Me

{ 09/24/2011 }

The first month with T-Mobile prepaid on the Monthly4G $70.00 plan went flawlessly. I will be sticking with T-Mobile and hoping that the merger chokes.

Peggy

{ 09/24/2011 }

T-Mobile customer service in my opinion and from my experience is very unsatisfactory. First of all I got disconnected 3x's today and the next point is Many of the centers are overseas. The transmission is poor, too much background noise coming from the center and language accents that are difficult to understand.
I want the American T-Mobile back.

lonnie

{ 09/24/2011 }

t-mobile prepaid works great for me been with them 1 year

Sue

{ 09/22/2011 }

Pros:I LOVE the T-Mobile Pay as you go Plan. Pay $100 at a time and have one year to use it.
Cons: T-Mobile's coverage in rural areas can be very spotty. Wish they would reciprocate with all cell phone towers.

Sergey

{ 09/20/2011 }

Horrible!
Cannot refill my prepaid minutes.
Customer service is useless.

schorzfj

{ 09/20/2011 }

Absolutely horrible. Continuous junk voice mails and text msgs. that you can't turn off or unsubscribe from. I'd rather have 2 tin cans connected by string than use T-Mobile!

novus

{ 09/16/2011 }

had same issues several times with other local, national or international carriers for that matter: poor customer svc, lack of transparency in phone records, feeble connections, dishonest advertising material. The point is that the cellular telecommunications industry association feels its power & uses to its advantage, they constantly issue statements to remind us how convenient is the use of cellphones in the u.s. We should unite & organize to first counteract those claims second to have changes implemented in congress that could be just the first step of a steep mountain to climb

jonie

{ 09/15/2011 }

Anyone on Tmobile Pay As You Go plan can confirm whether Tmobile charges all incoming and outgoing call EVEN though the call was not being answered.

Thanks.

colin

{ 09/13/2011 }

While not perfect, t-mobile prepaid has provided me with vastly superior service compared to AT&T and Verizon, both of which I used previously for 2+ years. I am not a heavy cell phone user, and my prepaid plan is saving me about $1,000 per year (for two lines). T-mobile has better customer service, and vastly improved service at my house. For example, with Verizon, I had to stand up to send or receive a call! (I live nearish an airport, and tower heights near airports are restricted for obvious reasons). Negatives are minor: a lack of better phones available for pre-paid users. I would really give them 4.5 stars if I could.

Susan S. Davis

{ 09/09/2011 }

I switched from a non-contract phone plan with T-Mobile to the Prepaid 1500 talk, text and 50 mb data. When I asked what the difference in service would be, I was told that it was the same network and that there would be no change. That is not true.

First, the pre-paid line does not offer a full text service. That is to say, I can send texts to phone numbers, but any SMS (that is, say, a store deal or even CTA bus tracker) does NOT work at all. For example, it is impossible to use vendor services or sign up for information. The only texting that works is between people.

This really should have been disclosed before I signed up for the plan. After visiting numerous technical forums where others are having this issue, it is obviously a defect that is known by T-Mobile. I've made numerous calls to their tech support. No one can fix the problem. I have been in several stores. Still, no solution.

T-Mobile is selling a defective service and not informing customers the truth about the texting plan that is offered with their Prepaid plans. This is deceitful. T-Mobile should be made to fix this immediately, or at least disclose this plan's shortcomings to customers.

Me

{ 09/05/2011 }

I really don't understand the negative reviews. I don't work for T-Mobile, I am simply a satisfied customer. I was referred by my friend, also a prepaid Monthly 4G customer. They make it pretty clear that if you have a Blackberry, you need the BIS add-on. I don't understand that negative review. Try dealing with Tracfone if you think T-Mobile is difficult and you will be back in a hurry. I can't believe I have all of the bells and whistles of post-paid service for the nice control pre-paid gives you.

cricket Criminals

{ 09/05/2011 }

I have never had a problem with T-Mobile - no dropped calls, and customer service has always been good, the few times I've used it. I regret wasting $200 to switch to Cricket from T-Mobile. If I had done my research and known that T-Mobile now has unlimited no-contract plans, I would've stayed with them. Cricket is horrible and I will be switching back to T-Mobile next month, now that it looks like the ATT merger won't go through.

STHLR

{ 09/04/2011 }

I am reluctant to upgrade my 5 year old phone because I feel that if the new phone has a defect I won’t be able to resolve the problem as TM has fired or laid off many of its knowledgeable customer service reps. This is the real reason TM customers are left on hold 30 minutes or longer!

TM should make a firm re-commitment to provide better customer service as they once did in the past. Starting in 2009, their service has continuously gone downhill.

And this potential merger with AT&T does not bode well for us TM customers.

Ivan

{ 09/03/2011 }

Ok Tmobile, we know that all these ppl who are rating you 5 stars are tmobile employees... no one in their right mind would give you 3 stars......
PRE PAID IS HORRIBLE
DO NOT BUY.....

mary

{ 09/03/2011 }

Eff you t mobile!!@!@! That's why yall are getting sued left and right. Negative stars.

TM Customer 6 Years

{ 09/02/2011 }

So glad the Justice Dept. is filing lawsuit to block the merger between TM & AT&T and hope the Supreme Court blocks the merger permanently.

Maybe TM can then re-focus its efforts on providing good customer service and upgrading its product line for prepaid customers...wishful thinking I know, but it could happen...

jonie

{ 09/01/2011 }

hi guys, need some help.

I bought a optimus t android phone last week. I also bought a prepaid $10 card. I have not activate any of them.

Qs1: how long can i hold on to the sim card without activating? I chat with tmobile rep and she says 30 days, but my sim card has a activate by 6/24/2013 date. anyone any idea?

Qs2. How about the $10 prepaid card. Is there expiration date too? I cannot find any date on the prepaid card.

Any help please...thanks.

Ghalia

{ 08/31/2011 }

The prepaid sevice is HORRIBLE. I had been with Tmobile for sometime and had been very pleased given the price. I switched to prepaid and has regretted the day I switched. It took forever to get it activated. Customer service is horrible. The service is beyond terrible. I purchased the unlimited talk text and web for $50, but so far I have rarely been able to use the internet as it gives me errors for almost anything. I can't use my facebook, messenger or upload pictures via web because that's separate "blackberry" charge. DON'T DO IT.

Linda

{ 08/31/2011 }

For someone like me, who only uses my sell for emergencies or infrequent local calls, the pay as you go plan is perfect. I bought the $100, 1000 minute plan 8 years ago, and refill it with a one $10 refill before my year expires. The unused minutes- about 800- carry over, and I retain my same number. In 8 years I spent $180 or $22.50 a year. What could be better? If you only use a cell phone infrequently, and not for messaging, photos, etc., this plan is golden.

Dora Smith

{ 08/28/2011 }

Let's see. I've been with T Mobile for six years. Always use their 1660. Minutes reasonable once you've spent a hundred dollars - if you use it for emergency or occasional use.

On plus side it has excellent coverage, dropped calls are rare, calls on MAmerican continent are same price, and you can call overseas.

However. The basic 1660 budget phone that you get at Walmart, lacks many features such as download ringtones. No online features or assistance available; you can't even register it so customer service knows your phone's featuers. I complained by writing CEO of T-Mobile. Someone called me up just to give me an attitude about it being a "vintage phone", if that's why it's the main T-Mobile phone that Walmart sells.

Customer service is terrible, doesn't speak English, and you have to go through a string of transfers between phone numbers to get it.

Their web site is often down, and customer service can't help you when it is. It is hard to get problems taken care of.

I'm on this site tonight looking into switching cell phone carriers.

juni

{ 08/27/2011 }

I add my prepaid $100 for 1000 minute on jan 05, 2011 plus 400 minute carried over, and my minute gone within 3 month, when I called customer service, she said will credit it back 1400 minute but will effected within the next day. waiting day after day, my minute never come back. When I call back another people give me a different answer she credit it back 1400 minute for different plan which is $50/month unlimited web,text. The problem here, the customer service doesn't make sense, my phone not able to use for web nokia old phone and they force me to take it or leave it. T mobil can't satisfied the customer and make the customer pay without the right service.
Again I purchase another $100 for 1000 minute prepaid for 1 year on june 2, 2011 in side the store. I bought prepaid for emergency, I don't have a lot of friend to make a phone call and my phone always shut off. Couple week later after I purchase, I check my minute and my balance only $3.67; on the third week my balance suddenly pop up for 700 minute. When I am available , I return to the store and the store call Tmobil and they give me back 1000 minute. Again the purpose I bought prepaid for emergency and I don't have a lot of friend to make a phone call and my phone always shut it off, right now my minute going down without I using it, my balance 848 minute.
I want prepaid Tmobil protect the customer rights. You took $200 ( 2 times $100) and I want my minute back without any argument with the customer.
Thank you.

Me

{ 08/26/2011 }

UPDATE: I just updated my phone to Android 2.3.2 and it works even better. T-Mobile has a great value proposition going. I hope it stays that way if evil ATT takes over.

Me

{ 08/26/2011 }

It has been Day 2 on the Monthly 4G Unlimited 70.00 plan and this by far is the King of Prepaid. If it weren't for T-Mobile, the very close second place contender is Page Plus Cellular.

Me

{ 08/25/2011 }

I just came back to T-Mobile for the Monthly4G 70.00 prepaid plan. I fired up MyTouch 4G and I am good to go. This is the best service for unlimited data, bar none.

Ilanrab

{ 08/21/2011 }

I've been on the pay as you go plan for almost a year. That's the plan for me. I am about to hit the year's mark. I will add $10 and the minutes should not expire for another year.
Please note that I do not use the cell phone much, so the plan is the perfect one for me.
The only complaint. I do not like getting unsolicited emails or SMS messages (advertizements). When I received a few such emails I disconnected the email feature. I complained about the SMS ads, but have not noticed any change. Since I have to pay for these Ads, at my end, not having the ability to disable/enable SMS is a real problem. Since I don't switch on my phone much it's not a major problem, but nevertheless it is an issue to be discussed.

Dana Crumley

{ 08/19/2011 }

If I could give 0 stars, I would!! Can I just say that I am on ETERNAL HOLD currently with T-Mobile prepaid! Phone was activated on 8/15 using an activation card with $3.34. It is now 8/19, I have spoken to countless T-Mobile representatives, even those at the T-Mobile store where I had to purchase a $50 refill card to get the monthly prepaid 4g unlimited plan on 8/16 that has yet to be posted to the account although it has been deducted from my bank account! I have requested on numerous occasions to speak with a PREPAID supervisor/manager and I'm not sure there are any. Yesterday, Joanne was supposed to have created a "help desk" ticket and someone was to call me back within the hour, but NOTHING. It is going on 53 minutes on HOLD this time and I am waiting for Vincent, Diorico's supervisor, perhaps they went to lunch and forgot I was on hold. At this point, I just want my money back and will take the phone to CRICKET who can activate it in less than an hour!! To say the least, this is the MOST frustrating experience I have EVER had with T-Mobile and it is the PREPAID diviision that will most likely cause me to leave T-Mobile whose customer service in the CONTRACT division is and has been exceptional. WAKE UP T-MOBILE !! I have heard "you're call is very important to us, we'll be with you shortly" one too many times, BUT I will speak with a REPRESENTATIVE before I hang up!

Rana Nissan

{ 08/18/2011 }

They Suck! i don't wanna give it any stars... the prepaid service is horrible.

Bruce

{ 08/17/2011 }

On July 7th I paid the monthly fee, due on July 20th. On July 21st my service was cut off because I had called '411', apparently a premium number. I had a balance of most of what I had paid. It seems draconian to cut off service when a credit balance exists. I think T-Mobile should review the policy and give customers more time to refill when needed.

I was fortunate that an emergency did not occur during that outage.

Bad Customer Service

{ 08/17/2011 }

I've had tmobile for some time now, and wanted to upgrade my phone. I called in the order, and they charged my bank card twice. I called them more than 8 times in two days and no one would help me refund the second charge. They blamed the bank and three days after the order was placed they cancelled the duplicate order, but said I'd have to wait 3 more days for the money to be refunded. It should not take 6 days to refund my money for their mistake.

TK

{ 08/15/2011 }

The price is right. I knew service would be okay. I decided to buy an iPhone 3G from a friend. I knew from the start I would JB & Un-lock the iPhone for t-Mobile. I went to the T-Mobile store in 15217. They signed me up for the $30 Pre-Paid Plan & gave me a SIM Card. I inserted the T-Mobile SIM Card & within minutes I was on the network. T-Mobile also had the MMS Settings for iPhone users in the Support pages.

Like I stated above, I knew T-Mobile is a smaller network & for $30, I am quite content. After 1 year, still good.

Lorene

{ 08/11/2011 }

I have been a T-mobile for several years, some what satisfied until recently, I sent a phone back to t-mobile in June for repair or replace,they acknowledge they received it that has been 2 months and I have not receive the phone or heard from them
I like T_Mobile but I think they should have return my phone

linda

{ 08/09/2011 }

I only use my cell phone for emergencies. I don't chat, don't text and never saw a text from T Mobile one year after they accepted $150 from me. Since I did not 'refill' at the end of one year they wiped out my minutes and money and refused to reinstate any part of it. They are a rip off operation you should stay away from!

ed

{ 08/03/2011 }

I've had the prepaid phone for 4 months. I've had no issues with the phone. Works fine. I bought the 1000 minutes for $100. I wish there was a way for me to access my calling records on-line. As other posters mentioned, it does seem like minutes disappear and I'd like to verify that I've actually used them.

JC

{ 08/03/2011 }

Two years. Where I am located in 60617, I typically have one "bar" or zero "bars" indicating the T-Mobile network connection. There goes your data plan. T-Mobile will swipe some of your minutes. You have to call them, to get back those minutes.

Unknown

{ 08/03/2011 }

I was happy with the T-Mobile service when i first ordered my T-Mobile Prepaid Activation Kit from Amazon. When the sim card came, it worked well on my iPhone 3GS. I used the few bucks to test my iPhone with the sim card and worked, but only have 0.66 left now. I asked my dad to add minutes to my account and did it last night. But this morning, i checked my balance, it was still at 0.66. How long does it take to get minutes after you order??

anne fischer

{ 08/02/2011 }

I have had tmobile prepaid for several years. My phone is a motorola renew and I buy 1000 minutes once per year.

I deal with tmobile mostly online, but did have to call cust. service when I got a new phone: also a m otorola renew. They helped me transfer my simm card and were very nice.

I love the service and can call from anywhere. It's very inexpensive.

If ATT doesn't keep the same exact program now that they've purchased T, I plan to go to PlatinumTel which is highly rated, charges 5 cents per minute
and their minutes are good for one year.

It's nice to have options, but so far tmobile has been great...I'm a senior and used to pay 40 bucks a month to sprint!

prepaid phone user

{ 08/02/2011 }

My husband and I both use the unlimited prepaid plan.. been purchasing the minutes at the same time..but for some reason my husbands plan keeps getting shorter and expiring before mine. How could that be?..considering we purchased minutes on the same day. His minutes should expire the same day mine do. T-mobile is definitely cheating him out of his minutes. Beware!

Sean

{ 08/01/2011 }

Just bought a Nokia X2-01 prepaid T-Mobile phone from my local Walmart. The phone it self is pretty nice for only $80, minus the camera, but there is one thing that has me alittle worried. While placing a call, my signal fluctuates pretty bad at home and some other places. I could have full signal at home while the phone is at idle, but goes crazy when placing a call. Before having this phone, I had an Nokia Astound, G2, Mytouch 3G Slide and Mytouch 4G and none of them had this issue. I thought it might just be the phone, so I returned and exchanged it with a new one. That didn't fix the issue. So I got a new SIM thinking that that my be the problem. Nope. I then called T-Mobile to try and get this issue resolved. The Rep said that he was going to reset the service and that it would take up to 2 hrs and if the issue still persist to call back. Well, it still persist, LOL. I haven't had a dropped call yet, but reliability is now a concern. Never had this issue with my "Contract" service. I switched to T-Mobile from MA Bell (AT&T) cause they are a bunch of NAZIS, LOL, and RAPE you like Verizon does. But then again, Service is MUCH better and more reliable. Even with AT&T. I am going to wait till I use this month's service up and see how it pans out. But if the service turns out to be unreliable and too much of a hassle, Well its back to AT&T (Prepaid).

ZeroStarsReally

{ 07/27/2011 }

Purchased TMobile pay as you go per recommendation from one of the cell phone guys at Target. Was happy with the purchase, seemed like great service at reasonable rates. Have been happy with contracted TMobile for our regular phones but this was purchased to be used as an emergency/sports phone for my kids for them to use in case they needed to get a hold of us asap.

Purchased phone + $100 card in Sept '10. All was fine until June '11. Rec'd a msg at one point indicating we had changed rate plans (4/11) but I ignored it because I thought for sure it was bogus because we hadn't changed the rate plan. Come mid June, we SHOULD have had almost $80 left (out of the original $100). Mid June got a text msg saying we could no longer use the service. Checked balance: $19.70

WTF is right.

So I called. Spent ONE LONG HOUR on phone with them. Turns out someone ported a number that was ONE DIGIT off from ours in April. When someone input the account number our number was put in instead. We were getting charged $29.99/month for SOMEONE ELSES' SERVICE. After much discussion they "generously" gave us our $60 back.

Knowing I still had about $79-80 left on the account I told my daughter she could text with it every once in awhile but had to ask me first. I figured we STILL wouldn't use the full balance by the September expiration doing so.

Mid July - CAN'T USE THE PHONE. ZERO BALANCE. Fast forward to today: upset I called TMobile. They:

* stated at the time of the $60 credit (mid June) that we only used $9 until the end of June
* from July 1-July 17th we used $70 giving us a $0 balance

They claim that on July 16th we used $19 of texting. We did not (Had the phone in my posession all day). When I asked for #s texted they told me some of the #s started with a Florida area code. We did not. $19 of texts on this phone would've meant we spent the whole day texting. WE DID NOT (we were at a party and socializing with friends!).

When I asked for an itemization, they told me they couldn't. THey said the only way was through the phone. BUT THEN THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HONOR THAT - that my checking wouldn't count to get my credit.

Not only that, I spent two hours being talked down to and shuffled between centers. Disconnected x2. Finally talking to the third level (manager) of customer service, got disconnected. Got fed up. Decided that remaining $70 is not worth the headache to ever deal with them again. We're taking our service elsewhere - INCLUDING OUR CONTRACTED SERVICE.

Not only can I not dispute my charges because they won't itemize them they also were condescending (2nd phone call speaking with 2nd level service reps), the condescension came in the form of a rep who was telling me that I probably let my kid use the cell phone and she didn't tell me she was doing texting. WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WOULD EVEN THINK TO DO THAT?!?! I got infuriated with her insinuation and told her I no longer wanted to speak with her and give me the next level up supervisor. What AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE.

TMobile - you disappoint.

a will-intended customer

{ 07/25/2011 }

T mobile DOES steal your minutes. And, when you catch them, they send you on an infinite loop of customer service that takes you from one person to another, they may tell you that they'll refund you the next day and don't, and they send you on another refund loop again so that you wait on the phone forever, eventually you wasted all your time, getting no refund back, and paid lots of money for no minutes. If I can afford/or need a monthly plan, I will stay away from this. Just buy with caution! Too bad these people use this plan to scam on people who doesn't need nor want a monthly plan. Life is hard enough!

Xray

{ 07/15/2011 }

I got a tmobile prepaid phone. I paid $29.99 for 1500 talk and text minutes. Never used the phone once. As a matter of fact, I renewed the plan with a dead battery and never charged it. I get an email about three days before my month was up and it said that I have less than 100 minutes remaining!
How can this be?
Stay away from tmobile. They will steal minutes from you and try to get them back! They will dance around the issue and give you every excuse imaginable.
How is this not illegal?
Go elsewhere. Not worth the hassle. I went today on their forums to see if anyone else has this problem and their forums have changed making harder to post HMMMMMMMMM sounds fishy to me.

Gibby

{ 07/14/2011 }

Afetr a 30 secon conversation Tmobile charges me 2mins
WTF?

RCS

{ 07/14/2011 }

I've been a prepaid customer for 5 years and I've been really happy. I may have had minutes disappear; I don't have the time or patience to monitor my use that closely.

One question though; what happened to the web daypass option? I don't see any mention of it on their website anymore?

Bruce

{ 07/03/2011 }

Monitor your account balance and minute usage constantly. If unused minutes are deducted from your account, make a list of all inbound/outbound calls using the call log in your phone, including date time and length of calls. Then battle your way to customer service (and it will be a battle - they will disconnect you on purpose, transfer you to other departments just to get rid of you, be rude and argumentative, pretend like they're going to help you then run you in circles for an hour to exhaust you into giving up) and have them read the call log from their system, and compare. We have found chunks of improperly deducted minutes on multiple occasions, and they could not account for the missing minutes in their computer either. That's stealing. Another thing, keep track of rollover minutes because T-Mobile pre-pay's system does not document rollover minutes according to a supervisor - they don't even document the minute balance when you add money to the account, again according to a supervisor. They only list the dollar amount added. T-Mobile pre-pay has a very poor documentation system. Someone needs to look into T-Mobile pre-paid, i.e. class action lawyers, regulators, etc. It seems their goal is to tire you out and waste so much of your time that you won't bother to call or will give up. Their customer service is the nastiest most ineffective and combative reps to a shocking degree, and there's no accountability or apparent supervision. They refuse to say what country you have called into either, they are very secretive and shady. If you have been ripped off, report it to appropriate regulators.

M/M

{ 07/02/2011 }

(prepaid)...but if the minutes just Disappear??? What good is the plan??
(this has happened to me, though usually in small instances...The above references sound like HORROR STORIES).
Also...was told (just recently) that it would cost me JUST to access my voicemail, ...FROM ANOTHER, TOTALLY DIFFERENT PHONE. (I could understand this if I was accessing VM from my own cell).

THAT is not a bargain!!! Being charged to use your Voice Mail. (This issue was finally cleared up by another (on line chat)rep.)

Would still like to know, though, how two totally different representatives...in two totally different sites...came up with the EXACT SAME POLICY of charges - JUST TO ACCESS YOUR VOICEMAIL!! (not from your cellphone).

When I told the 1st rep he should read the policy, as I had never come across this policy, he said he was reading it. (I think he meant his 'answer the call' script). When I asked him to read the Company Documentation Policy on VM, he stated something like 'fifo, mumble, jumble, VM, stutter', etc. When I asked to speak to another Rep. he stated they would say the same thing. When I asked for the Supervisor...he said the Supervisor was busy. He also said if he put me on hold, the supervisor probably would not answer my call (he was busy, you know).
The next rep (different call, different site - supposedly) also stated that this was the T-Mobile Company Policy. When asked when this policy came into effect – the representative (although looking at the policy) had to put me on hold. He then came back & stated June 29...later, though,...he retracted this date to May 29. He also told me where this policy could be found...though the next rep I spoke with could not find it.
It was kind of humorous, though, when I had a 3rd rep...from an outlet store...listen in on the 2nd Reps conversation..3rd rep stated to me, he had never heard of such a T-mobile policy or Voice Mail charge for users accessing their T-Mobile Voice Mail. He began an online search, but could not come up with this policy. Thinking this might be a new policy, he began informing other T-Mobile Associates within the store. Hopefully, they have made the effort to get verification from Headquarters as to the existence or non-existence of this policy. Wonder if they're still looking for the Policy Documentation??

Basically...the Customer Service you receive is pretty poor. ESPECIALLY over the PHONE. Dealing not only with my own account but, also, working with the signed contract account of a friend...I have never gotten more angry than having to make a call to a T-Mobile CUSTOMER SERVICE Representative. And this was ESPECIALLY true in the case of a SIGNED CONTRACT Account! (Prior to that, I had only dealt with Pre-Pay issues, which were a piece of cake, esp. compared to Signed Contract Accounts).

Having to deal with a signed contract account (I allowed someone to use my Account), I listened to my friend complain about the customer service.. This went in one ear and out the other..that is, UNTIL I had to deal with them myself. (I told them I would try to help).
It almost seems that once they have you under contract…you’re there. They have you backed into a corner. (Unless, of course, you want to pay the contract fee to buy out of the contract).
Working with my friends signed contract account, I began to dread having to call any T-Mobile Representative (AND it wasn’t even really my ACCOUNT!!)
After this experience...I swore I would never buy into a T-mobile contract.
Talking with T-Mobile Customer Service Account Representatives over the phone, you will be surprised at their lack of knowledge, as well as the fact that they really don’t care if the issue is resolved, or if the customer is satisfied. …Next…. And why should they. They have your signature on paper. You have to pay, whether you are satisfied or not. (And remember…you can always buy out of the contract…it’s only a couple hundred dollars …see above)

(To be fair, there have been a few good Customer Service Representatives in this company, but that is pretty rare. And like an Oasis when you find one).

I would definitely recommend DO NOT BUY into a SIGNED CONTRACTED ACCOUNT. If you are REALLY interested in this company’s product...start with pre-pay. Deal with their staff, check out their attitude (because they REALLY are not Informed about their product, dealing with accounts, etc.). Many times, I have contacted them and, by their answers, it was pretty easy to see they were reading, or responding, from a script).

BUT…Once you are signed into a contract with this company...you are signed in. Whether it be 1 year, 2, etc. and this is when the REAL Horror stories begin…see above.

Fortunately..as a Pre-Paid customer, I don't have the issues that the Signed Contracts individuals have to deal with, such as having to pay a contract fee (see above) that some individuals pay to buy out of their contract. I do (or did) have the issue of lost minutes, though.

On contracted account...price sounds good... rep seems nice...UNTIL they have you under contract. Then, the trouble begins Most of the reps you call don't speak English, (at least not fluently), they don't know their product, every answer they give they are basically reading from a Script.

As a pre-pay customer, I believe my biggest issue - to date – is has having to deal with the T-Mobile Customer Services department.

JJ

{ 06/28/2011 }

Be forewarned, T-Mobile prepaid service has the following issues and they will leave you very unhappy and frustrated:
1. On my Samsung t369 slider phone from day 1 the voicemail message icon on the phone shows there are new messages but when you dial in to get them there are none and the icon remains on at all times. I have been on with Customer Care 8 times across 4 hours and they have tried all kinds of resets, engineering escalation, even had me go to the retail store and try a new SIM. Think how annoying it is to never know if you actually have new messages. They even went so far as to suggest it might be because I ported the number from AT&T. Only last thing they can suggest is getting a new number?! How about fixing may mail like it says on the contract instead?!
2. A letter to the CEO office asking for a $95 refund on the defective phone was answered but with a resounding "...we do not give refunds on prepaid plans...".
3. They make you pay for shipping back a defective phone unlike most vendors who either ship you a prepaid label or send you a new phone and only bill you if you fail to return the old phone.
4. The stores are great with good trained people but if you have any problems you cannot rely on them and all issues have to go thru Customer Care via phone where NO is the preferred answer.
5. It seems their monthly plan customers get better terms and support but of course at a higher locked in price.

I do not recommend you consider T-Mobile as they have not provided me with what I paid for, cannot make it work, and refuse to refund my money.

tyrone

{ 06/22/2011 }

i dont have tmobile yet but im bout 2 get it. unlimited talk text and web first 100mb at 4g speeds. the best deal eva and i have a tmobile g1 just need a battery anybody got one i can get for free please. cant wait 2 be a tmobile customer

Troy

{ 06/14/2011 }

As a T-Mobile customer of 8 years I bought a pre-paid phone from tmobile.com. I received the phone and then I switched from post-paid to pre-paid. After a couple of days I found out the phone is defective; now the funny thing is that whenever I call t-mobile they tell me that the order number I have is not of t-mobile and that I did not buy the phone from them at all! Even though I have emails from "T-mobile USA" with their logo including order number and shipping number; t-mobile reps say none of these numbers could be found in their system, not even phone's IMEI or even my SIN!! Basically this seems to be a NEW SCAM when they sell defective stuff and then they deny selling it to you all together.

When I suggest the reps that I could email them the emails I have, they flatly say they do not have capability to receive emails! While I think it is impossible to those reps not to be able to find any trace of the phone in there system, it really seems to be very low of t-mobile trying to steal few bucks like this.

Shame to you t-mobile for acting like this!!

eddie

{ 06/14/2011 }

i have t moblie for 6 six month i have no problem with them at all ,t moblie for me is good at san diego county

wp

{ 06/13/2011 }

@Jack Johnson

5 stars for T-mo but on the market there is one prepaid company cheaper - Page Plus. For $80 a year you have about 2000 min (4c a min). For $80 or less if you know where to buy it (internet) Good luck

Jack Johnson

{ 06/12/2011 }

I have been using T-Mobile for my prepaid for over 5 years.
I am not much of a talker so $100 on prepaid lasts me over 6 months. I am in Los Angeles area and the signal is as good as any other carrier - I don't remember ever getting dropped.
They would have gotten 5 stars, but I took a star off for having minutes disappear on my my wife's phone. T-Mobile gave us minutes back but at the different rate. Basically, they pocketed $15 from her account. However, all is relative and there is no one else on the market with a long lasting minutes (1 year) for low volume users.

jdm

{ 06/11/2011 }

Erica, Dan B couldn't understand what you were saying when you said you didn't have a phone to change your PIN. Which should be understandable if you were talking to him using a phone when you said that to him.

jona

{ 06/11/2011 }

The customer service is very poor and I am constantly dropping calls and have dead areas, which I should not have due to living in the city. I am very disgusted.

Erika

{ 06/08/2011 }

I've had a T-mobile phone for about 5 yrs. now. The first time I had a real problem and needed to talk to a human being, I couldn't. I had upgraded to a new plan and wasn't able to pay online because the account wasn't updating. The 800 number is a computer. The online chat rep, Dan B, 1320818, stated my pin number wasn't correct and wouldn't help me. Since it's the only PIN number I have, that's a problem. His solution was for me to call and change my PIN number. When I pointed out that I didn't have a phone on which to make calls, he seemed to have difficulty understanding that and repeated the information. In any event, I dropped T-mobile and went to another carrier. I don't access customer service often but when I do, I want it - T-mobile's customer service is poor, at best.

sharon

{ 06/07/2011 }

i've been using t-mobile pay as you go phones and plans for over 5 years. have had no problems. love the 50 dollar a month plan. was costing me over 100 dollars a month as i kept running out before the end of the month and had to add more time. now i pay the 50 and it lasts all month. am on a limited budject and this plan works great for me. no dropped calls etc.never wanted phone on monthly plans. pay as you go is the right plan for me. no surprises. love it!!

Troy

{ 06/06/2011 }

Loyal t mobile contract customer for 10 years. Just purchased a prepaid phone for my daughter and the pre paid minutes and amount did not show up I called customer service and waited for a half an hour it took 2 employees to help me, they were rude and disrespectful. The contract customer service is completely the opposite of prepaid. Due to tmobile extreme lack of pre paid customer service I will be switching my other phone contract soon. Great job t mobile you just lost a loyal customer and a future customer. I am sure this disappointment you caused my child will cause her to never do business with you again!

Pat

{ 06/03/2011 }

Minutes disappear. Minutes deleted from total balance in excess of minutes actually used on the call, per the call timer and the clock. As the other comment said, customer service is nasty, and they hang up on you when the issue is too complicated for them, or don't want to deal with it. Reception is spotty. Changed to another company.

wp

{ 06/02/2011 }

Jonie - it's not local

I text other countries just fine. Send and receive. It is going to go from your balance. Just try it.

jonie

{ 06/02/2011 }

wow..that is expensive...$1.60 per minute to call other country.

@wp: From what I read, "the text 5¢ to receive, 10¢ to send, 25¢ to receive and send pictures and videos" is for local.

For international, there is a $10 plan for unlimited text and talk, but it is for the $50 & $70 prepaid plan.

I understand all these from the tmobile website and brochures I collect from the retail store. This is all after I post my original question.

Correct me if I am wrong. I really appreciate all the answers.

Thanks.

wp

{ 05/31/2011 }

re: jonie

sure you can text other countries:

5¢ to receive, 10¢ to send, 25¢ to receive and send pictures and videos.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx

look at pay as you go (the first one on site)

New to TMobile

{ 05/30/2011 }

I just switched to TMobile from Virgin Mobile just b/c the pre-pay plan fit my needs better and TMobile seemed to have better coverage. As several other reviewers have mentioned, the customer service is overseas and is just plain awful. The language barrier is significant and wastes my time.
Additionally, I am extremely surprised that I cannot access my account acitivity/bill. In other words, with my pre-pay plan, according to customer service, I do not have the right to review my transactions, such as text messages or calls, despite the fact they are charging me for them. With Virgin Mobile, I was able to review all of the account activity I was being charged for. Needless to say, I am probably going to finish out the month on TMobile and then go back to VM or take a look at some other providers.

RE: jonie

{ 05/29/2011 }

Yes and No:

You can call international numbers at these additional rate:

Canada and Mexico: $0.50 per minute
Guam: $0.90 per minute
Jamaica and island countries: $0.90 per minute
Tuvalu and Vanuatu Islands: $5.10 per minute
All other countries: $1.60 per minute

I don't think you can send a text to a cell phone outside the US

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaidrates.aspx

jonie

{ 05/27/2011 }

I hope someone can answer my question as this is not a review.
Does the prepaid $100 gold reward includes international calling/texting? Or I have to buy a separate $10 per month unlimited international talk/text.

thanks.
/jonie

guest

{ 05/25/2011 }

i love my t mobile 30.00 monthly prepaid phone. no problems, mins last and the phone i purchased works great. i would recommend t mobile to everyone.

Kinney

{ 05/15/2011 }

I’ve been with T-Mobile for several years and have the straight pay as you go prepaid plan which really works great for me. However, I am concerned about the merger and coming under AT&T’s prepaid plans. I tried to obtain information from AT&T but as of May 2011, they state they have not worked out the details. I hope that our TM plan can be “grandfathered” into AT&T or I will be forced to look for a new carrier.

And looking at the comments from AT&T’s prepaid customers is not encouraging. They have more complaints than TM customers.

Maril

{ 05/15/2011 }

We are retired and cannot afford expensive monthly payments. We've had our T-mobile for years. It is best to buy the most minutes first, then you can roll over each year by buying the least minutes. Because ours is only used for emergency and necessary calls, while on the road, we are only paying $25 dollars a year. It is a safety issue with us.

Margie

{ 05/13/2011 }

I love my prepaid plan because I only use my phone for important calls. I've had the plan for over 3 years. $100 for 1000 minutes lasts me about ten months. My previous plan with Verizon costs me $50 months after taxes or $600 year.

simon

{ 05/11/2011 }

top client service rating is misleading.Service has systemic problems.1)agree with Steve above that had to pay $50 for $30plan (got charged extra for simcard).2)5days into 1m plan,the plan self-stopped,the number was reassigned. 3) called 5times to get smbd to deal with the issue. 4)tried 3 times to get a supervisor, but of them 2 times waited 15 and 35 mins and the supervisors did not pick up the finally tphone at all, 1 time was disconnected immediatiely after thу connection 5)finally the new number was given,but I was asked to put up money. Had to spend another hour repeating facts to get the phone reconnnected.

Dorothy Campbell

{ 05/11/2011 }

T-Mobile sends all prepaid activation to the Philippines or somewhere where you cannot understand their English. After being on the phone for over an hour in 3 different calls, I gave up. They WILL NOT or CANNOT connect you with someone who speaks American English that you can understand! I tried and tried and I CANNOT carry on a conversation with these NICE but incapable foreigners. They keep trying to convince me it's worth it to try to get through it, or they could get me someone who could speak good English, but . . . NOT! If they cannot give me someone who can speak "American" then they need to quit doing business in America. The least they could do is hire one American for people who cannot converse with Philippinoes, but they would rather their new PrePaid customers stay on the phone for hours at a time in an attempt to activate their account. I'm furious! and Exhausted! and Disappointed! and Insulted as an American! I'm not a world citizen, I'm an American citizen!

teddy

{ 05/11/2011 }

if we purchase a t-mobile's phone on 2 year's contract in postpaid service then do they charge even though we have not used the phone?

jc

{ 05/09/2011 }

Do not use cell phone very much so prepaid is best bet add minutes whenever needed usually buy a 10 or 15 dollars every other month sometimes will last as long as 90 days.
Except when out sourced idiots call or text me just so I can buy more minutes. As if, cellular companies are not making any profits.

IslandGalPal

{ 05/09/2011 }

I had an English speaking rep, when I called T Mobile yesterday. I didn't like the phone that you buy for $29.99 but that’s how you get the sim card for a pre paid plan. ($30 for the plan, 1500 min/text, 30mb of data.) I called from the store where I wanted this T-Mobile phone, which had no unlock code for it. I asked if I could just buy a sim card and use a different phone. T-mobile rep said – sure, as long as it was a T-Mobile phone but save your money “I’ll send you a new sim card and the plan minutes w/free shipping”. I’m sure I wasn’t an exception that if you already have no contract phones with T Mobile, use your phone and get a new sim card if you want a pay as you go plan. Then port your original number to it. I am still (unhappily) with my present carrier until my number ports over. All in all T Mobile CS was awesome and what I wanted.

michael siegel

{ 05/07/2011 }

bought a prepaid phone on line, had it (2) days and it stopped working, sent it back to t-mobile, with return authorization, have been informed they do not refund on handsets-make sure you buy it at a retail location and you make sure it works before you take it home!!

Kristian

{ 05/04/2011 }

Ive just got a plan with tmobile and the next day when i got the 50 dollar plan my web wouldnt work at all...and plus they messed up my plan after i got it. now i have to go get a new sim card cause this one isnt working right. i should get a discount.:/

Vic

{ 05/04/2011 }

DECEPTIVE advertising!!! You pay $100 you get 1000mins? No you don't... Let's say you charge $100 then you get 1000 mins (or $0.10/min) but let's say the next day you charge another $10. Your rate/min changes to whatever the last charge amount was.. DECEPTIVE!!

From T-mobile website (http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx):

Pay As You Go
With Pay As You Go you can choose the amount that’s right for you and just pay for the minutes you use.
Cost per minute
$100 10¢/min. 1000 minutes*
$50 13¢/min. 400 minutes
$30 19¢/min. 160 minutes
$10 33¢/min. 30 minutes
*Includes Gold Rewards minutes

Lan

{ 04/27/2011 }

T-Mobile is s rip off...please do your search on google before you buy prepaid refill of plans from T-Mobile! There are soo many people complaining...

The worst-Stay away

{ 04/27/2011 }

Phone broke under warrantee, had to send it back and pay for it. Never received a replacement phone. Called customer care who sent me a refurbished phone and it died 2 weeks later. Now Maryann at Customer Care will not return my call! They finally returned the first phone without a battery or cover! TMOBIL IS THE WORKST EVER and they should be

L Montogmery 66202

{ 04/24/2011 }

I am extremely frustrated in dealing with T-Mobile Pre-Paid customer service. There was a defect with the phone I bought my mom to use and with the help of one of the in store associates who was very helpful, I had it shipped back to the warehouse and was told I should have it back in 14 business days. A month later, still nothing. I called customer service and after four disconnected calls and almost 90 minutes on the phone, I was told the return had been reprioritized in the pending status and I should have it in 3-7 days. Two weeks later, STILL NOTHING!!! I have been a T-Mobile customer for 8 years and will be switching carriers when my contract expires. So frustrating!

CeCe

{ 04/22/2011 }

I have a prepaid phone which was deactivated by T mobile. Someone called and reported my phone as stolen Using my name and security pin they were able to transfer my balance of over $100 to a new phone. Customer service sucks. Repeated phone calls and being rerouted to different departments and still no resolution. Today I tried to file a police report, but I need a letter or email from T mobile. They won't help. Finally Rep suggested that I write a letter to their legal department. Still don't have my minutes, working phone or the required letter. Any suggestions?

Gregg Pyka

{ 04/15/2011 }

Revised Review
Purchased a prepaid online with $100 prepaid card. As soon as you fill the phone with the $100 (say goodbye to it)
I filled my phone and the phone was defective , not to mention they forgot to insert the activation card in the box.
I needed to call twice for someone to give it to me over the phone since the first person read me a 10 digit code that I even read back to him, You need at least a 11 digit code, He left one number in the middle out !
After calling CS, the reps had confusing answers. One told me to send everything back for a full refund and another said to keep the Sim card. I wanted a different phone but she said I cannot, That I would need to cancel this order and place a new one after a full refund. So I sent everything back and waited for my full refund. As soon as I went to AT&T due to all this poor service and waiting for the funds back on my credit card. I received a credit for the $69 garbage phone only. They stole my $100 prepaid claiming that (in the small print) The prepaid cards are non refundable. So now I have $100 in a prepaid account with no phone attached to it. Pretty much a scam if they send out garbage phones, provide poor customer service so you go somewhere else and steal your $$$, Sounds more like a SCAM (Thief Mobile)
Now when I call them they say we have no such thing as a full refund on a prepaid card. It is untrustworthy for customer service to provide several confusing answers, not to mention just trying to talk to a live person as you listen to numerous prompts from the automatic system, than they disconnect you as soon as you mention a refund on your prepaid card. Even had a supervisor disconnect me. They have all the recordings.
Another Rep , to get rid of me said she put a refund claim in and did it as I was on the phone. NEVER HAPPENED !!!
This company needs a class action lawsuit. I am sure they have done this same thing to tens of 1000's more !

Gregg Pyka

{ 04/14/2011 }

Purchased a prepaid online with $100 prepaid card. As soon as you fill the phone with the $100 (say goodbye to it)
I filled my phone and the phone was defective , not to mention they forgot to insert the activation card in the box. After calling CS, the rep had no clue. I wanted a different phone but she said I cannot, That I would need to cancel this order and place a new one. As soon as I went to AT&T due to all this poor service. They stole my $100 prepaid claiming that (in the small print) The prepaid card are non refundable. So now I have $100 in a prepaid account with no phone attached to it. Pretty much a scam if they send out garbage phones, provide poor customer service so you go somewhere else and steal your $$$, Sounds more like a SCAM (Thief Mobil)

NotHappy

{ 04/10/2011 }

Terrible service. It started saying "no service" while there is at least $100 on the account. I couldn't get the customer service to help me because I have lost the pin number.

John

{ 03/29/2011 }

I had t-mobile prepaid plan for 4 yr's i know people who work for them and there like most sorry a s s's the rude people are the customers that don't get what they want and go around crying like little baby's t-mobile has a 10 star customer service and there plains are the best out there learn how to and witch one fits you and get a life losers...

Candis

{ 03/25/2011 }

There Customer service is horrible. they are rude people and barely can speak English. they hung the phone up on me several times in one day! i would not recommend this carrier at all !

Keith1

{ 03/25/2011 }

I'd had been been a postpaid customer for 8 years before I switched to pay-as-you-go. Not sure what took me so long. I buy the 1000 minute refill card for less than $90 online (using coupons - easy to find, say callingmart) & it lasts me around 6 months.

I notice no difference in coverage. I haven't had a need to call customer support since I switched (their postpaid service was excellent) so can't comment there.

I sure hope the AT&T merger doesn't screw this up.

Bonker

{ 03/21/2011 }

This is a perfect plan for unsophisticated, basic cell phone service for any one with limited needs. Fortunately, we are in a position to always top-up with $100 for both mine and my wife's account which lasts us between six and nine months at 10 cents/minute. I've never had any issues topping up on line. T-Mobile has reliable service across most of the areas in New Mexico to which we travel. Our basic Samsung flip phones work just fine. It depends what you're looking for but if it's just the ability to make limited cell phone calls and receive forwarded calls from a home land line when travelling, I don't think one can go wrong.

Do not use service

{ 03/14/2011 }

The customer service was horrible. Credit card information was compromised on a prepaid phone only T-Moble pre-paid service knew the number that was used in the fraudulant transations. Had difficulty getting connected or determining who to talk with, was disconnected several times. On the phone ALL day to address the situation. BEWARE!

Eden

{ 03/14/2011 }

Poor coverage in Rhode Island. In the smallest state in the country, I would think a mobile provider would be able to cover the entire state, but no coverage in most of western RI. Even near Providence, the biggest city, I was getting a 0 to 2 bar signal in some areas. Also expensive per minute and text rates. AT&T Go Phone is the best prepaid service I have had, and has a full 6 bar signal in the same metro area where T-Mobile was 0 to 2. AT&T is also much more reliable in western RI.

jack

{ 03/13/2011 }

I pay 10 cent per/min on my prepaid
Its about $8 a month.

Nowana Debadsurviss

{ 03/12/2011 }

In the U.S., Tmobile is a Federal Communications Commission licensed carrier. If you have a problem, you might get better response if you call the FCC at 800-CALL-FCC and let them know your problem. This is probably the best place for legitimate complaints against cell carriers. You will almost certainly get a response from the carrier within a couple of weeks, and if they get a lot of complaints, it might prompt an investigation. The FCC has significant enforcement power over its regulations.

Mary

{ 03/09/2011 }

Really the rating would be the worst I have ever had, and all that the know how to do is tell u that that are sorry. That really explains it because they are very sorry. For 3 weeks I have tried to get a phone and I was advised that they was being cancelled by a supervisor. So I out and purched another phone, and the the next night they shipped the order, and debitted my accout. Do not purch phones from this company. Worst service do not order pre-paid phones from this company.

Jen

{ 03/09/2011 }

I am giving this service two stars only because I did receive good service from them for several years, and I'm not sure what's happened over the past couple of months. In that time, I've repeatedly put 90-180 worth of minutes on my phone only to be told the next time I make a call that my balance is low and needs to be refilled. Where are all my minutes going? T-Mobile has been unable to give me an answer, and I will be changing to a different provider because of this. It doesn't make any sense. I barely even use the phone and all my minutes are disappearing well before the expiration dates. I do not receive any spam text messages.

I'm really disappointed. I was very pleased with them for several years, and I'm not sure why my minutes are suddenly disappearing into thin air.

KK

{ 03/06/2011 }

Do NOT WASTE your time purchasing this prepaid pay as you go phone. I have been in activation process for 72 hours and without a phone and customer service has done nothing for me, except tell me they are working on it. They also hang up when you ask them a question that is too complicated. They are very hard to understand also.

This is the first time I have ever reviewed anything in my life via internet, so please trust me, that the customer service and issues with this service is just way too aggravating, as I still sit here with no phone usage, 3 days from activation.

Thanks so much.

Jae1

{ 03/03/2011 }

Tmobile is a very sorry company that takes peoples mone and dont give good quality or service..i have been on the phone with them since yesterday tryin to resolve some techincal issues .. but not getting anuything resolved they have a oproblem with puttin people on hold for minutes.. majority of the the time u end up getting hung up on..when u call back and tell them you tired of whats going on and you want your money back..they wanna avoid refunding your money ..and want to keep tryin resolve the issue but its not working ...i used to like tmobile but now all i have to say is im done and if i have to take it to better business if im not intitle my refund due to alot of miscommunications about the service

Shay

{ 03/03/2011 }

Customer Service = 0 stars sucks

They seemed to be ill informed and can't help with my questions. If they can help I can barely understand because they have a thick accent.

Pictures and Ringtones: 4 stars Pretty Good

For the most part I like that you can get ringtones through bluetooth, myxer.com and even through text messages. I say this is a plus because Virgin Mobile tries to block anyway of getting free ringtones.

My pictures are usually high quality as well.

Service: 3.5 stars Ok

When I was on campus at school or some public buildings I could not receive anything make any calls outside of 911. But for the most part the calls are clear.

Plans= 1star scam

Beware of the flexpay.They wanna suck you in a contract for something you could get prepay. It seems you can get better deals on prepary.Once you are stuck in wacky T Mobile land you cant get out without paying the 250.00 dollar termination fee.

Donna

{ 03/02/2011 }

I would give zero stars if I could or minus ten! They have the absolute WORST customer service on the planet. It is unbelievable how bad they are. If you find yourself stuck with them do not waste you time talking to a rep demand to speak with a manager right manager right away, it will say you days - yes, days - of hassle. I am on day three of trying to resole an issue that should take five minutes tops. It is always like this with them. I am leaving TMobile as soon as I have time to find another company.

Terry

{ 03/01/2011 }

THE VERY WORST customer service! I could write a book, but don't have the time. They shipped the wrong phone, double billed me, the said they couldn't figure out how my voicemail disappeared or how to get it turned back on... and then the monthly billing problems started.

L D

{ 02/26/2011 }

I switched to the $30/1500 minute a month plan a few months ago after using Tmobile prepaid minute plan for a few years. Tmobile reception has always been very good for me in north Alabama where I live. I had a contract AT&T plan for a couple of years and Tmobile has been great in comparison. I've always done my Tmobile transactions using their website and have avoided customer service issues that others here have encountered.

Mike

{ 02/25/2011 }

Switched from T-mobile plan to pay as you go with my Nexus One since I was tired of reading that I had used 4 of my 400 minutes most months. (I really only use the phone frequently when I travel.) Contrary to some statements there is a pay as you go data plan that works with smart phones: $1.49/24 hours. Since unlimited data costs about $30/month I only have to stay home 10 days/month and use my wifi to break even and then there is the money I'm saving on the minutes I don't use.

The reception seems to me the same as the postpaid system, I would be surprised if it is a different network.

The BAD:
I agree with the support issues. The phone support people are hard to understand, having a bad connection on your support lines is not good advertising for a phone company, particularly when the people have think accents.

There is no online accounting of your usage!!! The web site shows the balance number of minutes and that's it. It is hard to believe. If you think you have been miss-charged you need to call them up and have them look it up. Seems like they could save lots of money by letting people do their own support. Or maybe they make it up by miss-charging people?

4 stars -- probably because I don't know better.

Tom

{ 02/25/2011 }

Be careful. Their customer service is terrible. I switched from a family plan to a prepaid plan. I tried adding $100 to the account, through the t-mobile web site, paying by credit card. A few minutes later, I got a call on my cell not from a number identified as T-Mobile, to confirm the transaction. After several minutes, they asked for my social security number. I said it wasn't needed for the transaction. They charged my card, but did not credit my cell account. I'm still trying to resolve it, after hours on the phone, but at least it's their dime on 800 numbers.

Glamerulus

{ 02/24/2011 }

BAD BAD BAD

As being T-Mobile Prepaid customer for very long time, recently, I have decided to buy another prepaid phone for my grandfather. Since he is old and does not want to deal with bills he was convinced that T-Mobile prepaid was best choice for him.
I went to Best Buy and purchased Samsung T-249. Upon my purchase I got home and activated the phone.. (The purchase date is the same date with activation.) And with the representative on the phone I made refill in the amount of $50 and I gave the phone to my grandfather. After week or two my grandfather told me that the phone is not working. Since the activation time he has not been able to use his phone receive and make phone calls. balance of $50.34 have not been used for weeks.
On Feb 7th, 2011 , I have called the T-Mobile Customer support and discussed the problem. The phone was not able to receive T-Mobile service even though I was able to use my Blackberry pearl also for T-Mobile with full bars in the are of zip code
They made trouble shooting with resetting the phone over the phone with me and change the network settings on and off nothing worked.
They told me to send the phone for an exchange with the all original accessories that came with it. And I was told that process could take 3-4 business days.
I have shipped the phone on Feb 8th, 2011
I shipped the item via USPS Priority mail small Flat Rate box with insurance and delivery confirmation.
The return center in Texas, received the shipment on Feb 10, 2011.
During that time I made calls to your T-Mobile Prepaid center numerous times to get the information on the status of exchange process. NO ONE WAS AWARE OF THE SITUATION EVEN THOUGH, I PROVIDED THEM THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER.
Then a representative provided me the search request form number because they were not able locate the package that I sent.
In another phone conversation representative forward my phone call to T-Mobile sales department. They have told me to purchase another phone pay over the phone immediately and amount of purchase will be credited to my account as soon as I send the defective phone. ( which I did on the Feb 10th ,2011) That phone call to customer service did not work either.
On Feb 23rd, 2011 I gave up for the phone calls and decided to chat. I have chatted with customer support representative he told me that I have to wait 10 business days. On my 30 minute long chat, a minute before ending the session , he found the tracking information and stated that “I thought the tracking number is package that you sent to us, I am sorry here is the tracking number” he provide me the UPS tracking number as an package has been sent to my address. That was Relief.
On Feb 24th, 2011 After 18 days of the claim, I have received the package was thinking that my hassle was over with happy ending. When I open the package I was SHOCKED. There was only phone’s body present.
The package was missing
1. BATTERY,
2. BATTERY DOOR,
3. HOME CHARGER.
4. USER MANUALS
As soon as I received the shipment I call the prepaid customer service again. I told her the situation and the confirmation number again. She wanted to put me on hold for 2-3 minutes instead I waited 9 minutes and the line dropped out.
Then, I gave them a call again. At this time I explained the situation once again and received the response of to wait 24-72 hours and call back. Because, she filed the search form for the item.
Right now I am with the phone does not have the BATTERY, BATTERY DOOR, HOME CHARGER AND USER MANUALS. Since my grandfather is going to use the phone he needs the User Manual.
Above I just tried to point out to you the conversations that stand out for my phone calls to customer service.
In my first customer service experience with T-Mobile I had HORRIBLE SERVICE AND I DON’T KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO BE OVER.

Happy

{ 02/24/2011 }

I brought an unlocked BB Curve 8310 to T-Mobile and can not be any happier! Works well and has a good signal.

Maibe

{ 02/21/2011 }

I have a jailbroken ( unlocked to a network) Iphone with Tmobile prepaid that I have had now for 3 years. Yeah you can buy a T-mobile sim card add minutes to it and use it in any phone that is unlocked to a sim card network or use any t-mobile phone too You can't do it on a Sprint,Metro PCS, Verizon phone because they don't use a sim card.

Ala

{ 02/13/2011 }

I use pay-as-you go as my emergency phone.I switched from my expired contract 4 yr ago-kept the same phone -same phone # ,same orig. sim card. I purchase $ 100- get 1000 min + 15 %. I text message oversea for
$ 0,10 and receive for $0,05.The cell works in every area of US. I never call cust service-have no need.I have been with T-mobile for 9 yr now.

Arcopal

{ 02/10/2011 }

to Cecelia, any tmobile phone or GSM unlock phone will work with prepaid sim card. I only brought tmobile prepaid SIM and use it with my unlock blackberry. I have been using almost 5 months and there is no problem.

Cecelia

{ 02/09/2011 }

I have a question, I hope someone can answer this for me. I have net10 at the moment but i wanna switch to tmobile unlimitted 50 dollars a month. Now i really want an HTC phone or a blackberry. Is it possible to purchase a prepaid SIM card and load the 50 dollars on and use it in any tmobile phone ? Or will it only work for the prepaid phones by tmobile ? HELP, Before i spend money :) THANKS.

evilscuba

{ 01/30/2011 }

t-mobile unlimited talk and text prepaid = best deal ever. i looked in to net10=dead zone and Verizon for unlimited talk an text = $80 plus

Nikki

{ 01/25/2011 }

@Rey:

Good to know. It has been a few years since I tried it. I hope they let me do it in reverse because I want to get on contract.

@Steve:

I don't understand all of your comment, but from what I can guess you are saying that putting money on your account will cause your monthly plan to start over the instant you put the money in the account. This has happened to me with companies like Straight Talk and Net10, but it has never happened with T-Mobile. It's actually one of the reasons why I switched back to T-Mo. I like the way they do refills.

But yeah...for security reasons I would wait until the last day to put money in my account (Virgin Mobile taught me that much...bunch of bread snatchers...).

Steve

{ 01/23/2011 }

I would like to know if anyone out there has had this happened to them or even noticed it at all:

T Mobile's pre paid plan bills differently than the contracted plans. T Mobile Stores do not have an explanation as to why but do see the problem. T Mobile's advertisement is $30 and $50 a month for the pre paid plan. Apparently it is not what is advertised and from a month plan they now say it is 30 days. they say to callcustomer service and they start giving off all kinds of excuses at the so called customer service dept in some foreign country that it is very hard to understand at times and appear to be reading from a script. If you happen to pre pay on your account ahead of time they will apprarently restart a new payment date and erase all of any minuetes left as soon as they receive the payment in their system. I would not suggest in paying ahead of time and wait till the last 10 hrs. Let me stress that some other carriers do not do this and provide a much better service. Please feel free to provide your inputs.

Rey

{ 01/21/2011 }

Nikki said:
Last time I tried, T-Mobile would not allow me to transfer my main account to a prepaid phone. You would probably be better off purchasing a cheap Tracfone, transferring the number, and then transferring it back to your prepaid one.

THIS IS INCORRECT. Moving from a regular account to a prepaid account is easy unless your contract hasn't expired. T-mobile customer service does it for you in 1 or 2 days. There is usually no interruption in service and you just receive a text notification. No need to change phone, sim cards, or carriers.

Ben

{ 01/18/2011 }

I have had T-mobile for many years and only have signal problems in rinky dink towns especially in Ohio. I just got a verizon prepaid and its the worst. Customer service is TERible to say the least. They couldnt even tell me what battery it uses and later on they say i cant get a battery for it. The phone is only 3 months old and is no good now It cost me 150 bucks for a 3 month phone thats no good anymore. Amen to Tmobile. Im sticking with Tmobile.

Matt

{ 01/17/2011 }

I've used t-mobile to go in the Phoenix area for 5 years. My costs average about $75 - $100 per year. Works great and I don't waste money on something I don't need. I however wish I could disable incoming text messages. They get expensive when some moron decides to continually text you.

Nikki

{ 01/15/2011 }

Nancy said:
"Sorry I just have a question about the phone numbers.
My plan just ended after 2 years with Tmobile and I'm considering switching to Prepaid cell phones because the monthly payments were too high. If I do will I be able to keep my old phone number or do I have to get a new one along with a new sim card? Also will I be able to use my old phone or get a new one designed for prepaid plans?"

Last time I tried, T-Mobile would not allow me to transfer my main account to a prepaid phone. You would probably be better off purchasing a cheap Tracfone, transferring the number, and then transferring it back to your prepaid one. The good thing is that you can just use your same phone you had with a contract. You just have to buy a prepaid sim card. You can get a prepaid sim card for about $6 from T-Mo's website.

Nancy

{ 01/10/2011 }

Sorry I just have a question about the phone numbers.
My plan just ended after 2 years with Tmobile and I'm considering switching to Prepaid cell phones because the monthly payments were too high. If I do will I be able to keep my old phone number or do I have to get a new one along with a new sim card? Also will I be able to use my old phone or get a new one designed for prepaid plans?

behrenssimon

{ 01/08/2011 }

whaat is tha best Mobile Deals ?
===============

<a href="http://www.buyingmobiles.com/category/mobile-phone-review-guide" rel="dofollow"> Mobile Deals</a>

pg

{ 01/07/2011 }

Finally coming back after 1 year with straight talk. STay away from straight talk. Get tmobile 1500 talk n text for $30

sue

{ 01/05/2011 }

I have the prepaid plan which suits me best. My complaint is spotty coverage, which many people here seem not to have a problem with. Too often I can't make calls at all because there are no 'bars'. It is particularly bad when I visit my family in a small town in Ohio. Ohio in general seems to be kind of bad for coverage, but I've also had problems getting coverage at my house in northern virginia. I've had to go stand in my neighbor's yard several times just to make calls. Seems my house is some sort of recurring dead zone.
I used to have tracphone, and never had this problem with them. If tracphone had had better customer service, I would have stayed with them. i may still go back, if the lack of coverage eventually becomes annoying enough. But T-mobiles rates are better than tracphone.

irwin

{ 01/05/2011 }

I have been with t-mobile for about 3 years now.
I have the $100.00 plan for both my wifes phone and mine.
I am very satisfied with this carrier and have had NO problems at all with them.
When its time to renew my minutes,I do it at the main store where i purchased my phone from.
I think doing business over the phone has never worked out too well with me,so i do it in person and i have no problems,because if they gave me a hard time,i wont leave the store and i let them know this,but so far,no problems(yet)
The only complaint that i have is that their data plan costs $1.49 for 24 hours
and they have no monthly deals on monthly data plans yet.
I wear 2 hearing aids and need a hearing aid phone which t-mobile is very limited on.
Their phones suck in this respect!
I was with Verizon for about 10 years because all their phones are hearing aid compatible.
Verizon is more expensive then anyone else and their prepaid is too expensive compared to t-mobiles so i switched.
I ALSO WANT TO MENTIONED THAT T-MOBILE WORKS BETTER IN SOME STORES WHERE VERIZON DONT.

GlennReed

{ 01/01/2011 }

Although I use Net10 and chances are that I will stay with them, I still am checking other companies out for a good deal (if its even possible to beat Net10, the best company so far, overall). Post feedback in forums such as this one is helpful, but only if they are legitimate.

For example, George complains that T-Mobile is not honoring their additional 15% for Gold when buying the $100/One Year plan. well, their advertisement clearly state that the 15% has already been added on the $100 card.

Peter complains about the overseas-based customer service. Does he read newspapers or watch news? Most major companies have exported their customer service to other countries. And while I wish they would speak better English, I understand that it is an unfortunate reality that is not exclusive to T-Mobile.

It would be helpful to read legitimate complains pertaining T-Mobile (or whatever the company may be), its product and its service.

George

{ 12/30/2010 }

"When customers buy 100 dollars worth of refills they are are eligible to receive 15 percent more minutes on refill cards" - BALONEY! Even after asking for the 15% extra, they refuse to honor their advertizing. Crooks.

peter

{ 12/22/2010 }

does tmobile have any english speaking customer service reps i mean dam i feel like i am on vacation in mexico I love there 30 dollar plan but no customer service, If you can deal with non english speaking reps it's great

Unlocked Traveler

{ 12/19/2010 }

Signed on for the pay-by-the-minute voice/text service in early 2008 in HI on my way back from a contract overseas. Put the SIM in my own unlocked PEBL, and I was good to go.

Coverage is great in cities, I've used it in about 15 different states, haven't really tried in super rural areas other than Alaska. Coverage everywhere has been equal or slightly better to what I get on my contract-paid AT&T (ugh) Moto Q and Nokia E71x. Texting, voice mail both good, fast. Doesn't work with Google Voicemail, but that's fair.

No issues at all with using heavily for a few months and then completely removing the SIM from the cell for months at a time. Voicemail is always accessible from dialing your number. I recharge once a year which is a $10 or $15 minimum, and recharging keeps -all- your remaining minutes/credit alive indefinitely.

Customer service was great but I haven't needed to contact them for a while. You can sign on to the T-Mobile website to monitor/recharge/change your account.

If you're a high-maintenance sort of customer please find another phone service so as not to ruin this plan and annoy the customer service reps. If you're even halfway savvy yet want a basic, straightforward voice/text prepaid service, T-Mobile prepaid is the only way to go.

Anya Sapo

{ 12/17/2010 }

I've been with t-mobile for seven years, both prepaid and postpaid. Up to this last year customer service has been wonderful. They have often given me more than requested. Now however, I have to fight for everything. Possibly their system is unreliable, but they almost never make the requested and agreed to plan changes and I have to argue with them to just give me what I signed up for. This takes multiple calls and their system tries to prevent customers from reaching a live person. I guess it doesn't matter, as the changes never happen anyway.

Wandersmann

{ 12/13/2010 }

Fraud! The coverage map of T-Mobile is a lie. To keep me as a customer, they told me in December 2009 that service in NW Cape Coral went down on November 10, 2009 and would be restored soon. I continue to wait and pay $50/month. On travels to Chicago and Wisconsin service was spotty. In Seattle OK.

Jake

{ 12/11/2010 }

Fraud!
I had T-mobile prepaid since 2005 and always kept it above 100 USD so it won't expire as I rarely used it. The service ended on me last month and I went to the store as well as calling 611 for help. Guess what they say, the number which I had no longer belongs to T-mobile and they could not find any info about me. I lost 100 USD. I need a phone so I bought another sim card and refilled online up to 100USD. Didn't use it until few days back and could not dial at all, not even 611. Went to the store again and the samething, no info about me! And not only that, they told me the phone belongs to someone else! What a rip off! I lost 200 USD just like that!

Maclaren

{ 12/05/2010 }

This is not really a review, just a complement what what was said about the $100 card. Minutes do expire in one year, but if you buy more minutes, even a $10 card, unused minutes are rolled over and the whole balance is good for another year. This is very good if you do not use all your minutes before expirations. For exemple, I used just $60 (600 minutes) during a year. A week before the minutes expiration I bought a $10 card (100 minutes). My new balance of $50 (500 minutes was good for another year). Of course, I use my phone REALLY only for emergencies and special occasions. The only reason I don't give T-Mobile Pay-as-you-go five stars, is because you are also charged when you receive calls.

angelito

{ 12/04/2010 }

I had tmobile post paid service for about 3 years. About two months ago I decided to switch to a $50 a month unlimited talk/text/100mb data. I also provided my own unlocked phone, and I must say the service has been flawless and the switch was fast.

k

{ 12/04/2010 }

I purchased a pre-paid phone and found it did not have any service in my home, despite their coverage map showing excellent coverage. I called and made a service request and was informed they'd look into the problem, and get back to me within 72 hours. No one responded. So when I called, I was informed the service problem could not be fixed and only t-mobile usage would work with any of their phones outside my home (I live 20 min from a major metropolitan city in the US). So I asked to cancel my service at this point. I was routed and rerouted to different departments while trying to cancel my service and be credited, only to give up 3 hours later. This was a horrible experience.

shannon

{ 12/04/2010 }

Great thanks! Are you sure you can for the prepaid monthly plans?

kilya

{ 12/03/2010 }

shannon u can buy a refill card

housewife

{ 12/03/2010 }

My husband and I bought two prepaid phones, and went with the unlimited talk and text, which we renew every month. Very pleased! Our daughter and I can talk or text to our heart's content, and I get oodles of priceless picture messages from our granddaughter. This summer I went to visit them several states away and never had a problem with service at all. It's been a good plan for us, and we'll stick with it.

shannon

{ 12/03/2010 }

i just bought a tmobile prepaid phone, i'm on the pay as you go plan, and i like it. i'm just wondering, if you switch to a prepaid monthly plan do you have to pay each month with a credit card or can you buy refill cards??
can someone please answer me?

teenangel

{ 11/28/2010 }

I have used T-mobile prepaid for many years. A few years back I opted for a Palm Treo (I know it's now ancient) which I unlocked and stuck a T-mobile SIM card into. Works great and has for years. My wife also runs a Treo and together we may spend $150 a year. We both have "relatively" good coverage in metropolitan areas, but lousy coverage outside them. I even took my phone to Mexico and used it there. Admittedly the per minute international charges were exceptional ($1.50) but I knew that going in. If I could find another plan which is as straight forward (You pay X you get Y, expiration is a YEAR) as the T-mobile but offered broader coverage, I would be on it like ugly on a toad, but I haven't found one. That's why I am looking at this site. Haven't found one here either.

Peter Nielsen

{ 11/28/2010 }

I was content with my regular T-mobile plan, which was automatically billed to my credit card each month, but then saw a prepaid plan for $30 that gave me more minutes, so I called and asked them to switch me to that. What followed was a nightmare of customer non-service. My phone went dead and I was told that I needed to wait for an activation code. When that didn't come I called in and was told I needed to wait 24 hours. Next day they told me to wait 24-48 hours. Next day still no service. Then they said I needed a new SIMM card, so I had to go to a store. They replaced it without charge, which was nice, but still I had problems. I could no longer access their website. I couldn't dial in to get my messages. After a week, I finally had my service working again. The problem seemed to stem from the fact that the regular billing department is totally separate from the pre-paid department, which is totally separate from their technical service department.
Once it was working, I wanted to make sure it kept working, so I went on the website and signed up for automatic credit card pre-payments. The system said that it would refill on Nov 25th. When that day came, the old billing department called to ask if I wanted to give them a credit card number to pay my final bill -- before they sent it to collections! They had never sent me a bill and since I always paid automatically with my credit card, I didn't expect this, but gave them the number. This apparently cancelled my pre-paid account as well as the old post-paid account, and my service was once again deactivated and web access blocked. I called and they said I needed to wait 24 hours. The next day I called and they again said I need to wait 24 hours. At this point, I'm again without service!! This is really poor customer service.

Dimitri

{ 11/26/2010 }

I use the classic prepaid service. I like being able to retain my phone number, but I only have use for the phone for two or three months a year. I get "vampire" spam text messages that keep "sucking" money from my account - TMO says they cannot block them, but I think they can for postpaid. I never use text messages and wish I could switch off that feature because spam cost me money. Spam should be caller-pays anyway -- the US phone regulations are bad.

annoyed

{ 11/24/2010 }

Horrible, bad reps, bad plans. Just an all around bad comapny.

Annoyed

{ 11/23/2010 }

Got me the $15 prepaid plan. The way it was presented to me I expected to pay $15 + tax and get unlimited texting for a month, plus 90 minutes of air time ($15 at 10c/min).

Now the reality: Add the $10 activation fee and tax. So for $26 I got texting for one month, no air time. It is a one-time purchase for someone visiting me from overseas for a month. I wonder if one of those prepaid $9.99 Walmart phones would have been more economical.

As far as I am concerned, T-mobile advertising is misleading and dishonest. Will not use them in the future.

Rich

{ 11/22/2010 }

I was able to get in contact with a tmobile rep. They explained to me that the reason my charge was so high was because I had made an international call it was not domestic so I stand corrected. However, the charge on my account for the international call was $1.50 per minute which caused the balance on my account to take a huge hit. Lesson learned, next time I'll just buy a calling card for much less money.

Rich

{ 11/21/2010 }

I just purchased $50 on my prepaid plan which gives me 460 minutes. I made a phone call after the purchase which was eleven minutes long. After which I checked my balance and was surprised to see that my balance had gone down to 283 minutes and not the 449 minutes that I was expecting since (460 - 11) = 449. I did the math and at this rate for every minute that I use on the phone they deduct 16.09 minutes from my balance (16.09 * 11) = 177 and (460 - 177) = 283. I guess we are all victims of the new t-mobile math. Interesting that of the 50 reviews so far not including mine 24 ratings have been between (1 or 2).

Dexter

{ 11/14/2010 }

Time for this site to update their review. I have the Samsung Vibrant phone and I'm on the $30 a month prepaid plan. You get 1500 shared text and minutes and 30MB of data for $30 a month. I like it!

Bruce Berkowitz

{ 11/08/2010 }

This is the best prepaid plan for those who use their phone very little. $10 (minimum payment) buys 30 minutes that are good for 90 days. Refill prior to the end of 90 days and it all carries over. Plus, after spending $100, all future minutes last a full year, even for a $10 card. My phone expense on this plan is $40 a year. It's great since I use my phone so little and want it for emergencies. T-mobile's coverage is lacking however, particularly in California, but most of the main transportation terrain and communities have coverage.

Chris Harris

{ 11/08/2010 }

I was happy with the phone service until I started getting spammed with text messages. I put $40 on my phone only to have the whole amount eaten up with spam in 3 days. T-Mobile wasn't interested in stopping the text messages, so I never used the phone again.

Matt

{ 11/07/2010 }

I've had my wife on a prepaid for the past 5 years now. Its worked great for us. We spend about $100/year on her phone bill. So much better than the post plan we used to have and paying $50/month. I've seen a lot of negative reviews about minutes being used up quickly. You have to look at how many minutes you use in a month if pre-paid will work for you. If you regularly talk 1500 minutes/month this is not your plan. Simple math - 1500 x $0.10 = $150. But if you use 1500/year then prepaid will work for you.

khoi ng

{ 11/02/2010 }

not only t-mobile a fraud, it was coward and dishonest too! when i remove the fine print (asurion insurance) it retaliate me right away by locking one cellular, muting the ringer of my 2nd cellular.

Bruce

{ 10/31/2010 }

I am so glad net10 has come out with an unlimited plan for $50, their service is so much better than t-mobile and now i can get that service for the same price.

ed

{ 10/30/2010 }

Going on four years with t-mobile prepay. Switched both my wife and my Verizon service (~$90/month) and now pay about $120 a YEAR total. Got the $100 card so it doesn't expire for a year, I get warning messages when either the time or my minutes are running low. Never had a single bad experience with the store reps or the 1 time I had to call a custsvc rep.

The phone signal is as good as any of my friends phones, I have never had a true dead zone where I couldn't make calls from.

I get text messages as fast as anyone else, never had a single problem with getting a message hours later.

All in all I could not be more pleased and will continue to use prepaid with t-mobile. Not even looking for an alternative.

fraudmobile

{ 10/28/2010 }

It is a complete fraud, scam, you name it whatever you want,save your receipts because they will not get away with this fraud for too much longer....

John K

{ 10/27/2010 }

T mobile rips off minutes Numerous times i had purchased $50 with 400 minutes .all of a sudden in 2 weeks ,70 minutes used they tell me all my minutes are gone. I called customer service.Waste of time.Went to t mobile store .they couldn't help me.I am glad because of cell phone technology but Its a shame that alot of these companies are not honest and customer service is not what it should be

WiExpert

{ 10/20/2010 }

Pros: No monthly bill, include all of the basic calling features and text in U.S only + IM messenger.
Cons: Ugly phones, internet T-Zone sucks.

Max

{ 10/20/2010 }

I switched from postpaid to prepaid 10/18/10 after having T-Mobile for almost EIGHT LONG YEARS. I had at least half a dozen cust reps try to talk me out of leaving, saying whatever about cancellation fees, etc. Good riddance. I have been paying $150/mo for 2 lines on my account, web, text, the works, and never even use all of it. I saw a prepaid plan for $30/mo, 1500 talk+text and 30MB of web data, and figured thats about what I use anyway. I'll pay the canx fees and make that back in savings in 2 months!

My nightmare begins with a call to 611 to get info about prepaid. UNDERSTAND THIS: T-Mobile postpaid and T-Mobile prepaid ARE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COMPANIES. They have the same name, sure, but they are NOTHING similar. I never had ANY problem with T-Mobile before this change to prepaid - and overnight it's 100% GUARANTEED that if I ever call customer service, I will call INDIA or the PHILIPPINES (regular T-Mobile customers call SEATTLE where MOST people speak english) I went back and forth for 40 minutes today, transfered from customer service to sales (wtf for?) to customer service to "blackberry specialist" that told me she couldn't help me with prepaid and only prepaid customer service could - so back to them again, when I get the rudest woman I've ever talked to on the phone who basically told me if I was misinformed by a rep on HER SIDE it was MY FAULT.

Overall on prepaid, the signal and call quality is the same on as it was for postpaid (which was always ONLY decent, never great) However, learn from my mistake - talk to someone who speaks PERFECT english before making a jump to T-Mobile prepaid. No matter what any Filipino ladies tell you - YOU CANNOT USE SMARTPHONES ON PREPAID UNLESS IT IS THE 2GB+ PLAN (which is $70!) And NOWHERE on their website does it say this AT ALL. I even went into a T-Mobile Limited store in my city and the reps there were like... uhhh... let me call customer support. I turned around and walked out. INCOMPETENCE

I still am most shocked that T-Mobile would slap their name on such an inferior product, but c'est la vie mon ami. I've had prepaid with them for 2 days and I'm already looking at Sprint or Verizon, even possibly postpaid again, just so T-Mobile doesn't get another penny from me (except the $300 cancellation fees I am OBLIGATED to pay) Consider it my parting F U and adios from a loyal customer of the last DECADE!

John

{ 10/15/2010 }

I bought my T-mobile prepaid phone 6 months ago. I paid $100 to have it activated for 1 year. Since I don't use it too often, I still have some money on an account. I like the rate $.10/min, however I feel that you get what you pay for. sometimes i has no signal when I'm inside the buildings, which can be really annoying while shopping and want to call someone. Not to mention about no signal at all from basement. My friends have phones working just fine even from basement, but not mine. I live in metropolitan area with a good coverage, I wonder how it would work somewhere out in rural areas. I used to have Virgin mobile before that didn't work well in rural areas, but work pretty well inside buildings. I just wonder if it has something to do with type of the phone. Mine is Samsung SGH-139

Ron

{ 10/15/2010 }

I have an unlocked t-mobile phone that I wanted to activate. I called t-mobile and they said besides a minute care I needed an activation number and said I could get it at a t-mobile store, so I went to my local Mall and was told they do not have them any longer and I needed to go to Walmart. Went to Walmart spent 1 1/2 hours with Walmart wireless expert and she could not get it to work. She called t-mobile 800 number somewhere and they told her the store at local Mall did in fact have the activation kits for $15.00! Yes, I know you can get this so called kit on-line from t-mobile for $6.99 plus tax. Walmart and t-mobile solution was to purchase a phone in order to get the activation kit! One other suggestion t-mobile had was for me to travel 30 mile to another t-mobile store!

Rob

{ 10/14/2010 }

Pay $50 for 400 minutes + "bonus" minutes, call for one hour or so and send a dozen text messages... credit is used up! This happens over and over. No ringtones, data, international, directory assistance or anything, just plain basic service ripoff.

steve

{ 10/14/2010 }

can you check your voice mail from a land line if you are in a area where your cell phone does not work on the pay as you go phones. tracfone and straight talk you can not

JP

{ 10/14/2010 }

Been using t-mobile prepaid for about 5 years now, and enjoy the money we save. We have 2 phones and spend maybe $120 a year total recharging minutes. Spouse's phone broke, got a used one on ebay for $20, plugged in sim and we were in business.

Coverage has improved since we got our phones, and we expect that trend to continue.

For those complaining about the number of minutes: You're Doing It Wrong. Look instead at the amount of money you pay for the usage. You could pay $70/month on a plan and feel good about 2 cents a minute, but you're paying $70/month for that!

Anh

{ 10/12/2010 }

Contrary to some of the negative reviews, I found T-Mobile Customer Service as good as any. I guess it depends on who you get on the line. I purchased an LG SENTiO GS505 from Costco and then called T-Mobile Customer Service to port my old number and found the rep quite courteous and helpful. The port dept rep finally directed me to the pre-paid department for other questions I had and even that rep was friendly and knowledgeable. The entire process took little over 15 minutes and now I'm all set. The T-Mobile web site also looks quite alright. So far so good - hopefully I remember to add my feedback few months later after I've used the network for a while and I save the last * for then. Assigning 4 Stars for now.

Leo

{ 10/10/2010 }

Have been using tmobile pp for over a year. Service is great. the post paid account my wife stinks. If you look hard enough you will find something wrong with every cell phone company.

Mary

{ 10/07/2010 }

The T in T-Mobile stands for TERRIBLE!!! I would give less than 1 star if this would let me. You never get the problems resolved with the first representative you talk to. I actually ended up talking to 8 different people on my first day as a customer, it took more than 2 hours of my time. To make it up to me they offered me a $25 pre-paid card as an apology, it didn't work. I had to call back to get another one, that call took 4 different people and 40 minutes. This is truly the worst cell company you could use. If you value your time and good customer service, pick another carrier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Becky

{ 10/07/2010 }

I wish I had read these reviews before I plunked down $200 to start up service with T-Mobile's Prepaid account. I have used several different providers over the last 10 years and T-Mobile is by FAR the WORST company you could deal with. I have been a customer for 2 and half weeks and have already logged more than 3 hours on the phone with customer service. They phone que is terrible, you stay in that maze for 10 minutes before you can get to a representative. When they tell you they will take care of something within a certain number of hours, they don't! I have had to call back up to 7 times for the same problem. This is a TERRIBLE company, go with another carrier if you have any choice at all.

Jesse

{ 10/02/2010 }

I don't use many mobile minutes, so T-Mobile is good for me. Bought $100 to start, good for 1 year, $0.10/min, just renewed at 1 yr with $50 card for another year. Bought unlocked Nokia E63, put SIM in, works great. Use WLAN for data instead of carrier.

Rick

{ 09/30/2010 }

Both my wife and I are T-Mobile 'Prepaid' phone user for years. Perfect way to have today's convenience without paying crazy dollars. Even my phone, which appears to have died after 4 years, has been more than sufficient. I'll keep doing the T-Mobile Prepaid as long as it's available.

darrenbolforth

{ 09/26/2010 }

I am currently a T-Mobile pay as you go user. The per minute rates are ok...that said I must ad that despite your review claims that their sidekick pay as you go provides web for $1 a day I must update you to the fact that T-Mobile no longer makes the Sidekick pay as you go service unless you are already a subscriber to the service so you can say that for everyone else the service no longer is available. I have found that if you tend to wander even slightly off the beaten path you will be roaming even if you're within sight of a major thoroughfare. This one fact has kept me from going with any of their monthly plans. Also frequently in even towns like Hilo, Honolulu, San Diego and Las Vegas the rate of dropped calls can be quite high during peak use hours.

JR

{ 09/25/2010 }

Tried different money values, and it no matter what they nickel and dime you t-mobile to t-mobile is a joke i keep getting charged per minute don't get it.

jim

{ 09/23/2010 }

phone did not work after adding 100.00 prepaid card

George

{ 09/23/2010 }

I have been using two T-Mobile Prepaid phones for seven years now. I always purchase $100 at a time. The service is flawless and T-Mobile is honorable in their delivery. This service has saved me many $$$. T-Mobile's website gives the details and you get what they say. I can't understand the negative comments here.

gggirlgeek

{ 09/20/2010 }

Pros: $25 prepaid lasts for more than 30 days. GSM service allows me to use any unlocked phone I want. $100 prepaid doesn't expire for a year. Those are the only good points I've found.

Cons: If your minutes run out they shut down your voicemail. No one can leave you a message and they think they have the wrong number. Virgin, Sprint and most others don't do this. Text messages often take hours to reach the recipient. Not good for urgent situations. Coverage is indeed everywhere, however good luck having a clear conversation. Calls from my bed sound like international calls to Jupiter. I live a mile from head quarters and I still have to talk to customer service in the Philippines: poor communication -- not to mention those jobs should be in my town. There is no pay by the mb data service -- no internet at all unless you buy an expensive contract -- again, you're screwed in an emergency, in need of a map. As soon as I find a small service that accepts GSM sim cards for less than $20/month (150 mins) I'm gone.

Looking at Fuzion right now for $40 unlimited but I don't need all those minutes -- and there's no data. Also, looking into using Google voice as my main number so my voicemail doesn't get turned off. Just need to figure out how to change caller ID on my cell phone.

Susan

{ 09/14/2010 }

Six weeks ago I
went on the $50/mo unlimited test/talk, etc. From day one cannot receive texts from any carriers except for Tmobile and Verizon, although I can text to anyone I want to. They have given me the run around, told me wild stories. When I go online I see that this is a long standing problem with Tmobile and I am now looking for another plan to switch to. Online and instore assistance has been pathetic. Coverage has been spotty at best. Find another carrier!!!

SWT

{ 09/04/2010 }

We purchased a T-Mobile pre-paid phone. The phone is difficult to figure out. The manual is not user friendly and although we live in a state, MN that is suppose to offer full coverage it does not. If we drive south 25 minutes from our home we lose all coverage. The phone is worthless and the coverage is as well. We are looking for a new pay as you go provider. It is a market that is in need of expansion. If minus stars were an option that is what I would give.

Tim

{ 09/04/2010 }

Awesome customer service. I have 4 prepaid lines for the family over the last 5 years and it has saved me thousands. Love the GSM network. I can switch phones without having TMOBILE activate them for me. I am always looking to save money and have looked into Cricket but they have really bad customer service.

TMOBILE is the way to go.

Kim

{ 09/03/2010 }

I have had T-Mobile for a few years now. I initially paid $100 for 1000 minutes and and my minutes lasted for 1 year. I have never had any problems with reception and have never had an issue with refills. After the first year, any refill minutes will last for a year. $100 a year beats $41+ each month. Of course I am not constantly on the phone, so this was the best plan for me.

Clint

{ 09/02/2010 }

I have been using t-mobile to go for 7 years. I stumbled on this and read a few reviews. I see quite a few people on here that fail to read and understand how it works that right bad reviews.

I have always paid less than 10 cents a minute. I using callingmart.com to buy then. Do a search for callingmart coupon codes to do even better. (I don't risk ebay for this one.)

I put 1000 minutes on right away so that they don't expire for a year. It was about right but the last couple years I only put 50 dollars on for the whole year.

Those that claim they take more minutes than they use. I don't believe you. I have been using it for a long time. They don't over charge.

Those that complained the text message from t-mobile cost them a minute. Wrong, they do not charge for those! It even says that it is free.

A lot of peoples problems would be solved by just reading! I have converted probably 10 people to t-mobile to go and they all love it.

Joel Novin

{ 09/01/2010 }

Worst customer service I ever experienced!Tried several times to reload my phone and was unsuccessful. I tried online, by cell phone and by land line. CS transferred to rep to rep to rep. No one could help me. Never use T Mobile. They are the worst!

tina

{ 08/31/2010 }

when you are almost out of minutes on tmobile prepaid , you get a prompt "refill soon for continous service you can bla bla bla . well you are charged 1 minite for them to tell you to give tmobile more money , a genuine rip off!!!

Willy

{ 08/31/2010 }

Are minutes perishable? I simply don't understand why they have to expire. I practically never use my cell phone, so I went with a pre-paid plan. The one time I needed to make a call, I saw that my minutes had expired 4 days earlier. I think I’m just going to buy a $10 card and simply keep it with the phone. It just takes a moment to add the minutes to the phone...no point in adding them until you need to use them.

Das

{ 08/27/2010 }

T-Mobile = TERRIBLE!!!

T-Mobile is the most pathetic carrier I've ever used. I also use to sell cellphones and dealing with them was also a problem, nothing but constant problems. I would never recommend T-Mobile to anyone.

sandy

{ 08/27/2010 }

When I am in stores I cannot use my T Mobil. It says emergency calls only. I am so dissapointed. Its like having no phone whem I cant use it when I need it.

Rod

{ 08/25/2010 }

T mobile is not an honest service. They ONLY have roaming charges where I ive and the price is at least triple the going rate. Not fair, not fair at all.
I need a good phone and this isn't it.

charles

{ 08/19/2010 }

It seems that some people have problems with the tmobile phones receiving bars, this could be due to bad phones(some brands are horrible)and whether you have a 3g phone or a tri band phone, if you don't then your bars won't be as great.

Randall

{ 08/18/2010 }

--For all those's complaining about Minutes being used without them using the phone, thats not true. You must be on the regular Pay as you go.. 33 cents/min with the 10.00 card.. I'm on the Pay as you go daily plan $1/day. Yes T-Mobile has fair coverage but it works, and im proud to be able to have T-Mobile! :)

--If you purchase phone cards and they don't work, it means they could be Fastcards and you need to call the number on the back of the card to add the minutes! :)

-- T-mobile is just another pre-paid wireless service out there, You don't have to stay here if you hate it or missing things.. there's Hundred's of other provider's who are smaller companys and bigger like AT&T Gophone.

Susan Carter

{ 08/18/2010 }

I brought a T-mobile phone with the call as you go plan. Phone arrived quickly with the card with about 3 minutes; everything was fine. I then tried to refill my minutes intending to purchase the 1000 minutes for $100.00. I tried 3 or 4 times on line; called customer service twice; was on the phone with cc the last time for 11 minutes (most of that time on hold) and still have not yet been able to refill minutes. I'm wondering if their 1000 minutes for $100 was a ploy to get me to buy a phone or what since apparently I can't buy more minutes. Extremely dissatified with T-mobile.

barbtuba4

{ 08/15/2010 }

I have used a prepaid T-Mobile Samsung phone for 8 months and I love it -- both the phone and the service has been outstanding. With a contract, I was paying over $35 a month, now I pay $2. Obviously I don't use a cell phone much so this works perfect for my needs. They gave me free minutes with purchase, I paid for the 1,000 minutes, and the customer service has been satisfactory. I'm thrilled I switched, T-Mobile has saved me a bundle.

MRpolak

{ 08/14/2010 }

I am extremly disappionted in tmoble we have had tmoble for while and when we tryed to swich our phones the costomer service was horrible they keep transfering you and the barley listen to what you say. they even rush you! it is horrible costermer service and i suggest switching to atnt there pricer but they actually offer very good costumer service unlike tmobile

Bob

{ 08/08/2010 }

Fraud: T-Mobile is subtracting way more minutes than used. I did a detailed, careful study of 2 weeks usage comparing minutes used in phone's log with difference between beginning and ending minutes available for the period: The phone log showed I used 25.3" if I didn't round [total seconds divided by 60], or 35" if I always rounded up. By contrast the difference between the remaining minutes on each date was 125" So my minute total was decreased by way more than the minutes I used. If the non-rounded usage was compared then the reduction in minute balance exceeded actual usage by 99" or nearly 5 times the actual minutes used. If fully rounded-up minutes were used, then the balance was reduced by 90" more than actual usage or 3.6 times the actual usage. If the difference in $ balance is compared to actual minutes used then my cost per minute would be 51 cents/min non-rounded or 37 cents/min rounded up. Online chat with t-mobile rep revealed they always mark up usage to next minute: 1.01 minutes = 2 minutes used. They claimed that I was getting minute for minute and my time was only costing 10 cents a minute, but steadfastly refused to provide their record of my calls so I could check for calls somehow not made on my phone. Claimed the FCC rules wouldn't allow me to see my own records.

Matt

{ 08/08/2010 }

couldn't set up auto-recharge on-line even after contacting on-line customer support. Couldn't set it up by calling customer service after being transferred 6! (not an exaggeration) times. Now they want me to go to a store to set it up. Colossal waste of time.

harley dude

{ 08/08/2010 }

I bought an inexpensive basic unlockable quad-band cell phone on the internet so that I could use it in the US as a back up to my regular cells (Verizon) and so I could use it in Europe by buying a European SIM card. I signed up for T-Mobile pre-paid to use it in the US. So far, I've got only good things to say about T-Mobile (taking into account how I want to use the phone). Their customer service was helpful in sending me their domestic SIM card virtually free (don't buy it at a store) and then helping to activate via their customer service phone line. They even offered to unlock it for me to use in Europe if I have problems doing it myself. I've used the phone a few times in the US to become familiar with it. I am a simple user for voice calls only. I don't text. I don't do fancy internet stuff and I only use the phone for about 15-20 minutes per month. I'm not like these people that can't survive without a phone pasted to their ear gabbing 24/7. If their minutes seem to disappear, maybe they've let them expire or maybe it's because you pay to receive as well as make calls. As I understand it, some services charge you pay for "airtime" not just originating calls. It seems to work as well as my Verizon phones in the area where I live. I will buy a European SIM and I hope the phone works in Europe. We will probably only use it for an emergency or to check with our daughter in the US periodically. It's true ya get's what ya pays for, but if you want super fancy service with all sorts of bells and whistles, you'll probably have to pay through the nose. However, so far T-Mobile seems to satisfy my minimal needs.

Erwin

{ 08/08/2010 }

I have read most of the reviews on this page and find it appauling that people would complain about coverage. Known fact, all carriers have issues with expanded coverage for Prepaid Services. Case in point, if I was to leave my town I would not have service. This would have been my choice as their postpaid comes with the expanded roaming service which is not indicated on their coverage maps unlike AT&T who bloat up their coverage maps by showing their roaming areas as home networks (I know this to be true as I worked for AT&T Wireless).
T-mobile USA is one if the best carriers in the country. Best customer service department when compared to the other carriers. And very willing to go out of their way to make sure they have happy customers. I would never be with any other carrier unless I absolutely had to.

MJ

{ 08/07/2010 }

I've been using T-Mobile for multiple phones over the last few years and have never had a problem. It's a good deal if you make a moderate number of calls (like $20 for 200 minutes), but it's an even better deal if you don't use the phone much and want one for security. Buy a $100 card the first year and then you only have to buy a $10 card each year to fund your emergency phone. Perfect for little kids and older people.

Mike

{ 08/05/2010 }

I can make a phone call without problems. My beef is with the company. I had a post-paid plan but decided to go pre-paid. I called to find out the price of the plan I wanted. They said 10c/min. I asked again to verify. 10 cents. So I did the math with my old bills and decided in the long run, it would be cheaper. I called back and talked to another person. That person also verified 10c/min. LIES! I made the switch, and my minutes cost me anywhere from 33 cent so 50 cents per minute. I sent a letter to complain and got a phone message back saying *I* must have selected the wrong plan. Uh...I verified twice with both people I talked to. So, T-Mobile (in my opinion) told me to F-off after 8 years of loyal patronage.

Ruth

{ 07/31/2010 }

HORRID the phone the coverage, the customer service is HORRID and I am being kind.

Rick

{ 07/30/2010 }

I've been a T-Mobile prepaid customer for 3 years. I'm very happy with the service. Spotty coverage, yes. No record of calls, yes. I imagine those complaining about disappearing minutes are people who underestimate their usage, or those that buy less than 1000 minutes at a time, causing the minutes to expire.

You can take the SIM card and put it in a different phone; I've done it.

It may not fit everyone's lifestyle, but I like paying what some pay in 1-2 months for an entire year.

Guest

{ 07/26/2010 }

you can be in the heart of a city and tmobile wont work

Ron Yeary

{ 07/25/2010 }

As a former long term customer of Tracfone, I've found T-Mobile pricing to be roughly half that of Tracfone for a prepaid service. Tacfone offers 400 minutes over one year and T-Mobile offers 1000 minutes. Roughly the same cost.

If you're using a prepaid phone, check out T-Mobiles "Simple Pricing" plan.

See my review of Tracfone under their listing.

Al

{ 07/25/2010 }

If T Mo's prepaid service is anything like its post paid service, then you need to RUN, not walk away from T Mo. I'm currently on a no contract plan but will be dropping them after only 4 months due to extremely poor coverage. They paint their coverage areas with an extremely wide brush that doesn't come close to their actual coverage. When I called cs about the coverage problem, I was told that they would have their techs check it out and repair as necessary. Well, they did one heck of a job! Now the area where I barely had service before I called nas exactly no service! Nice repair job, T Mo! My suggestion to anyone considering T Mo is that you go to T Mos website and check the customer reviews under connection problems. Seems that T Mo service has been going steadily downhill for awhile now.
Bottom line is STAY AWAY FROM T MOBILE!!!

ash

{ 07/23/2010 }

you can have any phone made prepaid, i recently did the $50 unlimited with a blackberry and it works fine (:

B.Fleagle

{ 07/21/2010 }

We have the Tmobile prepaid, where you buy the 100.00 card, receive 1150 minutes, and then can keep any minutes if you purchase more airtime before the 1 year expires. I am not a big phone user. Less than 10 minutes a week, really. This plan works for us, coverage is usually pretty OK. We are low maintenance users, do not call the call centers, do not need any special services, etc. I think that overall, I spend 5-6 dollars per month to be able to have cell phone access. Great plan for low minute users. Big time talkers, not so much.

Soccermom

{ 07/21/2010 }

Beware of the disappearing minutes! We used to have two prepaid phones with T-mobile. The phones will use up the minutes without the users touching the phone. Yes, they disappear like that. We called t-mobile to fix the problem too many times and just finally gave up.

Florida Rick

{ 07/14/2010 }

T-mobile is really messed-up. They used to have free T-Zones that included ESPN, CNN and ABC. Now, the only thing left is ABC News and that only works part of the time.

I have an "open" Blackberry and when I try to use it at a hotspot with the T-Mobil SIMM card in, with the "radio" off and wifi on, T-Mobile takes the phone over and says I can't use the internet with my plan. I need to physically REMOVE THE SIMM CARD to make this go away.

Finally, the U.S Government should look into consumer fraud by T-Mobile. For example, if you are a Gold member, your calls are 10 cents a minute. If my balance is $15.00, it may say I only have 92 minutes of talk time. That's over 15 cents/minute -- a consumer fraud if you ask me.

There are times I'll talk for 10 minutes and it seems they take $5.00 for the call. In any case, I have another phone with AT&T and I'm really happy with that. Unlimited anywhere for $3.00 on days I use it... Sure beats $5.00 to call for 10 minutes.

In my opinion, T-Mobile = Scam

Bruce T.

{ 07/13/2010 }

Have used the basic prepaid for a year with no problem except spotty coverage in some areas. But I knew that coming in as T-mobile is the smallest of the big 4. Had to deal with customer service and return an accessory that I ordered by mistake and they were very responsive. I bought the $100 /1000 minute package up front and they seemed to keep giving me bonus minutes that I didn't expect. I'm now about do my first refill so this couldn't be simpler or cheaper.

I do wish they tracked your calls and gave you a record. I made a few call to Europe from an airport and am curious how much they cost. Still glad they went through seamlessly and crystal clear.

Mary

{ 07/13/2010 }

I'd give "0" stars if I could. I was charged twice when trying to put minutes on my phone via the internet. First transaction said it "didn't authorize", so I put through a second transaction. Now both went through and I was charged twice as much. I was transferred several times from customer rep to customer rep. I was on hold for 30 min. before anyone answered my call.

donta

{ 07/12/2010 }

custpmer service was fine they spoke english and check to make sure it worked here and it did hotspot roaming but no roaming on 15$amonth unlimited texting,net10 unlimited is a joke,prepaid debit card or unlimited talk and text.picture messenges,

cekdar

{ 07/10/2010 }

The worst ever,

I tried to change my account type from flexi to prepaid for 10days, and meanwhile my account type is suspended then they did not process it and said that I have pay and then them may!? change my account type while keeping my phone number...I got really pissed off from T-mobile everytime I talked with customer care I heard different explanations, I am throwing this fuxxing sim card and will never use T-mobile again in my life...

Barbara

{ 07/04/2010 }

I've used T-Mobile prepaid for a couple of years. As long as I used it as a backup only it was fine; as soon as I started depending on it as a primary phone it got way too expensive, even at the 10c/minute rate. I'd recommend it for backup or light use only. I also found that their customer service, which used to be convenient and helpful, has become very poor: I have been unable to speak to a human, and the robot isn't programmed to answer what I need to know. They need to add a way to contact them by email; if there is one I haven't been able to find it. Trying to deal with their website is totally frustrating.

Deidre

{ 07/03/2010 }

I have been using T Mobile to go prepaid for about 5 years. We live in Southeastern MA between Boston and Providence RI. My husband sometimes has trouble getting service while on his commuter train, but other than that, this has been a really economical way to do cell service. We are not big cell users and do not text etc. so did not need thousands of minutes a month. We have three phones in the family with really very little problems. My 1000 minutes just lasted me 7 months and my husband's will last a whole year. It works for us!

magali

{ 07/03/2010 }

i have the prepaid unlimited with t mobile for a week now and has been great, i recommend it!!

JMS

{ 07/02/2010 }

Picked their prepaid service because of the apparent coverage map for southern IL (right across river from St Louis). I bought the phone plus $100 card to get the 1 yr service. Activated this morning. Coverage map is a lie. Their idea of a "good" reception zone is "good luck getting any reception" zone. I will now go out and buy another phone and service and chalk it up to another of life's lessons. Wish I had come across this review site earlier

Goofcat

{ 06/28/2010 }

I been using the prepaid for years. I put $100 on it and it last me almost the whole year. Tmobile texts me warnings about the expiration date, so I refill before that date and all my minutes roll over.

The best place to buy these phones is at Costco. They will do all the set up and often have discounts on the phone.

For my current phone, I paid $60 at Costco and got a a $25card with it!

keith

{ 06/24/2010 }

I manage about 5 prepaid T-mobile phones for my immediate family members and friends. T-mobile has deducted all the minutes from two of the phones to ZERO within a 45 day period. I know both users only used the phone very cautiously and they seldom use the phone except during emergency. T-mobile is not giving me any explanation. The first one maybe a mistake but TWO phone accounts went to ZERO balance? Come on. I think T-mobile is getting to be a bunch of crooks.

haley.

{ 06/22/2010 }

im about to get tmobie prepaid, unlimited. i just wanna know can you put the sim card in a different tmobile phone.? or do you have to keep the same ugly phone.

Robert Burns

{ 06/18/2010 }

I do not recommend buying TMobile Prepaid under any circumstances. I recently did and had one of the worst experiences I've ever had. I bought the Prepaid Phone and $100 card directly from TMobile. It took me 1 1/2 hours to activate the phone and then the phone key pad would not unlock. I send back the phone and card and they will only refund me for the phone and I'm out the $100 for the card. I am totally disgusting with TMobile. DO NOT BUY TMOBILE!!!!!!

bbbb

{ 06/16/2010 }

Hi,
I just bought a T-mobile prepaid phone, I put the sim card but now I don't know what I have to do, I know I have something to do with the numbers but what? could you help me please?

Travis

{ 06/16/2010 }

First thing you need to know is that T-Mobile does NOT care about you. They have no consideration or compassion - they just want your money. I was a loyal customer for years. Today I went online to charge my phone as I've done over 20 times. The website had an error and my card was charged, but the minutes didn't get credited. Tried the online chat - couldn't help. Tried talking to Levi, Brian (0527), Yalita (1005) and Emanuel (12578). Everyone had a different story, but after over 1 hour the bottom line was "FU customer" call your credit card company to dispute the charge. We won't help you and could care less if we have wasted an hour of your time. My wife has Straight Talk. Moving there now! T-Mobile sucks!

Moosette

{ 06/15/2010 }

MY Samsong gravity turns off when i slide it or just leave it sitting for a few minutes or if it bangs against something not my recommendation that you get it!

Bern

{ 06/15/2010 }

Anybody notice that you can't use many of the existing features on your phone if you have prepaid with T-Mobile instead of contract? For instance, you can't adjust it to call forward after the number of seconds of your choosing (your stuck with 20 secs), nor can you have a call forwarded to a number other than the voice mail number. I find this most annoying, as I'd often like a shorter or longer ring time, AND often prefer that the ring forward to my home phone number rather than to voice mail. These feature ARE on the phone, but you can't use them (the big STOP sign comes up) if you try to activate these features. Anybody else have similar experiences where everyday setting features like these can't be used if you're on prepaid? Also, they don't make it clear that if you haven't used your 1000 minutes in a year, you only have to buy a $10 refill card to keep ALL your minutes going for another year. This seems to be a pretty well-kept secret.

Holly

{ 06/14/2010 }

What a nightmare. I got a prepaid phone # and immediately started getting phone calls from a message center which clogged up my voicemail. I called t-mobile who said that they would block the #. I also blocked the # on my own. Unfortunately I continued to get phone calls. I finally had to change my phone #. Then I was told that I was charged for all of the voice mail messages which is well over 40 minutes of calls. When I asked for reimbursement, I was declined. Crappy customer service and a rip-off. I am going back to verizon.

Cheryl Sherwood

{ 06/13/2010 }

This prepaid service has dead zones where your phone does not work in Illinois.

reality_check

{ 06/11/2010 }

Just looked at the T-Mobile site and they have only 4 prepaid phones. How old is your review?

cf

{ 06/10/2010 }

pooooor customer service, never buy!

Greg Smith

{ 06/10/2010 }

I had T mobile prepaid for years with no problems, however, I just recently had to change my phone number and called customer service to do it. My phone was frozen for weeks. I called customer support every day and they kept giving me the run around. I had a hundred dollars on the phone and now I have nothing. Somehow....someone stole my minutes. I will never do business with T mobile again.

Manny

{ 06/09/2010 }

I have been a loyal T-Mobile customer since 2005. I had been satisfied with their customer service & service until recently. I called to get help about minutes being deducted from my phone that were not & could not have been made from my phone. The rep transferred me to tech support who then transferred me back to a customer service rep. who took an alternate number from me & told me to "please hold" then hung up but never called me back. This happened twice. Finally when I called back to talk with another rep they told me all the calls appear to be legitimate and that they could do nothing for me. Done with T-Mobile for good now. T-Mobile isn't what it used to be and they are now really just a bunch of crooks!!!

Sanford

{ 06/09/2010 }

Most economical per minute pre-paid calling plan available - if you buy $100 calling card. The $100 equals 83 minutes per month for 12 months calling time at just 10 cents/minute. I have found reception pretty good wherever I go, however, at home I get only 1 bar because the cell tower is over a hill from our house with trees for obstruction. We have had 2 plans for over 3 years and are quite happy with them.

When we ran a phone through the washing machine, I went to the local mall T-M kiosk and in a few minutes they transferred my number to a new phone & I was on my way.

Frank Del

{ 06/07/2010 }

Poor reception pretty much everywhere. Went to TMobile store and CSR tells me that their service sucks! Nice. Be sure to check that you get service before you buy, no point paying .10 a minute for something that doesn't work!
I'm switching to a different carrier and so is everyone in my family since we only use PPD.

sax

{ 06/07/2010 }

how come this concept of "money with expiration date" goes unchallenged by consumer groups and government? like, you pay them money before using any services, they can use your money right away, and if you forfeit using their services you also forefeit your money! i call this highway robbery!

BIll

{ 06/06/2010 }

I've had T-Mobile prepaid for several years. You really can't beat the $100 refill for 1000 mins with a one year expiration date. And you can access some useful web sites...not bad for being free. I've traveled extensively and found the service to be about as good as other carriers I've had. The reception inside some buildings can be bad, but that is a function of the service being GSM. But the tradeoff is you can buy a new prepaid phone, stick your GSM chip in it and be ready to go. And your phonebook comes over too!

Freddie

{ 06/02/2010 }

I am a light cell phone user. I bought a tmobile phone and 1000 minutes for a hundred bucks, good for a year. The problem is tmobile service coverage is the pits. I could never rely on the phone where I live and where I traveled. Their coverage maps are a total lie. Also, the roaming was to be included at no additional cost but t-mobile turned it off. Often I would have 5 bars and get message emergency calls only. I now have tracfone and it is nice to actually be able to use the phone. Not so with tmobile. Why they are still in business I cannot understand.

Gmoney

{ 06/01/2010 }

it was ok but pretty lame if u ask meh but its still a phone lol ...............i wont a new 1 lookin out for iny that are new.........lol

jackie

{ 06/01/2010 }

eh its pretty good if you have no choice but after a while this phone kills your thumbs my thumbs now have indents the set up of the phone is annoying though the flashlight on it is tacky but pretty handy :)

ANNOYED!!!

{ 05/25/2010 }

okay my mom got me 1000 minutes on my samsung gravity and i used about 200 minutes. my mom said she was gonna get me more minutes next year, so i thought it was a pretty good deal so i decided to limit my time. anyways, i was taking an iq test cuz i had to for my school and stuff and to get the results i had to agree to the terms of service and give your phone #. so i did and they sent me a text with my pin number and then they sent me FOUR FREAKIN' ADVERTISEMENTS THAT TOOK 100 MINUTES OFF JUST FOR RECIEVING THEM AND NOT EVEN READING THEM!!! I HATE THIS SERVICE SO FREAKIN' MUCH!!! so now i have 326 minutes whereas i used to have 826 minutes just yesterday. THANK YOU TMOBILE THANK YOU SO FREAKIN' MUCH!!

SIGNED, VERY ANNOYED AND ABSOLUTELY HATES TMOBILE.

PS, i had to choose 1 star but it really deserves negative infinity stars.

Sebastian

{ 05/24/2010 }

T-Mobile is the best kept secret. I've been with them since they were VoiceStream on the family plan /$60 per month/ but last few years went on prepaid for $8 per month. You can't go wrong with that.

David

{ 05/21/2010 }

This has been the absolute worst company that I have ever dealt with. The customer service is horrible, the management is awful, and the compassion from the entire company is despicable. Starting with Lou ID# 0955170 "Coach Floor Supervisor" call center #9 will put you on hold until you run out of patience so you call another call center which in return will place you on hold again. I started this whole process a few weeks ago for my grandmother. The family bought her a pre-paid T Mobile phone which cost roughly $20 and I personally set up with $10 so she could have a way to contact her family in case of an emergency, she made one phone call, the phone went into security mode and could not access the phone from there. I called customer service and "they" including upper management admitted to having a software malfunction with in the phones software and advised me to send the $20 phone back at my expense. Which we gladly did. A couple of weeks later we get the new phone with no battery, sim card, or back. We spent many of hours trying to resolve this matter with nothing but laughter in the background of the phone conversation. And an offer of a $45 credit which will expire if you don't use it in a certain amount of time. Meanwhile we have no phone and no compassion as a pre paid user. I know this because I know of a large company that has an extensive line of phones dating back to the Nextel era that have been advised to change providers upon my request. Just because you don't have an account, you should NOT be treated the way that my grandmother has been treated for being a pre paid phone holder. I rest my peace!!! God bless and hope that those that read this follow this lead.... Its just not right and does not have any common since backing it....

Lena

{ 05/20/2010 }

If I could give them no stars or negative stars then I would. There is no such thing as a $50.00 unlimited plan from T-Mobile. More like $70.00+ and with a smartphone it's $99.00. I'm changing services right now. The only thing good about T-Mobile is their customer service. They are polite & someone is always there to assist you & talk you through whatever your problem may be but it's way too expensive to be a prepaid plan. You may as well have a contract with them if you're going to be paying so much for a PRE-PAID plan.

jc

{ 05/19/2010 }

The new $15 unlimited text prepaid plan from t-mobile is their best kept secret! I actually called t-mobile today and they told me about the $50/mo prepaid plan, but not this one.
It's perfect! I don't have to ignore texts anymore b/c of 10 cent to send, or spend $100 just to get 10 cent minutes!

valire.j

{ 05/19/2010 }

jst got the new $15 unlimited text,vid,pic messaging plan with 10cent a min for all calls.ITS A GREAT PRICE AND PLAN for those who text alot an dont call much

Wael

{ 05/18/2010 }

While being in the US for 1 week visit, i bought a T mobile prepaid sim card and this is where the disaster started. the coverage is not as good as expected. while doing the refill over the internet, my credit card was charged twice although I didnt get any penny as a recharge. Calling the customer service to report the porblem, they listen, transfer your call to technical support, they listen, then they refer you to refill division, then you repeat the same story on and on and on... until they tell you call your bank to stop the transaction. THEY ARE REALLY SO PROFESSIONAL!!

harry

{ 05/18/2010 }

get tmobiles prepaid $50 unlimited talk/text including email, plus roaming

Tom

{ 05/16/2010 }

T-mobile is the Best! $100 for 1000 min that last 1 whole year!!! Hey, that's only $8/month!!! I've been using t-mobile for 5 years!

INFURIATED

{ 05/13/2010 }

They STOLE $60 from my account! If you don't top up EVERY month they DELETE whatever money is in there! CROOKS! SCOUNDRELS! Virgin mobile gives you 3 months to top up as a comparison and has MUCH better coverage. This one is a no brainer folks. Don't go near tmobile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David

{ 05/12/2010 }

Good phone at a good price. But you cannot access your actual calls but have to "trust" them that their calculations are correct. Service calls take interminable amounts of time and they don't make it easy to talk to a real person when you don't fit their cookie cutter options.

nonregla

{ 05/10/2010 }

So, after being on hold for about 30 min, a supervisor finally picked up. He told me that each of the three legs of the trip will only take 3-5 days as opposed to 3-7 and that they could give me another $30 service plan on the new phone once it arrives. When he picked up, he had no idea who I was or what my story was; he received no information from the person I called before him.

So, aside from spending over 75 minutes on the phone, I will be out of a phone for about 2 weeks, but at least I will not have to lose the money I will lose in airtime as the clock ticks down on my contract.

Jean

{ 05/08/2010 }

I am looking for a prepaid phone and travel some. Does T-mobile have good coverage? Does it roam so I don't lose the call or will the call drop?

Michael Keleher

{ 05/07/2010 }

Much less than meets the eye.
Pros slick ads and storefronts

Cons: Much smaller service area for prepaid than for other T-Mobile plans. Possibly the worst method for taking credit cards over the phone in the world. Want to feel like a suspect? Try to do business with T-Mobile.

jerrey.k

{ 05/06/2010 }

T-mobile is coming out with new prepaid options unlimited talk and text, with data on may 16! let the prepaid competition wars begin

Judy

{ 05/03/2010 }

Like Tracfone, T-mobile claims their prepaid phones can be activated online. This is not the case with either.I've never been able to activate a T-mobile or a Tracfone online. You have the call the toll free number. Other than that, the phone is great. Their customer serivce is WAY better than Tracfone and their employees speak English anyone can understand. My question is, why do they even bother putting online activation on their website?

John F

{ 05/02/2010 }

Good service, cheap. I spend $100/year and get the same quality service as my wife also a T-mobile customer who spends $49/month.

terey,k

{ 04/29/2010 }

on may 16 tmobile prepaid will be coming out with a unlimited text and talk plan for $50

Gerard

{ 04/26/2010 }

T-Mobile is letting things go to their heads.. $50 refills used to get me 500 minutes.. now T-Mobile wants to push their $100 refills by offering less minutes for the $50- Well that's dirty tactics so I moved on.. Pretty soon they'll be pushing for $500 refills.. FY T-Mobile. You are Busted. And now others know. It's called a 'review'.

Tee

{ 04/16/2010 }

I've had t-mobile prepaid for several years now, just using the prepaid cards. I do not use my phone much at all, it's really just for emergencies and for a way to contact me when I travel. But I like that after I spent $100 on minutes, they now last for a year and give a bonus on minute purchases I make. Now it takes me $10 a year to keep my phone active if I'm barely using it. If nothing else it's a great for-emergencies option.

It's April now and I'm still on the money I put on the phone back in November before a trip. Meanwhile my friend with Virgin prepaid has to put more money in every few months even if not using up the current minutes.

I have very few problems with reception when I travel, and if I do, it's generally a region that people around me are having problems with too. (Example: certain areas around San Juan islands off coast of Washington.) Though I do sometimes have a harder time than others picking up a signal in buildings. That could be my specific phone model though.

Kathleen

{ 04/14/2010 }

Love T-Mobile prepaid. I bought the phone at Walmart. Took out the card and put it in an unlocked phone I bought on ebay. Good coverage here in Seattle. Never lost a call. The plus for me is the phone still works fine in Vancouver, Canada. I can make calls when I'm in Vancouver to anywhere including Seattle. I was with Tracfone and the minute I crossed over the boarder I couldn't make a call.
Easy to add minutes as well. Their website is user friendly. Highly recommend T-mobile for prepaid service.

Lynn

{ 04/14/2010 }

As a disabled person, needing the phone for emergency calls, and the rare long-distance to family, I needed to trust someone! T-Mobile prepaid service CAN'T BE TRUSTED! Hundreds of minutes gone-supposedly to text and pics--a service I NEVER use... CS gave me $2 refund, and hung up on me again.

robert

{ 04/11/2010 }

people should get verizon prepaid its better

jay,l

{ 04/10/2010 }

tomo prepaid is gettin $50 unlimited talk and text!

Robert Thompson

{ 04/07/2010 }

I absolutely love Tmobile's prepaid plan. I text way more than i talk. I love that my unused minutes last me a whole year too. I strongly endorse Tmobile's prepaid plan. Pay as you go is definately the way to go. I have always been a Tmobile customer.

David

{ 04/05/2010 }

I don't know why T-Mobile pre-paid service ranked high in the Jan 2010 Consumer Reports. I just got a phone today and, thus far, my experience is that it is no better than Verizon. At the T-Mobile store, I was given false information twice by the personnel. Additionally, I feel like I am a 2nd class citizen at T-Mobile because of the pre-paid plan. Despite two calls to customer service, once from the store and once from home, I was unable to get my existing phone number ported over to T-Mobile. They also refused to give me a good number; they could only give me a randomly generated number. And, to add insult to injury, the person on the phone--somewhere in the Far East or South Asia, they refused to say where they were--switched me to a new (randomly generated) number before I even got the opportunity to say 'yes' or 'no'.
Grrrr...

Mad Parent

{ 04/04/2010 }

Not a good plan if you are a parent trying to keep track of your child's usage and people they are texting and talking to. You cannot get this information on their website like you can for the contract TMobile. So make sure you confirm if you can see all activity via a website if you are providing this phone for a child. I found that many of the major carriers don't provide this for their pre-paid/pay as you go accounts.

slow2anger

{ 03/31/2010 }

great choice for quiet person, u just pay when u talk or text. for those who loves 2 talk or text, u better stay away from this prepaid plan and get your monthly plan. As far as connection & services, it's great & wonderful.
save your $$$ & live better!!!

disgruntled

{ 03/31/2010 }

Bought prepaid phones at TMobile. Phones reprogramed themselves with key lock on. Security code required. Resent. Then No ring tone. T mobile couldn't fix it, and said "buy a new phone". We reaslly don't do anything with prepaid here( even though we bnought it there!) Buy a prepaid phone with T Mobile, and you'll never get a refund for no service.

TAMEKIA

{ 03/31/2010 }

FUCK TMOBILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

anita

{ 03/28/2010 }

I have had TM prepaid for 2 years now. My unlocked phone died so purchased a new one from TM store and works just fine no problems switching phones. Get text and vm with no problems. Have a whole year before minutes expire. Customer Service is by far the best very friendly and helpful. My daughter who visits from out of state has no complaints using this phone while she visits here and she travels throughout IL. I also have a contract phone with them and see no difference in service.

Mary

{ 03/25/2010 }

I just spent all afternoon attempting to activate a prepaid phone. Even with all of the documentation supplied with the phone I was told I would have to return the kit to the retailer as there was an error. I was transferred to 3 different reps,2 of which assured me the phone had been activated WRONG! I was so frustrated I will go with another phone company and not recommend T Mobile to anyone!!!!

rodney

{ 03/22/2010 }

I had T mobile for many years , but had bad coverage, then I wanted to end my contract obviously it cost a fortune so I waited and changed to a prepaid plan to my surprise, I had an emergency my minutes were about to expire and I could not charge the phone on line it did not work because they were updating the website, and then tried by phone no you have to wait we work only till ten. I mean I thought this is ajoke for me , ate least a cell phone is an emergency device if I cannot have it when I need it what is the use of it

Al

{ 03/17/2010 }

I used T-Mobile prepaid for close to 5 years and never had a problem. My wife has it and my son has it. I only recently moved off to another prepaid because I'm trying to find something else (mostly web and unlimited, cheap), and I get to be the guinea pig. (I still have mine with service until August if I decide the one I'm playing with now isn't going to work out.) Really, of all of the ones I used since I started (Tracfone, Net10, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile and StraightTalk), T-mobile was hands down the best quality and their phones are decent if you spend the money on the expensive prepaid models or buy them off of Ebay or Craig's List used. (I'd personally avoid Virgin Mobile at all costs - I wrote a review of that one, too.) I have a VOIP number I was porting to a prepaid (gave it up due to caller ID, not service) and had a little problem getting it done. But 2 calls got it completely fixed up and a lot of added time (with about a 4% bonus) back onto another phone I had to use to work it all out. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Einstein

{ 03/17/2010 }

Great CS!! I just activated my T-mobile some days ago and I had a problem with my voice mail. I called the CS and a representative guide me thorough nicely. Since I lost about 20minutes ($2) because of this problem, I asked the representative if I could get reimbursed for this minutes, and she gave me 50 minutes ($5) back!
I absolutely love the fact that T-mobile prepaid customers have free access to Yahoo mail. I can use my yahoo account to text my friends from my cell for free!

Uri

{ 03/17/2010 }

Very bad coverage! Even worse CS! You really don't want to do this to yourself. Just avoid them, get something else.
I threw money down the drain when I bought a T-Mo prepaid phone.

Donna

{ 03/06/2010 }

This prepaid plan has the worst! coverage ever. Don't bother spending your money.

mark

{ 03/04/2010 }

i had a t moble phone since 2006. I bought 2 phones. One is fine the other is a nightmare. I activated both on the same day, bugt While on vacation in Fl,I found one was never actavated!
It took nearly 3 hours to do this. The next day i recived a message saying my 1000 minusts wer experiring. I called and told not to worry it was a glitch. Well the following day i needed to make a call to get directions. The phone said i had no minuts! I had to go to a parking space pay $5.00 so i couls get into the trund to get the other phone. I was so upset i did nto want to talk to them ever again. But the next day i called. They coudl not explain what happend. But they could not giv eme all my minuts back at once, just over a few days! I wrote 2 letters, neather have been responded to! When i called and talked to a amployee she said i wated to long to respone to them and they coudcl do nothing. IK reminded them if they had responde to the first letter it would have been taken care of. All i asked for was my parking ree and some compensation. I have now turned this over to the ill state attorney Gerneral. I would Never reconend T Mobile to Anyone!!

Crissy

{ 02/28/2010 }

Very good! I have had TMobile pre-paid for over two years. So far, so good. Coverage and customer service is good. But to get the 10 Cent a minute rate, you must purchase the $100 card or refill for $100.

Michael

{ 02/26/2010 }

T-Mobile is the best. Nobody ever mention accessing YAHOO email is free using via GPRS. That is a great plus.

JAKE

{ 02/11/2010 }

I HAVE THE SIDEKICK SLIDE PREPAID WITH T MOBILE I DO LOVE THE CELL ITS JUST SO EXPENSIVE WHEN U WANT A NEW SIDEKICK ($500) THTS REDIC BUT YOU PAY FOR WNTING PREPAID SO I RECOMMEND THEM AND PLUS THEY HAVE GOOD CUSTOMER CARE O YA ANYONE HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING A BLACKBERRY PREPAID CAUSE I WONT ONE EMAIL ME

SONIA AKERSTROM

{ 02/06/2010 }

I BOUGHT THE RAZR V3 LAST YEAR, AND I WASNT VERY HAPPY WITH THE COMPANY AT ALL SO I WENT AND GOT A NEW CELL FROM WALMART ON 2/2/10 AND I NOW HAVE THE STRAIGHT TALK PHONE AND IM VERY HAPPY WITH STRAIGHT TALK I RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE.

ManChild

{ 01/29/2010 }

i was on the phone with a tmo agent to make a payment. at the end the dude says to me that i can refill my phone by sending an sms message so, i tried it out and it worked! just send the amount, a space, and the last 4 digits of the CC that you used to refill in the past. easy, quick and adds value immediately. i'll never do anything else. VERY COOL!

westsubmom

{ 01/27/2010 }

just got off Tmobile chat for 1.5 hour, regarding $200 in minutes that completely disappeared over just 3 weeks. Turns out over 700 picture messages were supposedly sent to my phone, which I most certainly NEVER received. They refuse to restore my 2,000 minutes, since the pic msgs came from numbers that *they say* I previously had received from (they won't tell me which number), they figure that makes them valid, in their book, and therefore non-refundable....I am currently shopping for a different prepaid plan for my whole family which uses only prepaid. I have also written a complaint to TMobile, but, realistically, even if my snail mail letter gets the 2,000 minutes restored, who's to say I won't just have the same trouble all over again? Who knows, it might even be TMobile that sent those 700+ messages.

Arlene Scully

{ 01/19/2010 }

I received 245 ALERT messages on my cell phone in
3 weeks..called T-Mobile..they said they would block it...I went to their website and it specifically states
that they don't block on pay-as-you-go plans!

D.W.

{ 01/16/2010 }

I've used T-mobile pre-pay for a few years now in Northern California. It's so cheap to talk and text no other plan can beat it - 5 and 10. I also have a newer AT&T pre-pay phone/plan and it costs 25 to talk and text, BUT it has pop email: hotmail, aol mail and yahoo mail. If I could add email tp pre-pay plan (in which $100 rolls over for a year) I'd just buy a newer, unlocked T-mobile phone and use my current T-mobile sim card in it. I'd pay a litte extra for email, but never for a 2 year subscription for a phone - might as well be making a down payment on a new car (total is about $2,000-3,000 for a phone after paying subscription costs for two years).

+5 stars for excellent pre-pay plan
-1 star for no email, outdated pre-pay phones
= +4 stars

Rob in CT

{ 01/15/2010 }

If you want a no frill service its great. It works in buildings without a problem. Not for the electronics geek but very servicable. I would like to see more expanded service areas though.

Island Lover

{ 01/12/2010 }

I have to say best deal is the $100 up front for a full year of dialtone on the phone. I use the phone as a voice mail service and access the service via my VOIP service off my DSL. Never use all the minutes and just refill each year to say the service plan. Whe nI do use the phone service is always good near major cities. TM is not a good service if your in a rual area outside major markets. But for travel oversea's and in major cities can't beat the deal. I work for at&t and it's my choice same network GMS and the plan price is better.

manuel

{ 01/09/2010 }

i like t-mobiles new t-mobile complete prepaid .its awesome.its kinda like flexpay.its the best and i get good service and good price.and customersevice is nice as well

Linda P.

{ 01/08/2010 }

I love my T-Mobile prepaid service. I've had it for quite a few years. I still have my Samsung X495. Now that my Palm (another device) which is a PDa is about to lose it's working order, I was thinking about using the same t-Mobile sim card that's in my X495 by transfering it into a better phone that is all in one (PDA/Cell Phone), they say that the Blackberry works well with this sim. I would like to explore more on what other unlocked cell/pda options I might have other than blackberry. Most of the unlocked ones require that you follow the network that it works with via contract. Any comments that some of you have, I'd appreciate that. Although I am happy with T-Mobile prepaid service. It just makes better sense to control your calling habits and also your internet access habits as well. Thanks..T-Mobile is great!

Holmes

{ 01/04/2010 }

I use T-Mobile pay as you go for some three years now in Illinois (outside Chicago). Never had a problem. I try not to use it unless necessary, but minutes last a year and they give me additional free minutes based on purchasing a certain amount during the year. I prefer having "no contract". I keep track of the minutes & usage by reviewing the call timers listed on my menu. Can also dial #999# and get a readout of minutes remaining.

X-tmobile-user

{ 12/23/2009 }

They force you to buy more minutes by expiring the minutes you have. Sucks! Go STI Mobile!!!! :-)

christy

{ 12/18/2009 }

searched and studied all the pre-paid phones. love the t-mobile family. i have a great slider Samsung phone. mobile coverage from little rock to jonesboro. first onth free..thirty days to decide pros and cons. best coverage in years. love the 27-7 real humans i can understand cs. thanks for the break christy

Javier

{ 12/13/2009 }

I think you need to update your info. T mobile offers a 90 days roll over if you buy the 25 bucks card

Linda Cameron

{ 12/13/2009 }

I have mixed feelings about the Tmobile prepaid plans now. I bought my own prepaid phone about 5 years ago and am still using the same number and prepaid plan. It has been just great because I have bought over $100 worth of minutes and now when I add more minutes, even $10 worth, they will not expire for a year. If I add more before they expire, they are carried over. For someone who only wants to use a cell phone for emergencies and convenience (instead of a pay phone), this is perfect. It was good enough, that I bought my husband a prepaid phone so he could use his the same way I use mine. In fact, when we go shopping together, it would be very handy to call each other when we need to meet up. The only problem is that right after we activated his new number, he started getting spam text messages which were eating up his minutes. He has not made a single call on his new prepaid plan yet and at least 12 minutes are gone. I called Tmobile and asked them to block all text messages and they did. A couple of days later, we checked the phone and the same spammer had sent several more text messages. More minutes were used up. I called Tmobile again and they said the text messaging was blocked but some spam can still get through and there is nothing they can do about it. One person said they would reimburse us 75¢ for what was used up so far but they couldn't do anything about it if more keeps coming! Now I am really ticked off! I just checked the phone right now and there are 3 new text spam messages.

Micael Sezlov

{ 12/03/2009 }

An awful company, very crooked -- and surprise, surprise, they're German, actually Deutsche Telecom. The bottom line is their service is TERRIBLE. Go with another provider.

Greg

{ 12/01/2009 }

T-Mobile prepay is OK. I would like to point out that if you use it a lot, all on the T-Mobile native network, you might be happier with Simple Mobile (reseller of T-Mobile service).

sandy

{ 11/30/2009 }

Two members of fam have tmob pay as you go. It's been great, as they limit their longer chats for the home phone--it's basically a "where are you" and "meet me at...." phone. Only problem: apparently the price of texting has gone from 5 cents to 20 cents in the the three years we've belonged.

wpparkmom

{ 11/29/2009 }

Tmobile prepaid is a good basic plan designed for those who use cellphones occasionally, not for those who yak all day long. You can't beat the math: you can buy a T-mobile starter phone/SIM for $20, add $100 refill, and hand your child a cellphone -- you get peace of mind for $10/month. Calls are 10 cents each, texts are 5 cents each, and you're not stuck paying $59/month for some basic family plan that doesn't even cover texting.

Meh

{ 11/19/2009 }

Got the 1 dollar per day plan. Pretty cool since most of my friends got T-Mobile. All I'm charged is a buck and I may talk for maybe a couple hours a day. Saves me a ton of money cuz other plans would probly deduct a lot for the amount I talk =P. I also have a sidekick which I use for unlimited messaging and web browsing for a buck. Kinda sucks having 2 phone to do the job but hey, gotta work with what you got. The only real complaint I have is the damn service, it works good outside and everywhere else I go but as soon as I get into my apartment its like I'm in a train station!! >=|. Anyways, fairly decent plan. If your friends and family use T-mobile, this is the plan for you.

Joshua

{ 11/13/2009 }

TM is definitely having problems right now. The BBB in Bellevue, WA has thousands of complaints. This "sucking so bad economy" has forced them to make radical changes that have seriously hurt the consumer such as moving CS out of the U.S. to foreign countries...language & dialect creates additional problems when speaking on the phone...Add billing problems, defective phones, dropped calls, poor signal strength etc. and you have even bigger problems. As previous posters stated: complain, complain, complain...

And keep monitoring your minutes...

EK

{ 11/07/2009 }

Problems: Unable to access call or txt history. $100 to zero in 2 months. I know I txt a lot, but I should be able to see my call or txt history online or statement. Lack of it opens the window for fraud and errors in TM favor. I called complaining about this and how I could not see the bonus $30 posted to my account they advertised when I signed up. Difficult to reach customer service. Prepaid customers are treated as 2nd class. I have excellent credit, just tired of paying month for nonuse of minutes and locked in contract. Customer service is very condescending and even hung up when I complained. What a disgrace from 5 years ago when I switch from Sprint. I'm shopping around for another carrier. I'm going to complain to the FCC and FTC for deceptive trade practices and my Congressional representatives as well. No accountability whatsoever. I've had it large conglomerates with oligarchical or monopolistic behavior.

Micah

{ 10/31/2009 }

Been with TM about 5 years. Back then it was straight prepay and CS was very knowledgeable as they were located in the U.S. I seldom have to call CS, but I do monitor my minutes on a weekly basis, cause there are too many people complaining of stolen minutes to not take this seriously. I don’t use my phone on a daily basis, and thus my minutes have accumulated to the point where the cost to use my phone is less than 5 dollars per month. No where on the planet can you beat that. And I still have the original phone too, but will be upgrading to a more current model. So this plan still works for some folks, but I am concerned about these current problems TM is having.

Pissed

{ 10/29/2009 }

I'm another one who got ripped off on their pre-paid plan. After four years of never using over 90 minutes a month with Verizon, I decided to switch to pre-paid. Bought 1000 minutes figuring it would last me a year. After two months, I noticed I only had 300 minutes remaining. Called customer service regarding the problem. They told me their records showed I was making about 70 calls a month. I told them that was impossible. I average about 15 calls a month. They said they show 70. I asked for a call log, but was told I was not allowed to see my calls. They tried to sell me a plan where I could access my calls. I said no thanks, fix my current problem. They said they couldn't help, and I should try going to a T-Mobile store to see if they could help. I did...they couldn't. They provided me an email address (privacy@T-Mobile.com) and said I would receive a response within 48 hours. Two weeks and 7 emails later...still no response. After three months, all of my minutes were gone, so I called customer service again. Once again, I was told that I'm out of minutes because I make 70 calls a month, and I should switch to another plan.

I hope my emails to the FCC and BBB expose T-Mobile for what they are...pre-paid crooks.

Suck it, T-Mobile!

marty

{ 10/28/2009 }

I just got rid of my verizon contract for tmobile to go. they are a good company, plus, I don't need another bill in my mailbox every month.

patricia longmore

{ 10/26/2009 }

Tried to use my cell phone but it would only take emergency calls only. I had 430 minutes left on my prepaid account which was paid up until July 31st 2010. I called TMobile but got someone on the phone who spoke very little English and out of desperation had to put another $25.00 on my credit card to make the call. I have been a customer since Omnipoint came into Florida several years before Voicestream took over. I am outraged over the way Ihave been treated. Called Customer Service and he agreed with me that I had been treated very badly but he could do nothing for me. Why do they call it Customer Service when they don't care or give any service to their customers!

Ingmar

{ 10/24/2009 }

Horrible reception at my home and work place in the middle of the city even though the coverage page of T-Mobile shows "Best Signal Strength". It's outrageous.

rose

{ 10/19/2009 }

I am giving this 3 stars because I love the phone and the prepaid minutes stretch out far. The con is that they did not have a number in my area code and reception can be spotty. The good news is that after removing the battery and sim card and then replacing them, I recovered service. Indoor reception could be better.

Mike

{ 10/18/2009 }

I'm a teenager, and I text a considerable amount. I'll break this down into a few categories.
- Coverage:
Spotty traveling and at home (east coast). In my own home the service is bad, I've had to learn where to place my phone in order to receive service.
- Rates:
Awful for texting, it's really upsetting how much i have to pay (50-100 per month) NOT TEXTING FRIENDLY. The pre-paid cards are a scam as well, unless you buy the $100 card.
- Phones
I have the razor. It turns off randomly, restarts itself, and wont send texts and i will have to restart it myself. A real pain.
- C.S.
Great costumer service. Wish they had everything else.

bob

{ 09/30/2009 }

poor rception and customer service if i were u i would get verizon preapid with unlimited txtin bundles

dan.l

{ 09/29/2009 }

tmobile preapid needs messaging bundles like at&t & verizon prepaid have. they need to get some soon like now.bcuz they maybe lossing customers bcuz of that

Joe

{ 09/27/2009 }

I love the T-mobile prepaid service. I don't use my phone that whole lot so $100 lasts me a good six months. The best part is I used it on my unlocked Blackberry, and I get to check up on the latest news on CNN, ESPN, ABC New, and SI all for free.

96

{ 09/15/2009 }

T-Mobile is the best prepaid service you can get for the money. A lot of people say that they have bad CS but it is 1000 times better than Tracfone or AT&T. I started out using $100 cards in 2007. It wasn't until 2009 that I used up more than $100. These phones are pretty good until you start using the living days out of it. Overall I'm very satisfied, and I never had to call CS unless it was to unlock my phone (I have had 3 phones with T-Mo). The good part is that they don't sell you the outdated cell phones on prepaid. You can buy the newest phone (full price) and use that no problem.

Bob

{ 09/15/2009 }

Before that I have had Verizon for the $45 monthly contract, what a waste of money.

Bought Samsung t349 for $100, nice toy. Decided to transfer my old Verizon # to this new TM, was afraid of problems when doing it online so I called customer service. The stupidest people I've ever seen!!! My 6 yo nephew listened them on speakers and she called them morons. After calling CS I was unable activate TM via online so the CS was the only option left, I guess I was stupid too.

Well, I did activate it after all, promised myself not to call CS again ever. Transfered my old Verizon #, so everything is as it was except I don't pay monthly $45, but rather $100 annually.

Charged it with $100 online and got 1000 minutes. So far so good. The t349 supports up to 4 Gb of memory, micro SDHC so you can put there ringtones, mp3, video, pdf, doc, txt and watch/listen these files on your phone, a micro laptop. It has photo and video cameras, voice recorder. I'm trying to figure out if it can record conversation when calling.

Coverage is spotty when in NM mountains and highways, but is great around cities.

Don't call CS, they suck! Do everything online.

I spent $1200 ($90 activation, $400 deposit, $45 monthly) in two years on Verizon, unbelievable!

Julie

{ 09/01/2009 }

Ive had this for about 3 years VEry happy with customer service and I get the 1000 minutes for $100, so its only 10 cents a minute and it lasts for 1 year. Good coverage to. I carry this and a page plus pay as you go, both do GREAT!!

Ian

{ 08/31/2009 }

Purchased my Samsung T109 about 5 months ago, and i haven't had any problems with it =). I have a simple phone cause i don't use it all the time. This kind of phone, with a Pay As You Go plan, is perfect for anyone who wants a simple cell phone, who wants to go on AIM/Yahoo messenger, and wants to play some games for kicks.

dj flip

{ 08/28/2009 }

i've been using t-mobile now for the past 5 yrs i never had a problem with the service or whatsoever but the other dat i upgraded my phone then when i got home i decided i want a diffrent one so i took it back and they exchange it for the one that i want they charged me for restocking fee and thats fine with me when i got home the new phone is not working so i took it back and just took my old phone back after i got home i noticed that they charged me twice instead of giving me a refund..sucks im going there today to complaint i hope ill get my money back if not then ill be angry and never will go back to tmobile stores.

Expats_in_Ohio

{ 08/25/2009 }

Samsung t-209 (2) purchased at Target in Chicago several years ago. Coverage map is not quite as good as Verizon, but good enough 99+% of time. The TM call plan costs less than half of nearest competitor. Phones have been reliable. We moved to Ohio two years ago but have still been using old numbers. Recently bought a RAZR V3 in Ohio - again, no problems.

We use the phones less than 100 minutes per month, so our monthly costs come out to $8 / each phone. If we use it more, we pay more. Use less, pay less. Simple. And minutes roll over and over for years.

dee

{ 08/24/2009 }

well the refill cards work real well if you use the minutes wisley and not jus on anything and everthang!♥

Linda

{ 08/20/2009 }

I love my little phone.Iam a gold rewards member and i chose the plan where its $1.00 when you use it then free from 7pm-7am.I dont use a phone much but i love it for emergencys.

Sanket Dholaria

{ 08/19/2009 }

i have been using this service for 3 years now as a student. i have only payed 140 dollars for my 3 years of service ! what a bargin

the only downside is that you have to pay full price for a phone like a touch screen ( costs 450 dollars) and they dont offer lost/stolen worrenty. and they dont let you acess call history online

Mike

{ 08/18/2009 }

Love my prepaid. I use it very little, it only charges me when i use it (unlimited after 7p til 7a!) Had to get another sim card due to if you don't use in for 90days which means another number. I do get sum off calls but not alot, what can i say i paided almost nothing for the nokia, and when i purchased the new sim card it comes w/ a automatic $10 renewal every 30days for 3months which means no cell bill for me for the next three months because like i said earlier i hardly use it and when i do its after 7p (lol). at the most for the next 3months $10 does'nt look so bad .

P-OFF at-em

{ 08/16/2009 }

Recycled numbers,14 calls from Target collection in 2 days,calls from collection attorneys, obscene text,, all to the previous number holder, security sucks.. stolen acct and all minutes stolen twice in 2 months,,customer service ( no speaky english so good) sucks,,,,Local store personal great,, customer service even hung up on them,, took trips and several hours each time,,,,,Foreign company in US to extract dollars Do you home work I didn't , lot of sites Tmobilefraud.com is huge and google is loaded
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tmobile+sucke&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

G G Alexander

{ 08/16/2009 }

Before getting a pre-paid cell phone service, I reviewed all the providers and chose T-Mobile based on that information. I got my first T-Mobile phone on 4/1/08 and bought 1,000 minutes. I was very pleased with the service until I lost my phone during a long trip. I ordered a new phone on 7/16/09 and had it sent to me in Cody, WY. I called to have it activated and was assured that it was done. However, I have not had phone service at all with the new phone. I have called customer service and chatted online with them several times. On 8/15/09 I visited a T-Mobile store in Spokane, WA, where Nick installed a new SIM card. He made a test call and said it was working fine. NOT!! I went back that afternoon and he installed another SIM card. He called customer service to have it activated and spoke with a supervisor. The supervisor placed a work order at high priority and stated that I should have service within 24 hours. However, after more than a month, I STILL do not have phone service as of this writing (8/16/09). That is the poorest "service" I have ever had!

Colonel Walter Kurtz

{ 08/05/2009 }

Reps:No hablamos mas english and understand even less....as I wrote in my memior letter in Apacolypse Now - drop the bomb, wipe them all out!!

DeeJaye

{ 08/04/2009 }

For those who keep saying they wish that they could use a more "upscaled" phone than the ones provided, you can. In fact, you can use ANY unlocked GMS phone on T-Mobile's prepaid service, you just have to pay full price for the phone. I'm currently using T-Mobile's Samsung Memoir. I purchased it on eBay for $425 (yes, I know, that's a lot of money). Anyway, as for TM's prepaid service itself, I was OK with their service for 3 years. I changed my phone number last month and, now, I have to constantly check my minutes. I'm on the Pay As You Go plan. Every time I refill, 60 minutes mysteriously disappears from my account. I had to call T-Mobile TWICE so they could fix it.

Alli

{ 08/04/2009 }

I bought a PrePaid T109.. The charger was defective and it damaged the phone...T Mobile tried to accuse me of abusing the phone, they claimed I had a spike and my complaint was with my Electric Provider..GIMME A BEAK ! The Charger was clearly defective

KARL

{ 08/04/2009 }

Bought T Mobile Prepaid in 2007..it did not work, took it back to T mobile next day and they told me I had to contact the Manufacturer, I had to mail the phone back and eight weeks later, I received a non working refurbished phone..I had five refurbished phones in 18 months...finally bought a new one as I had 2000 minutes...new phone stopped working ..it seems the charger burned out the phone as it was defective..Sim card was damaged and I lost all my minutes

Jen

{ 08/03/2009 }

I have had the plan for a month and already the nokia 2760 mini display is not working. When ever I make a call, the caller id is wrong(shows someone else's id) and when someone tries to call me they offen get directed elsewhere. I have called CS a large number of times and have had helpdesk tickets generated a number of times and is still not resolved. The phone is going back today.

eek

{ 08/02/2009 }

I've had my prepaid service 8 months and still have $50 left of my original $100. It's great, certainly much better than a contract which I had at one time and paid about $35 to $40 a month. I find dialing #999# to check on my balance very convenient and have never had a need to call customer service. My Nokia 2760 is a neat little phone, but sometimes I think I'd like one of the more upscale phones, but they're not available to prepaid (probably just as well). Thanks to TM for simplifying my phone service.

Ming

{ 08/02/2009 }

Not perfect but about the best prepaid service you can get in the US in my experience. If you don't use enough minutes to warrant a post pay plan its fine. Their CS sucks just as bad as all the other cell providers.

jen

{ 07/22/2009 }

very unreliable voicemail service: callers often don't get a ring when they call me, or get a message that I'm "out of the service area" when I'm just in my home. my voicemail cuts ppl off in 30 seconds. customer service has not been able to fix

Pietro

{ 07/21/2009 }

T-Mobile in New York has terrible service: you sometimes have to walk along a whole street to get service. Apartments are dead areas, despite other networks (like AT&T) working fine. Funnily enough, my 6-year-old phone (Nokia) gets better reception than my friend's Moto RAZR: the reception is even worse there. I have a pre-paid plan, the value is reasonable, but there have been issues with being charged twice for credit card top-up. Start-up costs from $20 (if you already have a phone) for the SIM card, and you get some free minutes. I'm trying to find another pre-paid plan. Maybe you'll have better luck in another city.

Bob in Los Angeles

{ 07/19/2009 }

Oops...Forgot to post the Howard Forum Wiki address...

Info on Refill Minutes:
http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.php/Refills_and_Gold_Rewards

Tips & Tricks:
http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.php/T-Mobile_Tips_&_Tricks

General info on Pre-Paid Plans:
http://wiki.howardforums.com/index.php/T-Mobile#T-Mobile_ToGo

Bob in Los Angeles

{ 07/19/2009 }

Been with TM since 2004 after reading some good reviews here & the article on prepaid. I use my phone for calls only (no texting). Customer service (CS) as of 2009 sucks but it was not always this way. As others pointed out, TM is having some problems right now with CS & other issues. As a long time customer, I seldom have to call CS but I do check my minutes at least once a week. Plus the CS is now located out of the U.S. and they are not up to speed in the training arena, but hopefully, in future, that will change...This plan still works for me but I do wish for the following:

1. Greater transparency of numbers called. If TM can provide phone numbers dialed with Post-paid plans, they could also provide it to Pre-paid users.

2. Better accuracy in the billing of minutes used. Example: If I speak on the phone 1 minute and 1 second, TM bills me 2 whole minutes.

I initially purchased a starter phone at Wal-Mart & it came with a $100 card which instantly put me into gold status. I thought I pretty much knew how the minutes worked until I read an article at "Howard Forums" wiki. Whew! There is much to learn about how the minutes work so if you have a little time, go over there and get a little knowledge. The wiki also has excellent articles & tips on TM Prepaid as well as Postpaid plans.

I recently purchased a $100 card for $88 no taxes on ecrater.com auction site. Ebay also has deals but not all the time, so be very careful as there are scams every where. If possible, try not to give out your cell number & request the card or PIN to load the minutes on yourself, cause some of the online sellers will sell your cell phone numbers to advertisers who in turn will spam your phone.

Brenda

{ 07/18/2009 }

I live in the Los Angeles area and after complaining that callers had to wait 7-10 seconds before they heard a ringing after dialing my TMobile prepaid, was told that is how their prepaids are. I had one caller dial 5-6 times and NEVER get a ringing tone, even though his display stated "connecting." And i never got the calls! T Mobile wouldn't refund the 1000 minutes i'd purchased - their solution was to bait and switch me to their FlexPay plan. I wish i'd never left Sprint!

Andy

{ 07/16/2009 }

I have been using T-Mobile pre-paid for about 6 months now after being a loyal Verizon customer for many years. I thought I would go through $100 in a few months, but I still have 200 minutes. You don't get all the bells and whistles of a calling plan, but your not paying for that either. I access my VM through my Vonage line whenever possible to save minutes. I'm looking into getting a better phone, but I will stay with this service. Can't believe all the money I spent on a monthly plan over the years.

fangli

{ 07/13/2009 }

My teenager daughter and I both use th TM prepay plan for years. We spent average $10 each per month. This plan really worked for us until last May, my daughter started to do the text messaging heavily and spent all $100 I just added to her account in less than one month. I ended switch her to Virgin Mobile (Texter's Delight). For me, TM's prepay plan is still the best deal.

James

{ 07/12/2009 }

I have 4 four phones with 4 prepaid plans. We are not heavy phone users (70-100 minutes/ month). Hated paying all the fees for monthly plans and not using the minutes.
A lot cheaper to buy 4 prepaid plans, get the 1000 minute right off the bat for Gold Rewards status to get the 10 cent per minute rate thereafter.
I refill all the phones after 364 days since once you are a Gold Reward customer, all refills are good for 365 days..AND all minutes carry over for 365 days. Example, my mother uses about 15 minutes per month, I have refilled her phone 3 times with $10 cards over 3 years and she still has
around 700 minutes after 4 years. Essentially, it cost $10 per year for a quality phone with decent phone service. My kids are taught to limit their phone use to the $100 recharge per year and they have no problem (teaches them good CELL phone habits too). Thanks t-Mobile!

Allen G.

{ 07/12/2009 }

We switched from TracFone to T-Mobile prepaid about three years ago and have been very happy with the new service. For those who want only a phone (no web browser, don't text, etc.) as we do T-Mobile's prepaid is the best deal going. We have two motorola phones that each last about ten days on a charge. For the few calls we make each week that's perfect; when we're traveling on business and might use 30-60 min per day they still last a week or so.

We routinely buy the $100 cards, so get 1000 minutes with a year to use them. At $.10/minute that's a fair deal for us, and we seldom use more than 1000 minutes per year.

Tip: if you need a phone, watch the t-mobile web site for weekend deals. They occasionally run specials where the phones that are usually $50+ go on sale and include a $25 card. That's pretty hard to beat.

My only complaint is that I've not been able to get service in some rural areas where I know there are cells-- they must have not signed agreements with all carriers, but I've never had a problem in any city or town and I travel extensively all over the western US.

Steve

{ 07/11/2009 }

I have both T Mobile prepaid and post paid accounts.I have good service in my area. Very little to complain about with the post paid account. The prepaid account is a different matter. The only messaging bundle anyone can get is with the sidekick. I talked to customer service a few different time and that is all they offer. The prepaid customer service is different as well. Sometimes the person I would be talking to seemed to be, lets say indifferent. Mentioning that I was also a post paid customer too, seemed to change the indifferent. T Mobile doesnt seem to have an email address on their web site, so you have to send comments via regular mail to New Mexico. Last time I talked to the prepaid customer service I advised them I would be switching my prepaid account to AT&T. They have message bundles.

Mel

{ 07/10/2009 }

i got 2 of these for my kids today and have discovered the information T-Mobile represents (what's written on their display in the stores) and what they provide aren't even close to the same. The phones are going back ASAP. T-Mobile customer service is the absolute worst i have ever dealt with. The truth is their prepaid service cost is shockingly expensive and VERY limited. Don't believe anything any of their salesmen tell you, they either don't know what they are selling and don't understand the rate plans, or they are all scam artists. i was told sooooo many lies. They sell phones that they advertise as web capable, then when you try to activate them you find out that the web doesn't work with that phone and you can't even buy a plan at any price that will work. WHAT IS THIS? Specifically the Samsung Gravity. it has a slide out keyboard and the display and salesperson told me it was web capable. Yes, the phone has the capability, but T-Mobile doesn't have a prepaid rate plan that will work with this phone, if you want to use it as a web browser. in fact, after being shuffled around through their customer service maze and finally ending up with a representative in india that spoke very poor English, they eventually just routed me to a phone that no one would answer. How's that for customer service? i don't have one positive thing to say about T-Mobile. i just hope i can help others not make the mistake of doing business with this rip-off company.

Dave C.

{ 07/10/2009 }

You can use your existing cell phone. If you buy a new phone at the store don't let them enter the sim card #er or it's locked into a new #er for good. They will tell you don't worry just use your old sim card. You know the one that has been in your phone for years and baked in your hot car, gotten wet etc. Tell them that you will be calling customer service to transfer your Existing #er to new sim card. Also if they open the blister package at the T-Mobile store tell them that you want it in writing that you don't have to pay the 10 dollar restocking fee since they are the ones opening up the package. They will tell you that it's out of there control because the store computer automatically deducts it but if you call Customer Service and choose the 'cancel your service' option you get a cheerful person who if you tell them that if they don't credit your account 10 bucks you will cancel your T-mobile service and get an iPhone. Tell the people (dopes) in the store that you might change your mind or it could be an unwelcome gift and they have no right to open package if they won't accept it back without charging you $10 fee.

Deja

{ 07/04/2009 }

umm i'm thinkin about getting a t-moble sidekick prepaid plan,but i'm not sure how the pay is...like is the text messaging free and is the bill monthly if anyone can help me or give me some advice my email adress is dejaboo1412@yahoo.com...thx!!!

AJ

{ 07/04/2009 }

TM prepaid is a total rip off, I bought the $100- x a 1000 minutes, I had left approx 250 minutes, and all of the sudden they disappeared, I was furious, I called costumer services and I was told that I had made "many many phone calls" I told the representative to prove that to me, and she told me that they don't have that information!!?? I have a Sony Ericsson phone that keeps tracks of my calls and her answer could not be further from the truth, TM just ripped me off and I am very unhappy with their BS, I feel like suing TM!!!

Kels

{ 07/01/2009 }

Umm, im only 15 and ive had tmobile for 2 years with a plan that me, my mom, and my brother share. We get 2,000 minutes a month, and unlimited txting. Every month our bill is around $150. The service coverage isnt that great. I live in Tennessee and there are alot spots where i dont get any service at all.....
when i had my Sidekick id, the screen faded away to where i couldnt see it at all. So we sent it to T-Mobile because they said they would give me a new one. When the package came in the mail i was really excited because i thought i had a brand new one. But i actually still had my old one, that didnt work. They sent it back to me saying it had water damage and they were not responsible for that. But the little dots in the phone were NOT red. (if the dots turn red, that determins if you have water damage or not.)
Me and my mom were really mad. So now im stuck with a little pre-paid phone...
:(

Jeff

{ 06/28/2009 }

I tried it and got NO reception in my area. I would guess that the one-star people are all real people (who would take the time to gripe except people that have real gripes?) but that some, at least, of the five stars are shills. I looked at Consumer Reports for the Los Angeles area and TM and AT&T are tied for last place in the category of reception. CR has four categorical ratings and all of their circles for these two companies have some "black" in them.

daniel.b

{ 06/28/2009 }

Everybody WE need to go complain to T-MOBILE ABOUT TEXT MESSAGING bundles for prepaid customers .because we all need those badly and hopeully they will get some later this year or soon .its a great wireless company so help the prepaid customers out please

jon.l

{ 06/28/2009 }

tmobile prepaid has text messaging bundles $5 for 300 $10 1000 $20 unlimited

ja

{ 06/24/2009 }

You can use any T-mobile phone or any unlocked GSM phone.

TMPPuser

{ 06/24/2009 }

Picked up my Nokia 2760 from Walmart about 4 mos ago now and I have no complaints about CS or service. Minutes last a long time especially when it's M2M calls which is most of mine anyway. VM is not a problem, callers never leave a msg or I pick it up. Over-All, way better coverage, rates, than my old service which used to be Boost. Does anyone know if I can use another TM phone and still keep the PP service or does it have to be one of the TM PP phones?

K

{ 06/24/2009 }

I've never really had a problem with T-Mobile pre-pay in the year or two I've been using it. I used to have a verizon contract, but even the $39.99 plan ended up costing me about $60 a month after all the fees, etc., and I wasn't using all of the minutes. I have a phone in my office at work and a home phone, so I use the cell mostly for the in-between times, and it ends up being significantly less expensive ($100 lasts me anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on usage).

I agree they should provide you a list of calls and the minutes used, seems that should be a pretty straightforward service to use. I track my minutes regularly using #999#, and I don't believe they're "ripping you off" as some say. The upward rounding of minutes (which all carriers do) is a bit unfair, but there's not much that anyone can do about since its a contract term - we all agree to it.

Service could be better indoors - I find that the signal can be weak inside restaurants and bars, but that's also partly Samsung phones. Motorolas seem to have better reception (but not nearly as nice designs).

I travel overseas once or twice a year, and like having a GSM phone that I can just swap out the SIM card and be on my way. You can buy any unlocked GSM phone and use it with T-Mobile prepaid, it doesn't have to be from T-Mobile. Unlocked phones can be more expensive, but you can get pretty much any phone that works on a GSM network (T-Mobile, AT&T, or any phone sold outside the US since they're all on the GSM system). Check out www.tigerdirect.com for some unlocked GSM phones.

All in all its a good service for someone who just wants a phone to use when they want to use it, but if you want to use internet or email or anything like that, or use a lot of wireless minutes, then a contract plan would make more sense.

jacob

{ 06/23/2009 }

I have T-Mobile for years and it is great. Wherever I travel always strong signal. TM - keep up the good work. Thanks.

kathleen

{ 06/23/2009 }

T-mobile is the best, hands down! I have the prepaid sidekick plan and its amazing. Unlimited text messaging, instant messaging, web browsing, for all just $1 a day. All calls are 15 cents a minute, which is no big deal because I could always text, Thanks T-mobile!

Susan

{ 06/18/2009 }

After spending over an hour on the phone with their customer service....I found out that they were 'out' of available numbers for my area code...you might want to check this out before purchasing!

Sandy

{ 06/18/2009 }

I'm looking to get a prepaid cell phone and found this site but IF the Washington BBB has close to 23,000 complaints against TM, as stated by TKM 6-16-09 above, how in the world can this site give them an Editor's Review rating of five stars? Where can you find someone that you can trust? Consumer Reports isn't all that great either. My one star is for the reliability of this site.

Jon

{ 06/17/2009 }

At least in Ventura, CA the T-Mobile service is non-existent in areas they claim they cover and their customer service is even worse. They will sell you a phone that won't work and then refuse to refund your prepaid minutes. But the District Attorney's Consumer Affairs Division will help you get your money back. And, there are other ways also. Don't deal with them!