Advice for an ATT Subscriber whose contract is about to end?

S

SpockFan

New member
Howdy. I currently have a 700 min family plan with ATT with limited texts, rollover, and no data. We have two lines. Recently one phone was lost in a washing machine incident, but that line isn't used near as often, so we've decided to ride it out until our 2 year contract finally ends this August.

Now I've been taking stock of how this plan has served us. Currently, I have thousands of rollover minutes that we'll never use. So obviously downgrading to 550 minutes is a possibility. I'm in college, and I've finally been forced to accept the age of texting has cometh. My friends bombard me with them every day, and I'm starting to worry about going over this next school year.

I'm also of thinking of moving up to a new phone, and I was looking at the Android. I understand that ATT's Backflip puts some restrictions on third party Apps, and thats truly annoying. I suppose I was wondering if that's changed at all recently or if theres a work around?

But mainly I'm wondering what options I have for meeting my new needs? Should I stick with ATT? Can I take advantage of Amazon's penny phone Android? ( I used amazon for my last purchase two years ago and was pretty satisfied). What upgrade options would ATT give me that might be work going after? Thanks!
 
Do not stay with ATT! (unless you must have an I-phone. My wife and I have lots of family and friends who have plans with other carries, BUT ATT and they love it. Plus, we compare their plans to ours, and all things being even, the prices are better and the reception is superior. The overall better carrier: Verizon. I recommend you check out reputable, unbiased consumer sources such as Consumer Reports.
 
I have had At&T for 7 years now, I also had for short time a Nextel/Sprint phone. and my SIL has Verizon. I have noticed several times where I will not get reception she will. So I would have to say that for that aspect Verizon is a better company.

As for phones. Cingular has a better upgrade program then Verizon, Verizon has the 2 year Upgrade feature and I believe they allow a 2 month grace period. Cingular allows a 12 month grace period on a 2 year contract, so technically you could get a phone every year if you play your cards right.

Iphone is suppose to be coming over to Verizon, although I don't know the specifics. As for phones, if you find one @ Verizon that you like, most likely At&T will have almost the same exact phone just called something else. So I would check out both options.

As for your minutes and texts... I believe (and I may be wrong on this) if you switch to a non-rollover plan you will loose all your rollover minutes. You could also decrease your plan to the 550 minutes as you suggested or even 250 (depending on how much you tlk on the phone) and use your rollover minutes but then subscribe to the "unlimited text" for I believe only $10 a month. At least that is what mine is.. then you will not have to worry about going over.
 
If you change voice plans, your initial rollover balance carryover is limited to the one month equivalent of AnyTime minutes in the new voice plan. This applies regardless as to whether you increase your voice plan or decrease it. If your rollover minutes balance is fewer than the new voice plan's one month AnyTime minute value, you keep that entire balance. The adjustment is made at the beginning of the next billing cycle.
 
My contract with ATT is up on Thursday, the 22nd. I would like to buy a new iPhone. It's ready at the Apple store for me. I called today to see if ATT will give me a ONE day grace on my 2 year contract and they will not. Apple will not hold my phone for longer than 24 hours. I am so disgusted with ATT right now. I currently have a BlackBerry that drops calls, works half the time....*sigh*. I'm seriously considering changing carriers, but REALLY want the iPhone.
 
ccase: there is a difference between ending a contract and upgrading your phone with AT&T. If you contract is ending, there is no grace period.. it's 2 years from when you bought contract. As well if you upgraded during the previous 12 months and it has not been a complete 12 months, they will not let you upgrade. You will usually have to wait until the upgrade date is available to upgrade, so why would you put your phone on hold until you know that you can upgrade? I would suggest calling the store that is holding it for you, and talk to them about holding it the extra couple of days.. seeing as how AT&T is just going by the contract you signed and agreed to.
 
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