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View Full Version : Ebay phone purchase/rebate reset


JEmom
08-08-2006, 12:44 PM
Just wondering if any one has any advice or an opinion on this:
Bought an a920 from a private seller on Ebay. He listed the phone as Brand new, however, when I received the phone and tried to activate it, was told that the phone was still activated on an account. Of course, I contacted the seller and fortunately the matter was cleared up in a couple days. When I called the 2nd time to activate it, I was told the phone was "refurbished" and that my rebate clock would not be reset. I also was not charged the $18/36 activation fee. At the time, I asked about adding TEP and was shot down, as the phone was considered "used". I figured that was fine, as I would be eligible for the $150 in December. Well, I checked my rebate status online and of course, it's been reset to 7/08. Prior to the ESN swap, I was eligible for $75 now, and $150 in December. Yesterday, I emailed ecare to inquire why Sprint was considering the phone "new" for rebate purposes, but "used" in terms of TEP. I received an email back stating that the phone was in fact, "new", which did in fact, changed the rebate status, however, they did say I was welcome to call Lockline and activate TEP, which I did today.
All this would be fine and dandy, except I'm wondering why I should "lose" my $75 rebate that I was eligible for?? I didn't use it or get it credited to my account, even tho they reset my rebate as tho I did. So is it worth calling *2 and requesting that it get credited to my account?? I realize that the upgrade program is supposed to be changing next month, and wonder if I should wait it out and see what happens with that, or take the chance and miss out on at least getting the $75 credit now?? On the other hand, if I di*cker with them on whether the phone was actually new or a refurb, then do I run the risk of them cancelling the TEP???


Tai
08-08-2006, 12:50 PM
System recognizes the newest ESN and its 12 months from when that was put on

autoprime
08-08-2006, 01:12 PM
ive asked ecare to put a note on my account to keep my original rebate date and everytime they were more than happy to do so. Theyve always removed activation/upgrade fees as well. ask and you shall receive.

ecare works wonders.

JEmom
08-08-2006, 02:00 PM
Tai
I do understand that, but it's not the question. My question is: if they are resetting the clock, then I should receive the $75 rebate credit that I was eligible for?

Gibsohnn
08-08-2006, 04:42 PM
Tai
I do understand that, but it's not the question. My question is: if they are resetting the clock, then I should receive the $75 rebate credit that I was eligible for?

No. Rebate eligibility goes based on how long you've had the same phone serial number on your account. So if you buy a phone anywhere (heck, even full price at a sprint store) and activate it, you start all over again. The reason you may have been shot down on insurance is because you bought the phone online through ebay (not sure what lockline's policy is on that, never had that question raised). The second that you activated that new phone, your rebate started all over again. One year from the date of activating the a920 to get $75 and two years from that date for $150. But the rebate policy changes in september, so hold on for (hopefully) better rebate incentives.

ive asked ecare to put a note on my account to keep my original rebate date and everytime they were more than happy to do so. Theyve always removed activation/upgrade fees as well. ask and you shall receive.

ecare works wonders.

A note on your account won't always get you a rebate in a store. We don't manually move phone prices down when you definitely aren't rebate eligible, despite what anyone in customer care says. If they want to offer it, they need to give you a $150 account credit.

Tai
08-09-2006, 06:39 AM
note on the acct can be only honoured by CS and Retention

Gibsohnn
08-09-2006, 08:42 AM
note on the acct can be only honoured by CS and Retention

Da Man! Remember that Tai and crew are allowed more freedom with credits/freebies. Retail stores are just that, retail stores. We're not billing centers or retention centers or care centers. It's Tai and his crew are the one's who determine who gets what that's above and beyond policy, not me and my crew.

scooterge558
08-09-2006, 11:54 AM
My question is: if they are resetting the clock, then I should receive the $75 rebate credit that I was eligible for?

You would have received your rebate if you'd bought an upgrade from telesales or through a Sprint retail store. Just because you buy a new phone from Joe's phones does not entitle you to a rebate from Sprint for upgrading your phone.

Your clock is reset whenever you activate that new (to you) phone on your account. You can of course ask that your date be set back to the original date, but I wouldn't be expecting them to credit your account. Had you bought the phone from a Sprint Store, and they didn't give you the credit at the time of purchase, they may be more apt to put a credit on your account, but since you didn't, not likely.

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