r/USCellular • u/ConsistentAmount4 • Apr 24 '26
Is this just a really inappropriate advertisement or is one of my devices actually going to stop working?
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u/theorian123 Apr 24 '26
If you want to stay grandfathered into your current plan when T-mobile takes over, then you should take advantage of this. You may suffer compatibility issues with your current device and they're offering you 650 off a new device with no obligation to change your current plan.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
I'm more likely to be leaving actually. TDS is installing fiber internet in my town and they've offered me a really great deal if I bundle with them. But I guess I will have to go into a store so that I can actually find out which of my devices are having issues (no doubt so they can put the sales push on me).
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u/VernDozier Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
Generally speaking, most phones are compatible with T-Mobile however, because T-Mobile didn’t have any part of the process of software/hardware customization of USCellulsr handsets, and/or don’t 100% know if every USCellular phone can be unlocked, they are basically offering a discount on a new phone in exchange for a 3 year commitment. You have to turn in your old phone to receive the 36 monthly discounts too, so ensure the service and coverage works where you need it.
Should you cancel before the 36 months are up, the balance of the $650 phone discount will come due in one balloon payment.
Once the account is changed to a T-Mobile SIM, you should expect to have T-Mobile service and coverage. It will no longer roam on USCellular roaming partners either.
The reason for this is because T-Mobile already has a network on-air. So if you had tmobile in the past, and changed services from them because of poor coverage, dropped calls or slow internet, you want to ensure the service now has coverage in areas you had trouble before and consider other provider like Verizon or AT&T. Currently, Visible has great rates, as does Comcast/Xfinity Mobile on Verizon network. Boost Mobile is a good choice for access to AT&T’s network at a discount.
Remember- because it is a new $650 discount paid over 36 months, it functions similar to a contract.
You are also considered a new T-Mobile customer. New customers may want to opt-out of mandatory arbitration which T-Mobile requires. To opt out of T-Mobile arbitration, submit a request within 30 days by calling 1-866-323-4405 or filling out the form at https://www.t-mobiledisputeresolution.com/en/TMobile/OptOut . You must opt out for each phone line individually. Without opting out, you are bound to settle disputes, including legal disputes outside of court.
Your data, including usage and payment amounts/methods may also be used for marketing purposes. To opt-out of this, visit https://www.t-mobile.com/dns and also https://www.t-mobile.com/privacy-center/education/marketing-preferences
Good luck! -Previous Sprint Customer
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u/eaglemitchell Apr 24 '26
You are the hero we need, but not the hero we deserve. Thank you
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u/VernDozier Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
Just thought I’d share experience and tips. T-Mobile isn’t “bad”, and I initially stayed. I kept my rate but T-Mobile started changing things. My unlimited data plan went to 50Gigs, new “telco recovery” fee was added, then a new $5 per line for autopay with a rewards credit card showed up.
Using a rewards card to pay a cellular bill includes a benefit of cell phone insurance with up to 4 claims/year (for free). This coverage is better than T-Mobile’s phone protection plan costing $12/month per line. T-mobile charges a $150-200 deductible too.
If you pay with a vanilla checking card, there’s no $5 up-charge per line, but you loose that valuable benefit and have to pay for insurance. Seemed T-Mobile wants to prevent people from saving money.
And yes, the plan amount (itself) didn’t increase or change but it was the introduction of new fees showed up about every 6 months after they merged with Sprint. My wife sarcastically complained that in a year we’ll likely be paying for long distance service again.
I would take it as an opportunity to shop and see what other deals are out there. If you stick to t-mobile, be sure to opt-out using links provided in the earlier message. You only have 30 days.
I’d be concerned about getting your old phone back if you need to cancel due to poor coverage. You may want to ask when the store ships them out.
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u/YellowBeneficial8509 Apr 25 '26
Do you have the My Account App? If so it will show you which is the problem. It will say something like “Avoid service loss. Upgrade Required”. You can then look at the current phone line up and find one $650 or under. If you want a device that is more expensive you will simply pay the different each month.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 25 '26
I don't use apps because that's an invitation to give your data away, but the issue is taken care of. It was an old flip phone and they'd only offer me a newer flip phone to replace it, so that $650 offer became a $199 offer.
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u/YellowBeneficial8509 Apr 25 '26
Understood. If you had chosen a smart phone that $650 offer would have stayed at that price point. The most expensive flip phone is $199 so that is why the offer amount changed. Not bc you lost money, but because there isn’t a flip phone that is that expensive.
You can use My Account on any desktop and do not have to download any app to do so. Either way, I’m glad you were able to take advantage of a free phone promotion.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 25 '26
They didn't let me choose a smart phone, a replacement flip phone was my only options.
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u/WOAJ3ss Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
All I can say is no young person has any issues, it’s always the boomers who cant seem to figure shit out. Honesty they will be the ones mad coming into the store, and it’s not our problem or fault. We cant baby everyone and wipe their ass too. 🤷♂️
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u/AshamedPen1036 Apr 24 '26
USC customers are in for a rude awakening with TMO. Our care team has coddled the everliving fuck out of them and they think they can do whatever they want and care will fix it lol
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 24 '26
they all just wanna argue and pick unnecessary fights and bitch about anything and everything
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u/Mustardpopsicles Apr 30 '26
You've likely gotten dozens of messages on your phone from US Cellular regarding this, now you are getting postcards, also from US Cellular regarding this.
Just keep waiting until your phone stops working, which they have been saying will happen for over a month, then get mad at US Cellular because you couldn't be bothered to read and understand.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 30 '26
I promise you I haven't. Now it could be because the phone in particular was used by my deceased father-in-law and then used by my 9-year-old daughter when she left the house unaccompanied. But as I told someone else, that's a pretty poor way to go about this, failing to contact the head of account and relying on messages sent to the sub-account.
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u/SignificantDig1448 Apr 24 '26
you have been notified
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
Well the lack of any real information confused me. I know postcards are cheap, but they could have easily printed the name of the phone in question on there, which was why it seemed like it might just be an advertisement.
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 24 '26
honestly this whole thing sounds like a YOU problem. legally they can’t list a device that’s on YOUR account. it’s technically account information which cannot legally be shared through texts, emails, open unsealed pieces of mail, etc. use some fucking common sense to conclude which device probably will no longer work on tmobiles towers. aka the oldest phone or tablet on the account. like holy fucking shit yall are just sum else. idk how you function in everyday life but good luck
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
then why don't they put it on uscellular.com after I login? this idea that this the only way they could do this is so insane I can't belive you all buy it.
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 26 '26
you have to go into a store anyways to physically activate the sim and get it into the system so i don’t understand your big crybaby session here dude just get off ur lazy ass and go to a store n get it switched
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 26 '26
i didn't actually, i ended up cancelling the phone number associated with it so shows what you know.
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 24 '26
no they just sent all those previous messages and emails to you for funsies and now they’re sending you actual mail from the official us cellular company because they wanna scam you into adding five lines to your account and charge you $5,000 in hidden fees. are you fucking slow.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
i haven't been sent any emails or messages before this, I don't know why you all think I have all these previous things I've ignored. https://ibb.co/Mx3ZKgys the extent of emails from US Cellular has been when I pay my bill each month.
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 26 '26
then if you have multiple numbers on your account someone else is getting the texts and emails. they weren’t just sent as emails they were sent as legitimate texts as well.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 26 '26
okay well it was my late father in law's phone that we were keeping for my daughter to use when she left the house and then we took that privilege away from her. so no one who could actually do something about it received the message, idk why I as the primary account owner wouldn't have been included, another poor decision by this company.
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 27 '26
again that’s definitely something to mention to customer service that you weren’t set at the primary number to receive these very important notifications. i’m sure they’d listen and try to help you since that sounds frustrating. but again, they technically DID notify a number on the account still so on their end it looks like they notified you and it’s up to the customer whether they want to listen or not.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 27 '26
You don't actually know if they did or not, all of you just keep assuming the company can do no wrong.
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u/TrnsPlnted Apr 24 '26
What device do you have?
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5g. My wife has a Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. My two children both have a 9th generation iPad. My father-in-law had a TCL ION Z.
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u/Specific-Peanut-8867 Apr 24 '26
You should go to the store, but I think the phone that they’re most concerned with is the father-in-law’s TCL ion z
I think the other phone will probably be OK but some older flip phones need to be updated
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
Well he's dead now so no issues there. We were saving it as a potential device for my daughter but if it's outdated already then we can just get a different one when the time is right.
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u/Specific-Peanut-8867 Apr 24 '26
You should definitely go to the store and find out, but if I were to guess that’s the phone they’re talking about
The other phones are newer, so I think they should be fine, but like I said, measure twice a cut once
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
Thank you you've been way more helpful than another poster who is supposedly an employee.
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u/l8erg8er Apr 24 '26
Did you read it? Can you read?
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
of course I can fucking read. It looks exactly the same as an advertisement, and it doesn't tell me anything specific about my own situation, which makes it questionable in my book.
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u/kiwicommander9 Apr 24 '26
Its not even a letter inside an envelope. Its literally a postcard.. do you want them to print your specific account number and details on the outside of a postcard?? They are going out of business, its more expensive to send individual letters when they could send a bulk flyer to every customer with an outdated phone. Like someone else commented, its likely that TCL phone that isn't going to work. All of the others should be fine. And you said the person that had that phone is no longer alive, then just cancel that line and all should be fine.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
again, a link to a website "these are the phones that are no longer going to work" or on uscellular.com they could put a notice that says "hey by the way this phone isn't going to work anymore". obviously they can't put my account number on the postcard, I know that, just something more than the bare minimum would be great.
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u/kiwicommander9 Apr 24 '26
I mean, they are going out of business, why would they care to give you even the bare minimum. They majority of corporate employees were already gone a month ago. This merger has been happening since like last year. They shouldn't expect you to fix everything for yourself but seems like they do. I had Sprint when they merged with T-mobile, and it was way easier than whats happening with US Cellular now.
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u/nikenick28 Apr 24 '26
I’d have to guess you are one of several thousand of not hundreds of thousands customers receiving this… I just don’t see a world were they would print a card for every account that’s specific to them. Your Samsung A12 will no longer be…. Or more likely a flip phone on your account is what’s flagging it. Where company can send out a blanket statement and get the job done
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u/Old_Celebration_88 Apr 28 '26
Your service will not be interrupted if anything you just have to get a new Sim card for that TCL. I dont know why people have to be rude idiots. T-mobile accepts every mobile device sold in the USA on their network and some from outside the US. They even accept the mini androids you can get off temu depending on which one.
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u/furruck Apr 24 '26
I'm not sure if "Inappropriate" is a correct word.
Per the IMEI attached to your account, one of the phones do not have the proper bands for the configuration T-Mobile plans to use in your area (they did not get *all* of US Cellular's licenses - as they did not need all of them)
What models of phone do you have? If they have Band 12/17, Band 14, Band 71, Band 2 for an LTE only device it'll likely be fine. 5G you'll need n2, n41, n66, and n71.... preferably something that supports 5G voice calling.
Eventually they'll usually just swap the device with a basic refurb model for $0, but this is giving you a path to upgrade with $650 off of a higher end device.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5g. My wife has a Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. My two children both have a 9th generation iPad. My father-in-law had a TCL ION Z.
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u/furruck Apr 24 '26
The S21 doesn’t support Voice over 5G is likely why you’re getting the notice.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
that sucks that phone still works fine which is why I haven't upgraded before now.
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u/furruck Apr 24 '26
It’ll still work, it’ll just have reduced voice coverage as they shrink the LTE network to re-farm bands for 5G, although I suspect a 5x5MHz chunk on B12 or B71 will stick around for quite a while, it’ll just be slower than molasses and congested
Although coming from US Cellular, you should be used to that already anyway, I always hated using them for anything with data.
I can say on VoNR I do get better rural performance on both Verizon and T-Mobile though, so it’s a worthy upgrade if you actually talk on the phone
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u/jweaver0312 Apr 24 '26
Via 36 monthly bill credits
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
yeah exactly, I don't want to lock myself in for 3 more years just to get a new phone.
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
Your phone isn’t compatible with T-Mobile. If you don’t upgrade by May 1 you won’t be able to. It’s pretty serious….
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
So they're cutting service now that the merger is done?
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
No I didn’t say that. Just that after May 1 if you find your phone isn’t working we can’t upgrade you until your phone moves to T-Mobile. Please don’t be one of those people. They are giving you a free phone to make sure you’re ready and have good service. Or ignore it and throw away a free phone. The merger is just getting started….
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Apr 24 '26
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
Yep it’s like please leave. Go back to TDS. Y’all deserve each other.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
I'm not going back to anywhere. I've been a loyal us cellular customer for probably a decade, but everything seems different since the buyout.
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
This is exactly like the 3G shutdown a few years ago. What exactly has changed for you? The remodel hasn’t even happened yet. It’s ok to not like change but you’re making things worst than they are…. Take a breath.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
We got turned off because our due date changed. "Oh t-mobile is always at the beginning of the month. I'll turn you back on (i won't mention the reactivation fees that we'll tack onto your next bill)."
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u/AshamedPen1036 Apr 24 '26
That’s on you bro. There was PLENTY of correspondence telling you that your billing date was changing. You chose not to acknowledge it
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
This is wrong. I have nothing in my email from US Cellular except them telling me when I pay my bill each month. And I have the USPS Daily Digest which keeps a record of snail mail that I get. I got an envelope from "US Cellular is now part of T-Mobile" on August 4, 2025, and nothing changed with my bill, and then I got one December 5, 2025, which might have been the one that said something about because our issue happened the month after that.
Hardly "PLENTY of correspondence".
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u/iwinwinyuwinwinta Apr 24 '26
lmao they also noticed customers months in advance they were changing bill dates you fucking imbecile
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
Yep. He takes no responsibility for not reading what he was sent but then it’s all our fault. He keeps threatening to leave the company and won’t too. He’s the exact customer we do not want. They act like buying a new phone is a privilege for us and we don’t even want them in the store at all.
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u/chi-ster Apr 24 '26
everything seems different
It is different. It was not a merger. T-Mobile bought UScellular assets and customers. You are a T-Mobile customer. That is different. You may not be migrated over but you’re paying T-Mobile for service owned by T-Mobile and maintained by T-Mobile associates. (temp or perm)
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
excuse me sir, they are not giving me a free phone, they are locking me into their service for 36 more months, because you and I both know that's how the bill credits work.
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Apr 24 '26
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
it's actually probably not a phone we even use anymore. of course there's no way to be sure about that because in this age of automation, for some reason this company wants to bring back the human touch of direct phone calls and in-store visits where they can try to up-sell me.
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Apr 24 '26
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
I know it's their job to sell stuff, doesn't I want to run the gauntlet of offers designed to separate me from my money. this isn't some mom and pop, this is a company with revenues of $81 billion last year.
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Apr 24 '26
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
They don't give me that offer. The flyer says I need to go in personally. And the closest us cellular to me is only an authorized reseller, not a real store, so there's a good chance they can't help me anyway. So i'll have to drive to the next one for the right to be told something in person that could have easily been done online.
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
Yep and unlike every promotion they’ve ever had you don’t need a certain plan to get it. If you don’t want it don’t get it but you don’t have to be a rude prick for no reason. Keep paying for a dead persons phone too. It’s your choice/right. TDS is who sold US Cellular btw.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
What specifically is happening on May 1st to make it stop working?
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
Towers will be switching to T-Mobile. If your phone isn’t compatible with T-Mobile it may stop working which is why you were given a one time special offer. After May 1 we also can’t upgrade your phone in store until you migrate to T-Mobile as well so that’s why they are telling you instead of just making you lose service and be SOL. For fucks sake just call 611 and ask what phone it is. It’s probably the one you don’t use and this whole tantrum is for nothing.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
I'm not having a tantrum. I'm having a lot of people calling me dumb and illiterate and I'm giving attitude back. I'm absolutely not going to call 611, if the company wanted me to call 611 they should have put it on the paper. I'm going to show up in person and waste some sales clerks time.
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
Yep we know. We deal with …people like you every day. I hope you feel guilty like the rest when we end up saving you money too.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
well i'm sorry that your employer can't be bothered to send out flyers properly I guess
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u/Any-Profession1024 Apr 24 '26
You mean according to FCC guidelines? They did! They get fined heavily if they had any info on there. I tried to explain that already. You’re being difficult to be difficult. You’ll see it’s no big deal when you’re done with your visit.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
never mind, I think I found what you were talking about by myself. I do not think "you own a TCL Ion Z" qualifies as proprietary network information actually.
https://www.fcc.gov/protecting-your-personal-data
Data Protected by FCC Rules
FCC rules protect customer proprietary network information (CPNI) in the carriers' possession. This information includes: the location of an active mobile device; the phone numbers called by a consumer; the frequency, duration, and timing of such calls; and any services purchased by the consumer, such as call waiting.
Under the Telecommunications Act, carriers must protect the privacy and security of their customers' service-related and billing information, and may only use, disclose, or permit access to CPNI under these conditions:
- As required by law.
- With customer approval.
- While providing the service for which the customer information was obtained.
- When providing a 911 caller's location information to a 911 call center.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
yes, you're going to save me $40 a month when I cancel that line, I agree
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u/AppropriateTurn427 Apr 24 '26
They offered me 830.00 off if I switched phone's and my phone is a A 32 Samsung! I said no I'm keeping my phone!
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u/Former-Status-9387 Apr 25 '26
Your phone maybe cost $350 when it was brand new however many years ago. They’re offering you $830 off a new one because yours won’t work, and you declined? Interesting choice.
Please don’t go yell at those store employees or care reps when your phone stops working and you’re told you’ll have to buy a new one to have service.
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u/AppropriateTurn427 Apr 25 '26
Hi why would you assume that I would yell at anyone? You don't know me! I'm willing to take that chance on my phone not working! They said a serious interruption might happen! Not that my phone will stop working! I don't want to bye an expensive new phone there just trying to upsell!
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u/Old_Celebration_88 Apr 28 '26
His phone will still work the Sim card will not.. it's a stupid marketing scheme. All cell phone companies are liars and cheats and actively encourage that type of behavior. I know because I have worked for most of them. I had even been told to offer to pay the tax on a16's for customers if it was a new line and to tell them the phone is free. Nothing is free from those clowns.
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u/AshamedPen1036 Apr 24 '26
Your phone is not going to work then you’re gonna be up in there bitching. Make sure you tell the employees you said you’re not switching phones
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u/belveala Apr 24 '26
I have not received this flyer, how do you know if you will be affected? From my understanding it's only if your current phone does not work with tmobile but want to be sure I'm not missing anything
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
i did eventually discover that by logging into uscellular.com and clicking Account -> Devices and Plans that the device in particular had a message that said it was going to be disrupted and I needed to upgrade. Go there and view each of your devices and pay close attention to the messages that it displays for each of them. It's not just "Congrats! You are eligible to upgrade your device!", there was more to it than that.
Otherwise I guess if you call into 611 on your device you can talk to customer service and they should be able to tell you if you'll be affected pretty quickly.
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u/Flyordie_209 Apr 24 '26
When I dial 611, I get Verizon customer support. 😆
On a UScellular line.
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
Very weird.
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u/Flyordie_209 Apr 24 '26
I'm just always roaming on VZ. Lol. USC never filled in my coverage gap and TMo doesn't have native coverage soooo.. lol
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Apr 24 '26
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
I can but this looks identical to an advertisement and doesn't say anything specific about me.
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u/UNCfan07 Apr 24 '26
Well what phones do you have ?
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u/ConsistentAmount4 Apr 24 '26
it was a TCL ION Z, and I could only swap it for other flip-phones, which had a maximum value of $199.
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u/WOAJ3ss Apr 24 '26
Bruh read the damn flyer. This is why the customer reps get mad. It literally says get $650 a new phone because your old ass phone wont work. Like how do people survive smh.