What the f*ck is wrong with the cell phone industry? Why, and this is true for all carriers, do they insist on a pricing structure that makes it more attractive to change carriers than stay? They make such a big deal about forcing you into a 2 year contract, but at the end of that contract they give you no incentive to renew.

Our contract is up in a few weeks. If we stay with our current carrier we'll be paying $100 per phone MORE up front than we would pay if we come in as a new customer elsewhere.

What is their motivation here? Is that $200 out of my pocket really that important to them when, by not offering discounts as large as all companies offer to new customers, they risk giving up $2400 in revenue by not having me as a monthly paying customer for 2 more years?

With number portability, I have zero reason to stay. I can get approximately the same plan anywhere for approximately the same monthly fee with significantly less upfront cost to myself. And seeing as I've had equally crappy customer service no matter which company I'm with, that's not much of a consideration.


I just don't get it.

I don't get it either.

What I do get is how farking excited I am to go to SLC today!!!

I would try calling the SALES department and see if they will give you the new plan at the advertised pricing, explaining that you would be forced to change companies otherwise. Be very polite about it and they may be willing to cooperate.

You may also want to try going to a store. They are most interested in sales, so they may be willing to help. I'm not sure which is higher in likelihood to be successful.

Good ruck!

It's not the plan, it's the phones. And, at least with Sprint, they are very hard line about it. I've gone online, I've gone to the store, I've called. "When your 2-year service contract is up, you will be eligible for Discount X on phones." No one seems to have any wiggle room, at least on the front lines.

I don't really have the time to sit on the phones while they escalate to someone who might be able to cut me a deal. I'm thinking I might shoot an email off and see if that gets me anywhere.

Hmm I just got my new phone from Verizon. They'll let you "upgrade" your phone to a new one (with a new contract) at least a few months before your contract is up. I got the same "discount" I would have on the phone if I were to have just started service with them. And if you don't make any changes to your contract all the terms remain the same.

Verizon has a "new every 2" plan where you get a significant discount on a new phone (from what I hear, it's pretty close to the "new customer" cost).

But if you're happy with your plan and the service you may want to look on eBay for a new phone.

!!!

We're out of coffee. None to be had this morning. So, I went to Starbucks on the way home and picked up a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte. I got to take about 5 swallows before Calliope knocked it off my desk and spilled sticky caffeinated goodness all over the office floor. Apparently she was jealous that I was working and not paying attention to her. I've downgraded her status from cute to bad.

Oh, thanks for making me feel guilty NA!! :P

I really regret not picking up the coffee after all... :(

I knew this day would come, seeing her hang around with the wrong crowd (read: Scoundrel).