Phone Upgrade Question

  • 22 August 2018
  • 45 replies
  • 4715 views

Userlevel 3

After being a Cricket customer for over 2 and a half years, I'm wondering what the incentive is to stay?  I would like to upgrade my phone, but every other company out there will give me MUCH better deals on a new phone.  Additionally, Cricket is going to charge me an extra $25 to upgrade?  Is that just a 'privilege of doing business with you' charge?  I guess there's no real reason to stay since I'm going to save over $200 (plus the additional $25) just to go to another company.  I understand that getting new customers is important, but you'd think there was some kind of benefit for being a loyal customer for so long.  Oh well, looks like I'm off to another company.  Maybe I'll be back in 2-3 years when you'll treat me like a 'valued new customer' again...


45 replies

Userlevel 4
Badge +5

Hey there! Welcome to the Cricket community forum and thank you for your post. We do value all of our customers, new and existing. You can take a look at all the devices and deals that we currently offer by following the link as we have offers for everyone. https://www.cricketwireless.com/current-phone-and-plan-deals

Userlevel 3
Cricket,
You didn’t answer the question. What is the benefit of being a customer. I have been a customer for several years. The link you provided is nothing special. The upgrade prices are outrageous.
Userlevel 2
Totally agree jh, there are no good deals for loyal existing customers. I want to upgrade my son's phone, but I have to pay 2x as much than new customers. No loyalty specials at all. So sad☹️
Userlevel 2

Carl, Have you looked into a new service. I will NOT pay a $25 to upgrade our phones. My husband's is on its last leg. This is the first time I've looked at getting a new phone. My kids have Straight Talk and have unlimited data (which we don't need) But, I guess we will have to buy 2 new phones and change our service. Boy, I feel dumb for recommending Cricket for the last couple of years!!

Any suggestions on a new service?

Userlevel 2

I feel the same way.  I'm sitting here scratching my head at why new customers can get a good deal on a good, new phone, but as someone who has been using Cricket for YEARS cannot afford to buy a new, decent phone.

In addition, I only have the one I have now because it was recommended to me in store as having a good camera (the whole reason I bought a new phone after having my old one for years), and the camera on this phone is absolutelyyy terrible.  Now I can't afford to get a new one, as I would have to pay 2x as much as a new customer.  Plus a bs upgrade fee.

Think I'll be leaving Cricket. 

Userlevel 2

I feel the same way.  I'm sitting here scratching my head at why new customers can get a good deal on a good, new phone, but as someone who has been using Cricket for YEARS cannot afford to buy a new, decent phone.

In addition, I only have the one I have now because it was recommended to me in store as having a good camera (the whole reason I bought a new phone after having my old one for years), and the camera on this phone is absolutelyyy terrible.  Now I can't afford to get a new one, as I would have to pay 2x as much as a new customer.  Plus a bs upgrade fee.

Think I'll be leaving Cricket. 

Userlevel 4
Badge +5

Every Cricket customer has the opportunity to take advantage of new customer offers at the time they join Cricket. After that we offer upgrade discounts, monthly rate plan discounts, and a refer-a-friend program that allows you to earn up to $250 in bill credit every year. 

Userlevel 1

STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH REASON TO STAY WITH CRICKET .

Userlevel 1
I AGREE
I've been with cricket for YEARS AND YEARS. Galaxy S9 new customer 249 ..Loyal customer Over $500 + Fees. PLUS
no More Deezer?
Seems to encourage Loyal people to leave Cricket. Ask any business what that leads to..
Userlevel 1
I was a Cricket Customer when the service (reception) was limited to Chattanooga. Never got a deal~
Userlevel 1

I have been on phone talking to cricket and i get the same canned answer..it is as though they just read off a sheet of paper. new customers get great deals, current members pay 3 times as much. I have been with cricket for 7 years. they wont even consider anything in terms of retention incentives....time to go somewhere else and be appreciated as a customer...wish i could leave a rating...folks give me ideas on how to leave ratings so cricket can get their zero stars, plus Im sending a letter to corporate to tell them how little concern they have 

Userlevel 1

this is a canned answer. the customer agent is simply reading off a fact sheet distributed by management. They have no interest in loyalty or offering existing customers any incentive or benefit from upgrading.

Im tired of these jerks. If i could find a way to let all potential customers how bad cricket is I would spend hours a day destroying their name. 

Hey how about a reply from someone at Cricket mgt...Im here try being human and reply

Userlevel 1

canned reply....just pay 3 times more as an existing customer

Userlevel 1

canned answer....still have not shown any benefit to existing customers..

Yeah ive had my same phone for 2 years they want 50 to upgrade
Userlevel 2
Agreed, they treat us second class after they get your service. Don't understand why we can't upgrade phones with free phone or at least not charge $25 on top of paying for new phone. Will probably be looking for new company also.
Userlevel 2
You don't value current customers, they should be the ones to get deals on phone upgrade. Will not refer you to anyone now. New customers get free phones to choose from, why are they more important than current customers. Bad business.
Userlevel 2
Why do you treat your loyal customers like second class. We should be the ones to get free phone upgrade. Guess you only value new customers. Guess when my phone dies I'll have to go to another company, that offers free upgrade phones.
Userlevel 4
Badge +5

@5678761166 It doesn't make sense to them to give deep discounts to existing customers. If they did that they would go out of business. I work in the wireless industry and companies pay pretty much full price to the manufacturers for the phones they sell so any discount is a loss. Its worth it to give to new customers because they're gaining business and monthly revenue. As a Cricket employee already pointed out in this thread everyone who joins Cricket has the option to get the new customer offers once. Some of the upgrade discounts they offer are actually pretty good too. Especially considering they are prepaid. Look at it this way, do you expect your cable provider to give you a free TV every 2 years or your internet company to give you a laptop? 

P.S. I wouldn't recommend using your phone number as a username. Easy bait for spammers.

Userlevel 1
Yeah I was told over the phone that my Nokia 650 windows phone that I upgraded to from a lesser Nokia and through Cricket did have a trade in value. After going to a store the sales rep there was very helpful in selecting an upgrade. But when entering all info she said my phone had 0 value. Wasted a whole freaking day. But I bought one on Amazon that was better and cheaper than what your offering. Assclowns!
Userlevel 1
You don't value #&@¥ in customers.
Userlevel 1
Refer a friend? Don't you mean enemy? Cause that's what going to end up with. Besides, it takes 3 months(MAYBE) to get that $25. After you calculate how much time you spend trying to get it all you end up with is $6 an hour
Userlevel 1

You don't get nothing to stay with cricket, if you are already an user they charge you for upgrading your phone and some more fees. There is no incentive staying with this carrier. 

Userlevel 1
I agree, I have Been a Customer for 13yrs....and Cricket does NOT give existing customers any deal on UPGRADES...they are to worried about setting deals for new customers, screw us OLD ones...this is why after 13yrs I'm looking for another company with better deals for EXISTING customers and NOT just the new ones...
And why should I have to pay you $25 up grade my phone...RIP OFF....
Userlevel 1
I think I'm going to try boost Mobile....free phone when you sign up...and pay plans about the same....but they have better deals

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