topic Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular in Community Chat

Switching to Consumer Cellular

PilatesLover — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:33:21 GMT

If you've switched, how did you do it?

I ask because we have unlocked phones and I would need the CC SIM card installed. I can't do it myself, I need help with it. The rep I spoke with at CC told me to just take our phones to Walmart.

Our phones are not E SIM compatable (can't be changed online, must be physically done). So we can't have it switched remotely.

Well, at Walmart the rep refused to help me. He said he can't swap SIM cards and that he only sells CC to customers who buy new phones. I also read online opinions that CC customer service has gotten really bad - but I want to take advantage of the savings.

Frustrating! Interesting in hearing any feedback. Thanks!

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Toot1920 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:50:49 GMT

@PilatesLover, I'm not sure if this will be helpful but we moved to Consumer Cellular about a year ago. We purchased new unlocked iphones from Apple and then called CC to start up. Our phones did use an e-sim so that could be done online. We just upgraded our phones (again unlocked iPhone from Apple). It wasn't a problem to do the online start up. I don't really know much about physical sim cards. I'm assuming that they're no physical Consumer Cellular locations. Maybe, you can talk to the electronic manager at Walmart, 🤷‍♀️. The only other way would be to get a new phone with a possibility of trading your old one. Good luck!

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Etoile308 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:55:27 GMT

I think the age of your phone can make a difference.

I would do a search on their website about switching and find the phone number or chat to talk to someone. They may need to send you a new SIM card. I would think because of their target demographics they have easy to understand instructions.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

kaydee50 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:57:07 GMT

I had Consumer Cellular for about a year. Without checking with me first, they switched me to a different plan. Immediately cancelled.

I now have a Tracfone which I got from HSN for $40, 1200 minutes. For the few times I use a cellphone, it works for me!

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Kachina624 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:53:41 GMT

@kaydee50 wrote:
I had Consumer Cellular for about a year. Without checking with me first, they switched me to a different plan. Immediately cancelled.

I now have a Tracfone which I got from HSN for $40, 1200 minutes. For the few times I use a cellphone, it works for me!

@kaydee50. They clearly state in their advertising, if your calling pattern indicates you'd save money by switching to another plan, they do it automatically, then you can switch back to the original.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

LindaSal — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:13:45 GMT

@PilatesLover Do you have a Consumer Cellular store anywhere around you? If not there are you tube videos that can show you step by step how to open your phone and insert the new sim card. Maybe try to call again if these are not options or go to Target or back to Walmart and get a different person to possibly help you. Best of luck..........we have CC and have been very happy with it.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Tori3569 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:17:57 GMT

Quick google search provides this info. Seems pretty straightforward.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

drizzellla — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 19:28:58 GMT

We have had Consumer Cellular for many years. It cost about half of what Verizon charged. And we have alot less dropped calls.

We did the transfer at a local Sears store (that was how long ago it was). Now we go to a Target store. And there is a woman in the electronics department that handles all Consumer Cellular questions or issues. She does everything.

Whenever we get a new phone, she loads all the information from our old phones etc. and answers all our questions and concerns.

Last week I also called Consumer Cellular about a password for my voicemail. I had no idea what my password was. She handled it all. I now have a password that I remember. She was wonderful. She talked me through it and I regret that I didn't call years ago.

Do you have a local Target store, that has a Consumer Cellular desk?

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

ahoymate — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 20:36:16 GMT

They make it a PAIN IN THE A__ on purpose. So you won't switch.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

tried it all — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 20:45:17 GMT

I have had consumer cellular for years. Love it. The apple store put my sim card into my phone for me, charged me nothing. I did tip him. He was very nice about it. In Montana my ex-husband just went into the electronics department of Walmart found a young person and they put the sim card in his phone for a tip. No problem at all. Customer service has been wonderful for me. If neither of those work for you, you could go into a computer repair store and they will do it for you.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Shelbelle — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 21:04:21 GMT

My DH loves Consumer Cellular !!!

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Cakers3 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 22:21:20 GMT

@PilatesLover We switched without having to buy new phones.

The rep at Walmart was probably not a CC rep but just an employer working in the department.

Try Target. Go to the CC website and see where CC is located.

I don't know about a stand alone CC store but they have employees CC trained at Target in the electronics department.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Tori3569 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 22:55:35 GMT

@ahoymate wrote:
They make it a PAIN IN THE A__ on purpose. So you won't switch.

That's unlikely. It's not hard at all. Buy the SIM card, pop out the old, put the new one in and call to activate. Probably takes all of 10 minutes once you get the SIM cards. They're also VERY easy to remove and replace. Not sure why that part seems to be an issue.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

Terrywu — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:30:24 GMT

Husband and I have had Consumer Cellular for well over 15 years. If I cannot get help over the phone I was told to go to Target. I only had to go once and they immediately corrected my problem. We are really pleased with CC.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

lynnie61 — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 03:13:26 GMT

I don't have CC but my guy does. Target was a major pain in the A**. After going three times, I finally called CC number directly. At Target, first, the CC persons day off. Not one other employee could help. Made an appt. Then went for the appt, the one CC rep called off. Third time, no appt, but waited 3 or 4 people, and then they couldn't provide a new sim. The CC phone rep, had to mail us a new sim ($5, not an issue), took 4/5 days to arrive, but then called back, they finally did it in 5 minutes. His bill is $27. He doesn't use his phone a lot, but still a decent price.

I still have my over priced AT&T. I'm thinking of switching to Xfinity mobile. We shall see.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

willdob3 — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 03:36:12 GMT

@PilatesLover I switched several years ago. It was a horrible, lengthy progress. They tried to get me to just get a new number. No.

I was with them for one billing cycle and spent that time looking for a new provider. I switched to Mint Mobile and have been very happy ever since. I highly recommend them.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

goldensrbest — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:39:54 GMT

I have had consumer cellular for around 3 yrs. i have their moto phone, i am satisfied with them.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

PilatesLover — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:04:21 GMT

@Tori3569 wrote:
@ahoymate wrote:
They make it a PAIN IN THE A__ on purpose. So you won't switch.

That's unlikely. It's not hard at all. Buy the SIM card, pop out the old, put the new one in and call to activate. Probably takes all of 10 minutes once you get the SIM cards. They're also VERY easy to remove and replace. Not sure why that part seems to be an issue.

I've watched and followed umpteen YouTube tutorials on my make and model phone and I just can't do it. I have severe joint damage in my hands and can't pry it open, also the little hole is in a different area than in all the videos, even though it's the same phone. ????

I just can't pry it apart. I need help with it.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

PilatesLover — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:06:34 GMT

Thanks for the tips everyone, I really appreciate your feedback.

Re: Switching to Consumer Cellular

meem120 — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:19:29 GMT

Ive had CC for almost 10 years. They are great. Customer service is terrific. It is in this country. Service is the same as when I had Verizon if not better. Never had a problem.

I just want to mention to about ppl saying they were bumped up to the next plan. I dont think you understand what a savings this is. If you go over your plan with say Verizon, the money added to your bill can be in the 100's $. We ran into this problem when we had teenagers. The overage amounts were unaffordable. With CC if you go over your plan, they do bump you up , but its a matter of $10.00 or less. You can call them and go right back to your initial plan. We ran in to this during hurricane sandy. We were without power etc for almost 12 days. Our phone was our savior. Of course withour wifi we used all our data and more. But the charge was I believe at that time $5.00 to go up to the next plan. Instead of the hundreds we would have been charged by Verizon. So, i hope that helps ppl understand they are not being ripped off.