Questions before switching to Public Mobile

[Tipps]

Hi Folks,

I am thinking of switching to Public from Bell (PREPAID) as I see there is the on-going 50% discount for 3 months.
I had a few questions/reservations prior to switching

1.) is the 50% off stackable with the 3rd month free for the 20GB plan?

2.) If I get public mobile, how do I transfer my phone # from my existing Bell account? Is it easy to do this?
I would need a physical SIM card, so I guess I put in my order first?
3.) Can I switch my plan to a different plan mid-cycle? Say start with the 20GB plan, then go to a 6GB plan after 3 months?

Thanks!

[Az_I]

1. 50% discount is not stackable with 3rd month free that is a different discount.  Only one discount code is eligible.

2. You need to activate with public m8bike first . After that you can port your number from Bell or any provider by visiting your public mobile account settings.its quite straightforward...

3. You can change your plan any time but the discount may no longer apply 

[computergeek541]

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@Tipps wrote:

Hmm okay,
So let me confirm again
I pay now, and I order the SIM Card.
I receive SIM card say in a week, and activate then.
My plan Day 1 would be Oct 7th (1 week from now, when I activate it)
and the subsequent months will be charged on Nov 7th, and Dec 7th?

Also, I can't select a pick-up in store option.
Only eSIM, order a SIM (shipping in 2+ business days), and "I already have a SIM"

Lastly, I tried both online and in the app, I can't seem to stack the referral in addition to the AMZ 50% off =(

---

Your plan will start whenever the actrivation process has been completed (after you have received the SIM card).  As for renewal dates, the plan doesn't renew on the same day each month.  The plan is 30 days long and renews every 30 days.

[Tipps]

Hmm okay,
So let me confirm again
I pay now, and I order the SIM Card.
I receive SIM card say in a week, and activate then.
My plan Day 1 would be Oct 7th (1 week from now, when I activate it)
and the subsequent months will be charged on Nov 7th, and Dec 7th?

Also, I can't select a pick-up in store option.
Only eSIM, order a SIM (shipping in 2+ business days), and "I already have a SIM"

Lastly, I tried both online and in the app, I can't seem to stack the referral in addition to the AMZ 50% off =(

[hTideGnow]

hi @Tipps 

no worries, they charge you now, but day 1 of the cycle not start until you enter your sim card number to complete the activation. 

So, if you receive the sim card in a week, and wait another 2 weeks to complete the activation, then day 1 of the cycle would be 3 weeks later

[Tipps]

Wait, so Day 1 starts WHEN I activate? not when I sign up on the plan tonight?

[hTideGnow]

HI @Tipps 

yes,

but choose to pick up in store is step 2 or 3

payment is at step 4, before you submit payment, there is a box to fill in friend code on the same page.  Enter that before you submit payment (PM will charge you at that point)

then the activation will "pause" there.  

After you picked up your sim card , use the app again to enter the sim number to complete the activation.  (you can in fact wait a bit even you have the sim card on hand)

just in case you cannot log back into the app after you have the sim card, you can ask PM support to help to complete the rest of the step, just message them 
https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

[Tipps]

Thanks HT,
Just so I follow the steps then
1.) Download the APP
2.) Put in my order there, use both amazon code + the $10 referral code
3.) Choose the pick up SIM at store option?

[hTideGnow]

HI @Tipps 

 you can't activate it first if you want to get your physical sim from a store

if you want to activate now, you can choose the sim card to be sent to you (but it can take 3 days to 3 weeks for deliver) or you can choose to pickup from store.   Both option would have PM charges you first but have you lock in to the plan first

of course, you can also complete the activation by choosing esim option

whichever way to go, please download Public Mobile app from app store, and remember to use a friend code to save $10. The friend referral code step is at the payment step, don't miss that

[Tipps]

Can I activate/purchase a plan before buying the physical SIM from a store?

[hTideGnow]

HI @Tipps 

yes, you can easily port your number between carriers now

esim or not is a personal choice.  Most people like the physical sim option as it is easier to move around phone.  But esim is free 

if you are buying physical sim, order from Amazon.ca for cheaper  or buy PM sim card from Telus or Koodo store

[Tipps]

Okay, yeah I just have reservations on how easy it is to port a number by myself
My understanding is Public Mobile does not have like a call-line to reach and assist in this process like other mobility places do yes?

Hmm,
Also running my thoughts/idea with my current situation.
I am eyeing down the 6gb plan, for $23/month (11.5/month with the code for 3 months).
I can book this now, then order a SIM card? or is it better I do an eSIM for free? if so, can I still go to the store tomorrow to pick up a physical SIM?

And in the odd occurrence things don't work out with PM, I can just not port my # over in October, and not renew November onwards, and all is OK?

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@Tipps wrote:

Thanks for this!

Any chance they extend this promo? or is this like a once a year event.

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Honestly, we are all customers here like you. We never know in advance what they do or when the do it. 🙂

[Tipps]

Thanks for this!

Any chance they extend this promo? or is this like a once a year event.

[Chalupa_Batman · Accepted solution]

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@Tipps wrote:

Thanks for this very detailed response!

1.) I can not seem to add a referral code when I used the amazon 50%.
It states "No other code can be applied"
2.) Clear, but wait, am I too late now? Today's the last day, and I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
If I order now, I believe it's 2 days+ to receive the SIM card?
3.) Clear!

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1. It should have been there. You'll have to send a private message to a CS Agent for them to add it for you. See down below.

2. SIM cards can take up to 3-4 weeks in the mail. If you order today and are OK waiting till then, then go for it. Then you're locked in on that offer. You can always pick one up a store if you want one sooner.

3. Crystal! 🙂

To submit a ticket with CS Agent using this Chatbot link

https://widget.telus.tiia.ai/publicmobile/publicmobile.html 

Type Customer Service and follow the prompts. If you are having any issues, here is a direct link by sending a private message

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

If you need a physical SIM, Amazon sells them. Click on AMAZON for the link.

Or locations near you that have a SIM. TELUS STORES

[Tipps]

Thanks for this very detailed response!

1.) I can not seem to add a referral code when I used the amazon 50%.
It states "No other code can be applied"
2.) Clear, but wait, am I too late now? Today's the last day, and I haven't pulled the trigger yet.
If I order now, I believe it's 2 days+ to receive the SIM card?
3.) Clear!

[eddieO]

@Tipps correct. You can choose to "Change now" but then your plan will change immediately BUT you will also pay for the new plan on day one. Changing is pretty straight forward through the PM app or website

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@Tipps wrote:

Hi Folks,

I am thinking of switching to Public from Bell (PREPAID) as I see there is the on-going 50% discount for 3 months.
I had a few questions/reservations prior to switching

1.) is the 50% off stackable with the 3rd month free for the 20GB plan?

2.) If I get public mobile, how do I transfer my phone # from my existing Bell account? Is it easy to do this?
I would need a physical SIM card, so I guess I put in my order first?
3.) Can I switch my plan to a different plan mid-cycle? Say start with the 20GB plan, then go to a 6GB plan after 3 months?

Thanks!

---

Hello @Tipps 

To answer your questions...

1.) is the 50% off stackable with the 3rd month free for the 20GB plan?

A) No. Just use the Amazon code as it's a better deal. You CAN however also use a referral code which will give you $10 off your second month of service. 

2.) If I get public mobile, how do I transfer my phone # from my existing Bell account? Is it easy to do this?
I would need a physical SIM card, so I guess I put in my order first?

A) Let's start with this. First and foremost, I would highly recommend having a Public Mobile SIM card first. Once you have that, then create an account, set it up with a temporary number, then make sure call calls to and from work and texting too and also data. Once that is done, you can go into your account and port over the number. You have to make sure your Bell SIM card is in the phone to accept the text to port over within 90 minutes of them sending it.

3.) Can I switch my plan to a different plan mid-cycle? Say start with the 20GB plan, then go to a 6GB plan after 3 months?

A) Yes you can switch to a different plan every 30 days. You just need to have it changed at Renewal Date. 

[Tipps]

Excellent, Thanks! i just checked and it is indeed eligible to transfer my number!

[Tipps]

Thanks!

Just so i understand properly,
I can switch to a different plan, but schedule it on the renewal day? I assume the website allows for this easily?

[eddieO]

@Tipps, for #2, if you order a SIM card directly from Public Mobile it can take up to 3 weeks to arrive by Canada Post with no tracking options. Instead, you can physically go into a Telus/Koodo or Mobile Klinik store and buy one for $10 OR you can order one from Amazon for $5 and if you have Prime shipping will be free and arrive usually next day.

For #3, yes you can switch plans at any time, even mid-cycle but be aware that PM will not credit you for the remaining days you have on the current plan, so it's usually best to schedule the plan "Change on renewal" so that you do not lose out on what you have already paid for. Also note that often times if you switch plans, especially the ones that are for "New activations only", you will not be able to switch back to them so make sure you know this going into changing to PM. 

[Yummy]

3. You CAN switch plan at any time during billing cycle but it will Cost you! PM does not reimburse plan difference so at the moment of switch you pay full price of a new plan.
Better way is to Schedule plan change on NEXT renewal and then you get new plan and pay ONLY for it.

Be aware if you try to go from more expensive plan to cheap one - cheaper might not be available to you anymore for whatever strange reason. Thus chose wisely... go one up, see if it works for you and if not go again one up, etc.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Tipps 

1.no.  only one discount 

2. you can request port during activation, provide Bell account number. and make sure Bell account is still active 

but check if your number can be ported into PM 

https://secure.koodomobile.com/checktransfereligibilityparrot/checkSingle.do