@KSmithInNY
Is the Annual Premier Upgrade something for customer that have been with Sprint for a while? I would love to upgrade my device every year versus every two years. I'm going to call Best Buy today and see what the deal is because I am a Rewards Zone member and I also preordered (with the $50 deposit) last week.
That being said I've been on a T-Mobile employee plan since 2006, which was when I started working for them, and am still on it to this day even though I'm not an employee anymore thanks to my buddy who is still an employee (they're allowed to have up to 3 lines to he was gracious enough to let me use one of them). Granted that I have to pay almost full price for any new devices I get on T-Mobile I have no contract and the plan is like $20/month for EVERYTHING.
I'm jumping ship to Android because I really just want to try something new since I've been on BlackBerry since 2006. All the new BlackBerrys coming out are nice and all, but they're basically doing the exact samething a lot better, faster, and without any lag or freezing. Not to mention that Sprint's plans are awesome and my buddy is probably not going to be at T-Mobile much longer.
Regarding the deal for Best Buy rewards club members getting early access, from what i've read, and again its all rumors, it seems limited to BB Platinum rewards club members and you must be invited to participate.
Just to let everyone know that I called the Best Buy that I did the preorder with to ask about this Friday release rumor. She put me on hold and went to check and came back telling me that they would be selling it to me on Friday as long as I'm a Rewards Zone member.
My experience is similar to what I've been reading on forums regarding the Friday release where some people say that their Best Buy is telling them yes while others are saying no.
I shall let you all know on Friday!
Sorry to be a party pooper, but the SRP for the Hero is $479.99.
Nothing's stopping you from purchasing the phone at $179.99 from Sprint on a second line and cancel it after you get your MIR though. This tactic won't fly at a third-party vendor though. If you cancel within six months THEY reserve the right to charge you full price for the phone + Sprint's ETF.
I ended up purchasing the phone straight up. I don't have the energy to "play the system" anymore.
Got mine from a Sprint store Saturday morning. They cut the price down to $429.99 for me.