Sprint Premier Changing (for the worse)

[tatteredpotato]

I didn't see this posted yet. I got a pamphlet in the mail saying that as of April 1, 2011 Sprint Premier is changing to a tiered service, mainly the difference being that you will need to have a $89.99 plan to qualify for an annual upgrade.

The thing that gets me is that this is about a month before I would qualify for an upgrade under my current rate plan. I called Sprint and they confirmed that I would not receive the discounted price until the entire 22 months have passed. I asked if I would be able to terminate my contract because of the change, but they said they would be unwilling to because this is a promotion feature and not something that is part of the actual plan.

Needless to say I'm dropping Sprint if this is the kind of stuff they're going to pull. They conveniently timed this to screw over all the customers who signed on to get Evos.

 

[iahk]

who will you switch to? luckily for me, i won't be effected by this since I'll be on my 10th year on sprint at the end of the year (when my annual upgrade time falls on) which allows me to automatically fall in sprint premier gold.

i'm unfamiliar with how the other carrier's upgrade programs work

 

[Judgement]

Drop them and move to who?

AT&T and Verizon both fairly recently neutered their upgrade track for existing customers and ballooned early cancellation fees.

Not that I can see myself using Sprint as my carrier in the first place, so if you wanna change carriers I wouldn't blame you... I just wouldn't expect it to be any different elsewhere

 

[tatteredpotato]

Probably VZW. I feel they advertised this as a reason to go Sprint when the Evo was coming out and, and now they're axing it right before they'd have to pay out.

I'm a stubborn guy and I'd switch out of spite alone.

 

[Fingolfin269]

I saw something recently that ATT now has unlimited mobile to any mobile (like Sprint) which helps to some degree. For me that actually makes it somewhat closer to the Sprint price as I get a hefty corporate discount.

 

[randomlinh]

They aren't screwing evo users. they simply have to change to try to get to profitability. With Verizon axing it, they felt they could too (tho, at least w/ sprint, the higher plans qualify or if you're a long term sprint customer).

Personally, the bottom line is my monthly bill. and sprint fits the need. I actually do qualify since I'm on a four line family plan... except, factor in the discount and I drop out, ha.

 

[Fingolfin269]

And that's the rub... they're doing it because they need profitability but part of the reason they still have some of their customers is because of the current pricing and perks. The $10 "Evo" coupled with these program changes really erodes the majority of Sprint's advantage over the other carriers, at least for me.

 

[boomhower]

And that's the rub... they're doing it because they need profitability but part of the reason they still have some of their customers is because of the current pricing and perks. The $10 "Evo" coupled with these program changes really erodes the majority of Sprint's advantage over the other carriers, at least for me.

That's me in a nutshell. Due in large part to their changes the last couple of months I am moving to Verizon. The new $10 smartphone fee has pushed my two line family plan almost directly even with Verizon, yeah it's fewer minutes but I don't need that many. Sprint should offer a family plan with less than 1500 minutes for less money. The axing of the yearly upgrade really ticked me off. It was their best feature. Now Verizon has actually a better upgrade at 20 months vs 22 months plus the option of paying $70 upfront and doing a yearly contract. Sprint is has had their head balloon over the EVO and are going to pay dearly for it when they drive away all their customers. Ticking off your customers right when Verizon gets the iPhone is not a smart move.

 

[her209]

Is this in regards to Sprint Premier being split into Silver and Gold?

 

[Dulanic]

Is this in regards to Sprint Premier being split into Silver and Gold?

Sounds like it to me. I have to admit I am kind of pissed over this myself since I pay out the ass for a 3 phone family plan. However, they are still the best deal out there price wise per month but they are getting VERY close to removing that advantage 100%.

 

[shortylickens]

Probably VZW. I feel they advertised this as a reason to go Sprint when the Evo was coming out and, and now they're axing it right before they'd have to pay out.

I'm a stubborn guy and I'd switch out of spite alone.

I would never dump a perfectly good service out of spite, but this seems like they are fucking people over which makes them a less than good service. I suggest you vote with your dollars.
I left Sprint too and they screwed me in the process. Claimed I didnt cancel and I had to pay the termination fee (two years on a smartphone) and 2 months service. Screw those guys. They will never again have my business unless they cut me a check for 400 dollars.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Luckily I have a three-line family plan with data so I still qualify. But tacking on $10 for each smartphone (not just the Evo and Epic) is pretty shitty. I was originally thinking of picking up an Evo Shift for my sister in law (the third line) since it wasn't going to have the extra charge, but now it'll apply no matter what she gets.

 

[her209]

Luckily I have a three-line family plan with data so I still qualify. But tacking on $10 for each smartphone (not just the Evo and Epic) is pretty shitty. I was originally thinking of picking up an Evo Shift for my sister in law (the third line) since it wasn't going to have the extra charge, but now it'll apply no matter what she gets.

Even before the $10 smartphone fee went into effect, the Evo Shift qualified for the Premium Data fee.