vB Easy Archive - Why are phones on the Premier Site more expensive?

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Why are phones on the Premier Site more expensive?
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Posted by: jrettinger

Then ones on the regular cingular site. What does the Prem. site do for me?

Thanks!

Posted by: Gunner1

Premier is not "one size fits all" like the regular Cingular site. With Premier sponsorship you basically are getting a set discount on phone and service by ordering your equipment with Premier.

For example, when I ordered my new Blackjack it initially showed up at $275 which didn't seem like such a good deal considering I could get it on the regular Cingular site for $299 with $100 rebate.

Then I added a PDA data plan to the phone and the price dropped to $185 with 2nd day air shipping.

When the phone did arrive I noticed that they actually only billed me $155 ($149 + tax) and I still submitted for the $100 rebate since similar rebates have been honored in the past for phones ordered on Premier.

Additionally many Premier accounts allow for a discount not only on the phone but on service. In my case I save about 20% on service which adds up to a savings of around $120 a year, which is a lot of cash.

So, again, a lot of it depends on the negotiated discounts you get through your particular Premier sponsorship. Will there occassionally be phones/plans that are MORE expensive through Premier? Of course, just like with anything else in life.

Posted by: jrettinger

Gunner,

Thank you for that info. I am interested in the blackjack. What data plan did you get?

The rebate is not guaranteed to be honored though?

How often can you upgrade w. Premier?

Posted by: lew2

Side question - how do they verify premier "membership"? I'm no longer associated with an organization that has a Premier discount, but I do still have a functioning email address with that organization so I can access the premier website. Any comments?

Posted by: cowboys93

Quote:

Originally Posted by lew2

Side question - how do they verify premier "membership"? I'm no longer associated with an organization that has a Premier discount, but I do still have a functioning email address with that organization so I can access the premier website. Any comments?

Technically, you still qualify since you have e-maill access with your former company.

Until Cingular asks for letter verification from the employer or proof (checkstub, business card, etc.) As far as they are concerned, you still work there.

As a side note, I entered my home email@sbcglobal.net and received and e-mail link to a premier site for The State of Minnesota. I only post this as an example of how screwed up the "email" verification is and maybe a Cingular employee looks into it.

Posted by: Gunner1

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrettinger

Gunner,

Thank you for that info. I am interested in the blackjack. What data plan did you get?

The rebate is not guaranteed to be honored though?

How often can you upgrade w. Premier?

I ordered the PDA unlimited plan and then after receiving the phone I changed to the Media Max 200 plan.

Posted by: duhrew

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrettinger

Gunner,

Thank you for that info. I am interested in the blackjack. What data plan did you get?

The rebate is not guaranteed to be honored though?

How often can you upgrade w. Premier?

The day after I received my 8125, I was eligible for an upgrade. It's three months later and that still hasn't changed. Your mileage may vary.

Posted by: chnky18

youre upgrade eligibility just depends on your company itself....everyone's is different. Some say every 6 months, 1 year and I know a few people on here have said they can upgrade as many times as they want. You just have to remember everytime you upgrade that your contract extends.

I know I have read and seen both answers, does anyone know if you can get rebate when ordering via premiere?

Posted by: fractured

...depending on your discount, premier has artificially inflated (retail) prices. Interestingly, the former ATTW didn't do this, nor does another company I have a discount with; even more, you could (with the former ATTW) get the discount in the store.

Posted by: stanswx

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboys93

As a side note, I entered my home email@sbcglobal.net and received and e-mail link to a premier site for The State of Minnesota. I only post this as an example of how screwed up the "email" verification is and maybe a Cingular employee looks into it.

I tried that as well (myemail@sbcglobal.net) and it brought of The State of Oklahoma employee!. (which is odd since I live in IL) I don't trust ordering anything through that since I'm not affiliated with them. It is nice to be able to browse around the Premiere site though.

Posted by: cowboys93

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanswx

No doubt, andd to see how rediculous Cingular is with the pricing.

An 8525 or any phones MSRP does not change based upon your FAN.

This is especially important for folks who live in states that charge TAX on the MSRP, and not the actual discounted price with service.

Posted by: MrBigFeathas

Premier also allows you to order just the phone with no service. That's what I did. Then I called up and transferred my line over to the 3G SIM and added the Smartphone Connect plan.