So I think cell phone companies are among the top money grubbers!!  Here is at least my take and example.

I have been with Sprint...actually was with Nextel way back in like 2001 or 2002.  Sprint then bought them out.  We got some good discounts due to the merger/buy out.

We are now up for 2 year renewal this time around.  Actually a few weeks after it, so on month-to-month contract.  I am a Premier member, which affords other perks and such.  (bullshit)  Some of the perks really are not worth it, at least to your usage.  One of them is upgrade discount prior to expiration of contract (10 months early).  The amount is ~$150, moreover, to waive activation fee and other fees.  Riiiight.

So, we went to walk in the store to check out the latest deals and thinking being Premier customers and such, a sweeter deal, in some respect.  We look at the HTC EVO of course.  The price on the label is exactly the same as what I see when logged into my account. 

I'm like really?  wtf is that about?  Certainly that is not any kind of incentive to be a Premier member or actually a current Sprint Customer at all!!  Anyone walking in the door gets the same damn price!

Here is the breakdown of course...and the bullshit "savings" (all marketing):

Regular Price: $449.49
Instant Savings:   $150.00  <= look familiar!?
Main in Rebate:   $100.00

Final New Price: $199.99

This is exactly the same thing displayed via online view of the phone.  When I log in though...nothing is displayed in terms of pricing.  Furthermore, out of stock.

I did the same comparison of another phone that was cheaper.

So I talk with the Sales dude and say right away...you know, what is the incentive for me being a Premier Customer when a non-customer can get the same price for the phone?

He actually says that Sprint is giving a great deal on these phones for their price (i.e., $449.99).  It's not a real price.  The only person that pays that price is the one that bought one, then broke it w/o insurance or voided it with damage and has to choose to buy same phone or not.  At least I've never done that, but as far as I know that is how it works.  I find it amazing that a company could mark a phone down $250 though....so I really question the whole Savings monogram/perception of it.

Further, the Sales guy says that they, the employees, can't get the phone b/c of availability.  That customers come first.  Big whoopteedooo poor you and forgive me that I take that with a grain of salt.  I still haven't heard what distinguishes my Premier status from a non-customer and he continues on asking me what OTHER companies have offerend perks to me and such so that he could compare...since Sprint also is the best in quality/service/etc.  So, as a descent customer I say...I have not looked at other companies unless I'm given a reason to and right now I'm seeing a reason to look at other companies.  So you should maybe look at our account to see if there is anything that can be capitalized upon to keep me.

The best he could do was:

1.  NO change to plan, but 10% reduction in monthly rate.
2.  Add a 3rd phone and reduce to 25% rate.
3.  For the HTC EVOs, you must pay a $10/mth premium/phone.

So...no. 1 was really the only viable option.  No. 2 required buying or getting a freebie phone and at worst toss it into the drawer to never use it.  No. 3...just killed all incentive for that phone as it effectively cancels out No. 1 plus a few more dollars to the plan.

I don't know, maybe I'm a bit harsh, but I honestly think that the pricing of cellphones and plans is rediculous.  Especially when bandwidth is actually not as saturated as before, technology is ahead of the game, and yet the pricing has not really come down.

/rant