Posted by z200user
I bought mySE Z200 unlocked in Hong Kong and want to use it in the US with a US provider. I thought that it would be simple to sign up for service with T-Mobile, and just put the T-Mobile SIM card into my unlocked phone and there you go.
But on the phone, the T-Mobile rep insisted that I had to take a free phone with my 1000 unlimited minutes/1 year contract package. I said I didn't want a phone, just the SIM card, but she said they didn't sell SIMs separately. I said, ok, as long as I can take the SIM card out of your T-Mobile phone and put it into my Z200, no problem.
But then she said: Oh, before you can use our SIM card in your phone you have to go to a service center and get your phone re-programmed.
WTF??? This makes no sense. My phone is unlocked I should be able to pop in any GSM SIM and get service, correct? If I bring it to a T-Mobile service center, will they try to lock my phone to their network? There's no way I'm going to agree to that, since the whole reason I am signing up with T-Mobile is so I can swap out SIM cards when I travel abroad, instead of changing phones.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Is the T-Mobile rep misinformed?
Posted by gsm1
Yes, they are full of it. All my phones are sim free phones and i can pop in my sim to any one. Some of the se phones have problem loading the t-zones homepage (like z600, t39) but otherwise it's no problem.
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
Don't know why, considering my tagline, but I will just confirm GSM1's post. I was afraid at first that my unlocked phone wouldn't work with another SIM card, but it did. As long as when you check the SIM lock, it's unlocked, it will work.
Ethan
Posted by z200user
Thanks for the responses. I was worried because, frankly, the US cell phone providers really seem shady in their practices compared to the providers I've used in Asia and Europe. Over there, most people buy the phone unlocked (in HK if you tried to lock a phone before selling it you'd have a consumer riot!), then buy the SIM. Straightforward, easy, and if you don't like the service, then you swap SIMs and try another provider.
Over here, on the other hand, you have to thread your way through a myriad of plans and fine print and "unlimited long distance nationwide" deals that, on closer inspection, aren't all that they seem to be. (ATT Wireless, f'instance) It makes me an extra-wary consumer, for I feel like all the companies are in some way trying to slip something over on the customer. (Like T-Mobile's "Easy Pay", in which they automatically sign you up to debit your fee out of your credit card, unless you make a separate call to them to turn this auto-pay off.)
So when the person from T-Mobile suggests I'll have to go to a service center to get my (own! unlocked!) phone tweaked to work on their network, I automatically assume the worst.....
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
Eh, what do they know? Or, how much are they not telling us? I would love to tell them to screw off. Once, I went into an AT&T store, and was purchasing a phone for my friend (he had a "GoPhone"), and the rep there had the audacity to tell me that he couldn't, and that I couldn't buy it for him, because the new phone wouldn't work with a "GoPhone" plan. IDIOT!!!
So anyways, I just went in there and bought it for myself, saying it was a replacement.
Ethan
Posted by gsm1
If you go into a store you probably would be able to get just a SIM card without the a phone as well. I've had to replace my SIM card a couple of times, so they have seperate SIM cards available. Just tell them you have a phone already. I would ask them to try one of their activated SIM cards just to double check there are no problems as well. I did that when I had an old SIM card that wouldn't work with one of my phones. I asked to try out the new SIM before changing it to the new one.
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
No no no, I know that they sell separate SIM cards. What I'm bugged about is that they won't sell a separate phone, without a plan.
Ethan
Posted by amagab
We need some more independent cell phone stores here in the US. I'm sick and tired of the Cingular stores, T-Mobile stores etc that doesn't know jack about unlocked phones.
Posted by moodswinger
I couldn't agree with you more, Amagab!
Scr*w the providers and their retail stores, we need independent retailers. Fortunately, I live in NYC and I can't even begin to tell you what a difference the presence of small retailers make.
First, they give you incredible deals on the phones (like a free T610 + $150 rebate), and then, you can choose what phone you want - you want Z200, fine, they get it for you and put it on the desired plan altogether with the discount/rebate. They can also adjust your plans and do all sorts of things retail stores can't do, not to mention that many of them really know their job and can be really helpful.
@ z200user: don't fret, if your phone is unlocked, there is NO way in hell your T-mobile SIM will not work in it. You don't need any reprogramming of your phone, so kindly decline that. What I don't understand is... why the hell don't you take the free phone? What is wrong with you?
See if you can get one of those tri-band phones (T300, V66, R225, E105, etc.)
Take it and put it in a drawer. After three months give them a call and request a SIM-unlock, then unlock your phone and then do one of the following things:
1) Use it as a spare phone (even when you travel abroad)
2) Run it over with your car and see if it remains functional
3) Give it to a relative or a friend (especially if they happen to live abroad)
4) Sell it! (even if you get $20 for it, it's a $20 gift from T-Mobile)
Posted by amagab
Thanks moodswinger....yes, you can't beat small business when it comes to customer service. Wish there was more of those independent stores here on the West Coast. You know, over here it's all big business and franchises. It sucks!!!
Posted by slamEVIL
@amagab, @rdnymllnsktr, @moodswinger - you guys need to come to san diego. i swear this is the silicone valley of independent cellphone stores. like i can just go down to my favorite shop right now and throw down 850 for a p900 with no contract needed and i really won't be surprised to see the z1010s here soon. flashing, unlocking, anything can be done! i feel sorry to hear about other parts of the country having these problems
@z200user - take the offer and put the phone on ebay.
Posted by notalotta
slamEVIL, where are some good indy stores in San Diego? I plan on getting a z600 soon and would like to go through an independent store rather than one of the major corporations.
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
I DON'T GET IT!?!?!??!?!? How can they just give it away? Huh? I mean, if they are giving free phones away, are you saying that I can walk in and get a free(?!?!) T630 without a contract or anything? Then in a week, I want a new phone, let's say the P800, so I go back, get another free phone. I like this combination of PDA and Phone, so I want to get the P900. I go in again and pick myself up a P900. Please explain this concept and the economics behind the matter for me, please. Thank you.
Ethan
Posted by slamEVIL
@notalotta - my favorite shop is pcs connections 858 278 1999. they have the z600 for $450 with no contract. and the z200 for $300. they will also unlock and flash any phone for $25 dollars.
Posted by bensonl
I use an unlocked P900 on T-Mobile USA. I got my T-Mobile USA account 2 weeks ago with the free phone. First, I put the sim card in the T-mobile phone to get my number activated. Then I put the sim card in my P900 and all worked great! I also have t-zones and had a problem setting that up on my P900. I called the T-mobile technical support, told then I was using a P900 and the tech lady, says no prob and still spent an hour helping get things straight.
My advice, just get the free phone, activate ur number, then transfer the sim to ur unlocked phone. If anything goes wrong u have 2 weeks to send the phone back anyway.
Posted by amagab
That's the way to go!!!
Posted by notalotta
@slamEVIL Thanks for the info I might check them out sometime. You wouldn't happen to know any other ones, maybe a little further south?
Posted by rdnymllnsktr
Further south, as in California?
EThan
Posted by z200user
All excellent advice. Thanks
Posted by notalotta
Further south in San Diego. Rancho Bernardo is a bit far from where I live, even though I used to commute there and do the 9 to 5 thing.
Posted by slamEVIL
dude, if you went any further south, you'd be in mexico.
Posted by z200user
Well, I took all of your advice and signed on with T-Mobile for the free phone and service. The package should be arriving today, so I'll post what happens when I swap the SIM into the z200.
Posted by slamEVIL
the number i gave you isn't to the rancho bernardo location. i think it's in kerny mesa. do a google search on fun bike center. it's like right across the street from that.
Posted by z200user
Whee! Just got the (really cheezy-looking) T-Mobile free phone (a Samsung X105). Swapped out the SIM, put it in my Z200.
All systems go.
Now on to the adventure of setting up my WAP, etc.
Posted by moodswinger
@ z200user: congrats, you got it all figured out!
@ the rest: West Coast is way too expensive
Posted by bensonl
@ z200user:
Glad 2 hear all well so far. You can get all the settings for email/sms/mms from the se site. Sometimes thought the damn settings never get to your phone. If that happens then call T-Mobile Tech help and ask them to send you the settings. Not all the guys there are willing to help so you may have to call a couple of times to speak to a helpful rep. Hopefully you'll get the settings of the SE site.
Goodluck!!!!
Posted by z200user
Thanks, Benson. I already tried the SE site a couple of times, and the data doesn't seem to be making it to my phone. This could be a temporary problem--because I ported my number over from Sprint, my service has been overlapping today. (My T-Mobile account is making outgoing calls, but my Sprint phone is still receiving incoming ones).
I'll wait until tomorrow and try the SE site again, and then take my chances with the roulette wheel of T Mobile customer service reps.
Posted by bensonl
My number was a ATT port so you may be right about the detail. Fortunately I had a friend with an original number from T-mobile and used his sim in my phone to get the se configs. So thats another alternative.
Posted by lydiadeetz
i was given an unlocked nokia 6600 in hong kong and used it there w/ a local sim card. i already have t mobile service in the u.s. w/ the old nokia 3390 that came w/ my plan.
can i just switch the 2 sim cards to transfer my t mobile service to the nokia 6600? i'm a bit worried b/c it looks as if they don't even sell the nokia 6600 here in the us!
many thanks in advance!
Posted by CrackerJack
@lydiadeetz
Go ahead and swap sim cards with your N6600. As posted by several people in this thread, this will work as long as your phone is unlocked.
Don't be afraid to change your sim. Doing this won't damage your phone. It just won't work if there is something wrong with the sim or your phone.
That's also why I always buy an unlocked phone, so that I could take any sim from any service provider and continue using my phone.
Posted by ablsmbil
I see t-mobile sims for sale on ebay. Are there any differences on sims with repspect to prepay and contract. How do they know you are using airtime cards - when you bring up the phone?
thanks
Posted by kimcheeboi
#646# will tell you how much airtime/minutes you have left.
Posted by ablsmbil
For a new activation, - how do they setup the sim to be prepay or contract?
Posted by kimcheeboi
i think they have each sim card already set up (or have some kind of reader/writer) and then they activate that card by calling t-mobile or whatever.
I don't know the details, try talking to a t-mob rep and they should be able to tell you.
Posted by ablsmbil
I have called them and emailed them, - and I get cryptic responses, i.e. don't worry about it. I bought an unlocked phone, and want to purchase a prepay sim.
Everything I have read states you should be able to bring up the phone with only a sim and the phone and turn it on. But how is the t-mobile system "aware" that you are prepay?
Posted by vlad92
Guys!!!
Do you know if K700i is going to work here in US???
What is EDGE???
Posted by justin630
I have T-Mobile and recently purchased an unlocked Samsung E630 from eBay. If I turn the phone on with out my SIM in, I can see that I get signal....and everything I read says this phone works in the US with T-Mobile. However, when I insert my SIM the phone hangs on "Welcome to T-Mobile"...I have a newer SIM (less than 1yr old) but the phone doesn't seem to work...anyone have any ideas? I'm pulling my hair out on this one...I really want this phone to work. Thanks for your help.
Posted by SsTiTcH
yes the k700i will work in america.
Posted by SimplySweet
I have the same problem as justin630..I purchased my Samsung E630 off Ebay and was advised by the seller *B4 making the purchase* to use the new sim card - the 64k.
I have the 32k sim card and when I used it on the E630, it was fine until it was frozen on the startup screen - "Welcome to Tmobile"...I'm planning on purchasing the new sim card tomorrow but I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't work...Any suggestions?? ANY help would be greatly appreciated! ^.^
Posted by pak002
I have a samsung e800... and it also frozes on the startup screen 'welcome to t-mobile'... What should I do?
Posted by chino
Hey Esato Gurus...
Ok, I'm heading to Hong Kong and want to get an unlocked kick-a** GSM phone to bring back to the US.
before I do, I just want to check with you guys...do all I have to make sure is:
A) The phone is unlocked (how do I check that?)
B) It uses or has the capability to use the same frequency as my crappy US provider (aka cingular.)
C) Anything else? The worst would be to spend $$ only to find out the thing won't work here.
Thanks!