Incentives to stay with cell phone providers

In My Humble Opinion
1

I remember reading in a few cell phone threads here that if you threaten to quit a cell phone provider (after contract expires), they may offer you incentives to stay.

Well, my contract with T-Mobile is almost up, and I have no complaints. 600 anytime minutes, unlimited nights/weekends, AOL Instant Messenger, and all that jazz. Plus, I’m very happy with their service in my area.

But, for the same price (39.99+tax) at Verizon I could get 300 anytime + 1000 mobile-to-moblie (plus unlimited nights/weekend), which translates to lots more talking with my girlfriend on her Verizon phone.

So I actually do have reason to want to leave.

However, I have no complaints with T-Mobile, and by far prefer their selection of phones. Also, since I have a near-broken phone already, I have to replace it, and wouldn’t mind using my ability to cancel my plan as a way to get a discount on a new phone (I’m drooling over this one here ).

Um, so basically, to make a long story short: anyone know how I could use the very real possibility of leaving T-Mobile to instead get some very good incentives to stay?

2

bump

Okay, what I’m asking is how, exactly, do I tactfully and respecfully request incentives out of cell phone reps if I’m considering cancelling? I don’t think it’d work to just call up and say, “I want more stuff, please.” Would it?

3

I would say something to the effect of "I’m happy with you guys, but to be honest Verizon has a better deal, and times are tight right now. Do you guys offer anything similar to their plan?

Right now is actually a good time to haggle with cell companies, because the number portability law is going into effect towards the end of the month. Lack of number portability was the only thing keeping me with AT&T, and I’m sure I’m not alone, and the companies know this too, so they are bending over backwards to accommodate people.

Good Luck.