Sprint unveils new customer relations plan
We, along with just about everyone else out there, have spent our fair share of time bashing Sprint. Despite its numerous flaws, however, the beleaguered carrier has been taking a stab at making amends as of late. The most recent addition to their stable of appeasement tools is the Sprint Premier program. Designed to reward loyal customers, the program provides the following benefits:
- Early Upgrades: After only one year customers can receive our new customer price on a new handset. That’s almost a year sooner than other customers. For accounts sharing minutes, the early upgrade applies to the primary line. A new two-year agreement is required.
- “Just Because” Perks: Spontaneous special offers for trips, tickets to shows and sporting events — just to say thanks.
- Anniversary Rewards: Customers celebrate their annual Sprint anniversary with a special gift such as free ring tones or free minutes.
- First to Know/First to Buy: Longstanding customers get an exclusive first peek at new products and services such as the upcoming Palm Pre™, and then are among the first with opportunities to purchase when they become available.
- Accessory Discounts: A once-a-year discount on accessories at participating Sprint stores.
- Courtesy Plan Check: For customers who haven’t changed their plan in six months, Sprint will notify them for a “Plan Check” to make sure they are getting the most value out of their device.
Aw…”Just Because” perks? How sweet. In all seriousness, though, this is pretty good, especially considering Verizon’s recent move towards further restriction of customer retention perks. To qualify for Sprint Premier, a customer must either have been with the carrier for a mind numbing 10 years, or have an average individual plan revenue of $69.99 or family plan revenue of $99.99 for three consecutive months. Easy as pie. In such a tense economic climate, it’s nice to see a company making amends, rather than alienating, its customer base.
First….Thanks Sprint, guess I’ll be getting that Palm Pre earlier than I thought.
My buddy and I have kicked around many of these ideas with our att reps. Guess it didn’t make it that far up the chain. Too bad.
wonder what sprint stock is at right now….
This is really good incentive to get Sprint now. I like this !
Since Sprint is bleeding customers, this type of program that encourages existing customers to hang around is a must.
If you [bleep]holes at Sprint had done this three months ago I would have stayed with you instead of jumping to AT&T for my Touch Pro. I tried for two weeks to get someone to explain to me why you would make it cheaper for me to switch carriers than to stay with you, and all I could get was ‘IT’S POLICY’. Too late now.
As a hater of all things Sprint, even i think their starting to move in the right direction.
this plus the unlimited boost offer is starting to look attractive.
Those are basically identical to the Verizon early upgrade options and VIP program that has been in place for at least a couple years now.
I’m sticking with Sprint for awhile. Going to ride this thing out. They have never messed anything up too bad for me. The Pre is going to keep up the good fight for them
i have to admit the csr reps ive been dealing with the past year or so have been a welcome change i got alot of perks long before this so sprints cool with me
I have been with Sprint for 7 years….. 3 more to go b/c my 3 line plan is only $75 with unlimited data!!!
Now all I need is news when the Pre is actually coming out!!!
Sprint Premier
Call and ask us what it means and we’ll cut yo shit off
I have been with sprint since 2003…I got this in the mail today. winter09 srint premier connection
I would enjoy to upgrade my 8830 to the new niagra before others. That explains why I got an extra 100 min on my plan.
same here… the worst problem i ever had with them was trying to give them money so they would send me a phone. my bills are always fine… they’ve ignored overages in my texts, and call me once in a while to say hi. plus i’ve been using my phone as modem without PAM or data charges =)
Those requirements aren’t set in stone. Been there 8 years. But have a MRC of about 185 for my lines. This came out about 5 months back. And far from a last ditch “appeasement effort”. More closely akin to the old “white glove” perks.
Say what you will but with verizon going down in NE2 credits this is a sweet CDMA deal. And instead of $150 off at 2 yrs you get new customer pricing – which is substantially better (Best Buy here I come).
Since it rolled out I have gotten a welcome kit, discount coupons for accessories, discounts on NFL merchandise. They offer more but that is all I have taken advantage of so far.
A new device every 12 months is the perfect prescription for a phone whore like myself. That full retail/near retail device price was killing me as I average 5 devices a year amongst all my lines. Only covers primary phone of family plan but will save me prob 250 extra dollars a year. Upgrade eligible in May now. Sweet.
so i just called sprint to ask about this and was told that they INVITE customers to join it (he called it white glove), and that they would only invite a customer whos been with them for 8-10 years. there was no way for me to get in despite having been paying around $100/month since 2005 for just 1 line of service. after i told him i was out of contract and have been for 6+ months he offered a $50 credit to my bill to renew my contract! hah what a joke. i said thats pretty pathetic at which point he hung up. better customer service? i think not.
This has been a long time coming, I’ve been one since 7/08. There have been flyers in store talking about this since 9/08. With thier awesome network, inexpensive and all inclusive plans and hot phones and this upgrade plan they need to hit the airwaves
Pretty sweet move… I’m itching to put my iphone 3g on ebay if the PRE is that awesome
I heard about this last year july. I just never paid attention to it. I have 2 lines one unlimited everything and another basic for my dad. My dad gets all the perks that I can’t use.
^
My primary line is a BB. I’m not changing that. I have a second line for myself that I toy with. Now it is a Touch Diamond. Customer care gave me no grief about letting a secondary line receive the perks instead. Give it a shot. My experience eas quite smooth. Doesn’t hurt to ask.
Seriously people? Common! People are giving Sprint props and bashing Verizon (even the writer of this piece does), why? It’s almost exactly what Verizon has done for over 3 years. Except you get 25% off of accessories 24/7, you get $30-$50 off the New Customer Price when upgrading,primary numbers get new customer pricing after 12 months for an upgrade, you get free phone book transfers, you have a technician in each and every store, and every customer, no matter what tier, gets some type of heads up if they’re going over their minutes. Common, if peoplen (including every writer here at The Boy Genius Report), weren’t so quick to jump on the “Hate Verizon Bandwagon”, then they’d see why they’re rated #1 in Cust Service and have the lowest churn in the industry
I in no way “hate” VZW. My corporate device is on Verizon. I’m just glad we have choices. And prices better than those Canadians. THAT would suck.
Wow sprint does something good and all you verizon people have to bash them? Verizon is goin down the tubes leave sprint be.
Joe, that sucks what you went thru, suggest you talk to account services. @seriously, vzw has VIP but only savvy customers know about it and NE2 is only after 2 years. This site give support to vzw and t mo, just not as much as att, Sprint on the other hand gets no love here