[brentcizek]

Okay - so I have 4 lines on my account - I'm the only one that has any need for a blackberry - and none of the other accounts really ever need up upgrade to their phone because they hardly ever use them anyways... So I will typically upgrade their account to the newest Blackberry when it comes out. I did see that tmobile has a disclaimer on their site that says please visit mytmobile once you receive your phone to add a data plan - and once its added it cannot be taken off...which would work fine because I would simply insert my sim and be fine... well since I went online to try to upgrade the phone the 9700 wasn't showing up....so I called 611 and was going to upgrade it over the phone - but she wouldn't let me do so without adding data to the line. I'm really hoping it shows up online soon on mytmobile so I can try upgrading it that way.... or its going to be a VERY sad monday for this guy.

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8820)

Interesting. I don't know anything, but just curious if you called back to see if you would get a different result with a different person.

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EDIT: Did you see JSander's post. Probably explains why you didn't find 9700 on the website.

[brentcizek]

I didn't call back to try to speak to a different rep - she said the policy has been in place since october - and that it doesnt allow them to process the order without selecting a dataplan. All of my hope is in online ordering now - I test trialed going through as if I was going to purchase a 8900 and it didnt promt me to get a dataplan.

Also - other rumors on other forums indicate that it should be up by Noon eastern time online.

I was thinking I didn't care if it gets backordered - just as long as I get one eventually - but I can hardly wait now! I hope everyone doesn't go through the fiascal that we went through with the 8900.

[twowheelchopper]

Same issue here too. It looks like you have to keep the Data Plan on that phone for 6 months from what I am told. It bothers me becasue I am buying the phone and they are forcing me to pay for the data plan that I may not need. I use mostly Wi-Fi on my BlackBerry and don't need to pay the extra $ they force on us.

[brentcizek]

I was told dataplan must be kept for the entire 2 years the contract is extended. Did you speak to a rep on the phone? or chat? Or did you see that online somewhere.

[twowheelchopper]

Since Walmart is having the $100 gift card BlackBerry sale, I looked to get the 9700 from them. Once you select a newer BlackBerry phone, you will get this message:

"About Blackberry Web and Messaging Bundles from T-Mobile

Price of your phone requires that you maintain one of these data features for six months. Add this feature to browse the Internet and/or access your e-mail no matter where you are. Not all BlackBerry Plans include SMS/MMS/Insant Messaging."

[pvdilf40]

Originally Posted by brentcizek

which would work fine because I would simply insert my sim and be fine... well since I went online to try to upgrade the phone the 9700 wasn't showing up....so I called 611 and was going to upgrade it over the phone - but she wouldn't let me do so without adding data to the line. I'm really hoping it shows up online soon on mytmobile so I can try upgrading it that way.... or its going to be a VERY sad monday for this guy.

Originally Posted by brentcizek

I didn't call back to try to speak to a different rep - she said the policy has been in place since october - and that it doesnt allow them to process the order without selecting a dataplan. All of my hope is in online ordering now - I test trialed going through as if I was going to purchase a 8900 and it didnt promt me to get a dataplan.

I'm in a similar boat. My 8320 contract renewal isn't until February 2010 yet I do have other lines that I could upgrade on. Given this, I called 611 and asked them about it and they gave me a similar story that the can't upgrade a line without adding the data plan. I then asked to speak to a TMO "Loyalty Specialist". (Being with T-Mobile for 8 years does have some advantages). The Loyalty Specialist I spoke with immediately waived my last few months on my current contract for my Curve and got me the upgrade price of $199 (+$18 for upgrade activation) and free shipping. This is what I wanted anyway. I should have the new 9700 by Wednseday (Thursday at the latest ) via UPS.

The best thing about T-Mobile is their customer loyalty department. If you've been with T-Mobile for at least 2 years, the Loyalty specialist will bend over backwards to keep you happy. I found this out earlier this year when added a Kid Connect line and they stopped selling them.

Again, best bet is to ask to speak to a "Loyalty Specialist" and have them work the upgrade issues for you.

[brentcizek]

Just upgraded online with no problems. Just said "please visit mytmobile.com once you receive the phone to add a data plan. ONCE you add a dataplan it cannot be removed. So - Should be free in clear - didnt say anywhere in the clause that I HAD to add a dataplan to purchase the phone.
Cant wait! Hopefully it ships today and I receive it tomorrow.

[twowheelchopper]

Good to hear guys! My other problem is I only pay for the BlackBerry e-mail plan ($9.99/month which is no longer offered) on my two BlackBerry phones. I am not sure how this will work for future BlackBerry purchases. I don't want to pay the extra $ for the web when I already have what I need on them, email and Wi-Fi.

[twowheelchopper]

I just got off the phone with a T-Mo "Loyality" rep. They said once you order or upgrade to a new BlackBerry you have to purchase at least the Unlimited Web plan. I would loose my $10 unlimited email plan and would have to purchase the $30 unlimited web + email plan.

[pvdilf40]

Sorry to hear that TwoWheel.
I've been on BES data plan forever and is not a problem for me to keep it. I have to ask, what's the point of getting a new 9700 (over your 8900) if you don't need 3G data? Doesn't 8900 give you everything else that you need if all you use is e-mail and use Wifi for your data?

[twowheelchopper]

Just wanted to get new, my trackball has been an issue latley. Like the idea of the trackpad.

[andrej770]

The 9700 is required to have a minimum of the $10 web plan. The BB service is not even required. AT&T did this with the iPhone too. Its a revenue generator.

JMHO

Andrej770

[brentcizek]

I think it would be hard for them to enforce a monthly fee when the website did not clarify that you HAVE to have a Blackberry Dataplan. It DID say to PLEASE visit mytmobile.com and add one - but did not state in any terms & conditions that one MUST be added. I believe they would have forced you at checkout to signup for which dataplan you wanted before checking out.

[andrej770]

When I went into the store this morning, they told me I HAD to have the $10 Web plan OR the Blackberry data plan. I could not purchase the phone without a data plan. I am using it for a BB so it was an easy choice, but why they are forcing people to do that is, to me, just for generating money.

[brentcizek]

I know that they were forcing people to get a dataplan when they called to order - or purchased at a store... I am simply saying I don't think its going to be the case when it comes to online orders. I'm hoping not anyhow... otherwise my wife will end up with a blackberry she'll hardly ever use lol.

[HaTaX]

Wouldn't you be able to purchase the phone at full price and then just plug and chug your sim card while keeping your existing plan? I know it's more $$, but you're potentially saving some money over the long haul doing it that way if you can.

[brentcizek]

Well - if I get away with upgrading it on my wife's line and using it as my phone(with current dataplan) with out having to add a dataplan onto her - I will come out good.

If I end up having to pay for a dataplan...then yes - I probably would have been better paying full price...(though then I wouldn't have bought it)

I pretty much come out even whenever I upgrade to a new BB...because I sell my current blackberry on ebay...and by the time its said and done the new phone costs me roughly $50.

Hopefully everything works out...I'll keep everyone updated.

[BallHawk3]

Originally Posted by brentcizek

I was told dataplan must be kept for the entire 2 years the contract is extended. Did you speak to a rep on the phone? or chat? Or did you see that online somewhere.

yes this is true. I harrassed them for a whole week before project black was release. I was worried about what would happen to exisiting customers.

T-mobile is requiring data now on thse phones. You sign on for 2 years, you must keep the data plan as well (you can switch between data plans, just as long as you have some sort for 2 years).

Reason for that...rebates and commissions are tied into it for stores. Don't forget, T-Mo recently ditched mail in rebates for phones that MUST have data. The basically subsidized the phone prices even more.

You can find this info just about anywhere on the data requirements.

I will note, this however is GOOD news for me. As I have the $50 unlimited loyalty, $20 BIS $15 unlimited txt and was worried to hell that when the new plans were release, and if I were to upgrade, they would FORCE me onto the new plans. ($99 unlimited or everything plans). With this...I can upgrade to a newer blackberry and keep everything I have the same, only requirement is I can't take the data off for 2 years, which is fine with me.

[monkeypaw]

Originally Posted by brentcizek

I know that they were forcing people to get a dataplan when they called to order - or purchased at a store... I am simply saying I don't think its going to be the case when it comes to online orders. I'm hoping not anyhow... otherwise my wife will end up with a blackberry she'll hardly ever use lol.

Online, when upgrading to a 9700 it says this

"Activation of a new two year agreement on a qualifying voice plan and data service is required. A data service allows access to this phone’s Web functionality and features.

When you receive your phone, please visit My T-Mobile and add a data service. Once added, the data service may not be removed during your contract term but can be changed to other data services compatible with your device. "