[ZMc1834]

I had an issue with Sprint removing support for a NASCAR app that I use regularly on my BB, but that issue lead me to the realization of another issue that Sprint has quietly slid past its customers.

Sprint has changed the way that they bill plans to hinder any discounts that might be applied to a lesser amount. Here is an example of what they have changed:

I have an Everything Family Data Plan 1500

Before $10 Smartphone Charge (Last Year)
Plan Cost: $129.99
Employer Discount: 15%
Total Cost: 129.99 - (129.99*0.15) = $110.49 + Tax

After $10 Smartphone Charge
Plan Cost: $129.99
Employer Discount: 15%
Smartphone Charge: $10 per Phone
Total Cost: 129.99 - (129.99*0.15) + (2*10) = $130.49 + Tax

Now here is the part that is shady (IMO)

Changing of the way the charge for the plan and the way the discount is applied
Plan Cost: $110
Employer Discount: 15%
Additional Line Charge: $19.99
Smartphone Charge: $10 per Phone
Total Cost: 110 - (110*0.15) + 19.99 + (2*10) = $133.49 + Tax

So, in the end with this small change they have now worked it out in their favor for me to pay an additional $3 per month.

I know this isn't a huge amount in terms of monthly payment, but if you look at it in terms of over a 2-year contract period, it would be a total of $72, and this isn't even looking at the larger value plans who are losing $4-$5 or more per month.

[ZMc1834]

To add to this, I have read that something might have been mentioned on a monthly statement, which gives the company the loophole that they would need with consumers, but it is still just frustrating.

Also, I hate how companies add things onto billing statements to make changes. I just feel like any change that is going to be made should be separated from the bill and sent separately. They just do this to almost ensure that customers over look it since normally it wouldn't be there on a normal bill.

[cherimoya]

sprint changing discounts again 2/2/12 - SprintUsers.com

sprint users site full of discussions. people this link saying is contract change, may be able 2 leave w/o early term fee. see other discussions on sprint users as well. i dunno who is right about all that. i do know my usage hasnt gone over and my bill is climbing. i live in nyc and the 'fees and surcharges sprint chooses to collect' have climbed till now they are higher than my taxes on my Sprint bills. AND THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING!! yes, i'm shouting. nyc tax rate is over 8%.

[crownr0yal]

I am so angry about this! And it was sent as a message to my account under the guise of making my account "easier to understand." Uh, no. I was just fine the way it was. 2 lines, $129.99. How hard is that to understand? I already pay Sprint too much for crappy data service.

[eve6er69]

The $19.99 for line 2 is new to me. I have always known the 129 plan to include 2 lines.

I have since switched to att but I do pay more but I also get 4G (H+) everywhere I go and I don't know what a dead spot or roaming is anymore. If I upgraded my contract with all 3 lines I'd be paying 200 and then with the 19.99 I'd be at 220 which would put me at where I am on att and that would be kind of a no brainer since I have a blackberry so unlimited data doesn't mean anything to me.

Sent from my BlackBerry Bold 9900 using Tapatalk

[mustangboy88]

Read this on Slick Deals

I got out of my contract with this.

I switched to VZW and got the Galaxy Nexus with the double data promo. Returned that phone after 7 days because it was too big for what I use a phone for. Got the iPhone 4S next. Realized that by the 8th day on VZW that I had used 1.3gb with just the Galaxy Nexus on LTE alone. Then I noticed that my terms had gone from 4gb to 2gb. Contacted VZW CS and was told the double data only applied to 4G phones.

Contacted Sprint later that morning and talked to Account Services and told them that I was considering coming back but had already got rid of the previous phones. Asked if I had to purchase a phone retail or via Craigslist/Ebay. She said no, we would just do a new contract. So I got the iPhone 4S on Sprint and still have my Nexus S 4G as well. I had only traded in our EVO and Style to Best Buy for the buy back program and in the end paid $10 out of pocket for a 32gb Iphone 4S.

Even though it's not the fastest 3G, there is a luxury of not having to monitor your data usage. LTE was blazing fast (22mb down in Phoenix), but for some reason I was using an incredible amount of data for not even doing the things I did on my Nexus S, like Netflix or downloading video podcasts at approx 300mb. Everyday I would look at my account to see where I was at and what I could do on my phone that day. It really sucks when you feel you are limited on the features of a smartphone.

So...all this being said. You may be able to get new phones out of this if you are looking to upgrade. I would consider porting out to VZW with a free phone, wait a week or so. (you have 14 days). Then call Sprint back and work out a deal. Worked for me, although none of this was intentional. I honestly think that if I would of had 4gb with my iPhone I would have stayed with VZW. But honestly Sprint was the best option in the end.

[eve6er69]

Yea when I left I knew I was going to have to use a blackberry if I was going to be held down with a cap. I can say my billing cycle starts on the 8th on att and I have streamed pandora for about 8 hours a day for the past week and haven't even hit 1/2 GB I love that berry's compress data.

Sent from my BlackBerry Bold 9900 using Tapatalk

[mzceetee]

I had an issue with Sprint removing support for a NASCAR app that I use regularly on my BB, but that issue lead me to the realization of another issue that Sprint has quietly slid past its customers.

Sprint has changed the way that they bill plans to hinder any discounts that might be applied to a lesser amount. Here is an example of what they have changed:

I have an Everything Family Data Plan 1500

Before $10 Smartphone Charge (Last Year)
Plan Cost: $129.99
Employer Discount: 15%
Total Cost: 129.99 - (129.99*0.15) = $110.49 + Tax

After $10 Smartphone Charge
Plan Cost: $129.99
Employer Discount: 15%
Smartphone Charge: $10 per Phone
Total Cost: 129.99 - (129.99*0.15) + (2*10) = $130.49 + Tax

Now here is the part that is shady (IMO)

Changing of the way the charge for the plan and the way the discount is applied
Plan Cost: $110
Employer Discount: 15%
Additional Line Charge: $19.99
Smartphone Charge: $10 per Phone
Total Cost: 110 - (110*0.15) + 19.99 + (2*10) = $133.49 + Tax

So, in the end with this small change they have now worked it out in their favor for me to pay an additional $3 per month.

I know this isn't a huge amount in terms of monthly payment, but if you look at it in terms of over a 2-year contract period, it would be a total of $72, and this isn't even looking at the larger value plans who are losing $4-$5 or more per month.

I feel your frustration,I have that plan myself-It was throwing on me without noticed..I am counting the months to finally end my contract-As for sprint they lost a valuable customer ,,with this decison

[eve6er69]

I feel your frustration,I have that plan myself-It was throwing on me without noticed..I am counting the months to finally end my contract-As for sprint they lost a valuable customer ,,with this decison

I got att to pay my etf if your that concerned about leaving.

Sent from my BlackBerry Bold 9900 using Tapatalk

[mzceetee]

I got att to pay my etf if your that concerned about leaving.

Sent from my BlackBerry Bold 9900 using Tapatalk

How did you managed to get att to pay off?

[Mystic205]

Correct me if i am wrong, but at the end of the day you are SAVING $16.50 compared to most folks on a similiar plan.. and you are complaining..?

So, I guess my response is "so what"..?.. is it cheaper on VZ?.. ATT?.. if so, go, but for $3/mo there are other things worth writing about,.

I had an issue with Sprint removing support for a NASCAR app that I use regularly on my BB, but that issue lead me to the realization of another issue that Sprint has quietly slid past its customers.

Sprint has changed the way that they bill plans to hinder any discounts that might be applied to a lesser amount. Here is an example of what they have changed:

I have an Everything Family Data Plan 1500

Before $10 Smartphone Charge (Last Year)
Plan Cost: $129.99
Employer Discount: 15%
Total Cost: 129.99 - (129.99*0.15) = $110.49 + Tax

After $10 Smartphone Charge
Plan Cost: $129.99
Employer Discount: 15%
Smartphone Charge: $10 per Phone
Total Cost: 129.99 - (129.99*0.15) + (2*10) = $130.49 + Tax

Now here is the part that is shady (IMO)

Changing of the way the charge for the plan and the way the discount is applied
Plan Cost: $110
Employer Discount: 15%
Additional Line Charge: $19.99
Smartphone Charge: $10 per Phone
Total Cost: 110 - (110*0.15) + 19.99 + (2*10) = $133.49 + Tax

So, in the end with this small change they have now worked it out in their favor for me to pay an additional $3 per month.

I know this isn't a huge amount in terms of monthly payment, but if you look at it in terms of over a 2-year contract period, it would be a total of $72, and this isn't even looking at the larger value plans who are losing $4-$5 or more per month.

[ZMc1834]

Correct me if i am wrong, but at the end of the day you are SAVING $16.50 compared to most folks on a similiar plan.. and you are complaining..?

So, I guess my response is "so what"..?.. is it cheaper on VZ?.. ATT?.. if so, go, but for $3/mo there are other things worth writing about,.

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you offer something than change it without actually making a full notification about it, there is something shady too it, right?

I can actually write about any damn thing I please. You are the one that doesn't need to read it; if you have a problem with it. If every consumer took your approach about ever increase or change in billing setups, we would all be paying ridiculous amounts for everything since no one would be complaining and at least trying to hold companies accountable for their changes.

$3/mo isn't a huge deal, but it is extra money that they are squeezing out in the end, and my plan is actually on the low end of the discount platform. There are people out there with large plans and heavier discounts that are paying well $5+/mo extra. Sprint has slowly been changing there plans little by little to increase prices. I can give more examples if you want. Discounts are still part of the plan that they agreed too, and they should at least have to honor that agreement until the current contract is up.

I am disappointed in the change and not happy, and I wanted to let others that may be affected by this change know about it because if you don't scour your monthly bill every month, you wouldn't have learned about it.