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Sprint: I was with them for 4 years. 4 years and my biggest complaint was that I couldn’t use all the minutes in my plan. I had a good plan- and at 4 years old compared to the current prices I was indeed getting a sweet deal by staying with them and renewing that plan. A great benefit of Sprint- was their cheap data plans in a world filled with the rising costs for other carriers. $15 a month on my awesome plan and I could pick out a sweet PDA/Smart phone and still be a great price.

I never needed to call customer service. When my phone broke I went down to the local Sprint store in Orem and they replaced it - twice - for free. I recently had my contract run out and I thought I would take advantage of upgrading to a new phone and get $150 discount by renewing. They have 30 day trials there, which I am gracious for because I wanted to find a phone that fit my needs/likes: and it was nice to know I could try a few. Initially I tried the HTC mogul, LG Musiq, and messed around with a few others. I didn’t quite like any of them so I took them back- and each time I was always using my old plan and the added data plan to it.

Finally they pitch me this “Samsung Instinct, the iPhone killer”. . . the new hotness. . . I double check- make sure I can do the 30 day trial, that I don’t have to buy a different plan, and that if I cancel I will still retain my old plan. With an annoyed looks, my ignorance cost their patience and the rep said in a pissed off tone, “Yeah…. of course…You’ve tried it 4 or 5 times now already, just figure it out and realize that’s how it’ll always be”.

I go to buy the phone, and guess what: I HAVE to buy a new plan. The rep who made me feel stupid was probably laughing inside when he asked, “which plan do you want? $89.00 plan?”… What?! Double what I am paying? .. ..needless to say, I had a debate right then and there. If it is a lot like the iphone, I could love it and only have to pay $100 for the phone and the plan is the same price as the iPhones. Also- this is my last attempt with Sprints phone selection before I stick to my old plan and just get a one of their freebie flip phones….besides, it’s just a trial anyway and I was curious. They sales reps tell me he’s sure I am going to love it, and blah blah blah. I double check that I can cancel and go back to my old plan within 30 days- and pull the trigger and buy it.

So when I decide I don’t like it? The Sprint store in Orem tells me I CAN’T go back to my old plan. No way- no how- their system is programmed that no matter what I do- I can’t have my old plan back even if I return the phone and cancel. I have to pick a new plan? For the same price as my old plan I had to choose a plan that had half of the services I was getting before. But, I am not in contract- but have to pick a new plan? They say the plan is ‘best for the company, an enhancement for more streamlined services’.

I made my decisions based on getting the plan back. I took a cheap plan and tried calling into customer service to see if they could help. Of course they gave me the ‘we upgraded our system’ BS and that I can’t go back. I mention I’ll likely cancel and I get nothing back and the call just became frustrating. If I would have been given clear and truthful information in the beginning, I would have not done the purchase trial of the Instinct- i would have just spent a lot of time in the store testing it out- but my old plan and my desire to stay with it was much higher than risking it on a $100 P.O.S. poor attempt at giving an alternative to the iPhone. Not to mention……. there were 4 or 5 other people at the store at the same time as me, returning their Samsung Instincts too!.

The Iphone 3g comes out not too much later, and I’ve been a very happy camper with Cingular/AT&T/Apple and I really do think my current phone is what I was looking for. AT&T has even proactively called ME 3 times since I signed up to ensure everything is working and to remind me of some benefits.

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