T-mobile S3 FAR Note 2 $199 A/R 2 year contract required w/$20 data plan
 

Hi all

Came across a sweet deal via freelancers member portal https://www.freelancersunion.org/...e/t-mobile

They have a few other sales but the note and s3 appeared to be the best. Not sure how long its gonna last

Membership is required but is free. When combined with T-mobile's $5 add a line and freelancers 10% discount it's a pretty decent deal. Did a TMO rebate a few weeks ago and it only took about 18 days to get a citi issued MasterCard.

Typing from an iPad so forgive any typos or weird formatting.

What's the best way to do this? Do you get five lines all with free SIII with classic plan then after you get the rebates downgrade to the value plan for $100/month ($90 month after discount)?

5 lines for $100: (2 unlimited talk/text/data with 2GB at 4G for $100) + (3 lines unlimited text, 500 minutes each For $0 per month until Jan 2014. $5 per line afterward)

I only need three lines. Can I then sell the other two phones?

Yes, I would. The ebay market for a new S3 is around $425 and probably a little less on CL depending on the local market. Your etf is going to be $200 per line so $200 X 5 = $1000. If you sell the other two you can almost cover the cost of the the $1000 ETF. Even if you sold the other 2 on CL for $350 a piece that would put you at $700 and the remaining cost of $100 per S3 plus the time you had to keep your lines active to receive the rebates, but its not like you wouldn't be receiving phone service during that time.

Keep in mind you cannot switch back to classic once you go to value plan. Otherwise, seems like it should work

Can I downgrade from classic plan to value plan on these lines without paying ETF fees, or do I need to pay the $1000 ETF fees to use these SIII phones with a value plan?

You have to pay the ETF aka "migration fee" if moving from Classic to Value. Otherwise you'd be getting free phones on the discounted Value plan.. doesn't make sense.

That's what I thought. If you pay the $200 ETF per line when you downgrade to value plan does the $200 ETF per line get rid of the contract?

Yes. Value plans require a 2yr contract. It's not technically an ETF, it's a migration fee since you're going from Classic to Value. You pay a migration fee to offset the phone subsidy you got on your original Classic plan.

Thanks for the info. Can someone buy five lines, pay first month bill and $1000 ETF and cancel the contract getting five SIII for around $1200?

No, you'd need a 2 year for the value plan but at $90 a month for 3 lines, 2 of which have unlimited minutes and web, does it really matter? I guess you could go to straight talk but that would cost you more than TMO because of the 3rd line. If you sold the other two, your out of pocket would be $300 for 3 s3's and $90 a month. I'm sure the s3' will hold enough resell market value a year from now to cover the cost of the etf's if need be. My s2's held more than enough to cover for me a year later.

Yes. Which would be a very good deal. Just keep in mind that T-Mobile frowns upon this and will blacklist your SSN if you do this repeatedly. Doing it once every few years should not be a problem - what I'm saying is, don't do this every 6 months to get cheaper phones.

I think as long as you're credit class B (their internal rating, they won't easily tell you what you are) or above, you can do the 5 lines with no deposit. I'm credit class A and that's 10 lines no deposit, I think B is 5 lines.

So I could buy 5 lines and my girlfriend could buy 5 lines. We keep three that we need and sell seven SIII phones for around $2500. Pay $2000 ETF (I would cancel the contract and she would migrate to value plan) and also two first month bills and get the three SIII for free. And the value plan would have a 10% discount through freelancers. Do they pay attention to addresses if we both do ETFs on five lines from the same address? She would be migrating and not cancelling the contract. Would this work without anyone getting blacklisted?

I wouldn't do it if you share the same address. Especially if you only need three phones to begin with. That's pushing it. Just do the 5, sell the extra 2, and be happy.

Ok, I'll just get five. Still a good deal. Thanks.

I didn't realize T-mobile did this. I've done this a lot and never been told no. I've even sued T-Mobile after that last change where they limited roaming data, cancelled service, sold my s2's then turned around bought some nexus 4's with the cash and signed right back up with t-mobile for value plan no problem. They did require a $50 deposit on one line even though then weren't subsidizing any phones w/ a 725 TU score. But all things considered, I just paid it. .

How soon after signing up can I cancel the service? I am already on a value plan and have been looking at purchasing either a S3 or a Note 2. This would be about $200 cheaper than paying for it in store if I can cancel the contract right away without having to pay for a month.

It'd be migration fee + tax on retail price of a device. Add to that a time with a classic service with 5 data plans (extra ~$115 a month over the price of the value plan?)

If you only need 3 lines, you may as well etf the other two unless you need 2 cheap backups. While add a lines are $0 for 9 months, you'll still pay a few bucks in fees.

I always thought it was tax on retail price of phone too but my last two purchases via TMO website were not. I live in CA and when I add 5 s3's and get to the checkout page, it only shows the tax on $100 per line.

The classic lines do cost more per month and you would have to eat that cost for the first month and send your rebate in ASAP. You'd end up paying from $20-90 more on classic for the first month depending on how many lines you need.

I'm not sure about the tax when you buy a phone. (I was charged the tax on a full retail price, but then it was waived)

When I did migration I paid that tax though.
I thought namlook wanted 5 on classic and then 3 on value.
5 on classic would probably be $100+$5x3+$20x5 = $215.
3 on value would be $80+20 = $100

I though he wanted 3 total but was going to get the other two to subsidize the first 3.

Your forgetting the 10% discount on $215 would be about $21 and $10 on the $100. So $90 on the value and $194 on the classic.

I said ~$115. You are forgetting an extra fee on each line + extra taxes.

I didn't ever look at my bill under microscope, but my $115 service (before 10% discount) is $130 with fees and taxes(after 10% discount), while there are no overages on any lines.

Let me know if I am misunderstanding anything here:

I decides to buy 5 phones, sell three S3's and keep two. I will use an HTC Sensation I already have for the third line I need. The three S3s should bring in $1100. The migration fee/ETF on five phones is $1000. First month bill is $170ish. So that should give me Two S3s for less than $100 after rebates.

Is there going to be tax on the full retail price of the 5 x S3s when I migrate two lines to value plan and do an ETF on three lines? That's going to raise my monthly cost over two years by around $10/month. :(

Hey guys, bear with me as I'm pretty clueless here since I currently have a basic plan with Verizon and have never had a smartphone. Anyway, I've got some questions similar to the discussion up top, but with a couple differences.

I have basically the same deal through my work, but a 15% discount instead of 10%. I also only need two phones/lines. If I got two of the S3's, what's the best way to change it to the value plan? Buy two S3's for free after mir on their classic plan, and then it sounds like you have to wait a month? Is that correct, and then what? Do I just call and tell them I need to migrate to the value plan and they'll charge me $200 per line? Is there anything else to it?

I was looking and the value plan for 1000 mins, unlimited plus data plan, and unlimited messaging comes out to $68/mo for two lines after the discount so I'd definitely like to jump on that. Also, what size sim card does this use? Is this a good deal or should I wait for something better?

Sorry for the million questions. Thanks for the help!

Namlook - every state is different, if your to be taxed full retail they would charge upfront. Run through the order process to checkout screen to see what taxes are. Your math looks good to me otherwise.

Hoo- yes you'd be charged the migration fee of $400. DO NOT MIGRATE UNTILL YOU GET YOUR REBATE MASTERCARD. Once you get to the value plan your service charge will vary by services, but unlike Verizon, tmobile doesn't require data on value or off contract plans.

I don't know why your bill is so high after discount. My 10% takes care of all my taxes and fees (local, state, CTF) and 2 bucks more.

Is the ETF added to your bill or charged to the credit card that you use to buy the phones.

Repped and thanks for posting this. This link saved $500 off the prices on the TMobile site for five S3, not to mention the 10% discount on the bill which will save another $240 over 2 years with the $100 family value plan.

ETF get sent via a bill, they do not charge your credit card in my experience unlike stupid directv.

Canceling the service before the 30 days lets me still keep the phone?

Im thinking of doing this with a few notes. At AT&T they force u to give up the phone if its not past the 30 days.

And I would still have to pay for the first month right?

Cancel on 31st day like AT&T.

Does Tmobile charge me for the whole next month if I cancel on day 32?

so this deal for new line only?

It should be prorated shouldn't it?

why not $10 plan?

Rebate requires $20 plan

Yes it's prorated.

Ahh crap I accidentally selected the $10 plan for two of the five phones. Can they fix this easily once I get my order number or will I need to place a second order?

Has anyone gotten any confirmation emails or anything yet? I bought 3 s3s and I notice this morning they're up from free after rebate to $50 after rebate.

do we have to login in to freelancer's to see the FAR? Here is the text I see

Some of the Special Phone Pricing for Freelancers Union Members:
o HTC One S 4G for FREE, regularly $599.99*
o Samsung Galaxy S II™ 4G for FREE, regularly $529.99*
o Nokia Lumia 810 4G for FREE, regularly $549.99
o HTC 8X 4G for $74.99 regularly $579.99
o LG Nexus 4 4G for $149.99, regularly $499.99*
o Samsung Galaxy S III™for $179.99, regularly $629.99
o Samsung Galaxy Note II 4G for $269.99 regularly $699.99*

Yeah, you have to login to freelancer's. Then at the bottom of the page you see a link the the T-Mobile premiere site.

Just change it online. You need to be on the $20 data plan only when the rebate is processed, you don't need to order w/ it.

quick question that is a little OT

I have gotten a free s3 a while back during black friday with Tmo and I am on their classic plan with contract and no upgrades for a while.

Is it possible to pay an ETF of 200 and reinstate the same classic plan just to reset my phone upgrade eligibility?

after reading this thread, my goal is .. WHEN the s4 comes out and becomes free eventually, I would like to pay $200 etf and get a free s4 after rebates, sell my s3 to cover the costs of the ETF then, which should net me $200 in resale.

would this work ?

Thanks Op!
 

In for 5 on new family plan. Repped!!!

Is the deal dead. I went to T-Mobile site via freelancers but the S3 is $50 after rebate. The S2 is FAR.

Yeah sorta dead. $50 now.

Anyone get any kinda of confirmation or approval email yet?

I haven't received an order confirmation email yet (and I keep checking!! :confused: )

I placed my order this morning at 1:01 AM Central Time.

Same, checking obsessively. I ordered last night a little after 9pm Eastern time.

I got an "Order has been received" email.

Kinda weird though. Last night the phones were $100 each with a $100 rebate = FAR. On the site now it's $100 each with a $50 rebate = $50 AR.

However in my bill, each S3 shows as $49.99 and I bought 3 so = $149.97 subtotal. Then I get drilled with a $98.43 sales tax so for 3 S3:

Subtotal: 149.97
Sales tax: 98.43
Total: $248.40

So I guess I will be getting 3 $50 rebate cards they took the price down to 49.99 for me because I ordered last night and the rebate card got change from $100 to $50...

Perfect, thanks. Now I won't worry about it.

I have a similarly weird event. When I ordered the S3s were on my order as $100 each with $100 rebate and I was to be billed $500+ tax for five of them. I just got my invoice for my order and the S3 are showing a price of $0 and I am not being billed for them. Is this normal or did I get lucky somehow and now I don't need to deal with a rebate?

Yeah, no idea. Seems lucky to me. Who knows maybe you'll even be able to get a rebate too without them noticing. lol.

You don't live in a sales tax free state do you?

No, I'm in California. 8% tax. This would be the deal of the year for me if they sent me $500 in rebates without charging for the phones. I doubt that's gonna happen. :)

so the deal is dead, Note 2 is now $199 after $50 rebate

Note 2 was always $199. It was the Galaxy S3 that was free.

Anyone knows the rebate card terms? Isn't there time limit for rebate filing?
I will be out of country from Feb 24 thru Mar 28 and just found out my order will be delivered on Feb 25th. I wonder whether I could send the rebate card on March 29th when I get back. TIA

Are these prices for the classic plans or value plans?

I'm currently working at T-Mobile right now and our stores are own by a third party and we seldomly get good deals on the Note 2 or S3.

I just received my "We've received your order" email from T-mo. Curiously, they only charged me $25 per S3 and threw in a micro-USB charger for free. Total for five S3's is $135.20 with tax. 1 day shipping means I should have all phones tomorrow :) :)

I wonder if I'm still getting the $100 rebate cards per phone?!

classic

I should have re-read before initially posting. I was charged $25 per S3 and will receive a $25 MIR card for each one. Same effect. Free is free (well... not counting taxes anyway:)

Pft, damn it. -.-

when did you order?

My invoice shows a price of $0 for five S3 and no taxes in an 8% tax state. Strange. I guess no rebates for me. I've got to be charged tax at some point, right? Maybe I'll get hit with tax when I pay the $200 ETF/migration fee per phone to Value plan.

Heads up for those who didnt know, s4 is scheduled to be announced on the 14th of march, and reportedly will launch a month after, so i would sell the s3's asap before the market for them goes down.

I ordered on 2/19 at 1:00 am Central Time.

Nm....

Can I move from a Value Plan to a Classic plan? I am still in contract for the value plan.

No, you can only go from Classic to Value.

Can it be any plan? does it have to be the unlimited one? thanks

Just bumping this thread, the phones are active again for free with 2 year rebate. Get'em while you can - seems to end on the 28th

man you guys got lucky. i got hit with the $220 in taxes.. my total for everything was $870. :vomit:

Is this price good for upgrades or new lines only?

I was reading another thread where someone said they got a Tmobile phone for free and still sent in the rebate and it was processed. Has anyone successfully done this? This would be an insane deal if I could get five S3 for $0, no tax, and make $500 in rebates.

man you got really lucky. I had to pay for the phones AND got hit with the California 8% tax on the original price.

They sent me different rebate forms, does anyone know which one I send it?

8% tax on the original price? That's brutal.

I was sent three forms. Two of them were "classic new activation rebate card" form. Each form has space for four lines so since I bought five lines I think that's why I was sent two of those.

The third form is called "value and bridge to value new activation rebate card." I don't think this one applies since we are activating classic plans and not value plans.

which form did you mail it? and did you mail in a form for each phone? Thanks

What the best way to downgrade a five line classic plan to value plan if we don't want to keep all five lines?
I want to migrate three lines from classic to value plan and ETF two lines (and sell those two phones).

1. Should we do an ETF (end contract and pay $200/line) for five on all lines and then sign up for value plan after that for the three lines we need?

2. Or should we migrate the three lines we need to value plan (pay $200/line) and do an ETF on the two lines we don't need (end contract and pay $200).

I wasn't sure if it was possible to migrate some lines and do an ETF on the other lines that are on the same family plan. Do you need to migrate them all or ETF them all, or can you mix and match?