I've been a long time vmo customer and I still have one of the original pay by the minute plans which I'm happy with. When I bought the Optimus I resigned myself to the thought of a pay-by-month plan - likely the $25 one because I don't call much. When I tried to activate my Optimus I struggled and had to call support. The nice Eastern Indian lady on the other end of the line got it activated on my pay by min plan. I'm thrilled. I connect via wifi so it doesn't cost me anything and I don't have to pay more than $20 every 3 months to keep my phone. Anyone else on a pay by min plan with their Optimus or did I get lucky?
-
After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.
Help On the Pay by Minute Plan
- Thread starter chiPersei
- Start date
-
- Tags
- lg optimus v
AnciusD
Android Enthusiast
I'm on Minute2Minute plan too but I haven't activated my phone yet. I currently have over $200 worth of credit on my current plan and I want to triple verify that it'll carry over if I go to VM's Beyond Plan. TVCCS here says yes, and I stopped by a local RS who said the same but I want to hear it from VM's CS but their lines were busy when I called. I was going to activate online, eventually. Though, I think I ended up having to get support when I got my current Rave/K-9 
I'm in no rush so I've been using just wifi this week since I bought the phone. Are you sure they didn't change your plan via upgrade and they'll bill you $25 after a month. I'd be shocked, otherwise, if it's as you say.
I'm in no rush so I've been using just wifi this week since I bought the phone. Are you sure they didn't change your plan via upgrade and they'll bill you $25 after a month. I'd be shocked, otherwise, if it's as you say.
I've set up the auto pay function where if by balance becomes less that $5 they debit my card another $20. That has already happened once. In addition, when I log into my acct on the vmo website it still shows I have my original plan.
I'm not sure if they'd care because after all, they are retaining me as a customer. When they find out (I'm assuming they monitor this forum) I'll let you know what they do. If they do switch me I may jump ship at some point. Think about it- the progression of their phones and plans indicate the next logical step is a smart phone on any plan you like. If they don't start it another carrier will and then vmo will do it in order to compete. They might as well innovate and lead rather than be a follower.
TVCCS
Android Enthusiast
I'm on Minute2Minute plan too but I haven't activated my phone yet. I currently have over $200 worth of credit on my current plan and I want to triple verify that it'll carry over if I go to VM's Beyond Plan. TVCCS here says yes, and I stopped by a local RS who said the same but I want to hear it from VM's CS but their lines were busy when I called. I was going to activate online, eventually. Though, I think I ended up having to get support when I got my current Rave/K-9
If it helps...the rollover from a minute plan to a Beyond Talk plan was done in a Radio Shack store. I have already been auto-billed by VM for one month, which was debited from the existing account balance. Everything is as it should be, billing-wise.
TVCCS
Android Enthusiast
Actually...the "progression" I'm seeing in the market is all the major carriers scrambling to limit and throttle data. VM is losing money on every Optimus V they sell at that price and on every $25 a month Beyond Talk plan (according to a major Sprint Independent retailer I know)...they are betting on a lot of users upgrading to the $40 and $60 plans as the way to make money from this deal. Selling a $149 phone with a $20 every three month plan makes zero sense at all economically. I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.
The good news is I think VM has more important things to do than monitor this forum for billing issues like yours. If their system doesn't catch the mistake, then you will be a fortunate fellow.
You're right about that.
Frankly, I would pay $300 for the phone if it means I can retain my current plan. I'm the type who prefers not to get nickle'd & dime'd every month and am happy to pay more "up-front" to avoid it.
Maybe in the future vmo will sell the phone for a profit ($300-$500) and in doing so justify a pay by the minute plan. I can always hope.
AnciusD
Android Enthusiast
I remember you said you activated in an RS store, that's why I popped in to check. But of course, I didn't buy at RS but Target, so I'll likely activate via online. I'm just trying to decide whether to keep the current and burn up the credit and add the Optimus as additional if necessary. But making me feel very optimistic. It sounds like if my $200+ can rollover to a Beyond Plan I'm good for about 10 months 'free'. Since I'm in no hurry, I'd figure I'd let all the kinks get worked out at VM's end with servers, 3G drops, redoing site billing, etc. Plus I can learn up on this new-fangled device in the mean time.
Don't forget that "20 dollars every three months" is your average cost only if you don't make/receive any calls or send/receive text messages. Once you start making calls and text messaging, you are paying more than $20 every three months.
You need to add in the cost of the monthly minutes and text messages you use each month to that $20, to find out what you are really paying.
Actually, with the plan I've had for about a decade (unavailable anymore), if I don't make any calls or txt the average cost is zero over three months, not $20 as you suggest. Of course if I don't deposit at least $20 qtrly vmo takes my number away. Essentially, I've got add $20 to my account qtrly whether I use the phone or not. If I continue to deposit the 20 qtrly and don't use the phone the funds in my account build up for future use (no loss of money or minutes).
AnciusD
Android Enthusiast
Yeah, and that's why I have >$200, closer to $300 in my account.
Freakyx, it's .25/min and if you use more than some amount in one day ($2.50?) you get charged .10/min for the remainder of the day. Text msg is .10/msg, I think.
The Minute2Minute plan is for low usage users, obviously.
@ AnciusD- if you're not ready to switch plans call tech support and tell them you are having a hard time activating. All you want to do is activate it, nothing else. Maybe the same thing will happen to you as happened to me. Ofcourse if you're ready to switch plans it's moot but by the size of the account you've built up you don't appear to be a heavy user.
The only reason I can see to switch plans would be if a person doesn't already have wi-fi at home and they need some way to connect to the internet.
The only reason I can see to switch plans would be if a person doesn't already have wi-fi at home and they need some way to connect to the internet.
TVCCS
Android Enthusiast
I remember you said you activated in an RS store, that's why I popped in to check. But of course, I didn't buy at RS but Target, so I'll likely activate via online. I'm just trying to decide whether to keep the current and burn up the credit and add the Optimus as additional if necessary. But making me feel very optimistic. It sounds like if my $200+ can rollover to a Beyond Plan I'm good for about 10 months 'free'. Since I'm in no hurry, I'd figure I'd let all the kinks get worked out at VM's end with servers, 3G drops, redoing site billing, etc. Plus I can learn up on this new-fangled device in the mean time.
The phone I transferred from was on an emergency account that was almost never used by another family member, so I had $200 in credits to use...they just moved the full amount over as I requested.
KentInPhilly
Newbie
When my auto-pay was botched up, it seemed to treat me like a by-the-minute plan.
(I put Topped Up $25 but did not "Pay Now." I sent two text messages and had $0.30 deducted from my balance, so it seemed like I was being treated on a per call basis until I fixed it.)
If you don't use many minutes and do all your browsing on wifi, it wouldn't be a bad set up for a lot of people. My parents have been using Virgin Mobile for about 5 years with dumb phones and only spend about $5/month on the minute-to-minute plan. (I doubt they use 30 minutes a month between them.)
(I put Topped Up $25 but did not "Pay Now." I sent two text messages and had $0.30 deducted from my balance, so it seemed like I was being treated on a per call basis until I fixed it.)
If you don't use many minutes and do all your browsing on wifi, it wouldn't be a bad set up for a lot of people. My parents have been using Virgin Mobile for about 5 years with dumb phones and only spend about $5/month on the minute-to-minute plan. (I doubt they use 30 minutes a month between them.)
AnciusD
Android Enthusiast
Wow, I'm really surprised. Both you and TVCCS are sorely tempting me to accelerate my planned timetable.
1) $25/month is good
2) $25/month + my carryover is very good - I'd settle for this
3) $20/qtr is amazing!
I'm assuming that with 2 and 3 you aren't getting 3G/data, right?
Right now, I'm using Cricket's mobile broadband, so the Optimus is a good supplement for me.
I can't speak for #2 but you're correct about #3. I get 3G phone service but my data is via wi-fi. Maps work by GPS so navigation is not hindered. If I'm on the road and want to check email I'll pull in to the local Micky D's or BK.
I could not activate this phone with Minute2Minute plan, even with a Virgin Mobile manager on the phone.
I have been a Virgin customer on the Minute2Minute plan since 2003 and my emergency phone started acting up the other day so I went into a target and got the cheapest phone I could find which was this one. On the shelf, all the stores these days have only touch screen phones and so I got this one for a half a benjamin. Long gone are the days when you can find a cheap $15 phones on the shelf to do a quick phone swap.
There are millions of persons who use Virgin as an emergency phone and they all pay their monthly amounts like good little sheep, most folks never once complaining.
Virgin is pissing off it's longest standing customers by forcing them to upgrade their emergency Minute2Minute plan because the only phone avaiable require data plans.
Today Virgin has a phone line-up of about 15 phones and if you look closly, they keep dumping the phones which work on their legacy plans.
All I need is an emergcy phone and I already bought this one, don't know what all the customer service games are about locking in almost all their phones to the more expensive plans.
In the description of this product, it says "With Virgin Mobile, you can pay only for the calling time you use." This is not true since you have to use a Beyond Talk plan which will bill you a set amount even if the phone is turned off all month. At least with the Minute2Minute plan, you knew your dollars were banked for when you actually made a phone call.
I have been a Virgin customer on the Minute2Minute plan since 2003 and my emergency phone started acting up the other day so I went into a target and got the cheapest phone I could find which was this one. On the shelf, all the stores these days have only touch screen phones and so I got this one for a half a benjamin. Long gone are the days when you can find a cheap $15 phones on the shelf to do a quick phone swap.
There are millions of persons who use Virgin as an emergency phone and they all pay their monthly amounts like good little sheep, most folks never once complaining.
Virgin is pissing off it's longest standing customers by forcing them to upgrade their emergency Minute2Minute plan because the only phone avaiable require data plans.
Today Virgin has a phone line-up of about 15 phones and if you look closly, they keep dumping the phones which work on their legacy plans.
All I need is an emergcy phone and I already bought this one, don't know what all the customer service games are about locking in almost all their phones to the more expensive plans.
In the description of this product, it says "With Virgin Mobile, you can pay only for the calling time you use." This is not true since you have to use a Beyond Talk plan which will bill you a set amount even if the phone is turned off all month. At least with the Minute2Minute plan, you knew your dollars were banked for when you actually made a phone call.
Petrah
Psychotic Female
When you open up the Optimus V page on the Virgin Mobile site, there are several tabs to choose from. About, Plan Rates, Accessories, FAQ, Ask & Answer, and Customer Reviews. It says right there on the Plan Rates tab what plan works with that phone, which is the Beyond Talk plan.
A company will word something in such a way as to rope you in. That's how they make their sales. However, it is your job as a consumer to read the fine print, do extensive research, and ask questions if necessary before you make a purchase.
Working as intended.
The joy of a no contract phone company is that you can leave, without consequence, and go elsewhere at any time if you are not happy.
amk2795
Well-Known Member
No one in their right mind would pay $300-$500 for an entry-level handset like the OPV.....
At least not while you can get the Moto Triumph.
Just saying.
Petrah
Psychotic Female
No one in their right mind would pay $300-$400 for an entry-level handset like the OPV.....
At least not while you can get the Moto Triumph.
Just saying.
No one in their right mind would purchase the Triumph over the OpV after reading the reviews.
Just saying.
amk2795
Well-Known Member
No one in their right mind would purchase the Triumph over the OpV after reading the reviews.
Just saying.
So true.
MacFett
Android Expert
If you look at the tear away strip on the box of the Optimus V it clearly states the phone only works on the BeyondTalk plan.
In my local Target and Best Buy the "touch screen" phones are the minority. Target had 8 phones the other day when I was in there looking for a cheap one for my daughter to have for emergencies. I was last in Best Buy in early October to get my wife an Optimus V and they had a number of phones as well, only two of them being touch screen phones (Optimus V and Triumph).
hiwatt
Android Enthusiast
You know what my favorite thing about these kinda posts are? The fact that:
A) I can quote my father: "I remember when bread was nickle!"
B) This poster apparently knows how to get on the internet, yet can't bother to either research a purchase or read the FAQs on the VM site.
C) The poster either backhandedly or otherwise unintentionally insults himself and other VM customers by calling them "sheep."
D) Poster has now enlightened me to the whole "emergency phone" culture/phenomenon I was until now unaware of.
Following this line of thinking I'm going shopping tomorrow. I'm hitting the Aston Martin dealer downtown. I'm going to pretend it's 1963 and insist that I am sold the Vanquish or DB range of car I richly deserve, but only at those prices. Then, my next stop will be to Walgreen's where I will demand an emergency phone with the money I found in my couch. Does anyone need me to pick up anything for them?