It pays to eavesdrop

It pays to eavesdrop: I bought a new cell phone Friday night; I've been needing one for a few months since my old handset would, randomly, make all of the contacts in my phone directory disappear and sometimes lock up until I did a hard reset and then everything was back to normal.

I don't need much in the way of features -- no cameras, fancy ringers and such -- but I do need my phone book to stick around. I've a lousy head for numbers.

I've been putting off getting the new phone because cash flow is a bit constricted. Also, I rather resented the fact that new customers got their phones practically for free, with generous rebates, while Sprint PCS loyalists like me -- nearly six years now, and I'm pleased as punch with the service -- had to pony up full price. When the new number portability regulations come into play, I wonder if a lot of these companies are going to wish they'd paid more attention to their longtime customers.

But it had to be done and Friday, I headed off to Best Buy to bite the bullet. I'd compared a lot of models online and picked out a very simple handset, to the tune of $150.

Which Best Buy no longer had in stock. Of course.

So I drove over to a newer, shinier Best Buy, only to discover that they, too, were sold out of the model I'd wanted. Apparently, it's been discontinued and they're in demand. The clerk checked his computer and informed me they had 37 in stock in Ellisville but, really, who feels like driving out to Ellisville except in a life or death scenario? And even then...

At this point, I figure as long as I'm biting the bullet, I might as well take a good munch. I take a look at the Sanyo 8100. It has tons of stuff I don't need -- just a phone book for me and I'm happy, remember -- but it's only $50 more and I'm late for happy hour. And that's when I overhear one of the other clerks telling another customer that yes, even existing customers can get the advertised rebate on any handset, as long as they've owned their current phone for 18 months or more.

What?! I mean, I never expected Brian Baker to come over and tap me on the shoulder and share the good news but, hey, that's the first I'd heard of such a thing. Apparently, it's true, because I bought the phone and got a rebate receipt for $130 back (allow 8-10 weeks for processing, natch), but it's not as though Sprint goes out of its way to actually tell anyone about it or anything.

After an exhaustive search, the only mention of such an animal I could find was this language buried in a FAQ on Sprint's rebate site:

In order for Sprint to offer such large discounts, we must require the activation of a new line of service. If you do not have a need for an additional line of service at this time, we have a Handset Upgrade Program that is offered to existing qualified customers. Please visit your nearest Sprint Store and they will be able to help you with determining if you qualify for this Upgrade Program, assist in choosing your new handset, and applying the discount to your new purchase.

Emphasis mine. The lesson here? If you're a Sprint PCS customer and in the market for a new phone, ask about the rebate or "Handset Upgrade Program". I'm glad I did or, rather, I'm glad I overheard someone else do it. I walked into the store prepared to spend $150, actually spent $200 and saved over $70 in the process. I've a lousy head for numbers, true, but I know that math works out good for me.

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