Verizon's cheap TP2 vs Sprint's cheap service

[kevm14]

I have been with Sprint for 10 years now so I have a pretty customized plan setup with 2 lines. 800 shared minutes, 7-7 off peak. On just my TP I have 1000 text messages (way more than enough for me) and unlimited data. I also have a 15% corporate discount but for sake of comparison, I stripped out the discount and taxes/fees and my monthly cost for the above service is $79.99. After you add in the discount and taxes/fees, I pay $82.60 each month.

The problem is, Verizon's best shot at matching this is a $70 basic family plan with 700 minutes and an incredibly lousy 9pm to 6am off peak. Then add $15 for 1500 texts and $30 for data. That is a lofty $115/mo, and that is of course before taxes/fees. And I don't think I can factor in a discount. So the plan itself is $35/mo more expensive than what Sprint is charging me. Since I'd pay $200 after MIR for the Verizon TP2 I did some math.

Sprint's 2 year renewal price on the TP2 is $350, $150 more expensive than Verizon's price. If I paid that, it would only take 4 months to break even then be ahead with Sprint. But I am not eligible for a contract renewal discount, so I'd have to pay, what, $599? Even if I did THAT I'd still be ahead with Sprint in the 11th month. Verizon's contract would be 24 months so I'd be ahead even before the end of the first year of service, even at full retail. So...that sucks I guess.