Dear Sprint,
I have been in love with you for more than 10 years now. On our tenth anniversary you gave me a great gift and made me a Sprint Premier customer. Oh how I looked forward to upgrading my Palm Pre to the new hotness that HP is sure to bring. However, HP has already put the Palm Pre 2 in the hands of some customers and you remain silent about it. Video of the Palm Pre 2 on Verizon is circulating around the web, but there is no sign of it coming from you. In the past, you’ve always gotten my the new Palm phones first, but it looks like those days are over. I’m not leaving over a phone though. I like to think that I’m not that shallow. Why am I going? Well it’s complicated…
Do you remember our first date? I remember it like it was yesterday. You offered me a $10/unlimited data plan and I accepted it like a giddy schoolboy. I realize it wasn’t the 3G or even 4G that you are offering today, but it was still the fastest available service at a great price. Over the years, I’ve remained faithful. However, it wasn’t always easy. Whenever, I got a new phone you asked me to pay more for data. I remember when I got the Palm Treo 700P, that $10 wireless plan jumped up to $25. I had bought the phone because I wanted the revolutionary 320×320 screen and the state-of-art 1.3 megapixel camera. However, since it worked on your newer EVDO (3G) network, I was forced to pay more. You denied my request to limit my download speeds to the older CDMA network. Fortunately, I was able to switch to your Sprint Employee Referral Offer SERO plan which offered me get some of that money back. It was enough to keep me loyal despite the smoking-hot iPhone.
When I upgraded to the Palm Pre, you once again forced me to a new phone plan. This time, I had to accept the Simply Everything plan, which took away all the benefits of our long relationship together. My cell phone plan that used to be $30 skyrocketed up to $70. Unfortunately, your network service didn’t change with my new phone, I simply had to pay more for it. I was using just as much data on the Palm Treo 700P because of its Slingbox application.
Even at the $70, you represented some of the best value out there. AT&T and Verizon can’t even come close. I must have recommended you to thousands of people over the years. I wasn’t alone. Companies like BillShrink put up infographics that showed how much cheaper a smartphone is on Sprint. It was a rare consumer win to get the best phone paired with the cheapest price.
However, it is with tears in my eyes that I tell you I have to end our relationship. I’m not leaving you for some hot new phone. I’m leaving you for a hot phone plan. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I’m leaving you for your sister, Virgin Mobile. If it is any consolation, I’ll still be using your network. However, I’ll be sending my checks to Virgin Mobile instead of you.
I didn’t want it to come to this. Virgin Mobile is offering me a $25 a month plan for 300 minutes, unlimited data, and text messages… and no contract. That includes all those pesky taxes. You know I don’t make a lot of phone calls, so this is a great deal for me. Virgin has a middle-of-the-road Android phone in the Samsung Intercept, but it will get the job done. The Intercept will cost me around $250, but the $45 a month difference will save me money in less than 6 months. Perhaps that is why experts are calling this deal “the single best deal in the history of smartphones“.
Sprint, I have tried to work it out with you. When I called your retention line, you offered me a free month if I sign a two-year contract. Surely you can understand how a $70 savings over two years isn’t going to compete with the $1000+ I’ll save with this change. I thought maybe you could put me in your new SERO Premium plan. However, since you forced me from my previous SERO plan to the Simply Everything plan, I am no longer eligible. By being a good customer and upgrading early, I shot myself in the foot with your new SERO plan. It hurts that you’d treat one of your greatest supporters like this. It is unfortunate that despite our long-term relationship, you couldn’t find a way to make it work.
I hope you aren’t too disappointed. Please remember all the good times we shared.
P.S. By the way, Sprint rebates suck.