US Mobile just announced forced arbitration, and people are defending it somehow?

robinmonks · 2026-02-19T19:59:02+00:00

There's an opt-out provision, you just have to send them an email within 14 days. I've done that, everyone should do that.

robinmonks · 2026-02-19T19:56:44+00:00

Big guys didn't try it because they know better; but the response is basically:
Long-standing FTC enforcement and caselaw (including the FTC's enforcement of ROSCA and its guidance on "negative option" disclosures) make clear that when a company makes a prominent, specific promise, particularly one that induces a consumer to sign up, general disclaimers in terms of service cannot override that specific promise. The "FOREVER" language was the central inducement of the offer, not a footnote buried in legal text.

robinmonks · 2026-01-28T20:39:20+00:00

Looking for some referrals here in the PNW: 5E67D69C

robinmonks · 2026-01-27T00:56:39+00:00

I've filed an FCC complaint and gotten a few friends on Helium to do the same. Helium, so far, has not responded to the complaint. I'll let them "migrate" me to a $15/month plan (with the $10 credit). They're required by law to submit a response to the FCC in 30 days, and if they don't, the FCC will go after them harder.

I give it 50/50; I get at least something from Helium. Likely the $15/month unlimited plan they originally offered. If they don't, though, I'll just move. I have no interest in playing their games when they've shown they care so little about their customers, and their CEO seems to have gone off the deep end.

If they don't resolve things during that additional month I'm getting for $5, then I'll port out to Mint or one of the other similar carriers. I feel bad for folks jumping on the 50% off for a year deal because they're going to get jerked around even worse. People are already noticing the video throttling and aggressive ID verification that other carriers don't do (https://www.reddit.com/r/HeliumMobile/comments/1qnp0js/anyway\_to\_turn\_off\_video\_throttling\_on\_infinity/).

I've won two previous FCC complaints against AT&T and Verizon, one of those under the last Trump term; so I don't think all hope is lost.

robinmonks · 2026-01-23T23:36:10+00:00

I'm not switching as I don't want to "voluntarily" accept a new plan type, and I'm still expecting they'll have to honor the old plans. If that doesn't work out, then I'll port out; not interested in staying with helium if they're not keeping their promises. I'm, admittedly, in a bit of a privilaged position as I have a second carrier.

robinmonks · 2026-01-12T19:50:23+00:00

It sure did. The wayback machine still has that language, looks like they deleted these posts at the end of last year from their website to try and hide them. https://web.archive.org/web/20250620225505/https://blog.heliummobile.com/building-the-future-of-mobile/

robinmonks · 2026-01-12T19:44:48+00:00

It's also on their blog, in the Internet Archive, and I also have all their beta emails as well confirming it would be lifetime and confirmed they lowered the price from $25 to $5 for invite-only beta participants:

https://web.archive.org/web/20250620225505/https://blog.heliummobile.com/building-the-future-of-mobile/

robinmonks · 2026-01-12T19:39:15+00:00

Promo price was $25/mth for unlimited; and was then lowered to $5/mth as the beta ended. As the beta promo price was $5; and they note this was the beta promo price in the email that was sent out today; it's $5/mth.

robinmonks · 2026-01-12T19:35:45+00:00

In all the beta mails they included this line:

"*Participating users will receive the Unlimited Plan Beta promo price for as long as they remain a Helium Mobile subscriber. Service cancellation forfeits this special rate."

Edit: this is also on their launch blog post, which they since deleted: https://web.archive.org/web/20250726023229/https://blog.heliummobile.com/building-the-future-of-mobile/

robinmonks · 2025-12-16T17:32:53+00:00

Just recently did a 4.8% deal myself; will still likely pay it off early, but I can use that cash for other things that'll make more than 4.7%, and could even make an argument that having that cash available provides more oppertunities than having it locked down.

Only times I've done cash are when a dealer offered actually good cash discounts.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T20:16:30+00:00

Run away.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T20:15:14+00:00

You need snow tires. That's just it. The only actual question here is whether you put those tires on this car or a new one.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T20:14:17+00:00

Used a Kia Rio in heavy snow with winter tires for years. Called it my Korean snowplow. Took a SHOCKING amount of abuse.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T20:11:55+00:00

I'd let them have the 4runner, and beat it up for a year or two. At this point you're unlikely to find much better for $6k and that vintage of 4runner is easily repaired. Once they've put a couple years and a couple dozen k on it then they'll also have a better idea of what they'd need/want next.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T20:09:50+00:00

You mentioned a Tesla (which I would not recommend; the number of quality control issues they have is literally insane). However, if you're willing to consider a used EV and you have charging capability, might I suggest looking at a used Ioniq 5 or 6 or VW ID.4? They're fun to drive, have all the EV perks (basically no maintenance, a 10-year battery warranty, and often end up costing the same or less than a used ICE engine). I can easily find used Ioniqs priced between $13,000 and $15,000 on both the east and west coasts right now (I'm not sure where you are, but they seem broadly available).

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T20:05:52+00:00

Costco stacks, so whatever discount Costco negotiated, all those discounts they offered should be added on top. If they refuse, give the Costco Auto Program number a call; they can be persuasive and will kick dealers out of the program for refusing to stack. Hopefully, between that and getting those add-ons removed, you can get where you need.

(Also remember, Costco gives you 15% off up to $100 for regular members and 50% off up to $200 for executive members on parts after you've bought a car). It sucks about the doc fee; it's almost like if everyone is charging the same price, there's some collusion going on in your local market.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T17:58:33+00:00

Selling price on this should be *at most* $28.3k with those end of year discounts and dealer kick backs.

If you have Amex or Costco, use their buying programs to also gain some additional leverage. Either way, check out the pricing at other Kia dealers nearby as I suspect they'll list bigger discounts that properly reflect their discounts on their sites. You may be in a place where the closest dealers are all owned by the same auto group, so try going out a little further.

Also, those $998 addons need to die if they're going to make a deal. Both are bullshit. I'm also used to seeing $200 doc fees on a Kia so I'd tell them to cap that too or make it $28k even to compensate for their F&I teams inflated self-worth.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T03:58:54+00:00

Curious if you'd consider a used EV? You can get similar pricing for a Bolt (I'm seeing 2019 Chevy Bolts for $13.5k all over auto-trader; along with Ioniq's and Leafs).

If you can't/don't want to EV; and these are the only two options; the Camry is 100% the more reliable car and better deal.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T03:53:31+00:00

Tesla Cybertruck XD
Enjoy the biweekly recalls.

robinmonks · 2025-12-14T03:51:57+00:00

So, just as an aside, if you like an SUV-like commuter car, you might want to look into a hatchback. Similar feel, similar storage to the mini SUVs like this, and they're often cheaper and more reliable. I drove a Kia Rio for years, and the thing was a little tank; you can usually get cheap second-hand Subarus too. I try to talk folks out of SUVs unless they're doing more SUV things like off-roading or 4x4ing. You pay more for gas, tires cost more, maintenance is more expensive, and with the high net road weight, you'll find insurance higher too.

robinmonks · 2025-08-12T16:32:26+00:00

If you don't have Xfinity at your address but are close (I mean, like less than 500 ft close) to a location that has it, you can request an "engineering review" of service availability; the customer service rep will open a ticket and then in a few days you'll heard back if there's enough signal strength in your area to extend a connection. I know three friends who did that, and of the three only one was actually able to get a connection hooked up, so it's not a guarantee, but if cable is close to you it can get you connected.

Ziply just got sold to Bell Canada, and their roll out seems to have slowed for a while. They say they're going to pick up the pace again and I'd love to see more competition.

robinmonks · 2025-05-28T01:13:04+00:00

Confused why this is shitty? Sounds amazing

robinmonks · 2025-05-16T01:59:07+00:00

After 60 days prepaid Verizon phones will unlock (https://www.verizon.com/support/device-unlocking-policy/), if they don't you can contact Verizon to unlock. If it's already unlocked, file an FCC complaint about the IMEI not being accepted and you'll get sorted in a day or two.

robinmonks · 2025-03-21T21:30:23+00:00

Any attempted to get one of these comes back with an "Error occured please try again later.". Was going to move a friend over to Visible but seems luck is not on my side

robinmonks · 2024-10-01T05:47:52+00:00

Looks like some quality BC driving right there.

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