Wow, almost a month since my last post...I'm certainly slipping, and it's showing in my cc bills! But on to the point -
I called Nextel, my current cell phone provider, to find out when my billing cycle ended as I was switching to Verizon (they offer a 19% discount to government employees). When my current provider asked me why I wanted to switch, I told them. They, of course, asked me to stay, and offered me a 19% discount. I hemmed and hawed, because I really wanted to get on the Verizon network that most of my family and friends are on. Then my provider told me about a plan they had where I could pick any three numbers to make free calls to. As I was still uncertain, they made me an offer I could not refuse - 800 minutes for $32.99/mo. (I currently get 500 for $36.99) - with the additional 19% off. SOLD! (Later when I called back to accept the deal, they couldn't find a way to give me 19%, so they bumped it up to 20%).
800 minutes for $26! Plus free calls to the three numbers I call most!!!! I am loving this. The moral of the story: if you are no longer under contract and thinking of switching providers, give your old provider a call first. They may be desperate enough to keep you to make you a heck of an offer. I don't think this will work, though, if you are still on a contract - there's no incentive there for the company. The rate I received was an unadvertised rate available only through the customer service line - not to the general public.
I also inquired about a new phone. I was offered one that retailed at over $500 for $170 with no activation fee. Never hurts to ask...
Cell phone victory
August 14th, 2007 at 02:30 am
August 14th, 2007 at 02:47 am 1187056030
August 16th, 2007 at 12:29 am 1187220569