Hell will have to freeze over before I'd recommend someone give up a SERO plan for a phone.
I really hate Sprint for pulling crap like this.
Agreed. Looks like the new Android handsets coming might require the new "everything" plans as well- supposedly Samsung is making an Android set called the "instinctQ", and the "instinct" brand name has traditionally required the new plans.
Meanwhile, between you and me, I just helped my parents and 2 unmarried brothers switch their family plan to Sprint, and got a better price for the same features without it being labelled as SERO:
$99 Unlimited Text & Messaging plan for 2 phones, + 2 more phones at $10 each, = $120 (same as 4 SERO 500 plans @ $30 each). 2 Family members don't really use minutes (just wanted messaging), so that's 1500 min between the other 2 phones really.
Now, the problem with this is that it does not include data- right?
Well, apparently you can very easily get data on this plan because of the picture messaging.
Technically, Picture Mail travels over the data network, however they aren't supposed to charge you for that data since it should be included in the price for MMS service. Problem is, sometimes you get charged (I believe it has to do with roaming agreements- the system doesn't differentiate between MMS and plain data for billing). So, all you need to do is call and voice a concern with being charged for what you're already paying for, and they will add a complimentary Vision Data pack to your plan!!
At least, they did to my brother, so I told everyone else to do it and they all got it added. I wouldn't be surprised if this is an official policy now to keep customers happy without fixing that glitch.
So its about the same price as 4 SERO plans, so why is this better?
For starters, its not labeled as SERO! SERO is a bad flag now, they won't give you much because you're "already on a discounted plan". However my family managed to easily get a %20 discount (something that isn't allowed for SERO), making the monthly bill $96 for 4 phones with unlimited messaging and data, all perfectly legit without pulling any "shtick".
I've heard that some people are able to get the Pre and Instinct activated if you already have data and messaging, but not for SERO. They make a big stink about not allowing SERO customers to get these things. Now that SERO is a bad word to them, I'm starting to consider other options... but I'm with you for now. Its a tough plan to justify leaving...