Need Advice on Transferring Phone Number After Sign-up Process
I recently signed up for Virgin Mobile but for a variety of reasons I had to keep my old phone for an extra month. I now want to switch my old phone number to my Virgin Mobile account but am unsure of the best way to do it. I tried going through Virgin Mobile customer service for this but got absolutely no where so I need some advice.
Would the best way to do this be to:
1. Cancel current Virgin Mobile account (I would then lose the time left on my month)
2. Sign-up for new Virgin Mobile account and switch number through normal process.
My only concern is that there might be some issue with signing up for a new account immediately as I would obviously have all the same contact information. I just really want to avoid Virgin Mobile CR if at all possible.
My only concern is that there might be some issue with signing up for a new account immediately as I would obviously have all the same contact information.
I have 3 accounts using the same billing information in my name, so AFAIK, there won't be any issue with signing up for a second account in your name. It sounds like paying for two accounts at one time for a short time is not an issue for you, so I would recommend you keep the current account until the new account with your number is established. This will ensure that you have phone service in the event that your number port goes awry and your number gets lost for a time in limbo between the two providers. There's not a strong likelihood this will happen, but it is in the realm of possibility.
Thanks for the quick reply. The only issue I see with your suggestion though is that I only have one phone. I assume it is not possible to have two accounts with one physical phone? Wouldn't I then need to cancel the account with the current VM phone I have to start up a new line to transfer to?
I did what you want to do and it went fine. There is no need for any nutty work-arounds/multiple accounts/whatever.
I'm sorry you're having problems - that sucks! Maybe you aren't using the right magic words or something and the VM customer service reps are getting confused? Here's a run down of my experience since reading about it might help you.
Like you, I started up VM service and got some random TN when I activated the VM phone. I used the new VM phone for a week to make sure I got good reception at my house, etc.
After a week, I called VM customer service and explained that I wanted to port my existing [Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, AT&T, whatever] number to my Virgin Mobile phone and give up my existing VM number (the one that was randomly assigned when I started service with VM.)
The port went fine and the was done in about 45 minutes. However I lost VM service right after the port completed. I called up VM and explained that my number was ported and was fine for a few minutes, but I could no longer call or surf the I-net. They could see that my account balance had "disappeared" so they just gave me a "free" restart and everything was fine, giving me a one week credit in the process. Total time to resolve the problem: 10 minutes or less. Annoying, but no big deal really.
When I reported the post-port service loss here or on another forum, someone said that it's best to specifically ask for a porting specialist when you call the VM customer service number. Apparently they are best trained in this area and know how to do it without your minutes/account balance disappearing.
Pro tip: You can only port a working telephone number. Do not cancel service with your "old" provider. You do not need to call and involve your old carrier. Part of the process is VM sending a notice (electronically) to your old carrier that will instruct them that you are leaving and taking your number with you. This will automatically disconnect your "old" number and if it's the only line/number on that account, the process will generate a closing or final bill from your old carrier.
What you want it absolutely a normal, typical, every day request so if you run into problems/resistance with the main VM customer service rep, just politely ask to work with a supervisor. You can definitely keep your existing account balance and you do not need to set up extra, parallel accounts to get what you want.
I did what you want to do and it went fine. There is no need for any nutty work-arounds/multiple accounts/whatever.
All ports are not created equal. Some ports go flawlessly. Others get hung up and leave the customer without service for days or weeks. The two biggest factors in whether they work have nothing to do with Virgin Mobile, nor are they preventable: screwups at the phone (not necessarily wireless) company that controls the number in the database and screwups at the provider you're leaving.
It'd be great if they all went as well as your ONE experience did, but there have been enough horror stories in this forum to make it clear that they don't all work that well. YMMV.
Originally Posted by catella
Thanks for the quick reply. The only issue I see with your suggestion though is that I only have one phone. I assume it is not possible to have two accounts with one physical phone? Wouldn't I then need to cancel the account with the current VM phone I have to start up a new line to transfer to?
That's correct. You'd need a second phone to use my method. You said you wanted the "best" way to port, so I figured you wanted a foolproof method and were willing to pay more to get it. You can use the simpler method described by agianne, and it will probably work. Mine will work for sure. And don't forget, you can port into a basic PayLo account that uses a $10 Virgin Mobile handset and then upgrade that account to the smartphone (or whatever permanent handset you have) and Beyond Talk plan that you have on your temporary account.
I recognize that in your posts you are making a sincere attempt to help and are not trolling or trying to set someone up to fail even though your bizarre, overly complicated, multi-phone, multi-phone number, multi-account, double the monthly rate "method" could easily be perceived as intentionally unhelpful.
You have some misconceptions that need to be addressed.
Originally Posted by Churner
Some ports go flawlessly....It'd be great if they all went as well as your ONE experience did
You are flat out incorrect in both those statement. Most ports go flawlessly, not "some" as you claim. My good experience absolutely and without question represents the majority, it isn't an unusual or one-time occurrence as you falsely claim above.
Originally Posted by Churner
Mine will work for sure.
I'm not sure what you've described, but it definitely isn't a porting method. You claim it "works for sure" and if by that you mean it results in unnecessary complication, expense and confusion, then yes, your method works for sure, but still does nothing to help resolve whatever problem is causing a porting order to get jammed up.
Your setup works for you and that's fine - for you. I'd feel terrible if someone, especially a newbie, read your post and, because they didn't know any better, followed your advice. It is absolutely reasonable for people to approach the porting process with the expectation that everything will happen smoothly because in the vast majority of cases, it goes smoothly.
As I described in my initial response I had a problem with the porting process. It was resolved quickly and easily with one phone call that lasted less than ten minutes. I didn't need two accounts, two phones, two phone numbers and a second $25 account to fix it. Frankly, no one does.
I have no idea what percentage of ports go awry. Based on my experience working for a VoIP provider and what I've read in VoIP forums and here at HoFo, it's more than none and less than most.
Agree to disagree. Let's leave it at that.
Hopefully the OP's port goes well using the simple path.
... My good experience absolutely and without question represents the majority ...
I agree with agianne. My porting last Wed took exactly one hour from my initial call to VM until when I received the SMS indicating porting was done. I was talking, texting and online with the new phone almost immediately after I top-up the account paying $25 via VM's website. It took all but one simple call which lasted about ten minutes for the CSR to get all the pertinent info. No problem whatsoever...
Thanks for all the help everyone, I'll try and go the simple route and if I have any problems with it I'll come back here and Churner can give us all a good round of "I-told-you-so!".
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Originally Posted by catella
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