Grandfather SMS - mass confusion

[FrequentFlyer]

We know this: SMS is grandfathered for vision plans that have not changed since a certain date. That date is a point of confusion. At one point Plik said it was April 1st. If you call *2 they say it is Feb 15. I suspect Plik is correct but it's troubling that *2 disagrees.

I joined Sprint in late Feb and got four SMS capable phones. I asked for and received the $5 unlimited SMS code (thinking I was past the cutoff date for grandfathering). The SMS code was put on the main line and the belief of the rep was that it would pull across to the subs.

Fast forward to now: I am definitely NOT being charged for SMS messages on any line so either (1) the grandfather is working or (2) the SMS code on the main line is pulling across to the subs. I spoke to someone at *2 about this and they now claim that the SMS code does not pull across to the subs but might have at some point. He said he could take the SMS code off (saving me $5/mo) and I *probably* would still not be charged (due to grandfathering) but if I did start getting charged I'd have to put the $5 code on each line since any code available to him now does not pull across.

Can anybody clarify this once and for all:

* the exact cut off date for grandfathering
* if you're after that date whether or not the SMS codes pulls across to the subs (and maybe exactly which codes to use)

?

It would be great to add this to the FAQ since this seems to keep coming up.

[Hte2w8]

I hate to add more confusion but I added vision on Sunday to two existing lines I had and, guess what...they get unl sms. I didnt ask for it, but its there.

I have 5 lines total, all of them are receiving unl sms. I tend to think also, that it pulls across all lines like the N&W at 700pm.

In any case, I am not complaining. The whole sms issue with sprint is confusing, and I'm not sure even sprint knows whats what.

Oh..at one point I DID add the 5.00 sms to three of my lines, fearing I would be charged overages. That was in Feb. I removed one of the add-ons in late Feb, and the other two in March and it didnt change my unl sms.

[FrequentFlyer]

Oh..at one point I DID add the 5.00 sms to three of my lines, fearing I would be charged overages. That was in Feb. I removed one of the add-ons in late Feb, and the other two in March and it didnt change my unl sms.

So you have no SMS codes on your account any more? I believe all vision plans include 100 SMS messages. Have you gone over 100 to see if you're charged at that point?

[Hte2w8]

So you have no SMS codes on your account any more? I believe all vision plans include 100 SMS messages. Have you gone over 100 to see if you're charged at that point?

I have no sms codes excpet whatever is hard coded into the vision package they added.

I have gone WAY over...my billing cycle is the 15th, and I'm already at 471 sms on just one phone, it says unl on both the spcs web site and via my handset, on all lines. The other lines have gone over as well, and the section reads unl.

[ScrapMaker]

I've been talking to a few CSR's and also through the sprint email CSR's... and they have all said that a few people did recieve unlimited sms until feb 29th, but that no one has grandfathered unlimited SMS anymore, it's 5 bucks. This is because I wrote complaining about the video mail charge, and they said I can change my vision to NOT include the $5 premium content charge, so for the $15 I already pay, I can have vision/picture/videomail... instead of that extra 5 bucks that I never spend...

[ScrapMaker]

she assured me that I would not lose unlimited sms, because, me, along with no one else got that for free...

Is there anything I could possibly lose by switching to this other plan?

[Hte2w8]

I've been talking to a few CSR's and also through the sprint email CSR's... and they have all said that a few people did recieve unlimited sms until feb 29th, but that no one has grandfathered unlimited SMS anymore, it's 5 bucks. This is because I wrote complaining about the video mail charge, and they said I can change my vision to NOT include the $5 premium content charge, so for the $15 I already pay, I can have vision/picture/videomail... instead of that extra 5 bucks that I never spend...
I still have unl free sms on all my lines...my primary as well as the two I added in March and the two I addded three weeks ago.

And PLENTY of people still have unl free sms.

[ScrapMaker]

where does it say you have "unlimited SMS messaging"? Or where on your statement or what? Just wondering how you know.

[ray1b]

If you log into MY PCS and click on current usage details, it will say Wireless Web Messages – Unlimited.

[Hte2w8]

where does it say you have "unlimited SMS messaging"? Or where on your statement or what? Just wondering how you know.
On my statement it also says Unlimited two way text messaging with a charge of 0.00...thats on each line.

[chrome8teenz]

maybe your a visual learner....

I have free unlimited messaging (grandfathered sms)

[ScrapMaker]

those wireless web messages are not sms... as I have been told. Those are shortmail messages or otherwise vision-related. When I check my account it says I have unlimited wireless web messages as well.

Here is an email from Sprint...

"Dear Steven,

I write with reference to our previous correspondence regarding PCS
two-way SMS Text Messages.

You are right that the PCS Wireless Web Messaging option is different
from PCS two-way SMS Text Messaging. As requested in previous
interaction, you can get this option with $5.00 and will have unlimited
access to these text messages. Here, airtime will be deducted as your
PCS Phone is Vision enabled. Please advise us.

I appreciate you for taking out your precious time for contacting
Sprint
eCare again."

and also...
"Thank you for writing back to us about the SMS
Messaging feature. We did have a promotion under which customers were
provide Unlimited SMS Text Messaging until February 29, 2004. I am sorry
that you did not receive this promotion. However, this promotion has
now ended and the Unlimited SMS Text Messaging is no longer offered
free."

I was also confused at the wireless web messaging...
I think that the web messaging is when you are noticed of something, or when you receive an AIM or something... not sure.

"The $10.00 Vision Pack will include Unlimited
Short Mail Messaging. However, it will only include 100 SMS Text
Messages. The same is also true for the $15.00 Vision Pictures Pack which you currently have on your account. Be assured that the only feature
that you will lose by signing up for the $10.00 Vision Pack is the $5.00
Premium Services Credit that you were entitled to receive each
month with the $15.00 option."

[chrome8teenz]

SMS is displayed as "wireless web messaging" on the account usage. shortmail is not availible on sms phones, not on the 5500 atleast.

[Mr.KnowItAll]

SMS is displayed as "wireless web messaging" on the account usage. shortmail is not availible on sms phones, not on the 5500 atleast.

yes it is

asdfasdfasdfasdf

[ScrapMaker]

do you know when you had to activate vision and/or your phone to supposedly have unlimited SMS?

[ScrapMaker]

Under vision/messaging I have
1. Instant Messaging
2. Email
3. Chat
4. Biz Conn

I think they mean the email or what? Because I guess you're right, I cannot find the shortmail that I had for sure on my 4700....

[Hte2w8]

yes it is

asdfasdfasdfasdf
I have an 2 way sms phne and they took away shortmail for me too, because it was replaced by sms. My invoive reads:

[ScrapMaker]

thats a lot of damned messages... what do you have a service that sends you updates or something for news or sports?

[Hte2w8]

thats a lot of damned messages... what do you have a service that sends you updates or something for news or sports?
No...read below. I hate to talk...but I love to text.

And that was only ONE of my five lines. They all have unl...and its a good thing cuz I use the hell outta them.

[ScrapMaker]

bah, I don't mind receiving them, but using a keypad is horrible... I tried writing a paragraph for an email and I gave up... plus it ran out of space or something. (T9)

[Hte2w8]

bah, I don't mind receiving them, but using a keypad is horrible... I tried writing a paragraph for an email and I gave up... plus it ran out of space or something. (T9)
<-------Treo user

[ScrapMaker]

so it has a keyboard then? even writing with the stylus is a pain... if anything I'd have to have an h/pc like my lg phenom ultra...

[The 8]

I have an 2 way sms phne and they took away shortmail for me too, because it was replaced by sms. My invoive reads:

Good God that's a lot of text messaging!!! thats almost 62 messages a day!!

[Hte2w8]

Good God that's a lot of text messaging!!! thats almost 62 messages a day!!
Ehh..thats nothing. Im already up to 600 something and Im only 5 days into my billing cycle.

[michelle]

i beat u girl :p heee

[Macknife]

as we all know it does not have SMS, but when I check my account it says Unlimited for Wireless Web Messages. How can the same thing work for both SMS and Notifications?

[Hte2w8]

i beat u girl :p heee
U got me beat on ONE phone....I use THREE darling :)

[michelle]

yes yes i know :D just thought i'd chime in...

[Hte2w8]

yes yes i know :D just thought i'd chime in...
Im glad tou did! I was starting to feel like a text freak! At least Im not alone!

[ScrapMaker]

you're both text freaks! yikes! how many do you think that you actually transmit? I would hope that most are recieved...

[Hte2w8]

ALL, I suspect.

[R2X]

I've used 4... lol

None of my friends have phones, all just call on home lines... cheap people...

[MsRandall]

I am having SMS withdraws...my phone was fried in an update try and I have to wait for sprint to send me another one......

[urge]

as we all know it does not have SMS, but when I check my account it says Unlimited for Wireless Web Messages. How can the same thing work for both SMS and Notifications?


Why doesnt it say Short Mail? Sprint has just kept Wireless Web Messages since the days of Wireless Web plans.

If you have a SMS phone and you check your usage you will notice that when you use SMS the counter under Wireless Web Messages goes up. There isnt a seprate line saying SMS or casual SMS usage if you have Unlimited Wireless Web Messages.

[modma]

do you know when you had to activate vision and/or your phone to supposedly have unlimited SMS?

That's a hot number! How much did you pay to get that? ;)

[Rose4uKY]

Ok I have called 4 times to Sprint tonight and noone knew what they were talking about. I was told yes were grandfathered into 2way SMS and then I am told no Short Mail is not the same as 2 way SMS and if you didn't have a 2 way SMS capable phone before and do now that you have to pay 5 bucks for unlimited. My Sprint page says 71 wireless web messages unlimited. The lady said thats short mail and you have not been charged. She said there was no code on my acct about having unlimted SMS.

I dont text message that often and most of the 71 wireless web messages are from where I downloaded ringers and 3guploads sent a text to my phone which I know you can shut that option off. Anyway tonight I called and asked for a vision person he was nice and helpful and said I was grandfathered in and he would get the right code on my account and then he kept telling me to hold and he asked If I had been getting charged for SMS and I said no Ijust got this phone 2 weeks ago. I said I just want to make sure I have unlimited and don't get charged 10 cents like the other lady said. Well I get put on hold again and he says he will fix it. Next thing I know someone totally different gets on the phone ask how long I have been on the phone with them and he says so your calling because your getting charged for text messaging. I was like so mad by then. I was like no I just told the other guy I only want to know am I grandfathered in or not. He said you've had vision since 2002 yes you are grandfathered in you have unlimited 2 way SMS. I said are your sure and he said yes. And I said ok cause all I see on the web is unlimited wireless web messages.

I was also told you can still short mail with one of the new phones. My sprint home page says 1. Text Messaging but I tired it and got an error message but I was sending one to myself for a test maybe thats why. But he told me you could still use it and I said well I don't want to use it. I got this new phone because I was told I would have unlimited SMS and be grandfathered in and he said I was and that I have it. But Sprints site doesn't say anything about it just the wirless web messages which I was told was considered short mail so who knows. I was told that picture mail has never been grandfathered in and wont be. I said well i didn't expect that to be since I didn't have a camera phone before. But I did have unlimited text messaging before even if it was short mail so I expected unlimited with the new phone that's why I got it. But whether I need a code on my acct or not and whether thet put one there I don't know.


But some say they were still unsure so I called and noone there knows what there talking about. But the vision guy says you do get grandfathered in from the old 10 dollar unlimited vision plan. Some may know this but some were still unsure. Rose

[winger]

Ok I have called 4 times to Sprint tonight and noone knew what they were talking about. I was told yes were grandfathered into 2way SMS and then I am told no Short Mail is not the same as 2 way SMS and if you didn't have a 2 way SMS capable phone before and do now that you have to pay 5 bucks for unlimited. My Sprint page says 71 wireless web messages unlimited. The lady said thats short mail and you have not been charged. She said there was no code on my acct about having unlimted SMS.

I dont text message that often and most of the 71 wireless web messages are from where I downloaded ringers and 3guploads sent a text to my phone which I know you can shut that option off. Anyway tonight I called and asked for a vision person he was nice and helpful and said I was grandfathered in and he would get the right code on my account and then he kept telling me to hold and he asked If I had been getting charged for SMS and I said no Ijust got this phone 2 weeks ago. I said I just want to make sure I have unlimited and don't get charged 10 cents like the other lady said. Well I get put on hold again and he says he will fix it. Next thing I know someone totally different gets on the phone ask how long I have been on the phone with them and he says so your calling because your getting charged for text messaging. I was like so mad by then. I was like no I just told the other guy I only want to know am I grandfathered in or not. He said you've had vision since 2002 yes you are grandfathered in you have unlimited 2 way SMS. I said are your sure and he said yes. And I said ok cause all I see on the web is unlimited wireless web messages.

I was also told you can still short mail with one of the new phones. My sprint home page says 1. Text Messaging but I tired it and got an error message but I was sending one to myself for a test maybe thats why. But he told me you could still use it and I said well I don't want to use it. I got this new phone because I was told I would have unlimited SMS and be grandfathered in and he said I was and that I have it. But Sprints site doesn't say anything about it just the wirless web messages which I was told was considered short mail so who knows. I was told that picture mail has never been grandfathered in and wont be. I said well i didn't expect that to be since I didn't have a camera phone before. But I did have unlimited text messaging before even if it was short mail so I expected unlimited with the new phone that's why I got it. But whether I need a code on my acct or not and whether thet put one there I don't know.


But some say they were still unsure so I called and noone there knows what there talking about. But the vision guy says you do get grandfathered in from the old 10 dollar unlimited vision plan. Some may know this but some were still unsure. Roseimo u usually have a better chance at getting a more correct answer with less effor and time spent to my questions on this board than calling *2.

[Rose4uKY]

Well I have been reading the forums. But some said you were grandfathered in and others werent sure. But today I actually was text messaging back and forth with a friend on Cingular several times just to see what it said on my Sprint page. And it went from 71 wireless web messages to 81 and it still says unlimited. So I take it you are grandfathered in. Rose

[ScrapMaker]

what I wonder, is will I lose this unlimited messaging if I modify my vision plan?

[SL10]

Yes it is possible to lose your grandfathered SMS, if you change to any new service plan. FYI: Pic Mail was grandfathered to some accounts on service plans that people have had since Dec. 2002 and have never changed their plan at all. I have grandfathered Pic mail on my account. The UNLIMITED WIRELESS MSG flag on your account includes all forms of texting whether it be text notifications or SMSing, that flag means that SMS is unlimited as well. This grandfather issue is confusing to some I hope this helps clairfy things some. So the bottom line is if you have one of two plans from Dec. 2002, The $85 or the $100 plan. Then you have unlimited SMS free and prolly pic mail also grandfathered, if you NEVER changed any vision options since 2002.

[SL10]

As a side note I know for a fact that the UNLIMITED WIRELESS WEB MSG flag includes SMS cause I average about 300 to 500 SMS texts a month and they are all included on my bill as a 0 charge. Also maybe this info may help some on the grandfather Pic Mail deal, when pic mail was launched and the 8100 was released it seems that people at that time were grandfather to pic mail when Sprint was fine tuning the service. For people that had a n400 or an a500 with a camera to it and a pic account back then may also been grandfathered.

[Rose4uKY]

Thanks for the info! I was really unsure of all of this and 3 Sprint reps couldn't help me but a vision tech did. Yesterday I actually text messaged back and forth with a coworker on Cingular several times. A few days ago he claimed to not get any of my messages. But yesterday we both messaged back and forth just fine. And on the Sprint website my wirless web messages had gone up from 71 to 86 and it says unlimited so I now know for sure I was grandfathered in. But some say they got the message about picture mail expiring and they still have it and got grandfathered into that also. I did not have a camera phone before I had the 4900 so I didn't expect to have free picture mail but unlimited SMS I did expect and am glad to have it. I wont use picture mail much anyway and If I ever want it 5 bucks isn't much since I get a discount through my work. Mine expires 5/28th. I didn't have a 85 or 100 dollar plan but I have had the unlimited 10 dollar vision plan since the 4900 came out but I was told I wont be grandfathered into picture mail.

But so far I have been really happy with Sprint. I have a good plan love and my new phone. Rose

[ScrapMaker]

if you remove the $5 premium content charge, do you think that you would lose unl sms?

[Hola]

if you remove the $5 premium content charge, do you think that you would lose unl sms?


any changes to vision would make you lose SMS!

[Rose4uKY]

But lets say I did add the 5 dollar picture mail I could have it lets say for a month or two then If I wasn't using it that much and wanted to cancel it I could right? And then I would be back to my regular unlimited old 10 dollar vision correct? Rose

[pipcorona]

I recently had a problem with my SMS service. I wanted to change my Vision Pack from Premium to Picture. I was told by three different reps that I would still keep my unlimited gradfathered messaging since I wasn't canceling vision, but just changes that extras to it. Anyway I get on to check my usage and it says I have used 203 of 100 messages. So of course I call Sprint and got a girl that wouldn't work with me until I asked for a supervisor. She said the code for unlimited SMS is not available anymore, but she will try to revert me back to the old plan and that should fix it. We'll see what happens. Can't they just add the $5 plan for unlimited messaging along with vision and input a code to make that free?

[simpsonsadict]

i dont have vision right now or an sms capable phone(still using a600) and on my online usage thing it says "casual sms text messaging-0-1-0" why would it say sms? especially if y'alls dont and you have vision and sms phones.. hmmm..weird

[Rose4uKY]

Well I don't know what Premium Pack is but when I 1st got my 4900 which I am no longer using I got unlimited vision for 10 bucks. I am grandfathered in to the unlimited SMS. I am guessing Premium is that 5 dollar credit some of you get. But anyway my question is If I decide I do want to keep picture mail and I've been told it is 5 bucks that wont effect my vision will it? I don't want to pay for picture mail and then lose my unlimited SMS neither. I didn't think I wanted to keep picture mail but now I am thinking I do. But I don't want it to mess with my vision or SMS. Rose

[plik]

At one point Plik said it was April 1st. If you call *2 they say it is Feb 15. I suspect Plik is correct but it's troubling that *2 disagrees.

Wow. I didn't realize there's still confusion on this whole ordeal.

1) There was an unlimited SMS promo that ended Feb 29th. This was put mainly (by the system and entirely automatically) on the 3588.

2) On about 4/1, the Vision codes changed in the system.

3) Prior to 4/1, unlimited SMS was hard-coded into the vision codes themselves. A rep simply looking at the vision code would not be able to determine whether or not it has unlimited SMS. (It would look something like #C PREM PACK)

3a) After 4/1, only 100 messages are hard-coded.

4) A rep has to pull up your account in P2K and click on a certain button to see what each code in your account contains.

5) Many call-center reps don't have access to P2K and therefore do not have the ability to check.

6) The memo we got was not splashed across the main page of the intranet. It was not pushed to everyone's email. It was included as a little snippet on our weekly marketing update and buried somewhere on the intranet.

7) Most call-center reps don't know about the grandfathering of SMS because of #6.

8) If you do change a vision plan for whatever reason, inform the rep you'd like them to go into "Historical Pricing" for your Vision plan dated prior to 4/1.

[Rose4uKY]

I spoke to a vision rep the other night to find out yes I do have granfathered SMS cause I got 10 dollar unlimited vision when I 1st got my 4900 a year and a half ago. I just want to know if I add the 5 dollar picture mail only will it change my vision and will I lose that grandfathered SMS? Rose

[Hola]

nope, shouldn't do anything. I yet to see someone actually get charged for video mail though. I know the system prompt you to accpet the charge, but did anyone get charged?

You would be fine either way, but just wait and see how the system charges you. You might get by for free.

[Rose4uKY]

Thanks alot I really appreciate it. I will just accept it and see what happens. Thing is I called a Sprint rep today and she said it wouldn't let her just add the 5 dollars that I would have to change my vision to the 15 dollar plan or something. But I want to keep my old 10 dollar unlimited vision I said. She said just to go online and accept it for 5 dollars and do it that way and that no I shouldn't lose my grandfathered SMS. That's all I was worried about. But for some reason she couldn't just add the 5 bucks. But on the internet and my phone it says your trial expires 5/28 do you want to purchase 5 bucks or decline. But if I decide I don't want it anymore can I cancel just the picture mail 5 bucks and still have my old 10 dollar vision? It's only 5 bucks I am sure I will keep it. I get a discount on my plan. Maybe I will not see a charge who knows.

I said this before I am coming from the 4900 so I didn't have a camera phone before so I wouldn't expect it for free. But I did expect unlimited SMS and am gald I have it. I really like Sprint. Rose

[winger]

Wow. I didn't realize there's still confusion on this whole ordeal.

...8) If you do change a vision plan for whatever reason, inform the rep you'd like them to go into "Historical Pricing" for your Vision plan dated prior to 4/1.thanks for the summary.

Need clarification on point 8. Ask the rep to go to that screen and do what? What is the purpose of asking the rep to do this?

Thanks

[plik]

thanks for the summary.

Need clarification on point 8. Ask the rep to go to that screen and do what? What is the purpose of asking the rep to do this?

Thanks

Well, when we do change plans and features, it takes us to a sort of main screen with all the current codes. Nearly every single time, that's where we go to add and remove options.

The new options don't have unlimited sms built-in.

[SL10]

Well, when we do change plans and features, it takes us to a sort of main screen with all the current codes. Nearly every single time, that's where we go to add and remove options.

The new options don't have unlimited sms built-in.
I am never changing my vision codes.

[ScrapMaker]

weird, so I guess you have to have had vision BEFORE December '03 to get ANYTHING grandfathered... oh well... no pictures/video/sms.... nothing... every single person I have talked to or emailed has said nope. To top it off no one here has a clear answer on when you had to activate vision or get an sms-capable phone to get unlimited SMS messaging.

"Dear Steven,

I am really glad that you have offered me a chance to resolving your
confusion.

I have reviewed your account and noticed that your PCS Phone is capable
of two-way Text Messaging. This ability enables you to reply to text
messages. You may add the Unlimited two-way Text Messaging Plan to
your
account for a monthly recurring charge of $5.00. This enables you to
send and receive unlimited Text Messages.

Since you have not added the two-way Text Messaging Plan, the two-way
text messages will be charged at the rate of $0.10 per message.
Messages received from another PCS Phone will not be charged.

I have also noticed that you have added the PCS Vision Picture Pack to
your account. The PCS Vision Packs include unlimited text
messages(One-Way.)
But after the launch of the two-way Text Messaging Plan, the messages
on
the two-way Text Messaging capable phones will be charged at the rate
of
$0.10(Without the unlimited two-way text messaging plan.)

You were not grandfathered into the unlimited two-way Text Messaging
Plan and I apologize for the incorrect information provided to you.

Please let us know if you have any further concern in this regard. We
will be glad to resolve your concern."

[ScrapMaker]

hey what the hell.... they are so damned confused over there!

If that answers my question then I must not understand english... I know one of us in this conversation sure doesn't... oh well.

Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Thanks for the information, but I was just wondering,
when exactly would I have had to sign up to have
received unlimited sms messaging? Many people are
saying that they had the original $10 vision plan, and
got grandfathered picture mail, as well as sms. I am
just curious as to when the vision code changed to no
longer allow free messaging.

Thank you very much,
Steven


"Dear Steven,

This is in response to your inquiry regarding the two-way text
messaging.

Please know that the SMS text messaging service allows you to send and
receive text messages on their phones without using the browser.

This is a two-way text messaging service that works directly from the
phone client. Unlike with Short Mail, a browser is not required to use
this service.

The charge for SMS Text Message is $.10 per message. This charge
applies if the customer has exceeded the number of messages provided by
their plan or they do not have an SMS Text Message plan on their
account. The plans offered for SMS Text Messaging to avail the service
at a miminum price are given below:

- $5.00 plan that enables you to send/receive 100 messages; and
- $10.00 plan that enables you to send/receive Unlimited messages.

Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Thank you for contacting Sprint."

[winger]

Well, when we do change plans and features, it takes us to a sort of main screen with all the current codes. Nearly every single time, that's where we go to add and remove options.

The new options don't have unlimited sms built-in.sorry plik. I must be extremely dense up u-know-where today. What exactly does your point #8 mean, you know about asking for the rep to go to the "Historical Pricing" for your Vision plan dated prior to 4/1." ?

[Rose4uKY]

Well I don't uderstand it all neither and I spoke to several reps and got different answers from almost all of them. The Vision tech person is the one who confirmed that yes if you had the old 10 diollar unlimited visiom you were grandfathered in to unlimited SMS and I have tried and am. It still stays on my Sprint page wireless web messages but unlimited and when I 2 way text the number of messages goes up.

I am just still confused as to whether I should accept the 5 dollar picture mail pack or not. I don't want to mess with anything on my account and I want to keep the grandfathered SMS. I just want to add 5 dollars and gave picture pack as a totally extra feature. Rose

[winger]

Well I don't uderstand it all neither and I spoke to several reps and got different answers from almost all of them. The Vision tech person is the one who confirmed that yes if you had the old 10 diollar unlimited visiom you were grandfathered in to unlimited SMS and I have tried and am. It still stays on my Sprint page wireless web messages but unlimited and when I 2 way text the number of messages goes up.

I am just still confused as to whether I should accept the 5 dollar picture mail pack or not. I don't want to mess with anything on my account and I want to keep the grandfathered SMS. I just want to add 5 dollars and gave picture pack as a totally extra feature. RoseMy older vision plan from Feb2003 allowed me to send/recv unlimited pic mail AFTER I purchased a cam phone about middle of summer 2003. This is the same vision that my u/l sms code is attached to. Are u sure u do not have u/l pic mail? I do not understand how u are getting that expired message and I am not.

[SprintPCSMan]

We know this: SMS is grandfathered for vision plans that have not changed since a certain date. That date is a point of confusion. At one point Plik said it was April 1st. If you call *2 they say it is Feb 15. I suspect Plik is correct but it's troubling that *2 disagrees.

I joined Sprint in late Feb and got four SMS capable phones. I asked for and received the $5 unlimited SMS code (thinking I was past the cutoff date for grandfathering). The SMS code was put on the main line and the belief of the rep was that it would pull across to the subs.

Fast forward to now: I am definitely NOT being charged for SMS messages on any line so either (1) the grandfather is working or (2) the SMS code on the main line is pulling across to the subs. I spoke to someone at *2 about this and they now claim that the SMS code does not pull across to the subs but might have at some point. He said he could take the SMS code off (saving me $5/mo) and I *probably* would still not be charged (due to grandfathering) but if I did start getting charged I'd have to put the $5 code on each line since any code available to him now does not pull across.

Can anybody clarify this once and for all:

* the exact cut off date for grandfathering
* if you're after that date whether or not the SMS codes pulls across to the subs (and maybe exactly which codes to use)

?

It would be great to add this to the FAQ since this seems to keep coming up.

Okay, Here is the most comprehensive thing I can give you guys. I hope this helps.

Grandfathered SMS "is a pricing code that is added on subscriptions with SMS Text Messaging phones activated prior to February 15, 2004.
The code means that these customers will not be charged for using the SMS Text Messaging service until March 1.
Starting March 1, customers will be charged per message sent and received. They can also request an SMS plan to be added to their subscription."

Unlimited SMS w/ a vision plan $5
Unlimited SMS w/o vision $10
100 SMS $5

SMS does not carry over to other lines. The service is on a per subscription basis. Some people have the older codes (CSR setup incorrectly). If you are one of the fortunate people, do not change your Vision, SMS, or picture mail features. Doing so now will alter the 2way SMS unlimited feature. The code for this no longer exisits. It is not possible to add the code anymore.

[Rose4uKY]

I got my SMS grandfathered in but when It asked If I wanted to add picture mail for 5 bucks cause my trial had expired I chose yes. I haven't seen a charge for it yet.
But yeah if your getting SMS on all phones at no charge I would not change your plan.
Rose

[Cowboy8467]

Yea, I don't think there's really a uniform answer here. The CSR's just kind of haphazardly slap things onto plans and then contradict each other when I call them. I'm not complaining though. I've had vision since December 2002 and right now I pay $10 a month for unlimited picture and video mail, and unlimited SMS.

[ScrapMaker]

well it turns out I DO have unlimited SMS messaging.... it took about 15 different CSR's PLUS it took me using more than 100 included messages per month for them to actually dig deep enough to find the vision code that gave me the unlimited sms...

-Steve

[MsRandall]

Okay here the deal I just got off the phone with a knowledgable rep (I hope) who looked and found the code for unlimited sms for business accounts...the code is #B_vision_pic_$0 ...The rep said the code is in the system but a support specialist had to add it...and it will be 24 hours....well Im not too confident about it happening.


Steve how did you get your code back???

[ScrapMaker]

What do you mean, get it back? I never changed my plan or anything... I just finally found out that the plan I had all along included unlimited SMS... even though everyone I talked to for months said that it was impossible... they also told me that NO ONE got free video.... and now that I have accepted the charge, I haven't had to pay it... it's been 3 billing periods.

-Steve

[Noodle]

Ok I'm actually surprised so many people seem to be having such a problem finding out if they have unlimited SMS, I don't even have a SMS capable phone yet but I call up *2 and asked a rep if I had UL SMS and at first he said no but when I mentioned that I had heard that any plans before a certain date had it he looked into it and came back saying "oh yeah I checked the code you have and you're right it does have UL SMS" anyway if you are really curious just be nice and ask the rep to double check the code you currently have on your plan.

Also Ms. Randall are you back with sprint? I remember reading some posts about you working elsewhere. Sorry I just noticed that you still have the 4050 in your info and such, just curious.

[MsRandall]

Scrapmaker I misunderstood your post...sorry...My reading failed me yesterday. I was thinking it took 15 reps to get the code back for you....anyway

Noodle I work for Verizon and at one time my personal phone was Verizon too but it was hard for me because many of my friends and family were on Sprint...I was averaging well over 1500 minutes PCS calling...So I decided to keep my work phone which was free Verizon and REACTIVATE my Pleasure phone at Sprint. It is crazy to carry two different phones but it works.

[MsRandall]

Well Sprint did it again promised one thing and did another...so no codes back for me...just a way to get me off the phone...oh well...I am glad I got a nice retention plan so the 5 dollar on 2 lines wont kill me......

[ScrapMaker]

my dad carries around 2 phones, it's not that weird :)

[blue]

I signed up for Vision a few days after Feb. 15 and I have unlimited SMS.

[MegaMan]

Hello all.. I have just read through this whole subject, but still curious about something with my plan. I set up my msn account to allow people to message me to my sprint cell phone last year in about June (2003). From that point on I started to use my phone SMS ability a ton, easily more than 1000 messages a month (from other sources than msn too). Till this day this is the case, but I found something new on my last bill! I had to pay sms overage charges of $34 dollars which I have never had to pay before. So my question is....

What has changed? The only thing I have on my plan is wireless web option, and Free and Clear 600 mins with nights starting at 8pm. I think I was told at one time the "Wireless web" option had unlimited SMS (like 2/3 years ago?)

Damon


P.S. Get this too, lol.. I called up *2 and talked to a dude.. had him go back in history starting last year and for example he said I only recieved 1 message in July, but I have 15 messages still on my phone from that month alone! lol, every month was like this for their records until just this last month.

[djfreake]

thank god for the grandfather clause!!!!! i get on average of 150 sms messages per day and sprint got wise to it after a while and during a call with *2 the csr decided to audit my account and "charge me accordingly" i was like whoa there skippy check the books i added a second line on february the 13th...so upon further review...the call on the field stands!!! they proceded to take off any and all charges for said messages...then i asked for the call to be escalated to the next level of support(works every time) and explained the whole "needing to be audited" like im al capone and mr csr is elliot ness...the supvervisor saw it my way and opted to give me a running credit for my vision usage...yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

[ScrapMaker]

hey djfreake, what exactly do you mean by "running credit"? Does this mean you can buy whatever you want thru vision and not be charged?

[djfreake]

meaning i get a 25 dollar credit for my vision service each month...i dont usually dl anything from sprint so basically all my vision is free yaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!

[rmship]

Ok I have called 4 times to Sprint tonight and noone knew what they were talking about. I was told yes were grandfathered into 2way SMS and then I am told no Short Mail is not the same as 2 way SMS and if you didn't have a 2 way SMS capable phone before and do now that you have to pay 5 bucks for unlimited. My Sprint page says 71 wireless web messages unlimited. The lady said thats short mail and you have not been charged. She said there was no code on my acct about having unlimted SMS.

I dont text message that often and most of the 71 wireless web messages are from where I downloaded ringers and 3guploads sent a text to my phone which I know you can shut that option off. Anyway tonight I called and asked for a vision person he was nice and helpful and said I was grandfathered in and he would get the right code on my account and then he kept telling me to hold and he asked If I had been getting charged for SMS and I said no Ijust got this phone 2 weeks ago. I said I just want to make sure I have unlimited and don't get charged 10 cents like the other lady said. Well I get put on hold again and he says he will fix it. Next thing I know someone totally different gets on the phone ask how long I have been on the phone with them and he says so your calling because your getting charged for text messaging. I was like so mad by then. I was like no I just told the other guy I only want to know am I grandfathered in or not. He said you've had vision since 2002 yes you are grandfathered in you have unlimited 2 way SMS. I said are your sure and he said yes. And I said ok cause all I see on the web is unlimited wireless web messages.

I was also told you can still short mail with one of the new phones. My sprint home page says 1. Text Messaging but I tired it and got an error message but I was sending one to myself for a test maybe thats why. But he told me you could still use it and I said well I don't want to use it. I got this new phone because I was told I would have unlimited SMS and be grandfathered in and he said I was and that I have it. But Sprints site doesn't say anything about it just the wirless web messages which I was told was considered short mail so who knows. I was told that picture mail has never been grandfathered in and wont be. I said well i didn't expect that to be since I didn't have a camera phone before. But I did have unlimited text messaging before even if it was short mail so I expected unlimited with the new phone that's why I got it. But whether I need a code on my acct or not and whether thet put one there I don't know.


But some say they were still unsure so I called and noone there knows what there talking about. But the vision guy says you do get grandfathered in from the old 10 dollar unlimited vision plan. Some may know this but some were still unsure. Rose

The rep apologized and gave me unl sms.
Thanks everyone.

[Rose4uKY]

If you have the old 10 dollar unlimited vision with short mail and get a 2 way sms phone then you are grandfathered in. It may still say wireless web messages unlimited but that is the 2 way SMS. I also was told picture mail wasn't grandfathered in and that it was 5 extra bucks. I didn't care about that because like you said short mail was unlimited with opur 10 bucks and I never had a camera phone before so I didn't expect to have picture mail for free but I have never been charged the 5 bucks and other people say it was grandfathered in also. So you may get lucky there also. Same thing happened to me I kept calling and got all these different answers. No one knew what they were talking about. Rose

[jctim]

yeah same thing happened to me. i had a non camera, non sms phone w/the old $10 vision plan. i called SPCS to ask and I got different answers. one rep told me shortmail was different from SMS, and that if i got an sms phone i'd be charged. also was told that i didn't have picturemail either because i didn't have a cam phone. so i decide to buy the 8200 anyway because i was due for my upgrade rebate. low and behold i DO have grandfathered sms as well as picture mail! :hee:

[dustman81]

I know I have free PicMail due to my grandfathered Vision, I also should have UNL SMS as I have the "Wireless Web Messages" - Unlimited in my usage.

[ScrapMaker]

The $15 vision picture pack I purchased in December 03' has grandfathered SMS, and seems like it has grandfathered videomail as well... I had the option of switching to some $10 vision plan a few months ago, that would supposedly remove the "$5 premium content credit"... but alas, it would also remove my unlimited sms, along with my free videomail, which would then cost me more than $15 anyways...

I just have to find something useful to do with my $5 monthly credit... and to tell you the truth, there's almost nothing worth buying thru vision...

unless its m2audio! :) www.m2stream.com (shameless plug)

[Mary]

Okay, I have read through all five pages of this thread and still have a couple of questions.

I got the vision in August of 2003 for my Samsung i500 which was 15.00. A few months later I called Sprint and complained that I could not use the picture pak with my vision pak since the i500 had no camera. So they dropped it to 10.00 a month.

Fast forward to last week in which I got the Treo 650 and now I got a camera phone/pda. I had never used the SMS feature until I got this phone and noticed on my account that I ONLY had 100 wireless web messages included. Just from reading this thread it sounds like I should have unlimited??

Second question, I used the camera and uploaded the photo to my Sprint picture account which in order to activate this, I had to give it a password. Now I got it all set up. I see no extra charges on my account for using the camera and sending the photo also via SMS. So is my 10.00 vision including the picture pak?

Thanks

[rmship]

Okay, I have read through all five pages of this thread and still have a couple of questions.

I got the vision in August of 2003 for my Samsung i500 which was 15.00. A few months later I called Sprint and complained that I could not use the picture pak with my vision pak since the i500 had no camera. So they dropped it to 10.00 a month.

Fast forward to last week in which I got the Treo 650 and now I got a camera phone/pda. I had never used the SMS feature until I got this phone and noticed on my account that I ONLY had 100 wireless web messages included. Just from reading this thread it sounds like I should have unlimited??

Second question, I used the camera and uploaded the photo to my Sprint picture account which in order to activate this, I had to give it a password. Now I got it all set up. I see no extra charges on my account for using the camera and sending the photo also via SMS. So is my 10.00 vision including the picture pak?

Thanks

That is a major problem for the Sprint gang. The plans have feature good for some phones and not compatible for others. The unlimited sms works for us as the primary and second phone in the 2000 minute plan , the 3rd phone has to pay for unlimited. I have a treo600 the first two phones on the plan are 8200's

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