Review your monthly wireless bills and avoid getting ripped off

Phones and Phone Plans
1

In recent podcast, Clark warned about unscrupulous sales folks at their free standing stores and suggested we review our monthly wireless bills in detail.

I reviewed and was shocked!!! There were 8 numbers associated with my T-Mobile account but only 4 iPhones are in use. Findings:
(1) There was a $10 “connected device” on one of the unused numbers.
(2) There were two $18 “Protection Plans” on two of these unused numbers - No device linked to these numbers. So what was getting protected? I upgraded last December at a T-Mobile store and “Protection Plans” were ever mentioned!!!

I called T-Mobile customer service to clarify:
(1) The additional numbers were necessary to take advantage of the “iPhone on Us” promotion
(2) No explanation of the $10 connected device or the two protection plans.
(3) These will be removed and our future monthly will be reduced by $46.
(4) A refund was requested retroactive to December of 2023. The request was denied citing “policy”. A request was made to speak to someone who can make the refund - there was no one. She alluded that it was my fault for not reviewing the plan before I signed. I stated that there must be a level of trust between sales and the customer, and any trust is now utterly destroyed.

Clark is right - the sales folks cannot be trusted and please inspect the proposal before signing.

2

Many people are lured into a contract with a “free phone” offer. In reality, that “free phone” is paid for over the life of the contract. So, free is not free.

I recommend purchasing an unlocked phone on your own and then obtaining service through a company that does not require a contract.

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3

Always purchase your own phone through the manufacture that is unlocked and not tied to any carrier. Don’t get locked into a contract. You might try Mint Mobile. I have been using them for over 6 years, they were recently purchased by T-Mobile but no changes to service or billing. You pay your bill in advance to receive their discount. I pay $15 a month.

4

You could pay my wife’s entire phone bill (work pays for mine) with the amount you’re saving every month, and still have enough left over for a footlong at Subway without even having to use a coupon. I shudder to think how much your monthly bill is if you didn’t notice this.