"Buyer Beware"

[dkl1]

As a happy owner of the original EVO 4G I have to say I am very dissappointed that SPRINT never lived up to its promises of launching 4G coverage in my area as stated to me when I purchased the phone early in its release in 2010. Every month or so I would stop by the local SPRINT service center and chat with 'the guys' and the story was always the same: "Yeah...it's happening, but I, I can't say officially, uh, I mean, they're workin' on it, but it should be here by (some date in the future), BLAH BLAH BLAH.."!

After reading the latest hype on SPRINT'S release this week of the next EVO 4G (LTE) my thoughts went back to my personal experience with SPRINT. This time I am doing my homework! Is LTE service available in my market? According to what I have read, no. In fact, according to THIS ARTICLE you might be surprised to know how many markets they are actually in!

Bottom line - I won't be replacing this great phone until SPRINT has the infrastructure in place in my market.

 

[Tommydaniel]

As a happy owner of the original EVO 4G I have to say I am very dissappointed that SPRINT never lived up to its promises of launching 4G coverage in my area as stated to me when I purchased the phone early in its release in 2010. Every month or so I would stop by the local SPRINT service center and chat with 'the guys' and the story was always the same: "Yeah...it's happening, but I, I can't say officially, uh, I mean, they're workin' on it, but it should be here by (some date in the future), BLAH BLAH BLAH.."!

After reading the latest hype on SPRINT'S release this week of the next EVO 4G (LTE) my thoughts went back to my personal experience with SPRINT. This time I am doing my homework! Is LTE service available in my market? According to what I have read, no. In fact, according to THIS ARTICLE you might be surprised to know how many markets they are actually in!

Bottom line - I won't be replacing this great phone until SPRINT has the infrastructure in place in my market.

Stated to you by a SALES rep is not the same as an official announcement from Sprint. You said it with their comment, "I can't say officially" meaning they are just GUESSING. Sales associates are going to tell you what they need to tell you to make a sale. Period.

 

[themuffinman75]

The real mistake sprint did was not doing it themselves and leaving it up to clearwire. This lte role out for sprint should go a lot better than the whole wimax fiasco.

 

[Sauske]

As a happy owner of the original EVO 4G I have to say I am very dissappointed that SPRINT never lived up to its promises of launching 4G coverage in my area as stated to me when I purchased the phone early in its release in 2010. Every month or so I would stop by the local SPRINT service center and chat with 'the guys' and the story was always the same: "Yeah...it's happening, but I, I can't say officially, uh, I mean, they're workin' on it, but it should be here by (some date in the future), BLAH BLAH BLAH.."!

After reading the latest hype on SPRINT'S release this week of the next EVO 4G (LTE) my thoughts went back to my personal experience with SPRINT. This time I am doing my homework! Is LTE service available in my market? According to what I have read, no. In fact, according to THIS ARTICLE you might be surprised to know how many markets they are actually in!

Bottom line - I won't be replacing this great phone until SPRINT has the infrastructure in place in my market.

You also have to understand Sprint was in limbo, debating should they switch from WiMax to LTE (4G serive) and Verizon prove that LTE was better! Now Sprint has to switch and when your in business wasting money to create more WiMax towers that will no longer be used, is not a good Idea if your switching! The deal they had with LightSquared went down the drain, so Sprint started building LTE on their own. LTE will be Sprint standard now, so wherever Sprint has service, you WILL receive LTE!

 

[dkl1]

Stated to you by a SALES rep is not the same as an official announcement from Sprint. You said it with their comment, "I can't say officially" meaning they are just GUESSING. Sales associates are going to tell you what they need to tell you to make a sale. Period.

I understand. However, SPRINT should have been 'honest' and forthcoming with their sales associates and just told them the truth so they would have a consistent 'story' across their market. Instead, they allowed the clerks to 'make up their own stories' as to the arrival of a system that the upper eschelon class knew would never see the light of day! Honesty truly is the best policy...IMHO!

 

[dkl1]

The real mistake sprint did was not doing it themselves and leaving it up to clearwire. This lte role out for sprint should go a lot better than the whole wimax fiasco.

Yes, you are probably correct. I have found in my business that if I do it, it will be done right!

FWIW - I have Clearwire internet service and have for about 5 years. It wowrks well as I am less than 1/4 mi from the tower adn get very good reception.

 

[Tommydaniel]

I understand. However, SPRINT should have been 'honest' and forthcoming with their sales associates and just told them the truth so they would have a consistent 'story' across their market. Instead, they allowed the clerks to 'make up their own stories' as to the arrival of a system that the upper eschelon class knew would never see the light of day! Honesty truly is the best policy...IMHO!

I worked for Sprint when Wimax was being deployed. Never did Sprint tell their associates to say there would be Wimax when there wouldn't be. They also can't control everything that comes out the sales employees mouths.

You act as though Sprints Sales associates are the only to have ever lied. Go to several car dealerships and ask if their car is the best or if their service is, I guarantee you each dealership will say theirs is the best every single time.

Moral of the story? Do your own research before deciding on a purchase.

 

[dkl1]

Just seems silly to me that SPRINT is willing to bring these new LTE products to market when they (according to the afore mentioned article) do not have ANY LTE service yet! All I'm saying is that I'm hanging on to my money until they have the service up and running in my market. You can do as you wish!

 

[NeoteriX]

I can understand your frustration and it is fair, but for what it's worth, I live in a WiMax 4G launch location (New York City), and I can count on one hand how many times I've ever turned on 4G in a month because WiFi is so ubiquitous where I am most of the day (home and work) and the 4G cost to battery is so darn high.

I've really just don't use it all that much.

 

[NeoteriX]

Just seems silly to me that SPRINT is willing to bring these new LTE products to market when they (according to the afore mentioned article) do not have ANY LTE service yet! All I'm saying is that I'm hanging on to my money until they have the service up and running in my market. You can do as you wish!

Frankly, I'd rather have the next gen phone in my grubby little mitts (LTE turned on or not), than deal another day with my Evo 3D.

 

[dkl1]

Frankly, I'd rather have the next gen phone in my grubby little mitts (LTE turned on or not), than deal another day with my Evo 3D.

I do not know anything about the EVO 3D - other than what I've read here and there. I'm sorry that you are not happy with it. I am extremely pleased with my EVO 4G and even more so after I rooted it early this year.

 

[EarlyMon]

Just seems silly to me that SPRINT is willing to bring these new LTE products to market when they (according to the afore mentioned article) do not have ANY LTE service yet! All I'm saying is that I'm hanging on to my money until they have the service up and running in my market. You can do as you wish!

Until the roll-out is complete, LTE will be a box of chocolates to me. I do tend to travel within the US, so I'm going to be happy to see if I cross paths with it while waiting for it to come to where I live.

Besides - it's nearly June and that means it's new Evo time.

Would you rather that they NOT sell a phone prepared for the next network already under construction?

PS - you would do well to use this for your news source for the Sprint network upgrade.

Network, Network Vision/LTE Deployment - Sprint 4G Rollout Updates

 

[IOWA]

Moved the thread to the Sprint forum, seems like it should live here =)

 

[dkl1]

Wow! Really? Never did I think I would stir such a reaction from fellow forum members.

My only intention was to 'vent' my displeasure from my experience when making the purchase of my last phone with an implied (and stated!) coming service that I was looking forward to. As it turned out, the phone is a better device running on 3G than any other I've had experience with. Still, it was part of my own decision-making process to take into account that this phone was 'soon' (as stated over and over by SPRINT) going to provide some blistering speeds when needed. I am up for a new phone now. I wont be doing so until they get the appropriate infrastructure IN PLACE in my market before I purchase. Simple.

If I traveled frequently perhaps I'd feel differently.

 

[NeoteriX]

I do not know anything about the EVO 3D - other than what I've read here and there. I'm sorry that you are not happy with it. I am extremely pleased with my EVO 4G and even more so after I rooted it early this year.

Haha the phone is actually not that bad, but it was a let down in many ways.

Already upon the original Evo 4G's release, the new iPhone 4 at the time blew it out of the water in many respects. It was disappointing that with the Evo 3D, a full year after the release of the iPhone 4, HTC still wasn't able to deliver on a device that competed with the thinness, industrial design, display quality, and camera quality of the iPhone 4.

Finally, a full two years later, HTC is delivering on a product that can compete with the iPhone 4 on many levels... and I need it now, LTE or not.

 

[falconey]

Haha the phone is actually not that bad, but it was a let down in many ways.

Already upon the original Evo 4G's release, the new iPhone 4 at the time blew it out of the water in many respects. It was disappointing that with the Evo 3D, a full year after the release of the iPhone 4, HTC still wasn't able to deliver on a device that competed with the thinness, industrial design, display quality, and camera quality of the iPhone 4.

Finally, a full two years later, HTC is delivering on a product that can compete with the iPhone 4 on many levels... and I need it now, LTE or not.

Except for the thiness of the devices everything else you stated about the EVO3D is opinion. With that said I don't think HTC created the 3VO to compete with the iphone. Regarding the op comments, you have every right to be hesitant. Sprint has a lot to prove to it's customers after the original 4G debacle. Hopefully they come through with good results this time.

 

[dkl1]

Regarding the op comments, you have every right to be hesitant. Sprint has a lot to prove to it's customers after the original 4G debacle. Hopefully they come through with good results this time.

Thank you. You have said it very well

 

[ArmageddonX]

If Sprint does not have LTE coverage in Phoenix by April or May of 2013, I will be forced to switch to Verizon when I upgrade next year. I've waited and waited for WiMax to come to Phoenix & now it's never coming. This time (next year) I wont be counting my 4G chickens before they hatch.

I'm incredibly disappointed because as a company alone, I love Sprint... but I can't wait for 4G coverage any longer & frankly I don't have much faith when they say "it's coming to your area soon". Not after what happen with WiMax.

Verizon gets better reception in my area too. (Which is a densely populated urban area, I'm not out on the boonies or anything.) My friends are both with Verizon and they get full 4G, 3G, and calls when they visit me. In the same location I don't get 4G (obviously), I barely get 3G (128kb/s), and I have to have a land-line to make most phone calls. It's a hassle.

Love Android, Love HTC, Love Sprint... Hate my Sprint coverage.

~ ArmyX

 

[dkl1]

If Sprint does not have LTE coverage in Phoenix by April or May of 2013, I will be forced to switch to Verizon when I upgrade next year. I've waited and waited for WiMax to come to Phoenix & now it's never coming. This time (next year) I wont be counting my 4G chickens before they hatch.

I'm incredibly disappointed because as a company alone, I love Sprint... but I can't wait for 4G coverage any longer & frankly I don't have much faith when they say "it's coming to your area soon". Not after what happen with WiMax.

Verizon gets better reception in my area too. (Which is a densely populated urban area, I'm not out on the boonies or anything.) My friends are both with Verizon and they get full 4G, 3G, and calls when they visit me. In the same location I don't get 4G (obviously), I barely get 3G (128kb/s), and I have to have a land-line to make most phone calls. It's a hassle.

Love Android, Love HTC, Love Sprint... Hate my Sprint coverage.

~ ArmyX

That's pretty much my sentiments exactly! I'm going to take the "fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice, shame on ME" philosophy this time. Thanks

 

[simcha]

Yeah, I am plenty old enough to understand that most salesmen will tell you anything to get the sale.

And yet, I know for a fact that Sprint Corporate didn't (and still doesn't) always tell their salesmen all of the details, especially concerning WIMAX. "Soon" was all the salesmen could say concerning WIMAX. They are paid by Sprint and they need to keep their jobs, so they say whatever they can to please you and Corporate.

The thing is, that it would be refreshing if Sprint were to be a corporation that would value honesty and would actually make good on its promises. That would be one hell of a business model that just might save Sprint from oblivion. I believe it's called "integrity." Once you've angered a customer enough that they leave you for another carrier, it's very hard to get that customer back. Lying to your current customers or "misrepresenting the truth" or being "overly optimistic" tends to breed resentment with your customers. Those customers are your life's blood. If you lose them, it's much more difficult to attract new customers, especially if those disgruntled customers tell their friends about why they are disgruntled with you.

I have been with Sprint through thick and thin. For me, it has always come down to cost and Sprint has always been the best deal for me. I don't trust Sprint farther than I can spit though. I've seen too much in 13 years or so. I am used to Sprint promising the sky and then dropping the ball.

No, no carrier is perfect. No carrier delivers 100% of the time. And I can honestly say that there are carriers who have delivered better than Sprint in the past. And that's why Sprint is still languishing behind the other big carriers. You reap what you sew.

It would be revolutionary if Sprint were to actually make good on their promises going forward. Again, that would be one hell of a business model that I think would save Sprint. If they deliver on LTE and Network Vision, then they just might make it. If LTE and Network Vision flop on Sprint I think we'll see Sprint disappear.

And just because "most" salesmen "pad the truth" that doesn't mean that it's right or that it's appreciated by customers. I'm just sayin'...

 

[dkl1]

Yeah, I am plenty old enough to understand that most salesmen will tell you anything to get the sale.

And yet, I know for a fact that Sprint Corporate didn't (and still doesn't) always tell their salesmen all of the details, especially concerning WIMAX. "Soon" was all the salesmen could say concerning WIMAX. They are paid by Sprint and they need to keep their jobs, so they say whatever they can to please you and Corporate.

The thing is, that it would be refreshing if Sprint were to be a corporation that would value honesty and would actually make good on its promises. That would be one hell of a business model that just might save Sprint from oblivion. I believe it's called "integrity." Once you've angered a customer enough that they leave you for another carrier, it's very hard to get that customer back. Lying to your current customers or "misrepresenting the truth" or being "overly optimistic" tends to breed resentment with your customers. Those customers are your life's blood. If you lose them, it's much more difficult to attract new customers, especially if those disgruntled customers tell their friends about why they are disgruntled with you.

I have been with Sprint through thick and thin. For me, it has always come down to cost and Sprint has always been the best deal for me. I don't trust Sprint farther than I can spit though. I've seen too much in 13 years or so. I am used to Sprint promising the sky and then dropping the ball.

No, no carrier is perfect. No carrier delivers 100% of the time. And I can honestly say that there are carriers who have delivered better than Sprint in the past. And that's why Sprint is still languishing behind the other big carriers. You reap what you sew.

It would be revolutionary if Sprint were to actually make good on their promises going forward. Again, that would be one hell of a business model that I think would save Sprint. If they deliver on LTE and Network Vision, then they just might make it. If LTE and Network Vision flop on Sprint I think we'll see Sprint disappear.

And just because "most" salesmen "pad the truth" that doesn't mean that it's right or that it's appreciated by customers. I'm just sayin'...

Simcha, you know how to say it! I totally agree that it's the little things that kill relationships. It's not the big things, usually. Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip - it get pretty darn annoying after a while!

If SPRINT screws this roll-out up, who knows, it just may seal their fate. We'll see.

 

[NeoteriX]

Except for the thiness of the devices everything else you stated about the EVO3D is opinion. With that said I don't think HTC created the 3VO to compete with the iphone. Regarding the op comments, you have every right to be hesitant. Sprint has a lot to prove to it's customers after the original 4G debacle. Hopefully they come through with good results this time.

I'm pretty sure I could objectively and devastatingly prove that the iPhone 4's camera and display are superior to the Evo 3D. =D Industrial design... I could probably do that too, but ID does tend to be subjective. =D

 

[falconey]

I'm pretty sure I could objectively and devastatingly prove that the iPhone 4's camera and display are superior to the Evo 3D. =D Industrial design... I could probably do that too, but ID does tend to be subjective. =D

Maybe you could, but again I'm pretty sure that the 3D wasn't aimed to compete directly with the Iphone. They are two very different devices meant for two very different markets.

 

[ArmageddonX]

I'm pretty sure I could objectively and devastatingly prove that the iPhone 4's camera and display are superior to the Evo 3D. =D Industrial design... I could probably do that too, but ID does tend to be subjective. =D

Unfortunately, it doesn't run Android.
(Although iOS5 does feel an aweful lot like Android 1.6 )

~ ArmyX