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Question for a sprint rep/customer

Menno

Jan 20, 2011, 10:36 AM
I'm trying to find a clear answer online, but I keep getting conflicting sources. When a sprint customer upgrades after their 2 year contract is up (whenever they're eligible) what does their pricing look like?

Do they get new customer pricing? Is it something ON TOP of new customer pricing? (EG, like Verizon's NE2 program) or is it a discount off of the retail cost of the device?

I tried spoofing sprint's website, but it won't let me see upgrade pricing without being a customer.

Thanks in advance.
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acdc1a

Jan 20, 2011, 10:42 AM
My wife is still a customer. You can go online and get the new customer pricing including instant rebates. You do not get a better deal.
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Menno

Jan 20, 2011, 10:51 AM
Ok. Thanks. I was reading these sites and they said something about a "extra $150 off" and that didn't really make sense to me, because that would mean an Evo for just $50.
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epik

Jan 20, 2011, 11:03 AM
I think the things that gets confused in the legalese is this:

Sprint's web site said
Get $150 off or Sprint’s nationally advertised price on a new device, whichever is better.


https://manage.sprintpcs.com/specialoffers/RebateWel ... »

(I know the link is an older one, but this reflects common terminology that I've seen)

I guess that as long as the nationally advertised price is better than $150 off (I'm assuming) the full retail price, then you'll never get the $150 off route. But assuming this is how I'm reading into it, I'd rather have $200-$300 off than $150 off.
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acdc1a

Jan 20, 2011, 12:33 PM
I've still found it best to upgrade with Best Buy or Radio Shack. Luckily I don't think I'll be in that position again for a while. I've found contracts are for suckers.
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Menno

Jan 20, 2011, 3:56 PM
I haven't signed a contract in 4 years 🙂

Contracts are the thing holding back any real pro-consumer change imo.
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bluedrummer27

Jan 23, 2011, 3:51 PM
The only advantage is your upgrade/actuvation fee is only $18 VS $36 for a new customer...
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daxdcagain

Jan 24, 2011, 12:40 PM
People fussing about contracts doesnt really make sense to me. If you purchase a device at retail price, it is essentially the same as paying for the ETF upfront instead of at cancellation. At least with a contract, the ETF is prorated down, or you never know, you might actually finish out the contract.
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acdc1a

Jan 24, 2011, 1:17 PM
You're incorrect. The subsidies are often much HIGHER than the ETF. Where do you think you pick that up? On the monthly service charge of course. And when companies know you have to keep them or shell out, they're likely to treat you accordingly.

I'll take my Metro service contract free and my monthly savings to the bank.
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daxdcagain

Jan 26, 2011, 10:34 AM
Have you seen the recent price of devices? Take the HTC EVO Shift 4G for example. Retail price is $399.99. Sprint ETF is $200.00. If purchase the phone at 2 year pricing, $149.99, then cancel and pay your ETF after 30 days but before the 5 month mark, you would have paid $349.99 total for the device. YOU COME OUT BETTER FINANCIALLY EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE TO PAY THE ETF.

Besides, your point doesnt even make sense because you are going to pay a monthly service no matter which carrier, pre or post paid you go. You should compare apples to apples, we are talking about contracts on the major 4.
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Menno

Jan 26, 2011, 11:10 AM
But if you sign a contract, you're obligating yourself to a carrier.

Here's the thing, most customers DONT look at stuff as "I can save $50 if I do it this way over 5 months"

Trust me, they don't. Instead, they look at the monthly payments. I've seen people choose a phone that they KNEW they wouldn't be satisfied with because it was $20 cheaper up front even if it would cost them the SAME amount of money over the course of 2 years. People are crazy when it comes to upfront payments, which is why buying off contract scares them so much.

I haven't signed a contract in over 4 years. Yes, I'm paying the same monthly, but here's the thing: If I get a great deal on say an EVO (from ebay) and I move into an area where sprint has WIMAX...
(continues)
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acdc1a

Jan 26, 2011, 11:41 AM
I think you missed my point. Look to Virgin Mobile where devices are less subsidized than on the Sprint side of things. My monthly bill there would be $60 for the same service that Sprint would want to charge me $99.99 for. Take the $39.99 monthly over a 2 year contract and you're at $959.76. Some savings.
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anrcgr

Mar 11, 2011, 10:38 AM
Just to put it wout there, you do realize that Sprint owns Virgin and Boost. They are also in talks to buy T-Mobile. So Sprint is getting your money either way.
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Twurk

Jan 28, 2011, 9:17 PM
daxdcagain said:
Have you seen the recent price of devices? Take the HTC EVO Shift 4G for example. Retail price is $399.99. Sprint ETF is $200.00. If purchase the phone at 2 year pricing, $149.99, then cancel and pay your ETF after 30 days but before the 5 month mark, you would have paid $349.99 total for the device. YOU COME OUT BETTER FINANCIALLY EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE TO PAY THE ETF.
4.



umm not really cause you would have to pay for the monthly service also which would then have you paying more if you just went ahead and bought it retail price
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johnnyb0810

Mar 18, 2011, 5:07 PM
With a diminishing etf the price of the phone is in your hands. If you leave after a couple months the actual price of the phone changes. It's comical to me that people have this argument as if the service is free. 🙄 You have to pay money for the service, not all of that is linked to the price of the phone.
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