
Wake
Active member
We've done that in the past, but the last go around they flat out refused, ended up purchasing phones. But it worked this time.
staticline
New member
Ordered one of these today. $20.00 #fingerscrossed
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/995446-REG/istabilizer_isttabm01_tabmount.html
I've got the standard powerbeats (got them for about 1/3 of the retail price). In terms of staying in my ears while working out, the best I've had. The only headphones I'll use at the range.
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- #5,474
Damn the battery life on the Z3 is impressive.
FWIW, This was not an article for the Z3.
FWIW, This was not an article for the Z3.
Wake
Active member
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