Why do current service plans require a forced contract?

"DynoSauR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
>
> "Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > "DynoSauR" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > Have you tried Cingular? I think if you have a phone compatible with
> > their
> > > current plans you can get activated with an activation fee but, no
> > contract.
> > > I think that is true and you can call to verify that.
> >
> > Phones aren't compatible with plans. Phones are compatible for the
system
> > they are designed for. SPCS and Cingular operate on different protocols.
> > SPCS is a CDMA carrier, and Cingular is a GSM carrier ...
> >
> > Bob
>
> The question was not about CDMA or GSM. I know Sprint uses CDMA but, you
> could buy a phone off Ebay to work with Cingular's service. To my
> knowledge, you don't have to sign up for a contract with Cingular if you
> have a phone that will work for their service. Cingular is currently
> phasing out the GAIT National plans and for your information you do have
to
> get a phone that is compatible to work with that plan. There are only 2
> phones that Cingular has sold to be used with that plan since those 2
phones
> are capable of GSM, TDMA, and Analog so in fact you have to get a phone
that
> is compatible with that plan because if you don't give them the ESN from a
> GAIT compatible phone you can't sign up for a GAIT plan. So there ;p

Ah, but you didn't say that originally ... You just mentioned "phone" and
"Cingular" and "plan". Good follow up post though ... ;PPPPP

Bo

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In article <[email protected]>
"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> As for SPCS, I can change my plan to my heart's content as well, with no
> extension, as I'm already on a contract. In my 6 years with SPCS, I've only
> been on two annual agreements. When I first started, back in 98, for one
> year. Then last year, when I did a killer retention deal, and that was for
> two years, but only because I took the 7:00 N & W option. During the first
> AA, I probably changed my plan one time with no contract extension, and then
> one more time a few years later while on month to month. I changed to a plan
> which did not require a new AA.

So are you saying that if you're already riding a plan out on your
contract period, you can change plans, and still have the contract
expire on the same date? *OR* are you saying that it depends on the
plan- that some plans require a new Advantage agreement if you want
to switch to the new plan?

Azure

"Steve Sobol" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bob Smith wrote:
> > As for SPCS, I can change my plan to my heart's content as well, with no
> > extension, as I'm already on a contract.
>
> I can for the first three months.
>
> If I change during month #5, my contract will be extended to five months
past
> the end of the original two-year contract.
>
> It's one of the things I don't like about Sprint...

My bad ... you are right. SPCS now only allows changes within 3 months. Back
in the good ole days, it use to be where one could change their plan anytime
in the AA.

I just got off the phone with the retention department, and they do extend
the AA from the next billing cycle. (Called CS, 90 seconds on hold, and
asked to be transferred to retention dept.)

Speaking of additional bummer news, I also inquired about the mail in
rebates for those that qualify on phones with the same phone numbers for 18
months. Guess what ... when a coupon is used to get either $100 (one year)
or $150 (two year) rebate, the current AA on the phone, not the account, but
on the phone when multiple phones are on the account, is extended as well,
depending on the amount of the rebate requested.

So, long story short, either way, changing plans or using the mail in rebate
coupons, they will extend the length of the AA.

Bob

Bob Smith wrote:

> So, long story short, either way, changing plans or using the mail in rebate
> coupons, they will extend the length of the AA.

If I'm getting a discounted phone I expect to have to commit to a contract.

If I'm changing plans and not taking promotions, I shouldn't have to commit to
a contract.

That's ok, it'll cost Sprint in the long run. Not me.

--
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Azure <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> So are you saying that if you're already riding a plan out on your
> contract period, you can change plans, and still have the contract
> expire on the same date? *OR* are you saying that it depends on the
> plan- that some plans require a new Advantage agreement if you want
> to switch to the new plan?

See Bob's other post ... you have 90 days to change your plan and then
they turn greedy on you.

- --
Thomas T. Veldhouse
Key Fingerprint: 2DB9 813F F510 82C2 E1AE 34D0 D69D 1EDC D5EC AED1

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