Cell phone plan options?

[TSE]

I was with AT&T for over 20 years. Got tired of paying $170 for two phones (that were paid for) a few months ago and we needed to get the kids phones too. We went to Cricket wireless. It was a little iffy at first, but seems pretty solid now. 100 bucks for 4 phones. Unlimited everything. They are owned by AT&T so the service is the same as we had previously. Now we have double the phones and a little more than half the cost. I travel for work and it's good to go everywhere I go.

 

[bruceha2000]

Currently my wife and I have two smart phones, unlimited data, Verizon wireless.

I've been with Verizon and a cell phone since 1999.

For both our phones, was running about $200 a month for everything. Since I've had a cell phone, generally my work place covers at least $150 for work (I can really live off it for work).

Went to add ONE flip phone for the boys, and my initial bill was $296 which made me hit the roof (I was informed it the phone would be $5 a month because I opted not to pay it off in one shot, with $20 an additional line which by my math didn't come up to $296). Needless to say, wasn't expecting $296. I was informed it was a bunch of "one time stuff" with taxes. Yeah, ok.

My wife has mentioned she now thinks we're paying too much, and I'm tending to believe her (we are thinking about two phones instead of one since we have two teenage boys, and with school functions and after school activities, a phone is really becoming a must IMO).

So, I call Verizon, tell them I've been with them since 1999, have always paid my bill in a timely manner and I ask them what's the best rate I can get for 4 phones (2 being flip). I was informed "about" $280 month. I told them I thought that was two high, and they said that was the best they could do. I told them I liked their service, but if I come back to them two months from now because I can find something cheaper, I do not want them asking me what they have to do. The girl then says "well, what's the number we have to beat?". I'm like "I don't know, that's why I'm calling".

Yes, I get it businesses just don't lower pricing because a customer asks, but I figure they should have a good idea of what the market is like out there.

Should mention that I ended up just paying for the phone outright and just took it off my plan because I wasn't expecting to be around $245 a month for just 3 lines.

So, if I may ask

1 - Who is your cell phone provider?
2 - Do you have good coverage? (for making calls)
3 - What kind of data/cell plan?
4 - How many phones and what type?
5 - What does you average bill run you?

Just trying to determine if Verizon has been treating me fairly over the years and if they really are competitive.

Flip phone meaning "stupid phone"? How much do you expect the kids to text/talk?
We have 4 TracFones. Only wife uses enough minutes that we buy her minutes annually. The others racked up over 3,000 minutes when we were buying the 365 day plan with however many minutes, doubled (based on the phone which can cost $0 to $20 for the basic ones we use) plus bonus minutes (about $109). That is usually about 1,000 minutes. When DD2 dropped her phone in water and killed it, I accidentally found the cheapest way to get more service days. Buy the 30 day 30 minute (doubles to 60) online and they ALWAYS ask if you want another 365 days for $50. So 13 months of service for $69. Thus, ~ $315/year for the 4 phones.

TracFone uses which ever service is "local". Most often Verizon I think. But if there is no Verizon in the area it will use another carrier. Can NOT use the phone outside the USA.

 

[pmsmechanic]

1. Provider is Koodo Mobile. They run on Telus towers. Canada eh!

2. Generally speaking we have great coverage. It's a bit spotty in Manitoba but every year we go there we notice improvements.

3. 2 GB data each which is lots for us. Unlimited talk to any number in Canada, unlimited text and pictures.

4. Samsung S5 and S7. Bought through Koodo. Paid for on monthly payments. We use our phones until they are dead. I learned that if you but a new phone online then you don't have to renew your contract. Usually a renewed contract means higher monthly fees.

5. $45/month each. I use an international long distance saver which is $2/month. My phone still has a charge of $15/month for the phone. So with taxes and 911 fees we're around $115/month. So roughly just under $80 USD/month.

 

[aczlan]

I use PagePlus because it uses Verizon cell towers, so great coverage. I rarely use the phone, so I'm on a $10 every four months plan, but they have other plans for more frequent users. There may be better deals also on Verizon towers, but I've not looked. If I had to pay $300 a month for phone service I'd be steamed.

We had them, we switched to Puppy Wireless. We pay $25ish/month for Unlimited Talk/Text/2GB of data per line. It runs on the Verizon network and has been great.
They also have cheaper plans if you need less minutes, texts or data.

Aaron Z

 

[RPW]

Been with Verizon since they opened shop. My usage is a bit different from most people. Besides 2 smart phones 1 flip phone for the house number 1 tablet 1 sim based router (primary internet) and 1USB sim based dongle I have to VPN into work on a regular basis my bill is sky high. Have had to stay on a standard plan so I don't get a speed reduction. Currently I have a 40Gb data plan. Changing jobs so VPN won't matter. At that time I'll get satellite internet and change everything to an unlimited plan. Service has been great and so far have always had coverage.

 

[Travelover]

We had them, we switched to Puppy Wireless. We pay $25ish/month for Unlimited Talk/Text/2GB of data per line. It runs on the Verizon network and has been great.
They also have cheaper plans if you need less minutes, texts or data.

Aaron Z

Thanks. For a light user like me, PagePlus is still cheaper, though we are getting into the weeds - Puppy is $10 a month. Welcome to
Puppy Wireless
, a leader in the communications industry.

 

[prof fate]

I have comcast/xfinity internet at home, $86/month. THey offer cell service now - via verizon network - FREE. If you own the phone and don't use data. $$12/gig for data or $40 unlimited. I've never used close to a gig. $25/mo for a galaxy s9...so $37 a month all in.

I can have up to 5 lines for that price. so worst case, $200/month for 5 unlimited lines plus cost of phones.

Couldn't find anything close to that price, though ATT is closest, and you get a discount if you have directTV. For multiple lines it might be more competitive as they have a base charge and each add'l line is less per line than the first.

 

[TheMan419]

I have comcast/xfinity internet at home, $86/month. THey offer cell service now - via verizon network - FREE. If you own the phone and don't use data. $$12/gig for data or $40 unlimited. I've never used close to a gig. $25/mo for a galaxy s9...so $37 a month all in.

I can have up to 5 lines for that price. so worst case, $200/month for 5 unlimited lines plus cost of phones.

Couldn't find anything close to that price, though ATT is closest, and you get a discount if you have directTV. For multiple lines it might be more competitive as they have a base charge and each add'l line is less per line than the first.

Cricket uses att towers. They are $100/mo for 4 lines. Unlimited. Not sure how much data that includes at high speeds.

 

[Hiptfarms]

The wife and I were with ATT for around 20 years. We had very good coverage but were tired of paying high bills. So, we just switched a few months ago to TMobile. The coverage is almost as good but the bill is only 70/month (2 smart phones unlimited at the over 55 plan). And every Tuesday they have some deal for their customers- free redbox movie rental, 2 dollars off dunking donuts or baskin robbins, etc. Small benny but at least its something. We are very pleased with the switch. For folks who aren't as senior as we are, you can have 4 lines for 160/month.

 

[MossRoad]

The wife and I were with ATT for around 20 years. We had very good coverage but were tired of paying high bills. So, we just switched a few months ago to TMobile. The coverage is almost as good but the bill is only 70/month (2 smart phones unlimited at the over 55 plan). And every Tuesday they have some deal for their customers- free redbox movie rental, 2 dollars off dunking donuts or baskin robbins, etc. Small benny but at least its something. We are very pleased with the switch. For folks who aren't as senior as we are, you can have 4 lines for 160/month.

We have 4 lines through T-Mobile for $129 per month. I love their customer service, but theirs cell service stinks outside of towns in most places I've visited in the U.S.