yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[EVO 4G General] nebenezer:
Not that I am, or was crying about it but this doesn't mean jack. I am no longer eligible for an annual full upgrade.

I have 3 phones on my account, 2 evo's and a hero. My MRC is $149.98 which means (please correct me) I will be a second-rate silver customer and be eligible for $75 off after 12 months.

If someone upgrades and re-signs their contract annually that's not a perk, it's an exchange. You get a new phone every year, in exchange you pay $75 less than retail price for the device, renew your contract, and forfeit the $100 mir available to new customers/lines/2 y/o contracts.

I'm not necessarily pissed about this it just kind of blows. I think about how many people I have converted to Sprint over the years and lately they just seem determined to take the shine off being a Sprint customer. They revoked discounts on additional lines, smacked a $10 fee on all their best phones (which I'm glad to pay if they keep getting industry-leading devices), and now it's going to cost me no less than an additional $175 to upgrade..

My thoughts are: under the circumstances to me it makes more sense to either not upgrade or pay full price and not re-sign a contract. That said, it makes sense to wait out your contract and shop the competition. Sprint is removing reasons for people to perpetuate their obligation to them. If they are still the best game in town at the end of this year then I may just stick with them.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Lol I'm sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
[EVO 4G General] hdad2:
Has there been any confirmation of change in the etf? If it is still the same ($200 for 6mo then -$10 each mo) it would seem cheaper to buy out the etf after a year and sign a new deal either with Sprint or not...
[EVO 4G General] datajosh:
No word on an ETF change (although I bet it's coming) but if you do that, you'll have to wait 90 days before you're considered a new customer and can get new customer pricing.
[EVO 4G General] themyst:
You purported Sprint reps don't know anything. I don't even work for Sprint and I laugh at the misinformation and empty promises in this thread. I wish Sprint would hire me to fire all these retarded reps who say anything not to fail a survey.

Once you lose your Premier benefits, you get $75.00 off the unsubsidized price, not the new customer pricing.

There is an escalation form for customers who were previously on the Legacy billing system, and it is easy to verify via CRF if they were tenured customers prior to the system change. If the years add up, it is possible to override Premier benefits for tenure. I would say 1 out of 1000 reps know what this is all about, and if you do, kudos to you :)

Yes, the $10.00 Premium Data for new 3G Smartphone activations sucks. And yes, it will suck even more if you get hit with this fee when you buy a phone used or contract-free. It sucks even harder when you have 5 new Blackberries on your Everything Data Share 1500 plan and you suddenly realize your rate plan is now $50.00 higher.

And even further, Sprint's equipment subsidies are pathetic. Previously, it could be justified due to the price plan savings. Now, with the parity amongst providers getting smaller due to these changes, why bother? The EVO is archaic, the 3G data speeds are slow, WiMax runs at such a high frequency that it has absolutely zero building penetration, coverage is pathetic off the beaten path, why bother, seriously?

Case in point - Look at what a Boost Mobile Samsung Seek costs contract free. Then look at what a Sprint Samsung Seek costs contract free. I rest my case.

Verizon 20 month upgrade cycles, AT&T 18 months, Sprint, 22 months?

-end rant, disgruntled Sprint customer.
[EVO 4G General] themyst:
Love to see how they'll justify an ETF increase, especially when their true subsidy cost is probably less than the original ETF amount to begin with.
[EVO 4G General] drbadass:
Ok I'm reading a lot of these responses and I'm not sure what applies to me here. Can anybody clarify for someone in my situation?

Formerly an at&t customer, I jumped ship and got an EVO on launch day, with the understanding that based on the fact that my plan was over 69.99 (I got the lowest plan I could, obviously pay the $10 fee, got 10% off as a credit union member, and pay $7/month for TEP so I end up paying ~87 all told a month) I would qualify for an upgrade at the 1 year mark this June.

Do I understand correctly that that is no longer the case even though that was basically what they told me when I signed up? Or are they grandfathering me and others in this situation into our upgrade 1 time and from the policy change onward these are the new rules?

I'm so confused, this was a pretty big selling point for me when I signed up.
[EVO 4G General] themyst:
I asked the same question, but yes you will lose your Premier upgrade this coming June.

I already know what those silly reps are going to say, "change your rate plan to the $89.99 Everything Data 900 for three months, then you can get your upgrade and switch your plan back!" If you're nice they might even give you $60 bucks to cover the change!
[EVO 4G General] drbadass:
Wow what a load of crap. And to top it all off, at my house T-Mobile gets full coverage and FASTER than my sprint 3g around town, whereas at my house I'm roaming on sprint.

Probably done being a sprint customer if this turns out to be the case.
[EVO 4G General] Semantics:
I've been with Sprint for 3 years. I have a 3 line family plan, and I'm going to lose my Gold status and end up Silver. What Sprint fails to understand is this. People stay with Sprint for the value. They have an inferior network, inferior phones, and incompetent CS. The reason people were willing to deal with these things was due to the fact that Sprint had the lowest prices, and you were getting value.

Well, now that they are upping the 10.00 Premium Data to 3G phones, dropping the upgrade program for the vast majority of their customers, changed the way that discount affect the plan, they are positioning themselves to be on par with superior compaines while still offering an inferior network, and phones. I spoke to a retentions REP yesterday, who was quick to point out that even with the changes, I would still save 200 dollars per year over Verizon. I was shocked. Completely stunned that it would only cost 200 more per year at Verizon. I thanked that REP for making my decision to leave Sprint so easy. Who would not pay 200 dollars a year more for a better lineup of phones, a faster network, and better customer service?

It was a good three year run with Sprint. They made an error in judgement here thinking they are on par with the Bigger carriers and could follow suit and people would stay with them. Again, value was the reason people stayed with Sprint, and the gap has closed. I am currently waiting a call back from retentions to see if I can get out of my contract ETF free so I can move over to Verizon.

I have two lines that are eligible for upgrade, and have been for nearly a year now but I was waiting for new phones to be announced before I made the decision. Now I cant upgrade those lines because they would incur the new charge for Premium Data LOL ~700kbs down 300 kbs up, Premium? lol.
[EVO 4G General] aimbdd:
Better Better customer service? AHAHAHAHAHAHA are you serious? I just came from verizon... oh the joy... months of having to flip on the cs rep to get a working phone that didn't have any problems... there cs is HORRIBLE. I only have one time to compare it to, but that one time, they ordered me a replacement phone, and didn't charge me for it even though we don't have insurance.
[EVO 4G General] Semantics:
Stick with Sprint CS.. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Few things here. Nobody has said any wrong information and people will not be charged an additional $10 unless they switch phones, its not a retroactive charge. Sprint still does 12 months on primary line and 22 on additions. You need to stop spreading false information.

The problem is all new phones are smart phones, meaning minimum of $69.99 or $129.99 plan. This means all new customers are premier and get yearly upgrades, that's not good for Sprint, too much lost money.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Figures a Sprint employee laughs at someone who thinks keeping their word means something since they are not taught to do so. Hey Mr. Sprint rep. I get Wireless Hotspot without paying for it:) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Good thing we can root these phones.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Yeah, IF you have been with Sprint for 10+ years OR pay MORE on your contract ($89 for single and $169 for family). Lets not spread BS Mr. Sprint Rep
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
The $10 charge has nothing to do with that, use your brain. And wether or not prices went up, we still offrr the yearly upgrades
[EVO 4G General] Semantics:
I have two lines on my family plan ready for upgrade, with no phones my wife or daughter are interested in. We were waiting for something they wanted to come out so we could upgrade. Well, now Sprint has basically said pick one our crappy phones, or pay the premium data charge that was not in effect when I signed my contract, or hey, you can use one our awesome feature phones that will not incur the Premium Data charge. Its all BS, and no matter how anyone tries to spin it, it still smells like BS.

If I can pay 200 dollars more a year to use the Verizon network, and their robust lineup of phones, why would anyone stay with Sprint? I went from saving 1200 dollars a year to 200 dollars a year. Sprint failed in thinking they are on a level playing field with the big 2 carriers in the US. They simply are not. They had value going for them, and not much else, and now the value is going by the way side.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
You guys might not agree with it but Sprint still offers the best value hands down.
[EVO 4G General] Semantics:
That was certainly true, but you are failing to acknowledge that the gap is quickly closing. I literally was saving 1200 dollars a year, and its now down to a 200 dollar per year savings. I wouldn't go as far as to say "hands down", especially when you consider the phone lineup, and network.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Where in my post did I mention ANYTHING about the $10 3G Fee. LEARN to read and comprehend before replying to someone's post. Yes, Sorry Sprint still offers yearly upgrades IF you decide to pay a higher monthly bill ($40 for a family plan which turns out to $480 a year, NO THANKS) for a far inferior network compared to Verizon. I have 4G in my driveway, but as soon as I enter my house it's GONE, because Sprint's WiMAX has HORRIBLE building penetration:) What a joke. They have the Audacity to charge $10 a month for 4G and it's CRAP.
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
People kill me with this whole "sprint and their current lineup" crap, prior to CES the other carriers hadn't really had jack in their lineups either, now all of a sudden they announce a few phones sprint has nothing...........LOL, only because they haven't announced their lineups yet..DUH!!!!
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Closing bit not closed and ATT and Verizon will not be lowering their prices anytime soon
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Not anymore. As Semantics has been pointing out, that $200 a year savings is NOT worth staying with Sprint anymore when I can goto Verizon who has a Superior network and the HTC Thunderbolt AND Motorola XOOM coming soon. Thanks Sprint BUT No Thanks. You just priced yourself out of the market. Idiots
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
So what are you going to do about it?
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Leave Sprint and hope enough people do as well so you and the rest of the lying Sprint reps lose their jobs. Maybe then Sprint will realize that they had a good thing going and trying to screw their longtime loyal customers was not a very good idea.
[EVO 4G General] Semantics:
I hate to answer for other people, but for 200 dollars a year or 17 dollars per month, go to Verizon? You can justify staying with Sprint for a 1200 dollar per year savings. When we're talking about 17 dollars a month, which is 3 dollars less than I'd be paying if I upgrade my two phones per month, then it becomes harder to justify. I gave Sprint every opportunity to keep my business for the past 3 years. I've not been that customer that calls and wants everything for free, I've just paid my bill, lived with slow network speeds and okay coverage. Those days have changed. Hopefully when the CS REP calls me back on Friday evening he'll be telling me I can get out ETF free, if not, I'll just bite the bullet and pay the ETF. Enough is enough.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Hey I let my money talk , you think because I work for sprint I'm not a consumer? If I don't like something I leave why rant to names on a message board
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Who says we are not leaving. When you and many others lose your jobs because Sprint is bleeding customers (as it's bleeding Money right now) you will know why. I am giving Sprint until Feb 8. That is when I was told that the paperwork for my legacy years will be in. IF Sprint does not give me my legacy years and tenure I will be leaving and going to Verizon, I don't care about the ETF as well.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Ill be waiting to lose my job. You think new people aren't born and there won't be new customers who don't mind saving $5 a month? Wether $1 or $5 I like saving money period . And your network bs you keep mentioning is specific to your location. Verizon is not the best in every single area. There a reason prepaid is slowly overtaking the market.
[EVO 4G General] sultan.of.swing:
So I just logged on my sprint.com

it said something like congratulations we like you and its telling me I have a upgrade available with the 150 credit thing. I have only been with sprint for 5 or 6 months.

There is nothing worth upgrading too. Will my upgrade still be there when the new rule takes effect?
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
I'm almost positive that people that were eligible this year will not lose it. The system will remove it, retentions will reset it. Ill get a concrete answer tomorrow.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
NO. Take advantage now if you decide to stay with Sprint. Come April 1st that $150 upgrade is Gone. This is what I was told by an Executive Member today
[EVO 4G General] aimbdd:
I hope so. If not sprint will have a ton of very angry customers. (evo owners anyone?)
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
Thats just not true.....noone will be losing an upgrade if they already have it on their account. Sheeeeeeeeeesh.
[EVO 4G General] sultan.of.swing:
There's nothing worth upgrading too. Already had the epic fail and definitely don't want the evo shift.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Don't count on it bro. I brought up the very same question to a Sprint Manager today and he basically told me "Sorry", there is nothing they can do and unless you are a Gold Plan Member (have 10+ years as a Sprint Customer) OR pay a higher Monthly Bill ($89 single or $169 family) for 3 consecutive months. You WILL lose that $150 upgrade. Use or lose it by April 1st.
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
HAHAHA, you must not have done any research on verizon prices....and you said sprint is bleeding customers? LOL
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Yes it is. You continue thinking that dude and when your upgrade comes up after April 1st and it's different don't say you were not warned. Things will change drastically come April 1st, watch and see.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
there is nothing they can do because the change hasnt taken effects. I reset over twenty lines a day, it ferns some quit crying.
[EVO 4G General] aimbdd:
Didnt mean to thank this post haha.
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
LOL, sorry I have already verified this information myself so nothing will be changing for myself or anyone else who already has their upgrade currently.
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
If the account is not older than 10 years you will not be considered gold.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
You don't even work here quit spreading false rumors ill reset personally any upgrade that was due. Sprint will not screw over people that had it this year do you honestly think they want to lose all those customers?
[EVO 4G General] aimbdd:
Can i have your cs number to call for when my upgrade is due? ;)
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
Yes it will. Your yearly upgrade will be removed thus making your eligible in another 10 months and your 150 upgrade going down to 75.

The process is just like if you take a premier line off an account and move it to a non-premier account. The eligibility rests to that of a non-premier customer. Customers will not be grandfathered into the premier program.
[EVO 4G General] gpz1100:
I renewed last month. My next upgrade is 12/2011 ($69.99 plan); I'm hopeful when that time comes the attitude is still the same :)
[EVO 4G General] Blitzpwnage:
Yes me too illl pm you
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
I don't need to work there. I have spoken with YOUR Executive Members today (3 of them to make sure) and each one of them told me the samething. So unless you are part of the Executive team I will take their word over your's. I guess we will see come April 1st, if I'm wrong I will come back and gladly eat crow, If I am right, I expect you and everyone else who has doubted what I said to do the same. Come April 1st if you are not considered a Gold Member OR decide to pay extra per month, you WILL NOT retain your yearly upgrade date. Remember that's what I am disputing, NOT that you won't have an upgrade BUT that those who think they are going to keep their yearly upgrade will not.
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
Again, my upgrade will not be going anywhere until I choose to use it. I have verified this information personally. Im not gonna argue with anyone over it, as its dumb, but just know I have verified all of this information.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Exactly. Don't listen to DirtySanchez. He does not know what he is talking about.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Correct, as I.said the system will.remove it and retentions will reset when u call in. These people can believe what they want
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
Then I'm sure one of our sources is incorrect. But I'm sure your one of those guys who will say "my source is very high up and knows these things"...so we will just see when the time comes...I've "verified" this info just about as good as anyone else can at this time.
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
Actually im speaking on people who have upgrades currently, not really myself per se, as im already a gold member and that is not in question so regardless I will have my same upgrade......but speaking on those who have one now, they won't magically lose it April 1st.....but after they use it, and don't qualify as gold, they won't have another one for 2 years thats all.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
He thinks because he 'Works" there, he is in the know. Funny thing is, when I called into customer service too talk about this very issue, the 1st line people had NO knowledge of what was going on. I TOLD THEM and they were surprised. They transfered me to their Supervisor who knew what was actually going on. Incredible
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
They aren't "losing" it. It will simply fall into the New For You 22 month program. Meaning they will be eligible for the one year 75 upgrade pricing and eligible for the 150 in 10 months. Whether retentions will reset that, I can't say.
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
Wow....that is sad. Lol. But I will agree...Sprint does a rather poor job at prepping their employees.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
I can guaramtee you if I get a call from a cust that was due this year it will be reset, assuming theyre not sprint abusers
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
Ummm ok. Whatever you say.
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
Quis89 - Question. Can you still use the $75 upgrade and only sign a one year contract or will that change as well. Thanks
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
That is good to know.
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
I believe that will remain the same. No changes to that policy have been expressed but don't hold me to that 100%. We all know how Sprint changes things sometimes.
[EVO 4G General] Flonkas:
That last paragraph is pump my man.
[EVO 4G General] blackroseMD1:
You're right. We aren't "losing" it. It just means that, instead of being able to get my $150 upgrade credit in July, like I would have when I signed up, now I have to either wait an extra 10 months, or pay more for an upgrade than I was told I would at the 12 month mark when I signed up.

I understand what's happening...doesn't mean I have to like missing out on that extra $75 upgrade credit that I would have had.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Correct one year contacts will not change
[EVO 4G General] Flonkas:
***pimp
[EVO 4G General] ghodzilla5150:
No kidding. I guess we will find out come April 1st.
[EVO 4G General] Quis89:
Yes...its really lame. There are a lot of reps who advocated the Premier program and the yearly upgrades pretty strongly. It kind of sucks that they instituted this change which kind of screws the customers who were signed on excited about the premier benefits.
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Very true but thats what happens, prices have always risen never dropped. Cigarettes used to be 20 cents a pack and so was gas... It's life. Costs go up and will continue to forever. You think it's fun dealing with angry people all day
[EVO 4G General] hdad2:
DirtyShroomz,

Thanks for trying to keep us informed in these threads. I hope you don't get discouraged by those who seem to beat down on you even when you are trying to help.

Now, I sincerely hope what you say is true. It would make the most sense. If they cancel the upgrade for all who were due it this year, it'll not be good for them. Think of all the early evo adopters who will lose their upgrade a mere 60 days before it was due. That'd be the crappiest bait and switch I've seen from a wireless company yet. Verizon and att make changes constantly, but they tend to grandfather everyone.

If it can be proven that those due an upgrade this year will still get it, please let us know. Again, thanks.
[EVO 4G General] MrDSL:
I joined Sprint for 2 reasons..To get the EVO and get a new phone this coming June..They really pushed that when I was checking out Sprint.

I don't understand all this stuff but I'm pretty sure my 129.95 family plan with 2 extra lines doesn't qualify for the gold. So I will have no choice but to cancel and switch..Does anyone know is ETF goes down each month you're with Sprint?
[EVO 4G General] a5ehren:
I'm guessing you're going to get a lot of PMs asking for your extension around June 6th ;)
[EVO 4G General] uniquenameevo:
Same plan and adds here, and no...doesn't qualify.

You have no choice? It's not good in my opinion, but it isn't like I was going to cure cancer with my upgrade in June.
[EVO 4G General] shadowhawk2020:
I'm am feeling less and less upset about "losing" my EVO and getting a new one, and making the old one a metropcs phone...
[EVO 4G General] mrjeancw:
wait...can that be done? i mean not the putting the evo on metro cuz i know it can be done...but i mean wont it be like blacklisted or something?
[EVO 4G General] shadowhawk2020:
Blacklisted from sprint. Not sure about the Metro thing... Just talking **** because I am annoyed
[EVO 4G General] mrjeancw:
gotcha...

also,

i am a ten year tenure sprint user (nextel+sprint since 2001). they already told me i would hit gold this year. will that mean that every year i qualify for the $150 off to upgrade as long as i renew to 2 years?
[EVO 4G General] swaze:
Welcome to da club.
[EVO 4G General] shadowhawk2020:
Until they change it again...
[EVO 4G General] DirtyShroomz:
Not discouraged at all, it's my job to be the bad guy and there will always be those that don't believe or attack us for being evil. Simply brush it off and move on. It's impossible to save everybody, simply, so I can't "care" about losing a few, it happens. I can only write what I know will happen.