bait and switch at tmobile, my G1 with data only plan

**snblitz** · 10-25-2008, 06:40 PM

I've had sidekicks since the first black and white model. Through t-mobile I upgraded to a G1 while having a sidekick data-only plan. At no time did they or the site mention I had to add a voice plan. My G1 arrived Oct 21st and I transferred the SIM card from my SK and everything has been working fine. Yesterday t-mobile sent me an SMS asking me to call customer service. I did and they demanded that I add a voice plan to the phone or return it. This sure seems like bait and switch to me.

**Cricketman** · 10-25-2008, 06:42 PM

Wait, you had no voice plan with your SK either?

Usually T-Mo are very good with this stuff. Just tell them how long you've been a customer and you've never run into any problems etc. They like loyalty.

**NismoG35** · 10-25-2008, 06:51 PM

What did they say they were going to do if you dont add a voice plan? Also how can they demand you return the phone? lol Are they going to charge your account? I doubt they made you sign a legal binding aggreement if you purchased a G1 that you must have a voice plan.

**darthbuddha** · 10-25-2008, 06:51 PM

At this time there is no stand alone data plan for the g1 you have to have a voice plan then the data soc added to it. There are data only sk plans mainly set for hearing impaired, but there should be something comming soon just for data alone.

**Lukster** · 10-25-2008, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by snblitz

I've had sidekicks since the first black and white model. Through t-mobile I upgraded to a G1 while having a sidekick data-only plan. At no time did they or the site mention I had to add a voice plan. My G1 arrived Oct 21st and I transferred the SIM card from my SK and everything has been working fine. Yesterday t-mobile sent me an SMS asking me to call customer service. I did and they demanded that I add a voice plan to the phone or return it. This sure seems like bait and switch to me.

thats sad;

**snblitz** · 10-27-2008, 12:01 AM

To answer the questions above:
I had a data-only Sidekick plan. I have had a data-only sidekick plan for years.
I have to admit forcing deaf people to purchase voice plans does seem a little insensitive.
Now that I think more about the conversation it was basically a t-mobile rep repeating that I had to purchase a voice plan or return the phone. I do not think t-mobile has any standing to "add" a service without my authorization. Though I suppose they might decide to charge me $799 for the phone if I do not return it.
I looked through my paper work and went through the purchase process again, and again there was not any mention that I had to purchase a voice plan.
To be honest, as an experienced sidekick user, the G1 is pretty disappointing. The apps seems have been written mostly by small children without any real experience with phone user interfaces.
From an application quality and feature point of view, the G1 is inferior to the SK II. The only place it outshines the SK II is in that it is 3G and that gives it a faster web browsing experience.
I am going to file a bait and switch complaint with the FTC and the California AG.