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Using T-Mobile US service with unlocked phone |
z200user
Joined: Feb 23, 2004
Posts: 19
From: new york city
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I bought mySE Z200 unlocked in Hong Kong and want to use it in the US with a US provider. I thought that it would be simple to sign up for service with T-Mobile, and just put the T-Mobile SIM card into my unlocked phone and there you go.
But on the phone, the T-Mobile rep insisted that I had to take a free phone with my 1000 unlimited minutes/1 year contract package. I said I didn't want a phone, just the SIM card, but she said they didn't sell SIMs separately. I said, ok, as long as I can take the SIM card out of your T-Mobile phone and put it into my Z200, no problem.
But then she said: Oh, before you can use our SIM card in your phone you have to go to a service center and get your phone re-programmed.
WTF??? This makes no sense. My phone is unlocked I should be able to pop in any GSM SIM and get service, correct? If I bring it to a T-Mobile service center, will they try to lock my phone to their network? There's no way I'm going to agree to that, since the whole reason I am signing up with T-Mobile is so I can swap out SIM cards when I travel abroad, instead of changing phones.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is the T-Mobile rep misinformed? | |
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gsm1
Joined: Jan 06, 2003
Posts: 49
From: USA
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Yes, they are full of it. All my phones are sim free phones and i can pop in my sim to any one. Some of the se phones have problem loading the t-zones homepage (like z600, t39) but otherwise it's no problem.
This message was posted from a Z600 |
rdnymllnsktr
Joined: Feb 04, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: California, but now in Plano,
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Don't know why, considering my tagline, but I will just confirm GSM1's post. I was afraid at first that my unlocked phone wouldn't work with another SIM card, but it did. As long as when you check the SIM lock, it's unlocked, it will work.
Ethan
MyPhoneExplorer is the new FMA!  http://www.fjsoft.at/en/downloads.php |
z200user
Joined: Feb 23, 2004
Posts: 19
From: new york city
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Thanks for the responses. I was worried because, frankly, the US cell phone providers really seem shady in their practices compared to the providers I've used in Asia and Europe. Over there, most people buy the phone unlocked (in HK if you tried to lock a phone before selling it you'd have a consumer riot!), then buy the SIM. Straightforward, easy, and if you don't like the service, then you swap SIMs and try another provider.
Over here, on the other hand, you have to thread your way through a myriad of plans and fine print and "unlimited long distance nationwide" deals that, on closer inspection, aren't all that they seem to be. (ATT Wireless, f'instance) It makes me an extra-wary consumer, for I feel like all the companies are in some way trying to slip something over on the customer. (Like T-Mobile's "Easy Pay", in which they automatically sign you up to debit your fee out of your credit card, unless you make a separate call to them to turn this auto-pay off.)
So when the person from T-Mobile suggests I'll have to go to a service center to get my (own! unlocked!) phone tweaked to work on their network, I automatically assume the worst..... |
rdnymllnsktr
Joined: Feb 04, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: California, but now in Plano,
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Eh, what do they know? Or, how much are they not telling us? I would love to tell them to screw off. Once, I went into an AT&T store, and was purchasing a phone for my friend (he had a "GoPhone"), and the rep there had the audacity to tell me that he couldn't, and that I couldn't buy it for him, because the new phone wouldn't work with a "GoPhone" plan. IDIOT!!!
So anyways, I just went in there and bought it for myself, saying it was a replacement.
Ethan
MyPhoneExplorer is the new FMA! http://www.fjsoft.at/en/downloads.php |
gsm1
Joined: Jan 06, 2003
Posts: 49
From: USA
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If you go into a store you probably would be able to get just a SIM card without the a phone as well. I've had to replace my SIM card a couple of times, so they have seperate SIM cards available. Just tell them you have a phone already. I would ask them to try one of their activated SIM cards just to double check there are no problems as well. I did that when I had an old SIM card that wouldn't work with one of my phones. I asked to try out the new SIM before changing it to the new one. |
rdnymllnsktr
Joined: Feb 04, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: California, but now in Plano,
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No no no, I know that they sell separate SIM cards. What I'm bugged about is that they won't sell a separate phone, without a plan.
Ethan
MyPhoneExplorer is the new FMA! http://www.fjsoft.at/en/downloads.php |
amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
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We need some more independent cell phone stores here in the US. I'm sick and tired of the Cingular stores, T-Mobile stores etc that doesn't know jack about unlocked phones.
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moodswinger
Joined: Dec 10, 2001
Posts: 78
From: New York, USA
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I couldn't agree with you more, Amagab!
Scr*w the providers and their retail stores, we need independent retailers. Fortunately, I live in NYC and I can't even begin to tell you what a difference the presence of small retailers make.
First, they give you incredible deals on the phones (like a free T610 + $150 rebate), and then, you can choose what phone you want - you want Z200, fine, they get it for you and put it on the desired plan altogether with the discount/rebate. They can also adjust your plans and do all sorts of things retail stores can't do, not to mention that many of them really know their job and can be really helpful.
@ z200user: don't fret, if your phone is unlocked, there is NO way in hell your T-mobile SIM will not work in it. You don't need any reprogramming of your phone, so kindly decline that. What I don't understand is... why the hell don't you take the free phone? What is wrong with you?  See if you can get one of those tri-band phones (T300, V66, R225, E105, etc.)
Take it and put it in a drawer. After three months give them a call and request a SIM-unlock, then unlock your phone and then do one of the following things:
1) Use it as a spare phone (even when you travel abroad)
2) Run it over with your car and see if it remains functional
3) Give it to a relative or a friend (especially if they happen to live abroad)
4) Sell it! (even if you get $20 for it, it's a $20 gift from T-Mobile) |
amagab
Joined: Oct 29, 2002
Posts: > 500
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Thanks moodswinger....yes, you can't beat small business when it comes to customer service. Wish there was more of those independent stores here on the West Coast. You know, over here it's all big business and franchises. It sucks!!!
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slamEVIL
Joined: Aug 14, 2003
Posts: 370
From: San Diego
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@amagab, @rdnymllnsktr, @moodswinger - you guys need to come to san diego. i swear this is the silicone valley of independent cellphone stores. like i can just go down to my favorite shop right now and throw down 850 for a p900 with no contract needed and i really won't be surprised to see the z1010s here soon. flashing, unlocking, anything can be done! i feel sorry to hear about other parts of the country having these problems 
@z200user - take the offer and put the phone on ebay.
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notalotta
Joined: May 11, 2003
Posts: 2
From: San Diego CA
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slamEVIL, where are some good indy stores in San Diego? I plan on getting a z600 soon and would like to go through an independent store rather than one of the major corporations. |
rdnymllnsktr
Joined: Feb 04, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: California, but now in Plano,
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I DON'T GET IT!?!?!??!?!? How can they just give it away? Huh? I mean, if they are giving free phones away, are you saying that I can walk in and get a free(?!?!) T630 without a contract or anything? Then in a week, I want a new phone, let's say the P800, so I go back, get another free phone. I like this combination of PDA and Phone, so I want to get the P900. I go in again and pick myself up a P900. Please explain this concept and the economics behind the matter for me, please. Thank you.
Ethan
MyPhoneExplorer is the new FMA! http://www.fjsoft.at/en/downloads.php |
slamEVIL
Joined: Aug 14, 2003
Posts: 370
From: San Diego
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@notalotta - my favorite shop is pcs connections 858 278 1999. they have the z600 for $450 with no contract. and the z200 for $300. they will also unlock and flash any phone for $25 dollars.
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bensonl
Joined: Feb 22, 2004
Posts: 95
From: PA ,USA
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I use an unlocked P900 on T-Mobile USA. I got my T-Mobile USA account 2 weeks ago with the free phone. First, I put the sim card in the T-mobile phone to get my number activated. Then I put the sim card in my P900 and all worked great! I also have t-zones and had a problem setting that up on my P900. I called the T-mobile technical support, told then I was using a P900 and the tech lady, says no prob and still spent an hour helping get things straight.
My advice, just get the free phone, activate ur number, then transfer the sim to ur unlocked phone. If anything goes wrong u have 2 weeks to send the phone back anyway. | |
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Posted: 2004-02-23 14:06
