I'm responsible for 4 Virgin Mobile accounts. We frequently used Sugar Mama to gain extra minutes, occasionally gaining more than it seemed we would use (we don't use many minutes). But, then, of course, there were periods in which Sugar Mama decided it had no additional ads for us to watch (regardless of the cap). This happened sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months--more recently the latter. As a result, our bonus minutes as well as account balances have dwindled. Beyond the minimum charge ($15/3months), there is absolutely no way we can afford to pay the exorbitant per minute costs that Virgin Mobile offers. Texting is not an option (a year ago, I found texting through VM to take as many as 4 hours before the phone right next to me receives his/her text; I've never used it since)--it's also ridiculously expensive: I can spend 1 minute on the phone saying a lot more (and communicating both ways) than a 127 character text message. So, that leaves us with two options: stop talking or leave VM. Both of which result in VM not gaining any profit from stopping Sugar Mama.
I would have put up with more nonsense from Sugar Mama. I already put up with the cap of 75 minutes/month (which didn't used to exist), as well as with the random outages of minute-gaining ads, particularly when I needed them the most. Sugar Mama could have evolved. It could have required 2 ads per minute earned. It could have done more survey work. It could have even further limited minutes per month. In fact, if (as this thread would have you believe) people were racking up huge caches of minutes, they could have imposed a limit to the total number of gained Sugar Mama minutes one is allowed to accumulate without using them (that is, for example, a 100 bonus minute maximum, after which you cannot accumulate additional minutes until you use part of the 100). All of these would have been acceptable. However, the abolishment of Sugar Mama is not. Selling my own "graphics and ringtones" is an absurd alternative, and while it may be a nice option for some, I think it's awful to advertise it as an alternative to Sugar Mama.
In short, all 4 of us will likely be leaving Virgin Mobile in the near future. Our balances are relatively low as it is, so it won't take long to use up what's left. There is simply no reason left to stay at Virgin Mobile. Their prices aren't competitive. Their service isn't exceptional. The available applications are limited (likely due to the limited available phones). "Web browsing" is a slow, excruciatingly pathetic experience, which blocks numerous websites (particularly any alternative communication sites), and doesn't even allow the most basic of modern browsing features (not even WAP2.0 compatible).
Unlike the hordes of teenagers to which VM tries to appeal, I/we don't like to get new phones/plans/services every year. So, wherever we go next will probably have our business for a long while, provided they don't do anything as stupid as this.
The Rumor 2 ...also in use, the Arc & the Snapper, and on standby, The Vox 8610
Motorola v60i, Nokia 5180i (both retired after 2 years)
Nokia 1221, Motorola v170
Carriers
Virgin Mobile USA
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Originally Posted by knowbody09
I'm gonna miss those free minutes. Bummer.
You and me both. I'm already trying to stockpile what's left, and being real frugal besides. I guess we really can't complain...it was a gift that we got...not like it was mandatory that they give them to us. Plus, when I started with VM there WAS no SM, and I was happy then too...so I guess it's just something we'll have to get used to...
Boost CDMA = yes. Boost iDEN = no. Avoid it if you like text messaging or internet.
T-Mobile To Go is only a good deal if you are willing to put down $100 to get the 10 cents a minute rate. Net 10 is always 10 minutes but I think they expire rather quickly and I hear their customer service is worse than VM.
Go Phone did just release a $3 a day unlimited voice, that maybe good for some people. It's similar to Cricket's Paygo but with Cricket you get text messaging and web for $3 a day. At least it's only charged on the days you use it, unlike Verizon InPulse.
I've now got a smartphone but at least it's an Android.
What delays? I (and others) have not had a single delay for months now.
Well if we buy into the "you get what you pay for" then I guess inconsistencies are okay. It's still a good deal but I wouldn't want to risk it since all I do is text.
Those of you who were squeaking by paying $5/month and whose only voice usage was Sugar Mama minutes need to understand that you are not a desirable customer to VM. The company may be better off without you! If no advertisers were available to pay VM for Sugar Mama ad views, then there was little value for VM to keep the program around.
I respect bottom-feeders who try to get as much as they can while paying as little as they can, but they shouldn't operate under the delusion that they are valued customers.
I respect bottom-feeders who try to get as much as they can while paying as little as they can, but they shouldn't operate under the delusion that they are valued customers.
Well if we buy into the "you get what you pay for" then I guess inconsistencies are okay. It's still a good deal but I wouldn't want to risk it since all I do is text.
Originally Posted by E-Jay
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Thanks for that! YOU made ME smile!! 
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