Airsafety
Member
I consider my cell phone to be an essential safety item when I’m on my tractor or working in the woods around the house. Unfortunately, the phone really takes a beating and is ready for replacement by the time the two year contract is up.
So, with that tractor connection, let me share what I learned about getting a new phone from Sprint.
My contract was up this month, so I stopped in the phone store the other day just to shop and was told that I could get a $50 discount on a new phone. Or, if I established a new account in my wife’s name, I’d get a $150 discount - which would mean changing cell phone numbers.
So a few days later, my wife, who wanted a plain vanilla phone and was just going to look, showed up with the top of the line Samsung with a camera, internet access, gps, case and the ability to send messages to the moon. She was proud that she had made the store match the on-line price of $119. Of course, by the time they loaded her up with the activation fee, a bluetooth headset, white sidewall tires, etc., the total was well North of $200.
This morning I called customer service to have her line removed from the family plan in my name. After I got connected to the cancellation department, I found out that these are the guys who play let’s make a deal. I mentioned that I had seen the same phone on ebay for $0.99 cents and they gave it to me free with no activation fee and overnight delivery. They thought my wife had gone to another carrier and said they would give her the phone plus a $100 credit if she switched back. I’m not sure I dare tell her about my deal or what they offered her. After thirty years of marriage, I starting to learn when to keep my mouth shut.
If you don't ask, they sure won't offer you a deal. The key seems to be to be ready to cancel and call their bluff. I had the feeling that I still left some money on the table.
So, with that tractor connection, let me share what I learned about getting a new phone from Sprint.
My contract was up this month, so I stopped in the phone store the other day just to shop and was told that I could get a $50 discount on a new phone. Or, if I established a new account in my wife’s name, I’d get a $150 discount - which would mean changing cell phone numbers.
So a few days later, my wife, who wanted a plain vanilla phone and was just going to look, showed up with the top of the line Samsung with a camera, internet access, gps, case and the ability to send messages to the moon. She was proud that she had made the store match the on-line price of $119. Of course, by the time they loaded her up with the activation fee, a bluetooth headset, white sidewall tires, etc., the total was well North of $200.
This morning I called customer service to have her line removed from the family plan in my name. After I got connected to the cancellation department, I found out that these are the guys who play let’s make a deal. I mentioned that I had seen the same phone on ebay for $0.99 cents and they gave it to me free with no activation fee and overnight delivery. They thought my wife had gone to another carrier and said they would give her the phone plus a $100 credit if she switched back. I’m not sure I dare tell her about my deal or what they offered her. After thirty years of marriage, I starting to learn when to keep my mouth shut.
If you don't ask, they sure won't offer you a deal. The key seems to be to be ready to cancel and call their bluff. I had the feeling that I still left some money on the table.
