[h4ldol]

I joined Sprint on 6/4/10 (the day the Evo 4G came out) and of course I was given the shaft by Sprint when they banished me to the dreaded 'premier silver' tier, thereby moving my full upgrade date to April 2012.

Now, I want the E4GT and was thinking I would add a new line (with an individual rate plan) to my account and then cancel my old account with the Evo 4G, since it has the lower ETF (prorated to $90 at this point). The reason for making the new line an individual line rather than converting the original line to a family plan is for convenience (easier to just cancel the old line than convert the new family plan back to an individual plan).

I don't think this is unethical in anyway, really, since Sprint fully allows you to add new lines and cancel old ones if you pay the ETF. But any potential problems by doing this? Of course, my phone number will change, but I actually want that since I moved across the country just recently.

Thanks in advance for any input!

[mobile79]

There's nothing unethical about it at all. You fulfill your agreement by either keeping service for the full two years, or paying the etf if you cancel early.

[h4ldol]

There's nothing unethical about it at all. You fulfill your agreement by either keeping service for the full two years, or paying the etf if you cancel early.

That's what I figured, thanks for the input. It just seemed odd to me that you could have multiple separate accounts (not lines but accounts) under the same name, but I guess it's okay from what Sprint told me today.

[sndplace]

Nothing wrong with doing that. If it comes out cheaper for you then its sounds like the best choice and i would do the same. the number change, kind of s bummer but its a trade off and plus your getting a great phone. Enjoy ...

[Jesse Potter]

That's exactly what I'm doing. I got an Evo on launch day. ETF to cancel the line is $80. Easy amount to swallow, IMO. Pretty sure you can't keep your number, but, that's fine with me. When I got my Evo, I got a freshly recycled number. I get a long of wrong numbers.

[springsyeti]

Since the changes in fees you can cancel your contract w/ sprint and not pay the ETF, correct? Then cancel your contract then start a new account, is that possible..? Get a google voice number and then it does not matter if you cancel accounts and get a new number.

[Jesse Potter]

Since the changes in fees you can cancel your contract w/ sprint and not pay the ETF, correct? Then cancel your contract then start a new account, is that possible..? Get a google voice number and then it does not matter if you cancel accounts and get a new number.

Pretty sure Sprint put the kibosh on that. In the fine print it says they reserve the right to increase..whatever fee it was they increased to $1.99. Some people had a lot of luck with it at first, but, they're not letting people out anymore.

Even if it were the case, I think there's a 30-45 day waiting period before you can make a new account after closing one out.

[Ian B]

I joined Sprint on 6/4/10 (the day the Evo 4G came out) and of course I was given the shaft by Sprint when they banished me to the dreaded 'premier silver' tier, thereby moving my full upgrade date to April 2012.

Now, I want the E4GT and was thinking I would add a new line (with an individual rate plan) to my account and then cancel my old account with the Evo 4G, since it has the lower ETF (prorated to $90 at this point). The reason for making the new line an individual line rather than converting the original line to a family plan is for convenience (easier to just cancel the old line than convert the new family plan back to an individual plan).

I don't think this is unethical in anyway, really, since Sprint fully allows you to add new lines and cancel old ones if you pay the ETF. But any potential problems by doing this? Of course, my phone number will change, but I actually want that since I moved across the country just recently.

Thanks in advance for any input!

I have the same scenario as you and i think the cheapest way for us to get the phone is to pay the tf and then pay the $200.00 for the new phone. I am ok with getting a new number. I discussed this issue with a Sprint customer retention mgr and they said it would be ok.

Is it Friday yet?

Ian B

[h4ldol]

I have the same scenario as you and i think the cheapest way for us to get the phone is to pay the tf and then pay the $200.00 for the new phone.

Thanks for the input everyone, interesting to see how many of early adopter-types are all in the same situation, and even with the same start dates, etc.

Anyway, I just placed my order with Wirefly for $150 w/free shipping but also the $36 activation fee. But using the Bank of America "Add It Up" cashback program, I was able to get $50 cashback (given at a future date, like the Bing/Ebay cashback deal a couple years ago). So, it'll come out to $136 net cost after I get the cashback.

I'm also sending in my Evo 4G for hopefully the full $87 buyback (although probably I'll get less since my Evo is a bit beat up), which would bring the final net to about $49 at the lowest, but hopefully no higher than $100.

The wait will be painful, but I'll be thrilled if I get my hands on this phone sometime next week!

[Mr.Slave]

First of all self your evo on Craigslist for a lot more than $87.

I wish these carriers would see the value in giving us a yearly upgrade at the new customer phone price. I know so many people that would have bought another phone if they had the chance for the right price. I usually end up paying full price but that was with Verizon.

[steveh552]

I just did this exact thing. My nexus was messing up and i decided to add a new line and cancel the old one.

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Sent from my Motorola Photon using Tapatalk

[Floridadomer]

This thread was a nice read. I also have an EVO also and have been drooling over this phone. One of my kids lines is eligible on Monday and I am going to use theirs to upgrade and then switch the phone to my line. After all, isn't that what kids are for?!

[smd4usc]

I'm also sending in my Evo 4G for hopefully the full $87 buyback (although probably I'll get less since my Evo is a bit beat up), which would bring the final net to about $49 at the lowest, but hopefully no higher than $100.

Just an FYI, I sent in an Evo 4G with a broken screen & I still got the full amount of the buyback credited to my account.

[Cory Streater]

What's unethical is having to pay $20 additional each month in wireless taxes. I say do every legal thing possible to work the system to save as much as possible.

[philentology]

Just an FYI, I sent in an Evo 4G with a broken screen & I still got the full amount of the buyback credited to my account.

They took mine, and the screen didn't even turn on. Longest 2 weeks without a phone and/or a Sprint Repair shop in driving distance... The SII is making up for it though.

[auau465121]

Dude I'm in the exact same boat Its a tough decision I love this phone but to add another $30 on each month and $200 for the phone and $36 activation fee its just too much if I add another line then cancel one that's $200 ETF $200 for the phone choices choices choices

[error4o4]

Folks before doing these plans of yours, call up Sprint retention department. Tell them you're going to drop the lines since you got screwed on the Silver plan change. A plan you were told about when you signed your contract. Make it very clear.

They will most likely help you out in some way.

I know I did this and they bumped up my upgrade date by 9 months.

[bodymassage5]

So I need some help going about this. Which would be the cheaper/less hassle option? Note that I already have a family plan with two lines (main +1).

1.) Add a new line to my existing family plan then cancel (will there be an ETF?)
2.) Start a new individual line then cancel?

[DirkBelig]

Folks before doing these plans of yours, call up Sprint retention department. Tell them you're going to drop the lines since you got screwed on the Silver plan change. A plan you were told about when you signed your contract. Make it very clear. They will most likely help you out in some way. I know I did this and they bumped up my upgrade date by 9 months.

Could you please elaborate as to how you did that; what was said to convince them? I'm understanding your post as saying you got your last phone in June 2010 (EVO?) and by threatening to drop, they said, "Oh, looksie, your upgrade date is September 2011. You can go get a new phone now with a 2-year re-up. You're welcome."

I've had call reception problems that nothing seems to fix for over 6 months with my EVO and if I could use that as leverage to secure an upgrade, I'd appreciate it.

[bodymassage5]

Dude I'm in the exact same boat Its a tough decision I love this phone but to add another $30 on each month and $200 for the phone and $36 activation fee its just too much if I add another line then cancel one that's $200 ETF $200 for the phone choices choices choices

Can someone please verify that the current ETF for Sprint is $200? I've been reading that starting Sept. 9th, the ETF would be raised to $350 although the official site says $200. I don't want to get a bait and switch pulled on me within the 30 day trial where mid-way in the 30 day trial they change it to $350 ETF and now I'm stuck having to pay $150 more than what I would have.

[DirkBelig]

The ETF should be what you contracted for, meaning deals signed before the change cash out at the old rate; deals signed after get it in the neck.

Funny how wherever the iPhone goes, death and higher costs precede it?

[h4ldol]

Update: I called today to cancel my old line (with the Evo 4G) and to my disappointment, the line doesn't get cancelled/closed until the end of the billing cycle/period, which is already charged for a month in advance. Stupid Sprint. When I cancelled with AT&T (to go to Sprint in 2010), my account closed that same day, but with Sprint you don't get any prorated refund for the remainder of the billing cycle since you can't cancel mid-cycle. Of course, this means that my ETF is $10 cheaper too...

[methoderik]

I called a few weeks ago, pitched a fit, and they reset my upgrade eligibility. Back when I got my evo 4g, when there was a rumor that the silver premier members were going to lose the yearly upgrades, I made the sales rep promise me that I would get one last yearly upgrade after the evo. When I logged onto my account and saw he incorrect, I called and voiced my displeasure. It took a while, but they finally agreed.

[kanyewest]

I did it. Added a new line, got the SGIIE4GT for $199.99 plus tax. Cxl old line that was due for a $150 discount upgrade in July 2012. Only have to pay partial ETF which is $100. So i pretty much got the, phone for a grand total of approx. $314.

The etf is charged to the bill. The old line gets turned off at the end of billing cycle. The rep at the sprint store said she could only activate the new line but not cxl the old one there at the store or she would get fired. So when i got home i called and cxl over the phone.

Im on a family plan with two other phones. The $129.99 plan.

[h4ldol]

Question: Can I keep my Evo 4G after the line is closed/cancelled and use it as a non-cellular device?

That is, can I use it as a media/wifi device (like an iPod Touch)? Or will it be completely unuseable after the line is cancelled? I am thinking that I may just keep it rather than get $87 for it and use it for monitoring my baby cams at home using wifi.