Now, this is stupid

[fbhjr]

I’ve wanted an iPhone since they came out.
But, I had Sprint. I like Sprint. I wanted to keep Sprint.

Today, for the first time in 4 1/2 years, I can order a iPhone from Sprint.

I went to their web site today and looked into it.
They tell me that since my contract won’t run out until March, I have to pay full price. Even if I upgrade my plan and extend it for 2 more years.
But, if I wait until March, I can get $150 off. New customers get $450 off right now.

So, I called their customer service to make sure I wasn’t reading it wrong.
He assured me that I had read it right and was not the first person to notice.

“You’re telling me that I can walk into an AT&T shop and get the phones I want for me and my wife for $800, but to get them where I’ve had phone service for nine years is will cost me $1700?”
“But, if you wait until March it will be cheaper,” he told me.
“You’ve told me that the cheapest I can ever get it from you is $1400, but I can still do it with AT&T for $800.”
“But, then you’d face our cancelation fees,” he said.
“How much are they?” I asked.
He hemmed and hawed and told me he had to check his computer.
“$70,” he finally said. “But, that’s each!”
“That still makes you 80% more expensive than they are and the best you’ll ever be is 75% more.
“But, new customers can get the same price as I would if I went to AT&T, you just won’t give those prices to existing customers.”
“We did have to make certain concessions to get the iPhone,” he said.
“Well, I think my course is clear,” I said.
“Wait! You could get the new price if you added a new phone to your account!”
“Could I keep my phone number?”
“No.”
“If I canceled my phone and got a new Sprint account would I get the good price?”
“Yes! You would!”
“Could I get my old number back?”
“No, that would count as your old number again and you wouldn’t get it.”
“Thank you for your time,” I said. “I think I’ve made up my mind.”

I’m still not sure I’m going to get one.
But, I’m pretty sure it won’t be with Sprint.

Comments

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

The Sprint customer forums make it pretty clear I am not the only person to feel this way.