Boost Charges Re-Activation, Virgin Doesn't?

[adaaaam]

So I haven't paid my Boost bill in a whlie, lost my number, and they want to charge $10 or 15 for re-activation. I went to virginmobileusa.com and a support rep via chat told me there's no re-activation fees for Virgin.

Is Boost sucky or what? Or could the support rep been mistaken? If this is all true I really see no reason why anyone would pay for Boost vs. Virgin, which is only $35/month with no catches, other than anticipating savings via on-time payments for over a year (which is a really long tmie). I am not a fan of nickel and dime fees, and Virgin seems to be very value-conscious.

 

[cammykool]

Another plus for VM

 

[Lordvincent 90]

If you would have been aggressive (not mean), you would probably find they are MORE than capable of waving the fee... Just tell them that your well never return to boost with such terrible conditions... (as this post seems to suggest) My favorite thing to do is simply ask for a manager... They seem to suddenly become VERY helpful when you do that (i think they get into trouble if you have to go above them)

Explain why you feel that you are being treated unjustly. More often than not they are more interested in retaining a customer than losing a lousy $10

 

[adaaaam]

The store I was at seemed to be a franchisee that probably wouldn't give a rat's ass if Boost lost a customer or not. That's why I like Virgin: you don't have to deal with anyone. You just buy a top-up card, activate your old phone, and bam you're done. Boost seems a hassle to me, since I'd have to find a way to contact (official) Boost people..

 

[kolosus]

Contacting Boost is easy as searching the forum. As LordVincent said you can get it waived. Not only that if you wait a bit they might turn on your phone without you knowing and the fee is "waived" as you're already active. Plus if you activate an old phone on a new number (they ask for the $10 fee) if you just wait a few days the fee will be automatically waived.

But hey. Each to their own. That's why they have Boost and Virgin.

 

[kevincott]

After checking the Virgin site, they charge $55 a month for unlimited while I am almost at $35, over the course of a year, $240 savings.

I am OK with a $10 or so reactivation fee in exchange for $240 a year.

 

[mooseberry]

Why not start a term with boost and just carry your number over?


I think its just you I have had my phone shut off many many a time for days and months with no activation fee.if you do contact boost remember : YOU CATCH MORE FLIES WITH HONEY THAN VINEGAR. : )

 

[mooseberry]

How do you get a $35 month payment with virgin using an android?

 

[kevincott]

How do you get a $35 month payment with virgin using an android?

Boost is $35 grandfathered in after 18 months.

It was the point I was making ...

 

[mooseberry]

Boost is $35 grandfathered in after 18 months.

It was the point I was making ...

Wasn't talking about your important post I was referring to the first post second paragraph by the OP the one were he was comparing boost to mobile. But thanks though CHEERS

 

[kolosus]

On Virgin, you can get on their text and data plan for $35. You also get 300 minutes I think. It is not their unlimited plan.

 

[Rarewolf]

II was with virgin mobile.
I spent around $30 a week with that stupid by the minute stuff.
I'm a heavy zexter. I mean Tester! O.O
So I wasted 10 bucks in less than ten minutes that took an hour to "top-up"
Virgin m. Is just a money well. You pour into it and you get nothing back. Just more pouring.

 

[adaaaam]

II was with virgin mobile.
I spent around $30 a week with that stupid by the minute stuff.
I'm a heavy zexter. I mean Tester! O.O
So I wasted 10 bucks in less than ten minutes that took an hour to "top-up"
Virgin m. Is just a money well. You pour into it and you get nothing back. Just more pouring.

All their smartphone plans include unlimited texting, starting at $35/mo

 

[Rarewolf]

All their smartphone plans include unlimited texting, starting at $35/mo

Still wouldn't go back though.

 

[adaaaam]

Still wouldn't go back though.

I'm sure you wouldn't, but I was just pointing out that what cost you loads of money (texting) is in fact free for most people, and if you're paying for it, don't be mad with the structure you chose and agreed to (pay as you go) because all companies will charge you the same for txts (net10, att)

 

[mooseberry]

I'm sure you wouldn't, but I was just pointing out that what cost you loads of money (texting) is in fact free for most people, and if you're paying for it, don't be mad with the structure you chose and agreed to (pay as you go) because all companies will charge you the same for txts (net10, att)

You can text for free and never have to deal with virgin mobile again (thankfully) just use a wifi connection and Google voice. Hope this helps.

 

[adaaaam]

The point many avid Boost supporters are missing is that with Virgin, you do not have to call India in the first place because there are no hidden fees to trigger that. You just pick up your old phone and top it up. Boost phones lose their value after the 91st day of inactivity, whereas inactive Virgin phones retain their value for years, and provide for a very easy way to re-activate without dealing with waivers or humans.

Then there's the minority that use these no-contract phones as their main lines, and for those who have been on Boost over a year, they are priced in at a good deal and would do well to stick around. However for new customers who tend to use these phones like most do, as a secondary device, Virgin would provide more value and freedom, which is in the spirit of no-contracts. Boost on the other hand, rewards commitment, the opposite of freedom, and as such its structure resembles that of a contract carrier, because even though you can leave anytime you want, there is implied penalty (fees for reactivation like contract carriers, and shrinkage savings do not transfer to other carriers)

 

[adaaaam]

You can text for free and never have to deal with virgin mobile again (thankfully) just use a wifi connection and Google voice. Hope this helps.

The guy's paying for txts on a pay-as-you-go dumbphone, he's not going to be able to connect to wifi nor install apps. If he had a smartphone he wouldn't be paying for txts in the first place on virgin or boost.

 

[espylacopa]

I don't see why boost would charge a reactivation fee at all. I'm pretty sure I setup both my wife and I's phone on boostmobile.com. I even ported my number over from Verizon on there. At least my memory tells me so, I could have just forgotten over the years.

 

[adaaaam]

Companies charge reactivation fees to encourage sales of new devices. You weren't charged a fee because you weren't reactivating a Boost phone inactive for beyond 90 days (you were simply joining as a new customer)