I sent this to Sprint PCS today regarding the new charges that they are applying to all activations,
whether for a ESN (electronic serial number) change or new line of service.

To Whom It May Concern:

I think the fact that Sprint PCS is now charging $36.00 for all new activations is extremely inconvienent for customers. I feel a loyal customer who just
wants change service from one phone to the other (because the phone is broke) should not experience this charge. Sprint PCS is taking advantage of its
customers and this is not appreciated. I think the company should have online ESN changes free. It is convienient for both parties to have this service.
It cuts down on the amount of landline customer service.

and the response:

Hello Rashaan,

This is in response to your inquiry regarding the phone activation fee.

A non-refundable activation fee of $36.00 is charged to every PCS customer only once at the time of activating a PCS Phone.

This fee helps manage the rising costs associated with activating a phone to our network and allows Sprint PCS to continue providing you with the newest
technology available.

If you change you handset and activate a new phone on your account, you will be charged $36.00 as activation fee. However, you can avoid this charge if
you sign up for a new PCS Advantage Agreement.

Please write back, if you have any further concerns.

Vicky B.
eCare

I will definitely respond back to this email. I want to specifically ask, “So I can (technically) switch my handset every month and as long as I sign up

for a new PCS agreement, then I will not be charged for the $36.00 fee?” Sprint PCS is surely finding a way to trap customers into their services. If only Verizon,
target=”new”>AT&T, Cingular, T-Mobile or Nextel were better, I would be over there with the quickness. But no, I have three phones with Sprint PCS, I have been a PCS customer for almost three years and in my opinion, no other company can match all of the services; i.e, the wireless web, picture email, vision plans, voice command, etc. It will be interesting to see if this $36.00 fee lasts,

because I recall about a year or so ago they tried this and the fee ended within a couple of months for existing customers and only applied to new activations, new customers.