what to do now that my cell phone contract is up? is it bad to renew?

[Dear Summer]

I pay about $130 per month for 4 people (incl. me). It's a family plan and everyone is happy with their phones for right now except one person.

Can I find something cheaper than $130? Am I eligible to negotitate any terms with T-mobile? I'm thinking about renewing just to get free discounts on new phones. Your thoughts?

 

[seemingly random]

You probably don't have to do anything. I went three years with no contract. It drove them nuts since they badly want people in contracts. Nothing changed when it expired. Loyal customers don't get the special deals new customers get. I'd let it expire, calmly shop around and switch carriers.

 

[ViviTheMage]

dont renew, just pay monthly knowing you are out of contract.

 

[ggnl]

I only renew when I need a new phone. Not much reason to otherwise unless you're going to try to negotiate a lower rate or something.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: ggnl
I only renew when I need a new phone. Not much reason to otherwise unless you're going to try to negotiate a lower rate or something.

Yep.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: ggnl
I only renew when I need a new phone. Not much reason to otherwise unless you're going to try to negotiate a lower rate or something.

Yep.

Agreed. We were out of contract for almost 2 years when we turned the cell phones off about a month ago. Our plan was already pretty minimal for two phones, but we just don't use the dammed things enough to justify $90/month.

 

[armstrda]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: ggnl
I only renew when I need a new phone. Not much reason to otherwise unless you're going to try to negotiate a lower rate or something.

Yep.

Agreed. We were out of contract for almost 2 years when we turned the cell phones off about a month ago. Our plan was already pretty minimal for two phones, but we just don't use the dammed things enough to justify $90/month.

What plan did you have for $90 a month for only 2 phones? That's ridiculous!

 

[boomhower]

Call and tell them you are going to cancel, they will play ball unless you already have a discounted plan. They may not lower the bill but will usually toss in more minutes, texts, or something.

 

[lokiju]

I've gone for many years in the past without renewing contracts.

No reason to do so unless you want to get a better min plan and/or new phones.

 

[HannibalX]

My contract with Sprint ended in 2006. I've been paying month-month since. Nice to know I can jump ship if I want to, but I've been very happy with the service so I'm not planning to.

 

[kalrith]

I was out of contract with AT&T for a few years. Recently I unlocked my two phones and went with T-Mobile prepaid. The cost dropped from $60/month to about $15.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: armstrda

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: OCguy

Originally posted by: ggnl
I only renew when I need a new phone. Not much reason to otherwise unless you're going to try to negotiate a lower rate or something.

Yep.

Agreed. We were out of contract for almost 2 years when we turned the cell phones off about a month ago. Our plan was already pretty minimal for two phones, but we just don't use the dammed things enough to justify $90/month.

What plan did you have for $90 a month for only 2 phones? That's ridiculous!

Nation 700 FamilyTalk w/Rollover® Minutes
Rate Plan Details Included Plan Features Features Rate Plan Details
Monthly Cost for first two lines $69.99
Additional lines $9.99 per line
Anytime Minutes 700
Night & Weekend minutes* Unlimited
Mobile to Mobile minutes Unlimited
AT&T Unity Minutes Not Included
Long Distance $0.00
Roaming Charges $0.00
Additional minutes $.45 per minute
One-time activation fee $36.00
Additional lines (2-5) activation fee $26.00
Contract length 2 years


Add all the taxes and it comes to just under $90/month.

For the past year or so, we rarely used 100 minutes/month between us.

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: armstrda

What plan did you have for $90 a month for only 2 phones? That's ridiculous!

ours is only 50 for 2 phones

just gotta be a good negotiator

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: kalrith
I was out of contract with AT&T for a few years. Recently I unlocked my two phones and went with T-Mobile prepaid. The cost dropped from $60/month to about $15.

I wish they had prepaid Data plans. Like purchase a 5gb pre paid card and you get to use it up till you need more.

 

[erub]

Originally posted by: Chadder007

Originally posted by: kalrith
I was out of contract with AT&T for a few years. Recently I unlocked my two phones and went with T-Mobile prepaid. The cost dropped from $60/month to about $15.

I wish they had prepaid Data plans. Like purchase a 5gb pre paid card and you get to use it up till you need more.

5GB is a lot of data, even for iPhone users (cause often times will be on WiFi)..that would be one helluva expensive prepaid plan

 

[DayLaPaul]

1) Compile a list of free phones with contract renewal.
2) Search ebay for the phone with the highest actual selling price.
3) ???
4) Profit

 

[zerocool84]

I have Tmobile. Was going to cancel through the customer service cus wasn't on contract and get something through Amazon since they offer phones for much cheaper but then they offered the $50 unlimited to us so took that one and still not on contract. That $50 unlimited deal is going to save me at least $60/month.

 

[Dear Summer]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
I have Tmobile. Was going to cancel through the customer service cus wasn't on contract and get something through Amazon since they offer phones for much cheaper but then they offered the $50 unlimited to us so took that one and still not on contract. That $50 unlimited deal is going to save me at least $60/month.

do you know if there are any kind of deals for family plans? If I can pay even just $100 unlimited for 4, I would be in heaven