Free phone upgrade from Cingular?

[babobaka]

Hi all,
First time posting in the forums here. This seems to be the most appropriate show to ask this question, does anyone know how or where you can get a free phone upgrade through Cingular? I thought the prices listed in Best Buy were for anyone who was willing to sign up for a 2-year contract, but I found out that it's for new subscribers only.
I'm thinking there must be a way to upgrade to a new phone without paying over $50 for JUST the phone. Anyone know of a good shop around the L.A. area that can do that?

[tokenuser]

I'm thinking there must be a way to upgrade to a new phone without paying over $50 for JUST the phone. Anyone know of a good shop around the L.A. area that can do that?Try any of the Cingular stores. They fight Starbucks for street corners in LA. Best Buy are not specialist phone retailers, so you really need to walk into a phone store - just about any mall in SoCal wil have what you need.

Most of the upgrade deals will require an expired (ie currently month to month) contract, and for you to sign up for a new 1-2 year deal with them. In some cases the new phones are generic POS phones, some are decent, but if you want a phone with all the bells and whistles you will need to pay something for the pleasure.

With phone number portability, you could jump to TMobile, Verizon, or Sprint if they have a better deal, and go in as a new subscriber.

BTW - This should be in the Hardware/Gadgets section ... so I have moved it.

[dangerboy1718]

I would search online dealers like wirefly for the best deals. Cingular does not pay retailers nearly half for an upgraded customer as they would a new customers. This is the reason why retailers can not lower the price as much for an existing customer.

If anything call Cingular and explain your situation and ***** at them and see what you can get done, sometimes works to get a few credits to your account. Though I have only seen one lady get a free phone by being an existing customer but it was just a cheap samsung that was like 40 bucks in the first place.

[babobaka]

I looked through the site for about 5 minutes, but it seemed a little shady. I'm wondering what the catch is. I just jotted down their number to call at a later date.

I don't know why, but I was hoping for a blue Motorola RZR through Cingular. It seems like the days of getting free phones of that aren't just generic POS's are sort of gone. That lady getting a free $40 doesn't seem like such a great deal. It's just nickel and dime stuff when considering you have to sign a 2-year contract with a monthly bill of $40-$60.

I guess I can try switching carriers, but I'm actually really happy with Cingular. Plus, I have it through Family-Talk and that's saving us a lot of money when compared to having two separate lines. Does T-Mobile or Verizon have a similar program like Cingular's Family Talk?

Maybe I'll just switch if they do.

It's unfortunate that, even though it's really competitive, customers have to resort to switching carriers after 2.5 years if they want a good deal on a new phone.

I checked a Cingular store and they were charging $100 for a RZR. Somehow, at about 1.5 years old, I'm not sure if it's worth it. From past experience (2 years ago actually) it seemed like prices varied depending on which store you went to. Some places were giving phones away while others still charged customers for the very same phone.

[tokenuser]

I checked a Cingular store and they were charging $100 for a RZR. Somehow, at about 1.5 years old, I'm not sure if it's worth it. From past experience (2 years ago actually) it seemed like prices varied depending on which store you went to. Some places were giving phones away while others still charged customers for the very same phone.There are different "types" of store. Some are Cingular owned and operated, others are franchises, others are resellers. They each have different sales policies. It pays to shop - the service will be the same, BUT if you go into a Cingular store, you will have a better chance of getting the "but its been two years, I'll move to Verizon" argument.

All the carriers have the Family Talk style plans. Some better than others - I can call any Verizon phone for free. Alltel (not available in SoCal) have a deal where you can add "n" other numbers - regardless of carrier - to your family talk plan.

The lines are blurring, which should make it easier for you to get a great deal.

[kyro]

If you need a new phone, call up Cingular and complain about how your phone isn't working any more or how you can't get signal anywhere, of course, when the phone is fine. Just keep pushing the issue, and climb up the ladder of authority if needed, probably won't be. It's worked every time for everyone I know.

[babobaka]

Won't I just end up with a refurbished or a cheap free phone as a substitute?

I asked a few other people, and generally I've been told that Verizon and T-Mobile have comparable in the SoCal area. I think I should port the numbers and switch carriers. I can just get my free phones that way.

I will try going into a Cingular store and presenting my case first though. It seems pretty dumb on Cingular's part. Verizon has a deal where you can get a deeply discounted new phone after your contract is up. The rationale being that they don't want you to switch carriers for a good deal on a new phone.

[babobaka]

There are different "types" of store. Some are Cingular owned and operated, others are franchises, others are resellers. They each have different sales policies. It pays to shop - the service will be the same, BUT if you go into a Cingular store, you will have a better chance of getting the "but its been two years, I'll move to Verizon" argument.


Is it easy to tell the difference between a Cingular store and a franchise?

Let me guess, the Cingular stores are the ones that are a little larger, have better displays, and unfortunately require you to sign-in and be put on a waitlist regardless if you want to talk to a salesperson.

[tokenuser]

Is it easy to tell the difference between a Cingular store and a franchise?

Let me guess, the Cingular stores are the ones that are a little larger, have better displays, and unfortunately require you to sign-in and be put on a waitlist regardless if you want to talk to a salesperson.Thats the one ;) ... tell them you are looking at switching to Verizon. At a reseller, they wont care, 'cos they sell Verizon as well, at a Cingular store, they will do what they can to keep you.