My provider just called and said that I have used 1500 text messages in the 10 days I have had my phone. Upon further investigation, they say that the messages were from AIM use. I use the AIM program built into my 7100t; shouldnt this be a part of the Unlimited Blackberry Data plan? If not, what am I paying for? AIM is an INTERNET SERVICE, and it does not work through text (sms) messaging, and definitely should not cost me 450+ my normal Charges incurred monthly.

Someone advise??

AIM works via SMS. They are correct to charge you for the 1500 text messages.

Play dumb and say you weren't aware of that, and maybe they can go easy on you for this "first offense".

The unlimited blackberry plan covers e-mail, pin messaging, and web browsing.
IM use is not included.

http://www.dansanderson.com/blog/arc...ie_tmobile.php

Blackberry's AIM is a WAP based service...

The one that comes with the 7100 is SMS based. The one in the link is from T-zones, which is via the web browser.

I signed up for the mail and more, or something like that, with unlimited SMS. Their Yahoo client eats SMS like no tomorrow.

Bet you feel stupid after all those ROFL !!!!!11111!!!1111 messages now :p

If the most important thing to you is IM, go for the device that give you what you want. sounds like a SKII is probably a better fit for you ... take the BB back, whats the worst that can happen? In 10 days time you decide the BB was better than the SK and switch back??

BTW: TMobile are pretty good about crediting you for "oops" overages. I did $250 in roaming data charges while in Canada on a Sony GC97 Cellular Modem, they ended up charging $50 because they hadn't specified that the roaming agreement was USA and not North America.

In this case should I make use of their 14-day REturn policy and get a sidekick II instead?

Or sign up for a plan with unlimited SMS messages.

or install ramble or some similar IM application

Well I have to look at whats the most cost effective for me in the end... SKII plan from tmo comes with unlmited sms and IM's and email and browsing.... albeit the inferiority in functionality to the BB7100t

THey called back, and they said that if i paid a hundred dollars more for a breach of contract fee, they could put me on a plan that is unlmited text and internet and 1000 minutes ultd n/w....... which is basically waht im already on... 60 a month...or i could keep paying ridiculous overages, or i could cancel everything and return my blackberry, exchange for a SKII....
anyone?

You can probably sweet-talk them into dropping all the charges.

It is possible that T-Mobile's language is still misleading. On your desktop computer "instant messages" are not SMS. Only when you are using T-Mobile's IM client are they transfered via SMS.

Sounds like you still have time. Try out one of the IM packages in the aftermarket forum. Verichat, webmessengers, ramble, etc... they all have free trials.

This sounds like they plan that they're talking about:
http://www.t-mobile.com/promos/7100t...&WT.mc_t=Print

There should be no cost to you to switch plans at any time on T-Mobile, as far as I know. I'm not sure where they're getting the $100 "breach of contract fee" from.

Having said that, even if you cancel everything and return your BB, you still have to pay for the IM's, which I think you said was like $450 or something?

The cheapest way out might be to pay the $100 fee that they were talking about and let them switch you over to the BlackBerry bundle plan...

Sounds like TMO gave everyone AIM as a way to make money. I always use an aftermarket IM service just for that reason.

well i got the phone through Venicom INC. which requires me to not change any of my rate plans until 120 days.... that would be the breach fee.... but even with this Minutes and More deal i only get 1000 anytime.... no free nights and weekends.... so im thinking maybe drop.... go to sidekick or a new carrier?

The thing about a new carrier is that I don't think anyone else has the SideKick, and if you chose a BlackBerry on another carrier, you're going to be paying $45/month for the data service (vs $20 w/ T-Mobile).

If you don't like the T-Mobile BlackBerry Bundle Plan because it doesn't have nights/weekends, you might want to keep your current T-Mobile plan and buy one of the recommended Instant Messenger programs that don't use SMS -- then you'd have no need for unlimited SMS, which is pretty much the only thing that makes the Bundle Plan a good value.

so they offered to let me try the sidekick since it has unlimited chat and sms, but would charge me 30 for shipping, and 30 back for shipping my BB or sidekick or both, if i was totally unsatisfied..... and i figure, with 60 bucks i could buy at least 2 years of Verichat or IM+.... so, while extremely expensive..... i think i figured it out.. Thanks guys.... any suggestions are still welcome

The OZ IM Client 4.46.17 is pretty good. I like the GUI. If all of you must know, I used 2632.0 SMS on my plan right now.

Good thing I got the unlimited SMS promo that they used to have.

I feel ya'll... man they make this so hard... the blackberry minutes and mail that includes the unlimited SMS is 59.99 here but doesn't include nights/weekends... and i have a 45.99 for 1000 anytime, unlmtd nights/we's... plus 19.99 for the blackberry unlimited... but if i want text messages its extra... wish they had a 64.99 or 69.99 that included nights and weekends make it a lot easier.

Is this just with AIM or with ICQ and Yahoo, too????