[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Sprint's New Smartphone Fee -- How 'Bout a Little Honesty? here

[AmandaPatty]

Of course, the biggest reason I'm with Sprint is going out the window!

[CJ100570]

Honesty isn't in their best interest. Our choices are so limited here in the U.S. that the carriers really have no fear of alienating customers. For all the complaining we'll do we're all stuck with certain carriers based on geographic location, phone selection, etc.

[LarryE]

I'm glad I got rid of Sprint. I only had it 4 days and they screwed up so much stuff I was going crazy. They have absolutely the worst customer service, even worse than AT&T, which I didn't think was possible. They shipped me a phone which I had cancelled, I refused shipment, they received it back and they didn't even know it was shipped. Argued with the rep for over 1/2 hour before he finally found a system with the correct information. What a joke.

[LarryE]

LarryE, on 18 January 2011 - 04:50 PM, said:

I'm glad I got rid of Sprint. I only had it 4 days and they screwed up so much stuff I was going crazy. They have absolutely the worst customer service, even worse than AT&T, which I didn't think was possible. They shipped me a phone which I had cancelled, I refused shipment, they received it back and they didn't even know it was shipped. Argued with the rep for over 1/2 hour before he finally found a system with the correct information. What a joke.

And when I e-mailed them to complain, they replied to my e-mail and couldn't even get my name right. Addresed the message with some woman's name. And my name was only a few lines down.

[JohnnyScimeca]

I think it should be known that the add-on is for newly activated customers only. Existing customers are unfazed.

[RonaldThompson]

JohnnyScimeca - let the haters have their shots. This plan, plus the 10$, is still cheaper than AT&T and Verizon - the US's favorite pick-pocket corporations.

[BillHammon]

AmandaPatty, on 18 January 2011 - 03:07 PM, said:

Of course, the biggest reason I'm with Sprint is going out the window!

Sprint is not raising your existing rates. The new charge applies to new users, or if you switch to a new Smartphone on an existing account.

[tousslouverture]

Am I to believe existing customers are safe from the surcharge? And if wer're not would that be a breach of contract on Sprint's part and if so can we get out of our contract. I have two phones on my plan and I'm about to break my contract in about a month when the ETF drops down to the minimum $50 because the way I calculate it it will be cheaper to just pay the $50 instead of paying them for five more months of service. I'm heading to Metropcs but the second phone will move down to the $69.99 per month plan but if this is a breach of contract on their part I'll take both phones and walk.

[musenkacho]

AmandaPatty, on 18 January 2011 - 03:07 PM, said:

Of course, the biggest reason I'm with Sprint is going out the window!

Despite the add-on cost of $10 per month, it is still the best deal in wireless. Compare this to what you would be paying for Verizon. Once you are able to purchase a 4G smartphone on Verizon, do you realize how quickly you will use up your "alotted" maximum (because you know they will probably not offer an umlimited plan for data on a smartphone, especially if you are going to tether your laptop to it)? Tack on the fees per GB you have exceeded and you will be much more accepting of the $10 "add-on fee" for unlimited 4G data service that Sprint has put upon you. Wireless companies can not make everyone happy, e.g. coverage issues, billing issues, customer service, etc. That's why there is competition. If you want to use a smartphone, be prepared to pay, no matter which carrier. Looking at the current plans, available phones, coverage I need and the data speeds, Sprint is looking pretty good right now.

This post has been edited by musenkacho: 19 January 2011 - 06:18 AM

[musenkacho]

Despite the add-on cost of $10 per month, it is still the best deal in wireless. Compare this to what you would be paying for Verizon. Once you are able to purchase a 4G smartphone on Verizon, do you realize how quickly you will use up your "alotted" maximum (because you know they will probably not offer an umlimited plan for data on a smartphone, especially if you are going to tether your laptop to it)? Tack on the fees per GB you have exceeded and you will be much more accepting of the $10 "add-on fee" for unlimited 4G data service that Sprint has put upon you. Wireless companies can not make everyone happy, e.g. coverage issues, billing issues, customer service, etc. That's why there is competition. If you want to use a smartphone, be prepared to pay, no matter which carrier. Looking at the current plans, available phones, coverage I need and the data speeds, Sprint is looking pretty good right now.

[WoodsideParkBob]

Virgin Mobile uses the Sprint network. $25 a month for 300 minutes talk and unlimited text and data. The phone isn't subsidized, though, so you have a bigger up-front cost.

[rtfire1]

AmandaPatty, on 18 January 2011 - 03:07 PM, said:

Of course, the biggest reason I'm with Sprint is going out the window!

all they need to do is say you want a smart phone fine 10 bucks more a month. they have none smart phone that are nice and cheap and the date plan is great with no extra cost.

[Kahuna]

Sprint may be cheaper than the competition, but you get what you pay for.

Now you get less.

[dina716]

GEEZ! Give Sprint a break FOR ONCE! I have sold Sprint phones for over five years (along with VZW) and I firmly believe their service, phones, plans and customer service are the best.
I am so tired of 'Reviewers/Editors' constantly writing negative articles about them.
First of all - the $69.99 plan for 400 Minutes and Ulmtd Data is one you couldn't beat. And... even at $10 MORE... you still can't.
While it is true that back in 2001-2002 their coverage was lacking - they have come a very long way.
As a loyal customer to them for over 10 years - have I experienced an issue or two? Yes. Was it resolved in one phone call. Yes. Do I feel like I'm getting the best deal compared to everyone I know that has VZW, T-Mobile and AT&T... WITHOUT A DOUBT. And that's with not even having Sprint service available "in" my sister's house.
What's the difference how they say this new $10? FACT remains - you get MORE for your money with them AND great data access speeds AND cell tower service. So PLEASE STOP the Sprint BASHING.

[AZBorderDude]

One of the interesting angles is the fact that I would be paying the same amount as 4G service but in a 2 or 3G mode because 4 ain't deployed here. Therefore, I don't get the same service as other customers forthe same an=mount of money.

The federal line charge is a charge that is assessed on each line by federal law. It is used to supplement qualifying poor subscribers so they can have a phone.

I amone of those subscribers that had to go with Sprint when the other company reduced it's coverage area and cut me off. Verizon came in, bought them out and corrected the problem, but it would cost me about $75 more to fo to them. AT&T and T-Mobile (the other two around here) don't have a signal in my town.

[BGood2]

dina716, on 19 January 2011 - 04:00 PM, said:

GEEZ! Give Sprint a break FOR ONCE! I have sold Sprint phones for over five years (along with VZW) and I firmly believe their service, phones, plans and customer service are the best.
I am so tired of 'Reviewers/Editors' constantly writing negative articles about them.
First of all - the $69.99 plan for 400 Minutes and Ulmtd Data is one you couldn't beat. And... even at $10 MORE... you still can't.
While it is true that back in 2001-2002 their coverage was lacking - they have come a very long way.
As a loyal customer to them for over 10 years - have I experienced an issue or two? Yes. Was it resolved in one phone call. Yes. Do I feel like I'm getting the best deal compared to everyone I know that has VZW, T-Mobile and AT&T... WITHOUT A DOUBT. And that's with not even having Sprint service available "in" my sister's house.
What's the difference how they say this new $10? FACT remains - you get MORE for your money with them AND great data access speeds AND cell tower service. So PLEASE STOP the Sprint BASHING.

You don't think it's shady to still advertise $69.99 when new users will have to pay $79.99? I wonder if the FTC and/or state AGs will feel?

[ThomasJBartel]

I've had Sprint service since 1991 (corporate account) and have never had any problems with the network service or customer service. Whenever I need to call, any problem is resolved on that call, to my satisfaction. I still have a discounted rate with my current corporate plan and it's better than any of the other carriers. Whiners, just give it up!

[waiverider]

I find it interesting that anyone sees the additional $10.00 add on for smart phones vague or misleading. As was stated, the plan is 69.99 for feature phones and if using a smart phone a required $10.00 data premium is added. How is that a lie or misleading or not telling you that if you have smart phone if will be $10.00 more. since the plan is not "$80.00 more" for all phones just smart phones. Unfortunately it seems that some of the phone users are not as smart as their phones.

[RandyB65]

Sorry, but I have to bash Sprint here... VZW is the superior deal now that they are tacking on $10 (and was before at a $20 diff). If you compare 'everything' plans there is only a $10 diff between Sprint and VZW ($109.99 vs $119.98). Factor in that the VZW network blows away all competitors and I think it is hard to argue. I had a Sprint phone several years ago- worst reception EVER... I threw it out the window doing 80mph and told my boss it got lost.