Can't do ESN Swap on SERO for first 6 months?

[camsd85]

I just signed up for a SERO plan through the inphonics website. Since they didn't have the 6700, I opted for the A900 which I'm hoping to sell on ebay right away to help pay for the new 6700 I just got off ebay.

After doing some searching on the forum, I've found some people mentioning that you can't do an ESN swap on SERO plans ordered from the website for 6 months or 30 days(I'm not sure which). I just checked out the FAQ's on the "whereismyorder" website, and here's what it says:

The price you paid for your phone was discounted $250 when you bought it. This discount requires that you keep the phone active for six months after purchase. If you terminated service within six months, you must pay the $250. This is separate from any early termination fees your carrier may charge.

This is a bit ambiguous to me, as it's not clear whether it's referring to the actual phone or the service. It doesn't really make sense for them to care what phone you use as long as you keep the service, right?

Has anyone who has gotten a phone off the SERO website tried doing an ESN swap within a few days? Any ridiculous charges?

[ajblbv]

Not trying to hijack but I just wanted to add a scenario that anyone who can answer ur post should also know. In about a month my mom is coming to Sprint and I want to get her set up with a SERO plan, if we swap phones will there be a problem? Just wanted to check, I didn't think there would be but now you have me nervous.

[Deval]

that means, if you do an ESN swap, you MAY get charged it

[camsd85]

Not trying to hijack but I just wanted to add a scenario that anyone who can answer ur post should also know. In about a month my mom is coming to Sprint and I want to get her set up with a SERO plan, if we swap phones will there be a problem? Just wanted to check, I didn't think there would be but now you have me nervous.

Actually, your scenario is basically asking the same question as mine. Basically...if you don't keep the phone you originally purchased on the SERO plan, will you be charged the $250 equipment discount penalty or will you lose the instant rebates as a result of using a different phone on the plan?

Here is another thread on the subject:
http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90292&highlight=sero+swap+months

[JK360Guy]

I just signed up for a SERO plan through the inphonics website. Since they didn't have the 6700, I opted for the A900 which I'm hoping to sell on ebay right away to help pay for the new 6700 I just got off ebay.

After doing some searching on the forum, I've found some people mentioning that you can't do an ESN swap on SERO plans ordered from the website for 6 months or 30 days(I'm not sure which). I just checked out the FAQ's on the "whereismyorder" website, and here's what it says:



This is a bit ambiguous to me, as it's not clear whether it's referring to the actual phone or the service. It doesn't really make sense for them to care what phone you use as long as you keep the service, right?

Has anyone who has gotten a phone off the SERO website tried doing an ESN swap within a few days? Any ridiculous charges?

When you get SERO and your new phone, you're suppose to keep the same phone on for 180 consecutive days. If you don't, they may charge you the $250 penalty. From what I know, I can't imagine they wouldn't charge you. If you changed phones I would think they would charge you.

[OKSOONERFAN]

If I change phones will I get charged? i bought my phone at a Sprint retail store, and I want to switch to a new one. I did NOT get a discount on the new phone, but I do not want to get charged for the phone twice by switching the esn

[camsd85]

When you get SERO and your new phone, you're suppose to keep the same phone on for 180 consecutive days. If you don't, they may charge you the $250 penalty. From what I know, I can't imagine they wouldn't charge you. If you changed phones I would think they would charge you.

That really makes NO sense at all if it's true. Why should it matter to them what phone you use as long as you keep your service? I've never heard of any other indirect dealer having such a weird requirement. I've heard of this requirement with respect to keeping SERVICE for 181 days...but this really sounds strange.

I'm wondering if anyone on the forum has personally gone this route and gotten charged the $250?(or not?)

[ajblbv]

I am just going to get it documented from ecare stating that it is okay to do. CSRs over the phone have told me it is okay, no fee. If they charge it and I have the ecare reference number they'd have to take back the charge. If you are concerned I would do something similar.

[Yay4Juggs]

i would have to suspect that its 6 months of service and not esn's...say your original phone gets lost or damaged and needs to be replaced via lockine or thru warranty replacement...the esn will be different...has anyone ever once called on this for your own piece of mind ?

[trim81]

you are ABLE to swap ESN, but the SERO phone cannot be reactivated on another account.

so you can have your esn swapped over -just dont plan on selling the A900 on ebay any time soon.

I know because I did the VERT same thing for my uncle on the SERO.

Bought the A900, and bought a PPC6700 on ebay..swapped his ESN over.

3 months into the bill now, no equipment charges. i can confirm

[BigCat]

you are ABLE to swap ESN, but the SERO phone cannot be reactivated on another account.

so you can have your esn swapped over -just dont plan on selling the A900 on ebay any time soon.


Huh. who told you that?
I just sold my a900 on ebay I did an esn swap last month 4 days after i signed up(yes i have sero since march). Swapped from my fav. phone the treo 650 of course :clap:
person on ebay activated it on his account and post positive fb. no charges at all. :music:

[camsd85]

you are ABLE to swap ESN, but the SERO phone cannot be reactivated on another account.

so you can have your esn swapped over -just dont plan on selling the A900 on ebay any time soon.

I know because I did the VERT same thing for my uncle on the SERO.

Bought the A900, and bought a PPC6700 on ebay..swapped his ESN over.

3 months into the bill now, no equipment charges. i can confirm

:frustrate That's really just STUPID--I really can't understand the logic behind this. Oh well...any ideas on when I'd be able to sell it?

I think I'll have to sell the 6700 now...

[trim81]

Huh. who told you that?
I just sold my a900 on ebay I did an esn swap last month 4 days after i signed up(yes i have sero since march). Swapped from my fav. phone the treo 650 of course :clap:
person on ebay activated it on his account and post positive fb. no charges at all. :music:


KUDOS BRO!
\

guess its now time to sell the A900!

thanks for your info :haha: :headbang2

[asf4588]

I went with my friend to a Sprint store and He sign a new contract with SERO account . I paid US$99.00 for an A900 and I made a ESN swap between my 8200 and his A900. No problem at all.
Before that I called CS and I explained them that I will do that. They write a note in my account and .... Done.
Now, I have my A900.

Very Happy now !!!!!

[JK360Guy]

Well I don't know if getting ecare or the CSR to notate your account will matter. Since thats Sprint you're having notate your account, but the $250 charge would come from InPhonic, two seperate entities. But you said you got SERO at the sprint store right? This $250 charge would ONLY affect you, if you ordered SERO through InPhonic.

That really makes NO sense at all if it's true. Why should it matter to them what phone you use as long as you keep your service? I've never heard of any other indirect dealer having such a weird requirement. I've heard of this requirement with respect to keeping SERVICE for 181 days...but this really sounds strange.

I'm wondering if anyone on the forum has personally gone this route and gotten charged the $250?(or not?)


Let met explain to you about this not making sense. From my knowledge, since I don't work for InPhonic, only Sprint. InPhonic (the website that does the SERO) gets $$$ from Sprint for getting you a SERO Plan. It works differently than normal retailers from what I have been told. So they need the 181 days because they want to make sure Sprint gives them their commission. So you cannot change the account, the phone (ESN) OR even change telephone numbers.

I THINK and don't quote me on this, based on what I have read here, you can swap ESNs to a new phone, but CANNOT (and I'm 100% sure on this) CANNOT have someone else on another account activate the ESN on the SERO Phone you got. So basically for 6 months+ you cannot sell the SERO Phone.

[johnny hotsauce]

So they need the 181 days because they want to make sure Sprint gives them their commission. So you cannot change the account, the phone (ESN) OR even change telephone numbers.

Now I'm confused here.... I'm on SERO and ordered through inphonic. I ported my number over after the 14 day trial so I no longer have the number that inphonic gave me... I've had the account changed so CS could provision my corporate discount and I believe that I now have a new account number since they said when they made the change they would have to cancel the original account and create a new account and then model it to be identical to the original one. I've also swapped ESN's to a Sanyo MM-9000 but still have my A900 that I got through SERO. Since I now technically have a new phone number and new account number and different ESN I might get charged $250 from inphonic?

[JK360Guy]

Now I'm confused here.... I'm on SERO and ordered through inphonic. I ported my number over after the 14 day trial so I no longer have the number that inphonic gave me... I've had the account changed so CS could provision my corporate discount and I believe that I now have a new account number since they said when they made the change they would have to cancel the original account and create a new account and then model it to be identical to the original one. I've also swapped ESN's to a Sanyo MM-9000 but still have my A900 that I got through SERO. Since I now technically have a new phone number and new account number and different ESN I might get charged $250 from inphonic?

Well technically you're not suppose to get a Nationwide Volume Discount on the SERO MRC. About porting, that's okay because when you signed-up, there was the section telling InPhonic that you plan to port. But again, I'm telling you based on what I know and what I have been told. I don't work for InPhonic, so I don't know if they're mean and will try and charge you or not. Most of this is stated in the Disclaimer on the InPhonic site, regarding what you can and cannot do.

[johnny hotsauce]

Well technically you're not suppose to get a Nationwide Volume Discount on the SERO MRC. About porting, that's okay because when you signed-up, there was the section telling InPhonic that you plan to port. But again, I'm telling you based on what I know and what I have been told. I don't work for InPhonic, so I don't know if they're mean and will try and charge you or not. Most of this is stated in the Disclaimer on the InPhonic site, regarding what you can and cannot do.

I didn't have to twist any arms to get the NVP, all I did was ask e-care if I was eligible and they replied back that they added it to my account but had to make some changes to the hierarchy and that a new account number was generated and contract date extended by a month.

[JK360Guy]

I didn't have to twist any arms to get the NVP, all I did was ask e-care if I was eligible and they replied back that they added it to my account but had to make some changes to the hierarchy and that a new account number was generated and contract date extended by a month.


Oh I by no means implied you twisted their arm. I have seen a few members on here say they have SERO and have a discount on the MRC. I'm just saying Sprint rules are that you're not suppose to have it, but that doesnt mean there aren't those who do.

[camsd85]

Just an update. I just got out of a chat session with an Inphonic(not sprint) representative who looked at my order. I asked if according to Inphonic's Terms and Conditions if I would be charged the $250 equipment discount penalty if I used a different phone with a different ESN on the account. I was told that the $250 penalty is ONLY charged if SERVICE is discontinued within 181 days...and I was told that changing the actual phone itself would not have any effect. I saved the chat and got the rep's ID# and also asked her to place a note on my account/order.

[The Unabomber]

Good info to have. Thanks for the update.

[ajblbv]

Sweet, thanks camsd85

[toddc79]

i swapped my phone out within the first couple weeks of ordering a sero plan on inphonic.com.... i also totally changed my phone # / area code within a day of receiving my phone.... when i called inphonic to ask them they advised me that i needed to call them and let them know the new phone # otherwise they wouldnt be able to track my service ie: that it's still active and they would charge me.... i never got around to calling them and updating because their customer service is so half assed, they have a hard enough time keeping up with fulfilling orders in a timely manner i dont see them actually doing an audit and realizing who's swapped out their esn or changed their phone #'s.

if you're ultra paranoid you can report the cc you ordered with lost/stolen and get a new cc # :p then they will have a nice time trying to charge you ;)

[ajblbv]

i swapped my phone out within the first couple weeks of ordering a sero plan on inphonic.com.... i also totally changed my phone # / area code within a day of receiving my phone.... when i called inphonic to ask them they advised me that i needed to call them and let them know the new phone # otherwise they wouldnt be able to track my service ie: that it's still active and they would charge me.... i never got around to calling them and updating because their customer service is so half assed, they have a hard enough time keeping up with fulfilling orders in a timely manner i dont see them actually doing an audit and realizing who's swapped out their esn or changed their phone #'s.

if you're ultra paranoid you can report the cc you ordered with lost/stolen and get a new cc # :p then they will have a nice time trying to charge you ;)

Hey bud, so how bad is inphonic really? I was going to order a phone through SERO but I would want it immediately, are they really that unorganized? How long have you had your phone? I assume that you have not had problems? Thanks for the info.

[toddc79]

Hey bud, so how bad is inphonic really? I was going to order a phone through SERO but I would want it immediately, are they really that unorganized? How long have you had your phone? I assume that you have not had problems? Thanks for the info.
i had some problems, but i ordered back around new years when they were really back logged, it took close to two weeks to get my phone, due to the way they shipped it partially... they advertise free 2day shipping and they ship it like fedex home delivery or something stupid.... i guess they're better now, most people are receiving their phones within a week at the most depending on how the credit/approval process goes (ie: no snags in the opening of a account with sprint verifying your info etc...).

they're definetly not the best, the online ordering was painless, its the processing and customer service (if you need it) that pretty much blows.... basically if everything goes as it should its fine otherwise you're gonna have fun like me talking to their outsourced indian customer care.

[The Unabomber]

Well when you order you get to speak with "American Reps" that speak proper english. However if you call back with an issue or to track your order or have questions etc you will get to speak with "Reps that are in India" and are next to impossible to understand. I ordered two A900's off of the SERO site via inphonic and got them in about 7 days. I was supposed to get them sooner and it was their fault. I called them and raised hell. They offered to give me a FREE mp3 player and all kinds of crap. I finally settled on a $100 dollar credit and am awaiting it still.

[camsd85]

Does anyone happen to have access to a copy of Inphonic's "Terms & Conditions" for SERO? The link for it is down all over their website. I wasn't able to read it when I ordered, and it's still down(when I check the whereismyorder site). When I informed the rep I was chatting with about the problem and asked if I could have a copy sent to me or if I could be given a correct link, I was given a simple "no"--very strange.

[JK360Guy]

That does sound odd. Based again on what I have been told and have read for myself, phones are not supposed to be changed. But then again InPhonic is so weird, they probably wouldn't even keep track....

[Chaoss]

thanks cams, for the confirmation.
The same day I got my a900 through inphonic, I swapped it for my friends 6700.

[Chaoss]

i got this information from another user on a different forum:

Your price paid includes... discount of $250... provided by agent...
By accepting this equipment discount, you agree that for a period of 181 days after your new line of service is activated, you
-will pay your balance...
-will not disconnect this line...
-will not transfer this equipment to another Sprint PCS line of service (emphasis added)
-will not...
-will not change your Sprint PCS service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate.
If these conditions are not met, you herein provide authorization for a $250 reimbursement to be charged to your credit card by this Sprint PCS authorized agent without need for further approval. (emphasis original)

[johnny hotsauce]

-will not change your Sprint PCS service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate.

In my case, I don't think it's even possible to switch to a lower rate plan...LOL Well, I guess there is one that's a penny cheaper than mine but doesn't come anywhere near what's included in mine... :D

[camsd85]

i got this information from another user on a different forum:

Your price paid includes... discount of $250... provided by agent...
By accepting this equipment discount, you agree that for a period of 181 days after your new line of service is activated, you
-will pay your balance...
-will not disconnect this line...
-will not transfer this equipment to another Sprint PCS line of service (emphasis added)
-will not...
-will not change your Sprint PCS service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate.
If these conditions are not met, you herein provide authorization for a $250 reimbursement to be charged to your credit card by this Sprint PCS authorized agent without need for further approval. (emphasis original)

The solution is to call the credit card company and tell them you lost your credit card and have them send you a new one with a new number.

[SFY]

Hey bud, so how bad is inphonic really? I was going to order a phone through SERO but I would want it immediately, are they really that unorganized? How long have you had your phone? I assume that you have not had problems? Thanks for the info.

My experience with InPhonic went very well. I originally ordered an A920 but when I checked my order online I saw that it was backordered 72 hours. I wanted to get a phone ASAP because I was porting a number from Cingular, my account closing date was coming up, and I didn't want to get charged for a whole month for only a couple of days of service since they don't prorate.

I called the InPhonic customer service line (and yes, it's in India but that wasn't an issue at all) and asked if I could change my order to the Sanyo 8300 since it was in stock. I even told the rep the reason for the change and that I would be swapping it out for the A920 within the 14-day look period. The rep had no problem with that and even said that she thought that was very clever of me.

The call finished a few minutes after 3 PM eastern time, which is the deadline given for same-day shipping on InPhonic's site, but the rep assured me that the order would go out that day and I would receive it in two days. The phone, sent FedEx Two-Day, actually arrived the next day. (FedEx, unlike UPS, doesn't seem to purposefully delay packages so they don't arrive before they're supposed to. In fact, because I wasn't expecting it I wasn't home when they came and I had just gotten off the phone with FedEx to arrange to pick it up when the FedEx guy came back with the package later.)

A few days later I called to switch to the A920 with no problem and it arrived the next day as well. I couldn't have asked for a smoother ride with InPhonics.

[ajblbv]

Okay, not to resurrect, but from rereading this it looks like you can be good to go to swap phones with a SERO plan. I have a SERO account, mother is going to open new one, I want to swap phones. No one has incurred the charge just from the phone swap? So as long as both accounts remain open we are good to go? Thanks guys, just want to be safe on this.

[Paniro]

:frustrate That's really just STUPID--I really can't understand the logic behind this. Oh well...any ideas on when I'd be able to sell it?

I think I'll have to sell the 6700 now...

Well, thats what the terms say. Thats what it said in Jan. when i signed up. It said that the sero phone cannot be activated on another line of service for 180 days. Pretty much their trying to tell you that you cant sell the phone or "give it away", if u wanna be slick, for 6 months.

Luckily, i got my ppc6700 on ebay, and got switched to the sero plan b/c of that, since i didnt want any headaches from sprint.

[StarmanDX]

I have done an ESN swap, number port, and NVP discount all on my SERO plan and haven't been charged a dime from inphonic. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Darkdashing]

stupid question, but when dealing with Sero once you have it, do you go through e-care and sprint or through inphonic to get your stuff done and ask billiing questions etc??

[johnny hotsauce]

stupid question, but when dealing with Sero once you have it, do you go through e-care and sprint or through inphonic to get your stuff done and ask billiing questions etc??

You go through Sprint.

[Darkdashing]

You go through Sprint.


so you can log on to sprint and everything and use e-care etc with SERO?

[johnny hotsauce]

so you can log on to sprint and everything and use e-care etc with SERO?

You got it. You're only dealing with inphonic to buy the phone and get on the plan, once you have everything you belong to Sprint from there on.

[autoprime]

get an esn swapper and switch it out yourself. takes 15 seconds.

[johnny hotsauce]

get an esn swapper and switch it out yourself. takes 15 seconds.
? ? ?

[Darkdashing]

? ? ?


exactly !

[specv]

im pretty sure u cant just "get" an esn swapper

http://www.cdma-ware.com/software.html

^ unless u are reffering to just changing the ESN on a new phone to the current ESN you have activated with the software listed. But i could only seen bad things happening with that

[Darkdashing]

so, the conclusion is that you can switch to a different phone from the one you ordered from the inphonic (sero) site, but you can't use that same phone on a different plan for 6months without penalty? I basically want to get the inphonic web deal, then use a different phone with powervision.

[JK360Guy]

so, the conclusion is that you can switch to a different phone from the one you ordered from the inphonic (sero) site, but you can't use that same phone on a different plan for 6months without penalty? I basically want to get the inphonic web deal, then use a different phone with powervision.


Okay this is the 100% fact I know of.

If you get SERO on the website then pick a phone, you CAN change phones but the one they gave you, you CANNOT have that ESN swapped to another account for 181 days (so 6 months + 1 day.) You also are not supposed to be allowed to change telephone numbers either.

[Darkdashing]

yep:

Important Information Regarding Your Equipment Discount

Your price paid includes an Equipment Discount of $250 that has been provided to you by this Sprint PCS authorized agent for activating a new non-substitute line of service with Sprint PCS, and maintaining this new line of service with the selected rate plan in good standing for a minimum of 181 consecutive days. By accepting this Equipment Discount, you agree that for a period of 181 days after your new line of service is activated, you

* will pay your balance due to Sprint PCS each month
* will not disconnect this Sprint PCS line of service
* will not transfer this equipment to another Sprint PCS line of service
* will not port an existing phone number from another Sprint PCS account to this new line of service
* will not change your Sprint PCS service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate

If these conditions are not met, you herein provide authorization for a $250 reimbursement to be charged to your credit card by this Sprint PCS authorized agent without need for further approval. This reimbursement of the $250 Equipment Discount will only be charged if the above conditions are not met.

(im tempted to cancel my credit card after I order lol)

[ajblbv]

Ordered by phone with inphonic, was specifically told I could move the phone to another account as long as the account itself remains open without any fee. We'll see, if not back it goes within the 14 days....

[Darkdashing]

Ordered by phone with inphonic, was specifically told I could move the phone to another account as long as the account itself remains open without any fee. We'll see, if not back it goes within the 14 days....


no, you can't move the phone you got from sero to another account:

"Your price paid includes an Equipment Discount of $250 that has been provided to you for activating a new non-substitute line of service*, and maintaining this new line of service with the selected rate plan in good standing for a minimum of 181 consecutive days. If these conditions are not met, a $250 reimbursement can be charged to your credit/debit card without need for further approval. This reimbursement of the $250 Equipment Discount will be charged if your wireless device is transferred to another line of service, or this new line of service is disconnected (permanently or temporarily, except based on the fault of the carrier), or if you change your wireless service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate, or if the wireless phone bills are not paid during this 181 day period. This $250 reimbursement will not be charged if the purchased equipment is returned in original condition including the wireless device(s), all of the product literature, manufacturer packaging and parts as included in your original shipment with your return. "

sorry.

the thing I want clear is, can I add my ppc 6700 to the SERO plan while not using the phone i chose from the website without a charge? I'll have to email customer service again.

[ajblbv]

I explained exactly what I planned on doing and even cited the $250, he said as long as the line remains active, I am fine. If I can't transfer the phone it goes back, if I can and they try to charge the 250 I will cite the convo and ID number date and time of the employee who I ordered through. You can't lie to a customer when the question is directly asked. If their employee messed up, it's not on me.

[Darkdashing]

I explained exactly what I planned on doing and even cited the $250, he said as long as the line remains active, I am fine. If I can't transfer the phone it goes back, if I can and they try to charge the 250 I will cite the convo and ID number date and time of the employee who I ordered through. You can't lie to a customer when the question is directly asked. If their employee messed up, it's not on me.


actually, they'll refer to the TOS email that was in writing. Unless, you get some confirmation by emailing customer service, i'd expect to be billed 250.00

[ajblbv]

He said it was recorded and for up to 6 months could be listened to, also said a notation was made. Like I said, I think I covered my bases. The TOS is something that gives them the option, I asked specifically and told it would be fine. I realize my worst case is still paying the 250 but that's only if I can even switch it, if I can't then whatever. If I can, it's rough same price I would pay out of contract anyways. I am not really concerned though, I feel I covered my bases. Regardless of any contract the rep cannot sit there and lie to you about something in it.

[Darkdashing]

He said it was recorded and for up to 6 months could be listened to, also said a notation was made. Like I said, I think I covered my bases. The TOS is something that gives them the option, I asked specifically and told it would be fine. I realize my worst case is still paying the 250 but that's only if I can even switch it, if I can't then whatever. If I can, it's rough same price I would pay out of contract anyways. I am not really concerned though, I feel I covered my bases. Regardless of any contract the rep cannot sit there and lie to you about something in it.

keep us posted, goodluck. I myself am just using a different phone with the SERO plan, ordering the cheapest option on the site then activating my ppc 6700 if I can buy one cheaply!

[Darkdashing]

just got this email when I asked them about what I want to do:

"> Dear xxxxx ,
>
> Thank you for contacting our customer relation?s site.
>
> If i understand you correctly you want to use your ppc 6700 phone with the
> plan Sprint Employee Referral Offer 500. We will be shipping the Samsung
> A900 along with the SERO plan,however if you wish to use the plan with your
> ppc 6700 phone we do not have any problem.
>
> This means you are keeping two phones for one SERO plan. As long as our
> services are active and you are keeping the Samsung A900 phone we will not
> be charging any EDP."

[johnh123]

just got this email when I asked them about what I want to do:

"> Dear xxxxx ,
>
> Thank you for contacting our customer relation?s site.
>
> If i understand you correctly you want to use your ppc 6700 phone with the
> plan Sprint Employee Referral Offer 500. We will be shipping the Samsung
> A900 along with the SERO plan,however if you wish to use the plan with your
> ppc 6700 phone we do not have any problem.
>
> This means you are keeping two phones for one SERO plan. As long as our
> services are active and you are keeping the Samsung A900 phone we will not
> be charging any EDP."

How do you keep two phones on one plan? You can't share minutes with sero, can you?

[Darkdashing]

How do you keep two phones on one plan? You can't share minutes with sero, can you?


not sure, but I think he means just keep the a900 unactivated and use my ppc 6700. The point being you can't reactivate the a900 on any different plan.

[JK360Guy]

not sure, but I think he means just keep the a900 unactivated and use my ppc 6700. The point being you can't reactivate the a900 on any different plan.

Basically thats the gist of it. What the rep meant was that you can use the 6700 on your SERO plan, but of course you also have to keep the A900, just unactivated. IF and only IF it gets activated on another account, then you'll be paying the $250. So just keep both phones for 181 days and you'll be fine.

[Darkdashing]

Okay this is the 100% fact I know of.

If you get SERO on the website then pick a phone, you CAN change phones but the one they gave you, you CANNOT have that ESN swapped to another account for 181 days (so 6 months + 1 day.) You also are not supposed to be allowed to change telephone numbers either.


what happens if I'm getting harrassing calls and then I call sprint to get a new number? Is there a charge?

[ajblbv]

Welp, got the phone and swapped them no problem, now to wait to see if the fee will come. Like I said I feel comfortable enough to fight it but the worst case is I have to pay, part of the risk I suppose. Just thought I'd let ya'll know.

[Darkdashing]

Welp, got the phone and swapped them no problem, now to wait to see if the fee will come. Like I said I feel comfortable enough to fight it but the worst case is I have to pay, part of the risk I suppose. Just thought I'd let ya'll know.


keep me posted please :)

I got this from an email quote"

Thank you for contacting our customer relation?s site.

We would like to inform you that: 1. You can you can change the phone to PPC 6700 within 30 days and also need to contact our cust relation department.
2. You are also eligible for Unlimited Web, Data and Picture Mail which is free of cost with your Sprint Employee Referral Offer 500 plan.

Answers to frequently asked questions as well as order status is available on www.whereismyorder.com.

Please feel free to contact us again if you need further assistance at 1-888-378-8091 or 1-888-466-5651.

Sincerely,
Tia Jones
Customer Relations Department
"

[Darkdashing]

My experience with InPhonic went very well. I originally ordered an A920 but when I checked my order online I saw that it was backordered 72 hours. I wanted to get a phone ASAP because I was porting a number from Cingular, my account closing date was coming up, and I didn't want to get charged for a whole month for only a couple of days of service since they don't prorate.

I called the InPhonic customer service line (and yes, it's in India but that wasn't an issue at all) and asked if I could change my order to the Sanyo 8300 since it was in stock. I even told the rep the reason for the change and that I would be swapping it out for the A920 within the 14-day look period. The rep had no problem with that and even said that she thought that was very clever of me.

The call finished a few minutes after 3 PM eastern time, which is the deadline given for same-day shipping on InPhonic's site, but the rep assured me that the order would go out that day and I would receive it in two days. The phone, sent FedEx Two-Day, actually arrived the next day. (FedEx, unlike UPS, doesn't seem to purposefully delay packages so they don't arrive before they're supposed to. In fact, because I wasn't expecting it I wasn't home when they came and I had just gotten off the phone with FedEx to arrange to pick it up when the FedEx guy came back with the package later.)

A few days later I called to switch to the A920 with no problem and it arrived the next day as well. I couldn't have asked for a smoother ride with InPhonics.


what did you have do with the sanyo phone, did they make you send it back? I got sero and the cheapest (free) motorola on there, I have a ppc 6700 that i'm switching so i'm wondering if i really have to call CS and send the phone back?

thanks

[77d7]

I kind of skimmed this thread... so has anybody actually been charged the $250 equipment discount chargeback by Inphonics for an ESN swap on a SERO deal?

I plan to activate a new line on my family plan when the Treo 700p is available--I intend to move the 700p to my SERO plan, while my current a900 (from SERO/Inphonics) will go to my dad on the new line. I activated my SERO plan just over a month ago--I wonder if I have anything to be concerned about?

Further complicating matters, I planned to port my old #s over at that time as well...

[Darkdashing]

I finally ported over my ESN to my new phone...damn was it a nightmare. I finally made some headway with a supervisor at inphonic--I had to read him emails to their customer support thing at whereismyorder.com to prove to him that I had been told it was ok to switch to my new phone as long as I did not activate the SERO phone anywhere else. So far, 3 days after I have seen no charge. So, YMMV in this scenario but it seems to have worked for me.

[WizFactor]

Is it possible to simply return the phone to Inphonic within the 15 day period and keep your newl line, sero plan, etc then just buy a new phone from Sprint, or eBay????

[toddc79]

[QUOTE=77d7]I kind of skimmed this thread... so has anybody actually been charged the $250 equipment discount chargeback by Inphonics for an ESN swap on a SERO deal?
QUOTE]

I never got notice from inphonic, they sent me right to a collection agency and i got a notice from them that I breached my inphonic contract and owe them $250.... all i did was a CSA change and add a business discount, inphonic tells me i have to pay it, and the collection agency said i had to get something from sprint that says i maintained my service because inphonic claims i didnt....

So im in the middle of this, i have to wait 10 days for sprint to mail me a letter which i have to fax to the collection agency who will supposedly 0 balance my account with them.... I guess the # change / account change was what did it.....i dunno if esn change would have anything to that effect, or maybe im just lucky overall.

[PrincessPixie]

I'm hoping to find a cheap used 6700 for my mom to put on a SERO acct. So the way I'm reading these posts is that as long as no one else activates the SERO phone, I'm good?

[MidwestDrummer]

Here's what I did:

I was one of those guys who ordered the Samsung IP-830w from the SERO web site a little over a month ago. Of course, none of us got the 830w for free like it was advertised, but we did get free Treo 700wx's. In between the time I'd placed the order and received the free 700wx, I purchased a 700wx from eBay. So here I was, with an extra SERO line and an extra 700wx. I simply did and ESN swap on the new SERO Line, with an old Sanyo MM-7400 I had. I then advertised my new SERO line on CelTradeUSA.com, and hoped that someone would want to take over the SERO line that I didn't really need. Low and behold I had people biting left and right. Just the other day I completed a transfer of liability to a gentleman in San Diego, CA. I offered the MM-7400 free to whoever wanted the line. So the extra SERO line is no longer in my name, and the MM-7400 in on that line. I now have a brand spankin' new Treo 700wx with a clear ESN to sell for profit!

[krysnik]

That really makes NO sense at all if it's true. Why should it matter to them what phone you use as long as you keep your service? I've never heard of any other indirect dealer having such a weird requirement. I've heard of this requirement with respect to keeping SERVICE for 181 days...but this really sounds strange.

I'm wondering if anyone on the forum has personally gone this route and gotten charged the $250?(or not?)

I have had my phone for 365 days now and I got a collection notice for $250! Inphonic is ridiculous, I have never had my original phone deactivated since I bought the stupid thing last December! And both Sprint and Inphonic point fingers at the other leaving me no closer to getting this resolved. My next step is to file in court.

[Dan]

The debt has to be proven by the original creditor. As long as you followed the rules of the offer, you shouldnt have any problems.


If you have a problem, email sprint through the website and ask them for a letter showing continius service to prove you didnt breach the agreement.

[toddc79]

I have had my phone for 365 days now and I got a collection notice for $250! Inphonic is ridiculous, I have never had my original phone deactivated since I bought the stupid thing last December! And both Sprint and Inphonic point fingers at the other leaving me no closer to getting this resolved. My next step is to file in court.
I got nowhere with sprint's (regular) customer service in trying to get them to provide me with a letter stating I didnt breach any contract and indeed had continous serivce. I went through the executive services line on the phone # page and am awaiting my letter, and also my promised call back, which hasn't happened in two days, so I'm not feeling too optimistic.

Who was the collection agency that is trying to get $250 out of ya (is it SKO Brenner?) if so, good luck, they have some real peices of work over there.... I had a conference call with Sprint (exec. services....) and them and it was mildly amusing sitting back listening to the sprint employee try to explain how cell phone service contracts work to the collection agency like they were little kids.....im not sure if im any further ahead though after taking yet another morning off to try and resolve this crap.

[bryanharig]

This should be fun then! :) I have done about 8 ESN swaps, sold the original SERO phone and changed the number on my SERO plan.

[WizFactor]

Is this 6 month thing still in effect? I just signed up for SERO this month and when I saw this thread yesterday, I went back to see where it said anything about the $250 fee. Where is this? I couldn't find it on whereismyorder.com.

[WizFactor]

This should be fun then! :) I have done about 8 ESN swaps, sold the original SERO phone and changed the number on my SERO plan.
When did you sign upf for SERO?

[bryanharig]

3-4 months ago.

[toddc79]

Well I just spoke to someone from sprint (via the executive services #) who basically told me I'm screwed and should pay the collection agency, its not sprint's problem and they cannot give me a letter that says I maintained continious service..... happy holidays from sprint....

[toddc79]

This should be fun then! :) I have done about 8 ESN swaps, sold the original SERO phone and changed the number on my SERO plan.
Expect your collection postcard in the mail within the next couple months, expect sprint to point their fingers at inphonic and tell you that it's your fault that you signed up via inphonic (even though there's no other way to do it for SERO), expect inphonic to tell you that you have to pay it because you changed your phone number, expect the collection agency to tell you to call sprint and try and get a letter from them that they cannot give you... basically a friggin catch 22.... ugh if i had the money right now i'd probably just pay it at this point.

[Dan]

Well I just spoke to someone from sprint (via the executive services #) who basically told me I'm screwed and should pay the collection agency, its not sprint's problem and they cannot give me a letter that says I maintained continious service..... happy holidays from sprint....


goto sprint.com and check your billing archives. From there you shoud be able to print out your last years worth of bills. If all show no balance held over from the last month, thats all the "proof" you should need.

[Dan]

The terms of teh SERO offer on inphonic's website are basically the same as the terms on sprints website. I could find nothing in the current terms that would not allow the ESN swap to go forward.

I think inphonic is trying its hardest to cash in on unsuspecting customers. I would demand a copy of teh contract you signed that showed the terms and conditions included no ESN swaps for a minimum term of 6 months. The only terms I see being linked to from inphonic's site are the standard sprint terms and conditions here:

http://www.inphonic.com/terms/inphonic/terms77.asp?ReferringDomain=SprintNextelEmployee&ci=&zipcode=14305&eid=openaccess@sprint.com&refcode1=&refcode2=&oflag=&agent=&uid=92507&macid=A7 and no where does it state anything other than keep service for 24 months or pay an ETF.

[toddc79]

goto sprint.com and check your billing archives. From there you shoud be able to print out your last years worth of bills. If all show no balance held over from the last month, thats all the "proof" you should need.
Well, at some point (approx. 4 or 5 months ago) I added a business discount, and we all know what happens when you do that, your account billing cycle date changes along with your account number. That is what basically screwed me, also my initial phone # changed and I ported a number in, but I still maintained my initial contract and didnt terminate any services.

Sprint's finance dept has records that show my payments/invoices/account #'s etc and can tie it all together to show I didnt early terminate / have a balance at anytime. My invoices online only go back til july....ugh....i'm trying ecare now, which off the bat is claiming they can get me a proof of service letter, which i'm doubting will be a hard copy if executive services is giving me the run around.

[Dan]

Well, at some point (approx. 4 or 5 months ago) I added a business discount, and we all know what happens when you do that, your account billing cycle date changes along with your account number. That is what basically screwed me, also my initial phone # changed and I ported a number in, but I still maintained my initial contract and didnt terminate any services.

Sprint's finance dept has records that show my payments/invoices/account #'s etc and can tie it all together to show I didnt early terminate / have a balance at anytime. My invoices online only go back til july....ugh....i'm trying ecare now, which off the bat is claiming they can get me a proof of service letter, which i'm doubting will be a hard copy if executive services is giving me the run around.


ecare should be able to access the old account info, the same as regulr CS, etc. when you were migrated to a business account, they "noted" your old account number and info.

Just ask for reprints of the bills going back as far as you need. Even if they charge you something, its gotta be cheaper than paying the collection agency. Since you cant access it yourself, I dont think they will charge you anything since they make you pay for them doing things you can do yourself.

After that, demand proof of the "debt" with the collection agency. The contract it was under, the date of breach, etc. I'd bet they will come up with the date of breach as teh day you went to the business discount as inphonic could no longer "monitor" your account.

[random777]

ecare should be able to access the old account info, the same as regulr CS, etc. when you were migrated to a business account, they "noted" your old account number and info.

Just ask for reprints of the bills going back as far as you need. Even if they charge you something, its gotta be cheaper than paying the collection agency. Since you cant access it yourself, I dont think they will charge you anything since they make you pay for them doing things you can do yourself.

After that, demand proof of the "debt" with the collection agency. The contract it was under, the date of breach, etc. I'd bet they will come up with the date of breach as teh day you went to the business discount as inphonic could no longer "monitor" your account.

I have the same collection problem, only I didn't have a account number change.
I thought I had it resolved with Inphonic, the supervisor was going to fax a letter to Brenner, but then the EDP (Equipment Discount Provisioning) Dept squashed that. I was told to contact them and work it out at 866-635-7400, but they don't answer, it goes to a phone mail. They may be booked after the holiday, have to give them a chance to return the call.

As far as the sprint side goes, I've talked to my business purchasing who sent me to Sprint retention who has heard this same problem, and sent me to finance. They listened and sent me to business finance. They put me on hold to talk to their collections and said they wouldnt fax any proof of service to anyone. My question of how else I would prove proof of service if not from my service provider fell on deaf ears. Btw, you could also call sprint collections at 800-808-1336 and talk to them.

I've filed complaints with my attorney general, and BBB, on the business practice.

I've downloaded all my bills from the sprint site (they are in pdf format), and will try mailing in the relevant months front page showing bill fee and subsequent payments if I can't get Inphonic to do anything.

Anyone have any lawyer contacts who may specialize in this area, please PM me.

[random777]

Sorry, can't figure out how to Edit a post..
If you happen to be in Missouri and have had this problem with Inphonic, please PM me as that will help the caseworker assigned to my complaint..

[pegleg28]

The penalty fee cannot be held up in court. I guarantee it. It's callled the unconscionable clause.

Also, to avoid penalty, I think you just have to tell inphonic of any telephone number changes.

These fine print rules are asinine. Both my SERO phones are going back.

[Dan]

The fine print has to be clearly stated prior to your clicking to agree to the contract and resulting charges / credit checks. Unless you are able to read all if the plan requirements and details, they can not be enforced.

I wonder how many people will flip out on inphonic and sprint over a back charge (no better way to put it) that is an inphonic specific charge. Since sprint has inphonic as the "exclusive" provider of SERO plans, sprint needs to make this right.

I suggest anyone having this problem use the recent change in the T&C as an "out" for their sprint contract as the new T&C has added a new exclusion which has a material change on all customers. Considering that the T&C change was dated Jan 1ts and my bill didnt get to me till after the 1st of the year, i'd bet that the 30 day window is open now.

Show sprint your anger over this by demanding a fair resolution on this issue. The fact that you can prove you have paid your bill in full each month is all the requirement you should have to follow. Sprint paid inphonic its commission on your plan already, and I've never heard of sprint removing a commission based on an ESN swap.

[pegleg28]

Honestly, I don't want to deal with the headache. This is the same reason I'd rather sign up with a SERO plan than call retentions and upgrade my current 2000a/t min plan (w/UL text). When I decide on a final phone, I will re-order thru SERO.

*waitin' on that moto Q* I know I know. I'm going from blade-->Q, talk about style over substance.

[toddc79]

The fine print has to be clearly stated prior to your clicking to agree to the contract and resulting charges / credit checks. Unless you are able to read all if the plan requirements and details, they can not be enforced.

I wonder how many people will flip out on inphonic and sprint over a back charge (no better way to put it) that is an inphonic specific charge. Since sprint has inphonic as the "exclusive" provider of SERO plans, sprint needs to make this right.

I suggest anyone having this problem use the recent change in the T&C as an "out" for their sprint contract as the new T&C has added a new exclusion which has a material change on all customers. Considering that the T&C change was dated Jan 1ts and my bill didnt get to me till after the 1st of the year, i'd bet that the 30 day window is open now.

Show sprint your anger over this by demanding a fair resolution on this issue. The fact that you can prove you have paid your bill in full each month is all the requirement you should have to follow. Sprint paid inphonic its commission on your plan already, and I've never heard of sprint removing a commission based on an ESN swap.
The last sprint rep i spoke with in executive services told me it was my fault for signing up with Inphonic, I could have avoided this all by signing up at a sprint store or directly through sprint...LOL, when I explained to him that I signed up off of sprint's website via sero he didnt really know what to say... He told me they do not have people sitting around that can type me a letter and I am basically screwed even though I tried to reason.... I have today sent complaints to sprint/inphonic/sko brenner and filed a complaint with the nys attorney generals office... I'm getting sick of this bullshyt....I've also received reprints from sprint for the last 10 months or from when i started service with sprint... I printed the rest of my invoices through their website, even that was a pain.... I want the attorney generals office to see I have tried to resolve through parties involved (sprint/inphonic/collections) and they have done nothing but point their fingers at each other.... I would never recommend inphonic to anyone in the future they suck ass.

Its one thing if I did terminate early....but not doing so and being treated like a debtor by everyone is not cool.

[Dan]

Elliot Spitzer generally went after companies like this hard, and I'd think Andrew Cuomo will be following in his footsteps. A couple calls from the AG's office will likely get you a letter indicating they have reviewed the situaton and have agreed to waive the fee's.

[Black Ice]

Ok i have a Question, i just ordered the Sero plan, but i want to move my exisiting# over to the Sero plan when that agreement is up on 4/30/07, the lady i ordered the plan on the phone from told me she would notate the account, showing that i wanted to move the other# over in 2 months. u think i will have a problem with this? Dan u reading this!

[Dan]

Ok i have a Question, i just ordered the Sero plan, but i want to move my exisiting# over to the Sero plan when that agreement is up on 4/30/07, the lady i ordered the plan on the phone from told me she would notate the account, showing that i wanted to move the other# over in 2 months. u think i will have a problem with this? Dan u reading this!


Did you get the SERO plan from sprint.com/SERO?

I'd look for emailed approval from inphonic to port your number into the SERO plan. Inphonic plays by different rules than sprint coprorate does, sadly.

[Black Ice]

Did you get the SERO plan from sprint.com/SERO?

I'd look for emailed approval from inphonic to port your number into the SERO plan. Inphonic plays by different rules than sprint coprorate does, sadly.
Yes i got it through the website, should i make sure to get it in writing about porting my # over to sero.

[Dan]

Yes i got it through the website, should i make sure to get it in writing about porting my # over to sero.


Yes, as the website is inphonic and has different rules than sprint corporate

:wavey:

[anskY]

I have a new costomer number...I hope they don't bill me, because now I get 20% off my bill

[DSLisFREE]

It seems you can't find a definite answer anywhere about the original question. So I will post my experience.

I ordered my ppc 6700 with Spring through one of Ebay's 3rd party reseller in April 2006. I was able to switch over to the Sero plan immediately after I received the phone. Then A few months later (less than 6 months) I did not like my phone so I was able to switch to a normal flip phone and sell my PPC 6700 on ebay.

All in all I was not charged a fee of any type. That was then so things might have changed now. I think it would be best to get a guarantee letter from Sprint before doing anything.

[toddc79]

I wouldn't worry about device changes as much as I'd worry about number changes and account # changes (ya know the ones that happen when ya add a business discount and sprint assigns ya a new account) within 181 days of your initial activation.... anytime ya do a number change or a change that requires sprint give ya new account it is in your best interest to call inphonic and notify them immediatly.... it sets off flags in inphonic's databases that you terminiated your account, and they forward that nice little $250 equipment fee they charge off to collections.... then you get nice things in the mail and have to deal with not so nice people....

I just resolved my collections case after about 4 months of battling it !!!!

[Dan]

It seems you can't find a definite answer anywhere about the original question. So I will post my experience.

I ordered my ppc 6700 with Spring through one of Ebay's 3rd party reseller in April 2006. I was able to switch over to the Sero plan immediately after I received the phone. Then A few months later (less than 6 months) I did not like my phone so I was able to switch to a normal flip phone and sell my PPC 6700 on ebay.

All in all I was not charged a fee of any type. That was then so things might have changed now. I think it would be best to get a guarantee letter from Sprint before doing anything.


Remember, its not sprint charging you, its the 3rd party seller. You have to clear any changes with them.

They may just want a call to say "I was adding a business discount and sprint informed me they were changing my account number. Sprint assured me that it was fine and you would still be paid the commission off of the sale so long as you had the new account number which is ____________."

Though its not 100% sure it works (you may have to contact inphonic 1st before contacting sprint to get approval) their must be ways that you can do things like ESN swaps, CSA swaps without it affecting you to the tune of $250.


:wavey:

[muska9]

I used to work for Sprint until December. Swapping ESN's doesn't affect ur account as far as equipment charges go... but u will get charged an activation fee ($18 up to $36). The service will be the same and the other phone can be activated on another account with no problems. What you can also do is call Customer Care and say you want to cancel your account; once they try to convince you to stay, say you want to do an ESN swap and they will do it for free!

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