Anxious Sprint users ordering HTC Hero now through telesales
By Darren Murph 
posted Oct 8th 2009 8:08PM
posted Oct 8th 2009 8:08PM
[Thanks, JayTV]
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Hero, Moment, or Pre?
Tough decision.
Realistically, I'll probably only be able to keep my SERO plan on the hero or moment. Still, tough decision.
ummm....dude....you won't be able to keep your SERO with ANY of these phones.....you need an Everything Plan....sorry!!
Moment... it has great specs (800 mHz processor, AMOLED) and you will probably be able to hack sense ui on it if not you can get awesome themes of sense ui from the market.
@element4life3
Did you even read the blurb?..
No SERO, sorry tightwad.
@EGOvoruhk
Yes I did, and I am sure his SERO will not stay intact. I'm sure that one member on SprintUsers forums is either mistaken or full of it. These phones require an Everything Data plan. I'm sorry SERO users, but you seriously can't think Sprint will continue losing money on you forever. Yes SERO is an awesome deal, but not worth it if you can't even use it on the latest and greatest phones. Get a TP2 if you can't let go.
@ element4life3
i don't think you know all that much about sprint, you have to make it through about 5 different people, all telling you no, usually ending up in retention, sometimes second level, before they eventually give in to what your asking knowing that whatever they give you will still cost less than replacing yet another customer... in 12 years of dealing with sprint I've found that as long as you're willing to put up with some bullshit and waste a few hours on the phone you can get some really, really, really, really good deals...
Man, I love how Engadget Cares about us SERO users.
I Hope this is True.
Check out this Petition
http://www.petitiononline.com/SERO/petition.html
Please vote
@element4life3
That used to be the case that if you complained or begged enough you could get what you wanted, but lately not so much anymore. Think Pre & Instinct: they never have and never will be able to be activated on anything other than an Everything Data or other equivalent business/employee plan-- the system has been coded simply to not allow it.
@kaze.rck
Did you mean @garynuman?
You are completely right anyways. These phones cannot use the SERO plans. No way, no how. I am tired of every time a new Sprint smart phone (non WM) the SERO crowd chimes in with there stupid "WILL IT WORK ON SERO???" rants, when they should know by now, that NO, it will not, since they have been getting this same answer over and over. I am sure that even after they realize SERO will not work on the HERO or the Samsung Moment, another Android powered device will hit Sprint, and they will STILL start up again with "SERO?"....it never ends...
@kaze.rck
Only an American is dumb enough to actually suggest that paying less for something is somehow wrong. Yeah, impress us with your $90/month Verizon bill and gimped phone, or maybe your iPhone with its iLeash to AT&T's overpriced service. Meanwhile, I'll use that extra $60/month for anything other than handing it to a phone company for no reason at all.
I can't even believe you think you have a point.
@garynuman
What you say may have been true in the past but nowdays it is all about the money. Bottom line is that you can complain as much and as hard as you want the $30 dollar SERO plans do not make money for Sprint and in most cases loses money based on the Data usage alone. Retention has been coached in recent months to look at monetary value of accounts and if its not at certain levels to simply deny the request or let that customer go. In the case of the old SERO plans they have been taken completely out of the system so if for any reason whatsoever that plan comes off your account it can NEVER get put back on, the codes for old SERO plans simply do not exist anymore. Also you can go as high up the chain as you possibly can no one at any level will be able to add a hero to the account with a SERO plan code in place. What you haven't realized is the realeasing of all these new cool phones with plan limitations are designed to get people to switch to a plan that makes money for Sprint and quit just being a drain on their resources.
Also consequently that is why you cannot have phone as a modem on any of the new phones that require those plans (Instinct, Pre, Hero) because all data plans that are used while tethered to a computer (including the data card plans) have to have a 5 gigabyte cap built in to prevent torrenting and such so the network dosen't implode like AT&T's is. The Simply Everything plans include unlimited data on the handset but cannot differentiate between that and tether mode, hence no Sprint supported tethering when on a everything plan.
If you really really want a Pre or a Hero but still refuse to pay full plan price for it try to get whoever worked for Sprint that you knew at the time that got you on the SERO to get you on the new Everything Plus referral plans.
http://delivery.sprint.com/m/p/sprint/epc/epclanding.asp
Yeah they aren't $30 SERO plans but you still save a few bucks.
if you can do Sero+Hero then this is nothing but a WIN.
The system is hard coded to only let that phone on the account with an everything plan in place. He may have ordered the phone but wait till he tries to swap it onto the line. Ain't happenin. Sucks but thats the way it is.
Won't work with SERO plans, the guy is in for a huge let down when he tries to activate it.
Sprints Hero is junk
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/10/first-impression-the-htc-hero-doesnt-quite-cliq.html
after reading that review, i would say the Hero faired pretty well. the biggest drawback they mentioned was the "slugish" navigation. BUT...that will be addressed in the ROM update by HTC (which apparently is being shipped already on the phone.
You can get no better endorsement then Consumer Reports down ranking your product. They are f'n clueless. They always have some whiny crap to say about good products. They are just whoring for T-Mobile and Motorola, and you can't get either of those phones on Sprint anyway. Ignore their phone comparision and actually read the review and they like it!
what is the sero plan
Read my post under.... It was an uber plan you could get with Sprint :(.... for those that don't talk that much but text a lot and use data a lot.... oh those were the days.....
I'm on a Sero plan now with a Touch Pro... unlted text & data + 1,250 anytime mins... $49.95/mo.
Seems WinMo handsets are all they are allowing to access it these days... though I would be just fine with an upgrade to the HD2!
I am still recovering from the psychological damage caused by my stupid decision of canceling my SERO plan. I had 500 minutes, GPS, TV, unlimited text messages and data. but having the Mogul made me hate Sprint.
FORGIVE ME SPRINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take me back under that $29.99/month I was in!
From all these, I would chose the Moment.
That was not directed at you.
It was at the guy selling all the crap.
I know. I regret it too. My bill was $32.00 a month with taxes. I could do everything and it was plenty of minutes for me. But I got selfish. I didn't think the Everything Plus was that bad, and to be honest, it isn't, but seriously...THIRTY DOLLARS A MONTH. What was I thinking? There are cool WinMo phones I could have gotten. I could have made it work. I didn't even try, I just got bored of my phone and they wouldn't take my plan for the new one. Why!? Why'd I do it!?
How you dare, sire !!!! How you dare to contaminate, desecrate our technical grounds with your foul KIRF merchandise!!!! *** slaps him with a white glove *** Apologize! Zaijian!!!
LOL! The mods removed the Chinese Merchant and now the posts are out of place hehe
Overall I have been happy with the plans that I have had with Sprint. The only downside to these phones is that most are not in stores for people to handle. They are sold on hype only. Wish they had them on display on day one so that we could form a valid opinion instead of quoting other sites and reviews.
I am one of those....
I had actually called telesales a couple of days ago to verify availability date and time and after a lot of convincing, got lured into promising him that I will place the order with him only. In return, he promised to call me as soon as they become available for ordering and asked to expect a call from him at 1 PM (that's when his shift starts) on Sunday 10/11. As an added bonus, he waived the activation fee (since I am ordering three lines, that 108 buckaroos right there) + he offered $50 credit/line if I placed the order with him. I could not believe my luck. Eventhough getting it in person on Friday (RZ+preorder) was my original, the offer was simply too good ($258 good..) to pass up.
Reading thru the forums, where some were claiming that it could be ordered thru telesales on 8th, I was kinda hoping that I get call today.
Come 1:02 PM, I get a call from an 800 number and I smiled. It was the telesales-person. I went ahead and ordered.....
Now I am waiting for Monday.....
Though getting it earlier would have been very satisfying, this way I saved some serious money and still can be satisfied with having actually bought it before the most...
Cheers..
--Bamboos
Totally gonna get in... December 1st, when I can upgrade. =b
i've got to wait for this to show up on Sprints Employee Referral Plan website to order!!! Although now I'm not sure, because some people are getting their TP switched out for a TP2, if i can do that, then that's what I'll do.... decisions decisions...
pre-ordered mine at at best buy and rewards zone members can pick it up tomorrow. also no rebates at best buy so the upfront price is $180
Where did you hear that rewards members can pick up their phone tomorrow? If so I need to make a trip to best buy to get my pre-order :)
@tracknod It's all over the internet. I did it myself and confirmed with my Best Buy.
@Jon... I know you could order early as I pre-ordered two. I was just told I had to wait until Sunday to pick it up. The Friday pickup is what I was asking about.
@tracknod The Friday pickup is exactly what I'm talking about ;)
I, and thousands across the country, have asked and confirmed that they can pick up their Heroes on Friday. Supposedly only for Reward Zone members, but the staff at my store don't seem to care.
I'm picking it up tomorrow too. Reward zone members only, but thats free - and the mail in is instant
http://image.emailinfo2.bestbuy.com/lib/fef41d77766c04/m/2/RWZ_ESE_20091007_RZCore_Couponsv2.pdf
here is the flyer with the coupon for early pickup
I'm on the phone w/ telesales now, and they're telling me the Hero requires at least the Everything Data plan. That just ruined my day.
The everything data w/ any mobile anytime plan is 69.99 for 450mins and unlimited texts and data. thats perfect for me because i dont actually use many voice minutes. At least theyre not forcing the 99.99 everything plan.
I'm glad it works out for you. Unfortunately, for me and my family plan, I'm essentially shelling out $30-$40/month more for basically the same plan. That's a showstopper for me.
As a sidenote, they did tell me that the Touch Pro 2 does NOT require an Everything Data plan. Now if they can only lower the price down from $350 for us non-business line folks....
apparently if you call telesales they have an incentive to move you to the higher plan. other depts with no incentive will say that hero will be fine on sero. see this thread at sprint users: http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195570
Placed my order today!
Called customer service and they said no. Called telesales and order went through.
If it was styled like the European Hero and came in red, I would get it in a heartbeat. That way, I could call it the "Crimson Chin."
Any more luck with SERO people?
"Hello"
"Hi this is the voice of logic calling you"
"Hi logic, I just ordered my Sprint HTC Hero from Telesales!!!!!!!!"
"Awesome, so you know by the time your order is processed, hits the warehouse, ships, then is received by you it will be next Monday or Tuesday at the earliest ... or you could have walked into he Sprint store this Sunday and purchased the phone"
"Shit"
And Monday is a holiday!
If you have any questions about the status of your order, please call us at 1-866-789-8292.
Order Number: tm-tsrq-xxxxxx61
Last updated: 10/09/2009
Product ID Description Qty. Order Date Tracking #
APA6277KT HTC Hero 1 2009-10-06 1ZXxxxxxxxxx41147
Status: Your order has been shipped. Click on the shipping tracking number to track the progress of your order. Please allow 2-5 days for delivery. If you have questions, please call 866-789-8292 between 8:00 a.m. EST to 11:00 p.m. EST Monday to Friday or 9:00 a.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. EST on Saturdays and Sundays.Please note, it may take up to 24 hours for your tracking number to be active.
APA6277KT HTC Hero 1 2009-10-06 1ZXxxxxxxxxx41147
Status: Your order has been shipped. Click on the shipping tracking number to track the progress of your order. Please allow 2-5 days for delivery. If you have questions, please call 866-789-8292 between 8:00 a.m. EST to 11:00 p.m. EST Monday to Friday or 9:00 a.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. EST on Saturdays and Sundays.Please note, it may take up to 24 hours for your tracking number to be active.
APA6277KT HTC Hero 1 2009-10-06 1ZXxxxxxxxxx41147
Status: Your order has been shipped. Click on the shipping tracking number to track the progress of your order. Please allow 2-5 days for delivery. If you have questions, please call 866-789-8292 between 8:00 a.m. EST to 11:00 p.m. EST Monday to Friday or 9:00 a.m. EST to 9:00 p.m. EST on Saturdays and Sundays.Please note, it may take up to 24 hours for your tracking number to be active.
Tracking Detail
Help
Your package is on time with a scheduled delivery date of 10/09/2009.
Tracking Number:1ZXxxxxxxxxx41147 Status: In Transit - On Time Scheduled Delivery Date:10/09/2009 Shipped To: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US Shipped/Billed On:10/08/2009Type:PackageService:NEXT DAY AIR SAVERWeight:4.20 Lbs
The details of the tracking reveal that the package is on the truck for delivery...
Tracking info:
JACKSONVILLE, FL, US 10/09/2009 6:47 A.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
10/09/2009 6:22 A.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
LOUISVILLE, KY, US 10/09/2009 4:40 A.M. DEPARTURE SCAN
LOUISVILLE, KY, US 10/08/2009 11:09 P.M. ARRIVAL SCAN
10/08/2009 10:50 P.M. ORIGIN SCA
I live in Jacksonville...
wish it had a slide out keyboard...this would of been the perfect replacement for my touch
I think the phone your looking for is the Samsung Moment...Yeah its not an HTC but Engadget's first hands on said it was looking good.
No go on SERO.
And you only need to wait a bit longer...
"Starting Nov. 1, customers can purchase Samsung Moment through all Sprint channels including Web (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and our national retail partners. Retail pricing will be $179.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 instant savings and a $100 mail-in-rebate with a two-year service agreement." -from press release today
I wasn't real thrilled about Samsungs earlier Instincts but mostly it was thier software since this is android I expect better things.
the good thing about the samsung on Nov. 1st is that you can get the hero, use it until the 1st, try the samsung and if u like it u can trade the hero in because it falls within 30 days :-)
Everything data plan of 69.99 is 53 after 23% discount and $10 monthly discount and a $50 off on first bill works out to around $40 a month. It comes with free TV premier and GPS navigation and even Blackberry internet services, PAM, etc. Even anymobile anytime. I think this is actually much better than the 30$ sero
how did you get the 23% discount and $10 off though? Would this be available to anyone?
How did you get those discounts?
i cant speak for amayancgirl but I get a 25% off per month discount through my job. Perks of working at a huge corporation :-)
the 23% is through an employer, many have deals with sprint and other carriers. the 10% is something sprint will give you if you know how to complain
I have 28% from my employer (i think thats the highest discount prog sprint offers) plus $10 off a month. The $10 off a month is something Sprint retentions would do back in the day called a "loyal customer discount". Basically once they screwed your bill up so many times, if you promised not to leave them they'd throw you a "loyal customer discount". I don't know if this is true or not but some people were reporting they got a loyal customer discount of $25 per month.
I've been playing with this phone because we went to a HTC training and they gave 1 HTC Hero for free to each indirect dealer and let me tell you, there is no such thing as "slugish" navigation. The phone works really well and the only thing I did not like is that is a bit slow when you turn the phone horizontal to have the keyboard in landscape when you type a message but I believe with a update it can be fixed.
There is a long list of companies that sprint offers an employee discount to. I get a student discount but I am sure you can get something. The $50 comes with that also. The $10 monthly you just call and ask. There are others who have gotten much much more. You just have to be persistent.
The Moment this comes out,i'll be getting it
=)
I ordered today and he said it will be at my door tomorrow!
He was lying, lol.
It wont even ship till tomorrow.
the stores here in Michigan are already selling the Hero! i got mine today!
Which store in Michigan?? I want to pick one up!!
Which store in Michigan?? I want to pick one up!!
damn i want one. this is such a sexy phone with the enhanced ui. I know it is slow, but i don't care. Deal with it.
How do you know its not on Sero, do you have the phone and did you try and activate it w/ sero........no, just wait and see, if not, fine.
Why so many SERO haters? Jealous I guess. Keep forking out that extra $40/$60 month...suckers.
Got one coming in the mail with SERO
Man, I remember I did this years ago with the Sanyo 5700. It was like knowing a secret nobody else knew. Sometimes the first few reps would play dumb, then you get that one that doesn't give a shit and is like "sure, I can place that order for you".
For those of you that dont know. The new SERO plans,start at 59.99 and that includes Any Mobile Anytime, 500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited data, GPS Navigation, Sprint Music Premier, Sprint TV Premier, BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS) ... Night calling and weekends starting at 7 p.m., nationwide long distance and no roaming charges...
It will ask for an employee e-mail and CID. Use these.
Email: russ.s.mcguire@sprint.com
Last 3 digits of employee ID: 383
Dont say I never did anything for ya.
I'm part of a family plan because I'm 17, but I know I'm gonna need a SERO plan when I move out within the year, you're a good man.
Some people (not everyone) have also been able to combine Corporate discounts on top of this this deal. Either through your job or banking with Credit Unions. Here is a list of just some companies of the companies That apply. http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=74624
http://www.petitiononline.com/SERO/petition.html ... Lets get this ball rolling SERO people.
Get over the SERO. If you have a decent employee discount (mine is 25%) on a family plan, it works out to the same as a sero! Plus you get the best new phones without all the B.S.
1500 min everything data plan is 129.99
+19.99 X3(for 3 additional lines)
*.75(applying employee discount)
/5 (per person each month)
=$28.49 per person each month before taxes and fees.
Get on a family plan with a discount and stop whining about not having access to new phones!
Hmmmm
GOD, WHY?! Why would you order that piece of shit?! Now you can call me a Sprint hater if you want, but considering the fact that I've been with Sprint for over 5 years and I'm not considering leaving any time soon, it wouldn't get you very far. This is one phone of the many sprint has totally F*CKED UP. The original design was much better and they allowed HTC to keep using that piece of crap processor. I love Sprint but they royally f*cked this phone. I was about excited about it until I saw they were still using that shitty processor and just downright insulted when they moved to that FUGLY design. I give it two to three weeks before people start complaining about this piece of crap. I ended up buying a Pre which I am very happy with thus far. I giggle every time Palm kicks Apple in the jimmy with their iTunes syncing. F*CK APPLE.
The way you feel the Hero or iPhone are crap, people think the Pre is crap.
Not everyone loves everything. One day you'll realize it's ok for people not to like the things you like and spend their money differently than you.
just wait til a crack starts at the usb port and moves to your screen. 2/3 precentral palmcast speakers had to use insurance. they babied their phones too.
maybe you'll get the oreo twist, instant shut down of the phone, or a giant crack from the center button...
but i digress, enjoy your pre-headache time.
I JUST got off the phone and ordered one. I will receive it UPS on or before Tuesday! I'm so excited!
I have one reserved and awaiting me at my local Sprint store for Sunday morning at 11am.
I simply cannot wait.
Here's another alternative to SERO plan. Get this plan Everything Plus™ Data - with Any Mobile, Anytime 500 min for $59.99 and then ask a sprint associate to give you a company discount such as IBM of 25% off.
So that's $60 - 25% = $45 bucks and you get GPS and sprint TV included.
Not the same as SERO but close.
That is a good idea, but you actually have to work for the company.. I've tried before.
http://www.petitiononline.com/SERO/petition.html -- Lets get the ball rolling.
Got mine at the Sprint store today (Fri 10/9). Walked in and asked to see the Hero, csr said not avail till the 11th. I said, sounding dissapointed, Oh, I heard it was available starting at 7 last night. Let me check, he says - goes to the back and comes out with a demo. I play with it a little, it's snappy. I ask if they waive activation like on the website. No. I tell him that if there's any way he can figure out how to waive activation (2 phones purchased), I'd take em right then. Checks with manager, tells me that if I have an AOL email, he can waive activation, and give 10% discount on billing. I have one because I signed up before going for this very purpose. I ported from tmo and got $200 off future bills, and porting was complete before I even got home. About to power up device...
Sorry about spamming this everywhere, but I'm pretty excited about it and I'm sure others would like to know.
I preordered the phone almost a month ago at BB. I went in today to pick it up since i was a reward zone member. They had Fn sold it to some other person and they wouldnt get more in until Tues or Wed of next week. Needless to say, i was livid.
Checked it out last night (October 9th) at Best Buy and it seemed sweet. I called Sprint today and was totally pissed off by the time I got off the phone. They said that I would be forced into a new more expensive family plan and that I could not have a PAM plan along with the new family plan. I would have to have two individual plans.
Sprint is lame and really pissing me off. She tried to tell me that my current unlimited data plan would not work on this model phone. What a joke Sprint is by trying to get me to get a more expensive data plan. I will be looking for a new carrier in 6 months with this kind of service. My current plan is a tiered family plan with unlimited data, unlimited text, PAM added, Sprint Pro pack etc....
I just called telesales and they took my order. I know it is a weekend and they won't probably process it until Monday or Tuesday but I was impatient to wait another day to order it online. I wasn't required to change my current plan although I am willing to change it to a simply everything plan.