Been under a rock, What happened to Tmobile?

[amagicfro]

I just need to rant about how CRAPPY T-Mobile has gotten. Sorry for the wall of text.

The 8900 was suppose to be the next gen of BlackBerry Curve. I remember how CrackBerry blew up this phone. I was excited to get this phone as a new BlackBerry user. I've been a Dash user for quite some time, so it was a huge leap for me. I remember paying $250 for this phone back in January/February. A mere 10-11 months ago. I figured this is the new 8300s of BlackBerry. A solid phone that won't be easily replaced.

Then came the typhoon of next-next gen BlackBerrys.

This might not be T-Mobile's fault, perhaps RIM, but I know I felt bitter to see the spy shots of the Onyx and Nigara. I mean, I paid $250 less than a year ago to only see how fast the 8900 dropped in price. It sort of makes you think, never early adopt again. Don't get me wrong the 8900 is a great phone, but the 9700 runs circles around it for less.

Even More and Even More Plus aka screw you current customers.

I'm currently on a FamilyTime Basic plan. I don't use minutes, just text and BBM. At $59.99 it was the cheapest family plan. Then came Even More and Even More Plus. Even More Plus offers a contractless family plan with 750 minutes, unlimited n/w, and free tmo to tmo. All for $49.99. It's better than my current plan for $10 LESS.

I spoke a T-Mobile CSR and even she agreed that it was fair superior than my current plan. Here's the kicker, If I wanted to switch my current plan to the Even More Plus, I would have a to pay a $35 migration fee per line. It's almost as if I am being penalized for trying to save money.

Thankfully my contract ends on 2/1. As I leave T-Mobile for Verizon or AT&T, I will take comfort in knowing my overpriced plan and phone helped T-Mobile shaft their current customers.

end rant

[Artemis68]

I don't think the 9700 issue is t-mobile's fault. The truth is that technology is always changing...always. I have an 8900 too but seeing the 9700 out for cheaper doesn't bother me. I got the 8900 because it was awesome and fits my needs. It's still cool.

I moved to the EM+ plan. I fail to see how it "screws me over". It's cheaper than my last plan and I can pay for a device over 20 months. They aren't forcing anyone to change over so I don't see how this affects you too much...

Hmm..just my two cents.

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[jamestbrewer]

Almost all phones drop in price the same way as the 8900, new tech makes old tech cheaper. Early adopters have tons of issues to deal with, which only start with the price, thats the cost of living on the bleeding edge of technology. Whenever you buy a new phone there will always be a better one right around the corner. IMO, the 8900 is a still a great phone. Yes, I would love a 9700, but I don't see how it runs circles around the 8900. It just has improvements over the 8900, and it should, the 8900 is almost a year old.

I agree with you that the "migration fee" is wrong. Its pretty much bs as it doesn't really take that much for a CSR to change a plan. Did you ask the CSR to waive it? Granted, I haven't used switched to a new TMo plan, but I haven't paid any kind of activation fee in almost 8 years just buy asking the right way. Also keep in mind that if you do spend that $35, its a one time fee, you will end up saving money before your contract is up.

All carriers seem to have their own useless fees as well as other pros and cons when it comes to service, phones and customer service, but I don't see how you will avoid the issues you mention by switching to ATT or VZW

[crazygordon]

I think the migration fee is worth the savings in the long run. If you go to ATT expect an activation fee also. I came from ATT, too expensive the same service.

[darkmanx2g]

Yeah, how can you compare the price of the 8900 to the 9700 now? It was the same introductory price?? Starting at 199. 8900 is a kick *** device and your comparing the current model to a model that was out 10 months ago.
I agree 9700 kicks *** but its only minor improvements to the 8900. The 8900 does everything the 9700 can but a lil slower.

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[ChekMySwag84]

Womp womp...

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Aburt]

Welcome to the early days of the Singularity.

[EdS817]

I would suggest calling customer service and speak with a manager and let them know that you feel the charge is unreasonable. They will try to explain it. Then ask them when you can cancel your current contract without paying an early termination fee. They will then see that you are considering going elsewhere. At this point they might go ahead and offer to make the change without the migration fee. If not just say thank you and call them back and do it again. You will get someone who will understand and give you what you want.

I did this when I when I upgraded to the 9700 and they wanted to charge me an $18 upgrade fee.

Above all be nice. Don't yell and don't get nasty.

[NorrisCell]

Originally Posted by amagicfro

The 8900 was suppose to be the next gen of BlackBerry Curve. I remember how CrackBerry blew up this phone. I was excited to get this phone as a new BlackBerry user. I've been a Dash user for quite some time, so it was a huge leap for me. I remember paying $250 for this phone back in January/February. A mere 10-11 months ago. I figured this is the new 8300s of BlackBerry. A solid phone that won't be easily replaced.

Then came the typhoon of next-next gen BlackBerrys.

This might not be T-Mobile's fault, perhaps RIM, but I know I felt bitter to see the spy shots of the Onyx and Nigara. I mean, I paid $250 less than a year ago to only see how fast the 8900 dropped in price. It sort of makes you think, never early adopt again. Don't get me wrong the 8900 is a great phone, but the 9700 runs circles around it for less.

Welcome to the world of technology. This shouldn't be news. As new things come out, old prices go down. You are correct when you speculate that this is not T-Mobile's fault. RIM makes popular devices, so carriers pick them up. They then lower prices on the devices that are being replaced eventually. The 8320 you mentioned was $249.99 when it launched; now it's $74.99. If you think going to another carrier will fix that, you're sadly mistaken.

Originally Posted by amagicfro

Even More and Even More Plus aka screw you current customers.

I'm currently on a FamilyTime Basic plan. I don't use minutes, just text and BBM. At $59.99 it was the cheapest family plan. Then came Even More and Even More Plus. Even More Plus offers a contractless family plan with 750 minutes, unlimited n/w, and free tmo to tmo. All for $49.99. It's better than my current plan for $10 LESS.

I spoke a T-Mobile CSR and even she agreed that it was fair superior than my current plan. Here's the kicker, If I wanted to switch my current plan to the Even More Plus, I would have a to pay a $35 migration fee per line. It's almost as if I am being penalized for trying to save money.

Thankfully my contract ends on 2/1. As I leave T-Mobile for Verizon or AT&T, I will take comfort in knowing my overpriced plan and phone helped T-Mobile shaft their current customers.

When you activate a new line with an Even More Plus plan, you're making a trade. You're giving up phone subsidies for a lower monthly rate. As an existing customer, you already received a phone subsidy, so you cannot trade it for that lower rate. Rather than forcing customers to wait until their contract was up, T-Mobile put in place a policy that allows them to take advantage of said lower rate early. You are not being penalized for wanting to save money, you're being charged to take advantage of a money saver before you would normally be able to do so. Would you rather T-Mobile told you "T.S., you can't switch"? I doubt that would make people happier.

Also, do you realize how entertaining it is that you're worried about saving money, so you're going to AT&T or Verizon?

In a perfect world, everything would be free. That's not how life works though.

By all means, follow TheBronx's advice. If they don't waive the fees though, don't claim that they're trying to screw you. Also, think about the end result if they do it for you. If they grant you a waiver for the fees, will you reward them by still canceling in Feb?

[Armando175]

Now why do people keep thinking that AT&T or Verizon would be any cheaper? I never understood that.

[berryite]

Originally Posted by Armando175

Now why do people keep thinking that AT&T or Verizon would be any cheaper? I never understood that.

It's just ridiculous. People think that threatening others somehow gives them power.

Verizon and AT&T are the highest priced options out there.

If you want to bemoan T-Mobile because they are keeping up with RIM and releasing new devices as soon as they are available and you think something is wrong with that and want to punish T-Mobile for trying to do the best they can for customers by going to Verizon or AT&T, then I only have one word for you as you leave ... Godspeed.

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[Californium89]

sigh... nobody will ever have the Best Handset forever as soon as they launch a phone they start drawing up a new one... just the way things go....
everybody had to pay the 35$ migration fee which was worth it so go to verizon and pay almost double and then complain when your top of the line phone gets outdated by something better 10 months later

[efn77mx]

Originally Posted by Armando175

Now why do people keep thinking that AT&T or Verizon would be any cheaper? I never understood that.

I agree. I'm with Verizon now, but I'm going to return to T-Mobile soon after the new year. The plans are DEFINITELY less expensive, and they have 3G coverage where I live and work now. For the time I lived in San Diego, T-Mo's coverage was exemplary (EDGE..mind you), and their customer service was just as good. The only reason I left them when I returned to norcal, was because coverage up here is spotty at best. Now there is 3G coverage, and much better plans. Yeah...I think I'm headed back as soon as I can swing it.

[ChekMySwag84]

Originally Posted by Armando175

Now why do people keep thinking that AT&T or Verizon would be any cheaper? I never understood that.

They just say foolish things when they get heated. When they get their minds right, it'll pass...

[gotblackberry]

Threatening to cancel when you speak with a supervisor, does nothing. Everyone threatens to cancel. Everyone.