Switching to T-Mobile: Questions about ETF and more

[dkny330]

I think we are about to finally pull the plug and switch from AT&T to T-Mobile, but have a few questions that I hope some can help us out with:

1) We have six lines right now - will T-Mobile may for ETF for more than 5? Some of the ETF's are low and I have seen some things about T-Mobile paying for up to 10 lines although I cannot find that now.

2) Just upgraded one of our lines to a new iPhone 6 and also a Galaxy S5. I know these and our other phones can be unlocked so can we use these phones and not have to purchase new ones? We have older Blackberry's, iPhones, HTC One to trade-in that we are not using as I see that's part of the requirement. Don't care if we get any money for these, but would like to not have to repurchase what we just purchased.And it is a must that T-Mobile pays the ETF's otherwise we don't switch over.

3) JUMP program - we will add one more line when we switch over; can that one line itself be on the JUMP program if we are using the other six (one is an iPad) with the phones we are bringing over?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DudeThatsErin]

1) You will want to call Care. I know you have to wait for 30+ minutes (depending on when you call) for a rep but I would talk to them and ask them. All else fails visit a store or call them and ask them. I'm sure they can give you a quick answer over the phone.

2) You would need & want to trade in the iPhone 6 and GS5. I was talking to care the other day cause I was thinking about purchasing a 5s or a 6 from eBay that was unlocked but from AT&T. The rep told me that the phone still would not work 100% even if it were unlocked and if it did work, it would be buggy to say the least.
So, while it is nice to have them unlocked it is best to simply repurchase the devices.

Plus, I work for AT&T (and hate them ugh lol) but have a plan through T-Mobile and I know that with AT&T you have to have the devices on your PostPaid plan for 60 days before you can unlock them, then you can't have any past due bills or anything like that. Here are their requirements for unlocking devices: Unlock Requirements

3) Yes, the JUMP! program is just like the AT&T Next program and it works on a per-line basis. So, one line can be JUMP! While the others are not but the only benefit for the JUMP! Program is the fact that you get insurance and premium lookout mobile and you only have to pay half of the device off to upgrade.
The way you purchase devices on T-Mobile's service now is the same as AT&T Next program. You pay a down payment and then you have to pay it off to upgrade. So, it is either pay half then trade in the phone and upgrade and pay an extra $10 each month or pay it off and keep it and upgrade.
I had the JUMP! Program on my line (on my parent's plan but I'm the one that finds most of the deals for them lol) but I removed it for that reason. I never upgraded without paying off my device and if I did/would in the future, I could add it back on the night before and then upgrade. So, it isn't really worth it for me but it is up to you.