Good results with retention while still under contract

Ted · 07-22-2004, 12:58 PM

Good results with retention while still under contract

I know the retention thing has been hashed over again and again but I had really good results today calling them and my contract does not expire for another 23 months!

My situation was that I had the 2000 AT plan for $100 but I only use 1000 or less minutes, my goal was to try to cut my bill in half since I only used about half of my plan.

Here's what I did...

1. I called up and was very very polite and nice to the rep, told her up front that I was not upset or anything so she was at ease.

2. I explained to her that I was paying for a $100 plan and only using half my AT minutes.

3. Told her I had a very competitive offer from another carrier (didn't tell her which carrier, but AT&T does 2 phones 1050 mins 7pm for $69.99)

4. Told her I was told by a friend to call in and see what was possible.

5. At this point I told her that I was debating 750AT/$40 or 1000AT/$50 and would it be possible to keep the free AAP code I had for the plan I'm on now and/or get 7PM for free.

6. Neither of those were possible (according to this rep, YMMV), but she was willing to give me the 750 retention plan and a 5% discount.

7. So all told I have a standard retention plan and a 5% disc, what is significant about it is that I have 23 months left in my contract (although I have been a customer for 2+ years).

I would be interested to hear how other folks make out who are under contract and had not thought of trying this approach. Remember, be very nice, and remember that your mileage may vary!

shkh00 · 07-22-2004, 01:01 PM

it maybe the fact you have been with them for 2 years. personally, id be afraid to do this, my luck, id pick up my phone and have no service, lol. you got a great plan, and here i was happy that they gave me unlimted pcs/pcs, which is something i may not use if this hottie situation does not work.

**+Eric** · 07-22-2004, 01:02 PM

I think you got a rep that was just willing to break the rules or something. Wonder how long she'll keep her job?

Ted · 07-22-2004, 01:06 PM

did she break the rules? it's a standard retention plan.

**Hte2w8** · 07-22-2004, 01:14 PM

Im guessing you dont use vision on your primary or AAP? the main reason I keep my 2000 min plan is because I get free vision on my primary, which includes unl sms and pic mail, and $10 DL credit ($20 savings), a free AAP (another $20 savings) with $5 vision that includes unl sms, unlpic mail and $10 DL credit (another $15 savings).

I only use about 400 of my minutes, but dropping it down to a cheaper plan, in my case, would end up costing me more.

Ted · 07-22-2004, 01:21 PM

you're correct... i don't use vision at all. don't see the point of surfing the net on a 2" screen. too slow anyway. and i don't use sms or picture capabilities either. just talk talk, no bling bling. LOL

**Hte2w8** · 07-22-2004, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted

you're correct... i don't use vision at all. don't see the point of surfing the net on a 2" screen. too slow anyway. and i don't use sms or picture capabilities either. just talk talk, no bling bling. LOL

No text? Ur hurting my heart...someone tell me it isnt true?

Ted · 07-22-2004, 01:25 PM

well, considering the fact that my primary phone (kyocera 2345) does not have sms capability, plus i think its too cumbersome with the t9 - i tried it on my wife's nokia 3588i and i wasn't impressed.

we did used to send text from the pc to the phones back when we had vision and sms on the plan, but it didn't amount to much. we would just as soon call.

Hola · 07-22-2004, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted

did she break the rules? it's a standard retention plan.

She gave you the 2nd line free too? correct?

Ted · 07-22-2004, 06:37 PM

no, it's 40 for the 750AT, 20 for the AAP, that's 60, minus 5% = 57 plus tax

Snoopy572 · 07-22-2004, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hte2w8

Im guessing you dont use vision on your primary or AAP? the main reason I keep my 2000 min plan is because I get free vision on my primary, which includes unl sms and pic mail, and $10 DL credit ($20 savings), a free AAP (another $20 savings) with $5 vision that includes unl sms, unlpic mail and $10 DL credit (another $15 savings).

I only use about 400 of my minutes, but dropping it down to a cheaper plan, in my case, would end up costing me more.

Same boat as you, but with FIMF and 2250 minutes. I pay about $100 month, but the plan is so good and I can't justify downgrading the plan to pay about $10-15 dollars less. I only use about 700 minutes. Sucks to pay $100/mo, but I have 2 phones and an awesome plan. Am I using it anywhere near its potential? No

ncabanil · 07-23-2004, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hte2w8

Im guessing you dont use vision on your primary or AAP? the main reason I keep my 2000 min plan is because I get free vision on my primary, which includes unl sms and pic mail, and $10 DL credit ($20 savings), a free AAP (another $20 savings) with $5 vision that includes unl sms, unlpic mail and $10 DL credit (another $15 savings).

I only use about 400 of my minutes, but dropping it down to a cheaper plan, in my case, would end up costing me more.

Wait a sec, so the Vision plan DOES include Unlmited SMS, not just 100? I called one time to CS to add Unlimited SMS (because I thought I only has 100), but the rep told me i have Unlimited SMS already....so its true, SMS on vision plans have been upgraded to "unlimited" from "100"? Also, since when did vision include unlimited pic mail AND $10 DL credit? I thought with picture pack, you get a $5 credit, but with premium pack, you get teh $10 DL credit (but not unlim picturemail)

**Hte2w8** · 07-23-2004, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncabanil

Wait a sec, so the Vision plan DOES include Unlmited SMS, not just 100? I called one time to CS to add Unlimited SMS (because I thought I only has 100), but the rep told me i have Unlimited SMS already....so its true, SMS on vision plans have been upgraded to "unlimited" from "100"? Also, since when did vision include unlimited pic mail AND $10 DL credit? I thought with picture pack, you get a $5 credit, but with premium pack, you get teh $10 DL credit (but not unlim picturemail)

Some older vision packs include unl sms. The newer ones only have 100 sms included. I have the premium vision packs on all my lines, but I get unl sms, unl pic mail and the $10 dl credit. I think its a glitch, but I am NOT changing my plan.

Parli · 01-06-2005, 04:54 PM

Well, here's my retention story:

My contract runs out in April. I called up the other day and asked the rep what the best plan is that I can get. I am on $40 for 500 now but have been with them since 1999. The rep had a real bad attitude and only tried to upsell me to the free and clear plan. So I just dropped it and figured I'd try again closer to expiration. Then, a few days later, I get a call to do a survey about my experience with CS. I ripped the girl apart. At the end they asked if I wanted to be contacted by a "specialist". I said "Sure".

We'll, the next day I get a call and I tell the lady what happened. She then proceeds to tell me about all the great plans I can choose from. In the end, I got $40 for 750, pcs-pcs, after 8pm and the best part was that she didn't change my contract date so it still expires in April!

Remember - it costs a heck of a lot more for them to gain a customer than it does to keep one.

**FloorMatt** · 01-06-2005, 05:12 PM

Posted elsewhere, but here it goes again: My Family's retention plan

2000 AT mins shared (4 phones), The following are Unl. amd on all phones : N&W @7pm, Vision, SMS, and PCS-to-PCS. Voice Command on all phones. 50% usage roaming (should still be on the plan) And the standard goodies, of course!

All for around $100 a month including taxes

07-22-2004, 12:58 PM	#1
Ted Sprintusers Sheriff Join Date: Jun 2, '04 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 2,312 Phone: 4700 Trades: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 246	Good results with retention while still under contract Good results with retention while still under contract I know the retention thing has been hashed over again and again but I had really good results today calling them and my contract does not expire for another 23 months! My situation was that I had the 2000 AT plan for $100 but I only use 1000 or less minutes, my goal was to try to cut my bill in half since I only used about half of my plan. Here's what I did... 1. I called up and was very very polite and nice to the rep, told her up front that I was not upset or anything so she was at ease. 2. I explained to her that I was paying for a $100 plan and only using half my AT minutes. 3. Told her I had a very competitive offer from another carrier (didn't tell her which carrier, but AT&T does 2 phones 1050 mins 7pm for $69.99) 4. Told her I was told by a friend to call in and see what was possible. 5. At this point I told her that I was debating 750AT/$40 or 1000AT/$50 and would it be possible to keep the free AAP code I had for the plan I'm on now and/or get 7PM for free. 6. Neither of those were possible (according to this rep, YMMV), but she was willing to give me the 750 retention plan and a 5% discount. 7. So all told I have a standard retention plan and a 5% disc, what is significant about it is that I have 23 months left in my contract (although I have been a customer for 2+ years). I would be interested to hear how other folks make out who are under contract and had not thought of trying this approach. Remember, be very nice, and remember that your mileage may vary!

07-22-2004, 01:01 PM	#2
shkh00 Walkie Talkie User Join Date: Feb 13, '04 Location: Ohio Posts: 303 Phone: Samsung Instinc Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 144	it maybe the fact you have been with them for 2 years. personally, id be afraid to do this, my luck, id pick up my phone and have no service, lol. you got a great plan, and here i was happy that they gave me unlimted pcs/pcs, which is something i may not use if this hottie situation does not work. __________________ Seeya Sprint, thanks for screwing up my bank account for 3 days.

07-22-2004, 01:02 PM	#3
+Eric Pew Pew! Join Date: Mar 12, '04 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 1,763 Phone: Curve/319f599d Trades: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts SU$: 14,913	I think you got a rep that was just willing to break the rules or something. Wonder how long she'll keep her job? __________________ +Eric Time Warner is gonna cap your internet....

07-22-2004, 01:14 PM	#5
Hte2w8 Cellular Phone User Join Date: Feb 17, '04 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,656 Phone: Treo 700 Trades: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 862	Im guessing you dont use vision on your primary or AAP? the main reason I keep my 2000 min plan is because I get free vision on my primary, which includes unl sms and pic mail, and $10 DL credit ($20 savings), a free AAP (another $20 savings) with $5 vision that includes unl sms, unlpic mail and $10 DL credit (another $15 savings). I only use about 400 of my minutes, but dropping it down to a cheaper plan, in my case, would end up costing me more. __________________ Welcome to Common Sense Island, population 1. Population subject to change. Why talk when you can text http://hte2w8.textamerica.com/?page=0

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07-22-2004, 01:06 PM	#4
Ted Sprintusers Sheriff Join Date: Jun 2, '04 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 2,312 Phone: 4700 Trades: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 246	did she break the rules? it's a standard retention plan.

07-22-2004, 01:21 PM	#6
Ted Sprintusers Sheriff Join Date: Jun 2, '04 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 2,312 Phone: 4700 Trades: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 246	you're correct... i don't use vision at all. don't see the point of surfing the net on a 2" screen. too slow anyway. and i don't use sms or picture capabilities either. just talk talk, no bling bling. LOL

07-22-2004, 01:25 PM	#8
Ted Sprintusers Sheriff Join Date: Jun 2, '04 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 2,312 Phone: 4700 Trades: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 246	well, considering the fact that my primary phone (kyocera 2345) does not have sms capability, plus i think its too cumbersome with the t9 - i tried it on my wife's nokia 3588i and i wasn't impressed. we did used to send text from the pc to the phones back when we had vision and sms on the plan, but it didn't amount to much. we would just as soon call.

07-22-2004, 06:37 PM	#10
Ted Sprintusers Sheriff Join Date: Jun 2, '04 Location: Williamsport PA Posts: 2,312 Phone: 4700 Trades: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 246	no, it's 40 for the 750AT, 20 for the AAP, that's 60, minus 5% = 57 plus tax

01-06-2005, 04:54 PM	#14
Parli Telephone User Join Date: Dec 30, '04 Location: Georgia Posts: 149 Phone: BB Curve Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post SU$: 966	Well, here's my retention story: My contract runs out in April. I called up the other day and asked the rep what the best plan is that I can get. I am on $40 for 500 now but have been with them since 1999. The rep had a real bad attitude and only tried to upsell me to the free and clear plan. So I just dropped it and figured I'd try again closer to expiration. Then, a few days later, I get a call to do a survey about my experience with CS. I ripped the girl apart. At the end they asked if I wanted to be contacted by a "specialist". I said "Sure". We'll, the next day I get a call and I tell the lady what happened. She then proceeds to tell me about all the great plans I can choose from. In the end, I got $40 for 750, pcs-pcs, after 8pm and the best part was that she didn't change my contract date so it still expires in April! Remember - it costs a heck of a lot more for them to gain a customer than it does to keep one.

01-06-2005, 05:12 PM	#15
FloorMatt Touched by an HTC Join Date: Dec 31, '04 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,475 Phone: HTC Touch Trades: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts SU$: 6,259	Posted elsewhere, but here it goes again: My Family's retention plan 2000 AT mins shared (4 phones), The following are Unl. amd on all phones : N&W @7pm, Vision, SMS, and PCS-to-PCS. Voice Command on all phones. 50% usage roaming (should still be on the plan) And the standard goodies, of course! All for around $100 a month including taxes