I really don't think the $10 will affect anything. All new cutomers will see is an awesome huge screened phone, and a plan that is still cheaper than other carrier's plans. Hell, how many new customers will even know that they are going to be paying an extra $10 a month? The majority of consumers are not on forums like these and don't know every detail about the phones or plans.

Plus, it is only $10........people need to stop complaining, really....

 

Maybe if they would advertise.... Right now like no one knows about the phone (Average people who don't follow everything cell phone related) let alone the 10$ charge. If they did lots of advertising and got people in the store playing with the phone then right there at the check out told em "oh by the way 10$ charge for premium experience and 4g" people would already be so hooked they wouldn't care.

 

i think sprint is hesitant to advertise especially after throwing all that money away on the instinct...what a garbage phone IMO to put as their "iphone killer" one of my friends got that when it came out and i was severely unimpressed...they shouldve saved all of that advertising money for the Evo...

 

I think the EVO will be heavily advertised as it is the first 4g phone in the US. I also think it will sell well- even with the $10 premium fee. That still puts the EVO at a better monthly fee than ATT or Verizon with unlimited data, text, mobile to mobile, and 450 minutes to landlines. Add to that the HUGE screen and front facing camera which few other phones have. The EVO will be the best smartphone on the market and likely will not face serious competition in that respect until the iPhone 4 which will still be ATT exclusive.

All that said, although I think the EVO will attract some to Sprint, many are still hesitant to move to Sprint. They have the best pricing and I havent had coverage issues in my rural area. Sprint has had a hard time getting past the general feeling that their coverage and customer service is weak. I dont agree with this assessment, but many feel they are an inferior carrier to ATT and Verizon.

The EVO is an awesome smartphone and although the $10 fee is getting some negative press, it will sell very well for Sprint and gain them customers. If they advertise well and can convince people their coverage is good, they will compete well with ATT and Verizon. Competition is good for all of us too as it forces all carriers to keep pricing low and push the envelope on services and hardware.

 

I think most wouldn't have complained if they were just straight with the $10 fee. Smoke and mirror type marketing magic should be reserved for their tax declarations to the IRS.

 

I have to agree here, as like people have stated before it is a device specific fee and there are other 4G phone coming out this year so there is an option to wait a few months for the next device. Another thing, many people seem to want the WiFi tethering for free and at 29.99 it is half the price of an air card, and if seem like you can pay month to month, versus the 2 yr commitment with an air card.

As far are VZW being cheaper the by 5 dollars when people are comparing the sprint unlimited text plan to the VZW with 250 text message, both with data, it is just not a fair comparison. It really should be unlimited to unlimited text so we can see fair pricing.

Edit:

I also thought I read somewhere in all EVO reviews that the $10 gives us access to all the premium radio and TV stations, (hopefully the lives ones too). Any one else remember see that?

 

It has already affected at least 4 people that I know personally. Originally there were 5 of us who would go to Sprint for the Evo. 3 stayed with T-Mo and one is waiting for the new iPhone HD. Suffice to say, at least for all 5 of us, they lost 80% of the business. I don't think they would lose that much in reality. But even with a good 20% loss, the revenues they've lost would be equal if not more then the revenues they've gained from the $10 fee. This is just an opinion though, so may be wrong.

 

It will bring some new customers but it will be by word of mouth and people seeing the phone performing in person.EVO is not a global brand name like apple so you wont see a ton of new customers.The wifi tethering fee i can see and giving the option to pay for it but an extra $10 ?, 4g is not available to all and if you have a everything data plan already why make your existing customers unhappy.

 

If $10 keeps someone from getting this phone, then they must not have wanted it very bad in the first place. If your budget is that close, brown bag your lunch twice a month, or buy 2 less beers when at the bar just once during the month, or have mac&cheese instead of hotdogs & beans. You get my point, just about anyone can find $10/month in their monthly budget if the really want to.

But seriously, 3 people stayed with T-Mob (and I don't even know what phone they have now) rather than get the premier phone available today over a $10 charge? Like I said, they must not have wanted it very bad in the first place.

I saw on some thread, a guy said he would give up a kidney to get the EVO.... now that guy REALLY wanted this phone.... haha!

 

I don't think it's the budget that's the problem. It's the reason for the $10. If they would just gone straight with people instead of all that marketing bs about the evo is expected to eat up more data then a regular phone. Let's face it, the majority of Evo owners won't be able to consume that much data with their regular use. If it's because of data, why not just include tethering along with the $10 premium?

As for wanting the Evo, I guess you are correct. They must not want it that much. To accept it from a company whose CEO has turned back on his word. And is making up all these bs to justify the $10 premium. Go straight with the people and maybe, just maybe people will understand.

 

I wasn't happy to hear of the $10 fee at first but I'll pay it. Sprint plans are still about the best pricewise around. It might stop a few that were planning on getting it but I think on the forums it has become a bit of a overblown issue. In this day and age, prices go up with inflation. They could have just increased prices on plans across the board, but this way it is just on 4g phones.

Also, years ago before the everything plans they used to charge $15-$20 for vision (3g) service.

 

The $10 dollar fee was worded and presented poorly. Sprint failed in that aspect..

The cost is minimal but the way it was laid out has left a sour taste even for those that can afford it.. If it was presented differently it would have made it easier for more people to swallow..

I think as more Wimax areas launch closer to the June 4th dates and reviews start to come in it will be less of an issue than it is now

The phone will still sell extremely well..

 

Agreed, all in how it is marketed

As far as Wimax, it is kind of funny, in my area there has been no talk of getting it so I figured it was quite a ways off. So in that aspect when I first heard of the $10 fee when they announced it I was a little miffed (yet I'd still pay it). Then a couple days ago I found out they are rolling it out in the area in early summer, just in time for the EVO. At that point, I didn't care at all about the fee. I can understand users who wont be in a 4g area not wanting to pay it, but I think regardless, it is going to sell well.

 

Yea I wasn't happy about the $10 fee, but I WANT this phone sooo bad that I'll pay it. I had Verizon and yes, even with the $10 add-on, a comparable plan with Verizon, Sprint is alot cheaper. I think that the $10 would not affect the ones that are adament about switching to Sprint and the ones who have done their homework, but it might affect the ones who are on the fence for switching as well as the fanboys. Verizon and ATT nickel and dime for everything.

 

Yes, I truly believe Sprint will have a lot of new customers, even with the $10 fee. Will it last, quite honestly, I'm not sure. Especially with that new 30 day money back guarantee they instituted. I think the 3rd quarter will be the mark. By the start of 3rd quarter, they'll be getting the EVO returns (if any) and getting more "new" customers who had seen the EVO that their friends own and I'm sure Sprint will continue to increase their marketing of the EVO at that point.

 

This "device specific" fee sets a bad precedent. Who's to say that Sprint [and other carriers for that matter] won't stop here with the EVO. If this works for Sprint [and the others], you could see a similar and perhaps a higher fee on the next "top line" phone.

Rather than pricing themselves out of the market by including the extra $240 to the retail price of the phone, they're sticking it to customers thru the back door.

I will test drive it for 30 and then decide.

I wonder if they will access the fee if the device is purchased and then removed from their network?

 

Same here, if in the 30 days I can't see any justification for such a plan then I'll just stay with T-Mobile. I was already counter offered by T-Mobile for 129.99 and $70 dollars a month for a plan I know is enough for me.

 

I think it's ex-sero owners that are complaining. tho I had sero also and I'm not.....

 

Plus, if you qualify for an employee discount, (My job gets 15% off) it will help to ease the bill as well. Currently I'm on a family plan and we have a 27% discount (From using our Primerica ID#'s).

My portion is only 50 bucks. When I upgrade in November to hopefully a 4G device, I'm hoping that my portion of the bill will only increase to 60 bucks. Thats not too bad I think

 

Exactly, us forum member phone geeks are the minority. The uproar over the $10 fee that is in the forums wont be that big of a deal. The average person that wants the phone, will just pay it. Look at the iphone. For alot of people it is just trendy so they want one and pay the plans that AT&T charges for it to have it.

IMO, the $10 fee isn't going to make or break the phone.

Oh and another thought, when other carriers come out with 4g phones, you can bet they'll charge for it as well.

 

The cries of deception are unfounded in my opinion. Had the 10 fee mysteriously appeared on your bill, then that would have been deceptive. As it stands we have been clearly informed about the additional 10 dollar fee required with the phone. Either we buy in or we don't. u

 

Hard to say since the phone isn't actually for sale yet. But you could say it is being upfront. It isn't for sale yet but we all know about it. Doesn't sound like it is being hidden to me.