View Full Version : Early upgrade fees for current iphone users OUTRAGEOUS!
deftdrummer1
07-04-2008, 08:51 PM
Well, AT&T announced their upgrades and pricing plans and I am a bit confused and angry.
What I can't understand is why AT&T insists on punishing or inhibiting current iphone users, effectively dissuading them from upgrading by charging $18 for upgrading, and then charging a whopping $399 for the lowest 8GB model. What is this all about? That means at the bare minimum, current iphone users will pay $444.93 (at least with CA tax), just to upgrade?
It seems to me that I read somewhere that current iphone users would be able to upgrade to the new price of $199 and $299 just like everyone else because we paid the full, unsubsidized price in the first place. Apparently this isn't the case.
imitchellg5
07-04-2008, 09:45 PM
iPhone owners who are eligible for an upgrade get it for the subsidized price. If you aren't eligible, you can't. It is exactly the same as every other cell phone deal.
deftdrummer1
07-04-2008, 10:06 PM
oh ok gotchya. You'd think AT&T could be maybe A LITTLE less ambiguous.
imitchellg5
07-04-2008, 10:20 PM
Hey, what'd you expect from a cell phone company?Customer care and satisfaction?! Now that would be outrageous! I can feel your pain, but you still gotta remember that ultimately you are dealing with a large corporation out to make as much money as possible.
deftdrummer1
07-04-2008, 11:34 PM
well i'm a little confused, because my AT&T account says:
"This line is eligible for reduced equipment pricing when you sign up for a new 2-year service agreement. All iPhone purchases require a 2-year service commitment."
Does that mean I will pay the subsidized price and also sign a 2-year contract?
hardcle
07-05-2008, 01:25 AM
Yes. All original iPhone owners are eligible for the subsidized (199/299) price on the 3G. The new contract replaces your current contract. It doesn't extend it.
deftdrummer1
07-05-2008, 01:38 AM
sweet, thanks for the clarification
Yep. Since the 1st iPhone really wasn't subsidized, there's no reason not to get the new one at the subsidized price. Plus, it would hurt sales otherwise.
imitchellg5
07-05-2008, 02:08 PM
Yeah, the only way to get the subsidized price is with a new 2 year contract.
jwc110869
07-05-2008, 03:07 PM
Where you guys will be in trouble is when iPhone v3 comes out in a year or so, and you will all be only half way through your current contract. If you are an early adopter, you pay through the nose to upgrade...............
deftdrummer1
07-05-2008, 04:00 PM
I'll probably be jumping ship for Verizon at that point anyways, especially if AT&T doesn't get their 3G coverage in step with the competition by the end of the year like they claim...
hardcle
07-05-2008, 07:08 PM
Where you guys will be in trouble is when iPhone v3 comes out in a year or so, and you will all be only half way through your current contract. If you are an early adopter, you pay through the nose to upgrade...............
Not necessarily, I've seen that a number of people have sold their 2G iPhones for more than they paid for them, they're coming out ahead. Besides, anyone who's buying a 3G knows there will probably be something better next year and they'll either pay an ETF or wait another year, at which point there may be something even better than that. It's the same way with any technology product. You wait until the price/features are worth it to you, then you buy. If you wait until something is perfected and doesn't change, you're going to be waiting a very long time.
Surf Monkey
07-05-2008, 07:47 PM
Where you guys will be in trouble is when iPhone v3 comes out in a year or so, and you will all be only half way through your current contract. If you are an early adopter, you pay through the nose to upgrade...............
Doubtful. Apple/ATT wants an upgrade path for all these phones. When the next version of iPhone comes out, you can bet that everyone who bought a 3G in the next few weeks will be upgrade eligible by then.
chiros13
07-08-2008, 04:57 PM
This may have been answered elsewhere, but if I do the upgrade, do I get to keep the iPhone 1.0? Then maybe make a few bucks back from it on eBay?
Surf Monkey
07-08-2008, 05:57 PM
This may have been answered elsewhere, but if I do the upgrade, do I get to keep the iPhone 1.0? Then maybe make a few bucks back from it on eBay?
Why would they take your old phone away from you? Of course they "let" you keep it. You paid for it. It's yours to do with as you please.
Ed2020
07-08-2008, 05:58 PM
This may have been answered elsewhere, but if I do the upgrade, do I get to keep the iPhone 1.0? Then maybe make a few bucks back from it on eBay?
We do in the UK. I'd be surprised if the deal was any different elsewhere. Besides, you bought the phone outright in the first place (no subsidisation on the 1st gen model) so the network operator can't really demand it back.
Ed.