AT&T is asking for $125 for a prepaid Starter kit [1st Time US Visitor]

[whocarez]

Please go through this thread to understand the context.

http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/no...-card-1st.html (Require help with Prepaid Sim Card [1st time US visitor])

I reached NYC yesterday and have visited 2 AT&T stores by now.
They are asking for $125 for a starter kit which would have 1100 mins of talktime. Now I dont want to pay that much. All I need is the cheapest possible SIM card. I know its available but I have tried 2 stores in and around Crown Plaza, Broadway (I am putting up here). Hotel rates are anyways obnoxious.
what can i do? Should I buy the sim online on ebay as someone on this forum suggested. Then my concerns are over safety of my CC. Can it be delivered to my hotel. Would it work with my W810i? Would I be able to add Nightime/weekend feature to it?

~whocarez

[Fire14]

I am curious were both stores "Corporate" stores or were they resellers?

I have never heard of anyone saying they are being forced into buying a $125.00 Starter kit.
My guess is it's including the phone, SIM & all of those minutes?


You have advised them you had an unlocked/unbranded phone & just need to buy a SIM with a phone # and the 1 month "Go" phone pre-paid service and adding on N&W?

I am sorry you are having problems with this & maybe we can find a solution to help without going thru Ebay.

[whocarez]

Corporate Stores...
I said I have a GSM unlocked phone... They still said that I have to buy $125 with 1100 mins with 1 YR validaty. Then I can refill with any amount any plan
But thats not useful for me :-(

Now I am actually looking for a reseller who might give me a better deal.
If I order the starter kit of the web when can get it at the earliest?

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by whocarez

Corporate Stores...
I said I have a GSM unlocked phone... They still said that I have to buy $125 with 1100 mins with 1 YR validaty. Then I can refill with any amount any plan
But thats not useful for me :-(

Now I am actually looking for a reseller who might give me a better deal.
If I order the starter kit of the web when can get it at the earliest?

Wow that sounds like they are giving you a bad ride here. Even a Go Phone with the phone will cost less then that.

You could probably get it within days if you order online, usually 2-3 days, but checking for a reseller may be an option for you at this point.
If you enter the Zip Code in the web site it should give you both AT&T Store Locator - Find out where to buy cell phones exclusively at AT&T/Cingular

Heck you could get this deal with the phone only costing $29.99 + Tax and still be ahead of what the store was trying to get you to pay.
{0} Cell Phone - AT&T, formerly Cingular Wireless

[Simon5282]

If you don't mind parting with your phone, then go to walmart and pick up a prepaid phone. Net 10 gives you 300 minutes and the phone for about fifty bucks or less. Long distance is five cents on top of the minutes. If you want to keep using your phone though, then go to other cingular stores. The people at the stores you go to must know you are traveling so they are trying to take advantage of you.

[AnthroMatt]

Have you tried T-Mobile?

[whocarez]

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

Have you tried T-Mobile?

I was looking for some cheap night/weekend calls. AT&T prepaid gives you 3000 mins of night/wkend callin for $19.99. Couldn't find anything similar for T-Mobile for the prepaid connection

[Charlyee]

whocarez, I am sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble. I verified with both our corporate stores this morning and they assured me that all you would have to pay is $25.00 +tax which includes the SIM card, the activation fee and $10.00 worth of minutes.

As others have already said, please look for another store that won't try to take advantage of you.


Good luck.

[whocarez]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

whocarez, I am sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble. I verified with both our corporate stores this morning and they assured me that all you would have to pay is $25.00 +tax which includes the SIM card, the activation fee and $10.00 worth of minutes.

As others have already said, please look for another store that won't try to take advantage of you.


Good luck.

Thanks for confirming that. Now I can go to this stores and directly ask for it.

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by whocarez

Thanks for confirming that. Now I can go to this stores and directly ask for it.

No problem, if it still doesn't work, would you please post, I think I have another idea that might work.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by whocarez

Thanks for confirming that. Now I can go to this stores and directly ask for it.

Originally Posted by Charlyee

No problem, if it still doesn't work, would you please post, I think I have another idea that might work.

Yes don't give up that easy & if you still have a problem & can get to NJ, let me Know & I will figure out a to meet you & bring you to a corp. store here.
The only problem is I will be going on Vacation on Friday AM, so it would have to be tomorrow or Thursday. (8/1 & 8/2) if this isn't an option see what Charlyee has in mind to help you.

[AnthroMatt]

Wirelessly posted (M610: BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)

After being treated like that I would find someone else to give my business to!

[EdwardP]

If someone walked into an AT&T corporate store on any given day and purchased a Go Phone Activation Kit, would it now include an AT&T SIM or are they getting rid of the Cingular SIM's first (for all customers)?

[hf1khal]

Originally Posted by EdwardP

If someone walked into an AT&T corporate store on any given day and purchased a Go Phone Activation Kit, would it now include an AT&T SIM or are they getting rid of the Cingular SIM's first (for all customers)?

From what I have seen is that includes an AT&T SIM. Some of the third party left overs still has the Cingular SIM.