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Am I screwed? - Alltel Plan Question

BustaNY

Member
Apr 11, 2010
73
30
I have a Friends & Family10 Smartpack 500 plan which includes unlimited txt, pix, data.. 500 mins, 10+1 family/friend numbers, nights start at 7pm, and unlimited m2m/nights/weekends.

Monthly access charge is 89.99.. so plus taxes and everything else it comes out to 105.xx a month. My contract ends 07/03/10 but im eligible for the NE2 upgrade.

Knowing about the required data package for all vzw phones and other things I made it my business to go into the store and ask about my specific situation since I was an Alltel customer. The CSR told me that there is no way I should change my plan when getting a new phone. Id end up paying more money and I would be losing a lot of the features (nights start at 7pm, 10+1 family #s). And VZW phones work on Alltel plans. So i was like cool.. i can still pay the same and get a new phone basically.

It looks like now that Alltel customers are being forced to create a new plan.. with data package, pix/txt msging add ons.

Is there any free substitutes for txt msging?

Because if im planning on getting any of the same features my old plan had for the best price it seems to be unlimited talk 69.99 + a data pacakge 29.99+ a txt substitute.

Busta
 
I just renewed my wifes line last week to an Eris, keeping the Alltel Smartpack plan. Seems like there is a lot of confusion going around about this. Maybe the reps get a bigger commission if they switch the plans?? I have done this with 3 different lines, all keeping the Alltel plan.



I have a Friends & Family10 Smartpack 500 plan which includes unlimited txt, pix, data.. 500 mins, 10+1 family/friend numbers, nights start at 7pm, and unlimited m2m/nights/weekends.

Monthly access charge is 89.99.. so plus taxes and everything else it comes out to 105.xx a month. My contract ends 07/03/10 but im eligible for the NE2 upgrade.

Knowing about the required data package for all vzw phones and other things I made it my business to go into the store and ask about my specific situation since I was an Alltel customer. The CSR told me that there is no way I should change my plan when getting a new phone. Id end up paying more money and I would be losing a lot of the features (nights start at 7pm, 10+1 family #s). And VZW phones work on Alltel plans. So i was like cool.. i can still pay the same and get a new phone basically.

It looks like now that Alltel customers are being forced to create a new plan.. with data package, pix/txt msging add ons.

Is there any free substitutes for txt msging?

Because if im planning on getting any of the same features my old plan had for the best price it seems to be unlimited talk 69.99 + a data pacakge 29.99+ a txt substitute.

Busta
 
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I have a Friends & Family10 Smartpack 500 plan which includes unlimited txt, pix, data.. 500 mins, 10+1 family/friend numbers, nights start at 7pm, and unlimited m2m/nights/weekends.

Monthly access charge is 89.99.. so plus taxes and everything else it comes out to 105.xx a month. My contract ends 07/03/10 but im eligible for the NE2 upgrade.

Knowing about the required data package for all vzw phones and other things I made it my business to go into the store and ask about my specific situation since I was an Alltel customer. The CSR told me that there is no way I should change my plan when getting a new phone. Id end up paying more money and I would be losing a lot of the features (nights start at 7pm, 10+1 family #s). And VZW phones work on Alltel plans. So i was like cool.. i can still pay the same and get a new phone basically.

It looks like now that Alltel customers are being forced to create a new plan.. with data package, pix/txt msging add ons.

Is there any free substitutes for txt msging?

Because if im planning on getting any of the same features my old plan had for the best price it seems to be unlimited talk 69.99 + a data pacakge 29.99+ a txt substitute.

Busta

Verizon's 450 minute plan is 40 dollars a month, 5 bucks if you want to add 250 free text messages, 30 for data. Honestly you'd have to try very hard to pay the outrageous amount you currently do with your old alltel plan.
 
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I also like my alltel plan, as it has the smartpack 500 anytime with the Friends and Fam 10+1(both wife and I's parents and grandparents get no cell service at there homes so landline only for them) and nights starting at 7. Currently we both have smart phones HTC PPC6700 with full data and text. I want to keep this plan as it benefits me better, especially with the nights starting at 7(old timer, in bet by 9:30 10 pm anyway). I went to preorder the Incredible, and it said it was compatible, but when I select it, it says I need to add the $30 a month data plan. My NE2 was up a year ago, so I am looking to take advantage of this. Is it possible or am I screwed?

Sorry for the wall o' text
 
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I have a Friends & Family10 Smartpack 500 plan which includes unlimited txt, pix, data.. 500 mins, 10+1 family/friend numbers, nights start at 7pm, and unlimited m2m/nights/weekends.

Monthly access charge is 89.99.. so plus taxes and everything else it comes out to 105.xx a month. My contract ends 07/03/10 but im eligible for the NE2 upgrade.

Knowing about the required data package for all vzw phones and other things I made it my business to go into the store and ask about my specific situation since I was an Alltel customer. The CSR told me that there is no way I should change my plan when getting a new phone. Id end up paying more money and I would be losing a lot of the features (nights start at 7pm, 10+1 family #s). And VZW phones work on Alltel plans. So i was like cool.. i can still pay the same and get a new phone basically.

It looks like now that Alltel customers are being forced to create a new plan.. with data package, pix/txt msging add ons.

Is there any free substitutes for txt msging?

Because if im planning on getting any of the same features my old plan had for the best price it seems to be unlimited talk 69.99 + a data pacakge 29.99+ a txt substitute.

Busta


First off, definitely go with the $70/$30.. that is if its in your budget.

I just wanted to pop in real quick and point out that, Yes they are "forcing" you to change your plan but in doing so they are voiding their contract with you. That is, if these changes are to be made before your contract is suppose to end.

I was with SunCom when T-Mobile bought them - got out of that contract for free.
I was with Alltel when Verizon bought them.. my account got divested and we lost nearly all signal strength - got out of that contract for free.

I'm on my way out the door to go setup a new line w/ Verizon.. and for my Incredible :)

.. and when the Japanese surface from their hive dwelling (yes, its fun to think the Japanese are +40yrs in the future living in a colony underground) to buy out Verizon.. I'll get out of that too.
 
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I also like my alltel plan, as it has the smartpack 500 anytime with the Friends and Fam 10+1(both wife and I's parents and grandparents get no cell service at there homes so landline only for them) and nights starting at 7. Currently we both have smart phones HTC PPC6700 with full data and text. I want to keep this plan as it benefits me better, especially with the nights starting at 7(old timer, in bet by 9:30 10 pm anyway). I went to preorder the Incredible, and it said it was compatible, but when I select it, it says I need to add the $30 a month data plan. My NE2 was up a year ago, so I am looking to take advantage of this. Is it possible or am I screwed?

Sorry for the wall o' text

I talked with a VZW CSR on the phone less then 5 mins ago.

You might want to go to a store and talk with someone in person just so they can understand you better. But what I got out of this is..

Alltel plans are being stripped the txt/data package since these are features. You keep the other features like 7pm, FnF#'s though.

It looks like to get a comparable feature = feature plan i would end up buying unlimited talk/txt and data 89.99+29.99. That way you can talk/txt anyone anytime and have unlimited data.

If you add things up..

89.99 talk/txt unlimited
29.99 unlimited data
7.00 insurance
6-7 taxes
----
133.98
i currently pay 105.xx

If there is a substitute for txting i could ditch that and pay 113.98 which i wouldnt mind. since its only 8 dollars more then what i pay now and i get more freedom.
 
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When is the "stripping" of the txt happening. That was included in the Alltel package right?? Mine still says unlimited Txt on my bill.

I talked with a VZW CSR on the phone less then 5 mins ago.

You might want to go to a store and talk with someone in person just so they can understand you better. But what I got out of this is..

Alltel plans are being stripped the txt/data package since these are features. You keep the other features like 7pm, FnF#'s though.

It looks like to get a comparable feature = feature plan i would end up buying unlimited talk/txt and data 89.99+29.99. That way you can talk/txt anyone anytime and have unlimited data.

If you add things up..

89.99 talk/txt unlimited
29.99 unlimited data
7.00 insurance
6-7 taxes
----
133.98
i currently pay 105.xx

If there is a substitute for txting i could ditch that and pay 113.98 which i wouldnt mind. since its only 8 dollars more then what i pay now and i get more freedom.
 
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When is the "stripping" of the txt happening. That was included in the Alltel package right?? Mine still says unlimited Txt on my bill.

It was happening when i was trying to pre-order through the VZW website in my account. It gets to a point where it says certain features arent being transferred you have to select one of the following.. and it list one of verizons plan options.

Unless its different in the store.. i have yet to go and find out. Your txt/data packages will be removed from your alltel plan and will have to be switched to vzw plan options.
 
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I just did this 3 weeks ago, in store. Maybe it is different online, not having all the codes needed to keep the Alltel plans. Thats why I go to the stores.

It was happening when i was trying to pre-order through the VZW website in my account. It gets to a point where it says certain features arent being transferred you have to select one of the following.. and it list one of verizons plan options.

Unless its different in the store.. i have yet to go and find out. Your txt/data packages will be removed from your alltel plan and will have to be switched to vzw plan options.
 
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that is what I am seeing, and I just had a live chat, and they said the same thing. I would have to pay the extry $30 + txt plan per month for a "Verizon" smartphone.

I would go to a verizon store and talk to someone in person. Normally you get two different stories.. when talking to someone online and someone at a store. Normally there are "alltel representatives" in every store. Just ask to speak to one. Ill be doing that later today.
 
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I did my pre-order on the phone with a Websales Associate this morning and he was able to move my Alltel plan from my Imagio over to the Incredible with no changes at all. I didn't even have a dat aplan with Alltel, I got it with the HTC Touch Pro, then TP2, then Imagio and now the Incredible but my plan is exactly as yours with same pricing. So far my migration to VZ has been far less painful than I expected!
 
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Smartpack plans are $20 to add a voice line and $40 for a smartphone (Berry or others). So I just have to pay the extra $20 (I changed a regular line to the Eris). On mine, since I was on a BB Curve, didn't have to change a thing other than extend the contract date.

sounds like it is dependent on the situation. I will have to go to the store and ask them in person.
 
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I did my pre-order on the phone with a Websales Associate this morning and he was able to move my Alltel plan from my Imagio over to the Incredible with no changes at all. I didn't even have a dat aplan with Alltel, I got it with the HTC Touch Pro, then TP2, then Imagio and now the Incredible but my plan is exactly as yours with same pricing. So far my migration to VZ has been far less painful than I expected!

Did you manage to get the instant rebate when doing over the phone?
 
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Just so you know, I went to a corporate store and was VEHEMENTLY against switching from Alltel to Verizon. I LOVED Alltel. Wellllll, I have a better plan and the quality of the calls, reception, everything!! is so much better. You wouldn't think it would make a difference, but it does. I now have no dead spots, where I did on Alltel. I have no complaints EXCEPT for the delayed 2.1 upgrade for my Eris. Otherwise, I'm pleased as punch. :) I have 1400 mins, three lines, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited txt, data, 7p nights.... all the bells and whistles on all three lines.....$235/mo. I was paying more than that, with less reliability, on Alltel.

Just my 2-cents. :)
 
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Just so you know, I went to a corporate store and was VEHEMENTLY against switching from Alltel to Verizon. I LOVED Alltel. Wellllll, I have a better plan and the quality of the calls, reception, everything!! is so much better. You wouldn't think it would make a difference, but it does. I now have no dead spots, where I did on Alltel. I have no complaints EXCEPT for the delayed 2.1 upgrade for my Eris. Otherwise, I'm pleased as punch. :) I have 1400 mins, three lines, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited txt, data, 7p nights.... all the bells and whistles on all three lines.....$235/mo. I was paying more than that, with less reliability, on Alltel.

Just my 2-cents. :)

I thought that verizon/alltel were merged.. meaning shared towers and what not. Shouldn't reception/dead spots be the same then? I had alltel for 4 years in Charlotte, NC area and have had great service while my friends who have had Verizon have not as good.
 
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Just so you know, I went to a corporate store and was VEHEMENTLY against switching from Alltel to Verizon. I LOVED Alltel. Wellllll, I have a better plan and the quality of the calls, reception, everything!! is so much better. You wouldn't think it would make a difference, but it does. I now have no dead spots, where I did on Alltel. I have no complaints EXCEPT for the delayed 2.1 upgrade for my Eris. Otherwise, I'm pleased as punch. :) I have 1400 mins, three lines, unlimited mobile to mobile, unlimited txt, data, 7p nights.... all the bells and whistles on all three lines.....$235/mo. I was paying more than that, with less reliability, on Alltel.

Just my 2-cents. :)

right now I am paying 89.99 for 500 minutes, unlimited text, friends and fam 10+2 with 2 lines nights start at 7p, plus the cost of 2 smartphones.

If i go to verizon assuming I can keep the friends and fam and the nights at 7p, and still go with the lowest tier fam, I get 700 min and unlimited txt for $99 plus the cost of two smartphones. How are you getting it cheaper?
 
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Smartpack Family 500 (12 F+F) w/2 BB + another line = roughly 150/month with discounts

Since the merger, my understanding of the possible combinations is this (from many threads and conversations with VZW reps in the VZW forum on Crackberry):

Alltel phone, Alltel plan = OK
VZW phone, Alltel plan = OK
Alltel phone, VZW plan = NO

The VZW reps there said that any rep who tells you that you have to switch is giving you the run-around.

With that assumption, I attempted to pre-order the Inc last night and got the same data plan complaint.

I went around and around with a phone rep today about this issue and she was vary apologetic. She agreed that there should be no difference between the Alltel data plan and the VZW data plan, but there was no way to override it. To change us over to a VZW plan would be an additional 40 bucks a month or so for the same level of service that we currently have.

I then called our corporate rep at work and he said that there's no way around it and that you cannot put a VZW smartphone on an Alltel plan. I told him that we were promised that we could keep our Alltel plans and he said that we can, we just can't put a new smartphone on the lan. I asked what the difference is between the Alltel data plan and the VZW data plan and he said that they are billed differently.

Yeah...about 40.00 differently.

From this experience, I can only guess that the bean counters at VZW discovered what plum plans we had carried over from Alltel and they will do whatever they can to get us out of them. This explains the NE2 bump-up that many of us got recently...that's their enticement to move over.

The only way that I may see around this is to swap lines with my wife and keep her BB and the primary on the plan and use her 40.00 data plan slot for the Inc. I doubt that it will work, but I will give it a try.
 
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The swap didn't work, so I walked through upgrading my phone to the Inc. I selected the 500 text plan and the non-corporate data plan and on the final summary page it showed the additional VZW features, but no change to the monthly cost of my plan...the current price that I pay was the same as the upgraded price.

Now, I'm totally confused. Are we made to choose a new plan just to change the billing codes in their system?
 
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