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How T-Mobile tried their best to not sell me a G1

2008-10-29 19:06:52 perma-link : tiny-link

Since I decided I wanted a G1, I was prepared to get one on launch day.  I knew there wouldn't be mass hysteria like the iPhone launch, so I wasn't too worried about it.  After confirming over the phone that they had one, I strolled into the T-Mobile store at about 10am.  I played with the demo device a little, then happily walked up to the register, ready to sign a two year contract and walk out with my first early-adopter phone since the SPH-i300.  But that would not happen...

See, I was on the T-Mobile Flex-Pay system.  No contract at all, just pay monthly for the same features.  I did that because I wanted the flexibility to change providers whenever I decided what phone I wanted.  That time had come, and I now wanted to convert over to a contract so I could get the G1.  The conversation went something like this:

me: "I want to sign a two year contract and get the T-Mobile G1"
rep: "Great!  Oh, you are the flex-pay system"
me: "Yeah, so?"
rep: "Do you want to keep your phone number?"
me: "Umm... yeah.  Why wouldn't I?"
rep: "You can't do that"
me: "What do you mean?  It should be easy, it's already in your system"
rep: "We can't transfer numbers from Flex-Pay to Post-Pay"
me: "Why not?"
rep: "The system won't let us"
... calls office... verifies that there is nothing they can do
me: "Well, I want the phone and I want to keep my number.  What are my options?"
rep: "You could port your number somewhere else, then port it back to us"
me: "Wait, let me get this straight... you want me sign up with a competitor?"
rep: "That's the only way"
me: "I'll think about it.  Hold the phone for me."

Perhaps T-Mobile should add this to their FAQs:
Q: "How do I port my number from Flex-Pay to a contract?":
A:
  1. Leave the store
  2. Go to a competitor (AT&T just down the street)
  3. Ignore the iPhone's siren call
  4. Sign a contract w/ free phone to port your number to them
  5. Wait about an hour for everything to settle
  6. Come back to T-Mobile and port your number, which cancels the AT&T account
  7. Return the free phone to AT&T
I actually did all that, got my G1 (review coming soon), and kept my phone number.  Today I returned the AT&T phone and had to pay a $20 restocking fee... which I seriously doubt T-Mobile will cover.  I guess that is considered early-adopter tax.

2 Comments

Daniel Sims
2007-12-03 15:57:12 perma-link
Thanks to AT&T for making it a smooth process. I'm sure signing up and canceling within an hour looks very suspicious.
j
2009-04-05 03:55:16 perma-link
funny that you actually did it. nice post.
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