topic Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship in SmorgasBoard

Falling off the Sprint Ship

atlastontheroad — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:54:38 GMT

Last night I walked into Sprint and gave them the opportunity to NOT lose a long time customer. The rep didn't even make an effort to convince me to stay. After 9 years with Sprint, I'm looking at AT&T and Verizon. Two phones, family plan, low minutes (below 700 a month), heavy texting.

I guess they don't want the little consumer any more. Maybe it's a function of not wanting email/internet with a phone and not being willing to pony up an additional $30 a month for something for which I have neither a need nor a desire.

So, what new NON-MEDIA phones are you all using that you like? You know, ones with keyboards but not PDAs?

atlast.....

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

MidnightVoice — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:20:23 GMT

@atlastontheroad wrote:

So, what new NON-MEDIA phones are you all using that you like? You know, ones with keyboards but not PDAs?

I use the AT&T treo reasonably succesfully. Phone, email, texting

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

marty56 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:22:47 GMT

If you do go with a new provider, you will probably get a hard INQ on your CR. Not a reason to not do it but just wanted to warn you if you are worried about INQs.

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

atlastontheroad — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:49:16 GMT

@marty56 wrote:
If you do go with a new provider, you will probably get a hard INQ on your CR. Not a reason to not do it but just wanted to warn you if you are worried about INQs.

Thanks Marty, I'd totally forgotten about the inq. I have a single inquiry on TU and EX, two on EQ. I don't think that another one will have any really serious effect (other than the emp effect of taking me outta the 700's - oh well).

atlast....

Message Edited by atlastontheroad on 11-11-2008 10:49 AM

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

haulingthescoreup — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:48:29 GMT

I'm with Verizon, and my own phone is an LG model. I've been very happy with it. I bought it on the contract plan almost two years ago, so I'm sure it's obsolete now. (Usually the phones offered on these plans are models that are on their way out.)

Happy with the CS, happy with the coverage, appalled at the fees. Can't have everything, I suppose.

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

atlastontheroad — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:54:06 GMT

We went to two Verizon stores, more than an hour wait at each to talk to a representative. People in both places who were waiting were annoyed.

So, we went to AT&T. Twenty percent less for the same service, the store is walking distance from DD's school. The people were terrific, didn't try and upsell me to a data plan and knew every customer who walked in either by name or by phone.

Service, personal and by phone was a pleasure by comparison to the other two biggies. Since we never use all our minutes, the rollover feature will be nice.

DD and I always get the same phone, that way if someone neglects to bring the charger home from an overnight or a trip there is a second charger.

The new phones are Samsung Propel, new out last week. Single slide qwerty keyboard and large screen are nice. The downside: can't really use a carry case, but we usually don't use them.

I have had Samsungs for years and find them to withstand wear, tear and the occasional trip through the washing machine so I am happy.

A year ago, I wouldn't have changed plans because of my wobbly credit. Today was a breeze, not a single glitch. What a difference!

atlast....

Message Edited by atlastontheroad on 11-11-2008 04:54 PM

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

MidnightVoice — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:25:29 GMT

Our local AT&T store is excellent. Top notch, helpful, replace things for nothing (poor battery, Belt holster that split exposing the metal clip)

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

Junejer — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:05:24 GMT

Sprint bites. They recently lost a four year plus customer (Nextel) in me to US Cellular.

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:16:34 GMT

I've been with Verizon for years. Very happy w/ it. We had service across the entire country on our trip from CA to GA, except for one dead spot in Toomsuba, MS. I think good customer service at ANY cell phone store is hit-or-miss, as they're usually staffed by high schoolers or freshmen from college, who are more concerned w/ their hair gel and cologne than they are giving good service.. but if you can get past the flaky floor reps and talk to a manager, you'll probably be happier.

My phone is the LG enV, in my favorite olive green, flips open to reveal a full qwerty keyboard. It does offer internet access, if you feel inclined to pay extra for it, I think like $10/mo.

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

atlastontheroad — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:51:53 GMT

Ok, the AT&T inquiry cost me (gasp) 15 points. Way more than I expected, how long does the effect last? One year, until it's no longer counted?

Sheesh.

Climbing back into the 700's. By mid-2009, I figured I should be in the 750's.

atlast....it's just a number, everything is fine. Repeat mantra as needed.

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

Junejer — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:31:23 GMT

Yep, one year. Sorry for your loss.

Re: Falling off the Sprint Ship

atlastontheroad — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:45:54 GMT

@Junejer wrote:
Yep, one year. Sorry for your loss.

That's what I figured. Oh well, other things will have anniversaries soon-ish. It's a process.

If I can hit 700 at this point, just keeping my util down and nose clean will result in increases over the next 18 months when the last of the ugliness dies its natural death.

atlast.....working on credit Zen...again