Haggling w/ T-Mobile

[geno]

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this since I'm wondering how flexible they'll be if I try to make this work. Long story short, I have a family plan w/ 2 lines. My fiance upgraded her phone about a year ago. I have never upgraded through t-mobile. Basically, the length of time since your last upgrade determines the discount you get on a new phone should you decide to upgrade. I want to get two G1's for us. I'll get it for $150 AR given my (lack of) upgrade history. Since she upgraded last year, hers will be $350. F that! If I could get both for $300 total AR, then I'm game. We'll have to wait another 9 months until she falls into the bracket (22 months) for the higher discount.

Has anyone ever negotiated with them successfully? In 9 months, when she qualifies for the higher rebate, we'll be close to the end of our contract. At that point, I might be tempted to switch to AT&T and get two iPhones. I'm thinking this might be leverage for my cause. I've also been with T-Mo for about 10 years (long before the company I was with was bought by T-Mobile)

I'm going to call them either way today and see if they can bend any rules for me. If they can't no big deal. I'm not the kick-and-scream type to get my way. I'm happy with my phone now but I wouldn't mind something more web-browsing friendly.

 

[shortylickens]

I have never haggled with a Cell provider and dont even know if they would do it.
Have been told that in this economy everyone is open to haggling, but I've yet to see such things.
I do know that Walmart has G1's with T-mobile service for slightly under 100 dollars. You could probably just go to them instead of dealing directly with T-mobile.

 

[geno]

I've seen those deals at Walmart / Costco / etc, but I'm pretty sure those are all prices with a new signup, which I would not be doing...

 

[jellysandwichx]

Recession begging.

 

[A5]

Usually if you call and say you're willing to sign a new 2-yr contract, they'll give you the same price as a new customer. All else fails, have them send you to the retentions department and tell them what you want - if nothing else, you'll probably get a discount on your plan .

 

[Flammable]

just threaten to cancel at end of contract...

 

[boomhower]

How have you been with them for 10 years and never upgraded phones?

 

[Quasmo]

Wait for the G2, I say this because I own the G1.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: boomhower
How have you been with them for 10 years and never upgraded phones?

I get my own phone and just swap in my SIM card.

 

[Nik]

TMobile does not haggle with phone upgrades. If you've had no late payments in 6 months and are no longer under contract, you'll get the biggest discount. All discounts and rebates and things offered to existing customers are set in stone and predetermined. Just call them to find out what you qualify for.

Don't ask them to bend rules for you because they won't. You're not special and neither is anyone else so put that "rule bending" nonsense out of your brain right now and simply understand that you're just another customer to them. It'll make the phone call a little easier for all involved.

Just ask them what phones you qualify for, how big your discount is. However, if you get a discount on handset upgrades, they'll make you sign another contract so wait until your contract is expired. Also, once your contract is expired, call them and ask them what they'll do to keep you as a customer because you're considering switching to AT&T.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: Nik
TMobile does not haggle with phone upgrades. If you've had no late payments in 6 months and are no longer under contract, you'll get the biggest discount. All discounts and rebates and things offered to existing customers are set in stone and predetermined. Just call them to find out what you qualify for.

Don't ask them to bend rules for you because they won't. You're not special and neither is anyone else so put that "rule bending" nonsense out of your brain right now and simply understand that you're just another customer to them. It'll make the phone call a little easier for all involved.

Just ask them what phones you qualify for, how big your discount is. However, if you get a discount on handset upgrades, they'll make you sign another contract so wait until your contract is expired. Also, once your contract is expired, call them and ask them what they'll do to keep you as a customer because you're considering switching to AT&T.

This...

 

[PhoKingGuy]

you can try asking for the customer loyalty department, I was able to get another 50 bucks off my curve 8900 when it first came out. They won't budge very much though.