Sprint changes discount terms applying to family/share plans with more than 2 phones

[jamesdean]

For those that have a family or share plan receiving a corporate discount the following is a must read. Effective on 08-27, Sprint is no longer giving that discount on anything after the 2nd line. This really pisses me off as I just switched to Sprint 3 months ago based on the monthly plan cost including these discounts.

I called Sprint this morning and they noted my account that I could cancel at anytime without ETF but they would not make any adjustments otherwise.

I think tomorrow is the deadline to receive this offer so if you are affected time is of the essence.

Cancel your Sprint account without an early termination fee

 

[tracerit]

is it:

A. you don't receive the corporate discount (in my case it would be 23%) on the $19.99 for the third line?

or

B. you don't get yearly/every two year upgrade pricing discounts?

 

[jamesdean]

Not sure about B but you will lose A, which in my case is also 23% but for 2 lines.

 

[ScorpDX]

The idea of a corporate discount was for corporate accounts and phones. When people start abusing that and getting phones for themselves, the wife/husband, 4 kids, the nanny, and the dog too...what do you expect?!?

 

[jamesdean]

The idea of a corporate discount was for corporate accounts and phones. When people start abusing that and getting phones for themselves, the wife/husband, 4 kids, the nanny, and the dog too...what do you expect?!?

Mine is a corporate account, complete with a federal tax id and corporate charter. Our phones are used in our business not by my wife and children.

I expect Sprint to not solicit our business with a certain rate plan and then change this 3 months into the agreement.

Next

 

[ScorpDX]

I don't mean you in particular. I was just making a general statement. Sure some people who have valid accounts are going to get screwed over, but it's the abuse by many causing it.

 

[jamesdean]

I don't mean you in particular. I was just making a general statement. Sure some people who have valid accounts are going to get screwed over, but it's the abuse by many causing it.

Thanks, I am really not sure how someone not legitimate could get the corporate discount. In my case I had to provide them with a copy of our corporate charter, federal tax id and most recent bank statement to verify the corporate entity.

I am really questioning the integrity of Sprint at this point. They should at least honor their contractual obligation through the 2 year agreement. This is nothing different than me sending them a letter and stating that my discount will become 30% instead of 23%. We paid a hefty ETF to leave Verizon and now this?

 

[ScorpDX]

Thanks, I am really not sure how someone not legitimate could get the corporate discount. In my case I had to provide them with a copy of our corporate charter, federal tax id and most recent bank statement to verify the corporate entity.

By doing exactly what you had to do but then saying they have "x" number of employees requiring lines of service when they only truly have "x" employees. Sprint doesn't have time to come check employment records and see how many people work there needing phones.

 

[ScorpDX]

Also, if you signed a contract and they changed it then you should easily be able to recoup the financial loss and attorney fees associated with the recovery by getting said attorney. Something in the 4 figure ranged I'd have to guess. They wouldn't even waste time in court, just mail you a check!

 

[jamesdean]

I do have prepaid legal and I am thinking exactly that. I really do not want to go through the hassle over 10-12 per month but it has become the principle of it and I am very happy with our phones and service.

I may try going the office of the President route and see what shakes out there.

 

[ceabbott2]

Just signed up 7/5 biggest reason cost savings now they change two months in??? WTF! I could see at the END of my contract changing but not at the beginning! I have family everything (but a discount) plan with 4 evo's so each one gets the BS $10 data plan I knew this going in so that's o.k.... NO 4G for probably the entire two years of my fledgling contract. But they want to stiff me for $16? Unbelievable. Does anyone know for sure if I can give back the phones and not be charged ETF? The thing is I pushed for the change from T-Mobile after ten years and now I'm going to look like a complete dope!

 

[jamesdean]

I called in today, spoke with a front line person and was transferred to I guess was the retention department. They would not change the pricing but gave me a transaction number with the file noted that I could cancel at anytime without the ETF. They also told me the phones were mine to do with as I please.

I think tomorrow maybe the deadline since the change became effective 08-27. I would call now and at least get that cancellation agreement in place until you decide want you are going to do.

 

[heavychevy]

I'm going to do that as well. Sprint should have put more details in line for the corporate discount than what they said.

And NO it is not designed for corporations. It's designed to lure people into contracts. I have friends of mine that work for companies that get big discounts with sprint and they call me and ask me if I'm already getting a discount because that's how it's presented to them as well. Family and friends.

I'm starting to hate Sprint all over again. If I didn't like my EVO so much, I'd be done with them.

 

[ceabbott2]

I'm going to do that as well. Sprint should have put more details in line for the corporate discount than what they said.

And NO it is not designed for corporations. It's designed to lure people into contracts. I have friends of mine that work for companies that get big discounts with sprint and they call me and ask me if I'm already getting a discount because that's how it's presented to them as well. Family and friends.

I'm starting to hate Sprint all over again. If I didn't like my EVO so much, I'd be done with them.

+1 Amen brother!

 

[thomasanderson]

The idea of a corporate discount was for corporate accounts and phones. When people start abusing that and getting phones for themselves, the wife/husband, 4 kids, the nanny, and the dog too...what do you expect?!?

It appears that you guys are becoming as bad as Apple fanboys. No matter what Sprint does its OK because they are *still* cheaper than At&t & Verizon. But it seems that Sprint is slowly adopting the aforementioned's policies. And now with talks of tiered data pricing in the future. Sprint is starting to become less and less lucrative in terms of pricing.

I mean am i the only one that notices that as soon as Sprint finally gets a flagship device that is outshining the competition [Evo] they begin to make all of these contract provisions. The fact is, Sprint has always wanted to charge as much as everybody else, they just didnt have the resources to do so(i.e. the strength of Verizons network, or the subscriber base of At&t). Its just another business. You dont abuse your customers until you possess something that they cant get elsewhere. With 4g(limited), the Evo and Epic Sprint has finally positioned themselves to start calling the shots. They have been bleeding subscribers for the past half decade, now as soon as they have a not-so-bleek quarter they get cocky and begin making changes that give customers a free contract out. Thats bad business Sprint.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

All the carriers are going to hell in a hand basket. Verizon is crippling the Android phones, and capping data rates. AT&T also cripples Android phones, and caps data rates.

T-Mobile eliminated a lot of discounts recently as well, such as the AAA discount, and some loyalty discounts, and also throttles users over 5gb cap.

Sprint is just following along suit with some changes to their previously over-generous plans and discounts.

You gotta do what you gotta do. But if you think you're going to be much better off at any of the other major carriers, then I got some swamp land I have to sell to you.

I stay with Sprint because it's still the best overall value, for now. If another major carrier comes up with a plan / phone / coverage that is cheaper / better than Sprint, then I would jump ship with no problems. But sadly that is not the case.

So you can bitch and moan all you want, but it's going to do very little good except cause you further stress and grief.

 

[jamesdean]

My problem is not what the carrier is going to charge or not discount, it is the fact they change the terms of a contract they made with the customer and bury it on page 2 of the monthly invoice under the "news" section. Who the hell ever reads that?

It goes straight to an integrity issue in my opinion.

 

[AndroidSPCS]

My problem is not what the carrier is going to charge or not discount, it is the fact they change the terms of a contract they made with the customer and bury it on page 2 of the monthly invoice under the "news" section. Who the hell ever reads that?

It goes straight to an integrity issue in my opinion.

Welcome to corporate America. That's the way things are, everything is in the devils and buried in fine print.

 

[Rigmaster]

Note that there is a difference between Corporate discount and Preferred Employer programs. Sprint solicits companies for business (Corporate) owned phones. And as an enticement they also offer discounts to those same companies as preferred partners. It's not an abuse when employees take advantage of preferred employer discount programs for as many lines as Sprint will allow. It's an abuse for Corporate-owned if they truly aren't business-owned phones.

Sprint shoudn't be taking any subscriber loss actions unless they know for certain they're getting CDMA iPhone, which I don't believe will happen.

 

[silencer271]

Note that there is a difference between Corporate discount and Preferred Employer programs. Sprint solicits companies for business (Corporate) owned phones. And as an enticement they also offer discounts to those same companies as preferred partners. It's not an abuse when employees take advantage of preferred employer discount programs for as many lines as Sprint will allow. It's an abuse for Corporate-owned if they truly aren't business-owned phones.

Sprint shoudn't be taking any subscriber loss actions unless they know for certain they're getting CDMA iPhone, which I don't believe will happen.

most people dont seem to care just a small majority making noise. Also not every customer has 5 lines. I wish I could remember the numbers on what most customers are on we had talked baout it a few days ago to. (guess I should have been paying attention to the boss and not my phone )

 

[jamesdean]

Just received a call back from the Executive offices at Sprint. They offered and I accepted a credit for the discount loss for the remaining 22 months of our agreement.

They have lived up to their part of the agreement so I no longer have a complaint about this change.

 

[thomasanderson]

Just received a call back from the Executive offices at Sprint. They offered and I accepted a credit for the discount loss for the remaining 22 months of our agreement.

They have lived up to their part of the agreement so I no longer have a complaint about this change.

What number did you call?

 

[jamesdean]

I no longer g=have those records as the matter has been resolved. Initially, I called the executive offices at Sprint. The 2 followup calls I received back came form 877-639-8351.

 

[Sonny121]

Here's some background. In 3/10 I signed a 2 year contract with Sprint with 4 lines. I was given a discount and had all 3 additional lines for free.
On my Septmber bill I noticed I was charged for 2 of those lines ($10 each) I called to see why and the woman told me about the policy change but told me it does not apply to retention contracts. Sprint on their own prior to my call had credited me.
Just got the October bill and noticed I was once again charged. First woman I spoke to very friendly but said all she could do is give me a 1 time $20 credit. She sent me up to the retention department.
Holy crap what a bad experience. Not only did she say I would not get the discount again she said that even though they promised me the discount for the entire contract, the discount was not a part of the contract. She said they can change their terms at any time. At that point I said I want an early termination but she said I would be charged $170 per line.

So that's where I'm at. Sprint has always given me the best rates or discounts BUT they have the worst customer service. In my 10 years with them I have had numerous heated conversations with them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[K4KAI]

...At that point I said I want an early termination but she said I would be charged $170 per line.

So that's where I'm at. Sprint has always given me the best rates or discounts BUT they have the worst customer service. In my 10 years with them I have had numerous heated conversations with them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Virtually, the same thing happened to me. I then learned about Virgin Mobile's "Beyond Talk" plan where I would have 300 Minutes and unlimited Web, Data, Email and Text for $25 per month and a "PayLo" plan where I would pay $20 per month for 400 minutes. I went to Target and purchased a Virgin Mobile Samsung Intercept (Android phone) for $249 for me and a "NITRO" flip phone for the wife for $6.00. The wife doesn't use the phone for anything but making calls, so we are saving more than 50% of what Sprint was charging us. I was happy to pay Sprint's Termination Fee, and after a month on Virgin Mobile, I am glad I made the switch. I sold our two Sprint HTC Hero phones to pay the Termination Fee.

Bye-bye Sprint.