Consumer Cellular $55 for 2 - Don't be Fooled!

[pbs4arp]

AARP Link:  ConsumerCellular.com/4346

So I've researched this offer and decided its not for me!  Why?  Because you will be on a very low priority on ATT or Tmobile cell service.  That's how they can offer these cheap cell phone service offers.  The phone service on AT&T may be good in your area, but in times of heavy service you will be downgraded from 5G (if you are even getting that) down to 4G and THEN very slow bandwidth or no service at all.  This of course happens in times of Emergency or local outages in cell towers.  They give priority to their regular subscribers - of course.  Consumer Cellular is an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) as described below.  I want my family to have the security of reliable cell service so I'm sticking with Verizon - at least for now.  This is another example of AARP giving seniors a "great offer" without disclosing what you may be giving up and the lower level of service that you wil get.

From U.S. News:

"The company (Consumer Cellular) is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), meaning it leases service from another carrier. In Consumer Cellular’s case, those carriers are AT&T and T-Mobile.  

Also, as an MVNO that leases towers from AT&T and T-Mobile, Consumer Cellular customers may not have access to the entire network of those carriers and may experience slower speeds since the carrier’s customers get priority during heavy network usage."

You get what you pay for and

Don't be fooled - ya don't get sumthin' fer nuthin'.

[ChristopherB433806]

Most carriers will tell you if taxes and fees are included. I am paying $60 and change for 2 lines. I live in suffolk county ny, and the service is horrible. I switched from verizon to save money, this service doesn’t compare. I can’t call from my house to garage, calls fail, people know not to call me during busy hours,lol, it’s called de prioritizing, texting seems to be ok. I have people tell me it says your vm says it’s not set up, yet I get vm”s sometimes, and cc can’t figure out why. 3 months later I’ve switched to boost mobile $25 a mo, unlimited, 30 gb data, fine for us, no activation fees, so far so good, less than $60 a month.  I also have friends using mint mobile, $360 a year, unlimited 50gb, pay in advance tho, they love it. It’s so easy to switch, I just can’t see paying the big guys for the way I use a phone, texting, streaming music, occasionally surfing the web. 

[ConnieD402815]

@pbs4arp Did you actually pay $55 a month with the AARP55 promo?  I'm getting charged almost $70 per month for 2 lines with the AARP55 promo. 

[pbs4arp]

No, I did not subscribe to this offer due to my reasons posted here.

[MalyndaD246960]

Me too. I'm seeing on my invoice that I'm being charged for the extra line that's supposed to be included. I've called every month and customer service reps are all extremely rude and over talk me.Never explain why. Only one said she figured out that they never put me on the discount plan. That was until I seen my bill which still shows me being charged the extra $15.. It should plainly state Included...

[pbs4arp · Accepted solution]

No I did not take the offer and it does not surprise me that with fees and taxes that you are paying $70.  More deception.

[madelitx]

Consumer Cellular is expensive! I've had Mint Mobile for almost 2yrs without any slowdown in service, except when exceeding data allowance, which only happened to my husband once. Runs on the TMobile network. We both have the "unlimited talk and text and 5GB data" plan and it's $15/mo which needs to be paid 3mo in advanced. You need to sign up individually and then form a "family" (2 or more people). This way you can keep the lowest rate of paying for 1yr in advanced, but paying only every 3months. Make sure to set your account for the 3mo payments in your family. It's $50.62 per person per 3mos (5GB), including taxes and fees. They have a special phone help number for the Mint 55+ plan. Whatever you choose, always read the small print carefully. I have a referral code for getting $15 credit if you sign up with it. Only 4 people can use it, but I could get 4 more. Reply if interested.

[LadyAmberBreck519]

Good evening. I am interested as well. Do we have to purchase new phones with Mint Mobile in order to transfer our services from Consumer Cellular? Please advise. 

[madelitx]

Hi Amber! Ifyou don't see the 55+ plan, scroll down. You don't need new phones and you can keep your number. You need to sign up individually and then form a "family" (2 or more people). This way you can keep the lowest rate of paying for 1yr in advanced, but paying only every 3months. Make sure to set your account for the 3mo payments in your "family." They have a special help phone number for the Mint 55+ plan. Sign up first and then refer the other "family" participant(s), so that you get the referral credit 😉

AARP is not allowing me to post the referral link for you to get the extra $15 😞

Reddit also has a thread for questions and a moderator who helps individually (Alex). (Just in case)

[madelitx]

Or you can click or copy/paste the link I sent to the other AARP member Teia

[TeiaS353495]

Interested

[madelitx]

Hi Teia!

Enjoy $15 with the following link:  http://fbuy.me/tYTjj

You need to sign up individually and then form a "family" (2 or more people). This way you can keep the lowest rate of paying for 1yr in advanced, but paying only every 3months. Make sure to set your account for the 3mo payments in your "family." They have a special help phone number for the Mint 55+ plan. Sign up first and then refer the other "family" participant(s), so that you get the referral credit 😉

Reddit also has a thread for questions and a moderator who helps individually (Alex). (Just in case)