Bummer to hear it did not work out for you... if you're still interested, the easiest route is probably Verizon used iPhones (they're unlocked by default) or an unlocked iPhone SE. These will work on Sprint and T-Mobile as far as I understand. So the same phone could be activated on T-Mo, then switched to Sprint.
I get that you are frustrated, but it seems to me you just didn't read the offer details very well. I read the offer details and understood that the offer was specifically for "bring your own phone" (if compatible - they provided a list) that is "currently active on a postpaid carrier" (aka not prepaid). I think overlooking the "currently active" part was your issue. I get that to a consumer it seems like it should be the same thing since you want to port your number over, but in any big company the only way to get what you want is to follow things as they're spelled out. Reps probably don't have the ability to add/change this offer - if they did, think how many Sprint customers would be calling in saying "hey, put me on the free service!"
That being said, I would suggest trying a different browser (Firefox is what I used; Safari didn't work on the Sprint site - probably due to the # of adblockers and other blocking stuff I have active in Safari) and complete your order.
As I understand it, from Sprint's point of view their system wants to know two things during sign up: the phone number and IMEI of the phone for each line that is going to be ported. This is because Sprint has to add the IMEI to their system before they send you the SIM card (this is not typical of all carriers, but this is how Sprint works).
So if you already have the phones you want to use on Sprint, you're probably fine if you just try again. Even though the reps told you that this offer is not available to you, I don't think that is accurate. Just do this:
1) gather your phones you bought to use with Sprint and decide which phone will use each number you're going to port over ... now put in the IMEI and phone number in Sprint's order system
2) when you get your SIM cards, you will have to activate them online... it has been a few days since I did this, so I don't remember WHAT question it asks you on the activation screen, but I think what it does is asks you to put the SIM card number from Sprint into a text field under your phone number you previously gave them
3) put the SIM into the correct phone - be sure you have not mixed these up from step 1, 2, or 3
4) ta-da... you'll now port over your numbers online. I do think this will work (I have worked for multiple phone carriers over the years and do not think there is ANY way their system can tell what specific phone you had with your previous carrier... that is not a data point carriers share with each other!)
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I think you run the risk of getting into a situation like ElHombre55 if you don't carefully follow the offer terms. So what I would recommend would be getting a phone you like from their compatible list (it's on the Sprint page) and then activate that phone on your current service with your current carrier. The easiest way for most people to do this with an iPhone is an SE (new or used - but be sure it is not locked to a carrier). You can even buy a Verizon iPhone as those are by default unlocked for both GSM and CDMA carriers. Just be sure your current carrier will let you add the phone to your account before jumping through all this, because that is technically the terms of the offer. Like I mentioned to ElHombre55, I think anyone can work around the system using the online form by just telling Sprint that your new phone is already active and associated w/ the phone IMEI you plan to use... but then if you run into trouble, the Sprint reps won't have the ability to help.
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