Buy from NewEgg or from Sprint?

[UndeadCircus]

Hey everyone...

I've owned a Palm Pre since launch day and am actually thinking about switching to the Sprint HTC Evo 4G pretty soon. However before I make the jump (on purchasing) I had a question..

I noticed that on NewEgg.com, they are offering the Sprint Evo for $149.99. This (obviously) includes the instant $100 discount, the $100 mail-in rebate and the $150 upgrade discount all instantly on the NewEgg website. The confusing thing is and what I'm worried about is if I go through and purchase the phone from NewEgg, will Sprint still replace the phone through my TEP program that I subscribe to every month, or do I have to opt-in for the additional $70 insurance policy that NewEgg offers for one year?

I'd hate to think I'm getting an amazing deal for $150 and then something horrible happen a week later, only to be out $150 because I didn't purchase NewEgg's insurance.

Have any of you bought your phones elsewhere besides with Sprint and run into any issues changing your phone out if you had issues?

I hope to be joining the Android fan pool soon...Just need a little more light shed on the matter.

Thanks all!
Ricky

 

[UndeadCircus]

Nevermind guys.. I went ahead and jumped the gun and purchased from NewEgg. I just couldn't let a good deal get away. If anyone is interested, this is the chat I had with the live sales rep from NewEgg (WhereIsMyOrder.com) covering things like the warranty, dealing with them instead of Sprint for account changes, etc.

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...Please be sure not to refresh your browser or hit the "back" button during our session.
You have been connected to Sam.
Sam: Hi Ricky.
UndeadCircus: Hello Sam
Sam: Thank you for contacting our chat support group. I'd be glad to help you with that.
Sam: For security reasons, could you please verify the last four digits of your Social Security Number?
UndeadCircus: Yes sir. They are ****
Sam: Thank you for the verification.
Sam: To ensure that only quality products are delivered to our customers, the phones that we ship out are passed through various sections right from our activations department to our warehouse after being inspected for quality and finally shipped out.
UndeadCircus: Does it come in manufacturer packaging along with all manufacturer accessories?
Sam: As the phone is activated by us, we request you to contact us if you would like to make any changes on the account within 181 with Sprint.
Sam: Yes, you are correct.
UndeadCircus: What do you mean contact you guys with any account changes?
UndeadCircus: Do you mean with my specific Sprint account? Such as upgrading to a new plan, etc?
Sam: Yes, you are correct.
UndeadCircus: Why would I go through you guys instead of Sprint?
UndeadCircus: Not to sound pushy...But I enjoy dealing with Sprint. Why would I need to go through you guys to make changes to my Sprint account?
Sam: Ricky, the order is processed through us and the new HTC EVO 4G phone is activated by us.
Sam: As per the terms and condition of the company, you need to contact us if you wish to make any changes with the account.
UndeadCircus: Hmm.. That's strange, but I guess getting a cheaper deal on the phone has it's catches I suppose.
UndeadCircus: Can you link me to the terms and conditions that state I need to go through you guys for any account changes?
Sam: You can log on at www.whereismyorder.com to see the terms and condition on the company.
Sam: *You can log on at www.whereismyorder.com to see the terms and condition of the company.
UndeadCircus: Just curious...But what would happen if I actually did go to Sprint for account changes? I respect your company's policies, I just want to make sure I have everything covered.
Sam: There is no harm if you contact Sprint directly however it would violate the contract with us.
UndeadCircus: What happens if the contract with your company is violated?
Sam: There is no harm if you violate the contract with us, however I would appreciate if you don't violate the contract with us.
Sam: Is there anything else I can do for you today?
Sam: I am happy to help you, but you haven't responded in 2 minutes. Please reply to this message to keep your session active.
UndeadCircus: Yes, one more question. I didn't purchase the $69.99 protection plan because that is a little pricey. I actually subscribe to Sprint's Total Equipment Protection plan. Let's say that my phone breaks in 2 weeks.. Am I free to use Sprint's Total Equipment Protection plan to get my phone replaced?
Sam: Yes, you can use the plan to replace the phone.
UndeadCircus: Okay cool. One final last question.. Is there a manufacturer's warranty that comes with the phone?
Sam: Yes, the phone has a manufacturer warranty of one year.
UndeadCircus: Is there a place online where I can view the manufacturer's warranty?
Sam: I am sorry, I don't have the required information.
Sam: I would request to contact Sprint to get that information.
UndeadCircus: Alrighty Sam.. I appreciate you sticking with me and answering all of my questions. You have a wonderful weekend!
Sam: Thank you.
Sam: Hope I answer all your questions?
UndeadCircus: Absolutely! Thanks!
Your session has ended. You may now close this window.

Looks like I'll be joining the Android wagon within a few days! I hope the HTC/Android crowd does me as well as the Palm crowd did. I've been a long-time Palm lover so it's a huge step jumping into a totally different company.

 

[maxiang]

Just an FYI: you're not buying from newegg. At the bottom of the page it says it is fulfilled by simplexity aka wirefly.com
I've bought from them before without any major hassles on AT&T. Usually the "contact us first" for changes thing is only for a set period of time, like six months. The reason for that is the retailer, wirefly in this case, is paid by the carrier for getting you to sign up for a contract on a certain dollar amount per month. If you lower your plan, they don't get paid as much and take that out on you

 

[Verdes8891]

When dealing with newegg and wirefly, you have to be careful. In their terms a conditions it states, that if you make any changes to the account within 6 months of getting a new device from them, they reserve the right to debit your account the remaining amount of the device.

So the evo retails at what, 400 or 500? and you paid 150? That means they can charge your account the rest of that if you break their terms.

 

[geneva54]

This is all interesting information that I was wondering about too.

Many online sites have lowered the price on the EVO 4G including TigerDirect and some others..im guessing they are all tied to Wirefly.

Im wondering if you buy from a place like RadioShack if it is the same?

Someone on another forum was mentioning that you should call Sprint first and renew your contract (to get the $55.00 credit) and then buy from one of these online sellers......anyone else familiar with this?

 

[werkx]

...Someone on another forum was mentioning that you should call Sprint first and renew your contract (to get the $55.00 credit) and then buy from one of these online sellers......anyone else familiar with this?

this is customer loyalty reward if you want to stick with sprint for another 2 years. so, if you're planning on getting a new subsidized phone, and this option is available, then do it at the same time, if possible.