Sprint: Contract Upgrade Question

[NighthawkIX]

Time for a contract renewal from Sprint- been a customer for 4 years now.

Currently on a old-school Sprint Fair and Flexible Family 550 plan with 3 lines for $79.99.
One of the lines has the "Sprint Unlimited Data Pack" add-on for free (bonus from my last renewal)

Unfortunately, I talked to the Sprint Reps today about upgrading to either the HTC Hero, or waiting on the HTV EVO, and I've been told those two phones will not activate on my current plan. Can anyone confirm this?
It currently looks like Sprint is trying to squeeze me into buying the $129.99 Everything Family Plan... There is no way I want to pay that much for phone service, but at the same time I want the Hero or EVo.

Also, what kind of bonuses can I get from renewing my contract with Sprint? Currently they're just offering 1 month free for the first line, and $50 credit for the second 2 lines. Any advice here very appreciated. Thanks

[darren.wlsn1]

when i had my hero and had old plan like yours i had to upgrade to se or whatever they call it now.

[NighthawkIX]

It's what I hear. On the Sprint page, I can upgrade to a TP2 without any issues. But upgrading to a HERO (and presumably EVO) tells me I must change my plan.

I keep hearing about <ESN Swapping> though that allows me to use these new android phones on a grandfathered plan... Anyone chime in?

[Whosdaman]

ESN swapping doesn't work anymore, I'm a sprint rep and our systems will not allow the usage of these new phones unless you have the data package built into the plans. Add-ons don't work anymore :'(

[NighthawkIX]

What are the chances you think Sprint will give me a good deal if I upgraded my current fair and flex 550 (3 lines) to a SE family plan?

3 lines on FF550 is $79.99/mo

Currently I have these discounts:
-22% off monthly

Unlimited Sprint Vision Data on 1 line
500 texts for 1$/mo on 1 line

Comes out to $68~ every month after taxes

[VulcanGrey]

If you don't use data on the other lines, then you are better off going to the Data Everything 450 plan for the Hero/Evo, and then the other phones on another plan with talk and add texting.

I had to do that as well.
So now I have a 450min, unlimited plan for $69 + a talk basic plan with 200min for about the same that I was paying before with a family plan with 550min shared, and data and text on my old WM phone.

[NighthawkIX]

Here's my math:

Currently for 3 lines, I'm paying $68.00/mo after taxes and discounts. 1 line has unlimited data and 500 texts.

If I were to switch over to the Everything Data 450 for 1 line, and 2xBasic Talk 200, it would come out to be around $95 after taxes and discounts.

That's almost a 2 fold jump... definitely no go. What's killing me is that my grandfathered free vision plan won't transfer, and is noncomplient with the HERO/EVO. Those 2 phones are pretty much Sprint's way of trying to smoke me out of my hole.

[highwayman1224]

Gotta pay to play.

[NighthawkIX]

In the end, I decided it would be better to pay less /mo and stick with my crappy phones than pay more for a good phone.

Got Sprint to give me a -$18/mo discount on top of what I currently have- and a free HTC TP2. [Concession prize for lack of Hero/Evo I 'spose]

So I'll be paying about $50 after taxes and such for 3 lines... not the worst deal ever.

[tokuzumi]

Originally Posted by NighthawkIX

What are the chances you think Sprint will give me a good deal if I upgraded my current fair and flex 550 (3 lines) to a SE family plan?

3 lines on FF550 is $79.99/mo

Currently I have these discounts:
-22% off monthly

Unlimited Sprint Vision Data on 1 line
500 texts for 1$/mo on 1 line

Comes out to $68~ every month after taxes

You will still keep your 22% discount, even if you change plans. I'm assuming your discount is through your work, or something like that. I have 3 lines on the $130 Everything Data plan, and while I have a 25% discount, my total cost, after taxes/fees, is $130. I have insurance on all 3 phones, so that is an additional $21, on top of the $130.