In need of new phone but don't want unnecessary Ready-Link..

I've had a Sanyo SCP-4000 for at least 3 years and the battery is getting
fairly weak. So instead of getting a new battery, I was thinking about
trying to get a new phone, probably the Sanyo 5400 or 7300, as I don't want
a camera phone.

Anyway, my contract has long since expired (250 anytime, 1250 nights &
weekends starting at 8 pm for $34.99) and was wondering what the chances
might be in getting a new phone at the subsidized price? I wouldn't mind
signing a two-year contract as I've been pretty happy with the service but
I don't want to have to do the Ready-Link "option" to get the good price.
Any suggestions on how I want to approach Sprint about this in order to
maximize my chances of success?

-Skeeter

p.s. - if it makes any difference, I'm in the DFW area.

---

› See More: In need of new phone but don't want unnecessary Ready-Link..

"Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've had a Sanyo SCP-4000 for at least 3 years and the battery is getting
> fairly weak. So instead of getting a new battery, I was thinking about
> trying to get a new phone, probably the Sanyo 5400 or 7300, as I don't
want
> a camera phone.
>
> Anyway, my contract has long since expired (250 anytime, 1250 nights &
> weekends starting at 8 pm for $34.99) and was wondering what the chances
> might be in getting a new phone at the subsidized price? I wouldn't mind
> signing a two-year contract as I've been pretty happy with the service but
> I don't want to have to do the Ready-Link "option" to get the good price.
> Any suggestions on how I want to approach Sprint about this in order to
> maximize my chances of success?
>

Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or on the
phone?

"Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've had a Sanyo SCP-4000 for at least 3 years and the battery is getting
> fairly weak. So instead of getting a new battery, I was thinking about
> trying to get a new phone, probably the Sanyo 5400 or 7300, as I don't
want
> a camera phone.
>
> Anyway, my contract has long since expired (250 anytime, 1250 nights &
> weekends starting at 8 pm for $34.99) and was wondering what the chances
> might be in getting a new phone at the subsidized price? I wouldn't mind
> signing a two-year contract as I've been pretty happy with the service but
> I don't want to have to do the Ready-Link "option" to get the good price.
> Any suggestions on how I want to approach Sprint about this in order to
> maximize my chances of success?
>

Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or on the
phone?

"Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I've had a Sanyo SCP-4000 for at least 3 years and the battery is
>> getting fairly weak. So instead of getting a new battery, I was
>> thinking about trying to get a new phone, probably the Sanyo 5400 or
>> 7300, as I don't
> want
>> a camera phone.
>>
>> Anyway, my contract has long since expired (250 anytime, 1250 nights
>> & weekends starting at 8 pm for $34.99) and was wondering what the
>> chances might be in getting a new phone at the subsidized price? I
>> wouldn't mind signing a two-year contract as I've been pretty happy
>> with the service but I don't want to have to do the Ready-Link
>> "option" to get the good price. Any suggestions on how I want to
>> approach Sprint about this in order to maximize my chances of
>> success?
>>
>
> Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or on
> the phone?
>
>
>

On my account.

"Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I've had a Sanyo SCP-4000 for at least 3 years and the battery is
>> getting fairly weak. So instead of getting a new battery, I was
>> thinking about trying to get a new phone, probably the Sanyo 5400 or
>> 7300, as I don't
> want
>> a camera phone.
>>
>> Anyway, my contract has long since expired (250 anytime, 1250 nights
>> & weekends starting at 8 pm for $34.99) and was wondering what the
>> chances might be in getting a new phone at the subsidized price? I
>> wouldn't mind signing a two-year contract as I've been pretty happy
>> with the service but I don't want to have to do the Ready-Link
>> "option" to get the good price. Any suggestions on how I want to
>> approach Sprint about this in order to maximize my chances of
>> success?
>>
>
> Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or on
> the phone?
>
>
>

On my account.

"Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> >>
> >
> > Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or on
> > the phone?
> >
> >
> >
>
> On my account.

Shouldn't be a problem- when you call, let them know that you like the
phone, but don't need the feature. I'd be real surprised if their only
offer was one that included ReadyLink. In fact, they would be able to offer
a lower plan price if its not included.

"Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> >>
> >
> > Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or on
> > the phone?
> >
> >
> >
>
> On my account.

Shouldn't be a problem- when you call, let them know that you like the
phone, but don't need the feature. I'd be real surprised if their only
offer was one that included ReadyLink. In fact, they would be able to offer
a lower plan price if its not included.

"Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> "Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> news:[email protected]:
>>
>> >>
>> >
>> > Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or
>> > on the phone?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>> On my account.
>
> Shouldn't be a problem- when you call, let them know that you like the
> phone, but don't need the feature. I'd be real surprised if their
> only offer was one that included ReadyLink. In fact, they would be
> able to offer a lower plan price if its not included.
>
>
>
>

The thing that got me asking was that if one reads the fine print on the
rebate, it doesn't sound too promising...

"This Sprint PCS VisionSM Ready Link Phone is eligible for up to $150
instant savings. $150 instant savings available to customers adding a
new line of service on a Sprint PCS Free & ClearSM Plan with Ready Link,
with a two-year Sprint PCS® Advantage Agreement at time of purchase. "

Skeeter wrote:

> The thing that got me asking was that if one reads the fine print on the
> rebate, it doesn't sound too promising...
>
> "This Sprint PCS VisionSM Ready Link Phone is eligible for up to $150
> instant savings. $150 instant savings available to customers adding a
> new line of service on a Sprint PCS Free & ClearSM Plan with Ready Link,
> with a two-year Sprint PCS® Advantage Agreement at time of purchase. "
>

If I'm right you only need to get vision for the 2 month free trial to
qualify for the handset upgrade rebate, it's a mail in, you have to pay
full price at the store, and send in the paper work.
The instant rebate , unless something has changed , is only good ! your
adding a new line, i.e. share plan or different 2nd line.
For existing customers it's the mail in.
Anyone who works there got a line on this ?

Jim

cancel after the free trial period=20



On Wed, 21 Apr 2004 03:00:57 -0000
Skeeter <[email protected]> wrote:

> "Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:=20
>=20
> >=20
> > "Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> "Scott Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in
> >> news:[email protected]:
> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > Are you saying that you don't want the feature on your account or
> >> > on the phone?
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> On my account.
> >=20
> > Shouldn't be a problem- when you call, let them know that you like the
> > phone, but don't need the feature. I'd be real surprised if their
> > only offer was one that included ReadyLink. In fact, they would be
> > able to offer a lower plan price if its not included.
> >=20
> >=20
> >=20
> >=20
>=20
> The thing that got me asking was that if one reads the fine print on the=
=20
> rebate, it doesn't sound too promising...
>=20
> "This Sprint PCS VisionSM Ready Link Phone is eligible for up to $150=20
> instant savings. $150 instant savings available to customers adding a=20
> new line of service on a Sprint PCS Free & ClearSM Plan with Ready Link,=
=20
> with a two-year Sprint PCS=AE Advantage Agreement at time of purchase. "
>=20

Skeeter, go to a SprintPCS owned store and talk to the store manager.
They have some leeway in structuring sales and contracts apparently.

Another SprintPCS secret.

Or walk into a nearby RadioShack (you'll likely pass 5 on your way to a
Sprint Corporate store...Tell them you want to upgrade...they take care of
the activation in store, give you the rebate form, and show you what you
need to know. The whole thing takes 10-20 mins. Easiest thing there is.

"Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've had a Sanyo SCP-4000 for at least 3 years and the battery is getting
> fairly weak. So instead of getting a new battery, I was thinking about
> trying to get a new phone, probably the Sanyo 5400 or 7300, as I don't
want
> a camera phone.
>
> Anyway, my contract has long since expired (250 anytime, 1250 nights &
> weekends starting at 8 pm for $34.99) and was wondering what the chances
> might be in getting a new phone at the subsidized price? I wouldn't mind
> signing a two-year contract as I've been pretty happy with the service but
> I don't want to have to do the Ready-Link "option" to get the good price.
> Any suggestions on how I want to approach Sprint about this in order to
> maximize my chances of success?
>
> -Skeeter
>
> p.s. - if it makes any difference, I'm in the DFW area.

I went by the SprintPCS store, though didn't talk to a manager. The guy
tried to show me the 500 minute plan for $45 dollars. Looking on the
computer he says that's the same price I'm paying now. Wrong. The old
plan was $44.99 on the surface ($34.99, 250 anytime, 1250 N&WE for na
additional $10 starting at 8pm), . It looks that way if he doesn't dig
into it but I'm getting a $10 PCS Advantage Agreement credit for off-
peak minutes. Then it turns out I don't get much (any?) phone update
credit. Basically, I'd get the $150 mail-in rebate if I signed up for
two years. I asked him how I'm gaining anything out of staying with
Sprint?

I also called SprintPCS to ask about any retention offers. The CS person
said I could get 400 minutes, unlimited N&WE starting at 9pm for $40.
Big whoop. I'd basically be paying an extra $5 for 100 anytime minutes
that would now start at 9 pm. Also, to get a $150 phone credit I'd need
a two-year agreement.

The guy at Radio Shack said I'd have to do a $49.99 plan to receive a
phone rebate. That's no good either.

I ask, where's the retention incentive? I'm quite disappointed at what
I'd found out.




"Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in news:rmarkoff-
[email protected]:

> Skeeter, go to a SprintPCS owned store and talk to the store manager.
> They have some leeway in structuring sales and contracts apparently.
>
> Another SprintPCS secret.

"Skeeter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I went by the SprintPCS store, though didn't talk to a manager. The guy
> tried to show me the 500 minute plan for $45 dollars. Looking on the
> computer he says that's the same price I'm paying now. Wrong. The old
> plan was $44.99 on the surface ($34.99, 250 anytime, 1250 N&WE for na
> additional $10 starting at 8pm), . It looks that way if he doesn't dig
> into it but I'm getting a $10 PCS Advantage Agreement credit for off-
> peak minutes. Then it turns out I don't get much (any?) phone update
> credit. Basically, I'd get the $150 mail-in rebate if I signed up for
> two years. I asked him how I'm gaining anything out of staying with
> Sprint?
>
> I also called SprintPCS to ask about any retention offers. The CS person
> said I could get 400 minutes, unlimited N&WE starting at 9pm for $40.
> Big whoop. I'd basically be paying an extra $5 for 100 anytime minutes
> that would now start at 9 pm. Also, to get a $150 phone credit I'd need
> a two-year agreement.
>
> The guy at Radio Shack said I'd have to do a $49.99 plan to receive a
> phone rebate. That's no good either.
>
> I ask, where's the retention incentive? I'm quite disappointed at what
> I'd found out.
>
>

I think you've pretty much answered your own question. If I'm reading
things right, you are paying $34.99 a month for service. Bottom line-
they're not making much money from your service, if any at all. The real
retention deals are designed for high use customers- these are the customers
that they cherish (lots of money every month). And you'll notice that any
good looking deal for a new customer at just about any provider (including
Sprint) requires a higher monthly plan than the one you are already on. The
only thing you get by staying with Sprint is a plan that you probably
couldn't get for the same price with anyone else, and they know that.

For the plan you quoted, for the extra $5 you are switching from
250 to 400, a gain of 150 minutes included in plan, and switching from
1250 to unlimited, an unlimited gain of minutes of N&W.
But, according to the Sprint PCS web site, $40 would get you 500
Anytime minutes and unlimited N&W starting at 9 PM. That would be a 250
minute increase of the Anytime and an unlimited increase of N&W for just
$5 more than you are paying now.


Skeeter wrote:
> I went by the SprintPCS store, though didn't talk to a manager. The guy
> tried to show me the 500 minute plan for $45 dollars. Looking on the
> computer he says that's the same price I'm paying now. Wrong. The old
> plan was $44.99 on the surface ($34.99, 250 anytime, 1250 N&WE for na
> additional $10 starting at 8pm), . It looks that way if he doesn't dig
> into it but I'm getting a $10 PCS Advantage Agreement credit for off-
> peak minutes. Then it turns out I don't get much (any?) phone update
> credit. Basically, I'd get the $150 mail-in rebate if I signed up for
> two years. I asked him how I'm gaining anything out of staying with
> Sprint?
>
> I also called SprintPCS to ask about any retention offers. The CS person
> said I could get 400 minutes, unlimited N&WE starting at 9pm for $40.
> Big whoop. I'd basically be paying an extra $5 for 100 anytime minutes
> that would now start at 9 pm. Also, to get a $150 phone credit I'd need
> a two-year agreement.
>
> The guy at Radio Shack said I'd have to do a $49.99 plan to receive a
> phone rebate. That's no good either.
>
> I ask, where's the retention incentive? I'm quite disappointed at what
> I'd found out.
>
>
>
>
> "Robert M." <[email protected]> wrote in news:rmarkoff-
> [email protected]:
>
>
>>Skeeter, go to a SprintPCS owned store and talk to the store manager.
>>They have some leeway in structuring sales and contracts apparently.
>>
>>Another SprintPCS secret.
>
>