Playground Rules

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Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty
sick of seeing those Sprint "Holier than Thou"
commercials exploiting little kids. So...
I made up a list of Sprint's Playground Rules.
Here they are, enjoy.

Playground Rules () = small print

1. We'll give you 50 cents if you use our playground instead of
theirs. (NOT)(See problem monkey)

2. When the playground bully asks you to lend him some money
for something he wants to buy, don't worry, give it to him.
You'll get your money back. For sure! (wait 4-6 weeks and
hope the bully submits the right mail-in rebate paperwork)
(See solution monkey if he doesn't)

3. If you have a problem, see the solution monkey. If you have
a solution, see the problem monkey.

4. If the water fountain runs dry, you can turn it on. But
you'll need to sign a water service agreement, and that will
cost you 5 additional cents every time you use the playground.

If the jungle bars are too high for you, they can be lowered.
But you'll need to sign a jungle service agreement, and that will
cost you 5 additional cents every time you use the playground.

...

5. You'll get a ride home by our escort service after you finish
playing. (Parents, see problem monkey if your kid doesn't show)

6. Don't tell your parents (regulating commission) about our little
secret rules. Or we'll make you look like a fool when we tell them
it was all a mistake, we fixed it, and you're just making a big deal
over nothing.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Jack SaturnOwner wrote:
>
> I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty
> sick of seeing those Sprint "Holier than Thou"
> commercials exploiting little kids. So...
>
> <snip>

"Holier than Thou?"

Personally, I think they're pretty amusing!

Larry
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

(Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:
> I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty
> sick of seeing those Sprint "Holier than Thou"
> commercials exploiting little kids.   So... I
> made up a list of Sprint's Playground Rules.
> Here they are, enjoy. (big snip)

I find these commercials pretty funny, actually. I don't understand
where you get the "Holier than Thou" attitude from them... they are
meant to be somewhat sarcastic in nature.

Eric
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

(Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:
> If you have a problem, see the solution
> monkey. If you have   a solution, see the
> problem monkey.

Which monkey wrote up these rules?

Seriously though, some of what you wrote made sense, but some just seems
like nitpicking. Especially the mail-in rebate part... you make it
sound like Sprint is the only ones who require the appropriate paperwork
to be sent in to aquire one. Sprint has a good amount of faults, but I
think you are digging the bottom of the barrel here.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Jack SaturnOwner" <carqs123@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:51865b53.0406091021.42fbe808@posting.google.com...
> I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty
> sick of seeing those Sprint "Holier than Thou"
> commercials exploiting little kids. So...
> I made up a list of Sprint's Playground Rules.
> Here they are, enjoy.

Exploiting? Just how are they being exploited? They are doing a commercial.

Holier than Thou? Just how did you come to this conclusion? Because they
inform the viewers on the lowest level possible, on what is an important
question, on how many minutes a user actually needs, without getting hit for
additional minute charges of $0.50 or $0.75 if the outgoing call is LD? If
it is, then you are way off base.

Bob
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

> Holier than Thou? Just how did you come to this conclusion?

One crook knocking another crook's tactics.

Granted, I am a former ATiTy customer. And Sprint is an order of
magnitude better as far as everything goes. But still, there
is room for improvement.

> Because they inform the viewers on the lowest level possible, on
> what is an important question, on how many minutes a user
> actually needs

They just charge you something like 10 cents a minute for all minutes
instead of 10 cents a minute for the first 300 minutes then 40 cents if
you go over.

They call it a variable rate plan, but it's not variable at all.

Don't get me wrong. It's a great improvement for some people,
especially if you work weekends and have weekdays free, and all
your friends are like that too.

Me personally, I took the 7PM free nights, and practically I have
0 cents a minute for all other minutes, because I work M-F 9-5 and
my life doesn't start till after dinner.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <51865b53.0406091021.42fbe808@posting.google.com>,
carqs123@hotmail.com (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:

> I don't know about you but I'm getting pretty
> sick of seeing those Sprint "Holier than Thou"
> commercials exploiting little kids. So...
> I made up a list of Sprint's Playground Rules.
> Here they are, enjoy.
>
> Playground Rules () = small print
>
> 1. We'll give you 50 cents if you use our playground instead of
> theirs. (NOT)(See problem monkey)
>
> 2. When the playground bully asks you to lend him some money
> for something he wants to buy, don't worry, give it to him.
> You'll get your money back. For sure! (wait 4-6 weeks and
> hope the bully submits the right mail-in rebate paperwork)
> (See solution monkey if he doesn't)
>
> 3. If you have a problem, see the solution monkey. If you have
> a solution, see the problem monkey.
>
> 4. If the water fountain runs dry, you can turn it on. But
> you'll need to sign a water service agreement, and that will
> cost you 5 additional cents every time you use the playground.
>
> If the jungle bars are too high for you, they can be lowered.
> But you'll need to sign a jungle service agreement, and that will
> cost you 5 additional cents every time you use the playground.
>
> ...
>
> 5. You'll get a ride home by our escort service after you finish
> playing. (Parents, see problem monkey if your kid doesn't show)
>
> 6. Don't tell your parents (regulating commission) about our little
> secret rules. Or we'll make you look like a fool when we tell them
> it was all a mistake, we fixed it, and you're just making a big deal
> over nothing.

Too bad it's worse than you described.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <25423-40C76BA7-95@storefull-3238.bay.webtv.net>,
caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote:

> (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:
> > If you have a problem, see the solution
> > monkey. If you have   a solution, see the
> > problem monkey.
>
> Which monkey wrote up these rules?
>
> Seriously though, some of what you wrote made sense, but some just seems
> like nitpicking. Especially the mail-in rebate part... you make it
> sound like Sprint is the only ones who require the appropriate paperwork
> to be sent in to aquire one. Sprint has a good amount of faults, but I
> think you are digging the bottom of the barrel here.

Everyone else does it is never a valid excuse for a customer unfriendly
practice.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

(Røbert M.) wrote:
> Everyone else does it is never a valid excuse
> for a customer unfriendly practice.

Normally, I would agree with you here, but since I was talking about
mail-in rebates... name me one mail in rebate in which any company
doesn't require you to send in proof-of-purchase and/or upc barcode?
This goes from anyone from cell phones, to dvd mail in rebates, to $3.00
off shampoo offers. I don't think requiring a customer to send in a
form plus proof of purchase as "unfriendly".

Eric
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <19549-40C7B155-120@storefull-3235.bay.webtv.net>,
caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote:

> (Røbert M.) wrote:
> > Everyone else does it is never a valid excuse
> > for a customer unfriendly practice.
>
> Normally, I would agree with you here, but since I was talking about
> mail-in rebates... name me one mail in rebate in which any company
> doesn't require you to send in proof-of-purchase and/or upc barcode?

Pennzoil, I just bought a case of it at Pep Boys, and it didnt have
those requirements.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <51865b53.0406091637.68a7523b@posting.google.com>,
carqs123@hotmail.com (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:

> Me personally, I took the 7PM free nights, and practically I have
> 0 cents a minute for all other minutes, because I work M-F 9-5 and
> my life doesn't start till after dinner.

Retention now has the option of providing 7 PM nights with an offsetting
$5/month "Strategic credit" to make it free.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <rmarkoff-922993.21213109062004@news5.west.earthlink.net>,
rmarkoff@faq.city says...
>
> Retention now has the option of providing 7 PM nights with an offsetting
> $5/month "Strategic credit" to make it free.
>
>

Nope. That's a special offer that is being test marketed.

--
RØß
O/Siris
I work for Sprint PCS
I *don't* speak for them
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

(Røbert M.) wrote:
> Pennzoil, I just bought a case of it at Pep
> Boys, and it didnt have those requirements.

Point taken. Any other rebates you care to name? I would venture to
say that 99% of mail-in rebates being offered requires you to send in a
upc/reciept/proof-of-purchase/rebate form. I have never sent in for a
rebate without having to send in these items (unless you count those
"instant" rebates, which doesn't fall into the same catergory). I don't
think that makes a company customer unfriendly.. they are just asking
for proof that you bought their product before they give you a rebate or
special offer.

Eric
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

(Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:
> Me personally, I took the 7PM free nights,
> and practically I have 0 cents a minute for all
> other minutes, because I work M-F 9-5 and
> my life doesn't start till after dinner.

I agree with you there. I work mostly days (although not strictly M-F),
and therefore, I do not use my phone until after 6pm, which is only an
hour outside of my 7pm night start time.

Sprint, while I think their advertising is funny, needs to get serious
in educating future customers (and their own reps and dealers) about how
to explain Fair and Flexible in a complete, decisive manner. This is a
program that will work for some, and will be ultra expensive for others,
and there needs to be training so reps can recognize which plans to
offer to which customers.

Eric
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

> Everyone else does it is never a valid excuse for a customer unfriendly
> practice.

Also, because everyone else does this, we customers are aware of it.
And I for one am convinced that the atmosphere of confusion and
mistakes is by design, not mistake.

Alot of major US corporations, banks, freak flier programs,
computer manufacturers, etc. make advertising claims then
mistakes then hedge their bets on the customer either not
noticing or not making a fuss about it and letting it go.

There is a consistent, across the board, pattern of confusion
and mistakes that earn these companies money and profits. This
is not just restricted to the telecom companies. Only with
this particular industry, cell phones, the problem is blantantly
obvious.

So... please do not get on my case for making a case of nickel and
dime honest errors or omissions.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Jack SaturnOwner" <carqs123@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:51865b53.0406091637.68a7523b@posting.google.com...
> > Holier than Thou? Just how did you come to this conclusion?
>
> One crook knocking another crook's tactics.

Sorry, but I still don't see that connects up with your prior statement.
>
> Granted, I am a former ATiTy customer. And Sprint is an order of
> magnitude better as far as everything goes. But still, there
> is room for improvement.
>
> > Because they inform the viewers on the lowest level possible, on
> > what is an important question, on how many minutes a user
> > actually needs
>
> They just charge you something like 10 cents a minute for all minutes
> instead of 10 cents a minute for the first 300 minutes then 40 cents if
> you go over.

No, what they do is sell a bucket of minutes for a certain price. If one
only used 150 minutes out of that 300 minute plan, then in your reasoning it
costs $0.20/minute. As to using the $0.40 / minute figure, that actually
depends on how old your plan is. Folks on newer plans would be charged $.50
/ min, for any AT minutes used, once the bucket minutes are gone, plus
$0.25/ minute on outgoing LD calls.
>
> They call it a variable rate plan, but it's not variable at all.

I haven't seen that specific language being advertised. What I do see from
http://fairflexible.sprint.com/pricing.html is that for those folks who
don't use their phone that much, but do use more minutes during a billing
cycle, it's cheaper, than the flat 300 minute plans. If one used 100 extra
minutes on the flat plan (and it's all incoming or local outgoing calls)
with a flat plan, it would cost them $50 more. Do any LD calls, and it's
going to be more and $50 in additional charges for that month.

With F & F, it would cost them $15 more & LD is included.

Bob
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <17061-40C850F9-170@storefull-3231.bay.webtv.net>,
caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote:

> (Røbert M.) wrote:
> > Pennzoil, I just bought a case of it at Pep
> > Boys, and it didnt have those requirements.
>
> Point taken. Any other rebates you care to name? I would venture to
> say that 99% of mail-in rebates being offered requires you to send in a
> upc/reciept/proof-of-purchase/rebate form. I have never sent in for a
> rebate without having to send in these items (unless you count those
> "instant" rebates, which doesn't fall into the same catergory). I don't
> think that makes a company customer unfriendly.. they are just asking
> for proof that you bought their product before they give you a rebate or
> special offer.

It nearly put Iomega out of business when they couldn't keep up with
$50 rebates on Zip drives. They ended up getting sued and having to make
an expensive settlement. I avoid mail-in rebates, only buying items
that I might buy without the rebate. The Pennzoil 5W-20 was $1.39 /pint
before rebate.

Rebates are commonly designed in the hope (as sometimes happens) that
only 10% will be redeemed, but a lower "after rebate" price can be
advertised.

Rebates as generally handled are extremely customer unfriendly.

Apple had such valuable rebates that people were removing UPCs off boxes
on shelfs in stores, so Apple started requiring the UPC be intact and
include the underlying cardboard.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

(Røbert M.) wrote:
> I avoid mail-in rebates, only buying items that
> I might buy without the rebate.

I usually do too. I always look for products that advertise an
"instant" rebate. But on the same token, I have mailed in (in between
computer software/hardware, cell phones/accessories, dvds, to even
shampoo and frozen foods) probably over 300 rebates in my lifetime, and
I wound venture to say that I have received all of them with no problem.
I keep a log of all the rebates I send in, the date I sent them in, and
when I get my check.

> Rebates are commonly designed in the hope
> (as sometimes happens) that only 10% will be
> redeemed, but a lower "after rebate" price can
> be advertised.

That is true.

> Apple had such valuable rebates that people
> were removing UPCs off boxes on shelfs in
> stores, so Apple started requiring the UPC be
> intact and include the underlying cardboard.

I didn't know that. That is pretty fascinating.

Eric
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote in message news:<17061-40C850F9-170@storefull-3231.bay.webtv.net>...

> I would venture to
> say that 99% of mail-in rebates being offered requires you to send in a
> upc/reciept/proof-of-purchase/rebate form.

I buy alot of computer equipment at Frys electronics. Set up a spread
sheet to keep track, for my own peace of mind. Have roughly 50 items
in it so far. Here's the tally:

$750 USD - money that I received back over the past year
$200 USD - money that I did not recieve back over the past year

I got roughly 20% of my promised money.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <17062-40C87998-46@storefull-3231.bay.webtv.net>,
caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote:

> (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:
> > Me personally, I took the 7PM free nights,
> > and practically I have 0 cents a minute for all
> > other minutes, because I work M-F 9-5 and
> > my life doesn't start till after dinner.
>
> I agree with you there. I work mostly days (although not strictly M-F),
> and therefore, I do not use my phone until after 6pm, which is only an
> hour outside of my 7pm night start time.
>
> Sprint, while I think their advertising is funny, needs to get serious
> in educating future customers (and their own reps and dealers) about how
> to explain Fair and Flexible in a complete, decisive manner. This is a
> program that will work for some, and will be ultra expensive for others,
> and there needs to be training so reps can recognize which plans to
> offer to which customers.

SprintPCS should advertise how easy it is to check minutes used; either
on the web or at *4.

If one checks the other carriers newsgroups, folks are always
complaining about their difficulty in tracking usage. This is a REAL
STRENGTH for Sprint.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

"Røbert M." <rmarkoff@faq.city> wrote in message
news:rmarkoff-52B18A.11361410062004@news5.west.earthlink.net...
> In article <17062-40C87998-46@storefull-3231.bay.webtv.net>,
> caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote:
>
> > (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:
> > > Me personally, I took the 7PM free nights,
> > > and practically I have 0 cents a minute for all
> > > other minutes, because I work M-F 9-5 and
> > > my life doesn't start till after dinner.
> >
> > I agree with you there. I work mostly days (although not strictly M-F),
> > and therefore, I do not use my phone until after 6pm, which is only an
> > hour outside of my 7pm night start time.
> >
> > Sprint, while I think their advertising is funny, needs to get serious
> > in educating future customers (and their own reps and dealers) about how
> > to explain Fair and Flexible in a complete, decisive manner. This is a
> > program that will work for some, and will be ultra expensive for others,
> > and there needs to be training so reps can recognize which plans to
> > offer to which customers.
>
> SprintPCS should advertise how easy it is to check minutes used; either
> on the web or at *4.
>
> If one checks the other carriers newsgroups, folks are always
> complaining about their difficulty in tracking usage. This is a REAL
> STRENGTH for Sprint.

Be still my heart. Phillipe actually praising SPCS ... Someone pass me some
Amyl Nitrate. I'm about to faint ...

Bob
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <17061-40C88942-203@storefull-3231.bay.webtv.net>,
caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote:

> (Røbert M.) wrote:
> > I avoid mail-in rebates, only buying items that
> > I might buy without the rebate.
>
> I usually do too. I always look for products that advertise an
> "instant" rebate. But on the same token, I have mailed in (in between
> computer software/hardware, cell phones/accessories, dvds, to even
> shampoo and frozen foods) probably over 300 rebates in my lifetime, and
> I wound venture to say that I have received all of them with no problem.
> I keep a log of all the rebates I send in, the date I sent them in, and
> when I get my check.
>
> > Rebates are commonly designed in the hope
> > (as sometimes happens) that only 10% will be
> > redeemed, but a lower "after rebate" price can
> > be advertised.
>
> That is true.
>
> > Apple had such valuable rebates that people
> > were removing UPCs off boxes on shelfs in
> > stores, so Apple started requiring the UPC be
> > intact and include the underlying cardboard.
>
> I didn't know that. That is pretty fascinating.
>
> Eric


I found their instructions:

Cut out the UPC labels from the Apple computer and/or software product
boxes. Be sure to cut out the whole label, including the part number
with bar code, the serial number, the product description, and all
layers of the cardboard. Write the appropriate serial numbers below.
Peeled-off UPC labels will not be accepted.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <51865b53.0406100906.3ea81486@posting.google.com>,
carqs123@hotmail.com (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:

> Here is where the customer service vs customer solutions game comes
> into
> play.

Can you say Turf War?

SprintPCS also has them between eCare (which now has more authority),
Executive Services, and Retention/Cancellation (which now has less
authority - no more bonus minutes, just the unadvertised $40/750 minute
plans, etc).
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

Jack SaturnOwner <carqs123@hotmail.com> wrote:

> $750 USD - money that I received back over the past year
> $200 USD - money that I did not recieve back over the past year
>
> I got roughly 20% of my promised money.

You mean *didn't* get?

--
JustThe.net Internet & New Media Services, http://JustThe.net/
Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / 888.480.4NET (4638) / sjsobol@JustThe.net
PGP Key available from your friendly local key server (0xE3AE35ED)
Apple Valley, California Nothing scares me anymore. I have three kids.
 
Archived from groups: alt.cellular.sprintpcs (More info?)

In article <51865b53.0406101459.4a0a1876@posting.google.com>,
carqs123@hotmail.com (Jack SaturnOwner) wrote:

> caperenewal@webtv.net (Eric) wrote in message
> news:<17061-40C850F9-170@storefull-3231.bay.webtv.net>...
>
> > I would venture to
> > say that 99% of mail-in rebates being offered requires you to send in a
> > upc/reciept/proof-of-purchase/rebate form.
>
> I buy alot of computer equipment at Frys electronics. Set up a spread
> sheet to keep track, for my own peace of mind. Have roughly 50 items
> in it so far. Here's the tally:
>
> $750 USD - money that I received back over the past year
> $200 USD - money that I did not recieve back over the past year
>
> I got roughly 20% of my promised money.

Reports are rebates from CompUSA or handled by Continental Promotions in
Phoenix, Arizona are the most difficult to obtain.

Microsoft, Sony, Epson, Michelin and Office Max have been good as far as
my experience goes.
 
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