Can I get a better T-Mobile deal for extending my contract?

My one-year contract with T-Mobile is expiring soon. They have offered
me an incentive to extend it another year.

I'm on the $49.99 family plan with 400 anytime minutes, free off-peak
and in-network (and three lines of service). I looked at other plans,
and I think it makes the most sense for me to stick with T-Mobile for
now.

But their contract extension incentive strikes me as skimpy. They
offer to upgrade me to 500 minutes (ie, +100 minutes) for no extra
cost.

It's unusual (but not unheard of) for me to even exceed the 400 (and
I'm not holding back or anything), so most months, this upgrade would
be worthless to me. The extra minutes would probably save me about $75
or $100 a year in occasional overage charges. It's better than nothing,
but it doesn't get me excited. I'm tempted to simply ignore it (even
though I would save a bit), so if a better competitive deal comes
along, I'm not locked in.

But if I "hold out," will T-Mobile sweeten the offer? Or should I make
like I'm gonna cancel - would that motivate them to offer a different
(and better) deal? Has anyone been through such a situation recently
with T-Mobile?

In message <1126675355.625978.120070@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>
davidfilmer@gmail.com wrote:

>My one-year contract with T-Mobile is expiring soon. They have offered
>me an incentive to extend it another year.
>
>I'm on the $49.99 family plan with 400 anytime minutes, free off-peak
>and in-network (and three lines of service). I looked at other plans,
>and I think it makes the most sense for me to stick with T-Mobile for
>now.
>
>But their contract extension incentive strikes me as skimpy. They
>offer to upgrade me to 500 minutes (ie, +100 minutes) for no extra
>cost.
>
>It's unusual (but not unheard of) for me to even exceed the 400 (and
>I'm not holding back or anything), so most months, this upgrade would
>be worthless to me. The extra minutes would probably save me about $75
>or $100 a year in occasional overage charges. It's better than nothing,
>but it doesn't get me excited. I'm tempted to simply ignore it (even
>though I would save a bit), so if a better competitive deal comes
>along, I'm not locked in.
>
>But if I "hold out," will T-Mobile sweeten the offer? Or should I make
>like I'm gonna cancel - would that motivate them to offer a different
>(and better) deal? Has anyone been through such a situation recently
>with T-Mobile?

Do you have any motivation to sign a contract? If not, can't you just
go month to month until you need a new handset and sign a contract then?

--
Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section
in a swimming pool.

On 13 Sep 2005 22:22:35 -0700, davidfilmer@gmail.com wrote:

>My one-year contract with T-Mobile is expiring soon. They have offered
>me an incentive to extend it another year.
>
>I'm on the $49.99 family plan with 400 anytime minutes, free off-peak
>and in-network (and three lines of service). I looked at other plans,
>and I think it makes the most sense for me to stick with T-Mobile for
>now.
>
>But their contract extension incentive strikes me as skimpy. They
>offer to upgrade me to 500 minutes (ie, +100 minutes) for no extra
>cost.
>
>It's unusual (but not unheard of) for me to even exceed the 400 (and
>I'm not holding back or anything), so most months, this upgrade would
>be worthless to me. The extra minutes would probably save me about $75
>or $100 a year in occasional overage charges. It's better than nothing,
>but it doesn't get me excited. I'm tempted to simply ignore it (even
>though I would save a bit), so if a better competitive deal comes
>along, I'm not locked in.
>
>But if I "hold out," will T-Mobile sweeten the offer? Or should I make
>like I'm gonna cancel - would that motivate them to offer a different
>(and better) deal? Has anyone been through such a situation recently
>with T-Mobile?
My personal rule is 'not to sign' until I need/want a newer phone
model. In addition, I usually get extra minutes for 3 months-T Mobile
called them 'vacation minutes'.
Without both of the above, I would drop T Mobile in a flash.
hth

In article <1126675355.625978.120070@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>,
davidfilmer@gmail.com says...
<snip Negotiation details>

> But if I "hold out," will T-Mobile sweeten the offer? Or should I make
> like I'm gonna cancel - would that motivate them to offer a different
> (and better) deal? Has anyone been through such a situation recently
> with T-Mobile?
>
I went into a company-owned store, spoke with a manager and asked
for a deal, saying "I know I won't get as good a deal as a new
customer, but I've been with T-Mobile/VS for 4+ years on my original
equipment. I would like to do better than the basic renewal package
I was offered by telephone Customer Service. What can we do?"

I walked out with USD $50ea off a pair of v188s the week they
launched and 20% off of a data kit as well. It was worth going back
on contract to gain the 850 GSM band. I was replacing Nokia 5190s.

If you're in Fort Worth, see Kurt Patterson @ Hulen Mall

davidfilmer@gmail.com Wrote:
>
> But their contract extension incentive strikes me as skimpy. They
> offer to upgrade me to 500 minutes (ie, +100 minutes) for no extra
> cost.
>
> It's unusual (but not unheard of) for me to even exceed the 400 (and
> I'm not holding back or anything), so most months, this upgrade would
> be worthless to me. The extra minutes would probably save me about
> $75
> or $100 a year in occasional overage charges. It's better than
> nothing,
> but it doesn't get me excited. I'm tempted to simply ignore it (even
> though I would save a bit), so if a better competitive deal comes
> along, I'm not locked in.
>
>

Why not make sure you use those extra minutes by using the cell instead
of your land line.
I've just changed from Vodafone, 200 minutes for £25 ($43) to '3' 500
minutes and 100 texts for £25. Normally I only just went over the 200
minutes but also spent another £10 ($18),on land line calls. From now
on, no land line calls. Result save £10 a month.


--
Ralph5407