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Sprint Shortens Return Policy from 30 Days to 14 Days

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market concentration ┰  consumer choice

WiWavelength

Sep 15, 2011, 1:09 PM
People, this is a consequence of a highly concentrated market. The few companies that control the market frequently ape each other; as a result, consumer choice suffers. If you dislike this change that brings Sprint policy more in line with that of VZW and AT&T, then you sure as hell better oppose further market consolidation (read: the AT&T-T-Mobile merger).

AJ
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Slammer

Sep 15, 2011, 2:41 PM
It annoys me to no end that You, I and others can press forward with some logical notations on how this merge will affect more of the above topic, yet few do not believe.

John B.
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despotic931

Sep 15, 2011, 4:22 PM
Your right, if people dislike Sprint for getting rid of their 30 day return policy they could/could've gone to T-Mobile. Oh, wait, T-Mobile had a 15 day return policy before any other major carrier. Never mind, that must have been that innovative part of their business since AT&T is the only major carrier who still has a 30 return policy...

Sorry, I just had to come and stifle your pressing forward with "logical notations" on your "opinions" on how the wireless industry works...
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Slammer

Sep 15, 2011, 4:52 PM
---" AT&T is the only major carrier who still has a 30 return policy...

Sorry, I just had to come and stifle your pressing forward with "logical notations" on your "opinions" on how the wireless industry works..."---

So by your view, the whole industry works just on how many days the return policy is for a carrier? Nothing else?

Hmmm, Interesting concept. I'll be sure to pass this along to the other industries.

John B.
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despotic931

Sep 15, 2011, 7:12 PM
No, my point was that this change being twisted into an argument against the AT&T/T-Mobile merger is ridiculous and has nothing to do with "market concentration". (this is me paraphrasing what I said in my initial post for you)

You would think that people who are upset about "market concentration" would be a little more receptive to a move which puts a wireless company, which has been hurting a bit lately, in line with it's competition and does so while also saving it millions of dollars. (this is logical, yes?)

Heaven forbid Sprint goes under and we are left with only one CDMA carrier. I mean with only one CDMA carrier we won't have any other choices! (take note of my mockery of the "only one GSM carrier argument)

Now don't get me ...
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Slammer

Sep 16, 2011, 3:33 PM
My post was not twisting any topic into an argument. But rather an extension of what The OP and myself have been discussing for months. You entered into a discussion out of sequence. While Sprint's move is understandable(I'm pro-Sprint by the way), the structure of the industry, has allowed the two largest carriers to simulate a cartel and acquire assets to trade with one another. They essentially can dictate freely. This trickles down to the other carriers and ultimately affects their pricing and policies to adjust for their bottom line as you eloquently stated. Wiwavelength and myself firmly believe that this is a symptom of Market Consolidation(Please read up on Oligolopy).

So while it appears you and I both agree on why Sprint and/or ...
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despotic931

Sep 17, 2011, 12:49 PM
I am well aware of what an oligopoly is, and believe that it is the consumers have driven the industry to that state. Give me a business model that pleases consumers (at least to the point they are pleased with the current model), isn't an oligopoly, and actually works. I am not arguing for consolidation, I am arguing that businesses following trends set by larger businesses has nothing to do with consolidation, it takes place in every industry, it is just easier to see when there are fewer businesses within an industry. Also, I am not happy with the current state of the industry, but that is a whole different topic all together.

I agree that the only GSM carrier argument is a mute point given the roll out of LTE, I was just throwing it o...
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Slammer

Sep 17, 2011, 4:01 PM
---" I am well aware of what an oligopoly is, and believe that it is the consumers have driven the industry to that state."---

In many ways this makes sense. But not necessarily in this industry. Case in point is that many Tmobile subscribers are not very happy with this move. If they wanted AT&T, they would have switched already and not to mention, many just left AT&T. This is the advantage of consumer choice. Another case is the Verizon/Alltel merge. I have relatives and colleagues that would rather have a different choice. They simply miss the savings and service they had with Alltel. There are also those that suffered by having to be spun off to AT&T due to Verizon having to divest some assets.

As you said, price rising is in ever...
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