T Mobile Phone Upgrade Policy

I am totally frustrated by the T-Mobile upgrade policy. I am currently stuck with a T68i (worst reception ever) that I've had for over 1 year, I'm out of contract, and I'd really like to get a Nokia 3650. Amazon is offering a crazy rebate so that you actually get $50 back when you buy the phone, but the rebate is only offered on new service activations. After rebate at T-Mobile's website the 3650 costs $150, but that apparently requires new activation as well.

I called T-Mobile today to see if I could either get the 3650 from them for a reduced price if I signed a new contract, or to see if I could get the Amazon rebate even if I already was a customer. They said I'd have to cancel my service and wait 90 days before going through Amazon, or that they could offer me the 3650 for somewhere around $250, including one month's free service (39.99 for me). A total rip off for a phone that's over a year old, even if it does have great features. They seemed to think I wouldn't change over to another carrier, although they apparenlty haven't noticed that AT&T's GSM is offering competitive rate plans now, and I can get a pretty good deal on Sprint through Costco, and they have that lovely 7pm nights thing going on.

So I'm afraid I won't be a T-Mobile customer for much longer. I really don't understand their business strategy - with number portability there is nothing keeping me with them anymore, they've presumably recouped the cost of my T68i over the length of my contract, and they presumably would recoup the cost of a heavily discounted 3650 over the length of another 1 year contract. With good introductory rates on their phones it's no wonder they're getting people to switch over to T-Mobile, but perhaps retention of existing customers is not so important to them?

Go to AT&T they are being sold to either Vodafone or Cingular... The upgrade program is designed for customers who have been with tmobile for a long time. One year and you want a phone that RETAIL value is approx. 450.00( thru Nokia) and you want it for free??? just about. Ok alos the upgrade program goes on certain criteria such as Length of service, Price plan, Adjustment history, Payment History. I cannot believe you think AT&T is better??? Yeah they may have an awesome Peice PLan right now but are you ready to be in a 2 yes 2 year contract and when you UPGRADE you have to wait 1 yr. and then it is NEVER free. but go to another carrier and compare. Tmobile is going to be around alot longer than at&t. Oh btw at7t has been fined DAILY due to not allowing their custoemr's numbers to be ported. Hmmmmm. SOmetimes I wish, I mean really wish that a custoemr sits and looks at themselves in the mirror while they are yelling I want a free phone or I am leavuing your comapny..... YOu would see a totally different angle to this all

Whatever - I'm the one paying inflated monthly rates to subsidize handsets that new customers get. And a good portion of the 3650 rebate was offered through Amazon, not T-Mobile, though I don't know who's paying for it in the end. T-Mobile and the other providers in the US set up the cell phone market this way, rather than charging higher prices for unlocked handsets and lower monthly fees, so they can deal with the consequences of having customers flee to get better deals elsewhere. I wouldn't even want to change handsets/carriers except that the reception on the T68i, which T-Mobile sold me, is so horrendous. Furthermore, AT&T and Cingular are apparently merging now, which may lead to better geographic coverage anyway.

I understand that you work for T-Mobile customer service and you think I'm whiny, but I don't think it's so much to ask for a phone that actually works well in my apartment. I would gladly pay something closer to the retail price in return for better reception, no contracts, and lower monthly fees. Until then, I will just switch carriers if I have to. I've had AT&T (GSM and TDMA), Sprint and T-Mobile, and can honestly say there's nothing specific to T-Mobile that's any better than the others.

Tigerz, since you work for T-Mobile, I hope you don't mind me asking the best way to go about getting a decent deal on a phone upgrade (any other suggestions are more than welcome).

I've been with T-Mobile for over three years (in Atlanta, the company was Powertel), my billing record is clean, etc., etc. The only time I have ever been unhappy with T-Mobile has been when I have ventured into one of the retail stores where I have been consistently treated like garbage. As I recall, last time I was there and inquired about getting a new phone, the upgrade price they were offering was far from generous (especially since I'm a long time customer) and still above what a new customer would pay for the same phone. Should I call T-Mobile directly to ask about the upgrade policy? For the most part, phone support has been more than helpful. I'm not looking to rip anyone off, I just want to be able to upgrade my dying Samsung S-105 without resorting to buying an AT&T phone and paying some guy over the Internet to unlock it.

Answer to the first..yes I think you are whinny and you have no conce[t of how wireless wod your contrat we do NOT guarenetee in buidling coverage. Also yes at&t and cincular are merging....Hmmm ever go to New York...tmobile terotory so to speak... and cingular ROAMS on out network there as in other places and vice versa. Come into reality go where you want and do what you want you will always find somethng wrong. If I offend you sorry i just know a little about the business I work in and it is all cutthroat and the cunsumer's ideas are complain alot, pay little and ask for the world.

Answer to the upgrade: You have an S105 nice phone but it does wear out...=)
Our upgrades can give you as much as a 130.00 discount off a phone.best bet Call tmobile ask about upgradeing and get all the facts and go look at the phones. I just got the Samsung E715 Nice phone picey but reception is awesome.
3 yrs is a long time to be with a company and thankyou for being there. As far as unlocking a phone, tmobile does provide the service for free, other carriers such as AT&T will NOT give you the code you need. to unlock your phone Other carriers charge the Manufacturer fee for the unlock. tmobile chanrges nothing.
As long as it is a tri band phone, international phone that can be used here and in Europe. Good luck

Well, let me start off by saying THANK YOU to all the faithful T-MOBILE customers out there. Tiger, I also work for T-Mobile and I know exactly where your coming from. Customers of T-Mobile, you all have careers out there. Put yourselves in our shoes. We have to determine what is important not only for the good of the customer, but also for the company. If we gave out all the phones for FREE, we would not have a place to call WORK and I know for sure you guys aren't going to give us a job where you work are you? I didn't think so!

AMEN!!

Let me say this first, NY is definetly not t-mobiles territory. There are better companies that have better service. Nextel, I switch over from them, they definetly had better reception everywhere. And Verizon. Although both of them you will pay for the better service.
It is unfair to the people who work for t-mobile to have customers yelling at you but you know what, comes with the job. Personally customer support really means take the abuse of customers, if you dont like it I am sure your manager will tell you where to go.
T-mobile customer support, your are fast, and open 24 hours a day. Cant beat that.

-----------------------> Ovid

oh well I laugh at you and yout take the abuse crap. If you would all learn to use the phone and stop deciding that Oh I will rely on Wireless for ALL my calls personal and business and get rid of my home line....... lololol... I laugh I don't get mad I just know the facts and facts are this Tmobile aka Duetsch Telecommunications is the one of the largest Wireless companies World Wide... but hey stay with nextel fine by me. All I was saying don't sit and complain for things that cannot be controlled. I happen to like my job where can I get 8 hours of entertainment and get paid for it to boot. =). Oh and btw the Nokia 3595 others are giving away free.. Here's a tip... don't get it..=) We charge for it but suggest other realiable phones to out customers.
All I am saying and I don't really care what you think about the coverage there will always be a competition and everyone thinks that because Cingular bought out AT&T for 41 billion ( to cover fines and such ) that they are going to be number one...we'll just see....
The facts are out there I suggest you read them. and I will not say tmobile is perfect and NO wireless company can say they are we do what we do best and keep on doing it to the tune of over 10 million custoimers..=)

why are the tmobile employees so mad inside/

/ we understand that you receive a better discount than us/ but there is no need to be upset that us hard working americans want to spend a little less money on something we need to have/ t mobile does have great service and is a great cellular provider/ but no one is attacking you or your company or the fine dutch citizens that set up said firm/ all we want is a little more break than the 50 bucks off of our 300 dollar phone/ is that too much to ask/ and if we have to cancel ours after one year to sign up a new account under our significant others name to get a break, can you blame us. This is what marriage is all about. right?
cheer up you love your job. remember

T Mobile Phone Upgrade Policy

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