Retention Deal for BB PLUS Rebate?

[TheToph]

I got retentions to give me a BB Curve with DC for $150, no MIR to dealo with. Can I still send in the MIR and end up getting the phone for free at the end of the day?

(sorry of this is in the wrong sub forum)

[wf09]

i'd try it.
i assume the most they would do is reject the rebate.

[sprtjnkie]

Agreed. I have gotten phones in similar fashion and sent the rebate in. Both times I have done it I have gotten the rebate back. Each time it got held up so I had to make a call and had no problems with Sprint sending after the phone calls.

Like said above, worst that happens is that they say no.

[dumb4ever]

yes i also got mine even though the CS said i already got the instant rebate and dont have to deal with the rebate anymore.

if you're rebate got rejected, email the rebate dept. and ask to be cleared.

[TheToph]

Awesome, thx guys..May as well try..

[blake324]

Yeah it's worth at least trying

[twosilk]

this is why reps are so hesitant on making the mail in rebate instant, because of dishonest people like this, you get a rep nice enough to save you the aggravation of a mail in rebate, and what do you do??? you go ahead and do the dishonest thing, why??? if you are that cheap, or money is that tight for you, maybe you are looking at the wrong phone. sorry, but that is stealing, no more, no less. so once sprint takes away the ability for reps to make the rebate instant you have people like this to thank

[TheToph]

this is why reps are so hesitant on making the mail in rebate instant, because of dishonest people like this, you get a rep nice enough to save you the aggravation of a mail in rebate, and what do you do??? you go ahead and do the dishonest thing, why??? if you are that cheap, or money is that tight for you, maybe you are looking at the wrong phone. sorry, but that is stealing, no more, no less. so once sprint takes away the ability for reps to make the rebate instant you have people like this to thank
Quiet, you.

[Liquid-X]

Quiet, you.

He's got a point, though.

[A900Meister]

No he actually doesn't have a point. So I did the same thing. I got the HTC Touch Pro from Best Buy for $199 back in December. To me, the end consumer...the price I pay out the door, is for all intents and purposes is my cost, regardless of how Best Buy comes up with that price. I go to the Sprint website, and I see that there is a $100 rebate available. I read the entire form, and all the terms and conditions and all the fine print. I determined that I qualified. The jist of rebate was the standard new 2 year contract or renew with a 2 year contract and you'd be eligible. Therefore, I qualified (after reading the fine print too) and I sent it in. According to what I read on the form, it should be approved. Well after they get it they reject it. Now if their reason was something along the lines of, you didn't meet this or this or this qualification (as written on the form), I wouldn't complain whatsoever. However, their rejection reasoning was "Invalid place of purchase". No where on the form does it say that you had to buy it from a Sprint specific store (I can only assume that's what they mean). What if I bought it from a 3rd party authorized retailed like from a mall kiosk, or if I bought it from Amazon, all of these places are authorized Sprint resellers. The point it, in the fine print on the rebate, it does not say anything about place of purchase. So I email them back and tell them this, just a simple email, not demanding anything, just asking what was wrong since no where on the form does it say where I have to buy it. They reply with an I'm sorry, you're approved message. So in my mind, I didn't rip anyone off, I read a form, all the terms and conditions, and sent it in. If Sprint wants to reject the rebate based upon place of purchase, then they need to SAY it on the form, and can't just reject things for reasons they make up. So my advise to the OP is this, read the rebate form, and if you QUALIFY, then go ahead, send it in. If they reject it with a valid reason as written in the form, then at least you tried. But if it is BS, call them on it.

[TheToph]

I love how people are apologists for huge corporations. In this case, Sprint subsidizes the phones in exchange for a contract, usually two years. If they make any money on it it it is probably gravy...

Plus, if the rebate does not explicitly say that it is unallowed, then it might be allowed or a loophole due to the language (or lack thereof) of the rebate or contract.

So why do you have to come in here and be a deek? Is it because you are a Sprint employee? (You are, right?) I get being a 'company man' (or woman), but the question I posted in the OP was not how to scam the company. It was whether or not such and such is allowed, and there seems to be at the very least ambiguity on the subject.

It's not as if I am trying to scam the company for free shix, I am happy with my plan and w/ Sprint.

[twosilk]

I love how people are apologists for huge corporations. In this case, Sprint subsidizes the phones in exchange for a contract, usually two years. If they make any money on it it it is probably gravy...

Plus, if the rebate does not explicitly say that it is unallowed, then it might be allowed or a loophole due to the language (or lack thereof) of the rebate or contract.

So why do you have to come in here and be a deek? Is it because you are a Sprint employee? (You are, right?) I get being a 'company man' (or woman), but the question I posted in the OP was not how to scam the company. It was whether or not such and such is allowed, and there seems to be at the very least ambiguity on the subject.

It's not as if I am trying to scam the company for free shix, I am happy with my plan and w/ Sprint.

In your post you clearly stated that the deal was 150.00 with no mir to worry about, so that meant your already got your rebate correct??? so to go and ask for it again is stealing, don't care how big the company is(what is the difference between what you are attempting to do, and going to wal-mart and putting a incorrect price sticker on a item in a attempt to save you money?) nothing!! they are both forms of theft. And yes I work for sprint, but it has nothing to do with my stance on this issue, you are stealing point blank. I dont care that sprint is a big corporation or not, would you like it if someone scammed you out of a dollar?? now imagine getting that done to you 100 times a day. doesn't feel good now does it?? so why should sprint take the high hard one up the tailpipe????

[twosilk]

No he actually doesn't have a point. So I did the same thing. I got the HTC Touch Pro from Best Buy for $199 back in December. To me, the end consumer...the price I pay out the door, is for all intents and purposes is my cost, regardless of how Best Buy comes up with that price. I go to the Sprint website, and I see that there is a $100 rebate available. I read the entire form, and all the terms and conditions and all the fine print. I determined that I qualified. The jist of rebate was the standard new 2 year contract or renew with a 2 year contract and you'd be eligible. Therefore, I qualified (after reading the fine print too) and I sent it in. According to what I read on the form, it should be approved. Well after they get it they reject it. Now if their reason was something along the lines of, you didn't meet this or this or this qualification (as written on the form), I wouldn't complain whatsoever. However, their rejection reasoning was "Invalid place of purchase". No where on the form does it say that you had to buy it from a Sprint specific store (I can only assume that's what they mean). What if I bought it from a 3rd party authorized retailed like from a mall kiosk, or if I bought it from Amazon, all of these places are authorized Sprint resellers. The point it, in the fine print on the rebate, it does not say anything about place of purchase. So I email them back and tell them this, just a simple email, not demanding anything, just asking what was wrong since no where on the form does it say where I have to buy it. They reply with an I'm sorry, you're approved message. So in my mind, I didn't rip anyone off, I read a form, all the terms and conditions, and sent it in. If Sprint wants to reject the rebate based upon place of purchase, then they need to SAY it on the form, and can't just reject things for reasons they make up. So my advise to the OP is this, read the rebate form, and if you QUALIFY, then go ahead, send it in. If they reject it with a valid reason as written in the form, then at least you tried. But if it is BS, call them on it.

how can you even justify getting a mail in rebate off of the sprint site when you purchased a phone from bestbuy??? the mail in rebate is based off of a purchase from sprint.com, or sprint telesales, and even after the mail in rebate the price still equals the same you paid for the phone at bestbuy, correct?? so why would you feel entitled to a mail in rebate from sprint.com??

[TheToph]

Sprint sold me a BB Curve with DC for $150 for resigning. Does the MIR still apply to me?

Hows that? Better?

[TheToph]

Mail-in Rebates Requirements:
Take advantage of our Mail-in Rebate offers and save a bundle on your new phone.
Purchase your phone on Sprint.com or by phone through Sprint Customer Service.
1 to 2 yr. contract (for new and upgrading customers).
PDA, BlackBerry and smartphones - Requires one of the following plans or add-ons:
Simply Everything or Simply Everything Family plan
Everything Data or Everything Data Family plan
Data Premier Add-on
PRO Pack Add-on
Fill out the form in its entirety.
Include your sales receipt, email receipt, online order summary printout, or packing slip. Must be dated 2/15/09 - 4/18/09.
Your rebate must be postmarked no later than 5/2/09.
Cash your rebate within 90 days of issuance....

[A900Meister]

how can you even justify getting a mail in rebate off of the sprint site when you purchased a phone from bestbuy??? the mail in rebate is based off of a purchase from sprint.com, or sprint telesales, and even after the mail in rebate the price still equals the same you paid for the phone at bestbuy, correct?? so why would you feel entitled to a mail in rebate from sprint.com??


Look, I don't know about the OP's situation (I guess the form he has prohibits anything but Sprint.com and telesales...that's FINE, they state this specifically on the form, I have NO problems with that), but when BB advertises a final price, should I care about how they get it?
All I see is a price, and it may say something like $100 instant rebate. For as much as I know instant rebate is just another sale that BB is throwing on the price. They don't EXPLAIN exactly how they get to that price.

Now, tell you what, read the terms of the rebate I sent in (the post mark dates are updated, but the form and terms are the same)....show me where it says that I MUST purchase the phone from Sprint.

"REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CUSTOMERS
> Activate your new device(s) with a new two-year agreement on each line of service by 5/2/09
> Include your sales receipt or packing slip – must be dated between 2/12/09 and 4/18/09
> Fill the certificate out entirely – must be postmarked no later than 5/2/09
> Cash your rebate within ninety (90) days of issuance
> For Nextel devices, SIM card included in new device must be used with activation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMERS adding a new line of service
> Activate your new device(s) on a new line of service.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMERS upgrading your device(s)
> Qualified existing customers, with service on the same device for more than 22 consecutive
months and a new two-year agreement, may be eligible for mail-in rebates on the devices
listed on the front of this form.
> Your account cannot have any unpaid past-due amounts.
> You may be required to activate on a service plan of $34.99 or higher ($34.99 is base monthly plan
price and does not include fees for add-on features and services). SERO or Nextel Direct Connect
Custom plan subscribers may be required to activate on a service plan of $29.99 or higher. Taxes
excluded.

Mail-in rebate: Device must be active for a minimum of 30 days to finalize processing of rebate submission.
Rebate total may not exceed the total purchase price of the device. Device purchases incident to automobile
purchase are not eligible for this promotion. Reproduction, sale, trading or purchase of this certificate or proofs
of purchase is prohibited. Use of multiple addresses or P.O. boxes to obtain additional rebates is considered
fraudulent and may result in prosecution. Sprint is not responsible for lost, late, damaged, misdirected,
illegible or postage-due mail-in rebate forms. Such forms will not be honored. In certain markets, Sprint
Spending Limit Program customers qualify for a rebate if the account is kept active for 60 days after the first
invoice date and does not have any unpaid past-due amounts at the end of this period. Corporate accounts
with business device flat pricing or subject to a Custom or Master Services Agreement do not qualify.
"
Oh yeah, this form was recently posted on Amazon.com

[TheToph]

Good point A900Meister, there are different forms for different places.

[A900Meister]

And furthermore, you shouldn't have to be GIVEN a rebate form for it to be a valid form. I remember way back when I got my a900m there was a rebate on the sprint site that I mailed in. Additionally, there was a rebate on a cereal box that I could also mail in. So I went and got the box of cereal and sent it in. All legit.
The fact of the matter is this, and you work for sprint, so why don't you push for change....If a rebate is indeed to be locked to a place of purchase, then change the wording. (Looks like this is happening with some rebates - in the OP's case). But don't go harping on at those of us who happen to be good at find deals and rebates while adhereing to the letter of the terms and conditions. After all, if we were indeed WRONG, then Sprint shouldn't be approving our rebates, even when we call in to question their decision. Circuit City changed their rebate policies when everyone was pricematching at their store for lower price and then sending in their rebate, they handled the situation. (Sucks they are gone now, no competition for BB)
But the best part of all of this is you can always ask. You are a sucker if you don't question things, and just roll over and take it. Imagine if you couldn't go to a judge to contest a speeding ticket? We're not stealing from Sprint, we're asking if our rebates are valid, and Sprint is saying YES, so who are you to tell us we are bad people for "stealing money from sprint". Its not stealing if they are giving it to us, and agreeing with our point of view.

[Liquid-X]

After all, if we were indeed WRONG, then Sprint shouldn't be approving our rebates, even when we call in to question their decision.


They shouldn't. But what shouldn't happen and what actually DOES happen in the buisness world is usually two different things.

[A900Meister]

They shouldn't. But what shouldn't happen and what actually DOES happen in the buisness world is usually two different things.


True, but again, that's not really our problem. The reps just need to be trained better. I have no idea who I am going to get on the phone when I call in, its just the luck of the draw. I do think that if you repeatedly call in and you are being denied, then that is wrong...clearly you are trying to get something you aren't supposed to. However, if you call in once, and on the first try they give you something, then sure, call yourself lucky, but maybe you're really allowed to get it anyways. Who knows? The sample set is too small to really be sure.

[onebelow0]

so, bottom line. This is NOT Stealing and is NOT the same as changing the price sticker at walmart. I mean seriously. Any educated person knows that if a company offers a mail in rebate on a phone and then gives you the after rebate price over the phone and doesn't mention that this price makes them ineligible for the rebate then tough ****, Sprint. If Sprint cared about this, they would put a stipulation on the MIR that it is ineligible if the customer has already received a rebate on the phone for which they are sending the rebate for. Since they haven't stipulated this on their MIR, it is their problem, not the customers.
Bottom line, if there was a rule against it, then it would be shady... but since there is no rule, no stipulation, no mention of sprint that the MIR is invalid, then that is Sprint's problem, not ours and is NOT STEALING.
I mean seriously... if you think that is stealing, then shouldn't you be at church for the 40th hour this week spreading propoganda?

[twosilk]

so, bottom line. This is NOT Stealing and is NOT the same as changing the price sticker at walmart. I mean seriously. Any educated person knows that if a company offers a mail in rebate on a phone and then gives you the after rebate price over the phone and doesn't mention that this price makes them ineligible for the rebate then tough ****, Sprint. If Sprint cared about this, they would put a stipulation on the MIR that it is ineligible if the customer has already received a rebate on the phone for which they are sending the rebate for. Since they haven't stipulated this on their MIR, it is their problem, not the customers.
Bottom line, if there was a rule against it, then it would be shady... but since there is no rule, no stipulation, no mention of sprint that the MIR is invalid, then that is Sprint's problem, not ours and is NOT STEALING.
I mean seriously... if you think that is stealing, then shouldn't you be at church for the 40th hour this week spreading propoganda?

you are wrong on both fronts, the op was told that we would give you the phone at this price so that you would not have to worry about a mail in rebate, and the second guy got the phone at the price after rebate at a totally different outlet, and then went to ask for the mail in rebate from the sprint site. just because you get away with it does not make it right, hell I could go into my local 7-11 and steal candy all day, but does that make it right, I mean if they didn't want me to steal the candy they should have armed security guards right??

[A900Meister]

you are wrong on both fronts, the op was told that we would give you the phone at this price so that you would not have to worry about a mail in rebate, and the second guy got the phone at the price after rebate at a totally different outlet, and then went to ask for the mail in rebate from the sprint site. just because you get away with it does not make it right, hell I could go into my local 7-11 and steal candy all day, but does that make it right, I mean if they didn't want me to steal the candy they should have armed security guards right??

I honestly don't know why you are so hung up on this, and why you keep equating this to stealing. I am not going into a sprint store, sticking my hand in the cash register and walking out. I am going into a sprint store, showing them a coupon I found, and asking them if it is valid. The coupon isn't counterfeit, its genuine, and I am simply asking if I can use it. Its like trying to use a 20% coupon at Macy's and you can't tell what clothes fall under "Designer Clothes"...so you ask.

Being that this is an internet forum, I am assuming it isn't the only forum you are a part of/peruse. Have you ever been to slickdeals, or fatwallet, or any of the many sites dedicated to shopping and getting deals? Have you ever printed off a coupon, found a coupon code or otherwise that was only sent to certain people, but then used it as if it was emailed to you. I'll bet the answer to this question is yes.

The fact that I got the rebate form from the Sprint website is irrelevant. Manufacturers have their rebate forms online for easy of access. How many times have you forgot, or have not gotten rebates on an item in the store and had to get a copy online?

I am sorry you take this personally because you work for Sprint, but seriously, welcome to the online world, where rebates are posted online, and it is possible to shop around at B&M stores for the lowest price and then send in the rebate. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that, and if companies wanted to prevent people from doing that, they simply need to write "Only valid at.." On their rebate form, which as I stated before is completely fine...they just have to do it, and they have in the OP's case.
Other places do it...I have submitted so many rebates that say valid only at buy.com or amazon.com, not to mention how many circuit city rebates that print at the register have I submitted. It's not hard, companies just need to do it.

The fact is, and this really is the only fact of the matter, is that the sprint rebate form I submitted says nothing about place of purchase. You can't deny that, I posted the terms and conditions here. I read the terms, looked like I qualified, and indeed, I was approved. I didn't do anything wrong, I didn't submit a form that disqualified me, and then asked for approval. I didn't know if I was eligible, so I sent it in, and asked.

Oh and I got the $100 rebate, and will be cashing it in tomorrow. :)

[edlivian]

I just recived my BB Curve for $50 without having to do MIR, and I still sent it in anyway, and my mail in rebate was approved for $100 without being rejected. That means I made $50 by taking a Curve from them.

I plan on doing this on all my next eligible lines.

On top of that I sold my old Moto Q9C for $150 each on ebay.

It pays to upgrade your phone every year.

[SprintGuru4Eva]

Nice!

I just recived my BB Curve for $50 without having to do MIR, and I still sent it in anyway, and my mail in rebate was approved for $100 without being rejected. That means I made $50 by taking a Curve from them.

[olefafl]

Sprint declined my last rebate for no reason. Is that stealing from me, if so please give me Dan's address so the police can come talk to him about it? (I made one call to CS about something else & they fixed it for me)

When Sprint Tech removed my unlimited text messaging that was part of my plan, was Sprint stealing from me? (Still don't have that fixed)

When E-Care removed my PicMail when trying to fix my TM problem, then tried to tell me PicMail was part of SprintTV, is that stealing?

When I was charged $0.20 for roaming that I didn't do, was that stealing?

When my wifes line was charged $0.20 X 2 for overseas TM that she didn't do, was that stealing?

Just look in the Rants forum and see how offen Strint "steals" from its customers. :scare:

I think there is a post on here about someones bill not adding up to what Sprint is charging them each month. Now that is STEALING.:laughing: