yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] MvDef:
I was able to get my upgrade early by buying out the last 6 months of my contract. it cost me 65 bucks that they bill to the account.

Radio shack has a deal right now on the nexus for 199 but you get 100 off when you trade in a old smartphone.

I ask the guy if there going to do the same with the sg3 and this is what he told me. after the first two weeks of sg3 sales there going to offer the same deal around the first week in july. I'm guessing the sunday ad will have it that 2nd sunday in july.

so I bought the nexus and got my 100 bucks off so it was only 99.99. he then had me come back today and return it but was able to transfer the credit to my pre order of the sg3. bam sg3 99 bucks LOVE IT.... but yeah now I have to wait for it.

Hope it works for anyone who try's.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] sobaked2921:
Badassss info! Do you know the max amount of months they will let u buy out????
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Zero Night:
Nice info :)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] quick99si:
From: http://www.sprintfeed.com/2012/02/sprint-to-offer-early-upgrade-buyout-program/
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tprince1225:
this is awesome information, but I help customers do buy out a everyday in my store and there are some more tiers then that.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Sunsparc:
Early Buyout has been going on for a while now.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] &roid:
I can confirm that. Sprint told me the same thing when I called to turn on caller ID blocking since they are now wanting to disclose your full name on caller ID instead of just your number.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] PaulB007:
For those of you who have done this, is it as simple as calling Sprint, buying the rest of your contract time, and then somewhere like a radio shack or best buy having it in their system that you are upgrade eligible?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] locoboi187:
Nom
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Gio2178:
I bought mine out. It had 13 or so months left on it. $135 that will be billed to my next Sprint bill.

When you call make sure to ask for account services. Otherwise you'll be bounced all over the place.

Hell of a deal considering I just sold my Epic 4G touch for 350 on craigs. :D

220+135+35 activation fee = 370. I got my phone for 40 bucks outta pocket YaY
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] PaulB007:
So just tell whoever answers that I need to speak with account services?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tailsthecat3:
What? Annoying.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] slick_rick:
I bought out my contract for $45 bucks :D
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Esoteric68:
I think I'm in the $125 range (eligible for upgrade May 2013), if I buy out the rest of my contract now do I have to upgrade immediately or can I let it ride awhile and see what I want to do?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] jay2o01:
why not let a few months go buy and drop to a lower tier then?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ubigred:
It's your choice.

Sent from my EPIC TOUCH!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] The Root:
I'd be talking my way out of 2 weeks...
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] slick_rick:
My original upgrade before the $45 buyout was August 1st. They told me if I don't upgrade early by that date, they would refund the $45. Hope that helps.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Esoteric68:
That does help, thanks :)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] MvDef:
Do you know when this is supposed to start?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Esoteric68:
It's a matter of available funds, I have the $125-$165 to, in essence, throw away at the moment but if I try to hang on to it for a few more months I'll spend it on something else. lol
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] ubigred:
Yeah I'm in the same boat. I'd hate to sit around and hear how great the phone is or watch video reviews on youtube lol. Then in 3 months, when I'm in the next Buy Up tier, there will be rumors of the next big phone.

Sent from my EPIC TOUCH!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] K.0.0.L.:
Hey I bought my 2 month contract for $45.....dang! 6 month for $65..that is cheap.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] &roid:
I think it was to start rolling out june 12.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] locoboi187:
I can't buy out. I upgraded October and it's too early apparently.... I'm 10 months in though
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] PaulB007:
i just called Sprint and asked for that department and they told me they aren't doing the early upgrade by phone, that I need to go into the store and that he'd note my account?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Gio2178:
Thats Bull shiiii... Call back till you get a rep that knows what hes talking about. You wont be able to do it in store. trust me I know. You will also need your account pin code.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] elliwigy:
Lol it already happening.. i called sprint after i received a text and they set up the names for each of my lines
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Gio2178:
Heres where I got the information from. It worked for me

http://meangreen.hubpages.com/hub/T...sprint-smart-phone-before-your-contract-is-up
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] magnumtripod:
So I've been with sprint for about 12 months now and pay about $80/ month.

I can buy out the rest of my contract for $125 and be eligible for an upgrade now?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Shoulon:
Correct. Also you could just buy ur phone with a 1yr contract instead of a 2.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] moeinyoho:
I was told by a sprint sales rep that they weren't doing this anymore O_o

.... Was I lied to? :'( lol
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] moeinyoho:
This is what I've found on the subject
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] hotspace:
Boo....i was hoping for this.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] simbapenn:
So at 15 months, there's no point in having the insurance, right? Since there's a $100 deductible, why would I pay that vs. $95 for the new phone?

Oh right contract clock. However, if you plan on staying with Sprint, canceling insurance makes sense, right?

EDIT: Oh, I see. Buyout plus cost of new phone. Nevermind.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tdunham:
Correct. Insurance beyond the warranty period should be weighed against the depreciated value of the phone along with replacement cost. Especially when you add in the additional cost of a deductible and the remaining/total cost of keeping the insurance to begin with. If it is going to cost you $150 (Monthly costs added up, remainder of the contact), plus $100 deductible, but you can buy a new replacement phone for less than that. I would rather take my chances than waste that money to begin with. Plus your upgrade option is now open later on in the contact anyway.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] anti-up:
I believe that was a diffrent program. Previously sprint would honor an upgrade 2 weeks prior to the actual date of the upgrade (I.e. upgrade eligible June 30, can get upgrade 2 weeks early June 15) that stopped June 1st. I believe this is a new program because as late as yesterday I had customers come in who made the call in front of me to buy out there contract for there upgrade.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] supercholo:
The Sprint Buy Up Program was done away with at the start of June.

We pushed everyone to use the program as it was an easy way to get a good upgrade.

I'm not sure what Sprint is saying about cost however... we seemed to add a few new lines along with those early upgrades. Yes losing money due to subsidies, however in the long run there were a ton of people signing new 2 year contracts and on top of that many more upgraded from a normal flip phone to smartphones as well.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] lopezpm:
I called last week for this and was told it has already expired and no longer available. I called twice today and same thing.

Edit: called a third time and it worked. Make sure you ask for account services or account management.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] moeinyoho:
well after speaking with another rep, he told me you have to have the special promotion on your account.

anybody know why you would or would not have the promotion specially for you?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
If you entered into your contract before Sep 9th, 2011 which most of us have, you can just pay the regular (not advanced) ETF to get out of your contract which pretty much the same price as the early upgrade program. Pretty simple.

http://support.sprint.com/support/a...termination_fee/case-sp061027-20110823-171256
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] cknuth:
Why did I have to read this? And then I was dumb and went and read the review of the s3....now I'm about to go spend a bunch of money on a phone I don't need when I already have an awesome one....curses. the s3 is just so amazing.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] deadmanmalu13:
i hope you guys know that sprint is now stopping the buy out program as well as the 2 week early upgrade...so i would def do this now.... i tried doing it for a customer on sat and they wouln't let me cause they said they stopped it.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] pawmbi1:
OK step by step what I just did about 5 minutes ago:

Called 888-211-4727, picked option 4, then option 2, then option 6 (I’m sure any options you pick would be ok though). Rep answered. I told her I was having some problems with two phones on my account (I have 5) and I was in Radio Shack and the representative said I should try calling Sprint and asking for Account Services to participate in the Sprint Early Upgrade Buyout Program...

The rep was unsure for a moment put me on hold, then came back and said ok, hold on I'm transferring you. The new rep walked me through verifying my account, I told her the same as above, she asked what numbers I wanted to upgrade, I told her, she said let me check and see if they are eligible, put me on hold, came back said both lines are eligible and was 50 bucks a piece. She said the charge was non-refundable (100) and that I would still see an activation fee for each phone of 36 dollars. I told her ok. She put me back on hold for a sec...came back and said ok, I have processed your request and you should be able to go into any store and upgrade in about 2 to 4 hours. She said a text will be sent to each phone I told her I didn't have them physically with me but she said I would be able to see the ability to upgrade online as well.

I'll post an update in 2- 4 hours or sooner if it actually went through but I don't have any doubt it will.

Perhaps you shouldn't use Radio shack in your version :)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
Big question is how many months did you have left on your contract for these two lines? If you had 5 or less months, they really didn't do anything special, they just had you pay the ETF on both of these phones.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] pawmbi1:
I had 5 months on each line. But that was the point, I want to upgrade to the e3..so I was ok with that
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nascasho:
Damn, I regret I juumped on Sprint late, been with them for 3 months so far. Bright side, at least I got the E4GT for $50 w/ waived activation fee.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] moeinyoho:
is this any different from the buyout program, that only certain people can do?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] gtuansdiamm:
I did that for 2 lines

And both were put on 2 year contract

That fcking sales rep scammed us

Charged me like 370 for me og epic on launch saying it was on one year contract and then when I checked my upgrade it said 2 years later
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] PaulB007:
Time to call again and raise a little hell, wish me luck fellas.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] bmoreboy02:
i called up and they said there not offering it in my area? i live in baltimore anyone in baltimore buy theres out?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
No
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] krazy_smokezalot:
They told me they don't buy out plans anymore? Why would they lie? Why not just say I don't know let me find out! I hate sprint customer care they have been a pain & nothing but lie to me. Disappointing
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] robpet2:
im gonna try this approach as soon as the phone hits stores.. looks like theres a delay on getting the phone via the web ordering system.

raising some hell is always good, or at least have called in the past to customer service about switching to other companies due to poor service...

rule of thumb, keep calling.. if they dont do it on the first call, just keep on calling back.. someone will do what you want..
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] StrAuberries:
Yeah, Ive never in my life been lied to like Sprint lies to me... And I have a mother whos allergic to truth and dated a cheating whore of a .... (Breath...)happy thoughts...) In highschool...

If the lies continue email Dan@ (shoot, idr if its "sprint" or "sprintpcs" .com) they are far more helpful and receptive.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] supercholo:
The Buy Up Program is technically over as of June 1st, however we have had some go throgh depending on the rep you are talking to. Also, simple Customer Service will almost always say no, Account Services (slight difference) is a little easier to get it through.

It's all really the luck of the draw. (Some reps really aren't up to date on T&S rules so they will push it through) And also, they will tell you that you have to visit a Sprint Coporate Store lately too, however any store can upgrade you.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] pawmbi1:
I agree its really luck of the draw when calling customer service. Some may know exactly what you are talking about other may be clueless. I've found raising hell works but also acting equally stupid and clueless seems to work too (lol) Either way, don't give up and call back. I admit, I was prepared for the long haul and was surprised at how easy and how long it took (Total call 5 to 7 minutes)

Just keep at it, eventually you will get a rep who can handle it for you. BTW, i forgot to post back but both phones are eligible for upgrade as of last night when I checked online.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] supercholo:
Don't over do it when calling in angry. The reps will notate and you will get shot down every time.

Also be careful, there is a different between the Buy Up and Buy Out programs.

(Remember your calls can be outsourced to another country)

Buy Up Program will allow you to upgrade early.

Buy Out Program allows you to end your contract.

Seems almost identical, however in many cases a rep will take the latter as you want to end your contract and POOF, good by service and number.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] nickfuzz:
I don't know if location matters, but I wondered about the possibility after getting shot down a few times. The first 5 times I called, the customer service agents said they were, "loading up some program," to check my eligibility but every time they said I was not eligible.

The fifth time I called them, I changed my address to my current home address. I had moved about a year ago from Virginia and never changed my address with Sprint because I never receive any mail from them by default.

So I called again today to see if the address change made any difference ... to my surprise my account became eligible!

I don't know if it was coincidence or they just got tired of me calling or what. I currently live in the Washington, D.C. area.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
Just call in and request to pay your etf and go month to month. The people that were eligible for the program are the same people that signed their contract before sept 2011. Soooooooooooop, that means that their etf is the lower one and the same price as the other program.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] PaulB007:
After talking to account services, I paid $100 to get my upgrade. I was eligible December 1St though. Galaxy s3 here I come. :)
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] solehjeff:
how much would the etf be? And what would change going month to month?

---------- Post added at 03:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:15 PM ----------

Im gonna try and use my airave upgrade at radioshack if they wont let me buy up my upgrade.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] MvDef:
Will they let you do that with the airave?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] solehjeff:
Its been done, there was a thread on here talking about it and its worth a try.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] BigRitz:
this program is old, the new one started on fri and the fees now range from $50-175 for non smart phone users and $75-275 for smartphone users, these numbers are of course now based off the new etf fees.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
Read my earlier post about the ETF, the link is there. Nothing changes going month to month. Wish people would realize that these programs are no different than paying your ETF except they get you to pay your ETF and then sign another contract. Paying your ETF doesn't mean that you are cancelling your account, you are just buying out the rest of your contract so you are eligable for upgrade pricing. Stop calling Sprint asking about the buy up or buy whatever program, call them up and tell them that you want to pay your ETF and go month to month.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] threestripebrand:
Well after many phone calls yesterday i was finally told the promo was for in store only and was not available for every customer (me not being one of them), yet they coudnt give me a reason why some had the promo for their account and some didnt.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] moeinyoho:
From what i've heard if you've had the phone for more than 12 months you can do it, if not you're SOL :/

this my last year as a sprint premier customer so i still get an upgrade!!! :D
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] hooover:
Odd, I just asked for retentions.

The man i spoke with said,

"what issues are you having"

I replied,

"At&t offered to buy my contract out and my device plus keep my number for me"

He said,

"how could we keep you on the Sprint team sir"

Me,

"Well there really isn't anyway"

The Sprint guy,

"How about a new phone, HTC has a real nice 'tablet phone' out right now"

Me,

"WTF is a 'tablet phone'... how about a sg3"

His reply,

"you will recieve a text, just reply to that text and it will prompt you of your upgrade eligibility within the next 24 hours"

2 hours later I had a free upgrade after my last upgrade was in December.

*kids don't try this at home*
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Shoulon:
You people should just sign 1yr contracts instead of 2yr.... a $200 phone on a 2yr contract is $300 for a 1yr
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] AthlonII240:
I tried that, and I don't know if my charisma isn't leveled up high enough, but all I got was "Well it's your right to choose your service provider, but we're not going to offer you anything to stay with Sprint."

So I'm kind of bummed out that I won't be getting a free upgrade to the SGSIII, but what can ya do?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] EmperorX:
Damn son baller status... I kind of want to try this... Sigh
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
PICS or it didn't happen. Come on...really? They are offering you a free upgrade after only 6 months?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Esoteric68:
That's probably some of the best advice I've seen for those of us who are gadget freaks, although I like the extra protection of another year under contract to avoid any sneaky changes.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] threestripebrand:
Yeah, i never even knew that was an option. I'd gladly pay an extra hundred.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] solehjeff:
I just called customer service and told them i was thinking of leaving them because i cant upgrade. She transfered me to account management and she said since my upgrade is Nov. 1 theres a promo that allows me to upgrade for 100$ charge. I asked nicely and made conversation with the lady in account management lol maybe that helped a little. I just went on to sprint to verify that it went through and it did.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
Wow, 5 months left in your contract, your ETF would have been 50 dollars unless your last contract was only a one year. If it was a two year contract, you got bent over by Sprint.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] hooover:
Charisma, na I was straight rude at first! Then when retentions got on the phone I sort of switched it up, but kept it firm. I have had Sprint since 2001

The worst they can say is "No"!

Uploading pics of the transactions now.............:p

Seriously I could have posted screenshots of the eligability texts, but you can even check the Paranoid Android thread I just flashed to that yesterday, I do complete wipes everytime time I flash. This is only the third upgrade I will have used since 2001, I have bought all my other phones out of pocket; touch, touch pro, mogul, diamond, hero (upgrade), evo 4g, epic, SG11 (upgrade), iPhone 4s, (back to the SG11), *soon to be Sg3*
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] crypt0kiddie:
Does ATT actually offer to do that? I only ask because it seems like they would know if this was true or not.

I've actually been thinking of leaving Sprint, for another carrier just to get a SG3. I figured by the time I pay the ETF and sell my phone, I should be close to breaking even.

My last upgrade was in November and I've been a customer for like 10 years.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] DroidBabe:
This is what they told me in the chat...

Effective 06/18. Sprint has launched a promotion for limited time period for the customer who are not eligible for upgrade with new phone can upgrade now at any sprint store by paying some early upgrade fees of $50 - $275 is based on how long it has been since the last upgrade. Only Sprint-owned stores.

Guess I'll be checking it out at the Sprint Store.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] Kchitown1977:
I've been to few sprint stores and they have not yet got any shipments of s3.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] bobturismo:
You guys should consider yourself lucky, here in AZ we NEVER got full wimax 4G, we only have 3G. Well, that's not entirely true, there was like two or three 4-5 sq mi spots around town for a little while, not sure if they are even up still.

The only time I use my 4G is travelling, I'm sure they are gonna roll out LTE here, but it's not even slated as one of the first from what I've seen.

I love this phone and have no reason to upgrade, we waded through the 6+ months of problems and now that I'm out of the woods, I really don't want to jump into a new phone that featured the way I want.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] hooover:
Yes, they offer to pay your ETF just not the device, I embellished the truth at that point...

Sprint is truly cheaper all around and all other Services seriously throttle data after a certain amount is reached. Food for thought!
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] bobturismo:
Yeah, exactly. Internet may be slower, but cdma is better coverage in the us (that includes roaming on vz) and internet is unlimited in the sense you don't need to watch how much of it you use unless you seriously abuse it.

Also not sure how it is on the other carriers, but i'm not gonna own a phone that can't be tethered. Granted, with this phone I use my laptop maybe 5% now, but I still want the ability for trouble shooting or occasional use.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] jmejiaa:
Will early buy out allow me to cancel my line without ETF?

Or is this just an early buy out to pay the remainder of the phone?
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] solehjeff:
It was a 1 year contract
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
So, all you did was pay your ETF to get out of your contract.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] solehjeff:
I paid 100$ for a early upgrade, that was the promo.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] tgruendler:
OK...above is the ETF pay schedule. Please compare it to this:

It is essentially the exact same thing. People need to realize that they are not getting a "deal", Sprint is essentially making paying your ETF sound like they are doing you a favor. And if I am doing my math correctly, they are actually charging you more with the above program than what you would pay for your ETF if you signed your contract before Sept 2011 which would put you in the non advanced ETF tier.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] AVAH0LIC:
So jealous. Just played with the s3. The sweet thing how your screen won't shut off if it sees a face... And that palm swipe for screenshot
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] solehjeff:
The s3 is worth the extra 50$
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] quick99si:
I called to push my eligibility up and was told that I was not eligible (employee care and account services). I'll be eligible in Feb 2013, with the contract ending 2 months later.. $90 ETF offered.

I said I'd think about it, no way I'm losing my $30 SERO.

I just bought another ET4G as a backyo, and will buy the GS3 off contract. The upgrade will be saved for the next iphone I guess.
[Samsung Epic 4G Touch] musclehead84:
Thanks for this op. Called and got me a new upgrade. Now to finf a place that has the sIII