Switching from Verizon

[rsl5150]

Hello everyone, I was thinking of switching from Verizon to Sprint to get the Pre. I am just worried about Sprint loosing the Pre come Jan. 2010. Is it worth the switch? Is Sprint better than Verizon? Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

[keri2000]

I switched and the coverage seems to be equal in my area. The cost savings for me is about $60 per month so yes I believe it to be worth it. Verizon prorated my term fees too so it wasn't as bad as it could have been and I have a Pre now. :-)

[ducati1098]

I switched from Verizon to Sprint. I had the 8830 Blackberry and I got the Pre on launch day.
Verizon was costing me $170/month for 2 lines 1400 min and only one line had a data plan. My blackberry was hobbled by Verizon, for over a year I couldn't use the gps unless I wanted to pay an additional $15/month per line. Verizon told me my phone didn't have built in gps. After a year there was an update, yes after a year, that enabled the gps. But still would not allow Google Maps to use the gps.
There are so many features Verizon blocked on every phone I had while with them. Verizon will be blocking many of the features the Palm is capable of. This is what they always do. And when you see other carriers come out with updated for the exact same phone you have, Verizon will not.
With Sprint I have unlimited data on both lines and 1500 min. None of the features of the Pre have been turned off. I have navigation included at no additional charge on both lines. I have noticed no difference in call quality, except for the phone showing less bars although it works perfectly. When roaming you use the Verizon network so you are getting just as good of quality. All for $145
I love Sprint

[sizzler]

I switched over to Sprint for the Pre the day it was released. I have been suprisingly happy with the service so far. No dropped calls in almost a month, great internet speeds, and the best part is the bill. Other than the initial bill which ran me 268 (for the 1500 min plan with unlimited everything else, the extra costs were from activation fees, and other one time charges). But even with the inflated cost due to one time fees the bill was still almost what Verizon was charging me each month for 2 phones 1400 min and ulimited everything else. Now with my cmpany discount im only looking at 130 a month, saving me $100 a month or $2400 over the course of the 2 year plan, plus I got 2 kick ass phones out of the deal. The only real problem I had with switching over was on Verizons side when they tried to claim I didnt cancel my numbers even though I had them ported to my new Sprint device's. Its been a real pain in the ass dealing with Verizon on this and is actually the only customer service problem I have had with them in my 6 years with them. I really did like the coverage but for an equal service (which Sprint has been so far for me) there was no way to justify the added cost of using VZW. I just wish that they could figure out why I'm being charged for the last half of June and the first week of July when I switched to Sprint and notified VZW the day my plan ended on June 14.
By the way, I live and work in Philadelphia if that helps.

[rsl5150]

Thanks for all of the input :smile:! I live in Western MA so I'm not too sure what Sprint's service is like. Does anyone know what happens to the Pre when and if it moves to either the evil empire (Verizon) or AT&T? My contract is up very soon with Verizon....so I am definitely thinking of switching.

Thanks!!

[scottae316]

Both Palm and Sprint will not state how long the Pre is exclusive to Sprint, but it is longer than 6 months according to Sprint. I have dealt with Verizon wireless twice in the past and will never deal with them again. You must really read the fine print and read your bill carefully for extra charges. I have had Sprint now for 4 years. I left and came back I had them for an additional 4 years in the past. I have never had problems with the service, calls sound good, very few dropped calls now and that is in areas that no provider has signal. Sprint is so much less for service when compared to Verizon. And Sprint does not cripple the phones like Verizon. Ask any of your friends that live and work near you how the coverage is, if they tell you is good, switch. The main problem with Sprint is customer service, it is getting better, but as the company admits that is a weak spot. Also I do not work for Sprint or Verizon. Good luck in your choice

[jrsweb]

Welcome Scott.

First, it is not totally clear yet when Sprint loses the exclusivity on the Pre. But as some have suggested, you should look at comparable plans and contract terms between the 2 carriers. On Verizon, unlimited is less than unlimited on Sprint. Both use "questionable" marketing on the unlimited plans but Sprint is not as restricted.

As for the most important question you asked about service quality in your area, that would be tough for us to answer unless one of us lives in the same place. The true test is to find some people using Sprint in your area and ask - better yet try it out yourself. The most important thing you should check is how well EVDO works around the areas you live, work or hang out.

I would avoid making the decision based on people's opinions on carriers on the net - especially those that start with topics like "Sprint sucks" or "Verizon is a piece of garbage"..... you need to check them out yourself where you are at. Unfortunately, the service of each carrier is different from market to market.

[rsl5150]

I have been doing some research over the last few days and it seems like coverage shouldn't be a problem in my area. I'm going to talk to Verizon and find out how much it will cost to get out of my contract (approx 1 yr left). Or maybe I'll just keep that line kill all of the features and give it to my mother in law. The end result would be two lines on Sprint and one on verizon till next July. Unless of course verizon will waive my early termination fee :005:laughinghard (like that would happen). We will see what happens.

[jrsweb]

I do know that they prorate the termination fee. I have some friends that switched from Verizon. The prorating allowed to switch at a small fee. In another case, another friend kept one phone on verizon and used that 10 friend calling thing to add the Sprint phone numbers to minimize the cost on the phone left on Verizon. So you have several options to consider.

[scottae316]

Welcome Scott.

First, it is not totally clear yet when Sprint loses the exclusivity on the Pre. But as some have suggested, you should look at comparable plans and contract terms between the 2 carriers. On Verizon, unlimited is less than unlimited on Sprint. Both use "questionable" marketing on the unlimited plans but Sprint is not as restricted.

As for the most important question you asked about service quality in your area, that would be tough for us to answer unless one of us lives in the same place. The true test is to find some people using Sprint in your area and ask - better yet try it out yourself. The most important thing you should check is how well EVDO works around the areas you live, work or hang out.

I would avoid making the decision based on people's opinions on carriers on the net - especially those that start with topics like "Sprint sucks" or "Verizon is a piece of garbage"..... you need to check them out yourself where you are at. Unfortunately, the service of each carrier is different from market to market.

First I never said when Sprint would loose exclusivity, all I said was an executive at Sprint said it was longer than 6 months, hence no Pre for Verizon in December/January. I said that neither Palm or Sprint will release any info.

As to plans, how do you figure that Verizon is cheaper?
Verizon= $149.99 for unlimited, talk, text, and data.
$ 8.99 for navigation
$ 0.00 No V-cast tv on any smart phones.
Total: $158.98 for Verizon

Sprint = $99.99 for unlimited talk, text, data, navigation, Sprint TV

Verizon is $58.99 more expensive than Sprint with no TV, and additional fee for navigation. I grant you that the TV is not big, but if it were available it would also be an additional fee of either $15.00 or $25.00 depending on the level. It seems that Verizon is not the lowest price.

Finally, I did suggest that rsl5150 ask friends and co-workers about their coverage with Sprint. Never did I suggest that they take the reviews from people on the net as the only source, nor do anything at all. Did you read my post :032:qeustions ? I do not wish to be rude, but your reply to me seems like you did not, maybe I am wrong.