Tello

Tello has simply removed funds from existing long standing member accounts overnight without notification; no exaggeration. Do a search to read up for what they have done en masse to customers. Any requests for assistance is met with "our terms have changed" which they specifically state they have the right to do anytime however they want. That's it. No assistance, no service at all, tough luck they say. First they raised the minimum deposit from $10 to $20 and offered double sign up bonus $20 all the while knowing that within months they would change the terms so that instead of activity on the line, customers would need to deposit funds or plan sign up within every 90 days. After getting your money, it disappears overnight with an email - no courtesy notification! Along with your balance and your number. I would not trust them with a penny and many others are finding out the same. #1 Do a search about them before giving them any money... and then run in the opposite direction. The industry will be better off when they disappear.

Got a refurb phone for $60 and pay just $5/month for voice and text (no data). A good 1st phone for younger kids. Coverage is so-so, but it's enough for non-heavy users.

I cannot figure out if the problem is that they do not care or that they are incompetent, but probably both. I am a personal assistant. I have a blind client for whom I have been trying to get some sort of phone service set up. I chose Tello because his phone and data needs are very minimal and basic, and they have very flexible plan options. One of my biggest concerns was the logistics of setting up the account. The email and registration/account information would need to go through his fiduciary, but the SIM card would need to be sent to me to get everything set up, so I know that I entered my address for mailing. The registration process has several bugs. It let me enter my address and phone number for shipping, but kept carrying over the billing email. I kept trying to edit the information, and each time it made me re-enter all the billing information and would not change the email address. I gave up trying to change the email address since it still showed my address for shipping. I chose to spend an extra $5 for 2-3 day shipping. Of course they shipped it to the billing address(!) When I called to try to get them to overnight me a new SIM card they just refused. They initially refused to even upgrade to Priority shipping but eventually agreed like they were doing me some huge favor. They claim they cannot overnight anything. I don't know if their messed up site reverted the address to the billing one or if they just screwed up but they took no responsibility. For the replacement, I called them on a Friday. Then, the following Tuesday I got a USPS notice saying it would not arrive until Thursday. That is a full week! WTAF? Then I called again to see if they even upgraded the shipping. Even though "customer service" is 24 hours, they didn't even send it out until Monday! When I asked to speak with a supervisor to discuss this ridiculousness, there was none available. If this was for me, I'd just cancel and tell them where they can stick their SIM cards, but the flexible plan makes sense for this client, but I am livid. I am over this crappy company. There are so many other budget cell phone companies these days. Give someone else your business.

Tello used to be superb, once of those providers you recommend without hesitation. Great rates, good plans, and a customer-friendly policy (no balance expiration, pay what you use, none of the gotchas like other big carriers).

Then after T-Mobile took over Sprint, something changed. They quietly changed policies and started enforcement without notifying customers (confiscation of unused balance deposited under old terms and expiring dormant # with balance). CS tells you one thing that's contradicted by their terms, resulting in lost of balance or phone #. Random enforcement of terms on some lines, while others are not touched. Policies that work against heavy usage (you don't want to leave too much balance on the line as they expire after 90s days regardless of use), which lead to inability to depend on the line for primary use (have to redeposit for continual use). Very short-sighted.

It's like they want to make up for lost time and anger as many loyal customers as they can.

Still decently cheap and has it's niche, but hard to recommend with the inconsistent haphazard policies.

I have been a customer for a year now and love everything about Tello. Phone prices are reasonable, plans are very inexpensive and service is top-notch. Keep up the great work Tello.

Their customizable plans make it simple to choose the perfect mix of talk, text, and data. Far cheaper than any other major carrier. I have not had any connectivity issues or call drops/failures. I was able to use my unlocked phone from a Verizon line and port in my existing number. Instead of paying $65+ per month, I've increased my service limits and reduced my monthly cost by over 75%.

The only drawback: Tello only allows one line per account, so I have to manage three separate accounts for our three different phone lines. But I use my referral code (P3D24JJD) and get $10 for each new line I set up, which is like getting a rebate back for the Sprint SIM card I need to purchase to transfer over to Tello. Additionally, check online for discount codes (15-30% off first order) to save a few more dollars when signing up.

Was looking for a lower cost carrier for text and talk. They delivered and the gal in customer support was very helpful in walking me through the process of switching from virgin mobile. Two thumbs up Tello

Very inexpensive IF you're using a home network, as I am. I love it! I'm getting a new phone, as the first one finally died.