Following up, Sprint has launched the HTC Hero after months of speculation and the first reveal by PhoneNews.com.
The Sprint version of the Hero is functionally identical to the reference GSM version with the same 3.2-inch multitouch capacitive display, 5.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, microSDHC slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, HTML browser and the Sense UI frontend.
The rest of the featureset consists of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth with stereo audio support, accelerometer and speakerphone.
Pricing is set at $179.99 after minimum $69.99 Everything Plan or higher selection, $50 instant rebate, $100 mail-in rebate and new 2 year agreement.
@ GP
Please get those foolish ideas out of your head. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!!
Just the though of Employees trying to help the customer and doing what’s right by the customer makes me laugh out loud.
I don’t know how anyone can support Sprint on this topic. Long term customers are a company’s most important asset, (Been with Sprint since 2000) and yet we get slapped in the face by Sprint denying us newer phones because we don’t want or need an “everything plan.” I really want a Hero, but there’s simply no way I’m going to pay $40/month more for it. All this does is ensure that whenever I really have to change plans (4G, etc.) I’ll be changing carriers too. Oh, and the 12 family members that depend on me for technical advice will be switching too so we can stay on the same network. Thanks for the loyalty Sprint.
The small font at the bottom of the hero advertisement states the you should be able to activate the Hero with a plan which costs 34.99 or more. Therefore people on a family plan should be able to activate it without an Everything plan. Unfortunately the advertisement is in flash so I cant copy and paste it but here is the link.
http://now.sprint.com/android/index.php?pid=3&id9=vanity:hero
The funny thing is that first it states that you need a plan 34.99 or higher, and a little later it states that the plan should be 39.99 or higher. I wounder who proof read this thing. (I took a screenshot of the advertisement, but unfortunately can not paste it in here)
@JJ
I should be able to switch back to my fair and flex because I am not the primary on the account. My line was a add-on therefore it should work the same way to get the line back, it would just be an additional line being added.
@KS
It seems like sprint is saying that if the plan is no longer offered, once you change your plan, you can not have it back. So even though you have a 30 day no risk trial period (which is required by law), you can not get your account back to where it was even if you cancel. I’m not sure how legal this is, because I though that it states that if within the 30 days you are not happy, the provider is supposed to make you account the same as it was before the upgrade. (I’m not a 100% sure but I thought that that was the law.)
Canceling your plan to try out a new phone is never a good idea. Always, sign up a new line of service to try out a phone BEFORE canceling your current plan. It is a huge PITA to try to get put back on a plan that is no longer being offered. If you decide that you want the phone then send the new phone back WITHIN 30 DAYS and cancel your new line of service … then upgrade your current phone number with yet another brand new phone. Don’t just transfer the new phone to the old line of service because if you do then Sprint will not give you a rebate and will likely try to charge you full price for the phone. I know it seems crazy to do it that way … but if this is how Sprint wants to play the game then we as customers need to know how to protect ourselves.
That is one of my gripes with Sprint right now … I have a family plan and Sprint will not let me add anymore users or lines of service, even though the plan details allow for up to 3 more lines to be added. Yes, this is how they treat long-term customers.
@ Igor
It should and hopefully will work. My original plan was a fair and flex family plan with 3 lines, my line was the add-on, my mother being the primary account holder. I know about a month ago, my parents were talking about giving my brother a line and it would be an addition $10 on their bill, and that line would be connected to their plan. I would imagine that if Sprint were to try to prevent me from adding back onto my original plan I could just get a new number and add on. I’ve had the same number for 7 years now, but I wouldn’t be too upset. I think you’re right about the 30day trial period. I think they would have to honor that. I know once a while back somehow when I switched to I believe to a Treo from HTC touch my add-on (data, messaging, etc) was deleted off my account. The Sprint Rep had to look in their archives to get the code back and add it back onto my plan. I’m sure they will have to do the same in this case.
Hope it works.
@JJ has not been on for a while. Let’s hope it’s because he is playing with his new Hero and not because he is on the phone arguing with sprint.
@JJ/GP/and all freedom of choice fighters!
I strongly recommend before burning the bridges of your legacy or Sero plan:
1. To inquire about the phone in question at VZW (i.e Hero). Ask about return policy!
2.Ask SPRINT about flashing of the phone, you can always return the phone if you don’t like it, go back to your old ESN phone,hence keeping your plan safe.
3.SPRINT wants to play hardball? Give them somrthing to chew on!
4.Make sure you do your HOMEWORK before finalizing your decision!
Best of Luck!
Thank You
@F1
Agreed! … with persistence and patience maybe we can get Sprint to rethink their decisions about keeping their promises and blackballing us from newer phones.
Sprint isn’t Metro PCS, they don’t flash phones.
@Igor
Sprint is not the first cell phone carrier to require certain plans on a small selection of phones. I remember when AT&T and Cingular merged, they tried to get off the “blue” plans and wouldnt let them upgrade unless they went to the “orange” side of the plan fence.
I also don’t like the word “force” in this conversation. No one is forcing you to do anything. You can keep your plan forever if you want. The only catch is a slightly limited selection of phones. I don’t see the big deal. I never did. I understand it can be disappointing, but its not like any laws are being broken here. There are so many more things to be worried about than your choice of phones to upgrade to.
You can attack me all you want. Thats your opinion and I respect that.
Sad news.
Sprint was unable to let me keep my sero with my hero that I just got in the mail. They did however offer me the 69.99 everything data and give me a $20 discount every month dropping it down to 49.99. I was tempted to take it but $20 extra just to be able to use a phone is not worth it. I will be getting the tp2 and I have since started to port my wife’s sprint line and gone with straight talk wireless. With this plan I pay $30 not taxable plan and get 1000 mins, unlimited pics and text and 30mb of data and it uses the Verizon Network. They only have 3 phones currently but my wife doesn’t mind it.
I will try to call sprint one more time and try to get hero again and if they still deny it I will then cancel my 2nd line. In the end I will keep only 1 plan with sprint. So instead of 3 lines with sprint I will only have 1.
I just read verizon will be getting their version of the hero so I might be getting a family plan with them and will get rid of sprint completely. The cost will be the same as sprint with the family plan but at least my phone will work indoors.
Good luck to sprint. Lets hope that sero customers is a small number of customers and it doesn’t hurt sprint to keep loosing loyal customers.
@ Sprint Tech
First of all my phone includes unlimited data, therefore getting a phone which can’t handle data is like taking the plan away from me. Sprint has restricted pretty much every phone that can handle data. Second of all it it’s not a big deal, then why would sprint go through the trouble of programing their computers and telling their sales reps (who I’m sure need a lot of training just to get one point across) that these phones are only available on the Everything plans.
I’m not a lawyer so I don’t know if sprint is breaking any laws, but I do know that screwing all of your existing customers in order to make a couple of extra bucks has never been a good business model.
Even if people decide to stay with sprint because of the favorable pricing, they will not recommend the provider to anyone else, and most of the business is through referrals. Plus you can bet that even if somebody I know is planning to get sprint, not only will I not recommend it, I will specifically advise against it.
Also as soon as something comes along even if its a little more expensive I will have absolutely no problem leaving and going to a new provider, while if I was treated with respect and as a valued customer, I would not leave just to reduce my bill by a couple of dollars, or to get some extra minutes.
Centenial Wireless 400 minutes unlimited n/w’s, 5 #’s, m2m, web, free incoming calls, free incoming messages for $56 but you all want coverage too so instead of taking the offer extended you’ll show them and pay 30%-50% more in protest. That’s showing them what’s what
@don louie,
the plan with straight talk wireless is the best plan. Unlike centennial there is not contract included and on top of them having a $30 1000min plan they have a 40$ unlimited plan. Not to mention that it runs on the verizon network which is a plus when it comes to using the phone inside buildings. Something that has never worked with my sprint phone. That is just one of the choices to think about if sprint keeps screwing with their customers.
@ Don Louie
You keep missing the big picture. Money is only a part of the equation … you keep trying to make it the whole of the decision.
JJ’s cheapest fam plan option with vzw would be 700 for $140 3 lines w/unlimited data and messaging. igor, the only plans that don’t charge extra for those phones are pre pay, regional and T Mobile so take your pick
GP, I haven’t missed the point because I was in the same boat a year ago but saved money. I truly understand where any legacy plan holder is coming from but my plans got screwed every time I upgraded and never got my old plan back so decided to go with the flow and was rewarded with bonus minutes, 1st incoming minute free, Pick 3 and 5 on all lines and now AnyMobile is included without asking. I see plenty of people on here with a bunch of FREE perks paying way less than the majority of subs new and old crying because now they have to pay what everybody else is. The challenge is for all the unhappy subs to find comparable deal and for arguments sake don’t factor in nav or entertainment with comparable coverage, Maybe T Mobile’s Project Black will suit you all
@ Don Louie
Thanks for proving my point. You keep making it about cost. … AND I don’t think that we are in the same boat unless you are a mind-reader, because you don’t know the details of my plan and the specific problems that I am having.
Once again, your previous post was about the cost of features and minutes … why do you keep making it about the money … it is a bigger picture than that. It didn’t include 1) misrepresentation by Sprint, 2) cellular coverage area, 3) phone selection, 4) data speed, 5) reliability, 6) in-building coverage, 7) etc. All you talk about the the cost of the features … it is bigger than cost and/or money!!!
And BTW, there isn’t a plan anywhere, with any company, that will give me the features, coverage, cost, and phone selection that I have with Sprint (even blocking Instinct, Pre, Hero — which is bogus on its own merits) and I am NOT a SERO customer. Besides the phone blocking, here is my biggest complaint … Sprint is not allowing me to use the features of the plan that I am currently on … and I don’t mean add new phones … they will not let me add the features of the plan to its fullest extent. I have had at least 15 conversations with retention just trying to be able to use the plan that the computer has coded for me … Sprint management is blocking the features from being added. AGAIN, Sprint management is blocking the features from being added!!! Companies should not treat long-term customers this way. So it is not all about the money!!
One more thing … I don’t ever upgrade phones thru Sprint (I do it on my own), so I never get screwed as you and others have.
For those of you interesting in switching check out the deal we found for a free T-Mobile BlackBerry over at CheapenGadget.com
http://www.cheapengadget.com/free-blackberrys-for-t-mobile-2760/
GP, it has to be about money because clearly you were promised things about a phone before details were finalized, the same happened to me with notes on my account and email too, now that they are out and there is no leeway other than the SRDO plans it upsets plenty of subs like you. In the end there isn’t a rep low to high that can help because it was misinformation and in some cases misrepresentation. I suggest all of you take what’s offered, try to negotiate for the max 27% discount (for SERO, take EREP) or leave because at this point these are no other options if you want the Pre, Hero, Instinct, Instinct S30, Instinct HD, Moment or any other Web OS/Android device
What features is Sprint blocking? If that is specified it will go a long way towards getting some understanding, w/o it the rant sounds hollow
The only perks I can see being withheld might not be able to coexist with the plan you have but come with the new plans like 7pm/6pm n/w’s, roaming and AnyMobile but if this is about PAM you have no leg to stand on
@ JJ sorry to hear that. I think I read somewhere that they were able to move to the Everything Plus Referral Plan and get some discounts as well – in order to make up for the increase in plan cost and lack of increase in service. I believe after the discount the plan came out to be $10 more expensive then the sero plan, and he got any mobile as well. I’m not sure if this is true or not, but I did read it on one of the forums. Might be worth a shot.
@Don Louie,
companies have not restricted existing plans from getting certain phones. They might have started requiring unlimited data on certain phones that are data intensive. Those companies offer several variation of plans which offer unlimited data, and some companies have an extra add on of unlimited data which you can add to any plan (or one of the lines on a family plan)
There are lot’s of people who might have a family plan where each person has their own needs. Some people in the plan might need text messaging while others do not, and some might need data while others do not. It is inappropriate to tell a person on a family plan to buy an everything plan when certain members of the plan do not need those features.
Furthermore, if you have an existing plan which has unlimited data you can get any phone and it will work. Also if you have a good minutes only plan, you can add the data plan to your existing plan and not change your minute plan.
This is the variety and the options other carriers are offering their customers in order to keep their customers happy. One shoe does not fit all in this situation and any company that thinks that it does will eventually file Chapter 11.
@ Don Louie
You continue to assume things not yet in evidence … IT IS NOT ABOUT MONEY. IT WAS NEVER ABOUT BEING PROMISED A PHONE. Is that clear enough! It is about trust, honor and commitment. It is about treating long-term customers with honor and respect. My plan is working … I am not trying to change plans, I am trying to enforce the original terms.
And again … the thing that happened to you did not happen to me!!!!!!!!! Stop assuming! It isn’t about notes being lost … the terms of the plan, that I am on, are clearly available for anyone to see.
If you had read me earlier comments on this blog post, then you would already have an example. But here goes again. My plan is allowed up to 5 lines being shared on the plan. I activated two of the lines when I took on the plan in late 2007 … 5 months after the plan was activated, in early 2008 I asked to add line #3 and Sprint retention said they could no longer do it. The plan clearly states that it is an option and should be available but Sprint management has blocked additional lines from being added. Retention tried and tried to get someone to allow the plan terms to be fulfilled but Sprint management will not allow it … someone has locked out the codes from being used. I even spoke with the one on the top 4 people in the Orlando retention call center with no joy. Hopefully, this is enough of an example to fill in the hollow areas for you.
I know that you are trying help but you keep assuming things that just aren’t correct. If you are doing this in our communication, then I am sure that you are doing it in communication with other people. Before trying to solve someone’s problems, it will be better if you actually know what the problem is before you try to solve it. Now that you know this one problem, if you have a constructive suggestion about this one problem, please share. And please don’t suggest leaving … any informed customer knows this is an option.
This is not a rant … it is a fact about what Sprint management is doing … and it needs to be shared. Caveat emptor … Let the Buyer Beware! People need to know that Sprint will not always honor the terms of the their agreements. All that people need to know is this … since Sprint will not always honor their agreements … protect yourselves. Each customer will have different plans and agreements. so they will protect themselves in different ways … just protect yourself or have an exit strategy to leave Sprint.
Thanks for offering your solutions … but all of these options have been uncovered when doing earlier research. All of your suggestions are currently in place, or at least the ones that make sense with my needs. I will continue to be vocal on this subject, because as a 10+ year Sprint customer, it is unconscionable that Sprint would treat us in this fashion.
igor, the EREP plans cannot get additional discounts, unlike SERO, but discounts can be applied to public plans. That was Sprint Tech talking about other carrier forced data plans on specific SMARTphones, Verizon doesn’t even offer unlimited data anymore unless it $30 smartphone data or a Connect/Premium bundles. While we are in agreement on the needs of all the lines in fam plans, the value Sprint’s plans offer is too much to give up when factoring in just one smartphone or multimedia phone like the one in the article can’t be denied. The challenge still stands for anyone to show a publicly offered plan by a national carrier, individual and definitely fam w/o factoring in nav or entertainment, that is a better value because I know Verizon and ATT can’t but T Mobile and US Celluar can come close. I’ve seen the plan F1 doesn’t want to give up, you and GP should give specifics about the plans you all are unwilling to relenquish because my 2000 minute unlimited everything plan was hard for me to let go. I doubt any of the ranters will make a stand by leaving and increasing the money paid out just to prove a point, JJ and F1 are prime examples because they’ve been trying to make thier case since June ’08 and are still subs but maybe they’ve reached the breaking point
In my case it is about the loyalty, which Sprint broke because for them it’s about the money. My plan is as follows:
$30/month
Unlimited everything except minutes (no nav or sprint TV which I do not need)
500 minutes a month and N/W minutes start at 7pm.
@ Don Louie you are right the plan I have is very favorable and therefore it is doubtful that I will leave unless I start getting very bad phone service or another carrier or sprint comes out with completely new technology that I simply MUST have. However that doesn’t change the fact that i will not be recommending sprint and will go as far as to tell people not to get sprint (unless I see that sprint is exactly what that particular person need and that no other carrier can come close). Considering I have a technical and a business background, my opinions on these matter go a long way in my family and circle of friends.
Most likely Sprint will not loose me as a customer (not yet at least) but they won’t get me to switch my plan either —- So they failed this mission
Instead they took a loyal customer, who recommended sprint to many people, and got sprint a lot of new business ( to be specific most of those plans are Everything Plans) and now this NO-Longer loyal customer will make sure to explain to people that once they become a sprint customer, they won’t know if they will be valued as customer a year or two from now or not. Most people seem to value security and customer service and don’t want the same volatility in their cell phone plans as they get in the stock market.
@Don Louie
I must start by saying again, that I am not a SERO customer nor do I have any special discounts or free addons. I just have my phone with the data addon and my wife’s phone with the $5.00 text message addon on a F&F plan with 550 base minutes. I don’t need more minutes than I am getting, I don’t need texting on my line because I don’t use it. I don’t need data on my wife’s line because she doesn’t use it. If I stick with sprint and want to upgrade my phone it will cost me $130 per month for the everything data share plan. If I go to Verizon, I will pay $105 per month to get a plan that suits my families needs. Yes, I agree that the sprint share plan is a much better value for people that actually want to have unlimited everything on both lines. For me, my wife will never use the data, the tv, the music, the gps, etc. Plus she will only ever use 100 text messages per month. I will never use the tv, music, gps, or texting. I will use about 50MB of email and web browsing. Combined we will never come close to using the 1500 minutes each month. My point is that even though the sprint plan is more bang for the buck than the Verizon plan, I am still paying less for exactly what I need rather than paying more for something that I don’t need. It is like going to Sam’s Club and buying 20 pounds of steak for $50 because of the value when I know I’ll throw half of it away. I could just go to the local grocery store and get what I actually need for $20 even though per pound it costs more. Why throw away the money just to say that I got a good value? Like I said, I agree that sprint has the best value, but I will save money in the end by getting exactly what I need from another carrier. I am probably going to end up going somewhere else as soon as my current contract is up (maybe sooner if I find a good enough reason).
Great point IGOR. They offered me $20 off every month off the 69.99 everything data. That is still $20 more than I’m paying now and it doesnt even include insurance and tax. I just said never mind I guess I won’t be using the hero and stick with my $30 plan.
I actually forgot how good my plan is. I just looked at it and I get 500 mins, unlimited text, pic and data and nights at7. Plus I have pick 3 and 10% for life of account. That is too good of a plan to pass up just to have a certain type of phone. Not to mention I also have google voice and will be putting my google number as one of my pick 3. I will just buy the tp2 and use the data like crazy. I want to see them say the hero uses more data than any other type of phone.
To anyone on sero, good luck and in my opinion it is not worth it to pay more just for a phone. Congress and the fcc are working on making changes to some laws to prevent this so I will just wait for that and in the meantime I am happy with not giving anymore money than I have to, to sprint.
Maybe I’m missing ALL the points but…
I AM one of those with an old, grandfathered in Sprint plan. In short, the plan, which includes several lines, includes data, texting AND it is VERY cheap overall for what I am getting.
Tell me if I am wrong but this is how I see this whole debate. Be reminded, I also would LOVE new hi-tech phones which could be used on my current plan.
It seems to me that Sprint IS making an arbitrary decsision to “rearrange” their “phone plans” to attempt to both attract new customers AND get old customers into higher priced plans. It also appears they could easily “allow” the newer phones to work on old plans – assuming the older plans had data on them.
However, I do not see that we old customers are being “forced” into anything. We could switch companies, we could keep our old phones and plans and go on without contracts, and we could get new Sprint phones which don’t “require” unlimited plans which would allow us to continue our current plans. Technically, Sprint can’t force us to do anything. We’d be perfectly happy if these phones were not around because we wouldn’t know any better. We all, INCLUDING ME, just want our cake and eat it too.
Now, on the other hand, I would LOVE a Pre, Instinct, or Hero on my current plan. So please, someone, tell me how I am missing the point…
@ JJ
Please have someone check me on this … I think that you, and most others, are limited to 5GB of data. Not sure if you will be using Google Voice (GV) as data if you are then GV will increase your data usage quite a bit.
Don’t want you to get hammered for too much data use.
@GP-
Google voice only uses data if you connect with your browser and it is only for about 1 minute. After that it uses your current minutes on your plan. Google voice is not a VOIP service. Since it uses my minutes if it is on my pick 3 it will be unlimited. Check it out for yourself on google. They are now allowing google voice accounts 3 invites to friends or family.
Good news for those who don’t want a new plan stuffed down their throats but still want a good phone. HTC just released 6.5 update on the tp2.
Does anyone know if the Diamond 2 is coming to sprint? I don’t need a keyboard and would prefer a thinner phone.
I read on a post from someone who had an email conversation with a sprint rep. The conversation posted had the rep saying that the diamond2 is going to be released on sprint but no date as of yet. I will probably be waiting for that since I also like the smaller phone and dont need a physical keyboard.
@JJ
I have been using GV for about 2 years long before it was GV, ever since it was Grandcentral. I run my business from it.
@GP
So then you should know it doesn’t affect your data usage. Ive been using it for about 2 months and I love it.
For anyone that is fed up with sprint forcing plans and would like to leave and don’t have a need for a pda phone, walmart will now going to carry Straight Talk plans and phones.
This includes
$30 plan with 1000 mins-1000text and 30mb of data or
$45 plan with unlimited mins and text and I believe unlimited data
and it all runs on the VERIZON NETWORK!!!!
Just got my wife this plan and canceled my sero. (they should have let me get the hero on the sero)
Straight Talk is a good service … my folks are using now!
There are three limitations (at least for our use)
1) Data is 1xRTT only
2) No Qwerty keypads … some are rumored to be coming
3) It has larger coverage footprint than Sprint but doesn’t roam when not on the Verizon network so there are a few holes, not as many as Sprint though.
@JJ
I thought that you were going to be using outbound calling thru GV … which means website access which means more data. In-bound only = little data.
@Igor
I got get your point abot every phone that can handle data is restricted off SERO. Did you know that every single phone Sprint currently sells can access the web? Every one. Sure, the Pre, Hero, Instinct are higher end phones, but they sure as hell are not the ONLY data cable devices. Also, not everyone is as up in arms over this ED requirement as you guys. Its not like every single customer on a legacy plan needs or wants one of these phones, and even the ones that do don’t seem to mind switching when they come into the store. I see them everyday. I do remember a few people being a little upset when the original Instinct came out, but they didnt sit there and argue with us. They simply didn’t upgrade.
I am not quite understand the Straight Talk hype here. They have no EVDO devices? Everyone on SERO wants the high end phones like the HERO and Pre, but you will settle for a non-EVDO device on another carrier? I complete understand why you would leave Sprint, but it seems like you are settling on a 2nd rate carrier. Its like going from Cable modem internet to Dial up.
@gp, IF you use the web dialer from google you use the internet for about a minute then it uses your regular minutes. Once it connects it no longer uses data.
@sprint tech
Last time I checked Verizon was evdo. Straight talk uses the verizon network so therefore you have access to there evdo network. Also for now they don’t have smartphones but for those who don’t use pda phones it is a perfect choice. That is why I got my wife this account. They have only 3 phones on their site but walmart is going to have more of a choice.
Also last time I checked verizon was not a 2nd rate carrier. Last time I checked they had the lowest churn rate and their phones actually work indoors. You might not be dealing with verizon directly but you will be using their great network plus no contract.
This plan is a great choice for a lot of people.
Don’t get mad about it. You should try to get those customers back by offering better customer service and not breaching customers contracts and treating them like 2nd rate customers.
@JJ ….
According to the limited research that I did on Straight Talk, it is limited to 1xRTT data only. I could be wrong. Yes, it is definitely Verizon but the phones are not EVDO capable. So, the data is throttled.
@ Sprint Tech
Straight Talk is not for the heavy data user … if you read JJ’s earlier comment he said that he got the Straight Talk for his wife (who was a SERO customer too), but she only does minutes and text, so Straight Talk was a good choice for her. JJ said that he was going to stay on SERO because of the data and TP2.
In my case, Straight Talk was great for my parents who only talk, but now they are able to talk all they want and have gotten rid of one of their home lines. The best program that I could get from Sprint was 1000 Anytime Min/N&W/Nationwide Roaming/no text/no data for $20 … Straight Talk was only $45 for all the minutes that they want (plus I can text them now) and they saved $35/month for the home phone line … a no brainer!
Honestly, Sprint’s network is great, I dont see Verizon’s network as superior to Sprint’s. In my area, there is blanket coverage and I have no dropped calls. Verizon has a great network, but its not leaps and bounds better than Sprint,
Of course, every area can vary, but Sprint’s network is great in most places.
@ Sprint Tech
If you are in an area with plenty of towers then Sprint will be comparable to Verizon, as long as you outside. Once you get inside a building, Verizon has much better penetration than Sprint … this is a well known difference. It is the 1900 vs 800 frequency thing.
If you want a short, but good, explanation, here is a forum with a post that does a good job detailing the differences (it is the 3rd post down)
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/general-wireless-discussion/37618-800-mhz-vs-1900-mhz.html
@Sprint tech you need to stop contradicting yourself… You went from hardly ever seeing … to seeing every day… I’m confused!
Sprint Tech on October 12th, 2009, 7:59 pm
“I hardly ever deal with SERO customers complaining about needing to change their plan to upgrade to a Pre or Hero. I rarely even ever see someone on a SERO plan come into my store. SERO customers are smart enough to figure stuff out on their own and not really need to go to a retail store to resolve any issues.”
Sprint Tech on October 14th, 2009, 3:05 pm
“Its not like every single customer on a legacy plan needs or wants one of these phones, and even the ones that do don’t seem to mind switching when they come into the store. I see them everyday. I do remember a few people being a little upset when the original Instinct came out, but they didnt sit there and argue with us. They simply didn’t upgrade.”
If you read through all of your threads on this message board you keep going back and forth because you don’t even know what point you are trying to make. You are just disagreeing with whatever we are saying. I bet if I suddenly made a statement that Sprint has a right to restrict phones, you would come back telling me that all sprint customers deserve access to the full line up of sprint phones.
And to answer your question, I am fully aware that all of the phones are capable of accessing web content. But I hope you felt really stupid making that statement because we both know that accessing the web from a Sanyo S1 is very different then accessing the web from a Hero or Pre. The fact that you are a tech and make a statement as stupid as that indicates the high level of competence that sprint employs.
You have demonstrated all of the qualities of the average Sprint employee
-don’t know the facts
-don’t know the correct answers
-will say anything to disagree with the customer
-go back and forth on your points
-lie
-and just simply not knowledgeable
Finally if as you say – we are such a small group that complains, first of all why are there so many forums on this topic on many different websites. And if so few of us want these phones, then why is Sprint so adamant about making sure that we can’t upgrade to them. What does sprint have to gain from all of this?
One of these days, when you have nothing to do (maybe when you are at work since sooner or later most customers will leave and stores and service centers will start closing) read through all of your comments and see how many times you contradicted yourself and how stupid some (I’m being generous) of your statements are!
Igor,
You say I don’t know what I am saying, but I clearly said I deal with LEGACY plan customers everyday. Where did I say I deal with SERO customers everyday? I didn’t. Obviously, I am not so blunt with cusomers I deal with in store, because my goal is not to piss them off. However, when I am on here, I won’r censor myself or try to dance around the issue.
About the web issue, you said and I quote: “Sprint has restricted pretty much every phone that can handle data.” That just simply is not the case. You didn’t specify what kind of phone or web experience you were talking about. Don’t blame me for calling you out on such a generalized statement like that.
Also, when did I lie? I never lie to customers ever. When you lie, it has a tendency to come back to bite you in the ass. Now, like I said, I am polite with the customers I deal with, but I won’t lie.
And, I am very knowledgeable. I have managers come to me with questions. I’ve been with Sprint for a LONG time. I’ve outlasted co-workers, manager, district managers, Regional VP’s, and I’ve been 3 CEO’s now. You don’t stay with a company that long without knowing what you are doing. Granted, there is a lot of bad employees. But, you can say the same for Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc. I am sorry you think I am incompetent, but if you knew me in person, you’d realize how valuable I am to Sprint.