Questions about A900 & Vision (esp. for GF'd Vision customers)

[denno]

1. Does the A900 support DUN via BT?
2. I currently have the $10/month unlimited Vision plan--will I need to change to a new Vision plan?

[SlickShoes]

1. I believe so.
2. Yes, you need to change, I was in the same boat as you, I had to change to $15 unlimited power vision, no text and no picture mail.

Oh, and welcome to SU, there is a 70 page thread in the Samsung forum...enjoy.

[denno]

Oops--posted this in the wrong forum.
Mod--please move

[MRTRIPOD]

many here have reported they did not have to change to a power vision plan

[kessler11]

1. Does the A900 support DUN via BT?
2. I currently have the $10/month unlimited Vision plan--will I need to change to a new Vision plan?


Posted this Ecare response to your very question in the A900 thread...

Dear Anthony,

Thank you for contacting Sprint together with Nextel regarding the
purchase of the new phone and the discount.

1.) Regarding the phone:

Certainly, you can get the Samsung A900 phone and use the current Vision
Picture pack. You can purchase a phone of your choice from the Sprint
Store at a location near you. Simply click on the hyperlink below to
find a store in your area:

http://www.sprintstorelocator.com

You can also order for a phone online at:

http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/AllPhones.jsp

Alternatively, you can speak to an agent and purchase a phone by calling
at 1-800-480-4727.

[fl00d_pr0z]

I have an EV-DO phone on a regular vision plan :D

[Saint]

Must be nice. When I bought the phone they made me change it. I couldn't activate the phone without getting regular Vision services. I ended up losing my unlimited txt msging for 5 dollars, it really makes me mad.

[Fubar101]

You have to get the power vision plan. There are new codes associated with the plans and power vision usage. You will not be able to use the old vision plans with power vision. I would assume if you don't change you plan, you may be charged casual usage for all data transmitted via power vision. There are new codes for power vision data on accounts. Plus customers can not recieve rebates or discounts without adding power vision to accounts.

[statepkt]

You have to get the EV-DO plan if you are in a EV-DO market....otherwise you are scott free. You don't have EV-DO you get VISION speeds, they can't charge for ****; well except for you regular vision pack

THANK YOU NC isn't in the EV-DO roll out.

[Fubar101]

If you are in an area without power vision you may be able to keep your old vision plan but your account will be coded with an evdo code. If you area upgrades to power vision and you use the services you will be charged casual usage for the services if you do not have a power vision code on your account. Some phones also allow for you to disable power vision and default to regular vision. If you choose to use evdo and do not have power vision you will be charged for casual usage.

[statepkt]

^when you say power vision do you mean the services such as music, TV?

Cause many people on this board have VISION packages while able to use EV-DO for internet access and have not been charged.

[Fubar101]

There are 2 codes on the account one is for vision and one is for powervision/evdo. If you get an evdo phone they put a code on your account for evdo usage. If you use your phone for evdo usage without power vision you will be charged for casual usage. You phone will tell your whether your are on the vision network or on the evdo network by having different symbols. You cannot activate a powervision phone without adding casual usage evdo codes to the account which are not compatable with the old vision codes.

[denno]

I want to be able to occasionally use the phone as modem with my laptop (like I do now with Vision), but I want to be able to take advantage of the higher speed EVDO offers. Would I need to pay for a new PowerVision plan to do this, or can I keep my current Vision plan & just pay extra for casual usage?

[a_c_s]

You have to get the power vision plan. There are new codes associated with the plans and power vision usage. You will not be able to use the old vision plans with power vision. I would assume if you don't change you plan, you may be charged casual usage for all data transmitted via power vision. There are new codes for power vision data on accounts. Plus customers can not recieve rebates or discounts without adding power vision to accounts.

The only part of this post that is correct is the last sentence...everything else is wrong...unless you are familiar with the P2K system coding you should not make incorrect blanket statements...I have a Sanyo 9000 on an old vision plan that was set up by a supervisor and works fine...I do not have any EVDO codes on my line nor am I accumulating any data charges...I've verified this every week for a month...so either my phone is not working (which it is since I am holding it now and using EVDO) or your statement is dead wrong...

[a_c_s]

1. Does the A900 support DUN via BT?
2. I currently have the $10/month unlimited Vision plan--will I need to change to a new Vision plan?

the answer is no...you can purchase the A900 for full price and request a simple ESN swap...do NOT let them touch your old plan if you like it...you will get EVDO access in areas where it is available...I did the same thing and have not been charged anything, as have many others on these boards...Fubar appears familiar with the POS system but not P2K, so do not believe blanket statements that everyone with an EVDO phone has an EVDO phone or EVDO casual usage code on their accounts...it is just plain wrong...

[denno]

cool-do i need to say anything special when i call to do the ESN swap?

[a_c_s]

cool-do i need to say anything special when i call to do the ESN swap?

make sure your are dealing with a rep that appears competent and tell them you would like to do an ESN swap...make it clear you do not want to make any plan changes and do not highlight the fact it is an EVDO phone...tell them you just want to swap ESNs but do not want to make any plan changes today...it should go fine...after the new phone is activated and working, call in again to make sure no plan changes were made, and that no new codes were added to your account (don't ask about EVDO codes specifically)...my guess is that you will end up in the same boat as a lot of the rest of us grandfathered vision users unless Sprint has changed policies in the month since I bought my 9000...

[SlickShoes]

The way I look at it, it is probably best to join the EVDO bandwagon now, cuz' just like the $10 unlimited vision I had when they launched it, the $15 EVDO is probably an introductory price so to speak to get everyone onboard, I can almost guarantee that the EVDO prices will go up once it is more widely available....and just keep in mind that it was only a matter of time before you had to switch anyway since every new phone will be EVDO, might as well do it now...

[Bohemian Iconoclast]

Must be nice. When I bought the phone they made me change it. I couldn't activate the phone without getting regular Vision services. I ended up losing my unlimited txt msging for 5 dollars, it really makes me mad.


You can activate the phone...getting the rebate is where you lose the Vision... :Popcorn2:

[a_c_s]

The way I look at it, it is probably best to join the EVDO bandwagon now, cuz' just like the $10 unlimited vision I had when they launched it, the $15 EVDO is probably an introductory price so to speak to get everyone onboard, I can almost guarantee that the EVDO prices will go up once it is more widely available....and just keep in mind that it was only a matter of time before you had to switch anyway since every new phone will be EVDO, might as well do it now...

I got grandfathered from wireless web to vision and now to EVDO...why should the OP, I or anybody else pay to jump on the EVDO bandwagon if they do not have to...my vision has always been free and I have no reason to believe anything would change with EVDO...it is not necessarily a matter of time before anybody will have to switch to an EVDO plan...people like you said the same thing when vision was launched and I've had it free for almost 3 years...

[He123321]

The only part of this post that is correct is the last sentence...everything else is wrong...unless you are familiar with the P2K system coding you should not make incorrect blanket statements...I have a Sanyo 9000 on an old vision plan that was set up by a supervisor and works fine...


Funny, but my good buddy that works for a local Sprint store as a sale rep could not help me. I got the a900 on Friday, and the system was no allowing him to enter my GF'ed Vision plan. The system will only take a Power Vision Plan on a Power Vision phone. He showed me every step as he went along. The phone was returned on Saturday.

[MsRandall]

Many reps dont have access to P2K now and the other half who dont know how to do much in it. I am from the old school Sprint managers who worked both systems equally...I sent you a pm if you want to try the 9000 again.

[Touhy]

is there a site where you can find out if your market has EVDO..cause i really dont need it and dont want to be forced to get it, if i do, then i'm forced to go to tmobile

[a_c_s]

Funny, but my good buddy that works for a local Sprint store as a sale rep could not help me. I got the a900 on Friday, and the system was no allowing him to enter my GF'ed Vision plan. The system will only take a Power Vision Plan on a Power Vision phone. He showed me every step as he went along. The phone was returned on Saturday.

As Ms Randall said, using a store rep was your problem...they only have access to one of the two systems, and it is the one that automatically kicks out errors in regard to old vision plans...if you bought the phone again and did and ESN swap over the phone you would likely have the same problem...this is how all the rest of us did it...as a matter of fact, I don't think I've read of anyone that successfully got EVDO hooked up on an old plan in a store...

[MsRandall]

My blades were done via business CS in a Sprint store because the assisant manager didnt know how to do an ESN swap in P2K. :scare:

[a_c_s]

As Ms Randall said, using a store rep was your problem...they only have access to one of the two systems, and it is the one that automatically kicks out errors in regard to old vision plans...if you bought the phone again and did and ESN swap over the phone you would likely have the same problem...this is how all the rest of us did it...as a matter of fact, I don't think I've read of anyone that successfully got EVDO hooked up on an old plan in a store...

sorry, meant to say that if you did the swap over the phone you would NOT likely have the same problem...

[Saint]

any way i can take my phone back and cancel the rebate since i am within the 14 day period? i really hated losing my 5 dollar txt plan.

[slffl]

I have the $10 GFed Vision. If I end up getting a new plan with the $15 PV, will I technically still be able to tether to a laptop without incurring addition charges? (I only use this 2-3 times a month to use telnet so I don't need anything more)

[Jaggrey]

So lemme get this str8....

- If you pay full price for the phone and do an ESN swap over the phone, your plan remains in tact.
- If you try to activate it in the store your plan gets changed.
- If you try to use your rebate your plan gets changed.

Is this right???

[laursifer]

So lemme get this str8....

- If you pay full price for the phone and do an ESN swap over the phone, your plan remains in tact.
- If you try to activate it in the store your plan gets changed.
- If you try to use your rebate your plan gets changed.

Is this right???


From everything I've read, I would say you got it right.

[a_c_s]

So lemme get this str8....

- If you pay full price for the phone and do an ESN swap over the phone, your plan remains in tact.
- If you try to activate it in the store your plan gets changed.
- If you try to use your rebate your plan gets changed.

Is this right???

So far it appears that way, but I would not say it holds true 100% because it depends on the rep...in the store I don't think they have access to P2K, which is the system needed to make old codes work with PV, so store is a longshot unless you can find a business rep with proper access...don't know of anyone that has used a rebate and been grandfathered, although I can't say for sure that it has not happened...over the phone is definitely the best bet...just make sure you have a competent rep and emphasize that you do not want your plan touched...if you get any lip just call back...I had luck on my first try and am now into my second billing period with EVDO and no extra charges or plan changes...

[Masterloc]

so if you ESN swap what will show up on your sprint page?

[Polaris044]

the new phone. Could you still use a mail-in rebate and keep GF'd $10 vision?

[laursifer]

I was hoping to do an ESN swap with my 900 but I just now realized that when I added the second line to my account (A940) they removed Picture Mail from my 1st line. :irked: I guess I'll try to use Picture Mail and see how it goes. If I get one of those stupid texts saying I'm nearing my account limit for the umpteenth time because of their mistakes, I'll have to battle it from there. Damn the man.

[donatom3]

I just activated my A900. The rep told me about powervision and said I could just keep my plan and pay the casual usage, but I have a gf'd vision that is included in my plan even though it doesnt' say it in my coverage.

I'm still thinking of upgrading to Powervision for the extra content. The price of Powervision isn't bad it's the damn $15 for unlimited text messages. Dont' they give a discount anymore if you get Vision and text messages?

[a_c_s]

I just activated my A900. The rep told me about powervision and said I could just keep my plan and pay the casual usage, but I have a gf'd vision that is included in my plan even though it doesnt' say it in my coverage.

I'm still thinking of upgrading to Powervision for the extra content. The price of Powervision isn't bad it's the damn $15 for unlimited text messages. Dont' they give a discount anymore if you get Vision and text messages?

I personally think you'd be better off trying to grandfather your old plan and then subscibe to one of the TV packages, otherwise like you said, you'll get killed on SMS costs and other lost freebies...

[Bohemian Iconoclast]

:good: The man knows what he is talking about

[donatom3]

Yeah I'm just looking upt he price of Sprint ultimate tv and sirius. And I thought Sirius was included in the Vision ultimate which it isn't. so only paying $7.95 more for the channels is a much better deal. BTW is there anyway to check my casual usage online. I only see the Wireless Web messgaes under my usage and it still says unlimited.

[Ohji]

I'm a bit confused. I have the virtually ubiquitous $85 2000AT family plan with free vision on the first two lines. My dad's phone is the primary line, and the online account settings show "Unlimited Sprint PCS Vision." My line is the second line, and I just activated my new a900 about 3 hours ago without any change to my plan or loss of my GF'd vision (I think). The new phone is showing up online, and under plan details, it still shows "Sprint PCS Vision Pictures Pack."

What I'd like to know is:
1. What Power Vision services can I use on my line without charge -- I'm assuming I can use unlimited web and e-mail. According to the the blurb that pops up when I click on "Sprint PCS Vision Pictures Pack," I have 100 SMS messages/month (others seem to have unlimited text messaging). How about Sprint TV, the on demand stuff, etc?

2. Does data usage show up under current usage information? If I am going to be charged, will there be a running tally before my bill arrives?

Thanks in advance for any help...

[laursifer]

What I'd like to know is:
1. What Power Vision services can I use on my line without charge -- I'm assuming I can use unlimited web and e-mail. According to the the blurb that pops up when I click on "Sprint PCS Vision Pictures Pack," I have 100 SMS messages/month (others seem to have unlimited text messaging). How about Sprint TV, the on demand stuff, etc?

At least with my 900, which is the PV phone on my grandfathered plan, I seem to get Sprint TV Live with that. I'm not exactly sure why or how, but it's listed under My Channels in the Media Player. SIRIUS Hits is included as well, though I don't use that.

Regarding On Demand, I'm a wee bit confused on this one. On Demand on my 940 is completely different than what I'm getting on my 900. I don't know if this is because I don't have a PV plan or what... but on my 940 (which is on a PV plan), there are features of On Demand that you have to pay for, but you get a 30-day trial. On my 900, the layout is completely different, some of the apps in it are different and they all seem to be free. This may have been discussed already, I dunno...

2. Does data usage show up under current usage information? If I am going to be charged, will there be a running tally before my bill arrives?

I think the only way to check this is to call in to CS and see if your bill is accumulating any casual data charges.

[a_c_s]

Laursifer, you're the first I've heard of getting any premium content on a grandfathered plan...most of us just have the faster internet access...we all get the Sirius Hits channel for free...are you sure you are getting Sprint TV as well? We all have it listed, but when you actually click it and go to a channel, I get the option to preview every channel or buy...it is not the real content...if you haven't actually watched it maybe you are in the same boat as the rest of us...if you have watched it, congrats on some sort of system fluke...

[laursifer]

Laursifer, you're the first I've heard of getting any premium content on a grandfathered plan...most of us just have the faster internet access...we all get the Sirius Hits channel for free...are you sure you are getting Sprint TV as well? We all have it listed, but when you actually click it and go to a channel, I get the option to preview every channel or buy...it is not the real content...if you haven't actually watched it maybe you are in the same boat as the rest of us...if you have watched it, congrats on some sort of system fluke...


Yeah... I've been watching Discovery Kids all morning :p Every channel works just fine... I don't know if it has anything to do with having a PV plan on my other line or what... Guess I'll see how this one works out on the bill. I have called Sprint twice to verify that my plan has gone untouched.

[Jaggrey]

Hmm... so the people that get the grandfathered Vision on their PV phones is like an equivalent to the PV Access plan + pic/vid mail?

[stms]

im am about to sign a contract for 2yrs and they offered me a free phone (mostlikely junk) 1000nw 6pm, pcp2pcs, free vision for 2 yrs $40 and $5 text unlimited . i would loose my gf vision pack for this. i am also wanting to get the a900. ive read all they ways of loosing your gf vision. if i get the regular phone that they offer me for free, can i ask for my gf vision? will i be able to get the blade and just do the esn swap later?

[donatom3]

Hmm... so the people that get the grandfathered Vision on their PV phones is like an equivalent to the PV Access plan + pic/vid mail?

It is for me Jaggrey. My coding in my bill says PCS Vision Pictures Pack $0.00. I have full vision access and full picture/vid mail access. Any extra services such as sprint tv is all extra depending on what I want. and of course I still get the freebies like sprint sattelite radio.

[giovinetto]

Can I set my phone to not use powervision and only use vision speeds?

There are 2 codes on the account one is for vision and one is for powervision/evdo. If you get an evdo phone they put a code on your account for evdo usage. If you use your phone for evdo usage without power vision you will be charged for casual usage. You phone will tell your whether your are on the vision network or on the evdo network by having different symbols. You cannot activate a powervision phone without adding casual usage evdo codes to the account which are not compatable with the old vision codes.

[giovinetto]

What is the best way to activate a new phone by only doing an ESN swap. Is there a number I should call or any buzz phrases I should use?

the answer is no...you can purchase the A900 for full price and request a simple ESN swap...do NOT let them touch your old plan if you like it...you will get EVDO access in areas where it is available...I did the same thing and have not been charged anything, as have many others on these boards...Fubar appears familiar with the POS system but not P2K, so do not believe blanket statements that everyone with an EVDO phone has an EVDO phone or EVDO casual usage code on their accounts...it is just plain wrong...

[a_c_s]

What is the best way to activate a new phone by only doing an ESN swap. Is there a number I should call or any buzz phrases I should use?

no special number...the key is more to make sure you are dealing with a competent rep who knows their way around the systems...you need to pay full price for the phone and call into the main Sprint #...when you get a rep on the line, tell them you'd like to do an ESN swap...do not highlight the fact it is a PV phone...just say you'd like to do a swap and do not want to make any plan changes whatsover...make sure you repeat this once or twice during the course of the conversation...when they summarize the call to ask if you were happy with the service, verify once again that all you did was a plain ESN swap and that nothing at all changed on your plan...after that, you should hopefully be OK...also, call the next day to independently verify your plan was not touched, as well as checking plan details on your Sprint homepage... good luck...

[a_c_s]

Yeah... I've been watching Discovery Kids all morning :p Every channel works just fine... I don't know if it has anything to do with having a PV plan on my other line or what... Guess I'll see how this one works out on the bill. I have called Sprint twice to verify that my plan has gone untouched.

I would venture to say that whoever named the Sprint TV channels is a friggin m0r0n...you would assume that Sprint Ultimate would be the best and most comprehensive package, although in reality it is Sprint TV Live...I had Ultimate for about a week and was not very impressed...the short clips get old quick and only two live channels...just signed up for Sprint TV Live today and it is a million times better...great fluid picture and rarely any audio lag...for $4.99 a month after my vision credit I am pretty happy with this product...

[laursifer]

I agree. They're also pretty misleading about it. I missed Sprint TV Live and somehow I'm now getting it for free... I can't beat that. I personally think $10/month for it is completely overpriced, but with a Vision credit (I don't have that on my GF'd plan) it's nothin'. I had considered changing my plan back around those credit days, just so I could get that monthly credit, but my plan was just too good to touch. :(

Only reason I have Ultimate is because the whole PVU plan is only $12.50 since it's on my second line. Otherwise, this gal would be rockin' the $15 package.




I would venture to say that whoever named the Sprint TV channels is a friggin m0r0n...you would assume that Sprint Ultimate would be the best and most comprehensive package, although in reality it is Sprint TV Live...I had Ultimate for about a week and was not very impressed...the short clips get old quick and only two live channels...just signed up for Sprint TV Live today and it is a million times better...great fluid picture and rarely any audio lag...for $4.99 a month after my vision credit I am pretty happy with this product...

[a_c_s]

I agree. They're also pretty misleading about it. I missed Sprint TV Live and somehow I'm now getting it for free... I can't beat that. I personally think $10/month for it is completely overpriced, but with a Vision credit (I don't have that on my GF'd plan) it's nothin'. I had considered changing my plan back around those credit days, just so I could get that monthly credit, but my plan was just too good to touch. :(

Only reason I have Ultimate is because the whole PVU plan is only $12.50 since it's on my second line. Otherwise, this gal would be rockin' the $15 package.

not sure how you missed out on the credit...I've had vision since day 1 on the original $85 F&C plan where it is hard coded into the primary line's account...I get a $5 credit on my main line and probably my subs, although my wife and mother in law (my subs) don't use vision much and have never downloaded anything, so can't say for sure about the sub credits...in any case, I thought everyone with the old vision plans got the credit, and it was a matter of whether it was $5 or $10...guess there are some who missed the window somehow...

[crazydave530]

I ordered a A900 unprovisioned. When I called up Sprint Customer Service (Business Dept. for Retail Accounts) I was able to switch my phone without having to switch plans. I was actually told I would have contact my Sprint Retail Rep to do any changes. However, I noticed when I started using my phone today I got switch from vision (could tell by icon, which i had before) to power vision. The only thing I did was try the free services of On Demand, weather i believe, and started my trial of the other things (dictionary, sports, etc.) for 30 days? Anyone know what might be going on? Anyone else with same situation?

[laursifer]

However, I noticed when I started using my phone today I got switch from vision (could tell by icon, which i had before) to power vision.


You will still be able to use Power Vision even if you did an ESN swap and aren't on a PV plan. Your phone will use whichever service is available. That's what we've been discussing... the fact that you don't HAVE to switch to a Power Vision plan to use Power Vision.

[Boraxo]

Store mgr told me he had to add EV-DO code in order to activate my new A900 (maybe due to $150 upgrade rebate?) I had no choice as I basically had no leverage since this was the last A900 in the area. He was going to remove the discounted vision code from the account but I told him to leave it on as in worst case scenario it will be transferred to my wife's phone which is not EV-DO.

Anyway, the EV-DO is free for 3 months (promotion?) so I haven't decided yet whether to email CS to remove it or to wait a while. Probably the latter, might as well check it out.

[pegleg28]

again, let me get this straight . . . if i buy an a900 using my long awaited $150 rebate, i get penalized by losing my gf vision, picturemail text messaging etc etc.

but if i buy the a900 sans rebate, i can just switch esn's and get power vision for free?

how long will that last? just a few months ago, sprint shutdown my picturemail and told me to choose between picturemail or readylink. i chose the former, but i thought it was unfair for them to start taking away freebies in the midst of my contract.

[pegleg28]

how much is power vision anyway? and the text messaging and picturemail and all that? it certainly can't be covered by $150 over 2 years can it?

[laursifer]

how much is power vision anyway? and the text messaging and picturemail and all that? it certainly can't be covered by $150 over 2 years can it?

http://sprintusers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=764630&postcount=4

[a_c_s]

how much is power vision anyway? and the text messaging and picturemail and all that? it certainly can't be covered by $150 over 2 years can it?

it depends on what you pay now...the cheapest PV plan starts at $15 and goes to $25...text is $15 now on top of that and Picture mail is $5 I believe...if your vision if free now, than you are MUCH better off sucking up the $150 now and just paying retail...if you have $10 vision then you can do the math because I don't know all the other freebies on your plan...and I agree, taking away pics or RL in the midst of a contract is BS...I have never heard of them doing that before...why they feel the need to f ck around with loyal customers like that is beyond me unless you are on a very low end plan and they just don't care...

[pegleg28]

it depends on what you pay now...the cheapest PV plan starts at $15 and goes to $25...text is $15 now on top of that and Picture mail is $5 I believe...if your vision if free now, than you are MUCH better off sucking up the $150 now and just paying retail...if you have $10 vision then you can do the math because I don't know all the other freebies on your plan...and I agree, taking away pics or RL in the midst of a contract is BS...I have never heard of them doing that before...why they feel the need to f ck around with loyal customers like that is beyond me unless you are on a very low end plan and they just don't care...

i have 5 lines and pay over $200/mo, i don't think that's low end, maybe sprint does =P

yeah, i'm done with sprint. i'm better off getting a cheaper verizon family plan and paying for vcast and text messaging and it'll be cheaper than staying with sprint.

i just don't get why sprint penalizes you for being a loyal customer, whereas verizon (not sure about other phone co's) reward you with extra savings.

thanks for the info, i was just going to jump into the blade, but this changes my mind 180 degrees. i'm sure sprint will lower costs eventually, but they're going to lose a lot of customers before that happens.

[giovinetto]

i have 5 lines and pay over $200/mo, i don't think that's low end, maybe sprint does =P

yeah, i'm done with sprint. i'm better off getting a cheaper verizon family plan and paying for vcast and text messaging and it'll be cheaper than staying with sprint.

i just don't get why sprint penalizes you for being a loyal customer, whereas verizon (not sure about other phone co's) reward you with extra savings.

thanks for the info, i was just going to jump into the blade, but this changes my mind 180 degrees. i'm sure sprint will lower costs eventually, but they're going to lose a lot of customers before that happens.
You have to be very careful. All I did was an ESN swap at the store. Oh my receipt (for the phone-paid full price) was listed the phone and then "other services:" and only the ESN swap was listed. I get home and check my plan online. Magically my $5 PCS Vision is MIA. I was irate. Not only didn't I authorize that, but there was no kind of documentation that it was done at all.

I called up and got it changed back, thankfully. Then they try to sell me another phone and line "for free," but when I do the calculations it would be costing me another $50 a month because I'd have to give up all my current Vision stuff.

He then kept offering me other discounts because I've "been a loyal customer for a long time and have a premium contract." So why are you trying to screw me over. I got an idea! Instead of discounts, just do the simple jobs I ask you.

That's basically what I told him. I've had so much trouble in the last few weeks with my contract being changed, my ESN being stolen (ok, not really, just some idiot programing my ESN into someone elses phone/account), my new phones not working etc. that I don't feel comfortable doing any more business at this time. I hope someone somewhere eventually gets the message.

And speaking of loyalty and low end plans: my first cellphone plan was 19.99 a month for 200 minutes and nada else way back in the day. Now I'm one of those 5 lines $200+ plan guys. Low end people turn into high end people over time and that is why you want to have good retention of loyal customers. Why do you think banks give kids free accounts even though they have zip in assets. Why do they give college students free checking. Because they are upwardly mobile and they are establishing relationships now. My free kids account became a massive home loan ten years later. Sprint needs to figure this out because I only have a year left on my contract and I'm willing to pay MORE at someone else for LESS hassle.

[BEERbelly]

- I purchased an a900 at full price

- Called the number on the pamphet that came with the phone saying how to activate it.

-Told the rep. "I got a new phone... I would like to activate it". They asked me if it was a new line of service I said no just replacing my handset.

- Gave them the SN off the phone, they walked me through a couple steps

- They try to sell me voice sothing or other

- That was it. No mention of plan changes etc. (and yes I have called to make sure)

[petersw]

It's amazing how confusing this is...I'm just glad this forum is here to provide some clarity!

I could also use guidance for my situation:

- I currently am on a F&F plan with my parents, that includes the "PCS Vision Pictures Pack" as part of the basic package.
- Our current 2-year contract expired in July of 2005, and I'd now like to switch from my Sanyo 8100 to the A900.
- In addition, I'd like to buy a PPC-6700 for my girlfriend (she's with another carrier now, and her contract has expired as well), and (perhaps) add her to the F&F plan.

Neither of us need the TV options on our new phones, but we'd both like to have internet access at the EVDO speeds (over the phone, not through a connected computer).

So, is the best idea to order both phones through Sprint telesales, forget the $150 rebate (for both phones), and then switch my ESN? Or will adding a new line to the F&F trigger a plan change? In any case, it sounds like I'm better off doing this with Sprint over the phone than in a store.

Of course, I'd really like to have the $150 rebates as well, but it sounds like this is risky if I want to keep the free vision. Is it worth calling Sprint CSRs until I get a better answer?

It really shouldn't be this difficult, should it? :dazed:

[Jaggrey]

If you add another line they'll have to pay the new charges. But as long as you do an ESN swap on your line you should be fine.