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Old 04-06-2019, 11:00 PM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
19,358 posts, read 27,562,622 times
Reputation: 35932

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Quote:
Originally Posted by sprklcl View Post
Seriously considering Charity Mobile. Actually called them recently before even ordering service, and quite impressed with their customer service (vs. considering the hours been on the phone a lot on hold with Verizon directly and other very large companies with reps sometimes not knowing what they are doing):
- By phone during business hours - person answers, no voice response menu. Kind, quick and helpful in answering questions, patient, no sales pressure, cared for needs and concerns.
- By email, additional tech questions thought of after on phone with them - helpful detailed response within hours, also concerned for communication needs.

What learned, not all on website:
- Most Verizon Wireless 4G phones, must be unlocked, and phone #s can ported to them. Most phone ports in 5 minutes to an hour (can be delayed much longer especially if not have your account # and password). Need also your phone's IMEI # which they can quickly check prior to ordering. Older CDMA phones cannot be activated. Charity Mobile also sells VZW phones listed on their website.
- Competitive prices I found some better than with Verizon directly - https://www.charitymobile.com/plans.html Also optional 5% of your bill can go to a charity of your choice, nearly all are faith based.
- They support call forwarding/busy no answer *72 to another number, and say on a flip phone (not smartphone, for an older or non techy relative) they can restrict data and even text messaging. Lots of other questions answered at https://www.charitymobile.com/support.html or can call or email them at https://www.charitymobile.com/help.html (note hours they are open and closed Sundays).
- Can pay online or if you prefer a paper bill mailed monthly.
- Been in business since the 1990's when company initially offered long distance service, and started offering cell phone service in 2006. No Better Business Bureau complaints for them.

Personal note, I have wait to sign up, they do not support Verizon network extenders I learned by phone, but I am expecting to move to a better Verizon signal area in the next months than what have in my valley. They were caring understanding of that and my need to do some home downsizing in the next months before moving and signing up with them. Here's one other positive user review of the service https://www.reddit.com/r/Catholicism..._find_reviews/
Also https://www.2ndvote.com/company-scores/ rates them a 5 out of 5, which there is some correlation here, among other factors, companies rated at this site with 3s, 4s, and 5s often have the better or best customer service.
And in all that verbiage, you never mentioned that this company has been built to financially support pro-life causes???

I have no problem with pro life defenders or organizations. I DO have a problem with an individual that is raving about the great service without FULL disclosure. Not cool, dude. (Or dudedette.)

 
Old 04-06-2019, 11:05 PM
 
Location: Living rent free in your head
42,711 posts, read 25,867,327 times
Reputation: 33793
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jkgourmet View Post
T-mobile 55+ plan. For folks over 55 years old. $60/month including taxes for two lines, unlimited calls, data and texts. Unlimited data in over 200 other countries (though it occasionally goes to 3g). Buy the phone at Costco.

Can't beat this deal. Note that the $60 is grandfathered - the price for new customers is currently $70/month.
That's what we have, we've never had a problem with it, the only downside is that they don't give you discounts on new phones with it.
 
Old 04-06-2019, 11:18 PM
 
Location: Raleigh, NC
19,358 posts, read 27,562,622 times
Reputation: 35932
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2sleepy View Post
That's what we have, we've never had a problem with it, the only downside is that they don't give you discounts on new phones with it.
Another reason to buy at Costco.
 
Old 04-06-2019, 11:29 PM
 
7,019 posts, read 3,701,786 times
Reputation: 3251
T Mobile

Not only is the bill under $70 but they also offer T mobile Tuesdays which allows you to receive free things and save money at local restaurants
 
Old 04-06-2019, 11:36 PM
 
Location: Living rent free in your head
42,711 posts, read 25,867,327 times
Reputation: 33793
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jkgourmet View Post
Another reason to buy at Costco.
I don't know what you mean? Costco isn't going to give me a discount on a phone with my plan either.
 
Old 04-07-2019, 03:12 AM
 
Location: Outside of P&OC Threads State
546 posts, read 346,669 times
Reputation: 401
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jkgourmet View Post
And in all that verbiage, you never mentioned that this company has been built to financially support pro-life causes???

I have no problem with pro life defenders or organizations. I DO have a problem with an individual that is raving about the great service without FULL disclosure. Not cool, dude. (Or dudedette.)
Its on their home page https://www.charitymobile.com/ . Any website one gives me a link somewhere in the website, I check out other parts on their website, especially their home page, their policies, company background, etc. before spending money for their goods and services, and even more so, if a larger purchase. If a publicly traded company, I also check out their financials, such as a landlord, mortgage lender, computer seller, larger cell phone company, etc. as a company's financial health often results in good or bad service after the sale. The company background tells what the integrity of the company, are they going to be honest in their dealings? Also important is contact info - no phone is a red flag, email, or if chat is available (usually larger companies).

Also Charity Mobile currently give discounts on new phones https://www.charitymobile.com/phones.html - top of this page, though the offer may vary from time to may.

Last edited by sprklcl; 04-07-2019 at 03:21 AM..
 
Old 04-07-2019, 03:26 AM
 
Location: Outside of P&OC Threads State
546 posts, read 346,669 times
Reputation: 401
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jkgourmet View Post
T-mobile 55+ plan. For folks over 55 years old. $60/month including taxes for two lines, unlimited calls, data and texts. Unlimited data in over 200 other countries (though it occasionally goes to 3g). Buy the phone at Costco.

Can't beat this deal. Note that the $60 is grandfathered - the price for new customers is currently $70/month.

If T-Mobile has coverage in the areas you frequent, your home, office, etc, then very good. If it does not, where I live in a wooded suburban valley, then have to consider other options i.e a Uber driver with T-Mobile lost signal before coming to pick me up.
 
Old 04-07-2019, 07:58 AM
 
Location: Living rent free in your head
42,711 posts, read 25,867,327 times
Reputation: 33793
Quote:
Originally Posted by sprklcl View Post
Its on their home page https://www.charitymobile.com/ . Any website one gives me a link somewhere in the website, I check out other parts on their website, especially their home page, their policies, company background, etc. before spending money for their goods and services, and even more so, if a larger purchase. If a publicly traded company, I also check out their financials, such as a landlord, mortgage lender, computer seller, larger cell phone company, etc. as a company's financial health often results in good or bad service after the sale. The company background tells what the integrity of the company, are they going to be honest in their dealings? Also important is contact info - no phone is a red flag, email, or if chat is available (usually larger companies).

Also Charity Mobile currently give discounts on new phones https://www.charitymobile.com/phones.html - top of this page, though the offer may vary from time to may.
This sounds more like an advertisement than an endorsement.
 
Old 04-07-2019, 12:02 PM
 
Location: Berkeley Neighborhood, Denver, CO USA
17,665 posts, read 29,540,339 times
Reputation: 33154
Currently: T-Mobile.
1. 55+ plan
2. Get off the plane in México or Europe and my phone works.
 
Old 04-08-2019, 07:41 AM
 
Location: Outside of P&OC Threads State
546 posts, read 346,669 times
Reputation: 401
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2sleepy View Post
This sounds more like an advertisement than an endorsement.
One person's first hand experience
https://www.reddit.com/r/Catholicism..._find_reviews/
From this link
'Yes, I and a few other people I know use it. I recommend it to any Catholic or just pro-life person I know. They cover most of the US , and they have a decent selection of phones - they don't have the newest stuff yet...but I don't really care. Their plans are at least comparable to most other AAA networks, and there are no contracts. I can easily say I am more satisfied with this carrier than any I've been with before.

It also comes down to one thing; it's a Catholic company supporting Catholic/pro-life charities. That's good enough for me to support them. Regardless of almost all other factors. But, I can say that I've never had a dropped call, never had bad service, never had to wait for a new phone when I've ordered one, never had problems with billing or my bills..I've actually never had a reason to call customer support for this company because nothing I've had with them has ever been a problem. I've never had that before with a phone carrier.'


Company also supports some Christian based charities too. https://www.charitymobile.com/cgi-bi...ch.pl?charity= . Factoring into your decision whether you support that or not (to each his or her own whether support conservative or liberal). Also it comes down to customer service. I was blown away awesome by an initial pre-sales call (Chick-fil-a of cell phone companies) and follow up email (see my earlier post above including Personal note). But the above from a reddit poster also speaks volumes to me. How many cell phone companies have you experienced where when had such an issue or question and quickly get it resolved on the phone with them (situation where answer not readily Googleable or not on website). I can speak from experience, due to some less experienced employees at Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless, and Boost Mobile (Sprint), where have had long hold times. Primary phone with Verizon, over 12 hours with three situations in last several months (one technical, two ordering). AT&T Wireless (backup phone), I personally though tried hard had problems talking with some of their overseas reps. Boost Mobile, canned answer for issue which did not answer question, customer support used to be better when in Kentucky.

If you are not into Charity Mobile though using the Verizon Wireless network, but still support faith and conservative causes, 2nd choice is https://www.patriotmobile.com/ , but they use the Sprint network. May work for you if areas you frequent has good Sprint coverage. Both Charity and Patriot are 5-star by https://www.2ndvote.com/company-scores/ , but Patriot has more than several complaints (only 11) with the BBB, though 4-star rated there https://www.bbb.org/us/tx/irving/pro...-0875-90918200 I have not called them.

Though Verizon and Sprint to some extent support conservative, dealing directly with all of the major carriers you will support liberal causes if you are into that, AT&T more so. At the same time, you may expect to spend lot more time on the phone with them to get at least some issues that come up resolved. Some of these companies customer service (think Comcast too) are like Whole Life, thinking back to Whole Foods pre-Amazon days some called Whole Paycheck. You can also read the BBB reviews and complaints for each and decide for yourself.

Bottom line, with customer service, if you have used any company for good or service long enough, at least some mishap will occur (none are 100% perfect), but how the company works to resolve the wrong is way more important. The better ones will right the wrong (Amazon does great with credits and refunds) or one-time at Chick-fil-a waited 10-15 minutes for a meal at my table (went to counter, very apologetic, meal was taken care of in two minutes). Of course, don't expect a brand new high end car for a mishap at the Dollar Tree (be reasonable). Others for their own greed, putting stockholders above customers and employees, or true financial problems, will make you jump hoops and much time to get the problem resolved https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeanbap...urcer-infosys/ Also lets say your long time favorite restaurant messes up your meal, and then say for a replacement meal, wait 30 minutes, again 30 minutes, up to 3 hours, are you going back to them again? If customer service of a cell phone company is quite important to you, then you can decide.

As a side thought, with Amazon's very good customer service, maybe they should acquire a 51% controlling interest in Verizon Wireless, can 95% say their network is very good. Amazon is into about everything else, and they support both liberal and conservative https://smile.amazon.com , tens of thousands of charities you can choose from.

Last edited by sprklcl; 04-08-2019 at 08:13 AM..
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