Purchase from Bestbuy, Radio Shack, or Sprint?

[Mook1e]

So, where are you all expecting to purchase your Epic, and why?
This thread can also be used to give purchasing advice for those of us new to Sprint, or general advice for those purchasing at any of the listed locations.

That said, I'm thinking about purchasing at Best Buy in order to avoid the rebate.
The Epic is at least previewed on the Best Buy Website, so it should be available on launch.

 

[Mattism78]

I'll be getting it from my local Sprint store. My buddy works there and he's hooking me up with a rate plan and gets me accessory discounts. I'm not a huge fan of the mail in rebate but I'll live with it for what I'm going to save monthly

 

[mztiklimit]

I'm thinking about purchasing at Best Buy in order to avoid the rebate.

Same here.

I'm sure Sprint will do the same as Evo, $199 after a $100 mail-in-rebate. I would rather save $100 at the moment than wait 4 to 6 weeks to receive a plastic card.

 

[cr3amy]

Same here.

I'm sure Sprint will do the same as Evo, $199 after a $100 mail-in-rebate. I would rather save $100 at the moment than wait 4 to 6 weeks to receive a plastic card.

Which you will only receive if you filled out all of the paper work to EXACT SPECIFICATIONS!

I'm definitely going to RadioShack. I just talked the store near my work into starting a waiting list with me on top. I'm going to have to stop by a day or two beforehand to make sure they didn't lose that piece of paper...

 

[Eazail70x7]

Who sells off contract Epic 4G for the cheapest??

 

[whippingboy]

Definitely getting mine @ Best Buy. Best customer service period. I have an issue- hassle free returns. If they stick you with credit - I can use it easily on something else. They also get decent stock compared to Radio Shacks- and lets not forget the Radio Shack EVO launch day register issue (where they couldn't activate the phones in store for hours!)

Sprint Corporate stores are the best usually when it comes to number of handsets at launch (yes better than BB) but at least in my area- most stores are run by complete IDIOTS- they take forever on the computer- they are jerks about returns if you have a device problem. (unlike Best Buy) and no mail in rebate issues.

As far as best off contract price- you may want to try Sprint.

 

[sndplace]

ill be going to the sprint store. never had a problem with the rebate. they will bill me . and BB stinks for me.

 

[Mook1e]

I haven't had a problem with rebates with phones or other electronics I've purchased in the past, besides the hassle of filling everything out.
I would just like to purchase the phone without that hassle this time.
Has anyone been able to convince a Best Buy to start a pre-order?; or do they (Best Buy) have to adhere to the carrier's release?
What discounts are available through Sprint for new customers? (I am in the Military, and I'm pretty sure they at least have a mil discount)

 

[jamex]

For upgrades Sprint is better since they do not charge an activation fee while bestbuy does. So I am heading to Sprint. I can wait for the rebate it does not bother me.

 

[robbies7897]

I'll be buying mine at Sprint as well. They were WAY cheaper than Best Buy to buy the phone without being eligible for an upgrade!

 

[coolqf]

BestBuy or The Shack. The BestBuy by my house has friendly employees and I've never purchased a phone from The Shack. I'll probably just buy it from whoever has it in stock the day I go to purchase it.

 

[Death Roe]

I'll be buying mine at Sprint as well. They were WAY cheaper than Best Buy to buy the phone without being eligible for an upgrade!

So my mom wants to get her phone added onto my plan/line (I come NOWHERE close with the minutes on my Everything Unlimited plan, and she hardly texts/uses internet), but get a new phone altogether (she has an old Nextel!).

Is there any chance I could give her my Hero to use, and she buys an Epic and gets that activated under my number on launch day?

 

[cr3amy]

So my mom wants to get her phone added onto my plan/line (I come NOWHERE close with the minutes on my Everything Unlimited plan, and she hardly texts/uses internet), but get a new phone altogether (she has an old Nextel!).

Is there any chance I could give her my Hero to use, and she buys an Epic and gets that activated under my number on launch day?

Even if you can't, you should be able to get it, activate it on her number then call up Sprint and have them switch the numbers.

Can someone verify this?

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

You should be able to do it from home a lot faster.
Activate your new phone

 

[HAAS599]

I will post where I bought my phone and the out-the-door cost once I get it. I'm debating between Sprint and Best Buy.

Can Best Buy port your old number to your new phone?

 

[JERAVICIOUS]

Who sells off contract Epic 4G for the cheapest??

My guess would be Sprint because the evo is 449 off contract whereas best buy is about 500+ or more

 

[coolqf]

If you purchase the phone at the discount you'll have to keep it on the same line for 30 days. If you don't do this, you'll get stuck with the extra fees on your account.

 

[Andrew Ruffolo]

If you buy the phone off contract, get it at Sprint, its much cheaper. If you buy it on contract, get at best buy or radio shack, as there is no mail in rebate.

 

[crow11ad]

I am getting atsprint as they can bill me and there rebate is in El Paso and I am in Texas so it's alll good about rebates.

 

[Q-fugee]

The last time I bought a phone directly at the Sprint store, they filled out and turned in all the paperwork for me. The out of pocket costs were added to my next month's bill. Can Best Buy put the upfront charges on your monthy bill or do you have to plop down cash to leave the store?

--Qfg