How to get the best deal w/ upgrade

[tamosaur]

I'm not due for a full upgrade yet but I *think* I'd be able to get some type of a discount on a phone (samsung vibrant) if I do a contract extension.
T-mobile is offering it for $199 while walmart is offering it for $98 (i'm not sure if this is for upgrading or new customers).
I'm trying to get the best deal possible, preferably less than $100. If not, I'm just going to wait for a sale or deal.
Do you guys have any suggestions?
I heard upgrading through customer care is better than a store rep?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

 

[howetechnical]

Customer care will give you better deals than store reps, unless you go to those mall kiosks who may throw in some accessories or a percentage off. The walmart deal is only good for new lines, and sometimes add-on lines, not existing ones. Customer care, the best they'll do for you is buy one get one free (with adding a line of course, which is free right now, so you could sell the free one and essentially pay nothing for yours in the end).

 

[tamosaur]

Customer care will give you better deals than store reps, unless you go to those mall kiosks who may throw in some accessories or a percentage off. The walmart deal is only good for new lines, and sometimes add-on lines, not existing ones. Customer care, the best they'll do for you is buy one get one free (with adding a line of course, which is free right now, so you could sell the free one and essentially pay nothing for yours in the end).

i'd have to add a new line to my existing family plan in order to do the buy one get one free?
like, i can't just extend my contract?

i also read the fine print and noticed a change. before they said that extending the contract would qualify for the BOGO with a $18 upgrade fee but now that is completely gone.. or maybe i am wrong..

 

[NunyaBidnez]

Contracts and upgrades are for schmucks. Switch over to the Even More Plus plan and pay for the phone using the Equipment Installment Plan. Over the course of two years, you'll save money and you won't be under contract.

 

[howetechnical]

i'd have to add a new line to my existing family plan in order to do the buy one get one free?
like, i can't just extend my contract?

i also read the fine print and noticed a change. before they said that extending the contract would qualify for the BOGO with a $18 upgrade fee but now that is completely gone.. or maybe i am wrong..

BOGOF deals almost always require another line to be added, and both lines have to keep a data package for the life of the contract. Sometimes if you're lucky they may offer the BOGOF on two existing lines and just extend the contract on both for 2 years each from the day you order, but again, both lines need to keep data plans active.

 

[howetechnical]

Contracts and upgrades are for schmucks. Switch over to the Even More Plus plan and pay for the phone using the Equipment Installment Plan. Over the course of two years, you'll save money and you won't be under contract.

Unless you're going to stick with T-Mobile and always have a data plan active anyway, that is...

$200-$300 bucks off for the device, when you sticking with them in the long run anyway, is still $200-$300 off.

 

[tamosaur]

I spoke to them and was ineligible for the BOGO because only my line is able to upgrade. The other two lines on the family plan still have about 6 months until they are eligible. I might just wait and see if prices drop after the Mytouch HD releases? I'm hoping so..
I got quoted $276 when I spoke with CS, which is still too much for my budget right now.

 

[NunyaBidnez]

Unless you're going to stick with T-Mobile and always have a data plan active anyway, that is...

$200-$300 bucks off for the device, when you sticking with them in the long run anyway, is still $200-$300 off.

The contract plan costs $20 more per month than the "Even More Plus" plan. Over the course of 2 years the EM+ plan will save you $480 (24 months x $20 = $480 saved) so even with a $300 discount on a phone, you're still overpaying by $180. If you can't afford the upfront cost of the phone, the Equipment Installment Plan will allow you to pay off the cost of a phone over 20 months. With the money you save every month, you can use it to make your EIP payment.

With the EM+ plan and EIP, there is no need to lock yourself into a contract. A subsidized phone can only save you money if it costs OVER $480 retail and T-Mobile offers it FREE on contract.

 

[The.Walrus]

The contract plan costs $20 more per month than the "Even More Plus" plan. Over the course of 2 years the EM+ plan will save you $480 (24 months x $20 = $480 saved) so even with a $300 discount on a phone, you're still overpaying by $180. If you can't afford the upfront cost of the phone, the Equipment Installment Plan will allow you to pay off the cost of a phone over 20 months. With the money you save every month, you can use it to make your EIP payment.

With the EM+ plan and EIP, there is no need to lock yourself into a contract. A subsidized phone can only save you money if it costs OVER $480 retail and T-Mobile offers it FREE on contract.

Sometimes, even if in your face, it takes someone to point it out to you to realize it.

Very good tip.