Shenanigans, Hubris and Unfulfilled Pledges
Update 2023-01: Famly keep altering my plan with restriction son data and may be more. Found in Dec. that hotspot is not unlimited (as advertised) it has been changed to 50GB limit!
And when I asked Famly/Nebula's chief to provide some proof (a screenshot) showing exactly what my plan features are, data usage on my lines. I got a bizarre response - Nebula cannot provide details of my own specific plan and usage (that all wireless providers can provide) due to some privacy reason. So I cannot see my own actual plan details and usage due to whose privacy??? If there is really someone else's private info. Nebula's chief could redact selected portion to have me see my own plan's features.
Now, because the wireless plan was no longer the same that I paid for and signed up for, and with so many disingenuous responses from Nebula, I asked Nebula for partial refund (I prepaid for 1-year) and account number to port my two lines. And then, Nebula closed my request ticket without any resolution (like they did before - read below) and even removed me from their discord. Unfortunately after these experiences I can only say Famly/Nebula is just a money grab scam. Once they have your money, they will alter or mutilate your plan features unilaterally and if you ask for answers you will hear stories that defy logic and common sense. I regret signing up and paying upfront for a year for two lines. If you are reading this review, be cautious with this company. I am not done with them. I will take this matter to State of WA State Attorney, FCC and FTC.
Lower the rating to 1 star (the lowest).
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Original (edited):
I signed up with Famly Unlimited More (aka FUM) plan in 2022-06. Famly was the brand or legal entity before they launched this new brand called Nebula. Anecdotal accounts also indicate they had operated with the name Total Wireless in the past.
FUM plan details, as summarized early 2022-06 by one of Famly senior staff:
“Let’s do a feature list then!
• Unlimited high speed data and hotspot
• Unlimited Talk & Text
• Unlimited usage in Mexico and Canada
• Unlimited 3G data and texting abroad, calls at $0.25c/min
...
• Access to multiple U.S Networks to give you the most robust coverage
^at 200gb, we reserve the right to review your usage to determine if it falls under our fair use policy.
^^mexico and Canada data = U.S data”
Unlimited 3G data and texting abroad was the main reason, I signed up with two lines pre-paying for one year at a discounted rate. AT&T’s most plan can be used in Canada longer term. So the main differentiator of FUM, served by AT&T network and its affiliates, for me was the unlimited 3G data and texting abroad. The term ‘abroad’ in AT&T Wireless’ world typically mean territory outside US, Mexico and Canada. Not being a big data user, unlimited or high data cap plans never appealed to me. But having a cellular line with 3G roaming and texting abroad was something I was cool with spending $888/year for two lines.
Now the sour part for me. Recently (end of 2022-09) I read a message on Famly Discord that caused confusion and concern on my part. The message indicated that the 3G roaming has been dropped from the lines and replaced with a paid or earned (based on the number of paid months or something like that) high speed add-on (AT&T Passport add-on). Adding 3G roaming (per the original plan) back will be a separate request that Famly staff has to work on.
Now that was news to me as I never received any notice of that or consented to alternating the plan that I am on. Also I had an international trip coming up (now on it) and was counting on using FUM plan for texting and casual data use for maps, directions, messaging apps. So I opened a support ticket on Discord Famly channel to get it resolved. The whole experience with the ticket was not pleasant. Instead of just accepting that 3G roaming has been dropped and should be added back, Famly support staff keep pressing me for using high speed add on (presumably using earned credit that I have no visibility into) and to provide them my specific dates of travel. But my objective was to restore FUM, on my lines, to the features listed above (including unlimited 3G roaming). Unfortunately, Famly staff closed my support ticket before resolving this matter or before informing me if the issue has been resolved. I still don’t know if that has been resolved!
Just to make it clear I am not taking Famly FUM plan phone with me on my trip abroad now, leaving it at home. Why? The last thing I would want in a new country is without a needed cell service feature I expected and paid for.
Edit 20221012: decided to lower my rating. Reasons: changing plan feature without notice and consent; lack of transparency; closing a support request (ticket) without resolving the issue; and specious promises for future
October 5, 2022
Unprompted review