"Grandfathered" even after renewing a contract?

poopskooper · EVDO User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 79

Yesterday, after I got through talking with a Sprint rep over the phone about another matter pertaining to one of my phone lines, he mentioned that I was eligible for an upgrade on my data card. I've had the data service over two years and am no longer under contract.

I told him I didn't want to upgrade because I would have to establish a new two-year contract and I didn't want to do that because I understood that I was grandfathered in to the so-called "unlimited" bandwidth which lends itself to less scrutiny for going over the 5 GB limit.

He insisted that I would not 'lose' the "unlimited" designation and that I was in fact grandfathered even if I signed up for a new two-year contract. I told him that just didn't sound right and I personally thought he was mistaken. He told me that he was "sure" but would check with his supervisor to confirm (why would he have to talk to a supervisor if he was so sure?). He left me on hold for a minute or two and then came back and told me "yes, you are grandfathered forever" and you will always have an "unlimited" designation on your account no matter how many times you renew your contract."

I just told him that I'd think about it. I then got back on the phone so I could experiment in seeing what another rep would tell me pertaining to this. When talking to the second rep, she said the exact same thing ...that I'd be grandfathered in "for life" as long as I kept continuous service no matter how many times I renewed my contract.

Does this sound correct? According to what I've read on this forum, that is NOT correct and if I were to sign a new contract, I'd lose the "unlimited" designation and be treated just like a brand new customer subject to the strict 5 GB cap.

Has anybody who is supposedly grandfathered renewed their contract and upgraded their device and actually kept their "unlimited" designation?

Thanks.

poopskooper · EVDO User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 79

oops, I guess I should have posted this in the other forum that has to do with "Sprint Terms of Service Discussion." Sorry, moderator please move.

Maureen · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 4:13 pm Post subject:

I would proceed with caution. We have heard from many people who were told the same thing, went ahead and upgraded, and then ended up on the new terms of service with the 5GB limit anyway. The only way to guarantee that you keep your status is to never touch your contract - if you need a new device, buy one outright (new, used, refurbished - your choice) and just do an ESN swap.

poopskooper · EVDO User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 79

Thanks for the comments, Maureen.

Yes, it would definitely be safer not to fool with changing contracts no matter what a Sprint rep says. However, it is tempting to save a few hundred dollars to buy a new card from Sprint.

So it's a situation where some are able to keep the "unlimited" designation on their account and some not? ...depending on who at Sprint is writing the order?

Maureen · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

Right - there are some (rare) cases where sprint reps (higher up in the ranks) can successfully do a true upgrade and still keep you on your unlimited status, but the bad stories ("they said I'd still be unlimited, but now I'm not!!") far outnumber the good!

If you want to save some money, go for a used or refurbished card. 3Gstore has some certified refurbished modems (http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=112&zenid=4th7h1c3ce2dt4lgni311n0qi4) or you can always check Ebay/Craigslist --- just make sure if you buy from Ebay/Craiglist that you are getting a card with a "clean" ESN (if you buy a card that was stolen, or whose previous owner still has a balance on their account, you won't be able to activate it).

poopskooper · EVDO User Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 79

Thank you for the unbiased information, Maureen.

ebiz · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:57 pm Post subject:

The excerpt from the last paragraph of the
Terms and Conditions say it all. Even if the CS reps put it in writing, their promises would not supersede the T&Cs.

"...The Agreement and the documents it incorporates make up the entire agreement between us and replaces all prior written or spoken agreements - you can't rely on any contradictory documents or statements by sales or service representatives..."
_________________
Win7HP64 & U760

cherokee · EVDO User Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 63

I am one of the ones that upgraded and kept my unlimited. I got the mifi when it came out and I am still unlimited but let me tell you I was worried the whole time.
_________________
Peace

Jeff

Jayson · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

in the past when I upgraded to a new device I was promised that I would remain on the granfathered uncapped account. When I checked my online account it showed that it was changed and now had a 5gb cap. after calling and rasing cain it was fixed and put back to the uncapped account. so if you are worried just make sure you have proper documentation and stick to your guns if anything changes!!

isamu · EVDO User Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Posts: 85

Hello. I need some help. I will be getting a new laptop next week and will need to upgrade to a new card because the laptop won't have a pcmcia slot, only an express slot. Which express card is the best and do you sell them?

Ill also be needing an external booster antenna...which is the best one for the card express card you recommend? I;ll be using it indoors, inside a building lobby. Right now, I am only getting like 1 or 2 bars of signal strength, so I want something that'll dramatically boost it. I also noticed the ones you have come with extremely long cable lengths. Can I request a shorter one like say 4ft?

Finally, will I need to contact Sprint before I can use a new card?

vpnavy · EVDO Junkie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 195

FWIW - I've been with Verizon for a bunch of years. I to was offered a free upgrade without affecting my unlimited feature. I turned it down and went on EBay and purchased a backup card just in case my card dies. The "backup" ended up only costing $54.00 and it was new. Just a thought...

nickjacket · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:32 am Post subject:

Is this right?

I can let my two year uncapped contract run out in spring '010 and just go month-to-month at the same $61 bucks?

Michael · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

firefighter_2000 · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject: Same thing

I was told by my verizon rep, that no matter what I did, anytime I did a hardware upgrade or change that it was mandatory that I upgrade my plan. I currently have the TRUE unlimited plan, and dont want to upgrade because I dont want to loose that. How can I be sure that nothing changes? Someone said to buy my own card or mifi, or whatever and just do an ESN swap. The verizon rep told me that it didnt matter. If I changed from the original device, it was mandatory that I change plans. Anyone help me here? Maybe a law I can throw out there to help me?
Thanks
Craig

Torrey · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: Same thing