It's not uncommon to get your phone a day or two early, before the launch day, if you order through Sprint online. No guarantees on that, however, they either do it or they don't.

I purchased my last two phones from Radio Shack because I like the local sales staff.

If you purchase from Best Buy, don't let them use their big box tool or whatever they call it now, to transfer contacts from your old phone. It won't be right and you'll end up having to do more than if you just let Google sync for you. Definitely don't pay them to put on a screen protector.

 

Agreed^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

I've had perfect experiences from Best Buy (6 phone upgrades) and for a couple of the upgrades I did there, had a pretty cute female sales associate take care of my upgrade.

Even though there have been some online retailers that have had much better deals, I've found myself sticking with Best Buy every time. Only reason I've ever considered upgrade directly through Sprint was due to their more recent "early" upgrade availability. I'm glad Sprint finally got wiser and decided to do instant rebates, instead of "mail-in-rebates."

I'm actually considering Wirefly this time, since they have a deal with my corporate discounts. I'd consider Amazon, but when I spoke with an Amazon Wireless rep over the phone, it seemed like they did a lot just to do an "upgrade" vs. a "new line." I became a little paranoid that they'd mess up my plan.

 

I bought my 1st Sprint phone way back from Radio Shack and then have done Sprint ever since cause they bill your account. I used to get activation fee waved too for being ona business account from my work getting a discount then that went away but they still would wave it for me if I asked. But I signed up for this Best Buy Phone Freedom thing and I get an extra 50 off if I buy from Best Buy. So I'll pay 149.99 and maybe Sprint will wave the activation fee one more time for me who knows. But I have never bought from Best Buy before. I liked Sprint if they bill the phone to your account.

 

I completely forgot about the Phone Freedom signup. Someone mentioned it the other day and I thought I didn't sign up, but after checking through my emails, it turns out that I did end up signing up for that.

So, as soon as I'm eligible for upgrade, I'll have a $50 discount waiting for me! Looks like Best Buy is going to be my upgrade place of choice again. At least, for my phone.

 

I bought my EVO 4G through Radio Shack. I got my 3Vo through Sprint online so I could get it a couple days early. Can also try Target. I know they sell Sprint phones at the Target's here. I'm thinking of trying Best Buy this year. Does anyone know how Best Buy's insurance is compared to Sprint's?

 

On the contrary! Sprint is better IMHO, because anything you do your phone is your fault/responsibility! Sprint doesn't cover water damage, which I don't mind (Question is how did your phone get in the water?!?). I root my phone so when turning in my phone and having to wait 1hr v.s. 3-4 days from BestBuy is IMO make's Sprint has the upper hand! And even if Sprint can't fix your phone, the send you a NEW phone, and I ALWAYS received my phone in one day!

 

I just had my 3VO replaced. It took Sprint a week because they are on back order. It all depends on what they have in stock as to when you will get a new/refurbished phone. I do like the fact that Sprint covers lost or stolen phone. I'm looking at this now because I hear Sprint is raising the price of their insurance. I'm thinking of buy my next phone from Best Buy so I am thinking about how much will this all cost me in the end.

 

How much is their deductible?

 

Yes this is true depending what they have in stock! When phone are in stock, in all of my experiences I have receive a new phone...There's only been twice where I experience back order's; Declined one, and accepted one and still got a new phone!

 

No deductible? Really? That is sounds good to me. Do they cover cracked or broken screens?

 

How much do you pay monthly!?

 

I went to Best Buy Mobile today at our local mall and talked to them about the insurance. I think I will be getting my next phone at Best Buy. I have never lost my phone, my phone sticks to me like clue, so that won't be a problem for me. I really like the fact they cover everything else with no deductible.

 

Better check that black tie protection. I was told it covered water damage to total destruction. However, my husband dropped his evo into water while washing his hands. I called best buy only to be informed they do not cover water damage. Read your pamphlet carefully. It is stated no water damage coverage. Plus....check your bill. I am charged $10.70 per month for each of my three evos. Also, I drove 80 miles to the nearest best buy on June 4th of 2010 for my 7am appointment to get my evo. When they retrieved the phone from the locked cabinet it was out of the box and on. Yet my screen protector had not been Installed. I was not happy and asked for a phone that had not been played with and they refused. I will be ordering from Sprint or RadioShack.

 

I hear where you're coming from, but it still sucks that BestBuy wont take care of their customers who are paying top dollar. I know that the detectable with Sprints insurance kinda sucks, but it sure is nice knowing that anything and everything is covered.... no questions asked. Sprint clearly has the most comprehensive insurance available, and that is why I always suggest their coverage.

 

Why not just get SquareTrade with accident protection? From what I understand, it covers drops and full-immersion spill protection. The only difference is that it is an upfront payment instead of monthly, but I hear people swear by SquareTrade.

iPad Insurance Alternative | iPad Warranty | Apple Tablet Warranty | Tablet Extended Warranty | SquareTrade Warranties

 

I will be going with Squaretrade for the first time with the EVO LTE. I have heard great things as well. I actually look at the one time upfront payment as a positive because I do not have to worry about a monthly fee or payment plus at $125 for 2 years it works out to around $5 not bad imo. I will report back if I have to invoke it.

 

I just checked it out. After going through to get a quote, it says in small print, "a $99 deductible applies to all claims made." I don't know if they actually charge that, but still might not be worth it for some.

 

With a $99 deductible you might as well stay with Sprint Insurance. At least with Sprint you can go to a repair center near you. I am still thinking of checking out Best Buy. The only thing is, I like being able to go to a repair center at Sprint. It seems they all have their pros and cons.

 

Yeah. That was my thought. At the same time, the breakdown "per month" for those guys would be very close to what Sprint insurance used to be. The only difference is payment for 1 or 2 years up front vs. "per month."

I haven't ever had issues with Sprint's insurance. Then again, I haven't had to go in for a repair/replacement in a long time. And the last time I did have to go, was prior to their making changes with their repair/replacement policy...so I basically got a replacement device every time without deductible or any additional headache to get the replacements.

 

Thanks for the heads up. It looks like their terms may have changed since I last was familiar with them.

 

Yeah. It's likely they're trying to mirror as much as possible with comparable insurance offerings (e.g. sprint, best buy, etc.). The advantage they have over Sprint and Best Buy is the cheaper rates (if broken down into monthly payments). The disadvantage they have, compared to Sprint and Best Buy is that consumers can't go to their location to get replacement phones.