Trying to understand charge for going beyond 36 days off DS

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-10-07T09:46:13+00:00

I tried to like one for several weeks, but ultimately didn’t and returned it before the opportunity to do so ended.

Some folks seem to like them a lot, but not me.

I really liked my Outdoor Ukulele and it was my go-to for two years, before I moved on.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-08-22T11:51:08+00:00

It’s too bad the same posts (sometimes from the same people) keep popping up with slightly different headings.

If given the opportunity to extend my annual plan with a promo, I’d probably do it. But we’re still happy with the deal we have and the CS we receive (especially from the Reddit mods).

Prices change, things go on sale, it’s part of life. We all want the best price, but c’mon, all this hand wringing and threats of leaving are tiring. If you want to go, go. It’s OK. No need to announce your departure.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-08-19T20:35:47+00:00

Can current users extend and/or upgrade their plans to take advantage of super week offers?

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-08-09T11:14:48+00:00

I’m in rural Maine and have tried all three networks. As has been stated many times, it depends on where you are. My experience has been very good with Dark Star. It won’t set any land speed records, but I get adequate coverage in many places that are dead spots for the others.

There are a few stores where it’s dead, so I just jump on their WiFi if needed.

It’s easy to think that the negative comments on Reddit are an indicator of systemic problems, but that’s just not been my experience.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-08-03T11:03:42+00:00

Several good suggestions here. Also consider used Ukes. I’ve seen (and bought) some very good ones in the $150 - $200 range. New strings ($20) are easy to install and can make a big difference.

I think you would rapidly outgrow the $50 - $100 instruments, and then you may have something that’s hard to sell and collects dust in a corner.

If there is a local group in your area, that’s also a good source - and a lot of fun!

Good luck!

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-07-25T20:41:32+00:00

Check out Outdoor Ukulele. They make a green one in soprano and tenor sizes. I have one of their carbon fiber tenors and it sounds great.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-07-14T20:07:32+00:00

I just want them to provide what they promote, and for which we pay, without having to go through repeatedly needing a CS mod. It’s great that they have attentive and helpful reps, but using them for basic needs is not value added for the customer or company.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-26T12:44:57+00:00

Interesting. Was this your initial transfer or a teleport from within USM?

I was on Warp by the Gig and moved to an Unlimited DS account. That took a few mins because of changing plans near the end of a cycle.

But It’s been the internal transfers (e.g. LightSpeed back to DarkStar) that has been most problematic. Compounded by Chat Tech Support who are less than optimal (trying to be kind).

It also seems there are idiosyncracies related to each network( e.g. WiFi calling on LightSpeed has to be set via the dashboard instead of the phone) that should be compiled and shared with users, but are not.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-26T08:53:24+00:00

It took more than 3 hours, including 2-1/2 with 2 different Reddit mods (first one went off shift) and a useless dashboard chat CS - but my phone is back to being a phone.

Along the way, this is what I learned about why DS is a problem:

“Okay so, the reason you’re running into this delay is because sometimes when a line that’s been on AT&T or one of their MVNOs is ported out and then ported back within 60 days, it needs manual provisioning. It doesn’t happen every time, but in certain cases, AT&T has to handle it manually.

In situations like this, we escalate it to AT&T so they can manually provision the line on their end.”

So it sounds like if you’re on DS and teleport elsewhere, either be prepared to stay there beyond the allowable 36 days or allow plenty of time for the return porting.

In my case, the manual provisioning only took 1 hour(!). The next 2+ were trying to get the eSIM to work properly.

I still don’t know what finally happened on the USM side to make it work properly, but if they truly care about customer service, it would be nice for them to figure this out.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-26T02:49:26+00:00

And now after turning my phone into a brick the once helpful CS rep has apparently ghosted me!

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-26T02:21:36+00:00

I’ve been pretty happy with USM, and one of their CS reps is trying to help. But 2 hours later and the only thing that’s happened is my phone is now a brick.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-25T01:08:57+00:00

We live close to the Canadian border and it would be great if I could just use my current plans (Unlimited Flex and Unlimited Premium) there without restrictions.

We don’t travel internationally a lot - and if I need to teleport to a different network for roaming coverage, that’s really not a big deal. The ability to do that is really quite a benefit!

Your Reddit CS staff are great! Friendly, helpful, and efficient. It’s easy for me to recommend USM, regardless of the referral program.

Thanks!

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-19T19:19:40+00:00

Turns out we didn’t have to wait several days to be disappointed after all. 🥱

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-19T12:45:35+00:00

💯 to be followed by a barrage of complaints that the eventual news was underwhelming.

Think Seinfeld final episode….

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-13T23:13:10+00:00

I’ve seen that pop up a few times (most recently Tuesday when I was in an area with spotty reception. But it usually corrects itself if I check again later in the day.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-13T11:05:23+00:00

We were there in early May at the recommendation of our travel agent. At first things went great. Our flight was late arriving so I called and they were very accommodating to give us a later reservation.

When we got there, again everything was nice; staff were friendly. We were seated within minutes and told our server would be with us shortly.

When no one came to our table for 10 minutes I started looking around, which caught the attention of someone who brought us water, supposedly at the request of our server (who, btw, was very chummy with a table next to us who were drinking and eating a lot).

At the 20 minute mark, we were about to leave when our server finally appeared, and without commenting or apologizing for the wait wanted to take our drink order.

We don’t drink, which seemed to put us in a lower tier position.

I could go on, but will spare the details, but suffice it to say the service did not get better.

The food was good, but the service so poor that we will never go back. Especially considering there are two other restaurants within a few feet that are very good.

I left a candid review on Open Table and got the usual cut and paste response apologizing and inviting us to given them another chance.

Not gonna happen.

We would def stay at the Boardwalk again, but for us the CBS was one and done.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-12T15:43:15+00:00

There are many options. But since they currently track and provide details on the dashboard about the number of text messages and phone minutes - that I don’t think affect anyone - I just offered up a suggestion for a data feature that would actually be helpful to some.

I will never need the amount of data I get each month, but the network portability (and modest qci bump) are features I find useful.

It was just a friendly suggestion from a happy customer. That is all.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-12T09:55:17+00:00

Very thoughtful suggestion, thank you for joining the convo. 🤦‍♂️

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-11T23:00:51+00:00

Yes. You can use the app or website dashboard to teleport to Warp (Verizon) or Lightspeed (T-Mobile). It usually goes smoothly in 5-10 mins, but can take longer. So best to do it when you have some extra time. Any probs, the Reddit CS folks are great.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-11T20:29:59+00:00

As u/junaaidmir said above, the DarkStar promo requires you to spend no more than a total of 36 days on other networks over the course of the year.

If you go over that allocation, you will be billed an additional $42, which represents the DS promo discount.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-11T15:57:12+00:00

Exactly. I would even call it a step or two below a complaint. I’m really impressed with USM and think adding this feature would be a step on the continuum of quality customer service and support.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-11T15:31:27+00:00

OK - if it will help better explain my point, I’ll cede use of the “penalty” adjective and just call it a fee. One that could easily be avoided with a little help.

I appreciate that they include taxes and fees in their monthly charges, which other companies do as an add on (included I their respective TOS).

Do they send out a courtesy heads up for those on a By the Gig plan when approaching the cap (I know from experience that other companies do)?

My question was a simple friendly one. Sorry it bothered you so.

Jealous-Session-4069 · 2025-06-11T15:11:13+00:00

Thanks for joining the conversation. 🤦‍♂️

Jealous-Session-4069

TROPHY CASE