Sprint finally threw me a bone

by Rocket Finance

I have used Sprint as my mobile carrier since 2001. Not because they have the strongest coverage, the coolest phones or the greatest customer service. .  .  They had a couple of features that I liked, the price was right, I became a customer and have remained too lazy to find a new company ever since. In 2001, I was not nearly the discriminating customer that a limited budget has made me.

Lately, our mobile bills were starting to get out of control. We were being charged “per text” and we regularly exceeded our anytime minutes. We have a family plan with two phones and we do not have a traditional home phone. My job requires me to deal with college and high school age individuals on a regular basis and so I can’t simply refuse to text – texting is the only form of communication for some kids. I have tried to switch to the SERO plan, but there was no way to do it without changing my number. In November, I called Sprint and tried to “badger” my way into a better deal. The best that they could do was 300 free texts a month. . . I was inclined to take the deal, but wanted to check out some other options.

So I waited until my contract ended this month and after reading Hustler’s strategy to get a $70 statement credit, I called Sprint again, determined to make them give me a good deal.

I think they saw me coming because I called, waited for a customer service rep and simply said, “Make me an offer to stay with Sprint.” I fully expected to bargain back an forth, but he immediately offered:

  • 500 free texts a month

  • $70 statement credit (for both my wife and I)

  • $150 toward a new phone (x2)

I saw no reason to quibble – it was a better deal than I had found anywhere else. We are planning to pick up our new phones tomorrow.

Feel free to text me anytime.

  1. 8 Responses to “Sprint finally threw me a bone”

  2. By Hustler on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply

    Not bad, Not bad.

    Although I would even push it further. If you have a family plan, ask them to switch to the $50 for 1000 minutes. It’s not advertise, but they have it. Then ask for free 6pm and weekends or 300 bonus minutes to each line.

  3. By Jeff on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply

    I saw a sprint commercial offering unlimited texting for 10.00 per month. Maybe you could get them to add that to your collection of free add-ons as well.

  4. By rocketc on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply

    Hopefully I never text that much in a month.

    Hopefully Mrs. Rocket never does either. . .:)

  5. By Jeff on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply

    That is what I thought too and while my wife is not a very technical person she can text up a storm, to the tune of over 600 last billing cycle alone. 🙂

  6. By rocketc on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply

    Oiveyh. . .

  7. By Patrick on Feb 1, 2008 | Reply

    I think that was a nice deal. I do like the SERO plan though – which is what I have. The only problem is having to change your phone number. I actually came from another carrier though.

  1. 2 Trackback(s)

  2. Feb 8, 2008: Lot's o' links | rocket finance
  3. Apr 9, 2008: Reactivate old Sprint phones | rocket finance

Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.