Solution needed (PDA + Laptop + data solution = complicated)

[decoy]

I am a current sprint customer (2+ years, been out of contract since the first year), so I'm trying to see what they can offer me first.

I'm looking to upgrade my cell phone and plan, and I'm trying to figure out what I should get and look at.

I'm wanting to tether a PDA (not yet purchased) and a laptop to the cell phone for internet access. Mainly for things like instant messaging, some browsing, that type of thing (anything like tv/radio I would consider a bonus). Nothing bandwidth intensive, but I might be using custom apps, so it needs to be fairly flexible.

I want to connect them via bluetooth (i'm not too concerned about bandwidth. The PDA Will also have normal 802.11x for when I need more). I want the laptop to be able to use the phone in a pinch for net access as well (remote desktop, email, etc...)

I want a "normal" phone. In other words, I don't want my PDA and phone combined. I like just carrying a small phone when i'm going out. The PDA would be mainly for travel.

What I really want to know is what kind of solution can I get through sprint? What kind of plan (data plan?) will I need, what kinds of phones might offer what i'm looking for, etc... The actual voice part of the plan isn't a big deal to me. 300+ minutes with unlimited nights (starting at 7) and weekends is enough for me :).

I'm also open to other solutions (and other providers really :P).

I've been reading through the forums here about various ways of doing this, but some of the info is old (like what phones), and mostly geared towards smart phones for the kind of setup i'm looking for...... and I think my head is going to go *pop* with all the acronyms I've read about today.

Oh yes... the goal is to try to keep the bill under 70ish a month. Preferably less, of course ;)

(sorry about the lengthy post, hope you all can help)

[decoy]

So I went to the sprint store tonight.... they told me i could get a whole 5% off my monthly bill... I'd need the normal base plan and a 40 dollar a month plan (at least it's unlimited) to use the phone as a modem... and use an ugly sanyo phone that i'd still have to pay for...and have to sign a 2 year contract.

somebody please tell me there's better than this.

[schettj]

Ok. lemme sum up

You want: Phone with BT that can be used as a PAM phone, but is otherwise a nice, small phone.

You can add PAM for $40 to most any plan - that's unlimited data - and that's the standard rate. And then there is the phone - it has to be a phone that supports PAM, and supports bluetooth tethering

I am guessing you got pitched the Sprint Power VisionSM Phone SCP-8400 by Sanyo® ?

I am thinking the BT is what is killing you here - can you get buy without it? Alternately, can you go with a PDA phone? It really is a very nice thing to have (I've got the 6700, for example)

[decoy]

I'm pretty sure it was that phone, though i'm really not too concerned about the price of the phone in the end. I'm willing to splurge abit for my new toy. (Currently I'm digging the Samsung m610.. i'm going to read up on that guy as soon as i post this.)

I'm also pretty much willing to forego this entire enterprise if my only real option ends up being a PDA phone :P.

I think my main problem with everything i've ready so far is it seems the ONLY choice of plans is 40 bucks a month for data. I read a 3 year old thread about this same problem....just frustrating that for 15 a month you get Vision but not legit to use as a phone modem (my current phone let me get away with that when it was new)... but it's 40 to do the same thing legit with the pretty new phones.

I'm also currently frustrated that the best sprint was willing to offer me was a 5% discount. And all these "deals" only happen if i sign up for 2 years of course. That seems pretty measily considering i've never missed a bill and have been over paying for the last 2 years... They acted like i should feel privelaged to get the "new user" prices. Hmm... I should probably be saving this rant for their customer service reps when i threaten to cancel my account :). Think i could get a discount on their data plan? I think I would be happy with a general monthly discount and a decent deal on the phone.

If anybody has come up with any other solutions to this, please tell me.

[jschurawlow]

Quite frankly having been with sprint myself for 4+ years now and having resigned several times, they were much more lenient with me when it comes to handset upgrades and the like (as I've toughed out numerous problems and overbills they've done... whole other topic there).

However, since you've not resigned since the initial contract (eg only been in contract once thus far) the 5% sounds about right (you may have luck pushing for 10% loyalty but don't hold your breath yet on that). I'd definitely try to pull for a deeply discounted handset if they want your loyalty to stick with them. Pending how many dollar signs your account has (since you were always paying on time it should be plenty) they should be able to easily give you an M610 for nearly free if not free, just be sure you specifically also ask about whether or not the upgrade fee will get waived, and/or if there will be any charge for an esn swap either. Sprint's been pushing their miscellaneous fees alot lately which is more or less how they "get" you on upgrades anymore.

Regardless wish you the best of luck on this, also don't take my advice too deeply since I'm by no means a retention guru (nor do I aim to try to be either).

[decoy]

So they're more likely to give me a 300 dollar phone for free than give me less than 10 bucks off my monthly bill? ... I'm not sure that I even want to know what the markup is on that phone then :P.

Is it possible to talk them into any other deals on plans? (vision, text, etc...)

I think i'm getting a pretty good idea of what i want out of Sprint... Should i be posting the retention questions in a different forum area?