A New Look at Sprint in St. Louis - 2004
Written: Apr 25 '04
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Pros: Affordable rates, especially if you need hig volume plans; good customer service
Cons: Service coverage is not 100% in the St. Louis metro area
The Bottom Line: Sprint is a reasonably good carrier with a long history of service in the St. Louis market.
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| stlmom's Full Review: Sprint Mobile Phone Service in St Louis |
Wireless service plans can be so confusing. The companies seem to weave complicated webs to ensure that we'll never really know if we've found the best plan available. The following review gives my best assessment of the most current offerings from Sprint PCS in St. Louis.
WHAT ARE SPRINT'S CURRENT PLAN OPTIONS?
As of Spring 2004, the following options are available:
ALL PLANS COME WITH UNLIMITED FREE NIGHTS STARTING AT 9PM AND FREE WEEKENDS
* $35/month for 300 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.11/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
* $40/month for 500 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.08/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
* $50/month for 700 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.07/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
* $65/month for 1100 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.06/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
* $80/month for 1400 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.057/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
* $100/month for 1800 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.055/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
* $125/month for 2500 anytime minutes - results in a rate of $.05/ minute for your "anytime" minutes
All of these plans inlude voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, numberic paging, three-way calling, and call forwarding (for $.10/ min).
In order to determine the best plan, you really want to shoot for the option that just slightly exceeds the number of anytime minutes that you think you are going to use in any given month. Should you exceed your anytime minutes, you will be charged a whopping rate of $.40/minute so it's worthwhile to do your research.
For more information on these plans, visit the Srpint PCS website at www.sprintpcs.com.
HOW LONG IS MY CONTRACT?
Standard plans require a one year minimum contract. However, a two year agreement is required if you opt for to begin your night calls at 8pm instead of 9pm.
WHAT KINDS OF SERVICE BELLS AND WHISTLES DO THEY OFFER?
Sprint has come up with a million different ways to add extra perks to your wireless service. If you ask me, they are just a million different way to add costs to your bill. If you need a special service, the following options are currently available at the listed rates:
* Sprint PCS Add-a-Phone $20
* Unlimited SMS Text Messaging $10
* Up to 100 SMS Text Messages $5
* Night & Weekend Minutes - Nights starting at 7 p.m. (Call for price and availability)
* Sprint PCS Free & Clear America - No roaming or long distance charges. (Call for price and availability)
* Unlimited Sprint PCS to PCS Calling $5
* Sprint PCS Voice Command - dialing with your voice, have your email read to you on your phone, etc. $5
* Sprint PCS Business Connection $5
* Sprint PCS Equipment Replacement $4
* Roadside Rescue $4
Personally, I believe the most valuable and useful options are the Add-a-Phone and the Unlimited Sprint PCS to PCS Calling. Both of these upgrades have the potential to dramatically reduce wireless costs for a family with a need for multiple phones.
HOW RELIABLE IS THE SERVICE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA?
If I were giving Sprint a grade, I'd give them an A-. The service is substantially better than what is was even a couple of years ago. In the Spring of 2003, Sprint completed a large "metropolitan area network ring" that was intended to improve coverage and service. While I have found improved coverage in some parts of the city where I previously got dropped, I still experience a few dead spots. It's important to point out, however, that the dead spots were very isolated and if I moved 10 feet in either direction the service was picked up again. So, I imagine that the dead spots occur at the seams between two nodes.
For personal service in St. Louis, customers can visit one of the seven Sprint PCS stores available. A new store is coming to the Boone's Crossing region in Chesterfield late this Spring. All of these stores sell phones and accessories, service equipment, and provide all the customer service one should need with cellular service. In my experience, these stores are convenient if you are in a pinch but the quality of the personnel is not consistent. If I am not in a hurry, I tend to prefer to the online service options. All deliveries of phones, accessories and replacement parts have been delievered to me within 2-3 business days.
WHAT ABOUT THE PHONES THEMSELVES?
Sprint offers a decent line of phones right now. For better or for worse, most are flip phones. In fact, they are currently selling only two models that are not flip phones. With new service, you can obtain a base model Nokia for free with rebate. Other substantial rebates are available, so it's worth taking a look if you are in the market for new hardware: http://www.sprintpcs.com/ (Click on Phones & Accessories)
DISCOUNTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
* PCS Referral Program- If you refer a friend, you get a $20 credit to your account
* Sprint 50 At Home- A bonus freebee of 50 free minutes on your home long distance bill if you have Sprint as both your long distance carrier as well as your wireless carrier
* Employer Discounts- LOOK FOR THIS. If you work for a large employer, you may be eligable for discounts from Sprint.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 35
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Epinions.com ID:
stlmom
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Location: St. Louis, MO
Reviews written: 89
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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King, Jr.
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