How to best approach Retentions for a great deal in exchange for contract renewal

[sonnyC]

My 2-year contract expired during the first week of April. Right now I'm using a plain old flip phone that I got used off of eBay. I switched phones a few times or so over the course of two years, and believe it pushed back the date I'm eligible for full phone upgrade rebates for maybe another year or so, I think.

Anyway, I have the following:
-SERO 500, Free N&W starting at 9pm
-National Volume discount for the organization I am affiliated with
-unlimited text messages that was added by eCare (charged and credited)
-My plan costs me sometimes under $30 and sometimes under $31 after all taxes and fees.

I read a posting here about how Retentions has changed recently, and the specialists are no longer able offer perks or sweet deals based on their own, but must submit requests to supervisors for 24-48 hr review.

Are things really that bad now? What's the best way to go about approaching Retentions if my contract has expired and I'd like the following to sign on for another 2 years:

1. would like more than 500 anytime mins I'm getting, but not of top importance

2. would like n&w starting at least at 6p but prefer 5p

3. would like a Treo 755p or 700p for significantly less than i can get one on eBay ($250/$150, respectively), as incentive to sign onto another contract and stay w/ Sprint rather than shop around at VZW or Cingular.

Thanks in advance for your advice... ESPECIALLY if you work in Sprint Retentions or some other department.

[some18mybrain]

With SERO, you're probably not going to get much more than you have...especially since they put the restrictions on the retention offers. You're already getting a great deal for your money, so they probably won't do much else.

As far as the phone, if you have not bought a phone with a discount over the last 2 years, you should be eligible for the full rebate on a new phone. They should be able to see in the system that you are good to go, and give you the correct discount on a new phone.

[scooterge558]

I agree, with you being on SERO already, you're already getting a heavily discounted plan. As far as a new phone goes, like was mentioned, if you haven't upgraded through a rebate in the last two years, you should be eligible for the $150 discount on the phone. I wouldn't expect though, to get a better deal through retentions on your plan.

[mike068]

When your going to try something of that nature just do it like you would want someone talk to you. Be lucid and polite (do onto others as you would have done to you)

[CrazyGuy]

First off, don't mention shopping around at VZW or Cingular. They might just let you go because they know that your plan can't be beat.

You should get the $150 rebate off the phone because you qualify for it. I wouldn't expect much more though for phone discounts. I'd recommend not purchasing your new phone from Sprint. If eligible for the rebate you can get better discounts elsewhere on Sprint products, such as at Best Buy or Radio Shack.

Before you do anything to extend your contract I'd recommend contacting e-Care and having them remove the recurring credit for the text and have them apply the free code for SERO plans that is available now.

This accomplishes two things.

First, Retentions is no longer giving you any recurring credits which looks a little better when a rep looks at your account.

Second, due to the text being a recurring credit it is likely to fall off soon and the unlimited SERO texts for free is for as long as you have the SERO plan.

You probably won't get bonus minutes due to being on a SERO plan.

However, you should definitely be able to get 7PM N/W for free because it is included in the new SERO plans. In fact, if you don't mind the overage being higher I'd recommend changing to the new SERO plan.

This gives you a decent chance of getting 6PM for free if you know how to ask for it. I'd try getting this through e-Care.

5PM is still available as far as I know, but is a $10 add-on which even though not free is still a great deal if you make a lot of calls during that time. Retentions should be able to add this for you if you want it.

[sonnyC]

so far, twice i've called *2 and said "cancel" and the automated system transferred my call to where I think was retentions.. i said my contract expired and i wanted to know what renewal offers they had.. both times i was told they had no offers they were aware of and to check the mail for offers they send out sometimes.. the 2nd time i called they transferred me to customer care to see if that dept might have renewal offers... i was told they could give me a $70 credit and I have a $75 new phone credit/rebate right now... if i wait till December, it will be a $150 new phone credit/rebate...

anyway, is this really the best i can get now these days from Sprint?

What I am trying to get is my same SERO plan, except with 6pm (or 5pm) N&W free, plus a new phone (Treo 755p) for a good amount less than it'd cost me to buy one new from eBay ($250-$275 shipped)... low enough that it'd make it worthwhile to sign up for another 2-year contract.. otherwise why bother w/ a renewal right?

could you guys tell me if what i'm wanting, given my plan as detailed in my earlier post above, is fair and a good idea to hold out for? or am I asking too much.. also how should I go about it with retentions if i call again?

i think they won't make any offers these days unless i actually threaten to cancel and request it, instead of just ask about offers...whereas before i think they would be more ready to extend offers w/o threatening to cancel..
is that an accurate assessment?

i am looking at cingular and my other options.. i don't think i'll get a sweeter deal than SERO, but i'm paying $30-31 w/ taxes right now and wonder if there might be some competitor's offer out there that's comparable these days for a little more per month, allowing me to also get a new phone on the cheap..

your inputs would be greatly appreciated.. thanks!

[some18mybrain]

As was said before, your plan is already a great discount over most other plans, and they've been cutting down big time on the retention offers.....you've tried twice with no success, you could go the ecare route, and see if they'll offer anything, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[CereaLand]

Er, it's going to be pretty tough. Look at Cingular all you want. Their lowest base plan is $39.99 a month for 450 anytime, rollover, 5k nights and weekends, Mobile to Mobile. This doesn't include data or text. Nights starts at 9. Going to any other company can get you a phone for cheap, but the $$$ you pay for a plan with the same features as SERO will be much higher.

[CrazyGuy]

You would be better off paying more for the phone than switching to a competitor and paying less for the phone.

If you go to lets say Cingular you will be paying much more for anything even close to comparable to the plan you have now.

Over the next two years you will end out wiping out any savings and actually costing yourself far more than anything gained from getting a heavily discounted phone.

As for dealing with Retentions they know that your contract has expired so there is no need to tell them and straight out asking for renewal offers usually won't get you much, with your plan and low MRC.

As mentioned in my previous post it is easy to get 7PM N/W because it is incorporated in the new SERO plans.

However, if you want 6PM you might mention that you are concerned about going over your minutes or you find yourself managing how much time you spend on the phone to make sure you don't have overages. Let them suggest 6PM or whatever else they might suggest as an option. You can lead them there without asking for it and you may have better luck.

Much also depends on the rep and your phone skills. Remember to talk to the rep like they are your best friend. Sometimes helps to get them talking about topics other than Sprint and phones while they are looking at your account. It's just like anything else in life. This is basic human psychology. The rep is more likely to do whatever they can to help you if they like you.

I wouldn't recommend calling Retentions too many times though since they do notate anything that is offered to you and can also note not to offer you anything if they want to.

I wouldn't renew for a $70 service credit.

BTW...Taking the $75 rebate on the phone should only renew your contract for 1 year.

You don't need to renew your contract and are probably better off not renewing it right now unless they offer you something too good to pass up which is doubtful.

I think you tend to get better CS and resolution of issues if you have a problem when you are OOC simply because they know you can leave at anytime without having to pay an ETF.

[pea]

BTW...Taking the $75 rebate on the phone should only renew your contract for 1 year.


This isn't true. It depends on when you received your last discounted upgrade. If it was 22 months or more you can get a $150 discount for signing a new 2 year contract or $75 discount for signing a 1 year contract. If you received a discounted upgrade 13-21 months ago you can only get a $75 discount if you sign a new 2 year and you're not eligible for the $150 off. So it just depends on when you got your last discount.

[JSMZ]

Honestly, anything less than getting a new PDA/ PPC for $150 is not worth a 2 year contract IMO.

Give it a try, call retentions or shoot ecare an email...tell them your out of contract..... shopping around for a new phone, and your willing to pay $150 for a new HTC/Palm/ Treo/whater ... in exchange or a 2 year renewal.

[Dale]

I just renewed with the plan in my signature. Plus, on top of this $800 service credit and 3 new phones with free activation. I guess YMMV, but I am quite satisfied. I am going with Pick-3, but I don't know if they will add this option at no charge on my existing lines of service.

[rdemorest]

after several calls to cust service I sent an email to e-care stating what I had currently, and what I wanted, within 2 days I got a response from ecare telling me what hey could and couldn't do, and why. this led to me converting some credits to no-charge codes and getting most of the changes i had requested. From what i've seen, Sprint has tightened things a little, but mostly it appears that they are trying to get control of, and standardize their cust service and billing practices. I'm tickled with them, and strongly suggest just being blunt in your email.

[anubisntealc]

Hello all - I just found this site a few weeks ago - I am current two weeks away from 22 months on my most recent 2 year contract with Sprint. After searching through countless thread in this forum I decided to give ecare a email to see what I can get. I am not really caring about my plan at this moment I figured I would work on the phone I want first. Currently I have:
2 lines:
900 Fair & Flex AMER for FAMILIES
Adjustable Anytime Minutes
AMERICA - ROAMING Included
Nationwide Long Distance Included
Unlimited Night & Weekend Mins
$69.99
Unlimited 2-Way Text Messages $15.0
UNL Nights Weekends at 7PM $5.0
EVDO Casual Included
Sprint Power Vision Ult Pack $25.0
Unlimited Mobile To Mobile Min Included
Roadside Rescue $4.0
My other phone has 300 text $5.00
and Roadside Rescue $2.00
I pay approx 135.00 per month not including tax

Reading everyone else posts I think I am getting ripped off. So I emailed ecare today I want the HTC Mogul and I am willing to pay 99.99 - 150.00 for the phone. So this is the letter I sent:

My name is Angela xxxx, Sprint PCS # xxxxxxxxxx . I am currently a customer of Sprint for going on 6 years. I love Sprint it is a very good company and I am pleased to have been with you for so long. June 1, 08 will be my 22-month mark of my last 2-year agreement and I find myself in the market for a new phone. Unfortunately I am unimpressed with the phones that Sprint offers compared to its competitors. For sometime now I have been in the market for a phone with a full keyboard but the options are very slim. I recently noticed the HTC Mogul as well as the Touch. After reviewing both phones I came to the conclusion that the Mogul is the phone for me. I have been shopping around at other phone companies and noticed that AT&T has a deal for the Tilt for $99.99 or the Pantech Duo for free. A friend of mine that works for Sprint suggested I email you and request to get the Mogul for cheaper – I am not asking for the phone for free – I am willing to pay $99.99 after my $150 rebate that comes in effect June 1, 2008 in exchange for signing on for another 2 years with Sprint. I am will to pay this today if needed if there is a possibility of renewing my contract early by 2 weeks. Thank you for your time.
Angela
They sent me this back:
Dear Angela xxxxx,

Thank you for contacting Sprint. I understand that you wish to upgrade
the new handset on the account.

I noticed that the account is eligible for the rebate of $75.00 on
upgrading the new handset. However, it will be eligible for the rebate
of $150.00 on June 01, 2008.

However, after looking at you long term association and loyalty with us,
I have discussed the case with my supervisor and convince him to offer
you additional rebate of $75.00 from my side with a new two year
agreement.

The current price of Mogul is $549.99. After the total of rebate of
$225.00, it will cost you $324.99. This is the maximum we can offer
you.

In order to purchase a new phone, all you need to do is visit the
nearest Sprint Store and our store representative will be glad to assist
you in choosing your new PCS Phone.

Just click on this hyperlink to find the nearest Sprint Store:

http://www.sprintstorelocator.com

I enjoyed assisting you and look forward to working with you in the
future. Have a great day. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Dain M.
Sprint

My question is - do you think I am ask for too much? What should I do know?

[djinks]

Heh, You can buy one on craigslist cheaper than that.

[anubisntealc]

Thanks for the input - I don't want a used phone - I don't want to take the chance of something being wrong with it. I started looking around and right now Radio Shack has the mogul on sale for $199.97 - they said they will honor my $150 rebate making the phone $49.97 - Now I just have to hope that in two weeks the phone will stay around that price - and that they will honor it. There is also a $100 mail in rebate from Sprint that I qualify for when I get the phone (takes about 10 wks to recieve but oh well - it will be like making $50) Now does anyone know how I can get some deals on my plan. Should I wait until I get my new phone or try to get something out of them sooner.

[johnny42544]

Watch your email for an offer. I got an offer the other day for a $250 credit for a new phone and it mentioned the Centro and 2 others that could be gotten for free. And it was only for a 1 yr contract. Jumped on it like a duck on a june bug.

[anubisntealc]

Watch your email for an offer. I got an offer the other day for a $250 credit for a new phone and it mentioned the Centro and 2 others that could be gotten for free. And it was only for a 1 yr contract. Jumped on it like a duck on a june bug.

DANG How did you manage to get that!!!!! I just checked mine and nope no luck!

[manas13]

Wow. Lucky you! :clap:
Any idea how you managed to get that offer ?

Watch your email for an offer. I got an offer the other day for a $250 credit for a new phone and it mentioned the Centro and 2 others that could be gotten for free. And it was only for a 1 yr contract. Jumped on it like a duck on a june bug.