Dr. Mac’s Rants & Raves
Episode # 328
After decades with AT&T Wireless, we switched to T-Mobile a couple of years ago. I’ve never loved a wireless provider in my life, but I love T-Mobile.
Our main reasons for the switch included:
- Lower priced plans with fewer caveats.
- Excellent incentives including:
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- They paid off our AT&T contract.
- The gave us a gift card worth several hundred dollars.
- We get free Netflix for all family plan members.
- I got a free share of T-Mobile stock for switching.
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After switching, we not only save around $50 a month, but we’ve found myriad unforeseen benefits.
When was the last time your wireless carrier gave you ANYTHING?
For example, T-Mobile includes “T-Mobile Tuesdays” with my plan. I open the T-Mobile Tuesdays app on my iPhone every week and enjoy bonuses including a free medium latte at Dunkin Donuts; a free taco at Taco Bell; $5 off a $10 purchase on eBay; and my very favorite, a 10¢ discount per gallon on Shell gas.
All free. All just because I’m a T-Mobile customer.
I feel obliged to mention that in my decades as an AT&T subscriber I never received a single perk or freebie.
But wait, there’s more. Every so often T-Mobile Tuesdays offer a physical item such as a knit hat or umbrella on a first-come, first-served basis in their stores. I expected to show up at a T-Mobile store and find out the hats or umbrellas were all gone, but so far that has never happened. And now, my wife and I have nifty black and pink knit caps and useful umbrellas, all courtesy of our wireless carrier.
Here’s another reason to love T-Mobile
Here’s another reason I love T-Mobile. When I went in the store to pick up my umbrella, the salesperson informed me that I qualified for a new 8-inch Android tablet at no charge. I figured there had to be a catch, but there wasn’t. As long as I remain a T-Mobile customer for the next 24 months, the tablet is free. I paid only around $13 for sales tax and pay $10 a month for 2GB of data.
I’ve always wanted to play with an Android tablet, but I’ve always been too cheap to buy one. Which is why I found this deal so attractive.
I had been hearing good things about T-Mobile from others who had switched, with many saying T-Mobile is easier and more pleasant to deal with than its bigger competitors (I’m looking at you, AT&T and Verizon). And, in my experience, that has been true in every case. I can’t recall a visit to a T-Mobile store that wasn’t a pleasure, with the staff being helpful and honest in every interaction—a new and unique experience to me.
The only drawback…
I’ve only found one drawback—my son moved to a small town in northern Montana and there’s no T-Mobile coverage at his new house. He had no choice but to switch to Verizon, although he prefers T-Mobile.
One last thing: I sold that share of T-Mobile stock the day I received it, netting around $40. My bad—T-Mobile shares were trading at around $75 last week.
No T Mobile service in most of Maine. No benefits to us up here.
I know. My son can’t get T-Mobile in northern Montana, either. Sorry ’bout that.
I left AT&T for T-Mobile two or three years ago when I discovered that AT&T was gradually raising my unlimited data rate plan without telling me. T-Mobile has the best customer service I have ever had the pleasure to deal with and the coverage is really good. I truly feel like a valued customer there. And you’re right about them just giving you things! When I bought a new Apple Watch with cellular, not only did they charge me a mere $10 a month for the extra line, they gave me the first three months free!
Me too (on the 3-months of free Apple Watch). I forgot to mention that one in the column.
Add me to the list of fans. I switched into a most excellent T-Mobile plan, which includes basic service anywhere in the world, no extra charges or requests needed. Granted, that might be a bit slow (2G speeds in Austria?) but it has sufficed for mail and messages, and a simple web page visit (and a little extra $) has boosted that to 4G within seconds — in every country I’ve visited. I love this company.
Plus I’m skeptical that T-Mobile would try any of these “5G…ish” shenanigans that AT&T is pulling.
Interesting on the knitted cap and socks. I gave up on the T-Mobile Tuesdays offers a year or two ago as thinly veiled cross-company marketing opportunities. I may have to reconsider that.
I like tacos, lattes, socks, umbrellas, and caps. So far T-Mobile has given me more free stuff than every other wireless carrier I’ve ever used put together. Which wasn’t hard since none of them ever gave me bupkis. (Loosely translated, Bupkis is Yiddish for poop.) 🙂
For us older folks, they have a 55+ plan. Unlimited Talk text and data on 2 lines for $70 a month! you get every perk (T-Mobile Tuesday giveaways etc.) except the free Netflix. It’s a great deal! I find that their coverage is not quite a good as Verizon where I live but it all depends on where you are. I’ve been very satisfied.
You get off the airplane in western Europe and you have service.
It just works. No action needed on your part.
Texting and data are free. Phone calls are only 25¢/minute.
I know, right? When I was with AT&T a trip overseas included budgeting for data at $20 or more per trip… Now, it just works with no hassle and minimal cost.
Totally agree. We switched from Verizon to TMobile about 16 months ago and haven’t regretted it for a second. And in my area, their LTE data speeds are significantly faster. I typically got 10-15 mbps with Verizon. In the middle of the day I get 22-25 mbps with TMo and off peak I get 60 easy and have hit as high as 90.
Yeah, there’s also that. My speeds seem noticeably better, too.
I suspect that TMobile is faster than AT&T in Austin, but since I’ve upgraded my gear (more than once) since I switched, and don’t have benchmarks from AT&T anyway, I can’t confirm it.