Net10 is looking to redefine themselves as a prepaid brand. First, we saw that they introduced an unlimited calling plan, undercutting the competition in both cost, $80 per month, and features, as they included unlimited text messaging. Now we’re hearing, via the trusty Ian, that they’re introducing two new plans, both on a yearly basis. The first is a one-year card, which provides 2,000 minutes for $200. For many, this will not make a difference. It is the same rate as Net10 normally charges, 10 cents per minute. Further, it might burden some customers, as many don’t want to pay the full yearly price up front. But it does help those who can’t be bothered to re-up every 60 days. The other plan makes a bit more sense. It’s $400 for two years of service. However, you get 5,000 minutes here, so it knocks calls down to 8 cents per minute, and texts down to 4 cents. So not only are you getting a great per-minute rate, but you’re also getting a beyond stellar price for two years of cell phone service. Yes, this seems like a step towards contract service. In some ways, it can be considered worse. Instead of agreeing to pay monthly and then paying an early termination fee to get out of your contract, with Net10 you’re paying it all up front. No way to get out of that. In the end, it depends on your needs. Net10 is just providing the options.]]>
Posted in Net10
This is certainly an interesting move. I think that it veers outside of the spirit of no contracts, for while a customer with one of these plans can certainly leave at anytime, they’ll lose any remaining minutes. To me that sounds prohibitive. In my opinion, this highlights the fact that prepaid carriers are having difficulty with churn and running sustainable business models when customers don’t commit to contracts. Lastly, I don’t think $0.08/min is that insipiring to lock in for two years….
PrepaidWirelessGuy
http://www.prepaid-wireless-guide.com
Another aspect. What happens if you put all those one or two year minutes on the phone and then you misplace it or the phone breaks?
Isn’t Net10 one of the carriers that keeps your account info ON your phone? No phone for them to access, no minutes exist to transfer?
And you mentioed Net10 “Unlimited”… their web site makes you buy the phone as a regular prepaid phone and only then lets you go to the Unlimited Plan sign up area. You can’t get in there without a serial number. But the fine print on the web page says the Unlimited plan is “not available in all areas.” A bit late to find out?
Any idea how to sus out what “areas” they refer to? Their web page didn’t help at all. Is it anything different than when they show you the phones they sell for you zip code but don’t mention that they might not work when you to visit Gramps or go off to college?
Or are they saying, buy one of these for your zip code and we might still tell you that you can’t buy the Unlimited plan, that you’re stuck with the prepaid regular plan?
I’VE BEEN WITH NET10 FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS. RECENTLY I PURCHASED A LG600 PHONE, SUDDENLY I CANNOT TEXT MESSAGES TO EUROPE OR AUSTRALIA, A PROBLEM I NEVER HAD WITH MY PREVIOUS PHONES. AFTER SPENDING 3 NITES ON THE PHONE WITH SUPERVISORS AND GETTING NOWHERE, THE ANSWER WAS “WE DON’T OFFER THAT CAPABILITY” … MEANWHILE MY SISTER IS IN THE OTHER ROOM TEXTING AUSTRALIA WITH THE SAME PHONE I HAD PREVIOUSLY. DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE TO ANYBODY?
I too have an LG600g (via net10) this thing is unreliable. It has froze up twice. I have only had it a couple days. I had to end up taking the battery off just to get it to turn off. It drops calls alot. I am not pleased with it. Can I return it? My husband has a motorola through net 10 with no problems at all. His phone has much better clarity compared to this phone too.
IMO, they should offer one of two things to reduce churn.. either offer $.08 per minute on all refill(s) when you keep your line up for 120 days (4 months) as a reward. OR just keep offering good discounts through websites such as callingmart..
I look for these, as it’s the better option than just buying direct.. and I hear they charge you a processing fee in addition to the $15, 20, 30, etc price.. so between that and retail’s sales tax.. the 3rd party vendors win top price for getting “always 10 cents” down under 10 cents.. I stay loyal when I get deals.. if not. I’m gone..
I also think they should up the number of service days on all cards starting at $60 and up (60 days to 90, etc). Give an incentive to buy larger cards.. this means consolidating tracfone & net10 operations since the rate & service days would be better than trac…
Just my .02(cents)
If you have to use their customer service, good luck. Their service is miserable. Check the reviews. I have had Net10 over a year. Right now I am on hold (for over an hour) JUST TO UPDATE MY CREDIT CARD expiration date. So far no problems with the phone and calls/texts themselves. Just watch it if you find you need to reach a customer “service” representative on the phone.