this is all terribly funny, i must have spoken to one of a handful of knowledgible reps out there...i went from a PDA clamshell to the 8703e...walked in to the store and said "i want a blackberry, make it as cheap as possible" (i was not qualified for more than $75 in discounts at the time)....i knew i wanted the 8703.

my old phone was mangled, but the only way for me to get the BB was to activate a 2nd line...which under the family plan is free...so 2 yr family plan, BB out the door for $300ish, with another $100 in mail-in rebates, activation waived, and my old mangled phone replaced for free and activated on the new #, my old # put on the BB. before i walked out the data plan was setup, phone syncd on the system, and email accounts setup. it actually was the first great experience i have had with sprint in the 7 yrs ive been a customer.