Poll: Did Sprint drop the ball on pricing??

[miamithrice]

Define "Better".

Better is an opinion. To some it may be better hardware, and to some it may not be.

I don't think the Epic will be a flop, but I do think this pricing is a bad idea on Sprint's part. The average consumer will definitely be turned off by the price, especially those considering switching to Sprint from another carrier.

The iPhone is the gold standard of smartphones (like it or not that's the way it is) so if Sprint wants to attract customers that might otherwise get an iPhone, they need to keep the phone at a competitive price. $50 more is NOT competitive pricing.

Verizon is the gold standard when it comes to networks, so if Sprint wants to attract customers from them they need to keep their phone prices competitive. $50 more than an Incredible, Droid X, or Droid 2 is NOT competitive.

Sprint's plans may be cheaper but the extra $50 for the phone plus $10 a month really eats into those savings.

Keep in mind that I am thinking like the average consumer here, not the average person here in these forums.

The definition of "better" is not what matters to me. The fact is the Epic has more "stuff" and that cost must be passed on to the customer somehow. The keyboard/slider mechanism and WiMAX radio (without even getting into the other things) and cheaper plan pricing are enough to justifiably raise the price over its contemporaries, IMO. I'm just speaking in terms of raw materials, manufacturing, and testing. Whether or not people think its worth it is another discussion altogether. People will buy what they want, period. But saying something is a ripoff without a logical explanation as to why is insufficient.

 

[downsouth11]

This is pretty simple...

All the Galaxy S phones are basically the same (sans keyboards, flashes...etc and such of course). But basically you have the same phone. The addition of the keyboard will make a person raise an eye brow in interest, but not go to it. If you want a keyboard you buy a keyboard...if you don't care you might not be able to make a decision.

Most consumers want a keyboard. I can't begin to describe how many people don't want the on-screen versions. If my wife had the choice between this phone and her Hero for $50 more she would have paid the extra money for the hardware keyboard.

 

[taylormah]

I like your little hypothetical. Toss in there that any competent salesperson could sell an average consumer on 4G and front-facing camera (HQ Youtube, higher quality video chat possible in future over 4G, etc) and I think the $50 will be negligible in their mind. Plus, that same competent salesperson will lay out the cheaper plan cost.

Well that is if there is a competent salesman. What will happen when there is not. My friend got one iphone today after keep waiting for this phone and hearing its price from me today. His reasoning: $59 (minute plan) + $15 (200mb data) + $5 (200 text plan) = $80/month on AT&T is same as $80 per month on sprint on a 4G phone. He thought with iPhone he saves $50 outright, so he jumped ships. Now before anyone points out sprint gives free mobile minutes and unlimited data and 4G speeds and epic has hw keyboard, those plan requirements features my friend got on AT&T fit his needs and AT&T coverage in good in his area, so he did not care for anything 'extra' that sprint offers. I am still nonetheless getting this phone, but the point is an average, non tech savvy customer thinks about price when other factor looks equal to him. You can say I was a poor salesman that I could not convince my friend to stay back, but going back to your argument, sprint is gonna depend on salesmanship of employees a lot to sell it to the masses. Ofcourse I do see that with people wanting high speed on the mobile phones too now, 4G will be a major selling point and Epic and people will buy it. All I am saying is that if sprint had priced it at $200, then it will be a quick fair game comparison for non technical people and will be easier for them to pick it compared to other carriers/phones.

 

[Q-fugee]

Has anyone mentioned Sprint's buyback program yet? If you are coming from a competitor, they'll buy even the crappiest of PDAs just to recycle the batteries. They're paying more than 100 bucks for old iPhones. The numbers differ depending on whether or not you're a business or retail customer, and on whether you're an existing customer or coming from a competitor. They also pay port-in bonuses to switch an existing number from another carrier.

I'm pretty sure no one will have to pay the full $250 with all of these programs.

The $250 price still based entirely on keeping demand from outstripping supply, though

--Qfg

 

[belushi]

$249 after $100 mail-in rebate. So, I'm currently on ATT, was planning on jumping over to Sprint and pick up two EPIC's for me and the wife and two Intercepts for the two kids (e.g. older kids). So, out of pocket when I order would be $350+$350+$100+$100=$900 (e.g. just for phones). Gulpppppp, I'll think about it.

 

[H_D]

That still doesn't justify the price. The bottom line is that Sprint is ripping us off. I like to get a new phone every year, but if the prices keep creeping up it stops being so easy to justify it. I'm going to buy it anyway, but I still think it is a rip off. It's like my iPad, it shouldn't cost more than $350 or so, but I love it and would buy it again for 500.

The EPIC costs samsung, at most, $10 more to manufacture than a Captivate. Keep in mind that they are gimping the ROM from 16GB down to just 1GB. Cutting the memory easily covers the cost of the 4G chip. The LED on the back probably costs somewhere between 0.9 cents and 1.3 cents, the camera on the front is probably a dollar. The keyboard rounds out the rest of the 10 dollars, and I'm being generous. Keep in mind that the Epic is made out of cheaper materials than the metal on the captivate, with that cool sliding battery cover.

I've got mine reserved already but I do agree with you. Its not as if we are getting EVERYTHING the Captivate, Vibrant has + the camera flash, keyboard, & front facing camera. Samsung/Sprint trimmed some features from the Captivate/Vibrant & added others which balances out. That plus the $10 monthly fee is overkill IMO. Sprint should at the very least give us an instant rebate.

 

[scottmc129]

Howcome everyone leaves out the fact that the Epic comes with 16GB and EVO only 8GB???

 

[whippingboy]

I do think the 16GB was wise and does help to offset the $250 price... but I still feel people are going to compare the price out the door.

Any way you slice it- this phone to a general consumer will say the phone is more expensive than Droid 2 or iphone and they'll bring up the 4g TAX despite the fact they still have higher priced plans.

If you do the math right- you can get a data throttled to 2GB a month on iphone monthly for CHEAPER than Sprint and on ATT you'd have full unlimited minutes.

Most consumers would go with that than an over $100a month full unlimited sprint 4g plan and a phone that is $50 extra. Oh- plus it's an iphone with the wifi's and fullG's.

Seriously though- if you want to compete with consumers- focus on monthly and out the door costs. NOONE expects to pay more for a front facing camera they may not even use. (me included) And pointing at poorly designed phones that SHOULD HAVE HAD a camera flash and saying that's why YOUR phone (epic) costs more is a a weak excuse as well.

I personally EXPECTED this to happen - and would have been very disappointed if the phone was $299- but I need this phone for my wife and I- I hope Samsung and Sprint don't fumble ANY aspect of this phone - or it's hello Droid 2 in under 30days.

 

[happasaiyan]

If you do the math right- you can get a data throttled to 2GB a month on iphone monthly for CHEAPER than Sprint and on ATT you'd have full unlimited minutes.

Most consumers would go with that than an over $100a month full unlimited sprint 4g plan and a phone that is $50 extra. Oh- plus it's an iphone with the wifi's and fullG's.

care to do this math for us? sprint is cheaper any way you slice it. sprint has unlimited mobile to mobile minutes on all data plans...ie- on their $70 plan, you have 450minutes for landline calls during the day and unlimited minutes for anything else...not to mention unlimited data.

 

[happasaiyan]

With all due respect a lesser 5mp camera a vga front camera ( which sprint wants on its 4g phones), a mini keyboard does not warrent a 50 dollar surcharge.

more megapixels does not = better images. everyone should know this by now.

and its hardly a mini keyboard. it is perhaps the most robust keyboard of any phone to date- 5 rows. i would consider the pre (which i currently have) to have a mini keyboard.

 

[whippingboy]

ATT and verizon are offering $69 for UNLIMITED MINUTES PERIOD. Many consumers would take that and a 2GB data plan for $25 over Sprint's plan. For people that need texting- I think you can get a limited texting plan added for still cheaper than Sprint- but for most people Sprint is a 3rate coverage (works fine for me) so they EXPECT A SAVINGS and really- with non family plans- there isn't any savings on a 4G phone with Sprint.

For Sprint unlimited minutes+ data is $100+ the 4g tax = $110. Sure- you get unlimited data- which 70% of consumers DON'T need. Heck- I was TRYING To use a lot of data with 30days of evo and I still didn't hit 2GB in 29days of what I felt was heavy for me use.

 

[MissJennell#IM]

I think $250 is a little much but I will still be getting it.

 

[kettletoast]

So you're not willing to compare unlimited mobile to any mobile and nights and weekends to true unlimited minutes, but you are willing to compare a 2gb cap to true unlimited data because the average consumer doesn't "need" that?

 

[happasaiyan]

So you're not willing to compare unlimited mobile to any mobile and nights and weekends to true unlimited minutes, but you are willing to compare a 2gb cap to true unlimited data because the average consumer doesn't "need" that?

not to mention a limited texting plan vs unlimited texting

 

[Phone#IM]

ATT and verizon are offering $69 for UNLIMITED MINUTES PERIOD. Many consumers would take that and a 2GB data plan for $25 over Sprint's plan. For people that need texting- I think you can get a limited texting plan added for still cheaper than Sprint- but for most people Sprint is a 3rate coverage (works fine for me) so they EXPECT A SAVINGS and really- with non family plans- there isn't any savings on a 4G phone with Sprint.

For Sprint unlimited minutes+ data is $100+ the 4g tax = $110. Sure- you get unlimited data- which 70% of consumers DON'T need. Heck- I was TRYING To use a lot of data with 30days of evo and I still didn't hit 2GB in 29days of what I felt was heavy for me use.

Someone already did the math for you a few pages back

sprint
$70 (450 mins + text + data)
$10 (4G)
$250 (epic 4G)

2-year costs: $2170

verizon
$60 (450 mins + text)
$30 (unlimited data)
$200 (droid 2)

2-year costs: $2360

at&t
$40 (450 mins)
$25 (2gb data)
$20 (unlimited text)
$10 (gps)
$200 (captivate)

2-year costs: $2480

price seems fine to me.

When you compare what you are getting feature wise Sprint offers the cheapest plans.

Heck, Sprints 69.99 plan is basically unlimited as well as it is free calling to ANY mobile number, doesnt matter what carrier. The only way to use minutes is to call a landline (housephones).

69.99 for 450 minutes (Unlimited calling to any Mobile number), Unlimited Text, GPS, Mobile TV, and Data.

Even with the added $10 "4g" tax that everyone complains about it is still cheaper.

 

[cr3amy]

Well that is if there is a competent salesman. What will happen when there is not. My friend got one iphone today after keep waiting for this phone and hearing its price from me today. His reasoning: $59 (minute plan) + $15 (200mb data) + $5 (200 text plan) = $80/month on AT&T is same as $80 per month on sprint on a 4G phone. He thought with iPhone he saves $50 outright, so he jumped ships. Now before anyone points out sprint gives free mobile minutes and unlimited data and 4G speeds and epic has hw keyboard, those plan requirements features my friend got on AT&T fit his needs and AT&T coverage in good in his area, so he did not care for anything 'extra' that sprint offers. I am still nonetheless getting this phone, but the point is an average, non tech savvy customer thinks about price when other factor looks equal to him. You can say I was a poor salesman that I could not convince my friend to stay back, but going back to your argument, sprint is gonna depend on salesmanship of employees a lot to sell it to the masses. Ofcourse I do see that with people wanting high speed on the mobile phones too now, 4G will be a major selling point and Epic and people will buy it. All I am saying is that if sprint had priced it at $200, then it will be a quick fair game comparison for non technical people and will be easier for them to pick it compared to other carriers/phones.

Gotta give you a *thumbs up* on this one, you bring up very good points.

 

[whippingboy]

I missed that post from taylormah- he illustrates the point EXACTLY. This is the position of MANY consumers that are CASUALS - us geeks here on an android forum are ANYTHING but casual users. Most consumers don't know what tethering is let alone would even use it. Unlimited texting for someone who gets under 200 a month, someone who calls relatives that don't have cellphones (lots of country / backwoods folk in my extended family) they have HOUSE PHONES they want anytime minutes NOT mobile to mobile to call these house phone numbers.

Sprint is targeting US with their plans- but they aren't for everyone. THEY NEED to acknowledge that. I bet if you did a survey you'd find more people would rather have more minutes than limitless data.

And spotty or non existent 4G in certain areas but being charged for it where ever you live sucks- no matter how you try to justify it to a possible NEW customer to sprint.

 

[49erfan]

Yah they did, they priced the phone higher then any other phone on the market right now including the iphone and droid 2. Im sure its a nice phone but you can't over charge the public at a time when the economy is bad. I ordered the Evo because to the $50 did not seem worth while just for a better screen and a keyboard.

 

[caliskimmer]

I missed that post from taylormah- he illustrates the point EXACTLY. This is the position of MANY consumers that are CASUALS - us geeks here on an android forum are ANYTHING but casual users. Most consumers don't know what tethering is let alone would even use it. Unlimited texting for someone who gets under 200 a month, someone who calls relatives that don't have cellphones (lots of country / backwoods folk in my extended family) they have HOUSE PHONES they want anytime minutes NOT mobile to mobile to call these house phone numbers.

Sprint is targeting US with their plans- but they aren't for everyone. THEY NEED to acknowledge that. I bet if you did a survey you'd find more people would rather have more minutes than limitless data.

And spotty or non existent 4G in certain areas but being charged for it where ever you live sucks- no matter how you try to justify it to a possible NEW customer to sprint.

On the other hand, the folks in my family NEED mobile to mobile as we don't own a landline anymore after moving.

 

[caliskimmer]

So you're not willing to compare unlimited mobile to any mobile and nights and weekends to true unlimited minutes, but you are willing to compare a 2gb cap to true unlimited data because the average consumer doesn't "need" that?

Well, let's look at it this way. Your internet is down for a week because for some reason, the people cannot come to your house until their schedules clear up. You realize that you need to pay bills, schedule a vacation for your family, and still be able to keep updated with the world. You simply cannot do mobile browsing. Here, you have an iPhone with a 2gb data plan or a Samsung Epic 4g or any other Sprint phone that supports tethering. You have already used 500mb on your phone and the month is not over for another 14 days. So, risk ODing on the iPhone plan and paying per kilobyte or have a Sprint plan with unlimited data and have no worries of going over the data cap?