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Wanting to buy/test captivate - Best option?

I've been dying to upgrade from my ever outdating Blackberry Bold. Since I am on AT&T my options are limited but I want to steer clear from the Iphone and nothing that RIM has out attracts me at al right nowl, including the new but outdated BB Torch. I am also in a family plan that I cannot leave. I've seen the Captivate and I've been doing two weeks of research and lurking XDA amongst other android forums.
I've come to the point where I've decided I definitely want to get the Captivate but I'm still on the fence due to all of the negatives I read. I understand the phone has many positives though and I've spent a good hour or two in the store playing with it. I have two options at this point:
1) Buy the phone at AT&T and extend my contract. This will cost about $200 and I will be grandfathered into my unlimited data. I will have 30 days to "test" the phone out and if I don't like it I will be forced to choose another phone. I won't be able to go back to my Bold because the AT&T rep said I will lose my unlimited data, which is something I want to completely avoid. Worst case if I bring the Captivate back I could go back to another Blackberry (Torch or a newer Bold)
2) I found a few locals selling new captivates for $350-$400ish. Although more expensive than option 1, I won't be locked into a contract or forced to choose another phone if I don't like the Captivate. Once the other half of my family plan's contract is up I will then decide if I want to stick with AT&T or go elsewhere. If I end up not liking the Captivate I can just sell it off online or locally and think of a new solution. My only concern is my unlimited data. The AT&T rep said I *may or may not* be able to retain my unlimited data when activating a Captivate this way and that is up to customer service. He was kind of vague about this and it worries me because I don't want to drop $350 on a Captivate and lose my data. Has anyone done this option and successfully gotten to keep their unlimited data?
Sorry for the wall of text but any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was in your shoes (former 9000 bold user)
...and I got my phone at Wal-Mart for $148.88.
I did lose my unlimited BB plan, but the AT&T reps I had talked to before told me that would happen. It turned out I wasn't using more than about 200 mb in a month, but my usage has definitely gone up since I upgraded. I would definitely suggest the 2gb plan.
The people at Wal-Mart were fine to work with, but my plan got messed up and I had to call AT&T customer service to get my plan straightened out. If you go to Wal-mart be sure to check your account online at the earliest opportunity. They had actually created a separate account for my new phone, separate from the family plan.
Good luck!

Bought Captivate New in Box $350 off a local, cut the middleman (no need to talk to att) just put your BB sim in the Captivate, and you're good to go.
Save the contract like me, for the new phones that will come these holidays

MikalCarbine said:
I've come to the point where I've decided I definitely want to get the Captivate but I'm still on the fence due to all of the negatives I read. I understand the phone has many positives though and I've spent a good hour or two in the store playing with it. I have two options at this point:
1) Buy the phone at AT&T and extend my contract. This will cost about $200 and I will be grandfathered into my unlimited data. I will have 30 days to "test" the phone out and if I don't like it I will be forced to choose another phone. I won't be able to go back to my Bold because the AT&T rep said I will lose my unlimited data, which is something I want to completely avoid. Worst case if I bring the Captivate back I could go back to another Blackberry (Torch or a newer Bold)
2) I found a few locals selling new captivates for $350-$400ish. Although more expensive than option 1, I won't be locked into a contract or forced to choose another phone if I don't like the Captivate. Once the other half of my family plan's contract is up I will then decide if I want to stick with AT&T or go elsewhere. If I end up not liking the Captivate I can just sell it off online or locally and think of a new solution. My only concern is my unlimited data. The AT&T rep said I *may or may not* be able to retain my unlimited data when activating a Captivate this way and that is up to customer service. He was kind of vague about this and it worries me because I don't want to drop $350 on a Captivate and lose my data. Has anyone done this option and successfully gotten to keep their unlimited data?
Sorry for the wall of text but any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The AT&T rep is an idiot. You can upgrade to the captivate and keep your unlimited data plan. If you decide you don't like it before your 30 days are you you can return the captivate, cancel your upgrade, and go back to your Bold while keeping your unlimited data plan.

Why the hell would you lose your unlimited data plan??? I had a blackberry and I switched to the iphone 4, I was able to retain the unlimited data with no issues.
I got tired of the iphone and switched to the captivate (best choice ever) and I still managed to keep my unlimited data.
I still have my blackberry and I was told I could switch between both phones and have unlimited data on either one since it's on my plan. Haven't tried it yet though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Bowsa2511 said:
Bought Captivate New in Box $350 off a local, cut the middleman (no need to talk to att) just put your BB sim in the Captivate, and you're good to go.
Save the contract like me, for the new phones that will come these holidays
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is just plug and play? You lose no functionality or risk anything? If that's the case this may be my ideal scenario because if I end up wanting to go back I just switch the sim card back to my BB and sell the captivate for a somewhat lower price depending on how long I use it

lost2030 said:
Why the hell would you lose your unlimited data plan??? I had a blackberry and I switched to the iphone 4, I was able to retain the unlimited data with no issues.
I got tired of the iphone and switched to the captivate (best choice ever) and I still managed to keep my unlimited data.
I still have my blackberry and I was told I could switch between both phones and have unlimited data on either one since it's on my plan. Haven't tried it yet though.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greedy reps wanting to lick OP into a contract.
Yes, just plug and play no problem, even checked my account right now.. UNLIMITED

Did you have a BB before your captivate? My ATT online says its a GPRS BB Unlimited data plan, I'm not sure if it matters that its a BB data plan while changing the sim without involving ATT

MikalCarbine said:
Did you have a BB before your captivate? My ATT online says its a GPRS BB Unlimited data plan, I'm not sure if it matters that its a BB data plan while changing the sim without involving ATT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it should work.. but they might question all non-bb data usage, so in that case just call att support, and they'll do the switch for you (BB-unlimited-Smartphone Unlimited).
If they say something like "you need new contract/plans" ask to talk to higher authority, because it's within your right to stay grandfathered in.

I upgraded from a Bold 9000 with Unlimited BB Plan and got to keep my Unlimite Plan when I switched over to the Captivate back on the Captivate's Launch Day! I am not going back as I am very happy with my Captivate!
HTH,
Charlie

I also wanted to point out that I tried to get a discount on the phone at ATT since amazon, wirefly and walmart all sell it cheaper. I've read a few threads where people have had such discounts honored. The rep said the only reason they do that is because they they (amazon for example he said) require a 4 year contract, 2 with them and 2 with ATT. This seems like BS to me and I couldn't find anything on Amazon to verify this. Is this at all true?

Just picked up my captivate today! I went to a much larger and better store and asked the rep some questions, he said the previous rep didn't know what he was talking about at all. He also gave me a $50 discount once I showed him the print out from Amazon. Once I feel out the phone I'll be rooting and modding the crap out of it

MikalCarbine said:
Just picked up my captivate today! I went to a much larger and better store and asked the rep some questions, he said the previous rep didn't know what he was talking about at all. He also gave me a $50 discount once I showed him the print out from Amazon. Once I feel out the phone I'll be rooting and modding the crap out of it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you buy, and did you get locked into a contract?
KEEP YOUR STOCK ROM IF YOU VALUE EASY TETHERING
First read up on the "Pimp My Captivate" pdf
then at the step for rooting, just flash the Unleash the beast build found in the dev section where it'll root, remove bloat apps, and give you the steps to sideroot.
Follow the rest of the pimp my captivate guide
Cosmetic mods I recommend are the battery icon, the evo black bar mod (there's a combo of them both somewhere in the dev section in the thread)
I posted some fonts in the themes section, you should set-up launcherpro with 3d app-cabinet
Get beautiful widgets, some nice live wallpapers (I'm rocking the droid x one)
and there's the notification mod, in the themes section too.
Explore and have fun, but remember to keep a nandroid backup handy (when you figure out what that is )

Best Buy has a 14 day return policy. Not sure what the restocking fee is though.

[Q] Keeping grandfathered unlimited data

So I call AT&T before ordering on amazon, and the rep tells me that I'll be able to call back and switch my data plan to the "5GB Unlimited." I inquire as to how the plan works, she says that if I go over 5GB, I get charged, because it is not unlimited. But then she confirmed that I'll be keeping the grandfathered data plan.
Is this consistent with what other people are getting? Just want to make sure I'm not screwing myself over. Thanks!

It is not called 5GB unlimited. It is LTE unlimited and you will never be charged for overage. What happens is you will be throttled (300k to 500k speed) when you use over 5GB.
You will have to call AT&T to switch back to your unlimited plan after you received your phone from Amazon.

You will probably want to follow up with AT&T after you get your phone to make sure you are actually keeping your grandfathered unlimited plan and that you have not actually been switched over to the 5GB plan.

I had to convince the at&t rep when ordering over the phone that I should have unlimited grandfathered plan.
It is always worth checking to make sure they didn't take it away from you.

While on the phone and on web chat, I asked this specifically with radioshack rep several times that i want to keep my grandfathered unlimited data and they say yes it will be possible. I told them why on my receipt it shows mt dataplan got switched to the 5gb+tether for $50, they said this is only for initial processing, but after approval, everything will go back to the way it was. I made sure to get them to confirm this before I purchased and after i purchased haha.
We will see if this is still the case when I finally get my phone. If not, sucks I might have to cancel and return the phone. unlimited data is pretty valuable especially when you get to go all the way up to 5GB before being throttled in LTE.

When I placed my pre-order through AT&T, I specifically had the option to add the "LTE Unlimited Personal" data package. I was pretty tempted by RadioShack offering it at $50. But given all I read about them farqing things up for pretty much everybody they sell things to, I paid the whole $200 through AT&T. I am willing to pay extra to make sure nobody screws up my unlimited data plan. But that's just me.

I kept my smartphone unlimited plan. AT&T had no problem letting me keep my plan

Keeping my unlimited data plan is the sole reason I always upgrade through ATT. Sure the Radio Shack and Amazon prices are always lower but I never fully trust that ATT will put unlimited data back after I get the phone...

snvyas said:
Keeping my unlimited data plan is the sole reason I always upgrade through ATT. Sure the Radio Shack and Amazon prices are always lower but I never fully trust that ATT will put unlimited data back after I get the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Spending more in the store is worth it to me rather than running the chance of losing the unlimited data plan.

SR4 said:
Agreed. Spending more in the store is worth it to me rather than running the chance of losing the unlimited data plan.
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Click to collapse
Even if somehow they screw your data plan up. You can always get your unlimited data plan back. As long as you can:
-Prove that you've had it
-Say that it was changed without your knowledge / consent.
I cannot add them back in the store. You will have to call 611 to get it added back to your account if it was messed up by some other retailer. It's always worth checking your account online to make sure. Or dial *3282#. That will tell you what data plan you currently have.
The type of data connection doesn't matter either. If you are just now moving to your first LTE device, the amount of data you are allowed to transfer before the throttle increases to 5gb from 3gb. The cost is the same and it is still unlimited. Meaning no overage costs.
If you have any specific questions or if customer service gives you any trouble. Please message me and I can help resolve it.

My contract just ended and I have the $30 unlimited data grandfathered. I've always been able to keep it when upgrading by speaking to customer service. But this time I don't want to upgrade for another 2yr contract. I've been a customer forever and would like to have the freedom of no contract for a little bit. I'm currently using a 3g samsung captivate but want to get the s3. I found a really good deal on craigslist. Will at&t let me keep unlimited data without upgrading? I'm just worried that they tell me yes when I call, then after I buy the phone they say no you gotta upgrade. That would suck..

Just swap the sim card into the new phone.
Sent from my One X using xda premium

hugebulge said:
Just swap the sim card into the new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the GS3 is a MicroSIM, and the Captivate is a "regular" SIM. So the person can get a MicroSIM from AT&T. If you call for one, I think they charge you $15. But in store, they will often give it to you for free to AT&T account holders.
You can also cut the SIM to make it work, using guides online. But its probably easier to just get a free new one from the store.
jsmizzle said:
My contract just ended and I have the $30 unlimited data grandfathered. I've always been able to keep it when upgrading by speaking to customer service. But this time I don't want to upgrade for another 2yr contract. I've been a customer forever and would like to have the freedom of no contract for a little bit. I'm currently using a 3g samsung captivate but want to get the s3. I found a really good deal on craigslist. Will at&t let me keep unlimited data without upgrading? I'm just worried that they tell me yes when I call, then after I buy the phone they say no you gotta upgrade. That would suck..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont' worry, they can't make you upgrade, you can use whatever hardware you want (as long as its compatible with their network).
If you don't presently have LTE on your account, and the phone you are buying is compatible with AT&T's LTE bands, you can get it added to your account w/o an upgrade and w/o a new contract. But you have to go through AT&T to do it (either by phone or in an AT&T store). Simply tell them you want to keep unlimited data, and add LTE. They technically have to change you to a "new" data plan that is unlimited data with LTE, but its really just the same - unlimited data, but with LTE capability added and no extra fee (its just what they do to make it work in their system). Just make sure they do it right before you leave the store or hangup the phone. Its not completely straightforward, it took them about 15 minutes to get it right for me at my AT&T store, and the rep had to bring the manager into it, and they were really trying. But its worth the hassle, since if they screw it up and take unlimited data off your account, its a real pain to add it back.
And this is the only way to add LTE to your account, if the S3 you are buying has LTE.

Thanks guys for the replies. Apparently, the LTE microSIM is different from the 3g microSIM. Even though they're the same size the coding is different. So i'm gonna need to visit the store to get the LTE card. AT&T customer service did tell me that my unlimited data won't change and I won't need to upgrade. So that's cool.. Now it's about choosing which phone to get. I'm still thinking the S3 but I just looked at the demo models at best buy. Damn this is hard. The one x is a beauty and even the atrix hd looks great too. I might just wait until the iphone 5 release on the 12th so all the other phone prices will drop. But that's a whole different thread..

[Q] Req. to change plan.

I got a call from my local target store, they informed me my phone was in [its sunday ] however when I went in everything checked out fine. But the guy handling my transfer to my new phone showed me, ATT is requiring me to drop my unli data "grandfathered" plan and swap to the highest data plan they have. Now I could care less, Its like 5gbs or whatever. I maybe hit 2 [maybe] when tethering for a month. BUT. I'd rather pay the 20-30$ I do now for unlimited data then more or less, for limited data. They simply wouldn't allow me to move on. Im guessing its because There hasn't been 4G in my area [i give it 10 years till ATT considers getting full 3G here, first] but they are requiring me to upgrade [downgrade in my opinion] my plan to one of their data-set plans. Now I hate the idea that when I "upgrade" my phone, I have to change my plan. And basically, I refuse to lose my unlimited data to any better mobile phone than mine currently. I call shenanigans.
soo.... My question is [i believe i saw a thread here before but couldn't find it], Can I call ATT and find a reliable rep who will ensure my account keeps its unlimited data, am i screwed by swapping to this newer phone?.
For some background, 4/7/11 Is when I hopped on this railroad of funness. And my data plan is; Smart Choice Data - originating from Alltel USA (state, Montana).
Any and all help/advice would be nice. I'd rather not go for something less than I had my eyes set on.
&& If theres already a post about this [that i couldn't find] please direct me to it :]

Yes I'm on the one x with unlimited data. It can be done don't listen to their crap non sense
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

How did that work out with you? Did you have them activate the sim in store or no? Because to get specific; I upgraded my phone to keep my plan. Im going from a sim card [fitting in the xperia 10] which doesn't have 4G/LTE.
I thought for sure they'd have to handle it there to extend my plan, but I didnt think they have to activate my SIM card there.

I'm on it too...
Sent from my HTC One X with a locked bootloader using XDA

If your data plan is truely grandfathered in, you get to keep it when you upgrade. However, typically it can be done only via AT&T's own retail or online sites. 3rd party retailers like Target doesn't have the access to keep your unlimited data plan but some know how to keep it somehow.

call att to reinstate it

expertzero1 said:
call att to reinstate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Just say it was removed without your consent or knowledge.

Or just buy the phone from a sales rep over the phone. If you're out of contract and say you'd really like a better price, they have a table of prices they're allowed to offer based on how long you've been with them and your FAN# (if applicable). Definitely cheaper than 200.
Oh, and they won't change your plan around that way.
sassafras

Call at&t and tell them what's going on they told me it would be added back in when I called. The system was jacked up and would not let me activate it so they had to manually activate it which took it away. I will see this week if they can add it back in. If not I will no longer be an att customer.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA

sassafras_ said:
Or just buy the phone from a sales rep over the phone. If you're out of contract and say you'd really like a better price, they have a table of prices they're allowed to offer based on how long you've been with them and your FAN# (if applicable). Definitely cheaper than 200.
Oh, and they won't change your plan around that way.
sassafras
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I pre-ordered it through targets electronic section. So at the time it was 150 [50$ preorder] then 100 when it came in. However the sticker price said 179, AND the rep in store [was new there] told me Its going to be even cheaper than that pre-order price. I'll just call tomorrow when I go in there from one of their phones and sit on the phone with them [hopefully] while my info gets transferred over so they can change it asap.

I usually do my data changes over the phone then call back to confirm. This time best buy did it for me, I just kept confirming that I had best buy and that it will remain untouched...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

I have the unlimited data plan too. I just picked up my one x today at the att store. They switched it over no problem. My advice is go to your local att store and ask to have your plan unlimited plan reactivated or call.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

Alright, so to anyone who might care [mod can close this now] I called AT&T and the guy I talked to said he'll put in a case for me saying I need my unli-data grandfathered over and they'll call me later this evening after they know i've picked up the phone [to verify I actually got it] and it'll get switched back. The guy also said pick whatever data plan they give me because it can all be changed.
So that worked out. .

Questions for T-Mobile users.

Alright, so currently I have an S3 with T-Mobile and I'm paying around $100 for just my line that includes 500mins, unlimited data and text.
I rarely break the 150min mark each month so I would definitely like to change my plan to something that offers less minutes. Makes no sense on paying for something I don't use, right.
What would be my best option right now? Go on a prepaid plan and buy the Nexus 5 from the playstore? Is there a hassle from switching to a normal plan to a prepaid plan with T-Mobile?
I would be more than happy paying less to get 200mins, unlimited text, and data. 2.5 or 5gb before throttling is fine with me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

The T-Mobile $30 plan.. 100 minutes, unlimited texts, 5GB of 4G LTE.
Just add like $50 every month and you'll have around , what.. 275-300 minutes you can use.
But if you're still on contract with T-Mobile, the ETF is $200.
And yes, you can buy the phone from the Play Store.

Wow that's crazy expensive. My T-Mobile plan is $120/month for 3 lines, unlimited everything. Data IS throttled after 500mb though. Not an issue for me since I'm always on wifi. I can bump it to unlimited for an extra $20

IXChicharitoXI said:
Alright, so currently I have an S3 with T-Mobile and I'm paying around $100 for just my line that includes 500mins, unlimited data and text.
I rarely break the 150min mark each month so I would definitely like to change my plan to something that offers less minutes. Makes no sense on paying for something I don't use, right.
What would be my best option right now? Go on a prepaid plan and buy the Nexus 5 from the playstore? Is there a hassle from switching to a normal plan to a prepaid plan with T-Mobile?
I would be more than happy paying less to get 200mins, unlimited text, and data. 2.5 or 5gb before throttling is fine with me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how you're paying so much for the classic 500min plan, maybe you got extra services along with it? Should only be $85/w tax. And if you said you don't use as much minutes then go with the prepaid $30/mo like that person said. Or you can go with straight talk for $45/mo unlimited talk text and web (might throttle 2.5gb). I'm not sure if they are still selling GSM sim cards because they kept being pulled off the shelves.
Synyster06Gates said:
Wow that's crazy expensive. My T-Mobile plan is $120/month for 3 lines, unlimited everything. Data IS throttled after 500mb though. Not an issue for me since I'm always on wifi. I can bump it to unlimited for an extra $20
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you're on the new simple/value plans that T-mobile has. 3 lines should cost you $90 ($50 first line $30 second $10 add a line) for unlimited talk text and unlimited web throttled at 500mb. You might be over paying as well unless you have the 2.5gb data plan or the jump plan services.

Deekayy said:
Well you're on the new simple/value plans that T-mobile has. 3 lines should cost you $90 ($50 first line $30 second $10 add a line) for unlimited talk text and unlimited web throttled at 500mb. You might be over paying as well unless you have the 2.5gb data plan or the jump plan services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I am over paying by $30. I didn't get the simple value plan. I switched from AT&T right before they ended the classic unlimited contracts. What really sucks is the T-Mobile service went to **** in my area a few days after my "2 week trial period" (that was really maybe a week after getting the phones shipped and activated) and they refuse to help me out in any way. It's a story for another time, but I'm absolutely furious at T-Mobile.

I got the Ptel Paygo plan (on T-Mobile network), I don't really need data (on wifi almost everywhere, with T-Mobile 4G hotspot at $17.50/mo for 1.75gb). 5 cents per minute. Bought a $100 card with coupon for $78, so 2000 minutes for a year. Haven't got my sim yet, will run speed test once I get it.

Deekayy said:
Not sure how you're paying so much for the classic 500min plan, maybe you got extra services along with it? Should only be $85/w tax. And if you said you don't use as much minutes then go with the prepaid $30/mo like that person said. Or you can go with straight talk for $45/mo unlimited talk text and web (might throttle 2.5gb). I'm not sure if they are still selling GSM sim cards because they kept being pulled off the shelves.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think I'm being charged $8 or $10 for insurance on the phone.
How exactly do pre paid plans work? I assume the bill won't arrive to my house anymore? Do I have to to to the T-Mobile store before the month ends to pay for the following month before it gets disconnected?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Also if I were to sign up for the pre paid plan. Could I bring the phone to a T-Mobile store and could they activate the new sim at the store or do I have to do it myself online?
Thank you for the responses everyone, i really appreciate it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Synyster06Gates said:
Unfortunately I am over paying by $30. I didn't get the simple value plan. I switched from AT&T right before they ended the classic unlimited contracts. What really sucks is the T-Mobile service went to **** in my area a few days after my "2 week trial period" (that was really maybe a week after getting the phones shipped and activated) and they refuse to help me out in any way. It's a story for another time, but I'm absolutely furious at T-Mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's unfortunate, sorry to hear. So you're on a 2-year contract then I suppose? Did you get basic phones or smart phones when you signed up? If anything you can always try to call customer service (Dial 611) and ask to be switched to the new simple choice plan but they might charge you a $200 migration fee per line. In that situation, you can probably argue that your service has not been working well ever since you got it and hopefully they'll work something out.
IXChicharitoXI said:
Yeah, I think I'm being charged $8 or $10 for insurance on the phone.
How exactly do pre paid plans work? I assume the bill won't arrive to my house anymore? Do I have to to to the T-Mobile store before the month ends to pay for the following month before it gets disconnected?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only service that does that still bills to your house is T-Mobile Family Mobile (only in walmart) $39.88/mo unlimited talk text unlimited web 2.5 throttle (3G, some say 4G). That service is no contract and you can set auto pay with your debit/credit card or pay at any walmart location.
Other T-mobile pre-paid services is the "monthly 4G" which you will need to purchase a pre-paid card at any convenience store and refill your service at the end of each month. Or you can pay the balance of the bill online through T-Mobile prepaid website. If you don't pay your remaining balance by the end of the month it will get shut off and I believe T-Mobile will hold for 7-14 days before they release the number.
I can't give you a suggestion on which service you should use because I use both Verizon and T-Mobile services (note 2 and nexus 5) on a dealer line. Believe it or not, T-Mobile pulls off 21mb vs verizon 12mb in my home. If anything i'd start with the $30 pre-paid plan and test out the service to see whether or not it works in your area. If you feel that you get a lot of drop calls, you can try the actual T-Mobile service (Simple choice plan) because it's running on a primary network. Don't want to get too technical on why contracts vs pre-paid services are good or bad.
Replying to your second question:
You can purchase a Sim starter kit on the actual T-mobile site and you can activate it yourself, very easy. Follow the steps and select the plan that you desire.
t-mobile (dot) com/shop/plans/activatecodes (dot )aspx

Deekayy said:
That's unfortunate, sorry to hear. So you're on a 2-year contract then I suppose? Did you get basic phones or smart phones when you signed up? If anything you can always try to call customer service (Dial 611) and ask to be switched to the new simple choice plan but they might charge you a $200 migration fee per line. In that situation, you can probably argue that your service has not been working well ever since you got it and hopefully they'll work something out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will attempt to do this over the weekend. I am on a 2 year contract. When we signed up, I got a Galaxy S3, an LG F3, and an LG F6.
Since we started, none of the phones will reliably get phone calls or text messages. More often than not when people try to call us (even the T-Mobile reps calling me back) the phone will ring on their end, but I never get a ring or even missed call notification. A voice-mail will randomly pop up later in the day. Text messages will stop for hours on end then all of a sudden 10 or so will come to my phone at once. MMS won't reliably send or download. It's been a FRUSTRATING experience to say the least.

Buy Gear S 3G no contract

Does anybody know if you can just buy a Samsung Gear s2 3g straight up with no contract, no service setup etc? I want to buy one and just use it with Bluetooth until I decide I like it enough to sign up for service with my phone provider. (AT&T) Also is there a difference in model # between an AT&T or Tmobile etc?

Buy one from whoever you have coverage with. You may have to initially set up a smartwatch plan, but you can cancel it during the first month. If you payed retail for it you now own it.

You should be able to do that with no problem. You will have to pay the full retail price of $299.00 to be able walk away without enabling the 3G. If you decide to activate it, there will probably be some activation fee as well. Better way to do this IMHO is buy it for $199 and commit to 2 years and if you don't like it return it before your 14 day window.
My 3G version has been working great since I got it.
YMMV

I guess some of my issue, is I have AT&T Unlimited Data Plan which is no longer offered by AT&T. In order to have the Gear S2 on my plan, I have to completely switch to a "shared plan" of which I then have to pick a certain data plan size etc. Its not that I download 60gb a month or something, but I like having the grandfathered unlimited data plan. When I go online to AT&T website there is no option to just buy the phone. They make you sign up for a plan with it, hence the problem. I just wanted to flat out buy it, then see if I want to go with a plan later. Thanks for the replies!

I just went to the store and told them it was going to be a gift. Was done in 8 minutes. They did look up my account and such but did not do anything to my plan.

Nice! An AT&T store? Or AT&T in a Best Buy? Where you located? I called last week and they hadn't gotten any in yet.

I am in Dallas, TX. I got it from AT&T. I have not seen the 3G versions at Best Buy.

Wow! I was thinking of getting the 3G version but if I lose my unlimited plan, then maybe I'll have to rethink. Anybody here got it from AT&T and retain their unlimited plan?

JoganJani said:
Wow! I was thinking of getting the 3G version but if I lose my unlimited plan, then maybe I'll have to rethink. Anybody here got it from AT&T and retain their unlimited plan?
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Yeah exactly, why I was thinking for now as a Bluetooth watch, and then later if I want to add the plan, but to lose my unlimited would stick. I think it has to be a share plan, as the watch is an extension of your phone, so they share the data. Not sure though

Bladder61 said:
Buy one from whoever you have coverage with. You may have to initially set up a smartwatch plan, but you can cancel it during the first month. If you payed retail for it you now own it.
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Click to collapse
Hello, I also want to buy a gear s2 3g but no contract and no plans.
You can keep the gear s2 3g without any charges just paying full price (299)
What do I need to then cancel the plan?
Because they do not live in the USA, I will make the purchase over the internet (and a person will bring mo for my country) and then wanted to know how I cancel the plan, it is possible by phone? what documents i need?
Some one kent help?

mrm_mrm said:
Hello, I also want to buy a gear s2 3g but no contract and no plans.
You can keep the gear s2 3g without any charges just paying full price (299)
What do I need to then cancel the plan?
Because they do not live in the USA, I will make the purchase over the internet (and a person will bring mo for my country) and then wanted to know how I cancel the plan, it is possible by phone? what documents i need?
Some one kent help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One is not required to purchase a data plan in order to buy the watch. Just have to pay full price, which is $299. I just walked in an corporate AT&T store & bought it outright.
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But in online shop you need to create a plan, if no choose the order no pass.
Enviado de algo eletrónico...

Just wanted to share my experience with trying to get the 3g version without contract...
It has been a nightmare trying to purchase it in a store- att or bestbuy.
Att wanted to charge me $10 /month for just getting the watch while paying the full price for it...
Then I checked on bestbuy's web site, and saw $349 inactivated device (available for pickup same day), so I went to my local store. Needless to say, I was not allowed to purchase it. Wtf... I knew what the att reps are going to say, so I went straight to the Samsung booth, but the poor sales person still had to ask the att reps for permission to sell the watch.. First they said that fir the watch to work, they have to activate it ... Then I pulled the offer on bestbuy's website for the unactivated device... So, they came back telling me that they are out of stock ... LMAO...IDIOTS..
So, I came home and ordered it online from bestbuy.com, mind that it was telling me that I can pick it up the same day from the same local store that "ran out" of it...
I know that att are hungry for every penny they can get their hands on but thought that bestbuy would be smarter...
Regardless, I hate giving them business after all, but my only reasoning is that I want a watch with mic and speaker function, and if something doesn't work right, I can always go back and return it easily rather than dealing with ebay seller's customer service.
I just hope all works well through BT, cause otherwise I have to get the huawei watch and wait for google to allow the use of the speaker. I have nothing against huawei, just that their watch is not my style and I really like the rotating bezel.

st1114g said:
Just wanted to share my experience with trying to get the 3g version without contract...
It has been a nightmare trying to purchase it in a store- att or bestbuy.
Att wanted to charge me $10 /month for just getting the watch while paying the full price for it...
Then I checked on bestbuy's web site, and saw $349 inactivated device (available for pickup same day), so I went to my local store. Needless to say, I was not allowed to purchase it. Wtf... I knew what the att reps are going to say, so I went straight to the Samsung booth, but the poor sales person still had to ask the att reps for permission to sell the watch.. First they said that fir the watch to work, they have to activate it ... Then I pulled the offer on bestbuy's website for the unactivated device... So, they came back telling me that they are out of stock ... LMAO...IDIOTS..
So, I came home and ordered it online from bestbuy.com, mind that it was telling me that I can pick it up the same day from the same local store that "ran out" of it...
I know that att are hungry for every penny they can get their hands on but thought that bestbuy would be smarter...
Regardless, I hate giving them business after all, but my only reasoning is that I want a watch with mic and speaker function, and if something doesn't work right, I can always go back and return it easily rather than dealing with ebay seller's customer service.
I just hope all works well through BT, cause otherwise I have to get the huawei watch and wait for google to allow the use of the speaker. I have nothing against huawei, just that their watch is not my style and I really like the rotating bezel.
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Click to collapse
That's horrible. That's what happens, unfortunately, when dealing with people who are commission-based.
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