Need help figuring out a phone plan
 

So I've had my current phone for just under 3 years, my contract runs out in April, and I was hoping to switch to a HTC Desire when I renew my contract. The only thing is, I don't want to pay for a new plan. Mine has everything I'd need, and I just don't see a point in getting one with Data and all of that stuff. The only thing I was wondering, is if this is possible? Or would I have to get a data plan with it?

I'm currently on a fairly basic plan with Telus that provides 175 mins of talking, unlimited texting, and unlimited web browsing to selected sites (facebook, myspace, email, news, weather, etc.). I don't feel as though I'd need anything more than that. It only costs about 50$ after tax, and I don't really want to have that increase too much.

What phone do you have now? The On device browsing option is different from the Desires full web browser. Also since you're a renewing customer they should be able to offer you something decent or comparable.

I have an LG 380. Basically just the best of the worst they had 3 years ago.

If its on the old CDMA network they will not let you get a HD desire since it runs with a sim card on the HSPA network, they will make you change your plan...Also unless you plan on buying the phone for the full (no-term contract) price, you have to get a data plan, and honestly that type of phone is best with a data plan.

Since your 3 year contract is up I suggest you try negotiating with telus retentions/loyalty about a new plan. For example tell them Im thinking about switching to wind there offering me this, this, and this. what can you offer me. They will then give you some BS plan (most likely) then you have to negotiate by saying, no I want this, and this. If you are not happy do not give up, call them again after 2 weeks and try to negotiate once again, its the luck of the draw with retentions people, some are really friendly and give you what you like, but a lot don't.

Also this new plan which will include data (around 500mb) texting, and more minutes will be around 40-50 dollars depending on what you need.

Go through this forum and see what others are getting and kind of build up the things you want...
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...get.../page161
http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...-I-got!/page30

Yeah your plan will have to change as the unlimited on device browsing won't work with smartphones and will need a dataplan. However you should be able to get some comparative retention plan for that price.

I believe this is what's being offered by Telus retentions:

250 anytime mins
1GB data
Unlim night/wks 6pm
Unlim Text
VM3/Conference Calling
Caller ID

All for 50 plus tax.

i've told ya to read through the retentions plans, come up with something you like and see if you can be offered something similar. Also they might have a student plan. best thing to do is go through to retentions, see what they'll offer and tell them you'll think about it :)

Wait, how do I go through retentions? Call them?

I am newb.

Also, as far as Data, all I'd really be doing is checking Facebook and my email... How many MB/GB would be sufficient, like 500MB - 1GB?

You would call up telus customer service and ask them "how long do i have left in my contract? I was looking to cancel" they will ask why?...you say im not happy with my plan, its waaayy to expensive and not enough features...at that time they should transfer you to their retentions department.(keep in mind the first person you talk to, the CS rep can not give you anything there not authorized to do so, you are going to have to get to retentions)

At this time you should have a list of the things you want already prepared before talking to them, make sure the list (i.e. look at what other people are getting on that forum i posted) then the retentions person will offer you a plan, most likely the first thing they offer you will not be the best, you can do better. tell them "im not happy with that and i want X and X dont be afraid to say "i will think about it and call back"...call back in 2 weeks, dont keep calling everyday or it will seem like you are desperate (they log each time you call). The key here is to get a person who is polite, and is reasonable, because some retentions people are assholes and wont budge.

IMPORTANT* if they offer you something but you don't know if its reasonable or not just tell them to put it in your account notes and you'll think about it, post on here or the other forum i posted and get some feedback

for most people 500 mb is enough, unless you surf all day and watch a lot of youtube videos etc.

fuck that was long

Unless you start youtubing frequently, or stream music all day long, 500mb is definitely enough for most users.

I guess it also depends on the emails you read, whether they have a lot of large sized attachments. If it is all text, you will be hard pressed to go beyond 500mb without downloading, streaming or tethering.

Okay, like, I rarely check emails on my phone, and I usually just check the main page on Facebook. So I guess, if possible, I should try and just get a 500MB plan?

I looked on the Telus mobile site, and for 50+ tax I can get 200min/month, 500MB, voicemail, call ID, call waiting, evening calls after 9PM, and unlimited incoming/outgoing text (including pic/video). That sounds like basically everything I'd need.

Don't go for just whatever's on the site. You should be able to get retentions plan since you're renewing.

+1 any joe off the street can get that plan, dont mention it to them, but they will probably offer you that plan thinking your stupid and wont notice. I've heard of instances were they just offer a plan the public can get with a perk like caller id or some bs like that...

remember your special! :fullofwin: how long have u been with telus?

500mb would be plenty for that :fullofwin:

My 3 yr contract ends in April, so just under 3yrs. I would assume I'd be able to get basically that same plan for like 30+tax or something through retentions? Also, how does it work, I just phone them, ask for retentions, and basically start a bargain war in a way?

pretty much... haven't you paid attention to me or the other retentions threads silly :p

call into csr tell them you wanna cancel, make sure they transfer you to someone else(retentions) you tell them you wanna cancel because you think it's too expensive for what you're getting and/or saying rogers is offering (and then build up your wish list, for ex rogers is offering you 200 mins, eve/weekend free, unlimited texts, voicemail, call id, and 500 mb of data for $30)
they'll say oh well we can offer you that and maybe even more for maybe the same amount

^ no way your going to get that for 30$. 40$+tax is minimum but it should be no more than 50 including tax...
^
this is what i have currently with telus (no data, don't need it)
250 anytime, unlimited after 6pm& evenings and wkends, caller id, unlimited text, callforwarding, voice mail, conference calling, all for $28.00 including tax +2$ paper fee

been a customer for 6+ years and this is what there giving me, no way your getting a data plan for 30 :)
RESEARCH before you call in, look at what other people are getting and make a wishlist then call in

Gah, I guess I'll have to start reading. Knowing that you're getting everything I want for 28$ is good. I'll just have to include 500MB of data onto that, and remove conference calls.

did you not see where I said "for ex".... this means for example and that I was giving him a guideline of how to say whatever he's going to say but that he has to look through retentions threads to get a realistic wishlist

sorry that was aimed at him thinking he could get it for $30

No he is a lot smarter than that :p all is forgiven
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I am 5 and don't understand any of this...
To be honest, I just have a lot of stuff going on right now, so I guess I'll just browse our forums for peoples deals.

www.howardforums.com has a lot of info. Check it out. You can research the retentions.

So wait, when I talk to retentions, how would I go about this, would I bring up offers I've seen other people on howardforums get?

Edit: So apparently I won't be able to get the HTC Desire, without buying it for full price, unless I get a plan of 50$ before taxes... This is kinda lame, maybe I'll just get a better cell and steer away from the Androids for a little while.

get chatr, its only $35 a month and unlimited everything besides data plan.

Wtf is chatr?