OT: Anyone use Cricket Wireless?

[Lachien]

I'm a longtime AT&T family plan subscriber (grandfathered w/ unlimited data), but now I don't see the point in staying with AT&T if I can't get device discounts when I upgrade. I talked to them recently and the way I understood it was that for me to buy a phone and own it completely as i walked out of the store, I'd have to pay full retail for that phone.

So, I'm thinking about just buying an iphone 6 off the secondary market and taking it to Cricket wireless.

Main concerns/questions:

1. Are data speeds satisfactory for you?
2. Is coverage/call quality the same/as good as AT&T from what you can tell? (for those that have had AT&T)
3. Does it work well on gamedays in Starkville?
4. Any other reason why I shouldn't go with Cricket?

I did a quick forum search and didn't get any hits on previous threads, but I may have missed it. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Baddmann]

I have used Cricket Wireless for over a year. I like not having a contract and owning my phone. Once you purchase the initial phone, you can buy a new one whenever you want and sell the old one on ebay. (I generally sell it for almost as much as I pay for it)

AT&T owns Cricket Wireless, so you are using their towers. Only difference is data speed caps. (8Mbs down)

Currently I have 4 lines (2 with 10GB and 2 with 5GB) for $160 month. That is the total and it includes all taxes and fees.

1. Data speeds are fine . I do not notice any issues whether I am streaming audio or video. (I have the 10GB at LTE speeds plan)
2. Coverage is the same as AT&T. I travel with work and I don't have any issues.
3. Works fine on game day in Starkville. Occasionally I will notice an issue, but no where near the issues I had with CSpire.
4. The only drawback in the past was no tethering, but now they allow it for $10/month.

If you understand that your initial phone will be expensive, you will do much better with Cricket. I think you will be surprised at how well it works.

 

[Lachien]

Great feedback, encouraging.

My typical process w/ AT&T was to upgrade as soon as possible (every 2 years) to the best device, then sell my old one on craigslist/ebay. Sometimes I made money doing this depending on the specials they were running. So I'm familar with doing what you're talking about.

I think Cricket might work well for me...I was really just concerned about data speeds. But now that I think about it after I blow through my 5gb soft cap on my current "unlimited" plan every month, I bet I have data speeds that are throttled below the Cricket speeds, and that still works for me.

Thanks for the input

 

[Baddmann]

Glad I could help.

FWIW, I tried several others first.
Straight Talk: Works as advertised, but you have to manually put it settings. Android is easy, Apple is a PITA
Net10: Same as Straight Talk
Cricket is by far the easiest. Stick the SIM in and go. All settings are preloaded.

 

[Lachien]

Do you get any statement credits for referrals?

If so, I'd love for you to PM me your referral code if it will help you/us out.

Thanks again

 

[8dog]

You can get a device discount but you have to go into a physical corporate att store (not a dealer or an apple store). I did it last month.

 

[Baddmann]

PM sent with referral link.

It looks like we both get $25 after you join and keep service for 60 days.

Thanks for thinking about that!

 

[wtw2400]

I'm a longtime AT&T family plan subscriber (grandfathered w/ unlimited data), but now I don't see the point in staying with AT&T if I can't get device discounts when I upgrade. I talked to them recently and the way I understood it was that for me to buy a phone and own it completely as i walked out of the store, I'd have to pay full retail for that phone.

So, I'm thinking about just buying an iphone 6 off the secondary market and taking it to Cricket wireless.

Main concerns/questions:

1. Are data speeds satisfactory for you?
2. Is coverage/call quality the same/as good as AT&T from what you can tell? (for those that have had AT&T)
3. Does it work well on gamedays in Starkville?
4. Any other reason why I shouldn't go with Cricket?

I did a quick forum search and didn't get any hits on previous threads, but I may have missed it. Any help is appreciated.

I use h20 wireless. And I am thinking about switching to the walmart family plan because of $. H20 is a subsidy of Att and I cannot complain. I have no clue about Cricket although I did research them last year.

 

[Baddmann]

I tested H2O also. Service was on AT&T towers and was comparable to Cricket.

Price was the only difference. You get more data with Cricket.
H2O: $60-4GB
Cricket: $60-10GB

 

[catvet]

I'm a longtime AT&T family plan subscriber (grandfathered w/ unlimited data), but now I don't see the point in staying with AT&T if I can't get device discounts when I upgrade. I talked to them recently and the way I understood it was that for me to buy a phone and own it completely as i walked out of the store, I'd have to pay full retail for that phone.

So, I'm thinking about just buying an iphone 6 off the secondary market and taking it to Cricket wireless.

Main concerns/questions:

1. Are data speeds satisfactory for you?
2. Is coverage/call quality the same/as good as AT&T from what you can tell? (for those that have had AT&T)
3. Does it work well on gamedays in Starkville?
4. Any other reason why I shouldn't go with Cricket?

I did a quick forum search and didn't get any hits on previous threads, but I may have missed it. Any help is appreciated.

Cricket as mentioned uses ATT towers and is owned by ATT. I have friends who use it with no problems. ATT still will sell you a discounted phone on a 2 year contract in their stores. I bought one a couple of months ago. They don't do it at other sellers from my understanding.

 

[ezsoil]

I have had it for a while

I split time between Texas and Biloxi and the service is good...I use auto pay and I have my iPhone and 5 GB for 45 a month total....taxes included..