Complicated Helio/Sprint/Android situation-I have til May 25th to solve

[Streetman]

Where do I even start?

Helio is done, gone, over, service is bye bye in 7 days from this post, May 25th; lights out. I need a replacement for my Ocean.

I pre-ordered the Evo. When I went to get a Sprint phone today (temp, to bridge the May 25th-June 4th gap) they told me that back in 2001, when I closed my business, I left a $422 bill. Whoops! If I recall, I tried to cancel all 4 or 5 phones we had, and they claimed I'd have to keep paying for 30 days post billing. I told them to go pound sand.

But that's linked to my SS number...9 years later. Ugh...whoops!

So, now I've got a $50 Best Buy gift card, a Zagg screen protector on order, and a phone that I probably won't be able to activate without paying $422 extra.

Switch to something else? New carrier? Here's a quick rundown of more goofiness:

-On top of everything else, I cracked the screen on my Helio last night, so NOW would be a nice time for a phone.
-My hands are huge. If the Dell mini 5 is coming, I'm getting it! Bigger is better for me.
-Will the 4g coverage in Tampa even stretch to me in downtown St. Petersburg? No point in the 4g if not.
-I have no shame is trying TMobile for 30 days, then Verizon, etc...If they all offer 30 day returns. There are a LOT of Android devices coming.
-I have no issue with an unlocked device on Metro PCS, etc.
-I've got a stupid $50 gift card to Best Buy now, so TMobile and Verizon might be the only companies I can use it with.
-If Helio takes up to 3 days to port, where will my current number ring to May 25-??

I want a bad ass camera, on a big ass phone, and not a lot of hassle. What to do? TMobile's new $50 unlimited plan looks nice, and I will see what they have in 30 days?

Will my pre-order spot be worth anything to someone on June 4th? Maybe Sprint will end up like Verizon and be scrambling for weeks to fill orders?

 

[IOWA]

Wow. What a debacle.

 

[HustlinDaily]

First of all, this is just a rumor. BUT TMo is supposed to be getting an HTC Superphone in July currently codenamed Project Emerald- http://phandroid.com/2010/05/17/project-emerald-could-be-new-android-powered-sidekick/

new reports over at TmoNews are suggesting that the phone in question would actually be HTC-made. In fact, the phone in question would be dubbed the “Sidekick Twist.” The new Sidekick would be an Android 2.1 device with a 1GHz processor, front-facing camera, and 4.3-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen. You’d also get 16GB of built-in storage.

All this is rumors right now but it fits your bill (powerful, big screen, two cameras), it is on the carrier you want and could be worth holding out for.


Another great option for T-Mobile is to buy a subsidized Nexus One.

 

[HustlinDaily]

Lol if I were in your shoes, I would avoid Sprint until I am to the point where I can pay off the tab at ease.

If I were in your position, this is what I would do- Get a G1 (or some other Android phone) from eBay for around $100-$150. Get on T-Mobile without a contract. Root it, upgrade it to 2.1, install a custom ROM. Use that until Project Emerald comes out. Once Project Emerald comes out, if it is as advertised, get it on a 2-year contract. If not, leave T-Mob for a phone which is what you need (like the Streak with AT&T, if they ever get it). This would give you a good chance to get accustomed to Android until you get the subsidized phone (if you find you don't like Android, which I doubt, then the lack of a contract would be a plus as you can hold out for another upcoming smartphone with a big screen like iPhone HD or HTC HD3). Once you get the phone of your dreams, then you can put the rooted G1 on 2.1 on eBay and sell it for around $100.

Tough spot for you. Best of luck.

 

[Streetman]

Avoid Sprint? Heck yeah! IIRC, I went to cancel my service after having 4-5 phones with them for 10 years, and they told me I MUST keep it active for 30 days after my next billing cycle. I'll never pay that bill, as it's already ruined my credit, and there's no moral obligation (IMHO) to pay for service not used. I didn't want to use Sprint, at all, ever ever ever again...but ooooh, the EVO!

Here's a little funny tidbit-yesterday, after being told this bill was still outstanding, I talked to customer service. I thought maybe I can work out something; pay a portion, whatever.

After explaining 10 different ways that my old phone number will not pull up my old account (long since it's been reassigned to another PCS phone), I was finally transfered to someone in finance. With broken English, I hear, "OK, let me put you on hold while I look into this..." and then the phone went dead.

Ahhhh...gotta love Sprint customer "service."

 

[Streetman]

T Mobile is looking like a winner, month to month. Trying to figure out a cheap phone to "root" and "ROM". I love playing around with stuff like that, so I'm researching it now. This may be more fun than just buying an Evo.

BTW, I found out that the old Helio Ocean can be flashed to metroPCS. ugh...wow. I'm actually going to keep this for a while? I've got a replacement screen. This damn phone won't stay away from me!

 

[takeshi]

Consider real world coverage where you need it first.

 

[HustlinDaily]

Also if you get a data only plan on your phone and get a Google Voice account and a Skype VOIP account for $8/month (or any other VOIP account, Google is also in the process of adding VOIP to GV), you can link your Google Voice # to your Skype VOIP to get unlimited minutes throughout the US and free SMS (no MMS tho) to make all your calls through data. Save you money.

 

[IOWA]

Also if you get a data only plan on your phone and get a Google Voice account and a Skype VOIP account for $8/month (or any other VOIP account, Google is also in the process of adding VOIP to GV), you can link your Google Voice # to your Skype VOIP to get unlimited minutes throughout the US and free SMS (no MMS tho) to make all your calls through data. Save you money.

I don't think they offer data only plans. And I haven't seen voip that cheap either, outside of magicjack

 

[HustlinDaily]

Skype is cheap and some carriers do have data only plans for smartphones, not sure about t-mobile

 

[Streetman]

I'm a long time Google Voice and Skype user, with a local Skype number. How would this work?

Are you talking about using an Android phone? $250 for a Hero flashed for pcsMetro.

 

[IOWA]

Avoid Sprint? Heck yeah! IIRC, I went to cancel my service after having 4-5 phones with them for 10 years, and they told me I MUST keep it active for 30 days after my next billing cycle. I'll never pay that bill, as it's already ruined my credit, and there's no moral obligation (IMHO) to pay for service not used. I didn't want to use Sprint, at all, ever ever ever again...but ooooh, the EVO!

Here's a little funny tidbit-yesterday, after being told this bill was still outstanding, I talked to customer service. I thought maybe I can work out something; pay a portion, whatever.

After explaining 10 different ways that my old phone number will not pull up my old account (long since it's been reassigned to another PCS phone), I was finally transfered to someone in finance. With broken English, I hear, "OK, let me put you on hold while I look into this..." and then the phone went dead.

Ahhhh...gotta love Sprint customer "service."

Are you 100% sure you serent still on contract until that 30 days or so?

 

[Streetman]

I don't know if the contract stated that I was to give 30 days after the billing cycle. It matters not. I'm not paying $422. That's final. They're not going to get me service anywhere without that. That's final. If you want to lecture about that, it would be a fine waste of bandwidth, when the original question remains.

That is, what to do? So far, I've fixed my screen on my Ocean, and will probably just have it flashed ($40) to metroPCS. Then, $40/month for their service.

If I really get crazy, I could just get the HTC Hero, for $250, and have it on their network for $40/month. Beats Sprint's $110/mo I was about to throw down on the Evo.

Still bummed I don't get my Evo. Anyone want my spot? I've even got the Zagg protector sitting here waiting for the phone.

 

[HustlinDaily]

Buy the Evo at full price, flash it to Metro PCS. Sell your Evo next year (G1 is still going for $150 and that phone is almost 2 years old)

 

[IOWA]

I don't know if the contract stated that I was to give 30 days after the billing cycle. It matters not. I'm not paying $422. That's final. They're not going to get me service anywhere without that. That's final. If you want to lecture about that, it would be a fine waste of bandwidth, when the original question remains.

That is, what to do? So far, I've fixed my screen on my Ocean, and will probably just have it flashed ($40) to metroPCS. Then, $40/month for their service.

If I really get crazy, I could just get the HTC Hero, for $250, and have it on their network for $40/month. Beats Sprint's $110/mo I was about to throw down on the Evo.

Still bummed I don't get my Evo. Anyone want my spot? I've even got the Zagg protector sitting here waiting for the phone.

Actually knowing the terms of any contract does matter.. lol... but hey its your credit and life. Its also keeping you on a terrible phone carrier lol... metropcs are nobodies for a reason.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[momoceio]

Could just pay your bill...because you know...you never paid it in the first place.

 

[Streetman]

You guys just can't pass this by without giving me a jab for not paying a final bill, can you? I'm here with a ticket to the big show, but I can't get in, and you kick a man when he's down? I resigned to a 4th rate phone company (Helio was 3rd rate) and a 3 year old phone, and y'all feel obligated to pour salt in the wound.

I've lost my faith in human nature...just right now.

 

[momoceio]

mission accomplished

 

[IOWA]

mission accomplished

Lmfao...

To the op: how can you lose faith in human nature when it seems like your the one who was wrong here? And now your suffering the consequences of your actions and get upset with people who call you on it? Just sayin' man. You can always make up for it and pay off the bill and get what you want...

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[HustlinDaily]

Yeah. It is a sticky situation that nobody but street really knows anything about. I don't think it is right to judge. He wants help to find out about which device he should buy, not us judging. Btw, now that Hero has 2.1, out is a bargain for $250. It may be months/years before it gets 2.2 but I can tell you that 2.1 is very very good. Even if Acer never updates (though I do hope they do and since the Eclair model is officially releasing June, there is a good chance they will) I won't complain (I plan on making my next phone a Gingerbread next year).



Sent from my Liquid using Tapatalk

 

[Streetman]

I was laying on the sarcasm pretty thick.

Off topic: My friends and I always joke that "I'm just saying," is somehow supposed to negate the rude phrase preceding it. For example:

"Wow, dude, your wife has really gotten fat since your wedding! I mean, I'm just saying."

 

[Streetman]

Update-

I got the Helio flashed to metroPCS for a total of $10 set up fee, plus $45/month, for unlimited txt and voice. It's totally ghetto. This phone should now have chrome and neon. The GPS and Email don't work. I don't get a signal in my house. I hang my head in shame.

 

[IOWA]

Sorry to hear that man. Its never too late to make amends...

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

 

[mrmojoz]

I was laying on the sarcasm pretty thick.

Off topic: My friends and I always joke that "I'm just saying," is somehow supposed to negate the rude phrase preceding it. For example:

"Wow, dude, your wife has really gotten fat since your wedding! I mean, I'm just saying."

I think the guys who use it in the same way but AREN'T joking are even funnier. Ahh internet, your hate filled spawn will destroy us all.