Shrinkage Discussion

[2400baud]

Don't you achieve the maximum benefit of shrinkage after 18 months?

[JDubTrey]

Don't you achieve the maximum benefit of shrinkage after 18 months?

Yes.

...but that 18 months of service will average $50 a month (6 months of 55, 6 months of 50, 6 months of 45).

In order to average $45/month (the VM $45/1200 min plan is enough airtime for me), I'd have to stay for 36 months (the 18 months above plus 18 months at the $40 rate as you mentioned).

So I'd have to be on Boost for 3+ years to make it worthwhile over the $45 VM plan.

I was just wondering if I should consider that.

[billm261]

In order to average $45/month (the VM $45/1200 min plan is enough airtime for me), I'd have to stay for 36 months (the 18 months above plus 18 months at the $40 rate as you mentioned).

So I'd have to be on Boost for 3+ years to make it worthwhile over the $45 VM plan.

I am considering either the Design or the EVO this summer. The EVO has better specs, but Boost has Shrinkage.

I"d stay with VM and get the EVO V.

You've indicated that 1200 minutes would be plenty so unlimited is really not an issue.

The EVO V is a far superior device to the EVO Design. Sprint's own customer feedback posts all complain about the battery. It seems to be absolutely horrible. Plus it's a single core processor, less RAM, smaller display and non Gorilla glass.

Maybe ICS will help the Design out, I really don't know.

[JDubTrey]

I"d stay with VM and get the EVO V.

You've indicated that 1200 minutes would be plenty so unlimited is really not an issue.

The EVO V is a far superior device to the EVO Design. Sprint's own customer feedback posts all complain about the battery. It seems to be absolutely horrible. Plus it's a single core processor, less RAM, smaller display and non Gorilla glass.

Maybe ICS will help the Design out, I really don't know.

Thanks.

Shrinkage seems like a great deal and the Design seems to be a really sleek and sexy device. My local Sprint store actually had displays of both the Design and the 3D (no 3Ds in stock of course) working and the Design was attractive and essentially the same size.

...but the difference in the hardware seems to outweigh the Shrinkage benefit.

Thanks for all the input.

[corrupt81]

Also take into account if you are going to use mobile hotspot or not. $10 on Boost while $15 on Virgin.
Over a year that's $60 saved on Boost for the same exact service on Virgin. (Not to mention after a year you're down to your current $45 plan on Boost - but with unlimited minutes.)

Wish Boost would have gotten the same EVO 4G as Virgin would make decisions much easier!

[BoostChicago]

I today got the HTC EVO Design 4G. However something happened in the activation process that made me abandon it for a few days.

I'm coming up on my final shrinkage milestone on June 25th. Back a year ago when I was four months into shrinkage I tried to switch phones to the Galaxy Prevail and it messed up my shrinkage status.

Then today on activation on the site it says I have a pending rate plan change and I'd need to click yes to cancel it and see available pricing plans. I have read someone else saying you cannot change handsets with a pending shrinkage milestone as your next bill. Is that still the case?

I'd rather use my new phone now vs. 2 weeks from now but definitely don't want to mess up shrinkage. I was never able to fully recover from having it reset awhile back (I got two months back but not all 4--multiple calls to CS got nowhere just confused indians).

[kolosus]

Changing handsets will mess up your shrinkage status. I had to send my prevail into Samsung for warranty work and had no other phone to use but my old BB 8330. I switched back and forth to the device but it messed up my shrinkage by two months! In retrospect it was definitely not worth it. I should've gotten a cheap $20 set from walmart and that would've kept my shrinkage intact.

My advice. Do not do this. Wait for it. OR give CS a call and see if they can switch it for you leaving your shrinkage intact.

[Albert Phannick]

I thought that if you signed up for auto reboost that there are no taxes. I looked and I was charged $42 even though it should only be $40.

One more $40 payment then I'm down to $35 a month!

[jeff_adams]

I'm now at the lowest shrinkage ($35). If I switched headsets and bought an EVO Design, would I start at $40 a month or do I have to start shrinkage all over again at $55?

[kolosus]

I'm now at the lowest shrinkage ($35). If I switched headsets and bought an EVO Design, would I start at $40 a month or do I have to start shrinkage all over again at $55?

If you switched to an Android phone (Design, Transform Ultra etc) your bill would go up by $5. Your total bill would be $40. You would not start back up at the top and work your way down.

[HC21]

I don't want to brag... oh, what am I saying? Yes I do! I have just achieved maximum shrinkage!!!

$35/month on my Prevail!!! Love it!

[RawhideYeeehaw]

I'm now at the lowest shrinkage ($35). If I switched headsets and bought an EVO Design, would I start at $40 a month or do I have to start shrinkage all over again at $55?

I switched my wife from a fully shrunk dumb phone to the Motorola XPRT and her bill wen't up to $40 to account for the additional $5/mos for the android data.

[503ducati]

I switched my wife from a fully shrunk dumb phone to the Motorola XPRT and her bill wen't up to $40 to account for the additional $5/mos for the android data.

You can get that $5 back this week, Target has refills on sale. I can't remember what the expiration is on those.

[vmobi]

Sprint should consider adding an Instant Shrinkage option to the current program.

First, the Boost mobile shrinkage is really a $90 discount ($5 x 18month's).
Knowing this in advance, here's a simple method to achieve instant "shrinkage".

Sprint can implement a Boost Mobile device pricing structure similar to what is already in place on Sprint's contract based post paid devices. Subsidized price with 2 year agreement or Full price without 2 year agreement.

Boost Mobile customers can choose from Reduced price device as they can now (and continue with the Shrinkage option over time) OR they can opt for a higher priced device (approx $100 more) but enjoy instant Boost mobile service at preshrunk prices.
A BB9310 could be purchased for $199 and qualify for the $30 Unlimited BB Messenger monthly plan immediately with the Instant Shrinkage BB device price. The same can be applied for all devices if Boost Mobile would just introduce such an option to the current shrinkage plan.

Subscribers would be essentially offered an opportunity to buy their way into a lower monthly rate immediately.

[lrtranscripts]

I have 2 payments applying to my shrinkage on my BBM monthly, and i want to upgrade to the BB Unlimited - will it reset my shrinkage status so that i have to start all over?