new FreedomPOP (GSMA) free plan SIM spotted at target

[ecs0013]

did you still have the original SIM ?

if so did you try going into your online account and than clicking on the pencil icon next to the SIM card number to update the SIM and see if you could move it back to the original SIM that way ?

if that fails with the original SIM it would still be likely to work with a new FreedomPOP/Redpocket GSMA SIM

Yep, didn't work with the old SIM (what I expected) and I wasn't terribly attached to the line/number (had a few others and keeping an eye on Target to just get a new one).

[Altanis]

strange. i have hit the data limits on multiple lines monthly and never had an automatic top up or plan change.

Yeah, it was my understanding that auto top-up and changing plans was only on the 25MB plan. But even the CSR mentioned I was on the 100MB plan and wasn't sure why it happened. I guess let it be a warning that sometimes it will happen to accounts on the 100MB plan even if it isn't supposed to happen. I guess it's still FreedomPop after all.

[thamster]

suddenly today I was automatically topped-up with data and then was moved to one of their monthly plans.

Did you get charged $8? I accidentally used up the data allotment on a new Target line and got 'auto upgraded' to a 50/50/500MB $8 plan too. CSR won't budge but mentioned how I used up my 25MB (suppose to be 100MB) data so maybe there's something wrong with plan setup on the back end.

[zapjb]

...but suddenly today I was automatically topped-up with data and then was moved to one of their monthly plans...

Did you receive an email receipt after the fact?

[thamster]

Yeah, it was my understanding that auto top-up and changing plans was only on the 25MB plan. But even the CSR mentioned I was on the 100MB plan and wasn't sure why it happened. I guess let it be a warning that sometimes it will happen to accounts on the 100MB plan even if it isn't supposed to happen.

CSR just told me this is what's suppose to happen (automatic charge and plan switch) on both the Target and Walmart plan once balance is used up. Is she wrong?

[Pomgup]

I'm new to the subject of FreedomPop, and I'm confused. Is the SIM kit at Target retail stores free or is only the service free?

[kaZZoo]

I'm new to the subject of FreedomPop, and I'm confused. Is the SIM kit at Target retail stores free or is only the service free?

The sim is 4.99 plus tax, the service 100/100/100 per month is free.

[thamster]

Though there's some 'growing pains' with these new plans. Sometimes the plan doesn't auto-renew (meaning service stops until you manually go online to renew). Sometimes when you run out of balance FreedomPop 'upgrade' you to a different paying plan so it's not free.

[zapjb]

Though there's some 'growing pains' with these new plans. Sometimes the plan doesn't auto-renew (meaning service stops until you manually go online to renew). Sometimes when you run out of balance FreedomPop 'upgrade' you to a different paying plan so it's not free.

What I want to know is does FP email an after the fact receipt of the top up?

[thamster]

What I want to know is does FP email an after the fact receipt of the top up?

I did get an email receipt and text same time as the charge.

Also CSR was able to restore the line to the Target plan (after initially refusing) but I have a feeling this didn't fix the underlying issue of auto plan change and/or non-renewal.

[Altanis]

Did you get charged $8? I accidentally used up the data allotment on a new Target line and got 'auto upgraded' to a 50/50/500MB $8 plan too. CSR won't budge but mentioned how I used up my 25MB (suppose to be 100MB) data so maybe there's something wrong with plan setup on the back end.

Yep, $8 (plus taxes so almost $9) and moved to that plan as well. However the CSR noted that my account had been on the 100MB GSM-A plan and wasn't supposed to be altered just because I ran out of data. They refused a refund at first but once I told them I'd just dispute the charge they suddenly had a manager available to approve a refund

What I want to know is does FP email an after the fact receipt of the top up?

I thought I got an email receipt, but Gmail searches now can't find anything. It was the alert from Amex that even told me that FP charged me. If they emailed me I must have deleted it, although I basically never delete emails so that seems unlikely.

[thamster]

They refused a refund at first but once I told them I'd just dispute the charge they suddenly had a manager available to approve a refund

That seems to be the standard way of handling things at FreedomPop - say 'no' at first even though contrary to policy, then when customer push back CSR would actually research and fix the issue. When I activated my Walmart line the plan was not available as an option online, CSR said it's no longer available (citing a non-stated 90-day activation window) but when pushed quickly acquiesced. It seems their first level agents are not told about operation issues and just say 'no' when asked. Annoying.

I thought I got an email receipt, but Gmail searches now can't find anything.

Receipt was sent from [email protected] if you want to search by sender.

[andyk88]

Thanks Altanis and thamster for the warnings.


I need to retract what I wrote last week:

With the latest FreedomPop GSMA sold at Target, you don't even need to be careful to avoid surprise charges, because the 100/100/100 plan does not auto-this or that anymore.

I am going to assume that all GSMA and GSMT plans now auto upgrade when data allotment is used up.
So in Data Manager I am setting warning to 70 MB, and limit to 90 MB.

So it looks like when they manually set line up, something didn't get setup properly.

FreedomPop also did not set up my GSMA line correctly, and it auto renewed to the 10/10/25 plan in August.
After resubscribing, it correctly auto renewed to the 100/100/100 plan in September.
See: https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...2#post17257572


My nearest store restocked. I got the correct package, but in the package is a blue FreedomPop 410 SIM card.
I prefer the flat 410 SIM over the curved 280 SIM.
The ICCID starts with:
89014104273

A blue FreedomPop 410 SIM from over two years ago (to replace a GSMA SIM that did not get LTE) starts with:
89014104272
(https://www.howardforums.com/showthr...6#post17174626)

[thamster]

I am going to assume that all GSMA and GSMT plans now auto upgrade when data allotment is used up.

I don't think this is how it's support to work, but a number of lines have been doing this. Most just stopped working when balance is used up.

FreedomPop also did not set up my GSMA line correctly, and it auto renewed to the 10/10/25 plan in August.
After resubscribing, it correctly auto renewed to the 100/100/100 plan in September.

This is incredibly sloppy for a national retail plan launch. Wonder how many bought the SIM then gave up on the account because it started charging or non-renewal expired.

2 of 3 retails SIMs I bought did not work without CS assistance. The only one that worked out of the box was the first SIM (Walmart) I activated.

[robbyrobby]

This is so funny! The FP AT&T plan at Walmart, which as far as I know has NEVER YET been in stock in the months since it first appeared on the website, has INCREASED in price AGAIN, this time to $8.84!

down to $ 4.88 still 'out of stock'

https://www.walmart.com/ip/FreedomPo...ice/2324434962

does anyone know a ZIP code where there are no nearby Target's but Walmart has a presence ?

just a guess here that maybe Target has a exclusive distribution in the areas they have a presence but they might be available in Walmart outside those areas.