New FAQ/Q&A *Add FAQ's/Q&A's you think should be included here*

D

DBall

New member
If you think a FAQ or Q&A is needed, add it, and then I will copy and paste everyone's additions into a new thread that we can get stickied. (Giving credit for everyone's contribution(s), of course)

Here goes:

1. Q: Can I buy a prepaid phone for Alltel U, and transfer it to my regular (postpaid/contract) account?
A: Why yes, you can. You will have to pay the cost of the phone on prepaid service, a 35 dollar activation fee, and 20 dollars of minimum airtime. After that, you can simply switch the phone to your postpaid account. Many people do not even leave the store before switching their prepaid phone to their postpaid account.

2. Q: Can I use a phone from, say, Verizon, on the Alltel network?
A: Yes, but only voice and basic text messages will work. Getting other features to work requires programming not for the novice user. Some phones can have the Alltel software put on them to make most or all services work, but ONLY if the software file can be found on the internet.

That's all I can think of off of the top of my head (plus it's getting late). Please add what you think needs to be in a new FAQ; lets get a large list going, people!
 
Q. What is tethering? What does it cost to tether? Does Alltel really know when I'm tethering?
A. Tethering is using your phone as a modem to connect to the internet wherever on the Alltel network. Tethering is $25/monthly for non-smartphones, and $10/monthly for smartphones. Yes! Alltel does know when you are tethering! In the TOS it states Alltel can charge a high rate if you don't have the proper plan.
 
Q. Can I use a smartphone without a data plan?
A. Yes, however any data used would go against your minutes. The only exception to this is the BlackBerry smartphones, you CANNOT use a Black Berry smartphone without a data plan. A add-on data plan for Black berries are $44.99 (?), for other smartphones it is $29.99.

Q. Is a smartchoice plan required with a smartphone?
A. No, however, if you buy the phone at subsidy (non-retail, 1 or 2 year contract price from Alltel) it IS required. But if you buy it off eBay or used or at retail price it is NOT required. Regardless of what some employees tell you.

Q. Can I change my smartchoice plan to another non-smartchoice plan?
A. Yes and No. If you bought the phone at the subsidy (non-retail, 1 or 2 year contract price from Alltel) then you must stay in a smartchoice for the duration of the contract. BUT, if you bought it at retail, used, or eBay then then you can change the type of plan you have from the smartchoice plan.
 
Q. Can I use *insert GSM phone here* on the Alltel network?
A. Sorry, but you cannot. Alltel uses the CDMA network, where *insert unlocked GSM phone here* is a GSM model, and will not work on Alltel.
 
1. Q: Can I buy a prepaid phone for Alltel U, and transfer it to my regular (postpaid/contract) account?
A: Why yes, you can. You will have to pay the cost of the phone on prepaid service, a 35 dollar activation fee, and 20 dollars of minimum airtime. After that, you can simply switch the phone to your postpaid account. Many people do not even leave the store before switching their prepaid phone to their postpaid account.
When I did the above and had to do an instore exchange with my v9m, the salesperson had a little of an "hmm, I know what you did and if you feel okay doing something wrong, then that's something you have to live with" attitude. Do the PTB at Alltel frown upon this practice? I actually don't like doing things "wrong" or that I shouldn't do, but this way beats the heck out of resigning for 2 years--not that I won't stay with Alltel, I just like the option of getting new phones AT LEAST once a year (really more).

Tx.
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Jocelyn Peters said:
1. Q: Can I buy a prepaid phone for Alltel U, and transfer it to my regular (postpaid/contract) account?
A: Why yes, you can. You will have to pay the cost of the phone on prepaid service, a 35 dollar activation fee, and 20 dollars of minimum airtime. After that, you can simply switch the phone to your postpaid account. Many people do not even leave the store before switching their prepaid phone to their postpaid account.

The reps "attitude" was probably because he/she won't be getting commission for the 2 year contract/phone you could have gotten through them. I'm sure once the penny pincher's at Alltel figure out people are saving by buying a prepaid phone and switching it to postpaid, they will stop it, but have fun with it until then!

**Also, please keep this thread FAQ's/Q&A's only, no discussion. Thanks!**
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it's just my money they didn't send me back for my rebate...

Jocelyn Peters said:
1. Q: Can I buy a prepaid phone for Alltel U, and transfer it to my regular (postpaid/contract) account?
A: Why yes, you can. You will have to pay the cost of the phone on prepaid service, a 35 dollar activation fee, and 20 dollars of minimum airtime. After that, you can simply switch the phone to your postpaid account. Many people do not even leave the store before switching their prepaid phone to their postpaid account.
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Q: What do I need to submit to receive my rebate?
A: In your rebate submission you will need to include:
a) A COMPLETED REBATE FORM
b) A COPY OF THE RECEIPT
c) A COPY OF THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR WIRELESS BILL
d) THE UPC LABEL FROM THE BOX OF THE PHONE

*******MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SEND IN*******

Q: What do I do if I don't receive my rebate in 10-12 weeks, or if I receive a denial post card?
A: Don't worry, you still can get your rebate check.
first, read the reason why the rebate company denied your submission. second, gather your copies of rebate material. third, resubmit your materials with the denial postcard (if applicable) by:
MAIL: Rebate Special Services
P.O. Box 028516
Miami, FL 33102-8516
EMAIL: [email protected]
FAX: 1(800) 886-8370

Q: Where do I check the status of my rebate?
A: alltelrebatecenter.com or call 1-800-460-0942
 
if I buy at retail, used, or eBay an Alltel brand phone,
How do I switch over to my: either current plan or a new user plan?
Are there other caveats to look for when buying used?
Like ESN or the such?
 
Again, this sticky is meant to be ONLY Questions and Answers, not questions for help or discussion. If you search the Alltel section, your questions has been answered many times. Please post this in the main Alltel section. Mod, please delete or move this post to the main section; Thank you!
 
it was posted so so that it could be answered correctly and stay in the sticky. :confused:

I posted the question,... how bout someone posting the correct answer,...

Since it has been answered many times it then needs to be in the sticky. Which it in not. :befuddled

My whole point for posting the question. :befuddled as I personally didn't feel comfortable posting the answers I have seen. :angry:
I have read previous answers, I wanted to get the correct one posted where it should be.

I was just trying to help the FAQ grow and become more knowledgeable those who are not gurus such as yourself...not to get bashed for helping out the site :arguing:

I'm sorry if I didn't catch in the rules where you had to post and answer your FAQ.... this is what I read ----- VVVVVVVVVVVVVV


:mod:
.
 
hhp_211 said:
it was posted so so that it could be answered correctly and stay in the sticky. :confused:

I posted the question,... how bout someone posting the correct answer,...

Since it has been answered many times it then needs to be in the sticky. Which it in not. :befuddled

My whole point for posting the question. :befuddled as I personally didn't feel comfortable posting the answers I have seen. :angry:
I have read previous answers, I wanted to get the correct one posted where it should be.

I was just trying to help the FAQ grow and become more knowledgeable those who are not gurus such as yourself...not to get bashed for helping out the site :arguing:

I'm sorry if I didn't catch in the rules where you had to post and answer your FAQ.... this is what I read ----- VVVVVVVVVVVVVV


:mod:
.[/QUOTE

Sorry if I seemed harsh, but I've never seen a FAQ made from questions - usually you enter the question along with an answer, at least in every FAQ I've come across :befuddled ..also if you wanted it in the sticky you could have added something such as "could someone chime in with an appropriate answer for this question for the sticky"...it wasn't worded at all like something that would be a FAQ.
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Q: if I buy at retail, used, or eBay an Alltel brand phone,
How do I switch over to my: either current plan or a new user plan?
Are there other caveats to look for when buying used?
Like ESN or the such?

A: If you buy a phone at full retail price from Alltel, you DO NOT need to extend your contract. If you don't have a contract with Alltel at all and buy the phone at full retail price, you DO NOT need to start a contract, all you need to start is "service". You will pay month to month, and have NO $200 ETF if you buy equipment at full retail price. The exact same goes for phone's from ebay or other "used" places. To switch a phone over to a current plan, just call 1800alltel1 and select option 3 (listen for survey to which you select option 1 or 2), and continue pressing option 3 until you get to a person. Tell them you have a different phone you wish to swap out with a phone on your X line (X being the line of the number you want to switch out; example - X = (222) 222-2222). They will ask for the ESN (Electronic Serial Number) of the phone, which is on the sticker underneath the battery of your phone. They will guide you through getting the phone set up on your selected line. If you have a phone you purchased at retail, on ebay, etc. and you DO NOT have Alltel service, you should go to your local Alltel store and set up new SERVICE, not a contract. Do not let a rep make you sign a contract if you have your own equipment.

What to look out for when buying a used phone from Ebay, etc.:
- Make sure the phone is CDMA, and NOT GSM technology. GSM phones from providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, etc., WILL NOT WORK ON THE ALLTEL NETWORK.
Phones from providers such as Verizon, Sprint, and U.S. Cellular will work for voice and basic text, but be warned Alltel is NOT SUPPOSED to activate other carriers phones, so you will have a hard time getting a non-Alltel phone activated, UNLESS you activate it over the phone, and tell the rep that it is a phone Alltel has (eg. pick a model that Alltel carries or has carried that is close to your model phone, and tell them the phone is that model). But again, with a non-Alltel phone, only voice and basic text messaging will work without "hacking" or "modding" your phone. Some Alltel stores and in-store reps will activate a non-Alltel phone for you, but they are hard to come by.
- Check the phone's ESN number. If you are thinking of buying a used phone from Ebay, etc., always ask the seller for the phone's ESN number. Call 1800alltel1 and do the same option 3 process I described above, and when you get on the phone with a rep, tell them that you are considering buying a used phone, and want to check the ESN number to make sure that the phone can be successfully activated. The rep will ask for the ESN number, you give it to them, and they will check it and tell you if the phone is good or not. Obviously, if the ESN is not good, DO NOT BUY THE PHONE. If a seller refuses to give you the ESN number of the phone, do not buy the phone, unless you are certain you can trust the seller to sell you good equipment.
-Just make sure the phone plain works. If the phone doesn't power up, has large cracks, etc., you probably don't want it, or it won't be a reliable phone for you to purchase.

There ya go, hhp_211, teamwork. :buddies:
 
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