T-Mobile employees pushing Android devices at all costs

[Guatiao]

So, last Saturday I did what I thought I would not dare to do: I got an Android device (Samsung Galaxy S2), which is a very good device so far. But I write this post with disgust, not because of leaving BlackBerry (for now), but for the way T-Mo employees just don't seem to care, or are trained/told NOT to, about the new BlackBerry devices.

I was offered a $50 rebate on the SGS2, bringing the price to $150. The 9900 was still priced at $300, after repeated visits and calls asking for any kind of available discount of any form (rebate, long-time good standing customer, etc.), to no avail. So, I decided to use my upgrade in a good, top-of-the-line device.

When I was filling out the rebate form, guess what? The 9900 was listed among the devices that apply for the $50 rebate. Plus the RIM $100 rebate for my 9700(assuming i get the full rebate amount) would've brought the price to $150. No employee at the store of by phone never told me about this. On top of that, there is a $50 restocking fee I would have to pay if I return or exchange the Galaxy for another model.

So, I'm pleased with the Galaxy, p*ssed off at the T-Mo employees that never gave me full information about this rebate, and still wanting the 9900...

I am still under the 14-day remorse period... opinions?

[watbetch]

With popularity going down for BB devices I can't blame them.

Do you really want the 9900 that bad? Have you played with one enough to know for sure that this is the phone I want vs the GS2? I have the GS2 and I would never trade it in on a 9900 although I want one WITH my GS2.

[doxa sub750T]

If I am not mistaken, $299.99 is for 9900 after that $50 MIR. So I don't think that they gave you wrong information.

But I do agree with you that TMO tends to push Androids more than BB. Only a few times, when I would run into someone who is knowledgeable and even knows about this CB forum then!

I just got my wife a new HTC Radar 4G to use with WiFI daily and as a weekend phone. The Samsung is just a tad big for her. Though her 9780 still is her main day to day buddy to staying in touch with the whole family :-)

Enjoy your new Android.

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[Guatiao]

Originally Posted by watbetch

With popularity going down for BB devices I can't blame them.

Do you really want the 9900 that bad? Have you played with one enough to know for sure that this is the phone I want vs the GS2? I have the GS2 and I would never trade it in on a 9900 although I want one WITH my GS2.

Maybe I have not given me enough time to be able to make a better appraisal of what is good and what is not good in an Android device. I know my 9700 did what I needed from a smartphone, so I am sure the 9900 would do equally well.

The SGS2 is certainly an awesome, fast, complete device that surely is better than any present BB in specs or performance. But, my rant was meant more towards the employees, or the whole company for that matter, that tend to make you buy what they think is best for them, not the customer, mainly price-wise. I did get a great device at a great price, but for what I wanted and needed, I feel I was not given the best choice. And I understand it. It just does not make me, and possibly many others, a fully satisfied customer.

[Guatiao]

Originally Posted by doxa sub750T

If I am not mistaken, $299.99 is for 9900 after that $50 MIR. So I don't think that they gave you wrong information.

I double checked the priced on their Puerto Rico website, and it's $299.99 plus tax before the rebate.

To make things sweeter, the SGS2 is now priced at $50 after rebate for this Black Friday weekend.

[jlarkins08]

Well I don't think you should put this post toward all t-mobile employees.. Cause I happen to be one of them... And I asked always what the customers needs are and if I see them with a blackberry
currently I always show them the newest bb's on our line up.. Then if they're needs are different (normally they are) I show them the android latest and greatest.. But I always ask what they are looking for first before I put them in a device I think would be best!

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[Guatiao]

I am sorry for generalizing. Buy my recent experience regretably gave me the strong impression that, at least where I live, the new BBs are not a selling option compared to Android devices.

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[doxa sub750T]

Originally Posted by Guatiao

I double checked the priced on their Puerto Rico website, and it's $299.99 plus tax before the rebate.

To make things sweeter, the SGS2 is now priced at $50 after rebate for this Black Friday weekend.

Well, I have no idea you were talking about Puerto Rico TMO. I only see what US TMO website indicates.

But the price on SGII after a rebate for $50 surely will make it hard to resist for anyone!!!

[watbetch]

Isn't that with a "value" plan? Not a good deal because they inflate the price of the phone and you make payments for the rest.

[raino]

It's my belief that TMO now sees BlackBerries as a niche product, so they think that the (small base of) customers who really wants them will be willing to pay higher. If they don't sell, it's not like TMO is basing its survival on selling BBs. Therefore they price the SGS2 $70 lower than the 9900, because it currently appeals to a wider customer base.

Originally Posted by watbetch

Not a good deal because they inflate the price of the phone and you make payments for the rest.

I believe they're trying to adopt the "make handsets expensive, keep data (relatively) cheap" model. This also means that over the duration of the contract, you'll actually be paying less over 2 years compared to VZN and AT&T. This approach works well in Europe, but has a major flaw in the US: different GSM frequencies.

[Guatiao]

Thanks to all for your replies! I went today to the same T-Mo store where I got my SGS2 last Saturday, and asked about how possible it was to get a price adjustment, seeing that the phone was now $50 (until today) and I was still under the 14-day remorse period.

I guess the gods smiled upon me, as I got back the price difference in cash! And the employee that helped me out today was very very helpful with some 4G signal issues also.

So, I guess it's 2 years of Android! Until BBX arrives!

[raino]

Good for you! Smart on part of TMO to realize that it's less of a hassle for them to just pay you the difference, instead of having you cancel within the 14-day period and then start all over. Enjoy your SGS2, I've heard a lot of great things about it.

[Guatiao]

Thanks! My feelings exactly!

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[srl155]

I'm using the HTC sensation 4g now. As soon as RIM releases a comparable BB device, I will go back in a heartbeat. Email on Android sux bigtime. The BB email interface was so much nicer and easier to use and so customizeable. I had BB withdrawals for a long time and almost took the HTC back to the store. I'm gonna wait for BBX. By the time my contract runs out BBX should be out. I hope it's worth the wait.

[Guatiao]

My feelings exactly. My first and only smartphone so far had been BBs, and I'm confident BBX will make future BBs as good or better as any iOs or Android device. I will surely get one!

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