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Any way to NOT get reamed on phone+data+texting plans?

Just wondering if there are any good tricks or deals to minimize the monthly cost of owning and actually using one of these devices. I've been using LetsTalk for the last few years as I've not really found any cheaper way to get phones & plans, so most of my numbers are based on this. I did a quick spreadsheet for 24 month cost of ownership (ignoring taxes and fees for simplicity) and have attached that. Basically with AT&T you can go with the $40 voice plan and get the phone for $200, or the $60 plan and get it for free. Then add on $30 for data (the letstalk deal requires this for at least 6 months anyway) and another $5 for basic texting. I broke these down with comparisons to the iphone, sidekick 2008, the cricket slider my friend bought and the dirt-cheap samsung propel. I know this isn't exactly apples to apples but I'm doing this more to evaluate the cost/benefit of having a nice smartphone vs a decent voice/text platform with no data plan. Just kinda throwing this out there for feedback, I'm sure you guys know a lot more than I do about what is available and what can be done...

thats easy to answer..... nope. Im on ATT and my bill ends up ~150$ a month

behrouz said:
thats easy to answer..... nope. Im on ATT and my bill ends up ~150$ a month
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Mine is unlimited EVERYTHING and 100% free, and so is the second, third, forth and fifth line.
Ohh yea the data card is also.
Sorry I couldn't resist.

Ok, to make a long story short, I pay $20 a mo for unlimited data. I have had it for years from when I was with Cingular. I pay $5 for 250 texts and 39 for the lowest minutes. I own my own phone and have always bought unlocked phones and haven't had a contract in years.
So I wanted the Fuze and went to the Att store and was willing to sign a 2 year contract to get the phone for $299 but wanted to keep my plan EXACTLY like it is. Hre said no prob....until he started ringing me up. Stated my data plan was not compatible with the Fuze and I had to upgrade to the $30 a mo. I said no, he said you can't get the speacil price with the $50 rebate if I didn't. I said stuffit.
So, I am willing to pay $500 for the unlocked, no commitment phone from Att and will leave my plan as it is.
Question.....Does anyone know if the phone will be COMPLELTY unlocked or uncripled if I buy it for full price from Att? I want to take my sim out, put it in the new Fuze and keep on keepin on as I have for years.
Thanks

techspy said:
Ok, to make a long story short, I pay $20 a mo for unlimited data. I have had it for years from when I was with Cingular. I pay $5 for 250 texts and 39 for the lowest minutes. I own my own phone and have always bought unlocked phones and haven't had a contract in years.
So I wanted the Fuze and went to the Att store and was willing to sign a 2 year contract to get the phone for $299 but wanted to keep my plan EXACTLY like it is. Hre said no prob....until he started ringing me up. Stated my data plan was not compatible with the Fuze and I had to upgrade to the $30 a mo. I said no, he said you can't get the speacil price with the $50 rebate if I didn't. I said stuffit.
So, I am willing to pay $500 for the unlocked, no commitment phone from Att and will leave my plan as it is.
Question.....Does anyone know if the phone will be COMPLELTY unlocked or uncripled if I buy it for full price from Att? I want to take my sim out, put it in the new Fuze and keep on keepin on as I have for years.
Thanks
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Search for my threads regarding media net. It will tell you all about it.
As for the device (full price) or (with contract renewal) its the same phone, it will be locked.

I don't know how but ATT knows what phone you're using on their network and will probably make you change it anyway. It happened to me when I got a Tilt.

behrouz said:
I don't know how but ATT knows what phone you're using on their network and will probably make you change it anyway. It happened to me when I got a Tilt.
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Well, I happen to know a thing or two about how AT&T works.

Thanks for the info KD8DNS. I sent you a PM

KD8DNS said:
Mine is unlimited EVERYTHING and 100% free, and so is the second, third, forth and fifth line.
Ohh yea the data card is also.
Sorry I couldn't resist.
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Yeah well enjoy trying to procriate with all that radation from your high and mighty tower!
*coveting your glowing in the darkness right about now*

telegraph0000 said:
Yeah well enjoy trying to procriate with all that radation from your high and mighty tower!
*coveting your glowing in the darkness right about now*
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My procreating happened to yield 2 kids. So Im the least bit concerned.

HA!!!!!! Look at me!! I'm teary eyed!! That's one of the funniest thints I've seen!!!!

[Q] $5.99 T-zones hack on Nexus S?

This is one of the best things about my Nexus One. I remember hearing that the T-zones hack wouldn't work on the G2 because it is a branded T-mobile phone.
Any speculation, or confirmation if the $5.99 t-zones hack will allow web access on the Nexus S, like it does for the Nexus One?

I dont think the phone will be carried by T-Mobile, only offered through T-Mobile like the Nexus One was, so I believe it will still work, but that's just reasoning based on speculation.

EpicAaron said:
I dont think the phone will be carried by T-Mobile, only offered through T-Mobile like the Nexus One was, so I believe it will still work, but that's just reasoning based on speculation.
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That was my guess as well.
I wonder if best buy will make you upgrade your Tmobile plan, or let you simply extend your contract for 2 years.
I'd hate to lose the 5.99 tzones web access and be forced into a more expensive data plan.

It will only by offered by the bestbuy's that carry Tmobile phones.... I know a few (next to me) that only have Sprint & Verizon and they said they won't offer the phone but any bestbuy that carries TMO phones will.
As for upgrades it will require to up to a 2 year contract and you will then incur their $30 data package or their standard smartphone data plan.
That's the simple reason I go with the retail version rather than the upgrade as I run the $10 data plan... by going upgrade - $20 x 24 = $480 a raw deal IMO

jacksonj51 said:
It will only by offered by the bestbuy's that carry Tmobile phones.... I know a few (next to me) that only have Sprint & Verizon and they said they won't offer the phone but any bestbuy that carries TMO phones will.
As for upgrades it will require to up to a 2 year contract and you will then incur their $30 data package or their standard smartphone data plan.
That's the simple reason I go with the retail version rather than the upgrade as I run the $10 data plan... by going upgrade - $20 x 24 = $480 a raw deal IMO
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Yeah, $5.99 tzones, or $10 data plan is worth it. I'd rather pay full retail than lose that.

This is what will determine this as a purchase for me.
I like paying 10/month for data rather than 30 which is ridiculous.
10/month = 120/year
30/month = 360/year

EpicAaron said:
I dont think the phone will be carried by T-Mobile, only offered through T-Mobile like the Nexus One was, so I believe it will still work, but that's just reasoning based on speculation.
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sudo rm /post

slowz3r said:
It will be carried by T-Mo
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Source? or Speculation?

ap3604 said:
Source? or Speculation?
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I have no idea where I read it, but it said Tmobile would carry them
and i walked into my Tmobile store asked them and they told me yes they would, but either way i dont mind a trip to best buy Thursday morning
but maybe im seeing things

jacksonj51 said:
It will only by offered by the bestbuy's that carry Tmobile phones.... I know a few (next to me) that only have Sprint & Verizon and they said they won't offer the phone but any bestbuy that carries TMO phones will.
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That isn't true. See excerpt from the Best Buy Mobile site:
Will my local Best Buy be carrying the Nexus S? I talked to the staff there and they didn’t know.
Sorry for the confusion. We are still in the process of getting all of our stores prepared for launch. The Nexus S will be available on launch date in both locked and unlocked versions at all Best Buy stores, Best Buy Mobile stand-alone locations and online.
Will Best Buy Mobile stores that don't usually sell T-Mobile carry the Nexus S, since it's an unlocked device?
Yes. There will be inventory in all stores, as well as available for purchase online as a T-Mobile device and shipped to home.

slowz3r said:
sudo rm /post
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From Best Buy's FAQ:
Can I buy the Nexus S at a T-Mobile store?
No, T-Mobile stores will not be carrying the Nexus S at launch. Best Buy stores, Best Buy Mobile stand-alone stores and bestbuy.com and are currently the only points of distribution.
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EpicAaron said:
From Best Buy's FAQ:
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ya i misread it was late and i was tired
but even though the FAQ page says they will sell it at stores that dont sell tmobile plans i am being told that it will not be sold
All best buy stores in the LA area do not sell Tmobile. id have to make a 2 hour trip to get one if that is the case

So far I've been able to access the internet with my 5.99 t-zones plan on the nexus s, the same way I was able to on the nexus one.
ymmv

Is the 5.99 T-zone just edge data?
What about the $10 data plan?

itmustbejj said:
Is the 5.99 T-zone just edge data?
What about the $10 data plan?
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Its full internet.
On my N1 I was able to get hspa, same with the NS.
The same thing for the $10 plan.

Can you still add that plan?

hah2110 said:
Can you still add that plan?
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no....you have to be grandfathered in.

For $10 they have just the 200MB these days.
No unlimited for 10bux anymore

5.99 Tzone Works!!

FastMhz said:
5.99 Tzone Works!!
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This is what I needed to hear! Will upgrade from the Nexus One shortly.

how to buy a nexus s outside US?

[Q] Help! online ordering from Best Buy
I just paid for the Nexus S through Best buy, and now I am afraid that I made a mistake. When I added the phone to my shpping cart, it asked me i I am a T-Mobile contract holder (Which i am not) and I said that I do, which gave me the option to buy the phone at the full price of $529. I am afraid that I am going to receive a LOCKED Nexus S with T-Mobile affiliations and that it's maybe not Sim Free.
Is this the case? If so, how do I order it SIM Free and UNLOCKED Online? The only options on the website was to buy it either for $199 with a T-Mobile contract or to buy it for $529, but again, I am not sure if this is fully unlocked or it is still with a T-Mobile Simcard.

jonatansofer said:
I just paid for the Nexus S through Best buy, and now I am afraid that I made a mistake. When I added the phone to my shpping cart, it asked me i I am a T-Mobile contract holder (Which i am not) and I said that I do, which gave me the option to buy the phone at the full price of $529. I am afraid that I am going to receive a LOCKED Nexus S with T-Mobile affiliations and that it's maybe not Sim Free.
Is this the case? If so, how do I order it SIM Free and UNLOCKED Online? The only options on the website was to buy it either for $199 with a T-Mobile contract or to buy it for $529, but again, I am not sure if this is fully unlocked or it is still with a T-Mobile Simcard.
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AFAIK they are all unlocked - even the phones sold with T-Mo service.

Will the phone say T-mobile on the phone or connected with it in any way ?

nope, box has a tmobile sim in it but noowhere on the phone does it say tmobile

People at best buy online support are complete fools, they keep saying it's locked, even though twitter and their FAQ say its unlocked.
The whole point of Pure Google phone is that it's unlocked and unbranded

All Nexus S phones are unlocked by default with no carrier branding on the phone or box.
Pricing just varies based on if you want a contract or buying outright.

psp888 said:
People at best buy online support are complete fools, ...
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Well, not everybody have the intelligence required to flip burgers.

Best Buy couldn't even get the ordering live until about 10 minutes late ...
Then I tried to order 3 times; each time I got a vague credit verification error that made no sense.
Plus, they tried to switch me from my $10/mo unlimited 3G data to $10/mo 4G data with a 200MB cap... no thanks.
I was able to order by phone, but the process took over an hour. At least I got to keep my data plan.
Total cost was $250 after taxes and activation fees.

hi folks, is there anyone from from non-US/UK manage to buy a Nexus S>? If yes can let me know how? Especial from Malaysia. Thanks..

i had help from a fellow XDA member in the USA to help me buy one
as all the BestBuy stores were out of stock on the first 2 hours of the release date
make sure your phone operator works with 900/1700/2100 data

I bought two on launch day. The second is unopened. PM me if you want to buy it.

Wow!
I have a G1 and tried to upgrade to the nexus s with my existing 24.99 unlimited G1 data plan. The rep in the store said she was pretty sure I had to upgrade my plan. She said she would try it without upgrading my plan and got almost through the entire process but her system would only allow for the full price option for the phone.
Did you do anything special to get them to let it work with your existing plan??
Thanks
Bicster_ said:
Best Buy couldn't even get the ordering live until about 10 minutes late ...
Then I tried to order 3 times; each time I got a vague credit verification error that made no sense.
Plus, they tried to switch me from my $10/mo unlimited 3G data to $10/mo 4G data with a 200MB cap... no thanks.
I was able to order by phone, but the process took over an hour. At least I got to keep my data plan.
Total cost was $250 after taxes and activation fees.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Has anyone actually bought this online?
I'm having problems getting Best Buy's site to let me buy this thing. It keeps getting hung up when I select a plan - just keeps asking me if I currently have T-Mo service and won't let me actually select an answer...
Also, since I'm a new customer, would I be able to sign up for T-Mo's promotional plan (1500+unlimited for 79.99)?

You have to go to the store for starting a new plan.

If just happened that you have an extra unit or you're willing to help me, please PM me. THanks; )

AllGamer said:
i had help from a fellow XDA member in the USA to help me buy one
as all the BestBuy stores were out of stock on the first 2 hours of the release date
make sure your phone operator works with 900/1700/2100 data
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Click to collapse
one of the best buys near me still has 2 phones in stock

Marmle said:
You have to go to the store for starting a new plan.
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That's ridiculous - there's not a single Best Buy here in TN that will sell it with a plan. I suppose none do T-Mo. And my local store says $529.99 - available at Bestbuy.com for $199.99.
Whose idea was this Best Buy debacle?

your going to have to sign up for t-mobile service online best buy online sells tmobile online. Call there customer service they might be able to help you out.

Hey,
Maybe this will help!
bonvu.com
never used it so not sure how safe it is, but read that people are using it to purchase what ever they want in the US.
GL,

Some options:
www.ebay.com (in advanced search you can select someone that delivers to your country, offers paypal)
www.usunlocked.com (3rd party site, buys it for you and sends it yo you).

Question on qualifying plan for Nexus S

Any anyone here bought the nexus s with a two year agreement and was able to pick the two year agreement as the plan?

BrianDigital said:
Any anyone here bought the nexus s with a two year agreement and was able to pick the two year agreement as the plan?
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What are you asking? I got a two year plan which of course means I have the two year plan. Your question makes no sense man.

the phone is sold unlocked
you can just buy it outright
you can go on a month to month plan
no need to sign any stupid carrier locked up contract

AllGamer said:
the phone is sold unlocked
you can just buy it outright
you can go on a month to month plan
no need to sign any stupid carrier locked up contract
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Click to collapse
Is that what he was asking? I have no clue what he was trying to figure out...

kenvan19 said:
Is that what he was asking? I have no clue what he was trying to figure out...
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that was my best guess
i'm pretty sure he was trying to get the phone for cheap with a 2 year agreement, but IMO that is not worth it

AllGamer said:
that was my best guess
i'm pretty sure he was trying to get the phone for cheap with a 2 year agreement, but IMO that is not worth it
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To each his own, I suppose. In America, I'm very happy with T-Mobile, always have been. Only reason I left for a few months was I got talked into the "cheapness" of Sprint which ended up costing me more.

Oh I'm sorry guys, I was wondering if I could sign up with the data only sim plan for the nexus s

BrianDigital said:
Oh I'm sorry guys, I was wondering if I could sign up with the data only sim plan for the nexus s
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of course you can, you just wont get voice, but you can still use the SNS as a PDA with 3G

AllGamer said:
of course you can, you just wont get voice, but you can still use the SNS as a PDA with 3G
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This is my plan, I am on sprint right now and when I look at my bill my minutes are so low I barely break fifty a month. Data usage can go high on months, I just plan on using my gizmo account with the built in SIP for the random call I need to make when I am about town, also will be porting in my current cell number into google voice.
and well hey if tmobiles coverage is so so in an area im in I can always go to mcdonalds and make a call on free wifi
thank u I just could not build that plan on best buys website

kenvan19 said:
To each his own, I suppose. In America, I'm very happy with T-Mobile, always have been. Only reason I left for a few months was I got talked into the "cheapness" of Sprint which ended up costing me more.
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same boat here, me and my girl stayed with sprint to get those yearly upgrades and less than a year later they pull it. I might just go with buying the phone outright just exploring my options

BrianDigital said:
Oh I'm sorry guys, I was wondering if I could sign up with the data only sim plan for the nexus s
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To get a Nexus S with the data only plan (webConnect plan), you must buy the Nexus S at full price. Then call up T-Mobile and request the webConnect plan, and give them the SIM card number for your Nexus S (there's an unactivated SIM card included with every Nexus S).
The only way to get the subsidized price is to start a new 2-year voice+data contract.

Smh T-Mobile

So T-Mobile US pulled the E-Brake on wireless tethering and now if you want share the data you already pay 30.00/mo addl for (well me atleast), you now have now pay an addl 14.99/mo. I mean yes I keep up with the carrier market and I know they have had terrible numbers the past 2-3 years, but if ur tryng to pull your company out the mud you don't do it by making sadfaces on all you long time loyal customers. I mean can a brotha get a grandfathered account? Lol (hypothetical).
Anyway, I always thought since I was rooted I wouldn't run into this wireless tethering issue but I guess I was wrong. Anybody know or might know or even have an idea of a way around this? Many thanks in advance
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

Did they do this recently, because if they did, i believe you can get out of your contract. Let me know, i wana get out of mine too

I will be finding out today
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App

good thing my tethering is free, rooted or not

THEindian said:
Did they do this recently, because if they did, i believe you can get out of your contract. Let me know, i wana get out of mine too
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That would be FANTASTIC. Getting out of a contract = new phones, or even cheaper plan rates.

Mr.Highway said:
good thing my tethering is free, rooted or not
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The article I read said that when Sensation users are upgrading to ICS they will lose their free tethering. Apparently TMo couldn't clamp down in gingerbread so they just gave it away.
I read that as when I upgrade to a new phone I will lose it as well.
LINK

Damn, getting out of that contract would save me 30 bucks a month if I switched to a prepaid plan
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA

bittermormon said:
The article I read said that when Sensation users are upgrading to ICS they will lose their free tethering. Apparently TMo couldn't clamp down in gingerbread so they just gave it away.
I read that as when I upgrade to a new phone I will lose it as well.
LINK
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Click to collapse
I'm more than sure there will be a way around it, who actually uses the software that originally came with their devices when rooted. I heard the same thing and my next door neighbor has a Sensation and tethering works like a charm. Your not suppose too use it for running your game console and 90% of the time it's those people doing the complaining about using it and getting blocked.

bittermormon said:
The article I read said that when Sensation users are upgrading to ICS they will lose their free tethering. Apparently TMo couldn't clamp down in gingerbread so they just gave it away.
I read that as when I upgrade to a new phone I will lose it as well.
LINK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read the article on 3 android sites,I got my tether free via a promotional thing going on

Mr.Highway said:
good thing my tethering is free, rooted or not
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Same here. With a 5gb or 10gb data plan, you can receive free wireless tethering.

If they are changing the contract you can get out of it. I got out of my contract with over a year left due to the changes they enacted on the 9th of April regarding data roaming. They did not want to let me get away without an ETF but I filed a complaint with my local Attorneys General and that fixed that problem real quick.
As of right now I have no contract anymore on my T-Mobile account, I'm just playing it by ear and waiting for a new phone to knock my socks off before I go find another carrier, but it is nice to know I can drop T-Mo at any moment without an ETF

People who were grandfathered in with true unlimited data aren't affected by this as well, right?
I've been tethering without anything going wrong.

I have the 5GB Grandfathered Preferred Android Data plan for $20 and I've been getting the tethering upsell screen. I heard that the free tethering add-on only comes with the $30 5GB plan or the 10GB plan and that they won't add it on to an Preferred Android Data plan.....
Edit: Called Customer Loyalty and they hooked me up with the free hotspot promo on both lines with Android Preferred Data plans after 2 online reps lied to my face. Customer Loyalty is the reason I stay with TMobile, those people are the best of the best and always help out long time customers. Thank you to all you CL reps out there, I know you're reading this

itmustbejj said:
I have the 5GB Grandfathered Preferred Android Data plan for $20 and I've been getting the tethering upsell screen. I heard that the free tethering add-on only comes with the $30 5GB plan or the 10GB plan and that they won't add it on to an Preferred Android Data plan.....
Edit: Called Customer Loyalty and they hooked me up with the free hotspot promo on both lines with Android Preferred Data plans after 2 online reps lied to my face. Customer Loyalty is the reason I stay with TMobile, those people are the best of the best and always help out long time customers. Thank you to all you CL reps out there, I know you're reading this
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Yeah, they do tend to get you what you want now that the merger dropped. By chance did you ask them it doing that was going to extend your contract? When I did something similar when I had my G1, it ended up locking my service contract for an additional 24 months. My phone upgrade didn't change dates, just my service end date.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA

dclaw_fantum said:
Yeah, they do tend to get you what you want now that the merger dropped. By chance did you ask them it doing that was going to extend your contract? When I did something similar when I had my G1, it ended up locking my service contract for an additional 24 months. My phone upgrade didn't change dates, just my service end date.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA
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Click to collapse
It didn't extend my contract, I asked and checked on the website after.

every time i call t-mobile, they keep offering me the hot spot. i let them know i already have it (i dont think it affects GB?) but they insist that i dont. since they are saying i dont have hot spot, does that mean i can use that as an excuse to get out of contract?

siloner said:
every time i call t-mobile, they keep offering me the hot spot. i let them know i already have it (i dont think it affects GB?) but they insist that i dont. since they are saying i dont have hot spot, does that mean i can use that as an excuse to get out of contract?
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Click to collapse
.......no