Retention
Vincent M. Ferrari
notice everyone is "cancelling" or at least saying they are to get a better
deal out of Sprint PCS. People bitch about service and cost, and everything
else, but they spend tons of time trying to "beat the man." It's a little
disheartening, at best, to see this going on in the scale it's going on at
in the group.
Why?
Well, frankly, if everyone is wondering why plan prices are up, but features
are being trimmed (FIMF, 8pm nights) just look at how much Sprint's shelling
out for retention groupies who weren't cancelling anyway! One guy on this
group said in the same message he was unhappy with the call capacity issues,
and took a retention deal for another 150 minutes added to his plan! Are
you kidding me?
I'm not the moral police, but it's people like this who make people who pay
their bill every month and do things the right way have to pay more for no
real reason. It would probably be in Sprint's best interest to do what they
did to me. Let me cancel and disappear. 8 months down the road, they sent
me a post card to come back and made a great deal as far as rebates went so
I took it. I was really cancelling, at least, and they got me back with a
retention style deal. If Sprint PCS just told all these "potential
cancellers" to fuck off and cancel anyway, I'm sure most of them would
change their mind.
Just my two cents
Your results may vary.
Thomas Thompson
>
> I'm not saying Sprint should not have retention deals, but all of a sudden I
> notice everyone is "cancelling" or at least saying they are to get a better
> deal out of Sprint PCS. People bitch about service and cost, and everything
> else, but they spend tons of time trying to "beat the man." It's a little
> disheartening, at best, to see this going on in the scale it's going on at
> in the group.
>
> Why?
I don't care WHY and don't give a rat's ass what your opinion is.
I'm out for the BEST deal I can get. These cell companies set
up towers and rape the consumers year after year, making large
profits -- why shouldn't we (consumers) try and get the best deal
possible?
> Well, frankly, if everyone is wondering why plan prices are up, but features
> are being trimmed (FIMF, 8pm nights) just look at how much Sprint's shelling
> out for retention groupies who weren't cancelling anyway! One guy on this
> group said in the same message he was unhappy with the call capacity issues,
> and took a retention deal for another 150 minutes added to his plan! Are
> you kidding me?
What are they "shelling out?" They own the cell towers and
it's all profit. And no, I'm not kidding you at all.
> I'm not the moral police, but it's people like this who make people who pay
> their bill every month and do things the right way have to pay more for no
> real reason. It would probably be in Sprint's best interest to do what they
> did to me. Let me cancel and disappear. 8 months down the road, they sent
> me a post card to come back and made a great deal as far as rebates went so
> I took it. I was really cancelling, at least, and they got me back with a
> retention style deal. If Sprint PCS just told all these "potential
> cancellers" to fuck off and cancel anyway, I'm sure most of them would
> change their mind.
>
> Just my two cents
> Your results may vary.
Bullshit. I can go with ATT or Cingular and get UNLIMITED nights
and weekends, so if I keep a phone active on Sprint, they have to
make it worth my time and money. Is that OK with you? Are you
willing to pay my bills? If not, please shut up.
Tommy Thompson
Arlington, Va.
BruceR
their bills mindlessly and don't remain vigilant for the best deals
available, then I'll happily exclude myself from that group. There is
nothing wrong with shopping for the best deal and threatening to walk across
the street if they don't offer something you want. If Sprint or any other
carrier wants to call a buyer's bluff it's up to them to say goodbye or cave
in. It's called negotiation and it's the cornerstone of business worldwide.
The ones who do it in what you call the "right" way have the same
opportunity to negotiate a better deal but are either too lazy or
incompetent to do so. The ones who negotiate a better deal for themselves
aren't hurting those who don't. Even if, by some convoluted logic, they
are, then the ones "hurt" can pick up the phone and get themselves a better
deal too.
: "Vincent M. Ferrari" (the Saint) wrote:
<snip>
: > I'm not the moral police, but it's people like this who make people who
Bob Smith
"Thomas Thompson" <thom...@noideastoday.net> wrote in message
news:3C4664F2...@noideastoday.net...
> "Vincent M. Ferrari" (the Saint) wrote:
> >
> > I'm not saying Sprint should not have retention deals, but all of a
sudden I
> > notice everyone is "cancelling" or at least saying they are to get a
better
> > deal out of Sprint PCS. People bitch about service and cost, and
everything
> > else, but they spend tons of time trying to "beat the man." It's a
little
> > disheartening, at best, to see this going on in the scale it's going on
at
> > in the group.
> >
> > Why?
>
> I don't care WHY and don't give a rat's ass what your opinion is.
> I'm out for the BEST deal I can get. These cell companies set
> up towers and rape the consumers year after year, making large
> profits -- why shouldn't we (consumers) try and get the best deal
> possible?
What large profits? SPCS has been in business for 6 years now, and they have
yet to declare any profits. All the income they've received has been plowed
back into the system to add more coverage areas, to provide more capacity in
current markets, etc. I'm sure that the other wireless providers are in the
same boat, and haven't realized those large profits either.
>
> > Well, frankly, if everyone is wondering why plan prices are up, but
features
> > are being trimmed (FIMF, 8pm nights) just look at how much Sprint's
shelling
> > out for retention groupies who weren't cancelling anyway! One guy on
this
> > group said in the same message he was unhappy with the call capacity
issues,
> > and took a retention deal for another 150 minutes added to his plan!
Are
> > you kidding me?
>
> What are they "shelling out?" They own the cell towers and
> it's all profit. And no, I'm not kidding you at all.
Wrong again ... I don't have any numbers to present in terms of percentages,
but most of the towers you see are owned by tower companies who lease out
space on their towers to public and government wireless operations.
>
> > I'm not the moral police, but it's people like this who make people who
pay
> > their bill every month and do things the right way have to pay more for
no
> > real reason. It would probably be in Sprint's best interest to do what
they
> > did to me. Let me cancel and disappear. 8 months down the road, they
sent
> > me a post card to come back and made a great deal as far as rebates went
so
> > I took it. I was really cancelling, at least, and they got me back with
a
> > retention style deal. If Sprint PCS just told all these "potential
> > cancellers" to fuck off and cancel anyway, I'm sure most of them would
> > change their mind.
> >
> > Just my two cents
> > Your results may vary.
>
> Bullshit. I can go with ATT or Cingular and get UNLIMITED nights
> and weekends, so if I keep a phone active on Sprint, they have to
> make it worth my time and money. Is that OK with you? Are you
> willing to pay my bills? If not, please shut up.
>
> Tommy Thompson
> Arlington, Va.
Out of curiosity, which plan are you on now? If you can find a better deal
with another provider, which fits your needs and is priced better, why are
you sticking around with SPCS?
Bob
ski
news:HmA18.503$lp6...@nwrddc02.gnilink.net:
>
> "BruceR" <bru...@whoeverDOT.com> (the super businessman) wrote in
> message news:qOu18.16893$2N5.2...@typhoon.hawaii.rr.com...
> There is
>> nothing wrong with shopping for the best deal and threatening to walk
> across
>> the street if they don't offer something you want.
>
> I agree. But to threaten to leave just to get a retention deal just
> because they're out there is dumb. Usually these are the same people
> who bitch when their service is not the greatest, when rate plan
> prices go up, or when features are taken away. If everyone else is
> better just leave!
>
>
>
Like everything else the crooks get what they want then I have to pay
higher rates. Then the crooks get upset leave and find another victim.
Wanting the best deal ( cheaper is better)is what's killing this country.
That is why everything is shit made in Mexico.
Vincent M. Ferrari
"BruceR" <bru...@whoeverDOT.com> (the super businessman) wrote in message
news:qOu18.16893$2N5.2...@typhoon.hawaii.rr.com...
> nothing wrong with shopping for the best deal and threatening to walk
across
> the street if they don't offer something you want.
I agree. But to threaten to leave just to get a retention deal just because
Vincent M. Ferrari
"Thomas Thompson" <thom...@noideastoday.net> (the expert) wrote in message
news:3C4664F2...@noideastoday.net...
>
> I don't care WHY and don't give a rat's ass what your opinion is.
> I'm out for the BEST deal I can get. These cell companies set
> up towers and rape the consumers year after year, making large
> profits -- why shouldn't we (consumers) try and get the best deal
> possible?
>
where you are because in the long run, you know you're not going to do much
better anywhere else.
>
> What are they "shelling out?" They own the cell towers and
> it's all profit. And no, I'm not kidding you at all.
>
understand the business, I wouldn't expect you to understand how that works
either.
>
> Bullshit. I can go with ATT or Cingular and get UNLIMITED nights
> and weekends, so if I keep a phone active on Sprint, they have to
> make it worth my time and money. Is that OK with you? Are you
> willing to pay my bills? If not, please shut up.
>
don't understand the business, maybe you should be the one shutting up. If
everyone else's deal is better THAN LEAVE! You know they're not and you
have no intention to.
Vincent M. Ferrari
"Bob Smith" <rsmith7...@carolina.rr.com> wrote in message
news:bsy18.54606$6L1.10...@typhoon.southeast.rr.com...
>
> What large profits? SPCS has been in business for 6 years now, and they
have
> yet to declare any profits. All the income they've received has been
plowed
> back into the system to add more coverage areas, to provide more capacity
in
> current markets, etc. I'm sure that the other wireless providers are in
the
> same boat, and haven't realized those large profits either.
> >
>
> Wrong again ... I don't have any numbers to present in terms of
percentages,
> but most of the towers you see are owned by tower companies who lease out
> space on their towers to public and government wireless operations.
>
business work. I know I've been in it for 10 years.
>
> Out of curiosity, which plan are you on now? If you can find a better deal
> with another provider, which fits your needs and is priced better, why are
> you sticking around with SPCS?
>
they have no intention of leaving so people who are happy and pay their
bills have to pay for retention trolls for the rest of our lives.
>
>
Vincent M. Ferrari
"ski" <sk...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:Xns91993A2404...@209.142.2.2...
>
> Like everything else the crooks get what they want then I have to pay
> higher rates. Then the crooks get upset leave and find another victim.
> Wanting the best deal ( cheaper is better)is what's killing this country.
> That is why everything is shit made in Mexico.
>
Doing it by faking cancellation in the hopes of a better retention deal is
just flat out wrong because someone has to make up the money you're now
costing the company
JackF
to say you are considering the options -- and who in this group isn't -- and
they will offer the plans.
It is no different than asking for the fleet manager at a car dealer. Yes,
you can walk in and pay MSRP (and more!) for a car but you don't have to.
They make the rules and know what people do, just as SPCS knows about these
threads.
They could change the phone number as they did for Executive Services but
they haven't. They could charge the employees of United Airline retail
price but they don't. To think that SPCS is being bamboozled by all these
schemers is just naieve. They know that it is far more expensive to acquire
a new customer and they are happy to throw a couple bones to people who are
passionate (annal?) enough to work the system. It's a business decision
plain and simple.
I'll bet that most regulars on this board have been responsible for Sprint
adding customers, you are the person your friends ask when they want to buy
a service or a phone. You are worth a lot to SPCS and they know it.
"Vincent M. Ferrari" <budw...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%4B18.709$lp6...@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
Vincent M. Ferrari
"JackF" <ja...@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:PHB18.1558$X4.1...@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
> But you don't have to fake anything to get a retention deal. Just call
them
> to say you are considering the options -- and who in this group isn't --
and
> they will offer the plans.
>
and rip Sprint when they don't get them. Fact is, it all depends on who you
get on the phone. If you don't have to fake anything, and they give you the
deal, then so be it. More power to you. But if the only way you can get
those plans is to be unethical, it says a lot.
>
> It is no different than asking for the fleet manager at a car dealer.
Yes,
> you can walk in and pay MSRP (and more!) for a car but you don't have to.
> They make the rules and know what people do, just as SPCS knows about
these
> threads.
>
more freedom with prices than Sprint does.
> To think that SPCS is being bamboozled by all these
> schemers is just naieve.
>
> I don't think Sprint is being bamboozled, but I do think that regular
customers who aren't after retention deals are getting screwed because the
money has to come from somewhere. The simple fact is, when the honest
customer who isn't trying to work the system asks for a retention plan but
doesn't do it right, they tell him go ahead and cancel. I'm perfectly happy
with my plan. I get enough minutes and I like my phone. I've never called
retention, and I never will. After four years of being a SPCS customer, its
mostly ups, not downs. But they have reduced their overall services (FIMF,
8pm nights gone) and I can't help but think it has something to do with
giving out so many retention plans to people who weren't leaving anyway.
>
> I'll bet that most regulars on this board have been responsible for Sprint
> adding customers, you are the person your friends ask when they want to
buy
> a service or a phone. You are worth a lot to SPCS and they know it.
>
This is true.
Matthew Todd
I negotiated for a free phone, which really is not that big of a deal since
new subscribers get a free phone too so I am assuming AT&T has worked out
the cost of that (given you have to remain a member for a year).
Second, I negotiated for more peak time, if that option is avilable. They
gave me 200 minutes in addition to what I had which was 200 (regional
wash/dc plan).
Now a few years ago I did the 'troll' thing and renegotiated my deal and was
only paying 17.99 a month and getting 120 minutes and unlimited nights and
weekends, first incoming minute free, voice mail, etc. That was a cool
negotiation on my part.
Now getting back to how much it is costing AT&T and therefore raising your
prices. In speaking with some people who work for phone companies (cell and
land) I have come to the conclusion that once the infrastructure is paid for
it really doesn't 'cost' much to transmit the messages. Where they really
loose money is on the negotiated agreements with other carriers who milk
them dry as possible. FOr instance if I were to roam on a cingular line
AT&T lets me do it free, but they eat the cost of x cents per minute that I
am on the phone. This is where AT&T's costs are really incurred. Hence the
new network plan that will really save them money because they can hit YOU
with the negotiated charges *grin*.
In all there really isn't much of a cost to AT&T for giving me more minutes
since most of the time I will not use up all 400 of my minutes and yet I am
'paying' for them all. The cost of a new phone is contradicted by the fact
that I sign another year long agreement so they will make up the cost that
way along with all the other 'new' subscribers.
-Matt
--
Matthew Todd
mtodd (at) att (dot) net
Remove very obvious to reply to e-mail
Brian Trotta
airplane ticket. Why should I pay full fare on the airline's web site,
when I can go to Orbitz, which the airlines themselves operate, and
buy that same ticket for at least 30 percent less. Or, I can go to a
consolidator, which the airlines deal directly with and save even
more.
Am I driving up the fare you pay by going to the consolidator or
Orbitz? No. The airlines set the fares based on what they can sell
directly. Sales through Orbitz or consolidators are gravy for them,
despite the lower margin.
Am I unethical? No. The system was set up this way and those that know
the system and use it to their advantage gain, while the rest trundle
along like cattle and pay full fare.
Similarly, Sprint sets its rates based on what it can sell directly.
The retention "deals" are a tiny percentage of their subscribers and
are gravy for the company because they keep subscribers that they are
otherwise likely to see churn. And given the high cost of aquiring new
subscribers, Sprint probably saves money in the long run.
Founder, comp.dcom.modems.cable
Reply Hint: "nowayspambot" is not part of my address.
Craig
Don't you think Sprint realizes this? Yeah, I'm sure retention is
hurting their business a bit, but it's not killing them, the way
everyone makes it sound. If it was, they'd dump those plans. Lastly,
isn't the migration to 3G going to add twice as much voice system
capacity? Everyone is entitled to the best deal that they can get,
and I wouldn't shed a tear for these carriers. Its a competitive
market out there, and it wouldn't be so competitive if all these
carriers werent so greedy in the first place to try and get a larger
piece of the wireless pie. Of course thats just my opinion, I could
be wrong.
Joseph
Bruce,
Very well said.
I was one of the first people to post about these "Retentions Deals" back in September,
2001. And was told by some in this group that they did not exist.
I have had "retention's deals" since September, 2001 (the $35.99 500/1000)
And have even changed it [better retention {650/1000)] for the same price.
And as You so well said;
"negotiation and it's the cornerstone of business worldwide"
"The ones who do it in what you call the "right" way have the same opportunity to negotiate a
better deal but are either too lazy or incompetent to do so"
I agree.
Best Regard
Joseph
On Thursday the 17th of January, 2002 at 07:11:18 GMT BruceR wrote and posted;
brooke
BruceR
deal makes one a crook? Wanting a better deal is killing this country? Try
this one on: Negotiation for better deals is the basis of the capitalist
system which has made this country the great place that it is and world
leader in business.
You're not a victim. You're paying a price that you're apparently happy to
pay and if you think it's too high, for whatever reason, call and negotiate
a better one. That won't make you a crook - it'll make you a responsible
businessperson.
"ski" <sk...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:Xns91993A2404...@209.142.2.2...
:
: Like everything else the crooks get what they want then I have to pay
Moo
1. No one is twisting Sprint's arm to "retain" the customers who ask for a
better deal.
2. I am on a retention plan as of the beginning of the year and I basically
asked them if they could do any better with increasing my minutes and
reducing my overall bill. I have 2 phones and I am on a add-a-phone plan,
and when I asked them to see what they could do to accommodate me, I almost
got the feeling that Sprint was "rewarding" me for staying with them for
over 3 years. No arguing or having to ask to speak to a supervisor. The
retention specialist listened to me, asked me to hold on for a minute or
two, and then happily offered more minutes at lower monthly cost.
3. If you "normal" plan customers want to pay "Full Sticker Price", be my
guest. It's a free country.
4. And as for Sprint not turning a profit in the last 6 years....that
sounds like when you go and purchase a $30,000 automobile and the
Salesperson swears that the dealership is LOSING money to make the deal.
Who are you kidding? Sprint may not show a profit on paper, but anyone with
financial/accounting experience can show a loss on paper at the same time
they are actually NETTING millions of dollars in profit. If they were not
making a profit, they would have filed bankruptcy years ago. The technology
sector is way too cut throat to stick around for 6 years and not turn a
profit.
5. Lastly, the only people who are doing the whining are the ones who don't
have a retention agreement. Sounds kind of childish, doesn't it? By the
way, Sprint made me agree to a 1 year advantage agreement, so the retention
pan I got was not without a commitment on my part. I was only too happy to
sign up for another year.
Moo
"Matthew Todd" <mtod...@OBVIOUSatt.net> wrote in message
news:s0D18.10684$S51....@bgtnsc07-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
JAFO
"Moo" <rjmoos...@home.com> wrote in message
news:uoI18.40653$B61.13...@news1.rsm1.occa.home.com...
Vincent M. Ferrari
>
> 1. No one is twisting Sprint's arm to "retain" the customers who ask for
a
> better deal.
>
frankly people are asking for retention plans when they have no intention of
leaving. That's why they're called retention plans. They're meant to keep
people on the verge of leaving.
> 2. I am on a retention plan as of the beginning of the year and I
basically
> asked them if they could do any better with increasing my minutes and
> reducing my overall bill. I have 2 phones and I am on a add-a-phone plan,
> and when I asked them to see what they could do to accommodate me, I
almost
> got the feeling that Sprint was "rewarding" me for staying with them for
> over 3 years. No arguing or having to ask to speak to a supervisor. The
> retention specialist listened to me, asked me to hold on for a minute or
> two, and then happily offered more minutes at lower monthly cost.
>
It's one thing to negotiate for a new plan. It's completely another to ask
for a retention plan with no need to be retained.
> 3. If you "normal" plan customers want to pay "Full Sticker Price", be my
> guest. It's a free country.
>
I agree.
>
> 4. And as for Sprint not turning a profit in the last 6 years....that
> sounds like when you go and purchase a $30,000 automobile and the
> Salesperson swears that the dealership is LOSING money to make the deal.
> Who are you kidding? Sprint may not show a profit on paper, but anyone
with
> financial/accounting experience can show a loss on paper at the same time
> they are actually NETTING millions of dollars in profit. If they were not
> making a profit, they would have filed bankruptcy years ago. The
technology
> sector is way too cut throat to stick around for 6 years and not turn a
> profit.
It actually sounds more like a money-losing corporation continuously losing
money and taking a loss on a sale. NO ONE in the tech sector is netting
MILLIONS of dollars in profit, or at least in the cellular industry. Ask
VoiceStream.
>
> 5. Lastly, the only people who are doing the whining are the ones who
don't
> have a retention agreement. Sounds kind of childish, doesn't it? By the
> way, Sprint made me agree to a 1 year advantage agreement, so the
retention
> pan I got was not without a commitment on my part. I was only too happy
to
> sign up for another year.
>
I'm not whining, and I'm not a child. I'm someone who sees things
differently. Considering how hypersensitive everyone is over my original
post, I guess we need to redefine whining.
Orac
Thomas Thompson <thom...@noideastoday.net> wrote:
Hmmm. Why don't you go to ATT or Cingular, if that's the case? Why do
you stick with Sprint PCS? Clearly you're either full of shit, or you
get what you perceive to be the best deal with Sprint.
--
Orac |"A statement of fact cannot be insolent."
|
|"If you cannot listen to the answers, why do you
| inconvenience me with questions?"
BruceR
:
<snip>
: It's one thing to negotiate for a new plan. It's completely another to
ask
: for a retention plan with no need to be retained.
However, the mere fact that a customer asks about a new plan means that the
customer is shopping and needs to be retained. If Sprint says "take it or
leave it" those customers may keep shopping and end up elsewhere. The whole
point of retention is to keep you from leaving AND to keep you from even
looking elsewhere. That's just marketing 101.
Vincent M. Ferrari
"BruceR" <bru...@whoeverDOT.com> wrote in message
news:p1N18.17251$2N5.2...@typhoon.hawaii.rr.com...
>
> However, the mere fact that a customer asks about a new plan means that
the
> customer is shopping and needs to be retained.
>
carriers in ages (with one exception for about 8 months). I'm sure I'm not
the only one.
BruceR
you have in mind. If someone asks about different plans the assumption is
that shopping is going on (even if only out of curiosity) even if there's no
immediate threat to leave. A smart carrier will consider that an opportunity
to lock you in for another year or two by offering you some kind of
incentive.
"Vincent M. Ferrari" <budw...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:RlO18.3868$lp6....@nwrddc02.gnilink.net...
:
: "BruceR" <bru...@whoeverDOT.com> wrote in message
:
:
Donald Newcomb
for doing business. Personally, when I go shopping, I'm not looking
for a long-term loving and caring relationship with the vendor (we're
not getting married). I want to strike such a good deal that the other
guy will stay awake nights wondering how he will be able to deliver.
It's like the proverbial Suq, airline, hotel or used car dealer. They
put a price on what they are selling that they would like everyone to
pay. However, there are a lot of other deals and the vendor knows (or
should know) just how much he needs to get to break even. You might as
well condemn the people who want to "talk turkey" with the car dealer,
get a cut-rate at the airline or use a discount card at the hotel.
Donald Newcomb
DRNewcomb (at) attglobal (dot) net
"Vincent M. Ferrari" <budw...@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:<ONs18.2842$r_4....@nwrddc02.gnilink.net>...
Kent Ritchie
> 5. Lastly, the only people who are doing the whining are the ones who don't
> have a retention agreement. Sounds kind of childish, doesn't it? By the
> way, Sprint made me agree to a 1 year advantage agreement, so the retention
> pan I got was not without a commitment on my part. I was only too happy to
> sign up for another year.
Any chance that waiving the (dis)Advantage Agreement and not charging
the extra $10 per month for a month to month term on a new plan could
be obtained through retention? I have called and asked for it, both
from regular customer service and retention. Regular customer service
pleaded inability, and rentention wouldn't talk unless I was really
ready to cancel that day. So I waited. You'd think they would have
done that for a customer of 3+ years. Now that I am evaluating AT&T
with the Network Advantage, I am truly ready to drop Sprint should
they not offer up what I want. If I am going to have to sign a
contract I might as well get the best deal, and Sprint isn't looking
as good for me, all things considered. Ironically, when I called to
complain about spotty coverage in and outside my apartment again
today, I received the best service I have had to date with Sprint - 30
seconds in the queue where it used to be 20+ minutes.
-Kent
John S.
Having been out and about in the "bush" of Africa the last few days, I can
attest to that!!!!
"Kent Ritchie" <kcri...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:ac8a199.02012...@posting.google.com...
Retention Guy
>> Hmmm. Why don't you go to ATT or Cingular, if that's the case? Why
do
> you stick with Sprint PCS? Clearly you're either full of shit, or you
> get what you perceive to be the best deal with Sprint.
Uh, I think I'm having a problem with retention.....
<farting noises>
I gotta go use the men's room now.... I think my problem with
retention just went away!
Retention Guy