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Consumer Reports Calls Sprint's "Cut Your Bill In Half" Deal "Complicated"

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- You've probably seen the ads.

People armed with chainsaws, hedge trimmers and more literally cutting their wireless bills in half.

The new promotion by Sprint aims to lure customers away from other carriers, but is it too good to be true? The answer, says Consumer Reports, is complicated.

Sprint's "Cut Your Bill in Half" promotion looks and sounds cool - a big discount on data, plus unlimited voice and texting, and more for defecting AT&T and Verizon customers.

But Consumer Reports says the reality of the deal is that it's hard to get and easy to lose. For more information, visit Consumer Reports' website here.

First, you better be good about paying your bills.

The promotion requires a credit check, and if you're late on a payment, you're out.

Then, there are the restrictions on your phone.

Those who try the promotion can forget about selling their old one. Sprint requires you to turn it in to get the deal. If you don't, you get hit with a $200 per line "Non-Returned Phone Charge."

Also, choose your first Sprint phone wisely. That's because if you ever upgrade, Sprint will bounce you up to its higher regular rates.

Finally, forget about all of this if you're a T-Mobile customer; the deal is only good for those leaving AT&T or Verizon.

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