If I downgrade my plan, can I still get the discount?

[divestoclimb]

So T-Mobile's handset upgrade is showing up for me again and I'm seeing the $179 price for the G1. However, I have this catch-22 that I might have to call T-Mobile about but I figure I'll post it here as well...

I'm a real cheapskate who doesn't talk on the phone a lot (and with a VoIP app and GTalk I might use even fewer minutes) so I'm interested in downgrading my plan. I currently have a "Get More" plan w/ 600 minutes for $40/mo that I signed up for way back in '04 and I've been month-to-month for the past two years. I'm thinking about downgrading this to the 300 minute plan for $10 less and adding the $25/mo data plan.

Here's where it gets complicated: I can't see any way to pre-order the G1 and do this at the same time (i.e. pre-ordering the G1 would lock me into a 2-year contract on my current plan. When I check out I can only add the data plan, not change my existing voice plan). I'm worried that if I downgrade my plan first I might no longer qualify for the $179 price, and $10 times 24 months == $240 saved but I don't want to have to then pay an extra $120 upfront because I no longer qualify for the best deal on the phone.

Does anyone know what would happen if I change my plan first? I'm probably going to call T-Mobile tonight and post any updates here.

[shmokinponcake]

i'm watching this thread. let us know.

[divestoclimb]

Okay I just got off the phone with them (by the way, their callback feature is great I didn't have to sit around on hold for 10 minutes).

The $179 vs. $299 pricing is NOT about the contract length so much as how long it's been since you last upgraded your phone at a promotional price. So I was able to downgrade my plan and it does not affect my qualifications for upgrading phones. The new plan did not come with a contract extension (promotional plans do, standard plans do not) so that may be a "gotcha" for someone else to deal with.

The representative even made the plan change retroactive so it will take effect for this billing statement! This is why I love T-Mobile