For my 3000 post, I figured I would do something special for those of us fresh into TMOUSA's crappy 2 year contract (and for those thinking about it).
We all drooled and drooled consistently until TMOUSA came out with the HD2. There is a catch though, it is through TMOUSA. Many people have reported crappy service (cell-wise) and flat spots for data coverage (3G areas turning into Edge, turning into GPRS, into no-data). On top of that paying $450 for a device is not exactly appealing either ($199 sounds like a much better deal after all). I have been thinking about it long and hard and I came up with the perfect mathematical solution for getting a cheaper HD2, sticking to TMOUSA cheaper plans (or leave TMOUSA altogether), and not paying for such crappy data plan/coverage. If you are like me, you are surrounded by an accessible Wifi signal about 70-80% of your waking day, so being forced to pay $30 per month is borderline stupid.
[highlight]Edit: My method is only for brand new devices. A lot of you are suggesting cheaper solutions by buying them off eBay or craiglist, which will come with the added risk of device malfunctions or scams. If you feel adventurous enough to go down these paths... by all means. It usually works out better in the end anyways. But this method ensures a brand new device, that you will get on the spot.[/highlight]
Without Further Ado, I give you the "Scr3w You Very Much, TMOUSA" Method...
Getting HD2 without contract from the store:
$450
Cheapest Unlimited voice only plan from TMO: $49.99 (without contract)
Cost over two years: $49.99 * 24 months = $1199.76
Getting HD2 with contract from the store:
$199
Cheapest Unlimited voice + Data (they will force you into this) plan from TMO: $89.99 (2 year contract)
Cost over two years: $89.99 * 24 months = $2159.76
Cost to get out of the contract (option available only after 15 days from establishing a contract - aka remorse period): $200
Difference in phone price (with and without contract difference):
$450 - $199 = $251
Cost of breaking Contract and Keeping New Phone: $199 + $200 = $399
so we are saving $50 right off the bat (remember that the no contract price is $450, so $450 - $399 = $51)
Plan Cost:
$2159.76 - $1199.76 = $960 savings over two years
Total Savings over 2 years ($960 plan cost savings - $200 early cancellation fee + $50 for savings versus purchasing HD2 @ full price)= $810
You may think "but I still need internet" on the road... simple answer to that too:
Internet package from non contract plan = $25
Internet package from contract plan = $30
Savings over 24 months contract = $120
May not seem like much, but when you add that to the $240 from the unlimited voice plan difference (49.99 w/o contract vs $59.99 w contract), it adds to $360 for the life of the contract, plus you can leave them dry at any point you want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope this is useful into deciding if you are getting a HD2 but don't want TMOUSA as your carrier or simply don't feel like paying a lot to them.
Good to know for us tmobile users my friend.. i'll stick it as requested.
But there are those of us who actually need more than the basic services.
My business requires me to have unlimited minutes, texts, and e-mail access at all times.
So, over all, T-Mobile is cheaper than At&T or Verizon.
But I do see your point.
$30 a month for 3G internet service does seem a bit too much, when I pay the same amount for 4G (Clear Wireless) at home.
I would much rather opt out of TMOUS 2 year contract and jump ship to AT&T/Verizon/Sprint...
TMOUS has the absolute WORST service...
I guess you forgot the %35 Bing cash back when you shop online and pay full price! $300 with no contract is the best deal
Funkyrocemz said:
I would much rather opt out of TMOUS 2 year contract and jump ship to AT&T/Verizon/Sprint...
TMOUS has the absolute WORST service...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on where you are...they work quite fine in many major areas.
This does make sense. But then again it doesnt. Think about it!
Tmobile sells it on a 2 year contract for $199.
Walmart sells the samething (online) for $99 plus theres many coupons foe $25 off. So thats $75 on a new 2 year contract. Walmart also pays taxes.
Thats $75 vs. $450+ tax.
Now let me get to the point. If you want data+text+500 minutes. Its 59.99 on even more plus. Vs. $79.99 on contract.
So thats $20 more a month.
Heres the catch. If you cancel your contract after 6 months. The fee goes from $200 to $100 per line.
So lets add this up.
Buy the phone for $75. Add ($20 extra a month for 6 months= $120). And then add another $100 for the contract cancellation. Thats a total of $295.
So $295 vs. $450+ tax. Which sounds like a better deal?
After you cancel the contract. Just sign up for even more plus..
As an alternative (I did that personally), buy one get one free from T-Mobile promotion ... and pay $200 + tax for TWO HD2 phones. Activation waived.
So you pay $214 (in FL) for 2 phones.
Then you pay for 2 weeks of cheapest service (around $70) and cancellation fees of $400 for 2 phones
Total loss: $684
And you eBay your 2nd HD2 for $500 (around 450 after all fees)
You get your new shiny HD2 for $234 and you did not even extended your contract yet
Don't Forget HTC has extended the turn in a old phone and get 50.00 on top of that with teh purchase of a HD2, G1, etc... I think till May 19th
recyclerebates.com/htcWebQuote.do;jsessionid=B386A281A1471313D8E724CBA74DD8B4
joshkoss said:
Good to know for us tmobile users my friend.. i'll stick it as requested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot josh!
Always a pleasure hearing from you, my friend!
rickyoon.vegas said:
But there are those of us who actually need more than the basic services.
My business requires me to have unlimited minutes, texts, and e-mail access at all times.
So, over all, T-Mobile is cheaper than At&T or Verizon.
But I do see your point.
$30 a month for 3G internet service does seem a bit too much, when I pay the same amount for 4G (Clear Wireless) at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may think "but I still need internet" on the road... simple answer to that too:
Internet package from non contract plan = $25
Internet package from contract plan = $30
Savings over 24 months contract = $120
May not seem like much, but when you add that to the $240 from the unlimited voice plan difference (49.99 w/o contract vs $59.99 w contract), it adds to $360 for the life of the contract, plus you can leave them dry at any point you want...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Internet with the cheaper plans is cheaper ($5 a month cheaper to be more precise)
alefsin said:
I guess you forgot the %35 Bing cash back when you shop online and pay full price! $300 with no contract is the best deal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't as much as I forgot, but rather I had no idea about it (then, again, I have never used Bing)
joefx13 said:
This does make sense. But then again it doesnt. Think about it!
Tmobile sells it on a 2 year contract for $199.
Walmart sells the samething (online) for $99 plus theres many coupons foe $25 off. So thats $75 on a new 2 year contract. Walmart also pays taxes.
Thats $75 vs. $450+ tax.
Now let me get to the point. If you want data+text+500 minutes. Its 59.99 on even more plus. Vs. $79.99 on contract.
So thats $20 more a month.
Heres the catch. If you cancel your contract after 6 months. The fee goes from $200 to $100 per line.
So lets add this up.
Buy the phone for $75. Add ($20 extra a month for 6 months= $120). And then add another $100 for the contract cancellation. Thats a total of $295.
So $295 vs. $450+ tax. Which sounds like a better deal?
After you cancel the contract. Just sign up for even more plus..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow! I had no idea Walmart sold these... I bought mine at Best Buy (had a $70 coupon from Rewards)
I was looking at this option and it is done through "Let's Talk"... and they do have their own set of rules (apart from TMOUSA)
$200 LetsTalk instant discount
Purchase select T-Mobile phones online or through our customer service department and receive a $200.00 instant discount when you activate new T-Mobile service on a plan of $59.99 per month or higher and in conjunction with any feature or bundle or any other plan option at least $30.00 per month or greater. This exclusive offer is limited to select online retailers and is not available in any stores. Certain rate plans may not apply. This promotion applies only to individual plans or line 1 to line 2 of a family plan and requires a (2) two-year service agreement.
Offer Qualifications and Restrictions:
Cancellation of this purchase option within the first 61 days of activation will result in a $100 penalty charge.
Customers who add a qualifying feature after their service has been activated by LetsTalk.com are NOT eligible unless the feature is activated by LetsTalk.com directly.
If the customer receives their phone and the qualifying data feature is not active, the customer must contact LetsTalk.com directly to have the feature added in order to avoid a chargeback.
If the customer receives their phone and wishes to add the qualifying feature to take advantage of the offer, the customer must contact LetsTalk.com's Customer Service center and LetsTalk.com must add the qualifying feature through their activation system.
Customers who contact T-Mobile directly to have the qualifying feature added to their accounts post activation will not be eligible for this offer.
The customer may not change the feature activated by LetsTalk.com through T-Mobile's website, call center retail stores or any other T-Mobile agents or representatives and must maintain the same qualifying feature selected at the time of purchase for 61 days in order to avoid a deactivation chargeback.
If the customer wishes to change to a different qualifying feature they must contact LetsTalk.com directly and LetsTalk.com must change the data feature directly otherwise the customer may be liable for a chargeback.
LetsTalk.com imposes this chargeback solely to recoup plan feature commissions deducted by T-Mobile.
Phones Eligible for this Promotion:
Samsung Behold II (T-Mobile), HTC HD2 (T-Mobile)
Qualifying Plan Features for this promotion:
Android Unlimited Web, Android Unlimited Web for Flexpay, myTouch Unlimited Web, myTouch Unlimited Web for Flexpay, BlackBerry Unlimited Web, BlackBerry Unlimited Web for Flexpay, BlackBerry Unlimited Web w/Enterprise Email, BlackBerry Unlimited Web w/Enterprise Email for Flexpay, Sidekick Unlimited Web, Sidekick Unlimited Web for Flexpay, SmartPhone Unlimited Web, SmartPhone Unlimited Web for Flexpay
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you are absolutely correct about everything you are saying... There will be various methods for doing this (which result in different savings) based on personal usage of the features of the plan. In my case, (as I explained in the first post) I don't really need internet 24/7 on my device since most of my waking time, I am in areas where wireless is available, so for me this translates into at least saving $30 per month (without accounting the fact that the unlimited voice is $10 cheaper as well), and here is the thing why I posted this. Remember that having internet when you are in a contract is not an option, it is a requirement... there is no way out of it unless you break your contract or pay full price for the phone. I figured this way to be cheaper for my usage type.
Maybe I will change the title of this thread to "Ways of Getting a Cheaper Device and No Contract" or something like that. I appreciate your input on this
bogdatov said:
As an alternative (I did that personally), buy one get one free from T-Mobile promotion ... and pay $200 + tax for TWO HD2 phones. Activation waived.
So you pay $214 (in FL) for 2 phones.
Then you pay for 2 weeks of cheapest service (around $70) and cancellation fees of $400 for 2 phones
Total loss: $684
And you eBay your 2nd HD2 for $500 (around 450 after all fees)
You get your new shiny HD2 for $234 and you did not even extended your contract yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not bad, but why would someone pay $500 for a device on eBay (assuming shipping is included), when they can buy it brand new, from the store, no contract needed for $450?
alooohaboy said:
Don't Forget HTC has extended the turn in a old phone and get 50.00 on top of that with teh purchase of a HD2, G1, etc... I think till May 19th
recyclerebates.com/htcWebQuote.do;jsessionid=B386A281A1471313D8E724CBA74DD8B4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked it out and in order to do this, you have to have proof of purchase (receipt or UPC box label). I have a 7 year old Wallaby bought in eBay, a 5 year old Blue Angel, 2 0.5 year old Vogues (soon to be 4), soon to have a Tytn, and a Wizard (which I sold, but for the sake of argument, I will throw it in as well).... I cannot use any of these devices for that since I have no way of providing them with proof of purchase (and this happens to be the case for a lot of htc device owners around here).
It is a good resource to have though. Thanks for sharing.
Just spoke to LetsTalk customer support. aka Walmart $99 purchase.
They'll give you the phone for $99 but if you break the contract within 6 months, you'll have to pay $250 disconnect fee to LetsTalk in addition to the $200 charged by T-Mobile.
I went to a Sams Club last week and they had it for $142 + tax. The guy there said I can keep my existing plan (family plan and $25 android data plan).
So my plan is to buy the phone from Sams Club. If I like it, I'll stay on the new 2 yr contract and if I don't I'll break the contract after 30 days and sell it on craigslist (ebay charges a lot of fees).
I've been waiting for a good android phone for a long time (my contract on the G1 got over more than a year ago. But since T-Mobile is not getting any good androind phones, I'll try WM 6.5. Microsoft wins and Google loses. The last WM device I used was an MPX200. I would have bought the Nexus One if they allowed me to add it to my family plan with a discounted rate.
before u go getting phones at contract discount and canceling. you may want to read this http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1634784
basically says tmobile will start blcking IMEI's of phones from canceled contracts. I dont know if its legit but i just bought a HD2 from ebay and now im paranoid anyone heard of this?
Edit seller assured me thats not the case for me but still thats kinda scary.
kcaj32 said:
Just spoke to LetsTalk customer support. aka Walmart $99 purchase.
They'll give you the phone for $99 but if you break the contract within 6 months, you'll have to pay $250 disconnect fee to LetsTalk in addition to the $200 charged by T-Mobile.
I went to a Sams Club last week and they had it for $142 + tax. The guy there said I can keep my existing plan (family plan and $25 android data plan).
So my plan is to buy the phone from Sams Club. If I like it, I'll stay on the new 2 yr contract and if I don't I'll break the contract after 30 days and sell it on craigslist (ebay charges a lot of fees).
I've been waiting for a good android phone for a long time (my contract on the G1 got over more than a year ago. But since T-Mobile is not getting any good androind phones, I'll try WM 6.5. Microsoft wins and Google loses. The last WM device I used was an MPX200. I would have bought the Nexus One if they allowed me to add it to my family plan with a discounted rate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is true!
But if you plan on keeping the phone for atleast 181 days, then lets talk will remove the fee (plus tmobile will only charge $100 per line). This would be the best decision for someone looking to keep the phone and not sell it anytime soon.
mrbox23 said:
before u go getting phones at contract discount and canceling. you may want to read this http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1634784
basically says tmobile will start blcking IMEI's of phones from canceled contracts. I dont know if its legit but i just bought a HD2 from ebay and now im paranoid anyone heard of this?
Edit seller assured me thats not the case for me but still thats kinda scary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess this would apply more to being careful about buying the phone from 3rd party (places like ebay, craiglist, etc)
joefx13 said:
This is true!
But if you plan on keeping the phone for atleast 181 days, then lets talk will remove the fee (plus tmobile will only charge $100 per line). This would be the best decision for someone looking to keep the phone and not sell it anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spoke to T-Mobile too. Their policy for canceling 2 years contract is:
If you have more than 180 days from the end of the contract, you pay $200.
If you have more than 90 days but less than 180 before contract ends, its $50, and less than 90 days for contract to end, you pay $25.
But yes, I agree that someone who plans on keeping the phone for 2 years, its a good deal.
So i just Upgrade 2 of my lines to get the Vibrant. However 1 line still had 4 months of remaining service and the 2nd line had about 8 months of remaining Service.
I'm sure most people are paying $30 Data Plan. But i was offered to pay $24.99 and given full discounts.
I Called T-Mobile and transferred over to the Loyalty Department. I have Been with them since 2006.
The Loyalty Department offered me the phone for the line with 8 months remaining for $249.99 with $50 in mail Rebate. however he instead credited my account with
$50 giving me less work so i don't have to fill any rebate forms. So in Reality I'm Paying $200 For the Vibrant + $7 for 3-Day Select Shipping= $207
The Second Line, they offered me the Phone for $230 + tax and Everything Else. But With the $24.99 Data Plan opposed to buying it online which costed me $202 with $30 data plan. in the long Run. the $230 was worth it..
I got the installment Plan to pay in 4 months, so im paying the first month $70 and the remaining $40....
Whats the point..... Well For better Deals, get in touch with the Loyalty Department. If your contract is up, then you can say you want to end the contract and that way youll get even better deals.... Regular T-mobile Reps were giving me the phone for $287 +... i think i got a good Deal? Doncha Think?
I didn't do any of that. I simply asked about getting new phones for me and my wife. $25 a month per phone starting in September. Tmobile always makes me good offers whether I ask for it or not.
buy one get one free
My contract had 5 month left on it and I simply went to the TMobile store on the launch date (7/15) and told them i would like to upgrade my line at $199 ($249 - $50 rebate) and also add my son to my account. The sales person told me they can't offer me the upgrade price. I asked her to call TMobile customer service and get an approval for the upgrade price which she was able to do. Then I asked her if they can offer me buy-one get one free smart phone promotion so I can add my son (new account) to my plan. I was offered to get the MyTouch slid for free ($100 then $100 rebate). I jokingly said if she was able to give me the Vibrant for free then i would add the line. To my surprise, she was able to do it. Basically, i paid $200 for 2 Vibrant phones.
I love TMobile.
androidsalah said:
My contract had 5 month left on it and I simply went to the TMobile store on the launch date (7/15) and told them i would like to upgrade my line at $199 ($249 - $50 rebate) and also add my son to my account. The sales person told me they can't offer me the upgrade price. I asked her to call TMobile customer service and get an approval for the upgrade price which she was able to do. Then I asked her if they can offer me buy-one get one free smart phone promotion so I can add my son (new account) to my plan. I was offered to get the MyTouch slid for free ($100 then $100 rebate). I jokingly said if she was able to give me the Vibrant for free then i would add the line. To my surprise, she was able to do it. Basically, i paid $200 for 2 Vibrant phones.
I love TMobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We got the same deal on our family plan, upgrading from two T-Mobile G1s that had about 6 and 11 months left on the contract.
Last time I upgraded was 2 months after the MyTouch 3G release, so I know I still had some time to go. I upgraded over the internet, and don't ask me how the phone was $165 for me, I have another line on my account that's been out of contract for quite a few months and on that line the phone was $400 something, as it was on the other 3 lines on the account. I don't know what was going on, neither do I care, all I know is that I got my vibrant for $165
Can you purchase the DVP 8GB for 100 bucks then CANCEL your brand new tmobile service?
Whats the worse? they'll only charge you 200 bucks for a contract termination right? then you've bought the phone for 300 bucks.=)
nope wont work. cause when you get approved dell emails you and lets you know you recieved a $350 dollar discount so you will be charged 200 from tmobile and 350 from dell for the credit you recieved. they will charge the credit card you used over and over. loop hole is to get a prepaid credit card for one time use
SHAUN231 said:
nope wont work. cause when you get approved dell emails you and lets you know you recieved a $350 dollar discount so you will be charged 200 from tmobile and 350 from dell for the credit you recieved. they will charge the credit card you used over and over. loop hole is to get a prepaid credit card for one time use
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a link with this information? I looked all over their agreements and conditions of sale, and I see nothing about having to pay back the discount.
Also, how is using a prepaid credit card a loop hole? Wouldn't they call you to get a valid credit card if the one on file doesn't work? Or can't they just send you a paper bill?
It would probably work fine with the exception that there is also a 35 dollar activation fee for new service and you are required to pay a minimum of the first months service. Also just a word of caution that there may be hidden cancellation fees much like with Amazon. Where both the carrier and the company you purchased from charge you for cancellation prior to a specified amount of time. It really doesn't save you as much as you would think. The best option would be to sign up for Borders Rewards and receive the 10% off for purchasing through the Dell Employee Purchase Program which Borders Rewards members have access to.
jessej said:
It would probably work fine with the exception that there is also a 35 dollar activation fee for new service and you are required to pay a minimum of the first months service. Also just a word of caution that there may be hidden cancellation fees much like with Amazon. Where both the carrier and the company you purchased from charge you for cancellation prior to a specified amount of time. It really doesn't save you as much as you would think. The best option would be to sign up for Borders Rewards and receive the 10% off for purchasing through the Dell Employee Purchase Program which Borders Rewards members have access to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Amazon cancellation fee isn't hidden. It's clearly part of their "Instant Discount Policy".
If you intend to use T-Mobile service anyway, paying the first month's service fee is no big deal. You're paying only $20 more than the no-contract price that you would have paid had you purchased the phone outright. However, over the course of 2 years, that $20 adds up even if you pay the ETF, so it's always beneficial to get off contract as soon as you can.
I thought the activation fee was waived, but even if you did have to pay it, you're still saving $95:
Code:
Discount: ($350)
ETF: $200
Service Fee Diff: $20
Activation Fee: $35
___
Savings: $95
I took it to mean that he would be signing up for a new contract and already has one. If this is actually what he was doing then he would also be paying for his existing monthly plan if he wants to keep his existing phone number. Say $50for this example.
$100 phone
$200 cancellation
$35 activation
$50 data only plan (new contract)
or
$60 500 minutes (new contract)
$50 existing plan
total is $435 or $445
total after the discount on the 8gig model with 10% epp is $404.
jessej said:
I took it to mean that he would be signing up for a new contract and already has one. If this is actually what he was doing then he would also be paying for his existing monthly plan if he wants to keep his existing phone number. Say $50for this example.
$100 phone
$200 cancellation
$35 activation
$50 data only plan (new contract)
or
$60 500 minutes (new contract)
$50 existing plan
total is $435 or $445
total after the discount on the 8gig model with 10% epp is $404.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Incredible - especially considering the standard ECF in Canada is $400!
for tmobile, i believe you cannot modify your account within the first 3 months if you want to buy a phone because the retailer won't get commission if the line is cancelled so they might charge you extra.
I didn't see this posted anywhere but Best Buy has The Lg G4. They will price match the $549.99 price from Verizon and give you a $100 gift card. On top of that, LG is giving an extra battery, leather back, and charging cradle.
http://www.lg.com/us/mobile-phones/g4/cover-promo I have unlimited data, and I thought the gift card was only available with Edge and contract plans. I paid cash for the phone and walked out with a $100 gift card in hand, and didn't even ask about it!!
They must have changed their policy. When I purchased my phone last month at full price (ATT) you had to call and request the $100 gift card. Lots of people complaining in the BB forums about this mess. Glad they finally fixed that and educated their sales staff on that promotion
damn, i wish at&t would bring the price down to 549. i got the BB 100 gift card earlier this week with my outright purchase, but not until after a fight with the manager
I got my $100 gift card printout no problem and no questions asked.