vB Easy Archive - Going off contract with a Curve when my contract expires...need advice and info

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Going off contract with a Curve when my contract expires...need advice and info
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Posted by: ZedX3

I apologize if this is the wrong forum, I searched throughout HoFo for sub forums regarding AT&T contract questions but could not find anything.

My contract will expire in May and I am thinking about going off contract for the first time ever since I have been an original ATT blue customer. I am thinking about buying outright a new BB Curve from newegg ($349.99 +free shipping). I currently have a Cingular 3125 WinMobile smart phone with an unlimited data plan, but I am trying to reduce my $70/month cell phone bill. I have thought about going with an iPhone, but I really don't want to be tied into a $60/month plan for the next two years with $400 upfront for the phone.

So I am thinking about getting the Curve outright and going off contract when my plan expires. I will remove the data plan I have and will not add a BB plan. I honestly just like the Curve for it's qwerty keyboard (for texting), form factor design, and user interface. I'm not a corporate user and unfortunately have no need for it's push email capabilities.

What happens when you go of contract? It basically turns into a month-by-month right? Will I be able to keep my rollover minutes? Text message plan? Will I still be able to pay my bill online (log into the ATT wireless site)? Any other things I should be aware of? Will I be happy with the BB even though I'm not using it to its full capabilities?

Thanks for any help, and again, I apologize if this is the wrong forum.

Posted by: quillhill

Being off contract is just like being in contract except you don't have the ETF hanging over your head if you want to leave. I was out of contract for six months last year and nothing changed.

I personally don't understand why anyone would buy a BB and then use it for any length of time without a BB data plan. But, there are plenty of folks who do it, so if you really want to then go for it.

I mean, if you really want an iPhone, you could buy one at an at&t or apple store, take it home, download ziphone and unlock it then pop your existing SIM into it without ever having to activate it thereby not needing to renew your contract. It's only 50 bucks more than the Curve is outright.

I have both but I keep the Curve because I do need the e-mail capabilities but use the iPhone on the weekend.

And you could order a refurb iPhone from Apple for $350.

Posted by: briareus

Quote:

Originally Posted by quillhill

I personally don't understand why anyone would buy a BB and then use it for any length of time without a BB data plan. But, there are plenty of folks who do it, so if you really want to then go for it.

I personally don't understand why anyone would buy a BB and then use it for any length of time without BES.

But there are plenty of folk who do so and at least they can make those decisions for themselves rather than stick with what the carrier or RIM decides for them.

Posted by: quillhill

Quote:

Originally Posted by briareus

I personally don't understand why anyone would buy a BB and then use it for any length of time without BES.

But there are plenty of folk who do so and at least they can make those decisions for themselves rather than stick with what the carrier or RIM decides for them.

I know. I just ... don't ... get it. It's because I'm OCD.

And you tell my company to pony up for a BES.

Oh, sure, sure there's always the hosted BES option but ... well, I'm lazy.

Enough about me.

I originally bought my BB to use just for texting and then a few days later added the BB plan and have been hooked ever since.

Posted by: mrmaster

You should look into renewing, getting a blackberry for a hundred and then just worrying about the etf whenever you do decide to leave.

what is the etf cost anyways for at&T?