First Smartphone - Advice Needed

[JB2K]

...Clark Howard had this to say on his website, this afternoon...

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/technology/more-data-less-money-your-smartphone/nYTyJ/

 

[starry_solo]

I have an existing iPhone 4s from Verizon (not under contract) which I am trying to figure out how to get moved to Straight Talk. How do you do that?

Also, if I move it over to ST and don't like it, can I get it back to Verizon? Or once it's flashed, it's gone forever?

 

[DawnM]

Interesting.

Unfortunately, all 3 that he recommends are not good services for my area (Sprint and T-mobile based).

...Clark Howard had this to say on his website, this afternoon...

http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/technology/more-data-less-money-your-smartphone/nYTyJ/

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

where did you go for you vm phone??

I got it at Bestbuy

 

[JB2K]

I have an existing iPhone 4s from Verizon (not under contract) which I am trying to figure out how to get moved to Straight Talk. How do you do that?

Also, if I move it over to ST and don't like it, can I get it back to Verizon? Or once it's flashed, it's gone forever?

You can't do this (if I am not mistaken, the SIM card slot, which would need to be unlocked, is provisioned only for international use, not AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.).

Best you can do is sell your Verizon iPhone 4S on the secondary market (phones in good condition are netting around the mid-$200s) and use that money towards the purchase of a Straight Talk iPhone.

As Straight Talk iPhones also use the Verizon network, what's not to love? Just remember not to use the cellular network for Pandora, Netflix, I <3 Radio, etc., and you'll be good to go...

 

[brettb]

I have an existing iPhone 4s from Verizon (not under contract) which I am trying to figure out how to get moved to Straight Talk. How do you do that?

Also, if I move it over to ST and don't like it, can I get it back to Verizon? Or once it's flashed, it's gone forever?

Does Straight Talk offer something you need that Page Plus does not? There's no flashing required with Page Plus. (I haven't looked at ST's plans at all.)

 

[brettb]

As for "customer service"- you won't find much of it with the prepaid companies, as that's where some of the cost savings come from (and what little CS is available, is outsourced offshore). I have found STs Facebook page to be the best means of CS.

People have mentioned Kitty Wireless as a Page Plus dealer that offers excellent customer support.

But I wanted to mention that Page Plus has decent customer service itself and it is NOT outsourced. Though sometimes I've had to hold a bit, I've always gotten good service calling them directly and everybody I've spoken to is based in Ohio.

 

[JB2K]

But I wanted to mention that Page Plus has decent customer service itself and it is NOT outsourced. Though sometimes I've had to hold a bit, I've always gotten good service calling them directly and everybody I've spoken to is based in Ohio.

That may all soon change, brettb...

A couple of weeks ago, Page Plus entered into a merger agreement with America Movil (the company that owns/operates Tracfone, Net10, and Straight Talk). The deal has not yet closed because it still requires FCC approval -- but from what I've read, once the deal closes, all the customer service, etc. will be outsourced to other countries (a hallmark of Tracfone).

I understand the Page Plus business model as we know it will remain largely intact. I'm guessing the driving force behind such a merger was to gain access to the wholesale rates Verizon was charging PP (as historically, America Movil tends to charge more for Verizon Tracfones, etc.).

I also understand the dealer relationships that exist with Kitty Wireless, etc. will continue unchanged -- but we won't know that for certain until the deal closes.

 

[brettb]

That may all soon change, brettb...

A couple of weeks ago, Page Plus entered into a merger agreement with America Movil (the company that owns/operates Tracfone, Net10, and Straight Talk). The deal has not yet closed because it still requires FCC approval -- but from what I've read, once the deal closes, all the customer service, etc. will be outsourced to other countries (a hallmark of Tracfone).

I understand the Page Plus business model as we know it will remain largely intact. I'm guessing the driving force behind such a merger was to gain access to the wholesale rates Verizon was charging PP (as historically, America Movil tends to charge more for Verizon Tracfones, etc.).

I also understand the dealer relationships that exist with Kitty Wireless, etc. will continue unchanged -- but we won't know that for certain until the deal closes.

Uh-oh? I guess we'll have to see. Perhaps it will get Page Plus into the 4G domain sooner? I'd miss their customer service and the current plans work pretty well for us....