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.
Well I’m a Verizon person but I have to admit Sprint is smart in trying to retain existing customers and lure in new customers and you do so by things like this. Verizon has some nice perks too.
The economy is getting worse and hard earned money is getting tight. It will be the company’s that return to old fashioned good treatment that will survive and that doesn’t cost much.
I’ve been a Sprint customer since 19-bloody-97. But I got nothing on this. Though when I log-in to my “MySprint” account, all I see is a little line that says “Show me my Loyalty Rewards.” So am I in?
@DK: I think that means you are in. Mine says that too and I got the card in the mail.
A potentially nice move that’s way too late in my case.
I quit Sprint after having been with them for over 10 years (damn I’m a geezer) and encountering abysmal service again and again.
Sorry Mr. Hesse – karma’s a bitch.
What you need at Sprint is a 12 Step program where you try and make amends to previous customers.
Here’s a tip – put all of these things in writing, offer this program to former customers who left Sprint – and pay their ETFs from other carriers.
Then, maybe, I’ll look at Sprint again.
1. Ive been part of this Sprint Premier thing since like, month 3. So sometime last year, and didnt think anything of it because none of the perk are worth anything other then the UPGRADE.
2. Ive been able to upgrade anytime with new customer price even before 1 year, so again, doesnt apply to me.
3. Its good that Sprint is doing this, but not for 10 year customers, it should be people who are less then $69.99 are signed up for it on a resigning of a contract after the first 1 year or 2 year, so they become loyal to STAY with Sprint. I know I used to switch carriers each year. When my Sprint is up, I may if they keep dropping the wiMAX balls.
@DonLouie-the-Village-Idiot who said: “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”
Why do you, the Sprint-soaked pantyboy, have to resort to lies to make a false-point? Verizon has intervals at both 1 and 2 years. Sprint only gets “love” where you freaks of nature congregate en masse. Just because they’re not allowed to plague this site doesn’t mean Sprint isn’t treated fairly.
In such a tense economic climate, it’s nice to see a company making amends, rather than alienating, its customer base.
Nice. To bad VZW has offered pretty much all this, and in some cases more, for a few years now. But hey why mention facts when so much easier to take a cheap dig.
The only thing on that list VZW (I have no idea what AT&T offers) does not offer is free ringtones and a mailer for price plan. Though you can always call. And VZW does offer bonus mins (you dont even have to be a VIP) on a monthly basis ranging from 50-150. VIPs do get 500 amnesty mins once a year. And mailers for renewels often contain free month of service or 100 bonus mins for length of new contract.
And VIP customer will (almost) always get either a mailer or a e-mail once they become a VIP customer initially. So nothing secret. And you can always call and ask.
You know what Id like to see for Loyalty Plans
1. Plans that are specific to ONLY Loyal Customers (people sticking with the company for another 1-2 year contract, or month to month after 5 years).
2. Upgrades 1 year, that are separate from plans. I upgrade my phone at least every year, and resign a 2 year contract for what, the plan or the phone?
3. Maybe 5-10% off your plan each year that you stick with the company up to 25% off.
Im only suggesting some things. And this is about Sprint, not about Verizon – and while Verizon might have had something similar to this, they dont anymore with their now $50 for 2 year upgrade. Why not port your number out to Virgin Mobile, and then resign a new contract and get a better price then upgrade on Verizon is thats the case…
And yes THERE ARE FAN BOYS EVERYWHERE DEAL WITH IT
@RogerA who said: “You know what Id like to see for Loyalty Plans”
No, and no one gives a shit either. When you’re allowed to sit at the adult’s table where well-considered opinions are expressed, we’ll let you know.
I can tell you as a wireless consultant, it took me almost TWO HOURS for them to honor this Sprint Premier for one of my customers and they didnt know how to do it properly so ended up comping the account the handset price…
@ seriously, you should’ve taken this gripe to the vzw article about the NE2 and Test Drive changes. It’s rare that a feel good story comes by Sprint on this site. I did mention the VIP program they have and if the troll would’ve read and comprehended my whole post that she quoted it would’ve been apparent that on slight was intended
@seriously? t-mobile is no. 1 in customer svc again fyi. J.D. Powers will announce it..later this month i think
This should be added to advertising, print and tv, immediately and in color
Truth’s a bitch, Louie. Always was. Always will be.
@T-Dot: well currently JD Power and Associates have Verizon at #1 in Customer Service and Network. But industry wide, they’re recognized for Cust Service and Network. Everyone can’t be pleased all the time, and trust me, I’ve heard some horror stories. But hey, listen, I’m glad Sprint is doing something to help us consumers out. Actually, when any company comes out with something good for cust, I like it! Lol. But hey, don’t hang on Sprints’ balls and sing their praises while bashing Verizon and say — “In all seriousness, though, this is pretty good, especially considering Verizon’s recent move towards further restriction of customer retention perks.” That’s just an ignorant suggestion and statement in general. Verizon still leads the industry with their Cust Service, and still will. Even with the “restrictions”, they’re still going th extra mile.
Gotta chime in, what lie was told and by whom and what truth was delivered because if you were refering to Mr. Don Louie you both said the same thing except he said it first
^You’re talkin’ to yourself _again_, bitchboy.
No, he was talking to whoever is calling me a liar and the person who purports themself as a the “truth”. Is it a coincidence that no lies by omission are few and far between now
^Is this what they call a sock-puppet talking to themself?
Idiot.
Another insult that skips over the fact that Vince and I called you on your post to see what lie was told. No response on that, if you were a man I would call you a coward like are quick to throw out but girls have the right to be sacred
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/02/03/sprint-unveils-new-custmer-relations-plan/comment-page-2/#comment-389374
‘Nuf said.
Idiot.
That to your post in this thread which quotes me, says what I said in a different manner and calls me a liar, right nuff said
^Liar!
Your misrepresention [Read: Lie] of Verizon’s NE1/NE2 plan is simply beyond you to defend, coward.
Liar!
Sprint’s Premier Reward needs to be advertised, I’ll be in the Test Drive and NE2 article talking about it thier instead of trolling and diverting this one
^… And your legion of fan(bois) will be moist with anticipation for you there, I’m sure.
Thanks for your end to trolling here. But, what about the _other_ gigabits of content you infect?
Cowardly Idiot.