Frustrated by not getting straight answer!

[zena22]

I recently ordered a Gophone after talking extensively over the phone with a CSR in that department. I rarely use my cell phone so I figure this is the least expensive option for me. I was previously an AT&T cell phone customer with a contract that ran out. After extensive advice from the CSR (who was very nice, BTW), I ordered the phone she recommended (Pantech P7040p, which I'm now not too sure about, either), and she told me to go to an AT&T store or Walmart to activate it when it arrives. My frustration is about the specifics of the plan. She told me I can get a $25 card for 250 talk minutes, add 200 text messages a month for $5, and add a 50MB data package for another $5/month. So far, so good. HOWEVER, she told me that since I use so few talk minutes, I can actually use the 250 minutes over a period of 3 months before refilling my minutes. That would mean I'd be paying only $55 every three months, which sounded like a great deal to me.

But since then, I've read on this board and in other places that you CAN'T spread out your 250 talk minutes over 3 months, and if you don't renew them every month, your account will expire. I also can't find any reference to this three-month thing on the AT&T website, either, which makes me nervous. So which is it? Do you have to pay $25 every month for talk minutes, and if the CSR was right and I can use the 250 minutes over 3 months, then how do I renew my text message minutes and data plan every month without also renewing talk minutes at the same time?

I hope the way I've explained this makes sense! Does anyone know if the 250 talk minutes actually CAN be used over a period of three months?

[drumn_bass]

$25 has an expiration date of 90 days, so yes, it can be done, but, you want to make sure your plan is set up correctly! There is a $25 per month plan that includes 250 minutes and unlimited text, I think that's where the confusion comes from, you need to be on $.10 per minute pay per use plan. It's probably fine buy I would double check, just incase.

[zena22]

Thanks, but double-checking is what keeps getting me different answers. Your reply about me needing to be on a 10 cents per minute plan is yet another different answer! Nobody said anything to me about 10 cents per minute. It is just supposed to be a $25 plan that buys me 250 talk minutes, which supposedly I can use over a 3-month period. Then all I have to do is buy the $5/month text plan, and the $5/month data plan. I specifically asked the CSR if that means all I'd have to pay is $55 per 3 months, and she said yes. Now I don't know what to believe! This kind of thing, along with all the complaints and problems I see on this board, makes me want to forget about using a GoPhone at all! Why isn't there a consistent explanation about this anywhere? 

[ilikewireless ACE - Professor]

"Why isn't there a consistent explanation about this anywhere? "

The explanation is in the sticky post at the top of the list of the Prepaid Forum.

For your quick reference, you can just visit ==> http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html

[jamileh]

Here is a link that will help: http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plans/pyg-cell-phone-plans.jsp

Scroll down and click on plan terms. 

If you have questions after reading that information, please send me a private message with your name, phone number and the best time to contact you and I will have a member of my team contact you to ensure you're clear on the pricing. 




To send a private message, you can either click on the link in this message or click on the little blue envelope in the upper right hand corner, click "compose new message" and type my username in the "Send To" field.

[zena22]

Thanks, but first of all, I don't see any sticky posts at the top of the prepaid forum.

Second, the link you provided shows nothing about the plan I'm referring to. That's the problem ... I can't find it ANYWHERE! The plan I was told about by the CSR is not shown anywhere in the GoPhone info on the AT&T website. If I'm missing it somewhere, I would so appreciate someone cutting and pasting it here. The $25/month plan on that page you provided is for 250 talk minutes a month with unlimited text messages and data at 1 cent per 5 KB or purchase of a data package. The CSR recommended I buy a $25 package for 250 talk minutes that can be used over a period of 90 days , and then add a $5/month package for 200 text messages per month (which obviously is NOT "unlimited text messages")and a $5 data package for 50 MB per month. That would make my total bill $55 every 90 days. I do not see that plan referred to anywhere on the page you linked, nor anywhere else on the website. I have no idea how to purchase a plan that is not listed anywhere on the website, or even if such a plan actually exists! Thus my frustration.

[jamileh]

I'm sorry you're not able to find the information you're looking for. 

Please send me a PM so we can help. 

[zena22]

Thank you, Jamileh. I've sent you an email, as I still don't see in that link the plan that was explained to me over the phone by your CSR.

[zena22]

Thank you! Very nice and helpful CS manager called me and explained it all. Appreciate the help!

[jamileh]

Great! Troy is pretty awesome.

You might be able to help some other folks if you post the information you learned here!

Please let us know if you have any other questions