This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.
Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.
popular Posted by aabbccbbaa • Sep 22, 2023
Sep 22, 2023 5:48 PM
Item 1 of 1
popular Posted by aabbccbbaa • Sep 22, 2023
Sep 22, 2023 5:48 PM
T-Mobile Costco kiosks: Get up to $400 when you activate with a Go5G Plus plan
Costco Wholesale
Get Deal at RetailerGood Deal
Bad Deal
Save
Share
Leave a Comment
511 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
So I'm confused by a couple of things here. Let's keep things simple and compare the Magenta MAX 55+ plan ($45/month per line) with the Go5G Plus 55 plan ($50/month per line). I realize that there may be one or more other differences between these two plans (i.e., a little extra Hotspot data), but for this post let's just focus on the one other feature difference that's mentioned: "Upgrade-ready every 2 years".
It's my understanding that these plans don't lock you in for any amount of time, so I could switch from T-Mobile back to AT&T a month from now if I wanted. The way they "lock you in" is by giving you some sort of deal on a phone where they subsidize it but only give you 1/24th of that subsidy each month over 24 months (I'm using T-Mobile here as the example...I know that other carriers do it over 36 months).
So some examples/questions:
So I'm confused by a couple of things here. Let's keep things simple and compare the Magenta MAX 55+ plan ($45/month per line) with the Go5G Plus 55 plan ($50/month per line). I realize that there may be one or more other differences between these two plans (i.e., a little extra Hotspot data), but for this post let's just focus on the one other feature difference that's mentioned: "Upgrade-ready every 2 years".
It's my understanding that these plans don't lock you in for any amount of time, so I could switch from T-Mobile back to AT&T a month from now if I wanted. The way they "lock you in" is by giving you some sort of deal on a phone where they subsidize it but only give you 1/24th of that subsidy each month over 24 months (I'm using T-Mobile here as the example...I know that other carriers do it over 36 months).
1) Switch at Costco for this Costco promotion and waived activation fees.
2) Make sure to get the Insider code from agent before signing. Insider codes are 20% discounts on your total plan forever, meant to seal the deal for customers on the fence. It's extremely hard if not impossible to get it if you don't get it during switching. Some agents may try to upsell you to Gogo Next for the Insider code, but that's not a Insider requirement. The more lines you bring over, more cases you buy, protection plans you buy, aka commission for the agent, the more likely the agent will give you the code, but you might luck out on an agent that will give it if you just ask nicely. Insider + free lines is how we SDers pay $1 - $10 per line.
3) Research thoroughly the plan before switching. For example, 55+ plans don't work with Insider. For 3 lines, normal Gogo Plus and Gogo 55 is $150, because normal Gogo Plus includes free 3rd line. With Insider, normal Gogo Plus drops to $120 and is eligible for additional free lines in the future. Again, Insider + free lines is how we SDers pay $1 - $10 per line.
Or you can buy one iphone get $700 credits on second iphone deal since you are adding lines (Buy one, get one up to $700 off when you add a line).
Gogo Plus Upgrade Ready is a marketing gimmick. Their claim is when you upgrade your line, you will get the same promotion as adding a new line (generally the most promotional credits). What they don't say is that Gogo Plus will have the most promotional credits in the future, when you are ready to upgrade. Last year Magenta Max gave the most promotional value, this year they came out with Gogo Plus and now Magenta Max get second tier promotions. Nothing to stop them from doing the same to Gogo Plus in 2 years when you are ready to upgrade. Which is the crux of the argument against upgrading existing plans to Gogo Plus; may not matter to you as a new user.
You are confusing the trade-in value with the promotional value credits. You trade in a iPhone 11 for a total trade-in of $830. You will get, lets say, $200 trade-in credit in 2 months because that's how much it's worth. Then as a promotional value, you will get the remaining $630 back as monthly credits over the term of the promotion, assuming you keep the plan, are in good standing, pay your bill on time, etc.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Trade in on my I12 64gb would be $190. Probably pass on the trade and try to sell on my own.
My phones are paid and clear, not tied to any billing plan or credits.
My price for I15 128gb would be $830 divided into 24 months of $34.59 or I could just pay it all off.
They are giving me $350 off the retail price for upgrading.
The benefit of switching with the person on the phone instead of going to costco was that he would waive the $35 upgrade fee? But I have been reading and it was the opposite if you go into the store they would waive the $35 fee, probably a tactic to upgrade with him?
The other benefit was the $75 costco shop card that I can get per each line I upgrade.
I was not interested in switching my Magenta 1.0 responder plan that I pay $106 for 4 lines and netflix HD so I am not getting any free phones.
Whatcha all think ? The way I see it is you want a free phone then they make you go to the new plans but those plans are almost double what I am currently paying so that don't make sense ??
These "ridiculously expensive" plans are cheaper than Verizon and AT&T. So maybe not a good deal for existing customers on old plans, but a great deal for new customers.
If I converted to the equivalent GO plan, my cost would increase by $ 10. I'd be ahead for 6 years.
I probably would convert if I needed a phone. Guess it depends on your plan.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
These "ridiculously expensive" plans are cheaper than Verizon and AT&T. So maybe not a good deal for existing customers on old plans, but a great deal for new customers.
Leave a Comment