cell phone gurus

[bignate73]

im looking to upgrade my phone but sprint pcs offers no perks for current customers, only rebates and such for new customers. have you guys ever heard of getting a good deal on a phone while staying with the current provider?

the main thing is i would like to keep my phone #. thats the main reason i havent left sprintpcs.

also any suggestions on phones? recommendations?

color would be nice
polyphonic ringer
camera...not necessary.
speakerphone is cool.

 

[ZKaudio]

well if your contract is up, they should offer you a phone deal if you agree to extend your contract. If you are still under contract, they could care less about getting you a new phone... you're still paying the monthly bill. From my experiences working corp. for one of the major cell carriers, my best recommendation would be to use this phrase, "I will have to early terminate my contract and go to a different carrier if you cannot fulfill my needs"

 

[hellorhih2o]

there's a new law that takes effect in November (I think) that says that you have the right to switch to a new cell phone provider AND keep your number.

AT&T is offering very low rates because they're rolling out GSM. But check if coverage is good in your area, it sucks in some parts of the country.

 

[bignate73]

yeah. my contract is up. i have no ties with them other than month to month. i just wanted to keep my phone number for business purposes, and havent had any problems with their service.

i thought about going in and writing down what they tell me so i can parrot it back.

hmm...so youre saying.....

"no deal on phone...a $20 discount, but off full price"

"2 year extension on my contract...."

"same service...."

"keep phone number....."

"so the only way i win...is if i pay for a brand new phone with no rebates...."

"thats all you can do for me?"

"well business cards only cost...30 dollars but this phone is 120 more than a new customer pays...."

"is that what you are telling me?"

"so i win if i go to another carrier."

"thank you, "

 

[bignate73]

AT&T is offering very low rates because they're rolling out GSM. But check if coverage is good in your area, it sucks in some parts of the country.

i hear GSM wont be fully functional for another 2-3 months. i have a client that HATES it right now. drops calls in the house etc.

 

[hellorhih2o]

i hear GSM wont be fully functional for another 2-3 months. i have a client that HATES it right now. drops calls in the house etc.

depends on where you are. some major cities are fully covered by now. but almost all carriers are going GSM anyway so it's just a matter of time. and if you want a phone that works outside the US, GSM is your only choice...

 

[bignate73]

depends on where you are. some major cities are fully covered by now. but almost all carriers are going GSM anyway so it's just a matter of time. and if you want a phone that works outside the US, GSM is your only choice...

out here in L.A. she's having trouble.

i dont go outside the US so im cool for now.

 

[Nonerz]

...and your girlfriend thinks it sucks too! I just got a cool phone (Sony Ericcson T616) with shitty service (AT&T). My calls get dropped (when I can actually make a call) and are very sketchy at best. ARRRRRRRRRrrrrgh. I hate to say it, but I never had problems like this with Verizon...just may have to cancel the AT&T Wireless account and upgrade my Verizon phone...

 

[gonelifting]

...and your girlfriend thinks it sucks too! I just got a cool phone (Sony Ericcson T616) with shitty service (AT&T). My calls get dropped (when I can actually make a call) and are very sketchy at best. ARRRRRRRRRrrrrgh. I hate to say it, but I never had problems like this with Verizon...just may have to cancel the AT&T Wireless account and upgrade my Verizon phone...

I was just gonna say, If you don`t have any connection problems with your phone then DO NOT change the carrier. the grass is`nt greener on the other side. lol

I called Sprint for a new phone My service contact was up about 3 years ago lol. They said "only new customers" wtf I`m with them for 5 years and they give me that shit.

So now The both phones are under my name, next time my wife is gonna be the "new customer" and we can go back and forth every other year. lol the phone # thing is another story.

 

[Fonz]

Seriously, get a Pay as You Go phone...saves you the hassle of those retarded bills.

I have the Motorola T720 Colour. Bought it 2 years ago.

Love the thing.

Fonz

 

[hellorhih2o]

...and your girlfriend thinks it sucks too! I just got a cool phone (Sony Ericcson T616) with shitty service (AT&T). My calls get dropped (when I can actually make a call) and are very sketchy at best. ARRRRRRRRRrrrrgh. I hate to say it, but I never had problems like this with Verizon...just may have to cancel the AT&T Wireless account and upgrade my Verizon phone...

That's why AT&T is discounting their GSM offers... T-mobile (used to be voicestream, used to be omnipoint) has gotten the furthest with their GMS network (they been doing it for about six years in the US). The stupid thing is the GSM is built to automatically pick up another GSM carrier if your own GSM carrier doesn't have coverage in a specific area BUT US GSM CARRIES HAVE BLOCKED THAT for the most part. They've blocked on of the best features? How dumb is that. When you travel outside the US you constantly switch from one carrier to the next and the whole thing is seamless. I've picked up Verizon GSM out in California so I know that they do it sometime but for the most part... nope.

By the way, the T616 is a kick ass phone. I love the interface and the camera.

It pisses me off that it's this hard for most people to get good GSM coverage (I'm lucky, my city is fully covered). It's the best technology out there.

 

[TheProject]

Sometimes just threatening to change providers will get you a deal.

 

[Y_lifter]

I have a free company AT&T phone so I really have nothing much to add..

thanks

 

[beastboy]

Always call the 1-800 customer service reps and work with them....they will put it all in the computer, then go to the store reps and pick your crap up.

Project is right....threatening will usually get you what you want. This also works with Verizon.....go to the store and tell them that the corporate customer service told you that you could do "such and such"....I've gotten some good deals and phones while still in contract.