Replacement Phone, and will it chane my plan?

I currently have a LG 5250, little over 2 yrs old. I don't use it much, but
lately it's been acting up a bit, the volume drops to almost nothing, ringer
& earpiece, it locks up where the only way to get it back is remove the
battery. So I went by a Sprint Store today to see what they suggest,
download new software, whatever. Guy disappeared for a few seconds and came
back and said it's out of warranty, you can buy a new one, you qualify for
the up to $150.00 with 2yr contract.

So now my question, if I opt for a new phone, I want a clamshell design. I
saw 2 or 3 at the store I like. Sanyo 8100, Motorola v60, or Samsung
vga1000. Opinions on these?

I guess the Samsung is a camera phone, if I get one of these new phones,
that are vision and/or picture, will I have to change my current $30/300 min
basic plan? If I can keep my plan, what will/will not work on a new phone?
I'm kinda leaning toward a camera phone, but what would I need to do get
pictures from the camera? USB? Or is a vision upgrade needed?

Thanks,
Sorry for basic questions, but I just buy my phone, toss in the truck, and
use it as needed. I don't keep upto date with all of Sprint's latest
technology.
Bryan

---

› See More: Replacement Phone, and will it chane my plan?

In article <[email protected]>,
"Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I currently have a LG 5250, little over 2 yrs old. I don't use it much, but
> lately it's been acting up a bit, the volume drops to almost nothing, ringer
> & earpiece, it locks up where the only way to get it back is remove the
> battery. So I went by a Sprint Store today to see what they suggest,
> download new software, whatever. Guy disappeared for a few seconds and came
> back and said it's out of warranty, you can buy a new one, you qualify for
> the up to $150.00 with 2yr contract.
>
> I guess the Samsung is a camera phone, if I get one of these new phones,
> that are vision and/or picture, will I have to change my current $30/300 min
> basic plan?

He's trying to get you a cheap/free phone by signing you up for a new
plan.

Notice those two important words: "new plan".

You can't renew your plan for 2 more years; you can only contract for
something that they offer today. So, you'd be looking at whatever plans
they sell right now. That may or may not include the plan you're on.
Or the plan terms might have changed. Read everything. But whatever
you read, make sure you understand that it's the plan they're offering
currently.

They cannot sell you a new contract based on your old plan, if your old
plan is no longer a product they sell.

You can buy a phone outright, if you like. It's no big deal.

Look: the only reason they're trying to get you into a contract is
because they think you don't want to spend serious money on a phone just
to service your existing plan. The store employees are brainwashed into
assuming, without asking, that you want a cheap/free phone--so they come
out of the gate with "we can get you this one cheap/free, just sign
here" and next thing you know you've signed up for a new contract for
whatever is the latest product they're offering.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> So now my question, if I opt for a new phone, I want a clamshell design. I
> saw 2 or 3 at the store I like. Sanyo 8100, Motorola v60, or Samsung
> vga1000. Opinions on these?
>

Sanyo 8100 - solid, good performer, fairly boring for a camera phone.
The signal indicator is overly opimistic. I had trouble in the same
trouble spots as my other phones, so I wouldn't put any credence in it
reputed "enhanced reception" that others speak of. It is just "bar"
influence.

Motorola v60 - boring two year old model (new for sprint). It doesn't
have a lot of features, but it is known to be a solid performer.

Samsung VGA1000 (A620) - the two people I have met that use this phone
have loved it. Fairly feature rich with a decent camera. Seems to have
decent reception with OK battery life. No complaints on either of these
fronts from the people that I know.

I guess if you don't need any features like Vision or the camera, you
should consider the most stable and perhaps the lowest cost. Honestly,
I don't think you can go wrong with any of these phones.

> I guess the Samsung is a camera phone, if I get one of these new phones,
> that are vision and/or picture, will I have to change my current $30/300 min
> basic plan? If I can keep my plan, what will/will not work on a new phone?
> I'm kinda leaning toward a camera phone, but what would I need to do get
> pictures from the camera? USB? Or is a vision upgrade needed?

Since you didn't have a Vision phone before, you will have to change
plans to get Vision provisioned for your phone. I do believe they still
offer a $30 / 300 minute plan though. Further, you should get Vision
for free for 2 months and if you don't like it, you can have it removed
and just pay by the kilobyte ($0.01 / KB).


- --

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

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"Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I currently have a LG 5250, little over 2 yrs old. I don't use it much,
but
> lately it's been acting up a bit, the volume drops to almost nothing,
ringer
> & earpiece, it locks up where the only way to get it back is remove the
> battery. So I went by a Sprint Store today to see what they suggest,
> download new software, whatever. Guy disappeared for a few seconds and
came
> back and said it's out of warranty, you can buy a new one, you qualify for
> the up to $150.00 with 2yr contract.

Did the person at the SPCS store, also run a diagnostic test on your phone?
If they didn't, you might want to go back and ask them to test out the unit.
Before you go, you should check with
http://www.sprintpcsinfo.com/modules...showpage&pid=9 to
see if your phone is running with the most recent PRL & Firmware updates. If
they aren't, and your phone passes the diagnostic check, then ask them to
upload the most recent versions.

Personally, from what you've described above though, it sounds like your
phone is crapping out and it's time to get a new one.

That $100 or $150 mail in rebate also required that you have a mininum
$35/300 min. plan to qualify for the rebate. You listed a lower cost plan
below. As it sounds you just need it for occasion use, there are two plans
$35/300 minute plans, one under Fair & Flexible, and the other under Free &
Clear. It also requires you sign up for Vision, but you get the first two
months free, and plenty of time to cancel the Vision option once your rebate
comes in.

If you decide on a camera phone, then you have some time to check it out and
see whether it's something you want to use in the future. If you get a
camera phone, SPCS does offer a $5 option to be able to send pictures,
without having to subscribe to the $15 Vision subscription, once you cancel
the full Vision option.

>
> So now my question, if I opt for a new phone, I want a clamshell design. I
> saw 2 or 3 at the store I like. Sanyo 8100, Motorola v60, or Samsung
> vga1000. Opinions on these?
>
> I guess the Samsung is a camera phone, if I get one of these new phones,
> that are vision and/or picture, will I have to change my current $30/300
min
> basic plan? If I can keep my plan, what will/will not work on a new phone?
> I'm kinda leaning toward a camera phone, but what would I need to do get
> pictures from the camera? USB? Or is a vision upgrade needed?

If you keep your phone, yes ... it will work with the new plans. However, I
am under the impression that you want to get a new phone.
>
> Thanks,
> Sorry for basic questions, but I just buy my phone, toss in the truck, and
> use it as needed. I don't keep upto date with all of Sprint's latest
> technology.
> Bryan

Nothing is too basic to ask here ... . Some of this new tech is pretty
cool though. By the by, you can read some user reviews on each of your
models, by going to www.phonescoop.com.

Bob

Oops, forgot to post the rebate URL, so you can check it out yourself -
http://pcshandsetupgrade.sprint.com/

Bob


"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

<snipped>

"Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I currently have a LG 5250, little over 2 yrs old. I don't use it much, but
> lately it's been acting up a bit, the volume drops to almost nothing, ringer
> & earpiece, it locks up where the only way to get it back is remove the
> battery. So I went by a Sprint Store today to see what they suggest,
> download new software, whatever. Guy disappeared for a few seconds and came
> back and said it's out of warranty, you can buy a new one, you qualify for
> the up to $150.00 with 2yr contract.
>
> So now my question, if I opt for a new phone, I want a clamshell design. I
> saw 2 or 3 at the store I like. Sanyo 8100, Motorola v60, or Samsung
> vga1000. Opinions on these?
>
> I guess the Samsung is a camera phone, if I get one of these new phones,
> that are vision and/or picture, will I have to change my current $30/300 min
> basic plan? If I can keep my plan, what will/will not work on a new phone?
> I'm kinda leaning toward a camera phone, but what would I need to do get
> pictures from the camera? USB? Or is a vision upgrade needed?
>
> Thanks,
> Sorry for basic questions, but I just buy my phone, toss in the truck, and
> use it as needed. I don't keep upto date with all of Sprint's latest
> technology.
> Bryan

I have had both vision and non vision phones on the 300/$30 plan--you
can add vision if you want to--as a matter of fact, when you talk to
sprint about the esn change, they will offer free vision for 2
months----I have had and removed vision from the account--if you get a
new phone, they will extend your contract--but if you buy a phone from
say ebay, there are no changes---unless you request some change--the
300/$30 plan is a great old plan. I have modified it slightly over
time, asked for and got 8pm N&W, and got pcs2pcs free for signing a 2
year contract---this was a no brainer, as I don't suspect that a lower
cost plan will be offered again--this is only my personel experience.

> So now my question, if I opt for a new phone, I want a clamshell design. I
> saw 2 or 3 at the store I like. Sanyo 8100, Motorola v60, or Samsung
> vga1000. Opinions on these?

I've had my Samsung VGA1000 for about one year now, and have been
very satisfied with it. Sound clarity and volume are excellent. It feels
very sturdy, unlike some of the flimsy Motorola clamshells I've seen.
I've dropped it on the ground several times already, but it keeps right
on ticking.

--

John Richards

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Hash: SHA1

John Richards <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> I've had my Samsung VGA1000 for about one year now, and have been
> very satisfied with it. Sound clarity and volume are excellent. It feels
> very sturdy, unlike some of the flimsy Motorola clamshells I've seen.
> I've dropped it on the ground several times already, but it keeps right
> on ticking.
>

And if you put a leather case on it, you could even play football with
it and it would probably keep working

- --

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

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"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I currently have a LG 5250, little over 2 yrs old. I don't use it much,
> but
> > lately it's been acting up a bit, the volume drops to almost nothing,
> ringer
> > & earpiece, it locks up where the only way to get it back is remove the
> > battery. So I went by a Sprint Store today to see what they suggest,
> > download new software, whatever. Guy disappeared for a few seconds and
> came
> > back and said it's out of warranty, you can buy a new one, you qualify
for
> > the up to $150.00 with 2yr contract.
>
> Did the person at the SPCS store, also run a diagnostic test on your
phone?
> If they didn't, you might want to go back and ask them to test out the
unit.
> Before you go, you should check with
> http://www.sprintpcsinfo.com/modules...showpage&pid=9 to
> see if your phone is running with the most recent PRL & Firmware updates.
If
> they aren't, and your phone passes the diagnostic check, then ask them to
> upload the most recent versions.

Ok, went to that site, and after wife cam home from work, I apparently do
have the laest software, but lag a little in PRL, but that would have
nothing to do with my problems.

Also to answer someone else's question about a diag. test, I do not believe
they did anything but look up my account. He was gone for only maybe a min.,
came back knowing my name and it was out if warrenty, and the cover was
still on.


>
> Personally, from what you've described above though, it sounds like your
> phone is crapping out and it's time to get a new one.
>
> That $100 or $150 mail in rebate also required that you have a mininum
> $35/300 min. plan to qualify for the rebate. You listed a lower cost plan
> below. As it sounds you just need it for occasion use, there are two plans
> $35/300 minute plans, one under Fair & Flexible, and the other under Free
&
> Clear. It also requires you sign up for Vision, but you get the first two
> months free, and plenty of time to cancel the Vision option once your
rebate
> comes in.
>
> If you decide on a camera phone, then you have some time to check it out
and
> see whether it's something you want to use in the future. If you get a
> camera phone, SPCS does offer a $5 option to be able to send pictures,
> without having to subscribe to the $15 Vision subscription, once you
cancel
> the full Vision option.

I still haven't taken the time to actually call Sprint, but from reading
online to do practally anything but talk reqires a vision
plan(option/upgrade). Ringers, games, etc apparently cost per download on
top of the price paid to have vision, is that right? And only good for 3
months? I hope that's wrong. And I guess if I were to get a camera phone,
you have to pay something extra to get the pictures off the phone, weather
in a $15 vision plan, or a $5 piucture plan. No option of USB, etc?



I guess I have an option of doing a phone swap right? I guess called ESN
change or something like that. So I could find a cheap ebay (other place)
phone and swap it for my failing 5250? Any sugestions? I got the 5250 to
replace a samsung 8500, that I thought was freaking out, but I think it was
just a bad ciggarette lighter connection.

Thanks again
Bryan

"plane" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > I currently have a LG 5250, little over 2 yrs old. I don't use it much,
but
> > lately it's been acting up a bit, the volume drops to almost nothing,
ringer
> > & earpiece, it locks up where the only way to get it back is remove the
> > battery. So I went by a Sprint Store today to see what they suggest,
> > download new software, whatever. Guy disappeared for a few seconds and
came
> > back and said it's out of warranty, you can buy a new one, you qualify
for
> > the up to $150.00 with 2yr contract.
> >
> > So now my question, if I opt for a new phone, I want a clamshell design.
I
> > saw 2 or 3 at the store I like. Sanyo 8100, Motorola v60, or Samsung
> > vga1000. Opinions on these?
> >
> > I guess the Samsung is a camera phone, if I get one of these new phones,
> > that are vision and/or picture, will I have to change my current $30/300
min
> > basic plan? If I can keep my plan, what will/will not work on a new
phone?
> > I'm kinda leaning toward a camera phone, but what would I need to do get
> > pictures from the camera? USB? Or is a vision upgrade needed?
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Sorry for basic questions, but I just buy my phone, toss in the truck,
and
> > use it as needed. I don't keep upto date with all of Sprint's latest
> > technology.
> > Bryan
>
> I have had both vision and non vision phones on the 300/$30 plan--you
> can add vision if you want to--as a matter of fact, when you talk to
> sprint about the esn change, they will offer free vision for 2
> months----I have had and removed vision from the account--if you get a
> new phone, they will extend your contract--but if you buy a phone from
> say ebay, there are no changes---unless you request some change--the
> 300/$30 plan is a great old plan. I have modified it slightly over
> time, asked for and got 8pm N&W, and got pcs2pcs free for signing a 2
> year contract---this was a no brainer, as I don't suspect that a lower
> cost plan will be offered again--this is only my personel experience

I was actually called by Sprint just about a week or 2 ago to offer me free
N&W at 7pm if I agree to another yr or 2, can't even remember. Not thinking
since I was retrveing kids from school I was in the "whatever to shut you up
mode" I said OK. I only use like 20-30 min a month now, I didn't need to
extend another 2 yrs for an extra few hours of "free" minutes I don't use
now. Oh well that's past, I'm not leaving Sprint, I've been with them longer
than I remember (97 or so) and I know it works all the places I go, and I
like my Free and Clear plan nation wide roaming thing, and my work gets me
like a 15% plan discount :-)

I like my origianl plan when I got my SCH8500, $25-30, 200 or 250 min,
unlimited N&W and free WW. but I changed something over the years and I lost
the free WW

Bryan

In article <[email protected]>,
"Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Also to answer someone else's question about a diag. test, I do not believe
> they did anything but look up my account. He was gone for only maybe a min.,
> came back knowing my name and it was out if warrenty, and the cover was
> still on.

They'd rather sell you a phone and get a commission.

"Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

<snipped>
>
> I still haven't taken the time to actually call Sprint, but from reading
> online to do practally anything but talk reqires a vision
> plan(option/upgrade).

Not if you get a non Vision phone.

> Ringers, games, etc apparently cost per download on
> top of the price paid to have vision, is that right?

Yes, but if you have Vision, you get up to $10/mo. in credits applied to
downloads from SPCS's site.

> And only good for 3
> months?

Yes and no. Yes, that the download only stays in your Content folder for 3
months. No, that once you download it to your phone, it stays on your phone,
till you get tired of it and delete it.

I hope that's wrong. And I guess if I were to get a camera phone,
> you have to pay something extra to get the pictures off the phone, weather
> in a $15 vision plan, or a $5 piucture plan. No option of USB, etc?

To get pictures off your phone, you can email them to yourself, to anyone
else with an email address or just upload them to your picture vault. As for
doing USB, there are two main software companies that offer that -
www.susteen.com and www.futuredial.com . You need to see whether they
provide support for your current model, or the phone you are looking at
getting.

>
> I guess I have an option of doing a phone swap right? I guess called ESN
> change or something like that. So I could find a cheap ebay (other place)
> phone and swap it for my failing 5250? Any sugestions? I got the 5250 to
> replace a samsung 8500, that I thought was freaking out, but I think it
was
> just a bad ciggarette lighter connection.
>

Yes, you can do an ESN change. Before you do get a new or replacement phone,
I'd suggest you go back to the store and ask them to test out the phone. As
for suggestions on which model to get, it depends on what features you want.

Bob

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> "Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> <snipped>
>>
>> I still haven't taken the time to actually call Sprint, but from
>> reading online to do practally anything but talk reqires a vision
>> plan(option/upgrade).
>
> Not if you get a non Vision phone.
>
>> Ringers, games, etc apparently cost per download on
>> top of the price paid to have vision, is that right?
>
> Yes, but if you have Vision, you get up to $10/mo. in credits applied
> to downloads from SPCS's site.
>
>> And only good for 3
>> months?
>
> Yes and no. Yes, that the download only stays in your Content folder
> for 3 months. No, that once you download it to your phone, it stays on
> your phone, till you get tired of it and delete it.
>
> I hope that's wrong. And I guess if I were to get a camera phone,
>> you have to pay something extra to get the pictures off the phone,
>> weather in a $15 vision plan, or a $5 piucture plan. No option of
>> USB, etc?
>
> To get pictures off your phone, you can email them to yourself, to
> anyone else with an email address or just upload them to your picture
> vault. As for doing USB, there are two main software companies that
> offer that - www.susteen.com and www.futuredial.com . You need to see
> whether they provide support for your current model, or the phone you
> are looking at getting.
>
You can not send pictures unless you apy at least 5 dollars a month

"Me" <[email protected],> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
> >
> > "Bryan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >
> > <snipped>
> >>
> >> I still haven't taken the time to actually call Sprint, but from
> >> reading online to do practally anything but talk reqires a vision
> >> plan(option/upgrade).
> >
> > Not if you get a non Vision phone.
> >
> >> Ringers, games, etc apparently cost per download on
> >> top of the price paid to have vision, is that right?
> >
> > Yes, but if you have Vision, you get up to $10/mo. in credits applied
> > to downloads from SPCS's site.
> >
> >> And only good for 3
> >> months?
> >
> > Yes and no. Yes, that the download only stays in your Content folder
> > for 3 months. No, that once you download it to your phone, it stays on
> > your phone, till you get tired of it and delete it.
> >
> > I hope that's wrong. And I guess if I were to get a camera phone,
> >> you have to pay something extra to get the pictures off the phone,
> >> weather in a $15 vision plan, or a $5 piucture plan. No option of
> >> USB, etc?
> >
> > To get pictures off your phone, you can email them to yourself, to
> > anyone else with an email address or just upload them to your picture
> > vault. As for doing USB, there are two main software companies that
> > offer that - www.susteen.com and www.futuredial.com . You need to see
> > whether they provide support for your current model, or the phone you
> > are looking at getting.
> >
> You can not send pictures unless you apy at least 5 dollars a month

Did you read his whole question? He was talking about Vision, and then asked
"No option of USB, etc?" I answered both of his inquiries.

Bob