With all this talk about release dates where is the best place to purchase the LTE Evo? Will you get it quicker if you order through Sprint? Any advantages to any certain retailers?
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.
I thought I read somewhere if you order from Sprint you might be able to get a courtesy credit or activation fee waved
if sprint didnt officially say it then dont believe it. if i can get the phone earlier thru sprint then i will order from them. if they dont offer this like they did for the 3D, i may just head to best buy. im looking to get the device as quickly as possible because im impatient. i pre ordred thru best buy for the 3D only to end up getting it thru sprint because they released it days before national release. i dont recommend amazon or any of those types of online retailers. if you have issues you will have to go back thru them as opposed to walking into radio shack, sprint, walmart, best buy, target to get exchanges/issues resolved directly.
i Like the two best buys i deal with. they are friendly and the staff lets me walk out with them barely touching it (all they really do is activate it from the bar code on the box and turn it on to make sure it works, after that no touchy touchy) YMMV though but because of this experience I will always order through best buy, on top of that i realllllly like their black tie protection program, even covers water damage and complete destruction (you can run that phone over with a semi and as long as you have all the parts they'll exchange it) and its faster too, they have a rapid exchange where as soon as you bring it in they order your replacement in from a 3rd party (refurbed of course) and it usually only takes 3 days or so to get a new one.
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?
best buys insurance, IMHO, is leagues ahead of sprints, it covers EVERYTHING except for lost/stolen (which in my opinion is your responsibility) it'll cover water damage to complete destruction (as long as you can bring in all the parts) they also do rapid exchange at best buy so when you bring it in they order a referb unit for you immediately (instead of sending YOUR phone off for repair and waiting for YOUR phone back) so it takes roughly 3-4 days and you have a new phone again
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.
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!
ahh thats the best part.... there is NO deductable. forgot sprint even had one. bring it in anytime, a few days later (they provide a loaner phone at no charge as well for the time being) you get another phone and don't pay another dime out of pocket
yes they cover anything and everything as long as you are able to bring the phone into the store (basically prove it's not stolen/lost) they will do an exchange for the smallest thing too, if you just have a scratch on your screen that bugs you they will do a swap for that too just checked, $10 a month is currently what i pay.
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.
what the wording is is complete submersion is not covered, if you simply tell them water spilled on it, it is covered. but if you tell them you accidentally went swimming with it, it is true that they will not cover that scenario. but as they are never there when it happens, just tell them liquid spilled on it and your golden. I am sorry for the way your BB treated you though... as with every consumer experience YMMV by location and other factors.
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.
