[Odeen]

Hi guys,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm a $30/mo SERO user, using a TP2. I'm eligible for an upgrade as of 1/1, and I'd like to get a Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch. I realize I will have to change to a $50/mo Sero-P with 4G plan to use the phone, which I'm okay with.

My question is.. what's the best (i.e. inexpensive + reliable) way to buy the phone itself? Ordering on Sprint.com is $200 + $50 in sales tax. Best Buy is $200 + $50 tax - $100 in "Reward Zone" certificates. Amazon is $150, but requires me to select a plan. It's unclear if I can keep the SERO plan if I order from Amazon. Local Craigslist has Epic 4G Touches for $300-$350, "barely" used with clear ESN's. I could offset it buy getting a "free" phone from Sprint, and flipping it.

A) Can any third-party resellers sell a phone to a SERO user? Who's offering the best deal?

B) Should I call sprint and upgrade from SERO to SERO-P before I order the phone, or can I order the phone first and change my plan from SERO to SERO-P + 4G when I call to activate?


Thanks!

[sa330206]

I'm in a similar position but I can't upgrade until 02/01. Someone replied with some advice in my previous thread..
http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=226525

Please post back once u upgrade to let us know how it went!

[ericdabbs]

Originally Posted by Odeen

Hi guys,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm a $30/mo SERO user, using a TP2. I'm eligible for an upgrade as of 1/1, and I'd like to get a Galaxy SII Epic 4G Touch. I realize I will have to change to a $50/mo Sero-P with 4G plan to use the phone, which I'm okay with.

My question is.. what's the best (i.e. inexpensive + reliable) way to buy the phone itself? Ordering on Sprint.com is $200 + $50 in sales tax. Best Buy is $200 + $50 tax - $100 in "Reward Zone" certificates. Amazon is $150, but requires me to select a plan. It's unclear if I can keep the SERO plan if I order from Amazon. Local Craigslist has Epic 4G Touches for $300-$350, "barely" used with clear ESN's. I could offset it buy getting a "free" phone from Sprint, and flipping it.

A) Can any third-party resellers sell a phone to a SERO user? Who's offering the best deal?

B) Should I call sprint and upgrade from SERO to SERO-P before I order the phone, or can I order the phone first and change my plan from SERO to SERO-P + 4G when I call to activate?


Thanks!

A) Can any third-party resellers sell a phone to a SERO user? Who's offering the best deal?
No you can't go to any third-party to get your phone while you are under the current SERO plan since basically any new smartphone will require a plan change from SERO to SERO-Premium + $10 premium data. The third-party resellers do not have the option on their computers to put your on any SERO plan let alone the SERO-Premium plan which is required. You can however go to an official Sprint store to get your phone and upgrade your plan from SERO to SERO-Premium since that is what I did myself.

B) Should I call sprint and upgrade from SERO to SERO-P before I order the phone, or can I order the phone first and change my plan from SERO to SERO-P + 4G when I call to activate?
You can opt to call Sprint first and upgrade from SERO to SERO-Premium plan to extend your contract on your current smartphone and you should eligible for 1 free upgrade of your phone. I believe at that point you can go to a 3rd party reseller to purchase your phone. Since Sprint already upgraded your plan to SERO-Premium and extended your contract for 2 years, their computers should indicate that you recently extended your contract for 2 years and that you are just there to use your smartphone upgrade. Personally I don't do 3rd party resellers because the SERO plan is not a current available plan for new customers so I wouldn't want the 3rd party resellers to screw it up. Its really up to you

[Glanden]

Not a reply to Odeen as much as another similar situation with perhaps just enough twist that I'm not sure the same responses apply to me.

I've had two lines on SERO for a number of years, I forget how long but we've been through at least two contracts. My line has been out of contract for at least one year if not two now. I'm eligible for the $150.00 upgrade discount and want to get the Samsung Galaxy II (Epic Touch 4G) to replace my current HTC Mogul. Current payment for the two numbers (SERO Basic 500) is about $75.00/month.

As I understand it, I would have to upgrade my number to include the SERO-P 500, plus the Premium Data, so $30.00 + 10.00 + 10.00 = $50.00/month (plus my wife's line at the $30.00/month rate). For the Epic Touch, I'm okay with paying an extra $25.00 - $30.00/mo. (after taxes and fees and such) even though we don't have 4G in my area.

Question 1: In your opinion, is this phone worth that?
Question 2: I've read a few posts (here and elsewhere online) about a $70.00 loyalty credit. Can someone give me concise steps on how to try and get that and the chances of success knowing what you know about my account?
Question 3: If I do upgrade, what is the best way to go about it? I've seen conflicting information and can't wuite figure out which situation I fall into.
Question 4: Just saw the Nexus S, which it looks like I can get for $100.00, any thoughts on how it compares to the Epic Touch?
Question 5: Where can I learn more about Sprint ID and Sprint Zone? The information I saw on their website wasn't very helpful. It looks like the Sprint ID is the only difference between the Epic Touch and the Nexus S. Am I mising something else there?
Question 6: With the SERO-P + PD ($50.00/mo) plan, will I be able to use either of these two devices as a mobile hotspot, or do I have to pay extra for that?
Crap, the more questions I ask, the more questions I realize I have...
Question 7: I also want to get a tablet and was considering the Galaxy Tab, thoughts on that?

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

[Spartansgr]

I could only upgrade at a Sprint corporate store.

[Glanden]

Yeah, I just found out yesterday thaht even though there are many Sprint stores in my area that sell nothing but Sprint and they are listed on Sprint.com, they aren't corporate stores. I don't have a corporate store locally so I guess I have to deal with Telesales.

New question: Can anyone here explain to me why a new customer can get the Epic 4G Touch for $200.00 (with a $300.00 instant savings dicount) but a loyal customer only gets a $150.00 instant savings discount (plus a $150.00 upgrade credit)? It seems to me that since both have to sign a two-year agreement, I should be able to get the phone for $50.00 by using my upgrade credit. I've seen other posts which indicate that is what other Sprint customers have done and it worked. Any ideas how?

[Spartansgr]

Sorry but not sure how, when I upgraded to my 4s, I paid the new subscriber price because I was eligible for my $150 upgrade credit.

[Glanden]

Originally Posted by Spartansgr

Sorry but not sure how, when I upgraded to my 4s, I paid the new subscriber price because I was eligible for my $150 upgrade credit.

Which means you received a $300 instant credit and a $150 upgrade credit (if it's the 16GB), right? Whereas a new subscriber would've received a $450 instant credit?

[Spartansgr]

Yes I believe that is correct. I agree that it does not make sense, and I have argued the point with Sprint, but to no avail. I actually paid $299 because I got the 32gb version.