New electronics
So now's the part that will be particularly boring to my female readership (which may very well be everybody at this point). I'll soon be acquiring several new pieces of electronics. Think of it like getting a new pair of cute shoes.
I've had my Sony Ericsson T68i since this time last year, and though I like it, the reception is less than good, and it's getting a bit dated at this point. Its newer siblings are available free to new subscribers of tMobile, Cingular, and AT&T through Amazon.com in exchange for a one year contract. If AT&T wanted to keep me as a customer, they could give me the same deal they're offering their new customers. So, I called customer service. After twenty minutes on hold:
Me: "Yes, my contract is almost up, and I'm interested in renewing it in exchange for a new phone, the T637."
AT&T: "Let me see what kind of price I can get for you on that. Can I put you on hold?"
Me: "Sure."
AT&T: "OK, I can get that for you for $200 with a one year contract, or $150 with a two year contract."
Me: "Both you and Cingular offer that phone for free to new customers. Can you do any better?"
AT&T: "Let me check and see if there are any additional rebates... OK, I can get you an additional $50 off."
Me: "That's still way to much. Unless you can do better, I'm going to take my number to Cingular."
AT&T: "I'm sorry, sir, that's all I can do."
Me: "Could you tell me when my contract is up then?"
I had a second conversation that proceded in a manner very similar to the first one (including the twenty minutes on hold). Last night, I called once again. After twenty minutes on hold:
Me: "Yes, I'd like to know when my contract runs out."
AT&T: "Could I ask why you want to know that?"
Me: "I'm unhappy with my current phone and would like to switch to Cingular since they have the phone I want for free."
AT&T: "Would you be willing to sign a two year contract if we matched that offer?"
Me: "Cingular only requires a one year contract."
At&T: "OK, we can do that."
I don't know if my approach was just different enough this time to elicit a different response, or if it was the representatitive I spoke with, or what, but I was quite pleased. I thought for a while I might have to call in Customer Service Sabrina. So, in the end, I saved myself the trouble of porting my number, paying for the phone up front, and filling out rebates; they're even fedexing it to me. That rocks.
I've had my Sony Ericsson T68i since this time last year, and though I like it, the reception is less than good, and it's getting a bit dated at this point. Its newer siblings are available free to new subscribers of tMobile, Cingular, and AT&T through Amazon.com in exchange for a one year contract. If AT&T wanted to keep me as a customer, they could give me the same deal they're offering their new customers. So, I called customer service. After twenty minutes on hold:
Me: "Yes, my contract is almost up, and I'm interested in renewing it in exchange for a new phone, the T637."
AT&T: "Let me see what kind of price I can get for you on that. Can I put you on hold?"
Me: "Sure."
AT&T: "OK, I can get that for you for $200 with a one year contract, or $150 with a two year contract."
Me: "Both you and Cingular offer that phone for free to new customers. Can you do any better?"
AT&T: "Let me check and see if there are any additional rebates... OK, I can get you an additional $50 off."
Me: "That's still way to much. Unless you can do better, I'm going to take my number to Cingular."
AT&T: "I'm sorry, sir, that's all I can do."
Me: "Could you tell me when my contract is up then?"
I had a second conversation that proceded in a manner very similar to the first one (including the twenty minutes on hold). Last night, I called once again. After twenty minutes on hold:
Me: "Yes, I'd like to know when my contract runs out."
AT&T: "Could I ask why you want to know that?"
Me: "I'm unhappy with my current phone and would like to switch to Cingular since they have the phone I want for free."
AT&T: "Would you be willing to sign a two year contract if we matched that offer?"
Me: "Cingular only requires a one year contract."
At&T: "OK, we can do that."
I don't know if my approach was just different enough this time to elicit a different response, or if it was the representatitive I spoke with, or what, but I was quite pleased. I thought for a while I might have to call in Customer Service Sabrina. So, in the end, I saved myself the trouble of porting my number, paying for the phone up front, and filling out rebates; they're even fedexing it to me. That rocks.
posted by L. Maxwell Ward at 9:31 PM
