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...
:(

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.

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

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

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

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?

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.

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

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!

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!

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.

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!

Close to 23,000 complaints filed at the Washington Better Business Bureau (BBB) is "NOT" indicative of TM customers not knowing their plans. Currently, there are serious problems going on with TM and the public needs to know them.

And TM customers please ignore the posters on this board telling you to go to Verizon & to know your plan etc. At minimum they show their disregard for others by being rude, and they are possibly TM shills or employees trying to do damage control!!

So TM customers keep posting your experience with TM so people will know both the good & bad of TM.

And if you still can't resolve your problems with TM, then as the above poster stated, file a complaint at the BBB. Hoo Rah...

June 2009:

Phone: Samsung

Plan: pay as you go

It's funny how most people "just lose" the minutes they paid for - they are not tracking correctly or simply don't understand how prepaid works.

#999# from your phone gives you the money left on your account. If you cannot do this periodically, then it's your fault for losing track, not T-Mobile's.

As for the billing, this is a prepaid service. It's designed to be used freely and can be disposed of when needed, so there will not be bills. Why do you need a bill? Don't you know who you call? Need to track use, just #999# write down your balance, make your call, then #999# and check the new balance.

Gold Rewards bonus: once you spend $100, you reach Gold Rewards status. THEN WHEN YOU PURCHASE MORE MINUTES, you'll get the 15% extra minutes. Please note you will show a money value on your account, but if you look at Tmobile's website, you'll see how much Gold Rewards minutes cost as well as text/picture messages cost AGAINST your money amount on your account.

YOU DO NOT GET FREE MINUTES during evenings or tmobile-to-tmobile or myFaves, etc. just what you load on your account.

here is link to tmo's prepaid site:
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/prepaid-plans.aspx

READ CAREFULLY, no tricks, just misinformed users.

I've had Tmo ppaid for a year and 1/2 and am very happy. It's simple to use and would only like to see more phones for use prepaid users.

TIP: when shopping on tmo's site, go to PREPAID PLANS, then PREPAID PHONE KITS, because they will list "regular" phones with cheap prepaid phone prices. like the motorola renew (with contract, like $79, but if bought with a prepaid kit, like $20!). You can shop too at Walmart and bestbuy and target for cheap phones too.

I wish people would read and understand before buying.

Thanks and good luck!

Love it - just what I need when I need it.

Just picked up a Nokia 1661 from Target for $19.99. Slick little Nokia which fits my hand just right, and I love the voice alarm ("It's 4:40 AM, time to wake up").

Easiest thing to do when shopping, is just pick up a $10 prepaid card, or $25 prepaid card and add it to your minute pool. This way you keep up your supply and don't need to stress a bill.

Prepaid is the way to go if you don't want to have a contract, are a moderate to low-use texter, and don't use tons of minutes. Otherwise, you'll see you are spending equal-or-more money on prepaid than you would a 2yr contract.

Cool thing is, if you break or dislike the phone you have, you can pick one up at target or where ever for $20+ dollars. I think Motorola's are nearing $60 and a new samsung is out for $100. No need to upgrade any contract, just buy it and put your sim into the new phone.

Prepaid is also great for anyone planning to move. I set up a 702 area code just for this purpose. Now i have a "local" number to place on resumes :-) which is a good thing.

Based on my comparison shopping, Tmo offers the best value for pay-as-you-go service. Try to reach the $100 Gold Reward status as soon as possible, and get more minutes when you refill any amount. Easy.

I have been with t-mobile since 2001 as a prepaid customer and I have never had a problem. I don't use my cell phone that much I only use it for emergencies or if family needs to get in contact with me when I'm out of the house.sometimes when I go to vermont or to the poconos I can't get service, which worries me a little just in case I'm in an accident but I don't use the phone when I'm on vacation anyway I just have it for emergency reason when on vacation. Overall I think it's a great service

best prepaid rates at $50 and $100 levels bcause they are anytime minutes good or a year simplest plan, ots of phones available(you can use at&t/cingular phones too)

Overall - Great price, minutes last a long time and good service! I have had this service for about 5 years. I get the $100 refill yearly which gives me 1000 minutes (only 10 cents/minute) that lasts one year. As long as you refill once a year you can roll over minutes up to 10,000 minutes. I only use my cell for about 1-2 hours a month, so this is a great plan for me. However, if you use *alot* of minutes a month (say 300 or more), then maybe a regular contract plan is better.

The worst! Their customer service department are no help and will lock your account if you ask questions regarding your account. Try a different company but not Virgin, they are even worse as you can't understand their customer support.

I love the cheap Nokia pre-paid T-Mobile for a back-up my car in Feb.'06 & began by filling $100 to always get the extra minutes for the life of the phone. You only do it once. After that, you get the extra at any amount added. Add minutes just BEFORE the remaining expire so you don't lose any! I have had no problems with the phone or CS. The coverage is great from New Orleans to San Diego as it switches between Altell, Cingular & T-Mobile in the desert. Seems too many folks want an amazing deal & full features with cheap service. Grow up! Nothing is free with this plan but your voicemail accessed from another phone, remaining minutes & CS. It's just a simple deal with a cheap plan for light use. If you need a better per minute deal, don't use prepaid! I have not come across any other cell provider with uninterupted coverage for 2,000 miles. My Blackberry sure doesn't. This costs exactly as much as you feel the need to express yourself. Read the contract - you get what you pay for & you didn't pay much! The T-Mobile plan will keep you in touch when nothing else will or it's probably your phone.

For those who have un-resolved problems with T-Mobile, consider filing a complaint with the Washington BBB (Better Business Bureau). Within the last 36 months the BBB has received over 22,000 complaints against T-Mobile regarding the following:

A) Contract Issues
B) Service & Repair Issues
C) Customer Service Issues

Some complaints have been resolved but many have not, which is why the BBB rates T-Mobile ‘F.’ T-Mobile's corporate office is located in Bellevue, Washington, and the CEO is Robert Dotson.

You can call voicemail from any other phone Luis. If service is reasonable than rate it reasonable.

The plan is reasonable, except that voicemail calls are not included in the unlimited T-Mobile to T-Mobile calling. Therefore you pay 10c a minute for those, which is a rip off!!

@ Disappointed - go to Verizon or AT&T, or even Criket - go and be happy.

I love you'lls plan!!!

The coverage on the map does look good but I'm having trouble in getting more than 2 bars inside my house. The prepaid customer service representatives are not very helpful. T-mobile will not let prepaid customers disable sms function and there is no call history available online.

I love my T-Mobile-To-Go plan. I use my cel very little, and the $100/year keeps my rate at 10 cents/minute (with no taxes!) and remaining minutes roll over. This $8.33/mo average is just perfect for a low usage cel. Only two complaints -- you can't get your call-history list (except what your phone remembers), and you need to make absolutely sure that you specify your prepaid plan is to be by-minutes only, and not by-the-day. This seems to mean not signing up online, as online seems to automatically lead you into the by-the-day plan (with that $1 for each day the phone is used). I went into a local T-Mobil office to set up my new second phone, after not finding how to get the by-minutes prepaid plan online.

Long time prepaid customer with TM - will not quit them

"Calling history & billing information is not available online. This is very inconvenient."

How about something about service itself? You r right - calling history & billing information is not available online and it is iconvenient but overall...

great service and coverage

Calling history & billing information is not available online. This is very inconvenient.

I received several text messages from unknowner users almost everyday. I asked a customer service representative to disable text messaging function on my account. was told that it was not possible.

THX Charles - it's time for people to understand, not just complain. Nothing is free - sadly.

No problems, once you totally understand
how prepaid works, from minutes, to
money on the card, it works to your
advantage. It is no contract, and comes
out much cheaper in what you pay for
monthy contracted or home phone bills.
I have no complaints. Customer assisted
me greatly, in using international calls. You guys are terrific!!

it was supposed to 5 stars

Another one - Zippy:

$1 a day is access fee, text is not icluded. There is nothing "free". Go to boost mobile - you will still be "ripp off" if you don't understand what you have.

I use T-Mobile pay as you go and I'm happy. Great coverage. People with "problems" - get over yourself. There is no problem. You are making problems by not knowing how it all works.
@ J.C - come on, minutes are not refundable. Stop crying - use it or loos it.
Another guy gave bad review because T-Mobil charged him $1.10 - do you even know on what prepay plan you are? They charged you $1 access fee and .10 for 1 minute (they round it up always - no matter if your call lasted 10 sec or 45 sec). If you didn't call another T-mobile number or you called before 7pm any other number they charged you. Try to understand what you have and than write review.
To all unhappy - go to Verizon - bye, bye.

We have 3 prepaid T-mobile and love it. Once you spend $100 your minutes are good for a year and you can add any amount and they all roll over for a year. Customer service has rarely been called but was very happy when needed. Never had a problem traveling either, always work for us.

tmobile was doing okay for prepaid for me. i was on the gold rewards so i was getting some discounts. i joined around 2006 and my phone was a nokia 6030. then i lost my phone earlier this year(2009) and i got another phone that was not on gold rewards. i do not know what happens with all of my minutes! i have barely used twenty minutes on the phone and have sent and received sixty texts and all of a sudden i have lost fifteen dollars in my prepaid service! i am so ticked off i am seriously considering going out to target tomorrow, buying a virgin mobile prepaid flip phone for twelve dollars, and i can get 200 texts a month for $5 or 1000 texts for $10. For me, this sounds like a good deal. I would stay with tmobile prepaid if they offered a prepaid texting plan. They claim to only charge five cents to receive texts and 10 cents to send them, but i find it mysterious that i have lost $15 in my prepaid ballance when i have sent 20 texts, received 40 texts, and used 20 minutes. i never had these problems before i lost my old phone and had to get a new sim and start over. looks like they lost one of their long time customers.

I have the tmobile $1 a day prepaid plan seems pretty fair $1 a day is all you pay write? Wrong they over charge me so it's like $2 dollars a day i don't know why every time i check my account balance it seems like all my money and minutes are used up at least 2 or 3 dollars are taken out of their what a rip off.And supposedly texting and web browsing is free with this plan i guess not because i get charged for that too. you know what screw this i'm switching to boost mobile $50 unlimited where i can text and talk as much as i want.Sure their phones are lame but at least i won't get over charged...

No way to verify the $/minutes used.

I do not know if it was intentional by T-mobile to hide the way they charge pre-paid customers.

Don't they know it is "basic" to provide consumption details to customers who pay them $$$???

I paid a lot of money for my T- Mobile that I had been saving for a long time. It does not work and the process of setting up is awful. I lost A LOT OF MONEY.

Thought Net 10 was the way to go but reviews on all plans, including t-mobile, seem to be frought with service problems.

Beware of the T-Mobile prepaid plan. One month they had me using 220 minutes and the next, 700 minutes, when my calling habits didn't change much. You can't go online to see a call list with accompanying prepaid minutes used, so you can't verify the amount of minutes they say you used. And they aren't willing to email you a list. So I have changed to one of their post-paid plans so I can go online to verify my minutes used. Totally, I spent over 4 hours on the phone today with T-mobile people trying to work things out. I seem to be stuck with T-mobile because it's one of the few carriers that will work with my super cameraphone that I bought privately. Also, I have had loud echo problems with some calls that I've made through their system. The only positive thing I can say is that I was able to talk to a real person relatively quickly. Several of the reps, though, were less than stellar.

Can you just use your existing cellphone

i was satisfied till i read some reviews. also a question how do you open an account on line which is free.

Tmobile sidekick pre paid + iphone = GOLD

I have a Sidekick ID with the $1 a day plan. My two complaints are not being able to answer my phone calls, It's a real bummer that I have to ignore all incoming calls, and that I can only get the pricey ringtones available through the phone itself. But I love the internet access, AIM, unlimited texting, and qwerty keyboard. If anyone knows how I could get a good deal on calls, lemme know? Kaythanks :)

Last July I got a T-Mobile prepaid phone with $10 on it. I added $100 so it would be good for a year. Well, in April I tried to use the phone and I had No service.
I called CS and was told they had no information on the account because it was closed. I told them it shouldnt be closed I had till july 09 and showed them the receipts.
I was transfered from one Hold to another till they hung up on me! This happened twice and took about 45 minutes each time.
The part that gets me is that I had the better part of the $110 still on the phone and I lost my "212" number.
I dont know who to call on this.

They are CHEATING!! I am stingy and keep track of the minutes, but they keep disappearing mysteriously.

I am often even charged for the toll-free calls! The only way to get it reverted is to call them up immediately (and bear the long customer call process) - of course you will do that IF you realize that you've been charged for it- which you won't know! It's a wonderful catch 22.

If you are still stuck with tmobile, make sure you charge it with small balances so that you know how much it is eating up, and keep checking the balance frequently. You'll still end up spending hours with the customer service, but it's your lot then.

I regret that they have swindled me for at least a couple of hundred dollars in the last 6 months- and there's no way to know. DAMN.