Not quite sure how Chatr works

[harold_at_hofo]

I'm currently a Fido customer with an unlocked Samsung GT-i5700. I've used the same phone on Rogers before I switched to Fido. Now I'm thinking of switching to Chatr, but I'm not really understanding how their plans work.

So if I were to get the $35 plan, is it good for an entire month? Or at some point during the month do I have to top it up? I guess what I mean is, is it like pre-paid where each call costs N cents and if you talk too much you'll exhaust your top-up amount and have to top it up again a week or so later?

I also read somewhere that the top up amounts don't match the actual amount your plan needs, like to top up the $35 plan you need to purchase a $40 top up amount?

Thanks for any help.

[me815]

Chatr works like prepaid monthly plan. If you choose $35 plan then similar like any other prepaid top up, you have to pay tax.

So $35 + tax ~ $40/month (depend on your province tax).

If you subscribe to auto pay then you will save $10/month + tax for the next 8 months. So you only pay $25/month + tax for the next 8 months for $35 plan.

[harold_at_hofo]

I see, thanks. So to clarify, if I purchased the $35 plan and needed to call the US, it's 15 cents per minute, so I could only talk for 230 minutes ($34) before I had to top up again correct?

[JustinCredible]

I see, thanks. So to clarify, if I purchased the $35 plan and needed to call the US, it's 15 cents per minute, so I could only talk for 230 minutes ($34) before I had to top up again correct?

No, you pay your monthly fee for your Chatr plan and then if you want to do anything extra that's not included (like calling the US) you must put additional finds to cover that as well.

It's just a monthly plan, paid in advance. You give them $35, they take it and now you have one month of service (and your account is now at $0 which means you can't call the US or go roaming anywhere unless you have extra funds in there).

So simple.

Sent from my Nexus S using HowardForums

[JustinCredible]

...so yes, it's always a good idea to topup a little more than your base plan. If you put $40 in, it will cover your $35 plan and you'll have $5 left over for doing other things such as calling the US.

[harold_at_hofo]

...so yes, it's always a good idea to topup a little more than your base plan. If you put $40 in, it will cover your $35 plan and you'll have $5 left over for doing other things such as calling the US.

Ah I see. Thanks, that clears it up for me.