FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS

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

>
> Now, do you see where the confusion comes from? It sounds like they should
> have given me a $130 rebate after signing me up for the 2 year contract
> without my permission.

What I have read in this group before is to sign up for a new line of
service to get the biggest discount, put an old line on vacation plan,
wait 30 or 60 days, and cancel service on the old line.



Sept. 14, 2003
This raises the question: What about retention deals? SprintPCS wisely
would prefer that customers not leave, it's been reported it costs
$300-$450 to obtain a new customer in advertising, and phone price
subsidies, etc.; so it behooves SprintPCS to try to retain customers by
offering them a deal. However this is a murky, semi-secret, here-to-fore
not fully documented process. SprintPCS employees will likely insult me,
but my feeling is SprintPCS does not keep secret the special deals for
new customers, why should it keep secret the special deals it has to
retain customers? From what I have read in this newsgroup, there are
customers it has lost because the customer didn't know how to get or
wasn't offered a retention deal, that SprintPCS might have been happy to
offer.....IF IT HAD BEEN ASKED....



FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS

Who should I contact?

Outside of a contract call CANCELLATION or go to a SprintPCS owned store
and talked to a manger and try to negotiate a deal. The variability of
deals is truly astounding, and while its been discussed, I'm not sure I
or anyone else has a good handle on how to get the best deal, other than
its a matter of luck and who you negotiate with, and how well you can
negotiate, and your standing as a SprintPCS customer.

CANCELLATION = 1-866-762-0468



How do I negotiate?

When buying a car, I always found the best negotiating tactic was:
"I don't think that¹s the best deal you're allowed to offer me, let me
go eat lunch, call my cell at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you can see your way clear
to do better". Last time I did that, as my wife and I were sitting down
to eat, the salesman called and said "We figured out how to give you
$800 more on your trade", I said, "OK, throw in VentShades too, and we
have a deal".



What works in negotiating with Sprint?

So apparently with Sprint, you call Cancellation and say "I'm seriously
considering switching to XXXXXXX Carrier because.....; are there any
deals you could offer me to consider to stay with Sprint?"

In my case I said (and meant it "I'm considering switching to Verizon as
my son now has Verizon, and with their deals on 1000 Free Verizon to
Verizon minutes, I'd come out ahead".

A former SprintPCS rep said (in this newsgroup) he could always tell who
was really getting ready to Cancel, and who was bluffing. If the Sprint
rep says "OK I can cancel you", you say, "I have 2 more weeks this
billing period, let me think about it, don't cancel me yet; when should
I call back to cancel so as not to be charged another month, if that¹s
what I decide?" Then hang-up, wait 30 seconds call Cancellation again,
and try another rep. Always ask for something extra when they make an
offer. If they say: we can offer you xxx minutes for only $yyy/month
with unlimited nights and weekends. Say "That sounds enticing, throw in
unlimited PCS to PCS and we have a deal", might work for you.



What retention deals are available?

Go to Google, select groups, select advanced group search, pick
alt.cellular.sprintpcs as newsgroup, and "Retention deal" as phrase
and search the last few months and see what people have gotten so you'll
know what you could reasonably expect, after examining the dozens posted
here recently.


Am I a good candidate for a good retention deal?

Apparently the longer you have been a Sprint customer, and if you've
never been late with a payment, and the more phones you have, and the
more you pay per month, the better chance you have to get a good
retention deal. You also need to be not on contract, or in the last
month of a contract.


Any other ways to save?

Yes! If you work for a large company, it may have a deal negotiated with
SprintPCS that will also allow any employee to participate. These deals
offer a discount of 8 to 27% on monthly repeating charges, and discounts
on new equipment purchases. Further, business plans are never charged
"Activation" fees; and likely have a dedicated SprintPCS employee in the
business department to handle billing problems, etc.

=========

Sept 14, 2003
This FAQ is based solely on my experiences and the experiences of others
as reported in this newsgroup. SprintPCS is free to change its policies
at any time, and I make no guarantee as to what will happen if one seeks
a retention plan, and cannot be held responsible for your results. I
believe it would serve SprintPCS better if it were not secretive about
these plans, and view this posting as helpful to Sprint. I welcome
===constructive=== criticism and additions.

Personal insults addressed to the author will be ignored.

---

› See More: FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS

Does the 1) vacation plan and 2) 30 or 60-day wait ensure the ETF is waived
when you go to cancel the old number?

"P Reality" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Justin Green" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> > Now, do you see where the confusion comes from? It sounds like they
should
> > have given me a $130 rebate after signing me up for the 2 year contract
> > without my permission.
>
> What I have read in this group before is to sign up for a new line of
> service to get the biggest discount, put an old line on vacation plan,
> wait 30 or 60 days, and cancel service on the old line.
>
>
>
> Sept. 14, 2003
> This raises the question: What about retention deals? SprintPCS wisely
> would prefer that customers not leave, it's been reported it costs
> $300-$450 to obtain a new customer in advertising, and phone price
> subsidies, etc.; so it behooves SprintPCS to try to retain customers by
> offering them a deal. However this is a murky, semi-secret, here-to-fore
> not fully documented process. SprintPCS employees will likely insult me,
> but my feeling is SprintPCS does not keep secret the special deals for
> new customers, why should it keep secret the special deals it has to
> retain customers? From what I have read in this newsgroup, there are
> customers it has lost because the customer didn't know how to get or
> wasn't offered a retention deal, that SprintPCS might have been happy to
> offer.....IF IT HAD BEEN ASKED....
>
>
>
> FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS
>
> Who should I contact?
>
> Outside of a contract call CANCELLATION or go to a SprintPCS owned store
> and talked to a manger and try to negotiate a deal. The variability of
> deals is truly astounding, and while its been discussed, I'm not sure I
> or anyone else has a good handle on how to get the best deal, other than
> its a matter of luck and who you negotiate with, and how well you can
> negotiate, and your standing as a SprintPCS customer.
>
> CANCELLATION = 1-866-762-0468
>
>
>
> How do I negotiate?
>
> When buying a car, I always found the best negotiating tactic was:
> "I don't think that¹s the best deal you're allowed to offer me, let me
> go eat lunch, call my cell at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you can see your way clear
> to do better". Last time I did that, as my wife and I were sitting down
> to eat, the salesman called and said "We figured out how to give you
> $800 more on your trade", I said, "OK, throw in VentShades too, and we
> have a deal".
>
>
>
> What works in negotiating with Sprint?
>
> So apparently with Sprint, you call Cancellation and say "I'm seriously
> considering switching to XXXXXXX Carrier because.....; are there any
> deals you could offer me to consider to stay with Sprint?"
>
> In my case I said (and meant it "I'm considering switching to Verizon as
> my son now has Verizon, and with their deals on 1000 Free Verizon to
> Verizon minutes, I'd come out ahead".
>
> A former SprintPCS rep said (in this newsgroup) he could always tell who
> was really getting ready to Cancel, and who was bluffing. If the Sprint
> rep says "OK I can cancel you", you say, "I have 2 more weeks this
> billing period, let me think about it, don't cancel me yet; when should
> I call back to cancel so as not to be charged another month, if that¹s
> what I decide?" Then hang-up, wait 30 seconds call Cancellation again,
> and try another rep. Always ask for something extra when they make an
> offer. If they say: we can offer you xxx minutes for only $yyy/month
> with unlimited nights and weekends. Say "That sounds enticing, throw in
> unlimited PCS to PCS and we have a deal", might work for you.
>
>
>
> What retention deals are available?
>
> Go to Google, select groups, select advanced group search, pick
> alt.cellular.sprintpcs as newsgroup, and "Retention deal" as phrase
> and search the last few months and see what people have gotten so you'll
> know what you could reasonably expect, after examining the dozens posted
> here recently.
>
>
> Am I a good candidate for a good retention deal?
>
> Apparently the longer you have been a Sprint customer, and if you've
> never been late with a payment, and the more phones you have, and the
> more you pay per month, the better chance you have to get a good
> retention deal. You also need to be not on contract, or in the last
> month of a contract.
>
>
> Any other ways to save?
>
> Yes! If you work for a large company, it may have a deal negotiated with
> SprintPCS that will also allow any employee to participate. These deals
> offer a discount of 8 to 27% on monthly repeating charges, and discounts
> on new equipment purchases. Further, business plans are never charged
> "Activation" fees; and likely have a dedicated SprintPCS employee in the
> business department to handle billing problems, etc.
>
> =========
>
> Sept 14, 2003
> This FAQ is based solely on my experiences and the experiences of others
> as reported in this newsgroup. SprintPCS is free to change its policies
> at any time, and I make no guarantee as to what will happen if one seeks
> a retention plan, and cannot be held responsible for your results. I
> believe it would serve SprintPCS better if it were not secretive about
> these plans, and view this posting as helpful to Sprint. I welcome
> ===constructive=== criticism and additions.
>
> Personal insults addressed to the author will be ignored.

Does sprint have a "vacation" plan? verizon used to, but only offered a
modified 30 day thing last time I tried about 3 months ago--said I could
cancel the line (out of contract)
and re-instate within 30 days for a $15 charge. sprint, in the past has
never seemed to offer such--just cancel, and take whatever rate is
avail when you return. is this the current thing?




"News Hounder" <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> Does the 1) vacation plan and 2) 30 or 60-day wait ensure the ETF is waived
> when you go to cancel the old number?
>
> "P Reality" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>,
> > "Justin Green" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Now, do you see where the confusion comes from? It sounds like they
> should
> > > have given me a $130 rebate after signing me up for the 2 year contract
> > > without my permission.
> >
> > What I have read in this group before is to sign up for a new line of
> > service to get the biggest discount, put an old line on vacation plan,
> > wait 30 or 60 days, and cancel service on the old line.
> >
> >
> >
> > Sept. 14, 2003
> > This raises the question: What about retention deals? SprintPCS wisely
> > would prefer that customers not leave, it's been reported it costs
> > $300-$450 to obtain a new customer in advertising, and phone price
> > subsidies, etc.; so it behooves SprintPCS to try to retain customers by
> > offering them a deal. However this is a murky, semi-secret, here-to-fore
> > not fully documented process. SprintPCS employees will likely insult me,
> > but my feeling is SprintPCS does not keep secret the special deals for
> > new customers, why should it keep secret the special deals it has to
> > retain customers? From what I have read in this newsgroup, there are
> > customers it has lost because the customer didn't know how to get or
> > wasn't offered a retention deal, that SprintPCS might have been happy to
> > offer.....IF IT HAD BEEN ASKED....
> >
> >
> >
> > FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS
> >
> > Who should I contact?
> >
> > Outside of a contract call CANCELLATION or go to a SprintPCS owned store
> > and talked to a manger and try to negotiate a deal. The variability of
> > deals is truly astounding, and while its been discussed, I'm not sure I
> > or anyone else has a good handle on how to get the best deal, other than
> > its a matter of luck and who you negotiate with, and how well you can
> > negotiate, and your standing as a SprintPCS customer.
> >
> > CANCELLATION = 1-866-762-0468
> >
> >
> >
> > How do I negotiate?
> >
> > When buying a car, I always found the best negotiating tactic was:
> > "I don't think that¹s the best deal you're allowed to offer me, let me
> > go eat lunch, call my cell at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you can see your way clear
> > to do better". Last time I did that, as my wife and I were sitting down
> > to eat, the salesman called and said "We figured out how to give you
> > $800 more on your trade", I said, "OK, throw in VentShades too, and we
> > have a deal".
> >
> >
> >
> > What works in negotiating with Sprint?
> >
> > So apparently with Sprint, you call Cancellation and say "I'm seriously
> > considering switching to XXXXXXX Carrier because.....; are there any
> > deals you could offer me to consider to stay with Sprint?"
> >
> > In my case I said (and meant it "I'm considering switching to Verizon as
> > my son now has Verizon, and with their deals on 1000 Free Verizon to
> > Verizon minutes, I'd come out ahead".
> >
> > A former SprintPCS rep said (in this newsgroup) he could always tell who
> > was really getting ready to Cancel, and who was bluffing. If the Sprint
> > rep says "OK I can cancel you", you say, "I have 2 more weeks this
> > billing period, let me think about it, don't cancel me yet; when should
> > I call back to cancel so as not to be charged another month, if that¹s
> > what I decide?" Then hang-up, wait 30 seconds call Cancellation again,
> > and try another rep. Always ask for something extra when they make an
> > offer. If they say: we can offer you xxx minutes for only $yyy/month
> > with unlimited nights and weekends. Say "That sounds enticing, throw in
> > unlimited PCS to PCS and we have a deal", might work for you.
> >
> >
> >
> > What retention deals are available?
> >
> > Go to Google, select groups, select advanced group search, pick
> > alt.cellular.sprintpcs as newsgroup, and "Retention deal" as phrase
> > and search the last few months and see what people have gotten so you'll
> > know what you could reasonably expect, after examining the dozens posted
> > here recently.
> >
> >
> > Am I a good candidate for a good retention deal?
> >
> > Apparently the longer you have been a Sprint customer, and if you've
> > never been late with a payment, and the more phones you have, and the
> > more you pay per month, the better chance you have to get a good
> > retention deal. You also need to be not on contract, or in the last
> > month of a contract.
> >
> >
> > Any other ways to save?
> >
> > Yes! If you work for a large company, it may have a deal negotiated with
> > SprintPCS that will also allow any employee to participate. These deals
> > offer a discount of 8 to 27% on monthly repeating charges, and discounts
> > on new equipment purchases. Further, business plans are never charged
> > "Activation" fees; and likely have a dedicated SprintPCS employee in the
> > business department to handle billing problems, etc.
> >
> > =========
> >
> > Sept 14, 2003
> > This FAQ is based solely on my experiences and the experiences of others
> > as reported in this newsgroup. SprintPCS is free to change its policies
> > at any time, and I make no guarantee as to what will happen if one seeks
> > a retention plan, and cannot be held responsible for your results. I
> > believe it would serve SprintPCS better if it were not secretive about
> > these plans, and view this posting as helpful to Sprint. I welcome
> > ===constructive=== criticism and additions.
> >
> > Personal insults addressed to the author will be ignored.
>
>

[posted via phonescoop.com]

FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS


THANK YOU
THANK YOU
THANK YOU

This is the sort of helpful information that
makes USENET worthwhile.

P Reality <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Justin Green" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> > Now, do you see where the confusion comes from? It sounds like they should
> > have given me a $130 rebate after signing me up for the 2 year contract
> > without my permission.
>
> What I have read in this group before is to sign up for a new line of
> service to get the biggest discount, put an old line on vacation plan,
> wait 30 or 60 days, and cancel service on the old line.
>

That's not *supposed* to work, but I admit it can.

>
>
> Sept. 14, 2003
> This raises the question: What about retention deals? SprintPCS wisely
> would prefer that customers not leave, it's been reported it costs
> $300-$450 to obtain a new customer in advertising, and phone price
> subsidies, etc.; so it behooves SprintPCS to try to retain customers by
> offering them a deal. However this is a murky, semi-secret, here-to-fore
> not fully documented process. SprintPCS employees will likely insult me,
> but my feeling is SprintPCS does not keep secret the special deals for
> new customers, why should it keep secret the special deals it has to
> retain customers? From what I have read in this newsgroup, there are
> customers it has lost because the customer didn't know how to get or
> wasn't offered a retention deal, that SprintPCS might have been happy to
> offer.....IF IT HAD BEEN ASKED....
>

It's kept "secret" partly for the reason you're illustrating here. By
trying to utilize the cancellation department directly, you bypass the
system that's already in place to decide whether you qualify for that
level of "saving." To be quite blunt about it, if you're a customer on
one of our Account Spending Limit arrangements, you need us almost as
much as we need you. You can't go anywhere else without paying a
deposit bigger than a good many mortgage payments. OK, that's a little
hyperbole, but it's not as far off as it sounds.

Having *everyone* try to utilize these saver plans results in two
adverse effects:

1) it ties up the lines against those who are honestly in this
"considering cancelling" situation, making it even harder to "save"
them.

2) as it starts to appear that the offers there cease to save, and
instead become expected service, Sprint will remove them.

>
>
> FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS
>
> Who should I contact?
>
> Outside of a contract call CANCELLATION or go to a SprintPCS owned store
> and talked to a manger and try to negotiate a deal. The variability of
> deals is truly astounding, and while its been discussed, I'm not sure I
> or anyone else has a good handle on how to get the best deal, other than
> its a matter of luck and who you negotiate with, and how well you can
> negotiate, and your standing as a SprintPCS customer.
>
> CANCELLATION = 1-866-762-0468
>

If you're out of a Contract, it might work. Depending on your
situation. See above with spending limit customers.

<good but general info snipped>


> What retention deals are available?
>
> Go to Google, select groups, select advanced group search, pick
> alt.cellular.sprintpcs as newsgroup, and "Retention deal" as phrase
> and search the last few months and see what people have gotten so you'll
> know what you could reasonably expect, after examining the dozens posted
> here recently.
>
>
> Am I a good candidate for a good retention deal?
>
> Apparently the longer you have been a Sprint customer, and if you've
> never been late with a payment, and the more phones you have, and the
> more you pay per month, the better chance you have to get a good
> retention deal. You also need to be not on contract, or in the last
> month of a contract.
>
>
> Any other ways to save?
>
> Yes! If you work for a large company, it may have a deal negotiated with
> SprintPCS that will also allow any employee to participate. These deals
> offer a discount of 8 to 27% on monthly repeating charges, and discounts
> on new equipment purchases. Further, business plans are never charged
> "Activation" fees; and likely have a dedicated SprintPCS employee in the
> business department to handle billing problems, etc.
>

The dedicated employees are only for corporate-sponsored/paid accounts.
If you buy your own phone, and pay your own bill, then you go to
Business Services.

--
-+-
RØß
O/Siris
I work for Sprint PCS
I *don't* speak for them




[posted via phonescoop.com]

"O/Siris ." <robjvargas@sprîntpcs.côm> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>To be quite blunt about it, if you're a customer on one of our Account
Spending Limit arrangements, you need us almost as
> much as we need you.

Interesting --- what percent of SPCS's bidness are the unwashed masses you
feel you can **** with? 5%, 10%, 25%? And doesn't Virgian and other pay as
you go outlets kinda take the teeth out of the approach? I've gotta tell
you, your admission here shows where customer service falls into the 'grand
scheme' of the SPCS bidness model --- not that there was any doubt before
you said it, of course.

>OK, that's a little hyperbole, but it's not as far off as it sounds.

Probably not far off at all ---- and why Laurer's claim of being a small
winner in number portability will turn out to be disastrously wrong.

By the way, the Manchester, NH data side is totally ****ed --- as it's been
for three months now. So, rather than telling the unwashed masses that
you're going to mess with them at every opportunity why not turn in a ticket
on the abysmal "service" offered in that city. Looks to be SPCS specific as
my Vzw data cards worked just fine there.

Have a nice day

--tr

It's pretty hard to get on the Sprint PCS Vacation plan.. That plan is
primarily for people in the service who are being shipped over seas. It
does not get rid of the contract, it only exteneds it by however many
months you are on it.

The plans are not a secret, they just arent offered to the general
public or advertised as such. They are RETENTION plans, which are used
to RETAIN *LOYAL* CUSTOMERS!

The more people take advantage of the company the more prices will rise
for everyone else, but obviously barely anyone on here cares about
anyone else except for themselves.. Pretty soon Sprint PCS will figure
out that it will be in their best intrest to stop offering rentention
plans all together. Or They will just continue to raise prices till the
retention plans are just has high as plans are now.

And thanks to refering to me about being able to tell who is "Bluffing"
about canceling.. If ya'll are all so willing to keep calling customer
care over and over agains to get one of these plans, then ya'll need a
freakin life.

Be happy with what you have, and wait till you have at least EARNED to
right to be considered a valued customer WORTH saving.. Cuz right now
all ya'll are doing is flooding calls into customer service which is
CAUSING these long hold time you people are ALWAYS complaining about.
And is also one reason for the attidude you get from customer service
all the time, becuz people dont like being taken advantage of.

--
Statements made by me are of my opinion and knowledge, and do not
express those by Verizon Wireless(R).
Any information I give is subject to change without notice, and may not
be completely accurate.


P Reality <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Justin Green" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >
> > Now, do you see where the confusion comes from? It sounds like they should
> > have given me a $130 rebate after signing me up for the 2 year contract
> > without my permission.
>
> What I have read in this group before is to sign up for a new line of
> service to get the biggest discount, put an old line on vacation plan,
> wait 30 or 60 days, and cancel service on the old line.
>
>
>
> Sept. 14, 2003
> This raises the question: What about retention deals? SprintPCS wisely
> would prefer that customers not leave, it's been reported it costs
> $300-$450 to obtain a new customer in advertising, and phone price
> subsidies, etc.; so it behooves SprintPCS to try to retain customers by
> offering them a deal. However this is a murky, semi-secret, here-to-fore
> not fully documented process. SprintPCS employees will likely insult me,
> but my feeling is SprintPCS does not keep secret the special deals for
> new customers, why should it keep secret the special deals it has to
> retain customers? From what I have read in this newsgroup, there are
> customers it has lost because the customer didn't know how to get or
> wasn't offered a retention deal, that SprintPCS might have been happy to
> offer.....IF IT HAD BEEN ASKED....
>
>
>
> FAQ on retention Deals from SprintPCS
>
> Who should I contact?
>
> Outside of a contract call CANCELLATION or go to a SprintPCS owned store
> and talked to a manger and try to negotiate a deal. The variability of
> deals is truly astounding, and while its been discussed, I'm not sure I
> or anyone else has a good handle on how to get the best deal, other than
> its a matter of luck and who you negotiate with, and how well you can
> negotiate, and your standing as a SprintPCS customer.
>
> CANCELLATION = 1-866-762-0468
>
>
>
> How do I negotiate?
>
> When buying a car, I always found the best negotiating tactic was:
> "I don't think that¹s the best deal you're allowed to offer me, let me
> go eat lunch, call my cell at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you can see your way clear
> to do better". Last time I did that, as my wife and I were sitting down
> to eat, the salesman called and said "We figured out how to give you
> $800 more on your trade", I said, "OK, throw in VentShades too, and we
> have a deal".
>
>
>
> What works in negotiating with Sprint?
>
> So apparently with Sprint, you call Cancellation and say "I'm seriously
> considering switching to XXXXXXX Carrier because.....; are there any
> deals you could offer me to consider to stay with Sprint?"
>
> In my case I said (and meant it "I'm considering switching to Verizon as
> my son now has Verizon, and with their deals on 1000 Free Verizon to
> Verizon minutes, I'd come out ahead".
>
> A former SprintPCS rep said (in this newsgroup) he could always tell who
> was really getting ready to Cancel, and who was bluffing. If the Sprint
> rep says "OK I can cancel you", you say, "I have 2 more weeks this
> billing period, let me think about it, don't cancel me yet; when should
> I call back to cancel so as not to be charged another month, if that¹s
> what I decide?" Then hang-up, wait 30 seconds call Cancellation again,
> and try another rep. Always ask for something extra when they make an
> offer. If they say: we can offer you xxx minutes for only $yyy/month
> with unlimited nights and weekends. Say "That sounds enticing, throw in
> unlimited PCS to PCS and we have a deal", might work for you.
>
>
>
> What retention deals are available?
>
> Go to Google, select groups, select advanced group search, pick
> alt.cellular.sprintpcs as newsgroup, and "Retention deal" as phrase
> and search the last few months and see what people have gotten so you'll
> know what you could reasonably expect, after examining the dozens posted
> here recently.
>
>
> Am I a good candidate for a good retention deal?
>
> Apparently the longer you have been a Sprint customer, and if you've
> never been late with a payment, and the more phones you have, and the
> more you pay per month, the better chance you have to get a good
> retention deal. You also need to be not on contract, or in the last
> month of a contract.
>
>
> Any other ways to save?
>
> Yes! If you work for a large company, it may have a deal negotiated with
> SprintPCS that will also allow any employee to participate. These deals
> offer a discount of 8 to 27% on monthly repeating charges, and discounts
> on new equipment purchases. Further, business plans are never charged
> "Activation" fees; and likely have a dedicated SprintPCS employee in the
> business department to handle billing problems, etc.
>
> =========
>
> Sept 14, 2003
> This FAQ is based solely on my experiences and the experiences of others
> as reported in this newsgroup. SprintPCS is free to change its policies
> at any time, and I make no guarantee as to what will happen if one seeks
> a retention plan, and cannot be held responsible for your results. I
> believe it would serve SprintPCS better if it were not secretive about
> these plans, and view this posting as helpful to Sprint. I welcome
> ===constructive=== criticism and additions.
>
> Personal insults addressed to the author will be ignored.

[posted via phonescoop.com]

In article <[email protected]>,=20
[email protected] says...
> "O/Siris ." <robjvargas@spr=EEntpcs.c=F4m> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>=20
> >To be quite blunt about it, if you're a customer on one of our Account
> Spending Limit arrangements, you need us almost as
> > much as we need you.
>=20
> Interesting --- what percent of SPCS's bidness are the unwashed masses yo=
u
> feel you can **** with? 5%, 10%, 25%? And doesn't Virgian and other pay a=
s
> you go outlets kinda take the teeth out of the approach? I've gotta tell
> you, your admission here shows where customer service falls into the 'gra=
nd
> scheme' of the SPCS bidness model --- not that there was any doubt before
> you said it, of course.

This should be no revelation whatsoever. Nobody said anything about=20
"****ing with" them. The simple point is that provides an opportunity=20
to own a cell phone that no other cell service provider gives to=20
low/no/bad credit customers. I signed on with Sprint before I was=20
hired. I remember AT&T demanding a $600 deposit, Sprint just asked for=20
$125. I can't charge equipment to my account, even under warranty, but=20
it still enabled me to get service without sacrificing my mortgage=20
payment to afford it.

I'm free to cancel at any time, but I also know no other provider=20
(except pre-paid, obviously) is going to give me what Sprint will.

>=20
> >OK, that's a little hyperbole, but it's not as far off as it sounds.
>=20
> Probably not far off at all ---- and why Laurer's claim of being a small
> winner in number portability will turn out to be disastrously wrong.

I don't know what my statement about security deposits has to do with=20
Lauer's statement of WLNP churn. Anyway, I doubt anyone *really* knows=20
what's going to happen.

>=20
> By the way, the Manchester, NH data side is totally ****ed --- as it's be=
en
> for three months now. So, rather than telling the unwashed masses that
> you're going to mess with them at every opportunity why not turn in a tic=
ket
> on the abysmal "service" offered in that city. Looks to be SPCS specific =
as
> my Vzw data cards worked just fine there.

There's a concept a teacher once told me: you never get what you don't=20
ask for. As bad as our customer service may be, it's certain that=20
unreported problems won't get fixed. And since this isn't an official=20
support channel, I can't take action based upon what I hear here.

I never said ANYTHING about messing with anyone. I was simply reporting=20
a fact. Customers with low credit ratings will find their options=20
limited. Unless they're willing to go with prepaid.


--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.

We were offered $10.00/month 60 minutes "Vacation Plan" last time we called.

On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 14:57:25 -0000, [email protected] (p lane) wrote:

=>Does sprint have a "vacation" plan? verizon used to, but only offered a
=>modified 30 day thing last time I tried about 3 months ago--said I could
=>cancel the line (out of contract)
=>and re-instate within 30 days for a $15 charge. sprint, in the past has
=>never seemed to offer such--just cancel, and take whatever rate is
=>avail when you return. is this the current thing?
=
---
We (all things) are made of Atoms.
http://home.earthlink.net/~rachel1689/

Sprint offered this, or which carrier, and then does your plan revert to
orginal plan, or what?

Cool Hand <[email protected]> wrote in article
<[email protected]>:
>
> We were offered $10.00/month 60 minutes "Vacation Plan" last time we called.
>
> On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 14:57:25 -0000, [email protected] (p lane) wrote:
>
> =>Does sprint have a "vacation" plan? verizon used to, but only offered a
> =>modified 30 day thing last time I tried about 3 months ago--said I could
> =>cancel the line (out of contract)
> =>and re-instate within 30 days for a $15 charge. sprint, in the past has
> =>never seemed to offer such--just cancel, and take whatever rate is
> =>avail when you return. is this the current thing?
> =
> ---
> We (all things) are made of Atoms.
> http://home.earthlink.net/~rachel1689/

[posted via phonescoop.com]

>To be quite blunt about it, if you're a customer on
>one of our Account Spending Limit arrangements, you need us almost as
>much as we need you.

I disagree with you, Rob.

There is a reason that people who have just gone through bankruptcy get all those new credit
card offers. The dirty little secret that everyone knows but ain't saying is that low/no/bad
credit folks are some of the most profitable clientele in the U.S.

These people general pay singificantly higher fees, mortgage, car, and consumer credit interest
rates. Of course the risk is higher, however, the increased fees and interests *almost always*
(there are exceptions to everything) more than substantially offsets the losses and provide
companies with simple incredible profits magins.

There is a reason that there are some 100,000 pawn shops in this country, and a rapidly growing
number of check cashing and "payday advance" companies are popping up all across the country.
These folks with hideous credit are one of the greatest financial resources on the planet.

It's also not a mystery why one of the richest men in America is the founder of nothing less
than ....... 99 Cent Stores of America.

Now, do they really need you more than you need them? Maybe, but I don't think so. The folks
on ASL's use the same green currency as the guy with a 750 FICO score, and they probably aren't
getting deep, deep discounted sweetheart retention deals. They are paying the full plan rates,
and if they go over their allotted minutes on the small plans ... well, cha-ching. And, mark my
words, more and more carriers are going to be going after this segment of the market and
competition will make things a little more attractive for this people. They already sell
prepaid cellphones in 7-11 where I live. When revenue stagnates in the next 5-10 years from
cellphone saturation, this is going to be the last market from which to cultivate new,
profitable, and financially exploitable subscribers. They'll get the crappier plans, they won't
get humungous discounts on the latest and greatest phone (more profit for the carrier), some
won't pay and will leave an unpaid balance, but when the bottom line hits, these folks are going
to be paying more per minute than any other type of customer and could be a key component to the
financial health of the companies they use.

Now, do you really want to spit in their eye? Do you really want to tell THEM how lucky THEY
are to have YOU? You sure you don't want to offer a hearty "Thanks for choosing us, please
stay!"?

I know I would.

Sprint makes a good chunk of change off of these folks now, and Sprint's risk is very limited in
the process (hence the ASL). They don't get the good deals, they don't get the heavily
subsidized phones, heck, they don't get much of anything but a bucket of minutes and a bill to
pay every month. And, they can go elsewhere - but I predict they will have even more options in
a few years. And, i'm sure they will consider how they are treated now in making that decision.

Don't overestimate your importance to the credit trolls. These folks may very well be the ones
taking up the revenue slack when you have to hand out the whole goodie bag to the Escalade
drivers to retain them. They won't depend on you forever, but you'll miss them when they take
those paycheck-to-paycheck $20 bills to another carrier. And those wrinkled and dirty $20 bills
that they carry are worth the exact same amount as the neatly-pressed $20 bills that the plastic
surgeon carries.

Something to think about.

In article <[email protected]>,=20
[email protected] says...
> >To be quite blunt about it, if you're a customer on
> >one of our Account Spending Limit arrangements, you need us almost as
> >much as we need you.
>=20
> I disagree with you, Rob.
>=20
> There is a reason that people who have just gone through bankruptcy get a=
ll those new credit=20
> card offers. The dirty little secret that everyone knows but ain't sayin=
g is that low/no/bad=20
> credit folks are some of the most profitable clientele in the U.S.

I don't disagree. But I wasn't talking about profitability. I was=20
talking about the ability to move to another service. As in my own=20
example, I *could* afford the $125 to sign on with SPCS, but not the=20
$600 Cingular asked, or the $750 AT&T wanted. As a result, they may be=20
more profitable, but they have to be *able* to pay those fees before=20
they can move over. I, for one, could not.

>=20
> These people general pay singificantly higher fees, mortgage, car, and co=
nsumer credit interest=20
> rates. Of course the risk is higher, however, the increased fees and int=
erests *almost always*=20
> (there are exceptions to everything) more than substantially offsets the =
losses and provide=20
> companies with simple incredible profits magins.

See above.

>=20
> There is a reason that there are some 100,000 pawn shops in this country,=
and a rapidly growing=20
> number of check cashing and "payday advance" companies are popping up all=
across the country. =20
> These folks with hideous credit are one of the greatest financial resourc=
es on the planet.

Yeah, we can be.

>=20
> It's also not a mystery why one of the richest men in America is the foun=
der of nothing less=20
> than ....... 99 Cent Stores of America.
>=20
> Now, do they really need you more than you need them? =20

You went a little bit farther than I there, Nomen. I said "they need us=20
almost as much as we need them." You got my words backwards.

> Maybe, but I don't think so. The folks=20
> on ASL's use the same green currency as the guy with a 750 FICO score, an=
d they probably aren't=20
> getting deep, deep discounted sweetheart retention deals. They are payin=
g the full plan rates,=20
> and if they go over their allotted minutes on the small plans ... well, c=
ha-ching. =20

Agreed again.

> And, mark my=20
> words, more and more carriers are going to be going after this segment of=
the market and=20
> competition will make things a little more attractive for this people. T=
hey already sell=20
> prepaid cellphones in 7-11 where I live. When revenue stagnates in the n=
ext 5-10 years from=20
> cellphone saturation, this is going to be the last market from which to c=
ultivate new,=20
> profitable, and financially exploitable subscribers. =20

Sure, if customers accept the low choices of those prepaid plans. I=20
suspect they only appeal to the younger market, but haven't looked into=20
it to be sure.

And besides, maybe the other carriers *will*, but for now they *don't*,=20
and I have my personal example, less than 18 months old, to see that. =20
Requiring a multi-hundred-dollar deposit hardly qualifies as "going=20
after" my kind of credit. Obviously, if the other carriers get into a=20
bidding war about this kind of customer, then my whole explanation goes=20
up in smoke. Right now, though, I think it's pretty accurate.

> They'll get the crappier plans, they won't=20
> get humungous discounts on the latest and greatest phone (more profit for=
the carrier), some=20
> won't pay and will leave an unpaid balance, but when the bottom line hits=
, these folks are going=20
> to be paying more per minute than any other type of customer and could be=
a key component to the=20
> financial health of the companies they use.

Maybe. For now, though, the other carriers don't seem to mind us taking=20
them.

>=20
> Now, do you really want to spit in their eye? Do you really want to tell=
THEM how lucky THEY=20
> are to have YOU? You sure you don't want to offer a hearty "Thanks for c=
hoosing us, please=20
> stay!"?
>=20
> I know I would.

Where does everyone seem to be getting the impression that I'm all for=20
"sticking it" to these customers? Hell, I *am* one of these customers. =20
Look again at my signature, the last phrase. I'm pointing out,=20
accurately I think, that low/no/bad credit customers don't have very=20
viable options in the post-paid market. We offer significantly lower=20
deposits, and that is a really big stumbling block to these customers=20
moving over. I mean, we're not talking $10 or even $50. The deposits=20
required of me by other carriers were five and even six times as much. =20
Almost literally as much as my mortgage payment.

Hence, they need us, or prepaid, almost as much as we need them. That=20
doesn't mean Sprint should treat them worse, or consider them less. In=20
fact, we are repeatedly warned to remember that a $125 spending limit=20
could just as easily be due to a future advertising exec fresh out of=20
college as to someone with six loan defaults on their record.

We would be wrong to write off these customers as "stuck" with us. But=20
it would be equally wrong in a discussion of WLNP to ignore the very=20
real hurdles they'd face in moving to another carrier.

>=20
> Sprint makes a good chunk of change off of these folks now, and Sprint's =
risk is very limited in=20
> the process (hence the ASL). They don't get the good deals, they don't g=
et the heavily=20
> subsidized phones, heck, they don't get much of anything but a bucket of =
minutes and a bill to=20
> pay every month. And, they can go elsewhere - but I predict they will ha=
ve even more options in=20
> a few years. And, i'm sure they will consider how they are treated now i=
n making that decision.

Actually, they get all the same phone deals and, aside from multi-line=20
accounts, have no restrictions on the plans to which they can subscribe. =
=20
If a customer is ready to budget for it, and they're in NVP, they're=20
even free to accept the $160, 4500 AT min plan, if they so choose. PLUS=20
Roadside Rescue, Voice Command, Vision, ERP... And all those add-ons=20
raise their value to us just as they would for an "A" class consumer=20
without any limits on spending, or equipment order against their=20
account, and so forth.

I wasn't speaking of how they can, should, or would get treated, but=20
ONLY to their likelihood of jumping ship. The deposits required by=20
other carriers to "come on over" create a mighty big hurdle to leap over=20
in order to do it. Whether or not Sprint should act accordingly (and we=20
should not), that's a fact. For now.

>=20
> Don't overestimate your importance to the credit trolls. These folks may=
very well be the ones=20
> taking up the revenue slack when you have to hand out the whole goodie ba=
g to the Escalade=20
> drivers to retain them. They won't depend on you forever, but you'll mis=
s them when they take=20
> those paycheck-to-paycheck $20 bills to another carrier. And those wrink=
led and dirty $20 bills=20
> that they carry are worth the exact same amount as the neatly-pressed $20=
bills that the plastic=20
> surgeon carries.
>=20
> Something to think about.

I'm not saying we don't, Nomen. I was speaking specifically about their=20
likelihood of leaving. Doesn't mean we should treat them otherwise. =20
And I never said we do, should, or would.

--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.

In article <[email protected]>, I say...
> We would be wrong to write off these customers as "stuck" with us. But=
=20
> it would be equally wrong in a discussion of WLNP to ignore the very=20
> real hurdles they'd face in moving to another carrier.
>=20

Woops. That should have read a "discussion of retention."

--=20
-+-
R=D8=DF
O/Siris
I work for SprintPCS
I *don't* speak for them.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (VZW Guy) wrote:

> The plans are not a secret, they just arent offered to the general
> public or advertised as such. They are RETENTION plans, which are used
> to RETAIN *LOYAL* CUSTOMERS!


Of course they are secret. They are not to be found anywhere on any
SprintPCS web site. If I am wrong, post the URL, otherwise you are wrong.

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (VZW Guy) wrote:

> And thanks to refering to me about being able to tell who is "Bluffing"
> about canceling.. If ya'll are all so willing to keep calling customer
> care over and over agains to get one of these plans, then ya'll need a
> freakin life.

I think 30 minutes of phone calls is worth the $700 I saved. Thank you
very little.