Switching from T-Mobile to Sprint. Worth it?

noir_blood

Okay, I wanted to get your guys opinion on this before I make any decision.

Currently I share a t-mobile family plan with my dad. We share 1000 minutes for 69.99, and I pay an extra 15 dollars for unlimited texts. So basically it's like 500 minutes and texts for fifty dollars. Nights don't start til 9 pm, and we do get weekends as well. Oh, I also have t mobile to t mobile, which I really only use with my brother in el paso.

This past billing cycle I went over about 88 minutes. First time in probably all eight years I had t mobile. Since it was totally my fault, I have no beef about that. I called T Mobile to see what other plans I could get to avoid that. At first, the best they could offer was 2000 minutes for 99.99 dollars, which I feel would be too much. After asking about opting out of my plan and all that, they offered 1500 for 79.99, which would be perfect, EXCEPT it would tie me up for two more years.

Now, thanks to fatwallet.com and a friend, I see that Sprint has some pretty good plans. I could get 500 minutes, unlimited text and web/data access for 30.00 dollars, or 1250 minutes for 49.99. Plus their weeknights start at 7pm, which is when I do a lot more of my calling.

The other thing is that I could get the instinct, which would be the next best thing to an I Phone.

Now, if I can't get out of my plan without an ETF, it would be 200 dollars(I tried claiming adverse affect due to the rise of text messages, but since I have unlimited text, it was a no go.) Is that worth it?

Now, the other thing I do have to say about T Mobile is that I haven't had nothing but a good experience with them. They have always replaced my phones when they don't work, I find their customer service people to be polite and friendly, and my service has rarely been an issue. Obviously my mileage my vary, but how do people find Sprint to be?

TDLR-Currently paying 50 dollars for 500 min plus unlimited texts with T Mobile. Should I pay an ETF of 200 and switch to sprint where I could save 20 dollars a month plus be able to get the instinct?

grungebox

Well, obviously this only works out if you keep your new plan for at least 10 months ($20/mo * 10 months = $200). And does that include the cost of the phone?

Raggaholic

If you can get in the SERO plan with Sprint (the 30.00 you describe), there is no better cell phone plan out there. What you need to find out is if Sprint has decent coverage where you live. They have virtually none where I am, so I had to go with AT&T. Otherwise, I'd still be with them.

urahonky

I have the SERO plan and it's amazing. You should really get on that. :P

Gonmun

I'll be perfectly honest with you because I have done customer service for Sprint cell phones. Their policy on replacing phones is not stellar. Unless you have their equipment replacement insurance that you pay $5/month for you are pretty much screwed unless you get someone who's pretty understanding at a store to replace a phone for you. Nine times out of ten if that happens it's with a refurbished one at that. I've had people call me from a store complaining that the store wouldn't do anything to replace their phone even if it seemed to be a problem with the phone by the looks of it and even the supervisors in customer service can't do anything to replace one.

Working for them was the worst 2 years of my life when I look back at it. *shudders* Worst company to work for.

noir_blood

Yea, that's one of the things that I'm debating, because you really do hear so many bad stories about sprint service. I really would like the Instict though, and that would be 129(2 year contract though)

And yes, the sero is exactly the plan I found through fatwallet. What's the best way to check coverage in my city(Dallas/plano)

dlinfiniti

if you want sero get on it quick, rumor has it its dead or soon to be

Gonmun

noir_blood wrote: »

Yea, that's one of the things that I'm debating, because you really do hear so many bad stories about sprint service. I really would like the Instict though, and that would be 129(2 year contract though)

And yes, the sero is exactly the plan I found through fatwallet. What's the best way to check coverage in my city(Dallas/plano)

They have a coverage link right on the top nav bar on their website. It lets you enter in your address and should let you know whether you are in coverage or not.

grungebox

Sprint coverage is fine in the suburban wasteland that is Plano (I spent 13 years there, so I can insult it). You'll have no problems, I would think, assuming you're in central/west Plano. I have no idea about Sprint's coverage/quality way out east near PESH, for example.

EDIT: Used Gonmun's suggestion and looked at Plano. Like I thought, coverage is great. Makes sense; Nortel Networks did tons of work helping Sprint set up their network 10-15 years ago or whatever.

Mai-Kero

Holy shit the Sprint plan is amazing. I pay $48 a month with Verizon for 500 minutes, 500 texts, and no data. I'm going to check into the loophole to get out of your contract that Consumerist just had a few days ago.

i n c u b u s

Yea I pretty much have the same dilema you do. I was in my folk's family plan until they refused to activate web services so I switched to Helio and got myself the ocean. Now they want me back on the plan to actually use the phone thats active but not in use and I'm considering it. I'd want the instinct too but I get and amazing deal with Helio. I pretty much get the employee half off discount because I used to work for a company that sells them but have been since laid off (they just havent noticed so Im still getting the discount ). Anyway I hear theres a new Ocean coming out soon so I'm not sure if I want to wait for that or just come back to the family plan and get the instinct.

Elrosst

I've got 1000 anytime, unlimited nights/weekend, 1000 text and blackberry data/email for 70.00. They had an online offer not too long ago for 1000 minutes anytime, free nights and weekends for 40.00, which i got in on. You might try mentioning that you meant to sign up for it, but don't see it offered anymore? Worth a shot anyway, if you really want to stay with Tmo...