Will switch cell provider and coming back mean I'm a new customer?

[aceO07]

I have an old Razr from years ago and I've been with T-Mobile for as long. I'm currently looking for good deals and it seems like the deals are for new contracts.

I'm wondering if I switched to another provider, say MetroPCS for a few months, and then came back would I be considered a new customer/contract?

For example, I saw a deal for a G1 with T-Mobile for $97 with new 2yr contract, but it's ~$170 for contract extension(existing customers)..

Basically it seems like there's a bigger discount if I'm a new customer.

 

[uli2000]

I think most companies consiter not being a customer for 6 months or more a new customer.

 

[bucwylde23]

Are you under contract? My guess is that if you aren't under contract you'd have no problem getting the new promotions.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
Are you under contract? My guess is that if you aren't under contract you'd have no problem getting the new promotions.

Nope. Not under contract anymore.

I suppose the best way to know for sure would be to ask t-mobile. Or wait for a t-mobile forum member to answer.

The real complication is going through another company for the promotion instead of t-mobile.

 

[zerocool84]

AFAIK it's around 6 months for everyone.

 

[Rottie]

when my 2 year contact expired and then few months later they cancelled me and i decided to come back to tmobile they just welcome me back with no contact and they didnt ask me if i want to buy new G1.
Also when i decided to upgrade cell phone to new cell phone i get discount and forced to sign with 2 year contact.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: Rottie
when my 2 year contact expired and then few months later they cancelled me and i decided to come back to tmobile they just welcome me back with no contact and they didnt ask me if i want to buy new G1.
Also when i decided to upgrade cell phone to new cell phone i get discount and forced to sign with 2 year contact.

Yea, after your contract ends you basically go on month to month plan.

I just need to make sure I'm considered a 'new customer' since I will most likely go with a 3rd party to sign up for new contract since they seem to provide better deals than signing up with T-mobile directly.

for example, when I first signed up with T-Mobile, I did it through Amazon and got a FREE phone along with $100.