Sprint Optional Equipment Replacement Program

[Ocuflox]

So i just bought a samsung a500 and obviously i had to drop it and shatter the front window. But i didnt worry since the sprint guy told me that there equipment replacement program would send me a new one. So i called them up and told them what happened and the lady said I had to agree that sprint would only send me a new one if i agreed that sprint could provide me with a similar cell phone if the a500 was not in stock. Confusing? I pressed her on this and asked her if that meant they would send me a lower model if the a500 was not in stock. She replied that sprint does not downgrade and would send me one with the same "internal" components. So technically they could send me a lower model number but as long as it could offer the same thing as the a500 in terms of internal function I couldnt complain about it. What frustrates me even more is that I pay extra for this replacement program and u have to pay a 35 dollar fee and wait at least a couple weeks to get the replacement which could or could not be the same phone as u sent them!!!!! ahhhhh

Does anybody else have a situation like this and what did u do?

 

[Freejack2]

I have the program but now I'm beginning to wonder if it's really worth the money. I'm paying $48 a year for a program that I haven't used in nearly 4 years. For what I've paid it's more than my cell phone costs to replace these days. Should have just saved the money.

 

[fatkorean]

Ahh ive used this. This is what you want to do. Just go along with it.. to see what phone is available. If the a500 isn't available.. say you will call back later. They store it for a month. I did this when I had the sanyo 5000 phone. They wanted to replace it with a crappy one because that was all that was available. So I waited and called back couple days later. They have the 5100 and send me that. Once i got it. it says its a referb, but the back says its brand new

-fk

 

[calpha]

The replacement program is basically a sham, IMO.

$4.00 a month + max of two replacements a year. I've had the replacement paln w/ Alltel and And w/ Sprint, and I won't get it anymore. #1, I left my phone out in the rain and it got killed, and I had to go through hell and high water to get it replaced. Something about negligent use----Plus the $35 fee.

#2, I drove off and left my phone of top of my car. The lady I was dealing w/ was being a real b!tch about it----and turned out I had to file a police report of a lost phone in order to get it replaced. Took about 10 business days to process.

Now---that being said, the plans are worth the $48 a year if you have the $200+ phones. At least for the first year, because they are supposed to cover damage & theft. I've had two phones replaced, and my wife has had one. In the case of me----Once I got a brand new phone (b/c I went to the store and waited there for my replacement to process--same day) and the other time, I got a refurb.

My wife on the other hand----dropped her phone, and her model wasn't available so instead of a Samsung Touchpoint that she had, she got sent a Samsung flip (8500 I think but I can't r'member) which was the current model.

I've only had one case where a replacement was denied, and it was my own fault. I drive a truck and didn't notice that my phone fell out in my toolbox when I was putting my tow chain back in the toolbox, and my phone was between that and some tools, and it got scratched, dinged and dented to hell. The LCD was shattered----they said it qualified as abuse and wouldn't replace it.

note

I did relate two diff't experiences of replacement programs. Sprint was tough to deal w/ be/c of the delay, and the paperwork required Plus, my first replacement was a refurb (said it on the back). Alltel ahd the exact same plan, but you could go in a sstore and get yoru phone immediately.

But----if you take the $48 a year + $35 to replace a phone once----you've already got $83 there, so for cheap phones < $150 it's just not worth it IMO....with any cell carrier.

 

[amnesiac]

Verizon's replacement plan is better. They'll replace it regardless of what happens to it. It's a full fledged insurance policy so you just file a claim.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
Verizon's replacement plan is better. They'll replace it regardless of what happens to it. It's a full fledged insurance policy so you just file a claim.

Sprint's replaces it reguardless of what happened as well. Just might take a few more steps.

I've got the $400 Sanyo 5300 Camera Phone w/ the coverage... I dont trust myself...

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah. Course, I have $400 phone but not the equipment replacement I figure if my last phone lasted 2+ years in good shape I'm prolly fine.

 

[chiwawa626]

Call sprint and tell clair to give you Retention...they can solve things for u I didnt really have a broken fone, but i complained about the crappy oldskool wireless web and they gave me a new 200 dollar fone and free vision service

 

[orion7144]

NM

 

[Ocuflox]

thanks for the advice - i guess i just dont want to go through all the trouble of getting a new phone and then not get my phone. i mean u send in an a500 u want back an a500. i think ill try the retention office first as it seems many people have had good luck with replacements and new plans. thanks everyone