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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I want to steer clear from the Iphone and nothing that RIM has out attracts me at al right nowl, including the new but outdated BB Torch.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.

Buying phones from AmazonMobile?

Hey everybody, loooong time reader in the Eris Forum, almost two years now. I couldn't find a general "hardware" forum, so mods, please move if this isn't the right place.
So, my story is, Mom and I both got an Eris for our upgrades almost two years ago, in December. Mom was eligible for an upgrade about a month or so ago, and I showed her the Droid 2, which she purchased the next day. At the time, the phone was more than 100$ cheaper on AmazonMobile, but mom didn't want to buy it there, because of a lack of documentation on how it works and how it affects your contract.
Now, fast foward to the present. In October I finally am eligible for an upgrade. Currently I have my eye on the Thunderbolt. Right now its 250$ retail, and sells for 179$ on Amazon.
Assuming nothing changes, can somebody with experience with AmazonMobile explain how purchasing the phone gets assigned to your line and contract, and if the Verizon store is needed at all.
Id like to save money any way possible, specially nowdays.
I googled but I could never get the specific info I need. Any and all help will be appreciated!
Thank you in advance!
-Jim
Sent from Debbie's DROID2 using XDA App

From what I understand those prices are for NEW lines of service. Not even add a lines to a family or existing account. Separate account basically to get those prices.

There is a tab to select the service level you have, either a family plan, a single line plan, or no service (phone only). Wouldnt selecting the family plan work?

Help with dumbphones and AT&T?

Hey I am a smartphone user and going off to college next year.. Currently on AT&T and in a family plan with my mom and dad. Our contract "expires" this July as its been two years. Unfortunately I have like one more year b/c my phone got stolen and I had to upgrade. My parents didn't.
Currently our family plan is around $110. ($30 unlimited data, no texting for anyone, cheapest voice plan)
Anyway, they use "dumbphones" and I was wondering, since they can leave AT&T in July.. Is there a way for them to use like MetroPCS and me to stay on AT&T and save some money? I know they have some unlimited voice plans (which is ALL they need)
$10 is not that worth it but if I can use AT&T and my parents use voice-only on another carrier for $20 that would definitely be worth it.
All my parents need is voice unlimited and decent coverage in the North new Jersey / new york area.. A sim-card service would also be ideal (idk if metropcs is, just an example!)
(I know this is a long post, but I have honestly done the research but just cannot find the answer.. I know some of you guys can though!)
--
Alright, if you guys can allow me to get data only and both my parents with unlimited voice for around $90, AWESOME!
However, if it still rounds out to like $100 or $110 (current plan), I might as well stay with AT&T..
If this is the case, what is the "best" dumbphone for AT&T? They don't need a keyboard, no data obviously, need at least 2 days of battery life, and a screen with some decent-sized type so they can see all the letters/numbers. Also would like to pay no more than $50 on eBay or other site.. Don't wanna waste an upgrade for a free phone if I can pay $50
optional: touchscreen. also optional but kinda important is some sort of expandable memory cuz they might listen to some music.
-- Sorry for LONG post but I think the questions are fairly simple if you guys know.. So thanks a lot in advance!!

Anyone have any info? PRetty easy questions if you know
Thankss

Anyone..?
please

Wouldn't their phones be locked to AT&T or are you planning on unlocking them for them?

[Q] carrier help

Hi im currently on tmobile
when i first got my contract in tmobile i got an LG sentio then the next day i got a vibrant from ebay. i did this because i wanted a smarthphone, withouth having to pay for a smarthphone plan. saince i had a crapy phone (LGsentio) and not a smarthphone, i could change my plan options when i wanted, internet, text etc... a year ago i could use my vibrant with Tzones just fine, but thats over hahahahhha. Eany ways im thinking of swithching to ATT, but people keep telling me that i can not do like in tmobile, that even if i bring my own phone, they will still charge my for smartphone plan... let me explain. in tmobile if i get a contract and pick one of the free phones, if after that i buy a diferent phone in this case a smartphone i can still use it with just voice and text plan, its not required to have a smarphone plan sainse im buying the phone by my self.
the question is... if i switch to ATT and get one of the free phones, and after that lets say i but in ebay eany android phone, will they change my voice and data plan by it self to a smartphone plan? or can i use it with the normal plan i pik?
PS: i need it this way cause my job its not steady and when no good income is coming in, i have to take out internet and stuff.

[Q]I need some advice from someone who knows Verizon well (related to upgrades)

Hello,
I hope this is in the right place, I've only made a few posts on here, but I read this site daily. Thanks to everyone who contributes!
I have a quick question I googled around about and couldn't really find an answer too.
I am currently using a T-mobile galaxy S 3 on ST w/ an att sim, but I also have a line on my parents plan w/ an old kin two m feature phone that will be due for an upgrade in the spring. My parents firmly believe that smartphones and data plans are the devil...So we have a talk and text family plan w/ 4 feature phones on it. I am curious if there is any way that when the upgrade is available, I could use it to buy a smartphone(capable of unlock/gsm capabilities), and then continue to use my kin two on the plan.
Does upgrading to a smartphone, from a feature phone, require adding a dataplan to purchase the phone? If so can I add the data plan to a single line for a month, then remove it and switch back to the feature phone?
Sorry if my post doesn't really make sense, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time!

wxcarne89 said:
Hello,
I hope this is in the right place, I've only made a few posts on here, but I read this site daily. Thanks to everyone who contributes!
I have a quick question I googled around about and couldn't really find an answer too.
I am currently using a T-mobile galaxy S 3 on ST w/ an att sim, but I also have a line on my parents plan w/ an old kin two m feature phone that will be due for an upgrade in the spring. My parents firmly believe that smartphones and data plans are the devil...So we have a talk and text family plan w/ 4 feature phones on it. I am curious if there is any way that when the upgrade is available, I could use it to buy a smartphone(capable of unlock/gsm capabilities), and then continue to use my kin two on the plan.
Does upgrading to a smartphone, from a feature phone, require adding a dataplan to purchase the phone? If so can I add the data plan to a single line for a month, then remove it and switch back to the feature phone?
Sorry if my post doesn't really make sense, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would add data and could take the phone off back to Kin 2. The problem is you would need to get a phone from VZW that is gsm capable. Their global offerings are lacking and in most cases are locked from using USA gsm signals. Checking newer phones' radios first would be a must.
Sent from my SGH-I747 using xda premium

Thanks!
Hey, thanks for the input, it's appreciated.
Since I just got this S3 in early Oct I will probably hold onto the upgrade till next fall when hopefully a new note or something else cool is released, (saying that it could be unlocked for GSM). If i am lucky there will be more Verizon 4g LTE phones out that can be unlocked for GSM in a year from now. I never really expected that you would be able to unlock Verizon CDMA phones for GSM, but a guy in my CompTIA A+ cert. class said that his Verizon S3 could be unlocked for gsm and it got me thinking.
It's kinda a long story, but what got me asking about this I originally wanted a note/ note 2.
In September another forum member and I found two galaxy notes for $300 on CL, and the one I picked had motherboard problems of course(Avoid CL phones/tabs please!) I was luckily able to sell the phone for parts on ebay for $150 easily, but I still lost a little money on the unlock code, zagg, and a new S-pen. After that I really just needed a dependable phone fast, and couldn't really gamble on something used, or wait on the US Note 2 release, so I settled on the S3, so here next fall after i've had the phone for about a year hopefully i'll be able to upgrade to something new. I have grown to really like my S3 though.