[precision80]

I dont understand how tmobile upgrade pricing works. From what i have seen so far people are getting the new 8820 for 249-50 rebate. Existing cust would be 249 with 2 yr or 449 no ext. what benefit is tmobile giving me as an existing customer?? None?

[JSanders]

None, right. I went all over that with them when the 8800 came out. The are using it to attract the new subscriber line.

They are losing 2 subscriber lines from me over the 8800 non-upgrade debacle.

[phungy]

They are also going to lose me if I can't get the 8320 at a good deal :p

[precision80]

yeah, im ready to jump ship after 6 years, i think the last UG i got was the razr. they really dont care, i have asked for an explanation before and the reps really cant give me one. currently using the att 8300 but having some network problems with it. I read att is coming out wth new plans soon so hopefully ill be able to get a good deal over there.

[BallHawk3]

Your an existing customer, you upgrade re-sign and they'll subsidize the cost of the phone, giving you new customer pricing.

Sounds good and fair to me.

For those who have a problem with the price, you can always call and state that. They'll transfer you to a department that will give you a better pricing. That's what happened the last time I upgraded which was, well a long time now that I think about it ( Aug 2005)

[precision80]

they are giving new customers a bigger subsidy than existing customers, doesnt sound so fair to me.

[JSanders]

TMo never learned the marketing principle that it is cheaper to keep your current customers than it costs to get a new one.

(or maybe they know it all too well?)

[flar]

Whenever I've upgraded (on the phone with customer service) it has always been for the same price as a new customer. If the phone wasn't just released then I can usually whine a bit and they will transfer me to another department that typically offers me the after-rebate price with no need to mail in a rebate. While the end price may not be cheaper than a new customer, the "not having to deal with a rebate" is worth a pretty penny to me. In either case, I've never gotten a worse price than new customers pay...

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by flar

Whenever I've upgraded (on the phone with customer service) it has always been for the same price as a new customer. If the phone wasn't just released then I can usually whine a bit and they will transfer me to another department that typically offers me the after-rebate price with no need to mail in a rebate. While the end price may not be cheaper than a new customer, the "not having to deal with a rebate" is worth a pretty penny to me. In either case, I've never gotten a worse price than new customers pay...

I would be interested to know your experience if you try to upgrade to this 8320, then.

[flar]

Originally Posted by JSanders

I would be interested to know your experience if you try to upgrade to this 8320, then.

I called around lunchtime CA time on 9/20 and the agent told me the phone was listed as a future release, but after he double checked he told me that they were already released for upgrades and he could send me one billed to my account for $299 with a $50 rebate. My last upgrade (to the Pearl) was over 11 months ago with only a 1 year contract extension and I've been a T-Mobile customer for over 4 years now.

I didn't take the offer as I want to see/hold one first and I'm tentatively planning to call back and see if I can get the $249 without rebate offer that I've gotten in the past.

Also, I know I'd enjoy the larger screen and QWERTY keyboard, but I'm still debating whether another phone with the same old marginal web browser is worth my investment...

[BallHawk3]

thats strange. The upgrade price is ALWAYS the same as a new customer pricing.

Of course unless your NOT going to a coorporate store and an authorized dealer who normally will knock down the price on new acts but can't for upgrades cause they don't get paid as much.

[JSanders]

Originally Posted by BallHawk3

thats strange. The upgrade price is ALWAYS the same as a new customer pricing.

Spend sometime reading these 8320 threads (there are several, but a couple main threads) and you will see that is not the case. I can speak from my own experience especially.

[BallHawk3]

Originally Posted by JSanders

Spend sometime reading these 8320 threads (there are several, but a couple main threads) and you will see that is not the case. I can speak from my own experience especially.

well seeing how it hasn't really been officially released until the 24th.

I'll see. It's ALWAYS been the same for me. If i'm eligiable, the price is the same as a new customer.

[vinmontRD]

Originally Posted by BallHawk3

well seeing how it hasn't really been officially released until the 24th.

I'll see. It's ALWAYS been the same for me. If i'm eligiable, the price is the same as a new customer.

I've been a TMo customer since before they called themselves T-Mobile...and the price I've been offered for upgrades -- once I'm out of contract -- has always been the same as for customers ordering a new line. HOWEVER...I've read numerous accounts of people throwing a hissy fit and being transferred to the Customer Retention department, which apparently is empowered to make more of a judgment call - perhaps based on your account history - and potentially offer a better price.

[tiger123sw]

Me too .. customer since 1997 OmniPoint then. I spoke to a CSR a few weeks ago he told me about the 8320 coming out on the 24th I told him it should be free to 10 yr + customers! the CSR said he would give me a "super deal" .. and was going to call me on the 24th ... I am not holding my breath

[Radio Flyer]

I've been with TMO for about 4 years now, and I'm 17 months into a 2 year contract. Apparently that's not enough to get an upgrade (must be 11 months into a 1 year or 22 months into a 2 year contract). CS Rep transferred me to the Customer Loyalty and Retention group yesterday (that's what they called it). They could only offer me the $399 "deal" and even he agreed that it's "silly" (his word) to upgrade for 2 years for $50 savings.

He told me that "maybe" in a couple of weeks they'll be able to offer better deals once the initial rush passes...

[GLOCKshooter]

Bruce Springsteen, before he turned into a raving left winger, wrote:

"You want it...you take it...you pay the price!"

I rolled into the store yesterday, peeled off four bills plus change, and walked out with the phone I wanted before it was officially released. I didn't have to abuse any poor salesmonkey or debase myself whining and snivelling to some manager or customer service rep.

JMO. YMMV. I guess it is really all what your priorities are.

[kd78]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8320/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Yeah I too dropped over 4 bills but I wasn't as happy as you since I only got it 2 days before the official release and the price is totally ridiculous.

[BallHawk3]

well since its released, I went and checked. Upgrade price for me is the same as a new customer pricing (I qualify for maxium discounts cause I haven't upgraded in over 2 years) which is $299.99 w/ 2 year extension and a $50 mail in rebate (net $249.99).

Called them today and asked if I can get it lower, nope they said. Looks like it didn't work for me this time. I'll prob try again.

But...anyone know a place to upgrade that will give me a better deal? I looked at wirefly and letstalk, doesn't look like they do upgrades.

[snoballz]

Originally Posted by tiger123sw

Me too .. customer since 1997 OmniPoint then. I spoke to a CSR a few weeks ago he told me about the 8320 coming out on the 24th I told him it should be free to 10 yr + customers! the CSR said he would give me a "super deal" .. and was going to call me on the 24th ... I am not holding my breath

Did you get the call?

I've been with T-Mo for just as long with Voicestream. In fact I just swapped out my Voicestream SIM card a month ago.

Also, I haven't been under a contract since my initial contract with Voicestream expired. I've always bought unlocked phones via external sources.

In any event, I decided to go with the T-Mo issued 8320. The CSR said I'm entitled to full discounts. Since I do not want to lock myself in for too long, I'll probably go with the 1-year contract at $349.99 minus $50.00 rebate, netting $299.99.