Existing Customer Instant $150 Rebate plus $30 Online Rebate??

[skyvvalker]

I contacted Retention and the guy coded (ICEC code?) my account so I can get an instant $150 rebate on my phone and my wifes phone (both are eligible for upgrade rebate). He said it may or may not work, depending on the store. I'm not sure why that would be the case.

Anyway, I noticed that there is an additional $30 online savings if you order online. Does anyone know if you can get this $30 savings in addition to the $150 rebate? We are renewing our contract at the end of the month. Is this only for new customers?

If this doesn't work, then I am hoping to to buy the Sanyo 4920 for $50, and get the 2nd one free (after mail-in rebate). I assume that the $150 rebates will come off instantly on the 2 phones, leaving $100 to pay out of pocket, with $50 coming back in a mail-in rebate.

Obviously, the online deal would be better if that works. Anyone have any experience with getting an instant rebates for current customers and/or getting additional web specials for current customers.

If the instant rebates don't work, then I will be very unhappy. I don't want to give Sprint a $300 loan (2 x $150) for several months while I wait for a mail-in rebate. I have excellent credit, pay my bills on time and in full, etc.

Thanks for reading!

-Rick

[NoClones]

When you get a new phone you HAVE to renew your contract anyway...

[skyvvalker]

So if my retention plan goes into effect on the 20th, do I buy a new phone on the 21st, or the 19th?

If the instant rebate doesn't work on existing lines, then should I just get new numbers (not a big deal to us)?

Also, what if I decide to get the "free" phone (Nokia 6016i), activate it, then 1 month later decide I like my old Sanyo 4900 better. Can I just re-activate the 4900 and sell the 6016 on ebay?

[PCSRepGirl]

So if my retention plan goes into effect on the 20th, do I buy a new phone on the 21st, or the 19th?

If the instant rebate doesn't work on existing lines, then should I just get new numbers (not a big deal to us)?

Also, what if I decide to get the "free" phone (Nokia 6016i), activate it, then 1 month later decide I like my old Sanyo 4900 better. Can I just re-activate the 4900 and sell the 6016 on ebay?

You can do the new numbers things, however, because they are new lines of service, you will not be able to have the retention plans.

As for the rebate, it will most likely be a MI rebate. Unfortunately, no matter what we "code" on your account, you have to have the paperwork either emailed/direct mailed to you, to back up the instant rebate code.

[Perfectance]

You can get new phones before you contract is up. I upgraded handsets 3 weeks before my contract was up no problem.

[skyvvalker]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like existing customers definitely CAN'T get instant rebates, only mail-in rebates. The rumors on this and other message forums are false. This is unfortunate, as I am not willing to give Sprint a $300 no interest loan for 2 months.

I don't need/want to add new lines so that isn't an option. Also, I don't want to lose my existing lines, since I then lose my new retention plan (standard retention = $40/750 + free 8pm N/W). Therefore I am "stuck" with the retention plan and existing phones. Thankfully they are decent phones (Sanyo 4900).

The only saving grace, is that I still have the 2 $150 mail-in rebates available should we need to replace our 4900's down the road.

BTW, when I spoke to a PCS CSR yesterday, after she was unable to help me concerning the instant rebates while on the record (sprint records all conversations), she did call me on her personal phone and give me some off the record advice. Thanks! :)

-Rick

[bradbomb]

Wait, its not a rumor on the $150 instant rebate, my sister got an email from sprint when she hit the 18 month mark to print this email out and goto a sprint store and buy a new phone and get the $150 instantly off instead of it being a mail in rebate. Your account has to somehow qualify for this status I believe. The email also had an expiration date so it was for like a month after it was sent to her. We'll see if I get the same email next month when my phone hits the 18 month mark on my account.

[towerner]

Wait, its not a rumor on the $150 instant rebate, my sister got an email from sprint when she hit the 18 month mark to print this email out and goto a sprint store and buy a new phone and get the $150 instantly off instead of it being a mail in rebate. Your account has to somehow qualify for this status I believe. The email also had an expiration date so it was for like a month after it was sent to her. We'll see if I get the same email next month when my phone hits the 18 month mark on my account.

If I could talk them into giving me this $150 instant rebate, are you still required to sign a 2-year service agreement?

I want to buy the Sanyo 4920, but don't want to spend $200 and more importantly, don't want to sign up for another 2 year service agreement

[NoClones]

Sprint DOES give INSTANT rebates to EXISTING customers.....

[Ted]

Sprint DOES give INSTANT rebates to EXISTING customers.....

Can you get that through telesales and just order the phone straight up through sprint?

[SingSongBird]

So I should expect a rebate e-mail when my 18 months is up? Is that 18 month date to the day that you first established service or just the beginning of the month that you first established service? If so I guess I will just count the days until I get it.

[skyvvalker]

2 years with the same handset, excellent credit, pay full balance of sprint bill on time , 2 year contract expiring in less than 30 days = Mail In Rebate for me. :(

Talked to 3 different Business Retention Reps and was told that there isn't an instant rebate, and that there is mail-in only.

Now if some people are getting instant rebates, then that seems to be the exception, rather than the rule. Any idea on how to become the exception? ;)

-Rick

[Deval]

there are certain accounts which get instant rebate codes...not all qualify for them, and there is no real way to know, unless a rep looks up your account

[gedansky]

I have been a Spring customer for about 8 years at this point and I haven't paid less than $75 a month in all that time (my current plan is $85 per month).

Both my wife and I became eligible for the $150 mail in rebate in November and our plan has been month-to-month for some time. I spoke with Sprint several times recently, trying to get them to do better than the mail in rebate. I even suggested (truthfully) that we were looking to sign up for a more expensive plan ($135 per month) which would lock us in to another 2 years. All I was asking for was 1) An instant rebate, and 2) a better deal than just $150. A small trade, I thought, as a long term customer who had spent a lot of money over the past 8 years and who was now preparing to sign on for $3240 over the next two years.

Their reply? "The best offer we have is the $150 mail in rebate sir." When I suggested to them that I was month-to-month, and therefore had no obligation to them, and was considering the many competetive plans on the market that offer either very good free phones or considerable discounts on higher-end phones, they again told me that the $150 mail in rebate was the only deal available there was nothing they could do.

When I asked for customer retention, I was told that was who I was speaking to and that there are no longer any kinds of behind the scene deals designed to keep Sprint customers.

Frankly, not to appear greedy, but I spend twice the amount that MOST do on my monthly cell phone bill, have done so for 8 years, and have offered to increase that bill again, AND lock myself into another 2 year contract. I think Sprint should be prepared to pony up a considerable deal for me and anyone else like me.

[CSR_CP]

If I could talk them into giving me this $150 instant rebate, are you still required to sign a 2-year service agreement?

Why would we give you $150 so you could cancel the next day and sell the phone? Yes you do need to renew a contract.

[CSR_CP]

Frankly, not to appear greedy, but I spend twice the amount that MOST do on my monthly cell phone bill, have done so for 8 years, and have offered to increase that bill again, AND lock myself into another 2 year contract. I think Sprint should be prepared to pony up a considerable deal for me and anyone else like me.

No offence but for the money you payed us, we also provided you a service of equal value. As far as increasing your bill, we would also increase the service we provide you. This in no way entitles us to "pony up a considerable deal" for you, or anyone else like you. You pay for a service we provide simple as that.

[mwilson]

No offence but for the money you payed us, we also provided you a service of equal value. As far as increasing your bill, we would also increase the service we provide you. This in no way entitles us to "pony up a considerable deal" for you, or anyone else like you. You pay for a service we provide simple as that.

Right, but from a business standpoint, going a bit out of your way to accommodate a long standing, thus far happy customer, can be worth much more than locking in a 2-year contract; happy customers are more likely to remain loyal to a product/service and moreover, refer friends and family members the vendor's way. I know I've done that, both as a customer and a service provider to my customers.

When the service offering market is so tight, sometimes a vendor's attitude is bearing the most weight in determining one's choice -- for instance, I put a great deal of weight on how I am treated by a company: are the shiny, happy customer service reps depicted in marketing materials just that, an image, whereas in reality when you call in you hit a brick wall, or are they willing to work with you?

As a customer, faced with so many choices, I would expect the vendor to be accommodating -- it is the vendor who has to fight for my business, and not the other way around.

So far, I've been a happy Sprint customer, and all the reps I've ever talked to were very willing to work with me. I've been a Verizon customer for exactly one month, a few years back, and left them exactly because of poor attitude when trying to have some problems addressed by their reps. And oh yes, they did try to charge me an early termination fee, but I charged back on my American Express card for under par service, and I got the fee credited back to my card. Gotta love American Express! And Sprint too!

Cheers,
Mike

[gedansky]

Why would we give you $150 so you could cancel the next day and sell the phone? Yes you do need to renew a contract.

I would be willing to sign the two year contract. All I want is the $150 instant savings and $30 web special that new customers receive. My wife and I both need new phones, and for two decent ones that we would actually want to stay with for 18 months until the next rebate, we are looking at $600-$800 out of pocket. At 8-10 weeks wait for the rebate to come in, that's a hefty capital expenditure for most people with mortgages, car payments and other priorities.

And, though I'm sure you hear this all the time, we have been loyal Sprint customers for about 8 years. In that time, we have never spent less than $75 a month, and have averaged $85 a month (before taxes and other fees) since Vision came into being. A two year contract, guarentees at least $3240 to Sprint, assuming we don't INCREASE our plan as we expect to. That's the price of a very reliable used car.

Considering what we have spent and are willing to committ to spending, it doesn't seem like a lot, to ask for the same advantages offered to new customers. Especially considering all the competetive plans and generous technology offerings out there.

Unfortunately, customer retention as I knew it years ago, seems to be gone, and all anyone can say is "I'm sorry sir, that's the best we offer."

[gedansky]

No offence but for the money you payed us, we also provided you a service of equal value. As far as increasing your bill, we would also increase the service we provide you. This in no way entitles us to "pony up a considerable deal" for you, or anyone else like you. You pay for a service we provide simple as that.

Understood. But your willingness to offer $150 instant rebates and $30 web specials to new customers while severly limiting your offerings to your existing customer base that makes up the bulk of your company's profits, is not fair.

As a business person, I offer the same discounts to everyone. If an existing client comes to me with an advertised special, I honor it. The good service a business provides, makes a customer loyal. The occassional special offerings or favors, a company does for its clients makes them feel appreciated. And keeps them loyal.

While I have been generally happy with my Sprint service, I don't feel that Sprint values me as much as it does a potential new customer, despite my 8 years and nearly $10,000 in service fees (not to mention a couple of grand in phones).

I know that I am savy enough to shop a service provider that will offer a competitive service in both price and performance. That said, the only thing that differentiates Sprint from "the next guy" for me, is the time and money I have invested with them. There is, potentially, a false sense of security created by this relationship, that implies that Sprint will come through for me when I need them to. If this is not the case, then they are just another commodity to be shopped, and there are pleanty of commodities out there with competitive service plans, comparable network performance, and much better, more generous technology offerings.

[CSR_CP]

Why is it that whenever a customer wants sprint to "work with them" it always means us giving credit or free equiptment. At the moment there is no way for us to give you an instant rebate instead of a mail in rebate, I wish there was, I don't like having to tell people its a mail in and then listen to them complain about it, and how new customers are treated so much better, I don't have any choice in the matter. There have been many cases that I would have given an instant rebate but it doesn't work that way, bypassing the mail in rebate is still fraud no matter how you look at it, even if its a rep or a customer, its still fraud.

[Ted]

Why is it that whenever a customer wants sprint to "work with them" it always means us giving credit or free equiptment. At the moment there is no way for us to give you an instant rebate instead of a mail in rebate, I wish there was, I don't like having to tell people its a mail in and then listen to them complain about it, and how new customers are treated so much better, I don't have any choice in the matter. There have been many cases that I would have given an instant rebate but it doesn't work that way, bypassing the mail in rebate is still fraud no matter how you look at it, even if its a rep or a customer, its still fraud.

I bet you csr's catch hell over this issue, especially in light of the fact that some reps are doing it anyway against policy. Thus the call, you did it for my cousin/friend/brother/bus driver and why can't you do it for me?

[gedansky]

Why is it that whenever a customer wants sprint to "work with them" it always means us giving credit or free equiptment.

Because, and "work with me" on this one, that's what service based companies, such as Sprint, are supposed to do sometimes. Sometimes, it's because they have done something wrong, and it is to placate a customer in order to keep them Sometimes, it is because a customer has done enough and paid enough to be entitled to a little latitude (or even a lot of latitude). And, sometimes, it is simply the right thing to do, when, in this case, the company is offering much greater incentives to join than to stay.

I agree with you, bottom line, Sprint, like most businesses, offer products and/or services, for money.

But, so does my heating oil company. And, if they don't offer me a good price for their product, ammenable customer service, AND incentives to stay, I will switch from year to year. Sometimes multiple times in a year.

The reality is that, in business, the job isn't over once you've won the customer, you have to keep them. And you don't always do it just by offering a good product and consistant service. "Sometimes you have to say, we appreciate you." And, policy or no, to say "We appreciate you," with a $150 mail in rebate says "We appreciate you a lot less than those new customers we are giving $180 instant credit to."

And, there is no fraud in giving an instant rebate to a customer, anymore than there is fraud in giving a full credit towards a new phone, or one of those customer retention service plans that are not advertised to the public. It's one of those things that Sprint used to do in order to keep customers.

And, reality check here. Cell phones may be commonplace. And most of the users on this site may be techy enough to feel like they can't live without one. But, they are still a luxury that we could ALL live without if our lives or financial wellbeing depended upon it. I could have easily saved the roughly $10K I've spent with Sprint over the past 8 years, and I could definitely save the $3240 the next two years will cost me. I don't need to talk to 99% of the people I call, or who call me, at the exact moment I do. Most of those calls could wait until I get home or to the office. And, I have a lot of quarters AND a credit card if I need to use a payphone.

I have a lot of friends who are firmly rooted in the 21st century, but refuse to enslave themselves to a cell phone. They just don't need or want to be that connected all the time. I am starting to understand them better.

[Philby]

I do agree with some of the posters feelings that they are not being treated as "equals" with new customers in terms of an IR vs. a MIR. But is there any company that offers existing customers any similar upgrade program? and is verizon/cingular/T-Mob offering an IR instead of an MIR? I was just wondering if anyone had been interested enough to shop around and compare...

Also I have a question for sprint employees. What If a customer charges a phone to their account, pays everything but the $150 every month until the rebate arrives (in about 2 months, at least from my recent experience) and then pays of the rest of their balance? Does sprint charge interest for unpaid balances? If they don't it would see to me that as long as your ASL was enough to cover the 150 and the monthly bill you could float the money that way...??

[gedansky]

You may be right that the others don't offer better discounts for existing customers either, but, then they are in the same boat. If you aren't earning my loyalty, by offering me good service AND the same deals you offer your new customers, then I will jump phone companies every 1 to 2 years, whenever I find a cometitive deal and a better handset.

Plus, I do think that manufacturers offer much better handsets to the GSM providers than to the CDMA (the new HP IPAQ PPC phone and the Motorola smartphone and Razor to name a few). And, they do offer some serious discounts. The Samsung i600 is $469 with new Sprint service and the more feature-rich Motorola MPx220 Smart Phone is $299 from Cingular.

I can answer your question about stalling on the $150 from experience. I bought a $500 phone on my Sprint account, thinking I could pay it off a little at a time. No go. You can only go a little under/over a month without paying the full amount you owe, before they insist you pay up or cancel your service until you do. So, short changing them $150 for 8 weeks is a gamble.


I do agree with some of the posters feelings that they are not being treated as "equals" with new customers in terms of an IR vs. a MIR. But is there any company that offers existing customers any similar upgrade program? and is verizon/cingular/T-Mob offering an IR instead of an MIR? I was just wondering if anyone had been interested enough to shop around and compare...

Also I have a question for sprint employees. What If a customer charges a phone to their account, pays everything but the $150 every month until the rebate arrives (in about 2 months, at least from my recent experience) and then pays of the rest of their balance? Does sprint charge interest for unpaid balances? If they don't it would see to me that as long as your ASL was enough to cover the 150 and the monthly bill you could float the money that way...??

[Philby]

Good to know, I guess I won't try that when I get my GF's upgrade.

If I had a land line I think I would agree w/ you on jumping companies whenever my contract was up, however since I only have my cell for people to get ahold of me, then it would suck to change numbers every 2 years. Plus a lot of people I talk to on a regular basis are sprint, so the pcs2pcs is an attractive feature to me. I'll also be interested to see how good the Direct Connect feature is after we get together w/ the Nextel engineers.

Maybe someday when I have more money, I'll turn my current phone into my "House Phone" and grab a new account w/ someone else if they're offering a better deal. That way I could cut my anytime mins down to a bare minimum, but still keep my same number so old friends can get ahold of me. That'd be a hard sell to my GF though, she likes to keep the purse strings pretty tight.

[gedansky]

I think I figured out how to get through to Sprint. Don't use the rebate. Get your new phone another way. Ebay, discount stores, used, full price, whatever. By not cashing in on the mail in rebate, you will not be committing to another two year contract. Let your current contract, if you have one, lapse and stay month to month.

If everyone did this, Sprint would have all its primary income coming from a customer base that had no contractual obligation to them. It's been so long since Sprint was a "no contract" company (part of why I originally joined), I'm not sure they would know what to do. They would scramble to offer something (anything) to lock in their client base.

Just a thought.

[atomos]

But is there any company that offers existing customers any similar upgrade program? and is verizon/cingular/T-Mob offering an IR instead of an MIR? I was just wondering if anyone had been interested enough to shop around and compare...

Sprint used to... In my first year of my orignal contract I went through 3 different phones and never ONCE did I pay the full price... needless to say I was very upset when my last phone died and I went in to pick up a new LG 325 only to find out that I had to front the $220+ tax and had to wait for 8-12 WEEKS for the rebate...

No offence but for the money you payed us, we also provided you a service of equal value. As far as increasing your bill, we would also increase the service we provide you. This in no way entitles us to "pony up a considerable deal" for you, or anyone else like you. You pay for a service we provide simple as that.

I understand this and agree with it to a point... However now sprint is charging MORE and providing LESS service... When I signed up in '02 I had a 300 min Nation Wide plan, unlimited nights and weekends, First incoming Minute Free (awesome feature), Unlimited PCS-PCS, and Wireless web 2G (addtl. $5) for something like $35 ($30+5) a month... When vision came out I seem to remember the unlimited vision was something like $5 or $10 now it is $15-$20

Now I am on a retention plan... (the only thing that can come close to the old plans) that is 1000 a/t mins, Unl. N/W @ 8, no roaming ($5 extra), PCS-PCS ($5 extra) For all of this I pay $50 ($40+5+5)a month plus taxes and if i want vision it is going to cost me $15 a month more and $20 if i wanted to add a line to my account.

back when I signed up you could get 2000 A/T mins, unl. N/W, PCS-PCS, unl. vision, and First Incoming Min Free (and free Add A Phone if you wanted it) for around $90. This was available to ALL customers. My brother signed up with this plan.

Now tell me what Sprint could offer to any customer (new or existing) that could even come close to the 2000 min plan...

[gedansky]

... However now sprint is charging MORE and providing LESS service...

I totally agree. I had an amazing retention plan for about 2 years before Vision started. I THINK it was something like $100 for 1500 any time minutes. At the time, that was about 1/2 price for what I was getting.

When Vision came out, at $89 for 2000 any time minutes, plus $12 for 20MB of data, I was paying the same as before and getting 500 minutes more plus data.

Then, they came out with my current plan a few months later. $85 for 2000 any time minutes, unlimited Vision (including the picture storage and stuff), free PCS-PCS calling and shared minutes between 2 (maybe 3 lines). I've had this plan ever since and I'm not budging until they come out with something better or offer the same services for less money.

Now, you would pay about $100 for 2000 minutes, $20 to add a phone to share minutes, $15 for Vision, and $5 for picture mail.

[Ted]

I totally agree. I had an amazing retention plan for about 2 years before Vision started. I THINK it was something like $100 for 1500 any time minutes. At the time, that was about 1/2 price for what I was getting.

When Vision came out, at $89 for 2000 any time minutes, plus $12 for 20MB of data, I was paying the same as before and getting 500 minutes more plus data.

Then, they came out with my current plan a few months later. $85 for 2000 any time minutes, unlimited Vision (including the picture storage and stuff), free PCS-PCS calling and shared minutes between 2 (maybe 3 lines). I've had this plan ever since and I'm not budging until they come out with something better or offer the same services for less money.

Now, you would pay about $100 for 2000 minutes, $20 to add a phone to share minutes, $15 for Vision, and $5 for picture mail.

1. Your $85 plan is as good as it gets. Don't expect to see anything better.
2. The current $100 plan includes one free AAP.

[scoopster]

Why is it that whenever a customer wants sprint to "work with them" it always means us giving credit or free equiptment. At the moment there is no way for us to give you an instant rebate instead of a mail in rebate, I wish there was, I don't like having to tell people its a mail in and then listen to them complain about it, and how new customers are treated so much better, I don't have any choice in the matter. There have been many cases that I would have given an instant rebate but it doesn't work that way, bypassing the mail in rebate is still fraud no matter how you look at it, even if its a rep or a customer, its still fraud.


Sorry, but what about an instant rebate is "fraud" ?? Who is (or would be) committing fraud?

[xmultiple]

Heres a story that is being played out right now.

December 6th I had ordered the new LG PM-325 phone ($229.00 - $150.00 retention for customers over the 18 months, been there 6+ years) They charged my credit card for $79.99 and $10.00? on the 6th. At the time I had a surplus balance on my phone account at -$12.00.

Every other day I was told to call back in a few days to see if they had gotten there shipment. The phone just arrived yesterday (2 weeks, when I was told they were in stock when I ordered) The phone was set up with a new number when it was to be a replacement for my existing phone (made this very clear with the sales rep ever time I called for stock up-dates).

To get this phone to work. I talked to a sales rep, who talked to a supervisior, who got back with the best thing to do, would be to send the phone back. No way. After a long chat, I was able to get the sales rep to transfer my old phone number into the new LG. Seemed easy enough. [I]NOT[!

After the two hour shut down for the number to take. I turned the phone on and had a voice message.

"Your phone is being turned off for non payment or exceeding your spending limit"

Well, when you try to call out to talk to a human to possibly find out what the heck happened. You get directed to a third world country who knows only how to ask for more money. They state that they are collections only and you need to call someone else. Well, every time I try to call out, I get transfered to them.

Where's the cheese!

[delci06]

I have had sprint for 18 months and love them. the problem is my phone has just broke. i forgot to add warranty to it. well i cannot afford to pay full amt for a new phone and wait for the rebate. is there any other way to get an instant rebate or any other solutions? customer service people and they said if the people in the store had sympathy for me they would give me an instant rebate. the people in the store said that only customer service could.
does anyone know what can be done?
thank you

[don56]

I have had sprint for 18 months and love them. the problem is my phone has just broke. i forgot to add warranty to it. well i cannot afford to pay full amt for a new phone and wait for the rebate. is there any other way to get an instant rebate or any other solutions? customer service people and they said if the people in the store had sympathy for me they would give me an instant rebate. the people in the store said that only customer service could.
does anyone know what can be done?
thank you

It seems like you are caught in rebate hell like most of the rest of us. The store says call customer service and customer service says see the store. This is why I collected my documentation and sent it to Sprint Executive Services, my state Attorney General Consumer Division and filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau and the FTC. Not that I really expect to get the same rebate offer as a new customer, but only to add 1 more example of the gross incompetance shown by some Sprint employees. With Gary Foshee being named as one of the nations top managers, it would be nice if he could "manage' to figure out why we get 6 stories from 6 employees.

[Del]

My local Radio Shack upgraded my phone to the MM7400 and gave me the instant rebate also.

-Del

[Arthur Knight]

My local Radio Shack upgraded my phone to the MM7400 and gave me the instant rebate also.

-Del

I bought my PM-325 at Radio Shack on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I was there for an hour and a half talking with Sprint before we finally worked out a deal that I was able to live with. When I talked to Sprint initially, the customer service agent was not willing to work with me. When I asked to speak with her manager, she informed me that I would have to ask her the questions and she would talk to her manager and get the answers for me. Fortunately, after I told her to tell the sales rep that she was responsible for loosing them a sale, the store manager called his Sprint rep who got another Sprint "customer care" on. This guy was a real customer service person. He pulled up my account and when he saw I was a customer since 1999, he was able to make some changes to the plan to help me out.

To the Sprint Rep on this board: Customer service is about making your customers feel good. If a long-term customer is going to spend $35-$50 a month for another two years, giving them the same $30 discount you give your new customers is something you do. It's not because the customers are greedy, it's not because they are ungrateful. It's because they are the lifeblood of your company and without them, your company doesn't exist.

[nottobrite]

Seems to be *lot* of confusion regarding this 18 mo upgrade program. I bought a phone at costco after my 18 mo, I was told I have to buy it from a sprint store or radio shack. Then while activitating I was told that I can buy it anywhere. I asked how to get the rebate and they said to get the paperwork from a sprint store. I called another CSR and he too told me that an internal email was sent stating you can buy the phone anywhere sprint phones are sold. Now I'm trying to get this Rebate paperwork they speak of with not much success, they tell me it prints out after you buy the phone... Anyone now where to get this "rebate form to send in?"

[flipn0tic]

At a Sprint store...

[Sushi Champloo]

I contacted Retention and the guy coded (ICEC code?) my account so I can get an instant $150 rebate on my phone and my wifes phone (both are eligible for upgrade rebate). He said it may or may not work, depending on the store. I'm not sure why that would be the case.

Anyway, I noticed that there is an additional $30 online savings if you order online. Does anyone know if you can get this $30 savings in addition to the $150 rebate? We are renewing our contract at the end of the month. Is this only for new customers?

If this doesn't work, then I am hoping to to buy the Sanyo 4920 for $50, and get the 2nd one free (after mail-in rebate). I assume that the $150 rebates will come off instantly on the 2 phones, leaving $100 to pay out of pocket, with $50 coming back in a mail-in rebate.

Obviously, the online deal would be better if that works. Anyone have any experience with getting an instant rebates for current customers and/or getting additional web specials for current customers.

-Ricki asked the same thing bec. i wanted to renew my plan and he didnt say anything about the rebate but 'stead i need to buy the phone in full coverage which is about $249 and will give me a $125 credit, he said the $30 web savings are only for the new customers so im not getting that. i ended up not buying the phone bec. i thought i could get a $150 credit plus the $30 saving like it says in their online site

[thnikkamax]

I come from the home renovation industry where we deal with much more pricey contracts than a $35/month blip on the radar. Most of our customers finance at about $250 - $350 / month for several years. We recognize the trust they have placed in our business and so we like to reward them. Most of our past customers get automatic cash upon a 2nd purchase. We even have referral programs that yield an instant $200 for every referral. No credits, no redeemable gift cards... just instant real cash!

The customer is EVERYTHING. The customer IS the company, not the sleezy sales rep, not the incompetent phone rep, and not the greedy corporate suits.

for the money you payed us, we also provided you a service of equal value. As far as increasing your bill, we would also increase the service we provide you.

That stance is incredibly unprofessional, and any of my reps would get the instant boot with that kind of thinking. I won't even think of associating that comment with Sprint itself because it's a very lopsided way to think.

For the money a sprint customer pays, they get a product that is due. The service is extra. The service a customer receives should be worth bi- or tri-fold what is being paid, otherwise it's a crappy deal to get exatly what you pay for, don't you think? Where's the added value of wanting to go with Sprint.

Keep in mind the phrase "What can I do to earn YOUR business?"


Now the Devil's Advocate part.....

I think it is completely fair that Sprint gives an instant rebate to new customers and mail-ins to existing customers. It's all well thought out..

If you get an instant rebate at month 18, then get your phone and cancel, you would have gotten $150 new user rebate, $30 online rebate, $150 existing user rebate = $330... -$150 cancellation fee, -$36 activation (for some), -$Whatever profit Sprint made off of your 18 months and the 2 phones you had to shell extra money out for. BUT, that scenario is at 18 months. Customer experience will tell you that the rebate ACTUALLY takes up to 12 weeks (3 months). So that means that you get your rebate as month 21.

Cancel if you want, but the only gain you'll have is to have 2 phones as paperweights, or 2 used phones on eBay. In the end the customer might break even, but think about where Sprint stands.

The phone. Does anyone think a phone is actually worth $299+ Why is Sprint so quick to give $150 off of a phone? BECAUSE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. "Discounts" and "Rebates" are just bait. It's a deal to you, but the mark-up was probably 300% anyway. Sprint wins.

Bottom line: The 18-month existing user rebate is a great idea that benefits the customer AND Sprint. Get the rebate and stay a sprit customer, sell your old phone for a small profit on eBay, or add-a-phone, or use it as a business line and write it off!

I believe that eventually Sprint should either give you a $50 bonus for signing a new contract, OR a free month of service... (or you can call them up and complain about something til they give you a free month just to shut up ;)

[Fubar101]

Actually Sprint phones are subsidized on the sales floor. Every phone Sprint sales at "regular price" they still take a loss on the phones. The phones are much more than the price than they are sold at. The reason for the discounted price is because you can only use the phone on the Sprint network. They don't mark up the price of phones by 300% the actually mark them down.

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