Thanks for your input (and the other 2 previously, thank you as well). Regarding the Hotspot speeds on my Simple Choice there is no prioritization of cellular data usage over that of connected Hotspot devices nor is there reduced speeds for connected Hotspot devices. So, if my phone is pulled saying 30Mbps downstream and 15Mbps, all of my Hotspot connected devices also will. This is not the case with T-Mobile one; connected devices will pull only 3G speeds, unless... you pay at least $10 per month extra [
ref].
Today I spoke with T-Mobile customer service and an in store sales representative regarding the BOGO, so here is what I was consistently told between the two:
- Pay $210 down + taxes
- Apply for Mastercard rebate card for $930 online via tmobile.com/promotions (wait at least 24 hours after receiving the device)
- The promotional code for this BOGO is not customer / order specific
- Rebate card will be received in about 8 weeks for $930 (probably more like $929.99)
- Additional line added required for promo
- Pay for BOGO Note 8 in-store with rebate card
Here are the inconsistencies between the two:
Customer Service: After satisfying the EIP agreement (e.g., paying of the BOGO Note 8) you can terminate the additional line.
VS
Sales Representative: Recommends terminating the additional line not earlier than 4 months.
Customer Service: BOGO Note 8 has to be used on the additional line.
VS
Sales Representative: BOGO Note 8 can be used on any line, additional line can simply not be used.
In store sales cannot give you free shipping at all. Customer service, can, and will if you ask and certainly if you have tenure with T-Mobile with an account in good standing for said tenure. So, the customer service representative absolutely will give me free UPS Next Day Air Saver shipping. I would have to pay an additional $20 since I am not doing a JUMP! (because I own my current phone). T-Mobile can do a JUMP! from that, but then I have to give this phone back to them (um... why would I do that?). So the same customer service representative will call me on Monday at noon after speaking with her supervisor about having that $20 fee waived for me anyway (for which she sounded pretty certain it will not be an issue).
If it turns out that I hate the Note 8 (doubtful, but possible since I did not like Note 4 - too large for one handed operation and I was on travel every week for my job so no go for flight information there) I can simply sell it for a minimum of $700 2 or even 3 months from now and simply buy whatever device I choose at that point.
Lastly, both customer service and the sales representative still state that all Note 8 pre-orders will not be shipping to customers until Sept 13 - Sept 15. Neither of them was aware however that Verizon and Sprint pre-orders have already shipped destined to be delivered to their customers on Sept 5.