I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Walmart Family Mobile. #FamilyMobileSaves #cbias #SocialFabric; All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.”
About a month ago, I told you about a new lower monthly cell phone plan that has unlimited Text, unlimited Talk and unlimited Web for $40 a month. I tested the service for a moth now and wanted to report back to you.
As you may remember we paid $190/month for 3 cell phones which only included 750 shared minutes and unlimited text. Our contract will be up in about a week and I wanted to find a cheaper alternative cell phone plan and boy did I find one.
I was a bit skeptical at first with an unlimited Text, Talk and Web plan that was $40 a month, would it drop calls, would I have problems checking my e-mail, how about my text messages, would they arrive within seconds or maybe days?
I activated the phone online within minutes and was able to use the phone immediately; the service is actually through T-Mobile and can be purchased exclusively at your local Walmart store or online at Walmart.com.
I drove my family crazy the first 2 weeks; I took both phones with me, my old cell phone and then of course the new one. Everywhere I went I made a phone call with the new phone as well as with the old phone; sometimes even at the same time to find out the call quality, if it works in certain places like inside a mall or if I would notice any other differences. I also texted with both phones, yes… at the same time. It about drove my hubby crazy, but I wanted to know if the cheaper cell phone plan would hold up to my standards.
I can honestly say that the lower priced cell phone plan, the one I bought at Walmart without a long term contract is well worth the money. For $40 a month I was able to talk, text and use the web all unlimited and had no issues. I had no dropped calls, no missing text messages and I was able to go to check my e-mail just about anywhere. A few places I had no service, like at the school or inside a few department stores, but after I discovered that I had no web service on my lower priced phone, I also saw that my regular contract phone had no service either; so it wasn’t a cell phone plan issue, it must have had to do with the way the building was constructed.
I took the phone from Tampa to Orlando in the last 4 weeks and had no issues, actually the other day at the outlet mall in Orlando I had better reception and Web access then my old contract phone had. I was super pleased and guess what…. “Goodbye Contract phone… HELLO low priced no contract”. I’m making the switch for good!
My entire family will actually make the switch next week once our contracts are all up. The boys already picked out their phone and hubby is still undecided. The no contract plan at Walmart is currently for $40/month for the first line and $35 each additional line and if you sign up during the promotion, your monthly charge is locked in, even if it goes back to the regular $45/month for the first line. So don’t delay, if you can make the switch today! Many smart phones to choose from… you will never go back to the way it was before Smartphones, trust me.
I’m totally in love with my Samsung Galaxy III Smartphone, I had no idea what I was missing till the other night when we returned from our Orlando shopping trip and it was getting late. The kids all kept asking what’s for dinner. I quickly told hubby to pull out my new Samsung Galaxy III with the unlimited Web plan from Walmart and look up the phone number for Chili’s. He had no problem at all, here I was zooming right along on the interstate and he pulled up the restaurants phone number; he looked over the menu and once we made up our mind even called the restaurant for call ahead seating so we wouldn’t wait once we arrived. After all it was getting close to 9PM and I wanted to make sure we get dinner quickly.
It was kind of like in a movie, we pulled up to the restaurant, parked and saw a long line of people waiting, we realized that graduation just ended, I knew if we wouldn’t had called ahead we would probably not been able to get seated for hours. Thanks to the Smartphone and our amazing no contract service plan we walked past all the waiting people and got seated right away. I kind of felt bad when all those people gave me the evil eye and almost wanted to hand them the phone and say “Next time use your Smartphone for call ahead seating”…. it really felt like in a commercial.. I loved it…. I know I will find many more reasons why I love the smart phone and why I’m now leaving my way too expensive, useless wireless contract behind, in a heartbeat.
Have you made the switch to a Smartphone yet? Do you love yours? Would love to hear what your favorite thing is on your smartphone and what you think of the low priced no contract plan from Walmart.
Oh, I did have one reader ask me if the $40/month would include tax, unfortunately it does not. Like your regular plans or even other no contract plans the monthly fee is without tax and will be added to your final bill depending on your local State tax.
Another thing I was asked about, the billing system. When you purchase your plan through Walmart you will have to get the $25 starter Kit that will have your SIM card and everything else you need to activate the phone, 30 days from that day (approx.) you will get a TXT message that your monthly bill is ready for you to log into your online account to make the payment, it gave me 10 days before the bill was due and my first month was prorated came to $31.xx; you are never paying ahead your payments are always for the month before. For example, if you activate your account in June your bill comes in July for the June usage, hope that makes sense. I’m loving it!! All the convenience of a contract plan but no strings attached…
I’m loving my savings and the no contract phone; we are super excited to put the extra savings every month into out Germany fund for our trip next year. Looking at our current plan for $190 (and then some) a month we would be able to save a good $45.00 every month but we would have 4 phones; before we had 3 phones. We can pack $540.00 a year into our vacation fund and both Teens, hubby as well as Mom will have Smartphone’s with unlimited Text, Talk and Web. How super cool is that? So in the end we added an extra phone and still put money into our savings account…. WHOOT.
For more information, be sure to visit Walmart.com or the T-Mobile online account management and don’t delay in being FREE from contracts and calling in style with your new Smartphone.
Pam says
I am impressed, Melanie. This really does seem like a great deal.
Daisy says
This sounds like a really good deal that we would benefit from. We pay around $300/month for all of our phone stuff and I think that we should reevaluate after learning about this.
Carlee says
Thank you for all the information in this post and the comparisons. We are currently out of contract on our phones and I really need and want a new one. I am going to have to send hubby over to read this post.
Carlee recently posted..Make an eCard and Get a FREE Sample of Gevalia Coffee!
Barb W. says
This is all such helpful information, I particularly love having the comparisons! Glad that you found a more affordable solution. We are currently testing this service, too, and already getting good results. I think the contract services need to shape up! 🙂
Barb W. recently posted..Adventures In PomPom Land #Craft #DIY
Jennifer says
This is VERY good to know! I just renewed my contract, but my Grandparents are looking for a new service. This sounds like the way to go and I am so glad you went over this so thoroughly! I am sold!
Jennifer recently posted..Blog Income Report May 2013
Liz says
Even though you drove your family crazy doing it, I think it was pretty darn brilliant of you to do everything with each phone to give a real comparison. My concern was about the service so I appreciate you doing that!
Liz recently posted..Monsters University Director Dan Scanlon On Fear, College & That One Tricky Line… #MonstersUEvent
Brett says
sounds great. i have straight talk but we’re looking for something affordable for my husband. he has a cell from work but they won’t let him use it for personal anything- even though they pay for unlimited texting and stuff.
Brett recently posted..eKoffee Fresh Roasted Coffee Giveaway
Beeb says
I love how thorough you were in testing your other phones with this one – that is so helpful! I plan on getting one of these plans, too.
Beeb recently posted..Good Earth Tea For Father’s Day
Tesa says
This is wonderful that Walmart offers this. It sounds like it really does offer a lot of savings and that’s great that you can use it with your SIII and that you are able to put the savings in your vacation fund.
Tesa recently posted..Two Toddlers Flashback: “I Wuv You Wogan”
Dawn Lopez says
You may have convinced me! I have been considering this offer for a while now. I really need an affordable plan and this one really seems like a keeper! Love that you had extra cash to do the fun things! 😉
Dawn Lopez recently posted..Save Money on Pizza? There is an App for that at California Pizza Kitchen
Melanie says
Glad I could help you with this post.. that’s my goal…:-) Keep me posted if you decide to switch and what you think of it….
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I would love to get a lower plan…I’m not sure when our contract is up but I will be checking this out.
Anne – Mommy Has to Work recently posted..Live a Good Life w/Allstate #GoodLife
Melanie says
Sooo worth checking out… 🙂
Janel C says
$40 for unlimited is great!
Janel C recently posted..Sambazon Superfoods Juice and Smoothie Review + Giveaway
Stefani says
I wish I was only paying $40 per month. I pay over $100 a month just for me and my iPhone. I do need to look for something for my teen though that is cheaper.
Stefani recently posted..Interview With Monsters University Director, Dan Scanlon #MonstersUEvent
Melanie says
Stefani, I totally hear ya… BTW they do have the iPhone under that plan as well… just FYI 😉 and a great way for Teen’s… they will never go over their TXT limit
Angela says
I really don’t like being locked into a contract. This sounds like a really great deal!
Angela recently posted..Roundtable Interview with Monsters University Director Dan Scanlon #MonstersUEvent
Matthew's Mom says
This sounds like a really good deal. It’s about time a good deal like this came out.
Ashley - Embracing Beauty says
Oooh that does look nice!
Marina says
A friend of mine has tried this and insists it works. I wasn’t so sure but now maybe I just might have to eat my words!
Marina recently posted..Tinker Bell’s Butterfly House …the highlight of Epcot’s 20th Flower and Garden Festival.
Terri says
I’m sold 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your test – a great way to ensure you are getting the best and for such an affordable price! Even if your family was impatient with your process of discovery, I’m sure they are all thrilled now that you’ll be adding a new line, as well as adding to the family vacation fund! I appreciate that you shared your full experience 🙂