topic Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart in Get Support

Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

BlackSky — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 20:34:13 GMT

I am a new customer of Public Mobile (only 2 weeks)... So I thought I would get a friend to switch over - Went to Walmart to purchase a SIM card and was told they can't sell them anymore without activation? I don't want a Walmart employee to create a profile for me - to ask me my address - to ask me my phone number - to ask me my email address. I don't want to stand there at the Walmart computer and scroll through a large list of phone numbers to find one I like. Why the new policy and a third party relaying my personal information?? The other 2 places that your SIMs are available would be at least a 90 minute drive (one way) for me. I changed to Public Mobile - Don't start disappointing me!

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:27:30 GMT

That seems very strange.

~~I would ask to talk to a manager or simply say it's a replacement sim for phone and you just need the card as you already have an account.~~

~~I would also private message the mods with all the stores info.~~

see post below

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

BlackSky — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 23:48:12 GMT

I also think you MUST change all of your marketing that says "Get a SIM at Walmart"... with a disclaimer that says Activation Necessary!

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:26:47 GMT

~~@BlackSky unless things have changed pm is self serve. No activations nessisity.~~

~~Also you could order a s online ne and have it delivered in 2-4 days typically~~

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

BlackSky — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 23:51:33 GMT

When I got my phone - I went to the first Walmart - and was told that... Then I went to a second Walmart and apparently someone had not gotten the same memo and they sold it to me without activation... Since then they have read the memo... They would not do it. The same guy that sold me the SIM 2 weeks ago said things have changed and they can't. (even though he remembered me - no go)!! Public Mobile needs to communicate this with the public... I went to Walmart for that purpose and it was a wasted trip (20 minutes each way).

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

BlackSky — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 23:54:15 GMT

When you get the SIM you need to activate it online (mine was self serve) but you can't anymore. They (Walmart) have to do it for you - or else - you aren't getting a SIM.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

will13am — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:24:45 GMT

@BlackSky, I suggest you private message the moderator team and inform them of the Walmart that has this strange policy of activating the service for the customer. That is not a condition for purchasing the SIM card for this service. This differs from other services that may require activation at point of sale. The moderator team need to investigate and correct the store on proper conduct. The moderator team can be reached via private message using this link. Refer to the following link for information on contacting the moderator team.

http://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Knowledge-Base/Updated-Contacting-our-Community-Moderators/ta-p/76452

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:25:40 GMT

wow, so I just calledmy local walmart and what a shock.

they only sell sim cards with activations
they have access to the back end or access to call someone (didnt understand which) if issues with activation occur
no charge for activations
happened 2 weeks ago ish

@BlackSky sorry for giving you misleading information

@Dave_M, @Brooke_C, @CS_Agent, Is this not information people should be infrormed about? Especially since PM has a desire to be transparent???

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

BlackSky — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:31:19 GMT

I am disappointed that I have to stand in the aisle at Walmart - and while people are around - give out all my personal information. This is REALLY encrouching on my personal privacy. When I got my first SIM I did it online no issues. Why the change Public Mobile? @CS_Agent

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:36:12 GMT

@BlackSky it is really no different then if you activated a plan with koodo Telus etc... The issue is you should be allowed as before to buy a sim and activate it at home as before.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

frankdug — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 00:40:36 GMT

i just purchased a sim card at Walmart in St-jerome and i got home to start activation, i did everything that was asked and i got the telephone number that was generated by the system and all but as soon as i put the sim card in the Iphone it tells me that the sim card is not taken in charge or iphone blocked ask your operator to unblocked your iphone.

i was using this phone 1 week ago with bell mobility why cant i just put a sim card in and use it

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

ShawnC13 — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:23:21 GMT

We obviously need clarification as to many different user experiences going on!! When I bought my SIM there they made it very clear they were in no way supporting it or activating it

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:31:59 GMT

@ShawnC13 the Walmart guy at uptown(they are their own company) said it started about 2 weeks ago.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

Mana — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:37:49 GMT

That doesn't make sense even from Walmart point of view.

Why would they want to put an effort in setting up someone's account if there's nothing in it for them?

Maybe the Walmart employee was trying to pull a fast one on you to collect all the referrals under their name.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:42:43 GMT

@Mana we are now discussing 2 different stores one in Victoria and one where the op is. Both with the same story.

Why activating? Who knows pm might give them a commission for activating. Wow mobile was activating for free swell.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

Mana — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:45:13 GMT

@mimmo yes that's what I was thinking either PM is giving them some incentive or it could be the employees who maybe targeting those who don't know about the referral reward.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

BlackSky — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:48:02 GMT

Do you think a Moderator will actually read this post?

I don't like wasting time or gas - and did both today because of this new unadvertised misrepresented Public Mobile advert...

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

mimmo — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:48:55 GMT

I think it's the first as they can call and get assistance or have access to back end. In case of activation issues.

You could always try calling your local walmarts and report back.

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

Luddite — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 01:51:28 GMT

@frankdug I think you have a totally different issue. If your phone was purchased at Bell it is locked to that network and will not work on Public Mobile until it is unlocked.

If you are sure that the phone is unlocked, click this: message to moderators to send a private message to the moderator team with your phone number, account PIN, and an explanation. Moderator hours are: Monday - Friday 9AM (ET) - 9PM (ET); Saturday - Sunday 9AM (ET) - 7:00PM (ET).

If you still need more help please start your own topic here: https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/forums/postpage/board-id/getting_started

Re: Purchasing SIM's at Walmart

Mana — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 02:05:02 GMT

@frankdug You should call bell and get your phone unlocked for free (if it's not unlocked already).

Once you are sure that it is unlocked then please try the PM sim.