$599 4GB $699 8GB iPhone = Total BS!

[wakka092]

Just talked to AT&T Data Support Chat. After hearing the local AT&T rep talk about the $599 - $699 iPhone price, I talked to AT&T.

They said that no matter if you're eligible for an upgrade, a new customer, or even not eligible for an upgrade you pay $499 or $599.

Hope this clears things up.

Oh, sorry, I forgot to add that I was told that when upgrading I'd have to pay $100 more than a new customer, which is not the case.

[JBaker122586]

I'm pretty sure no one has ever made any mention of $599 and $699 pricing.

[Roy Hobbs]

Just talked to AT&T Data Support Chat. After hearing the local AT&T rep talk about the $599 - $699 iPhone price, I talked to AT&T.

They said that no matter if you're eligible for an upgrade, a new customer, or even not eligible for an upgrade you pay $499 or $599.

Hope this clears things up.

Your post makes no sense

[nickspohn]

Dang the passed 6 months ive been whondering this. Even after Steve said in the Jan Keynote that the iPhone would be $499 and $599





:rolleyes:


-nickspohn

[The Viking]

While not eloquently worded, the OP was stating that they'd heard the iPhone was going to cost $100 more than MSRP for existing customers under contract.

Total BS, indeed.

I had an AT&T rep tell me in-store that I'd have to pay well over $1000 for the phone if I wanted to sign up and get a free phone now, then re-up my contract for the iPhone. Lots of misinformation out there, folks.

[marksman]

Yeah there are a few people out there claimng there that the listed price is subsidized.

I don't believe it. I believe it is one price for everyone and that is it.

I won't believe differently unless Apple or AT&T specifically say differently. Right now everything points to it just being a single price.

[clevin]

how you gonna get a "2 year contract" without being a new or renewing customer?

[nospleen]

It looks like the OP has edited his/her initial findings. I did a little chatting too...

[wakka092]

how you gonna get a "2 year contract" without being a new or renewing customer?

This is the post that makes no sense.. :confused:

[The Viking]

I'm also a Brandon H. and glad to have a definitive answer on the subject like that. Great post.

[gr8tfly]

I was told exactly the same thing Wednesday before last (on the 13th).

Not subsidized. Same price new/old customer. New 2 year contract.

[constant L]

i am pissed. i went to two att stores and they BOTH told me that i would not be able to even purchase the iphone let alone buying an unsubsidized one...

i emphatically told them i have heard otherwise from a majority of people...

i told them that i thought it would be crazy to not allow existing customers the option to even buy the phone.....

they told me that they were one hundred percent positive and my information was incorrect...

[wakka092]

i am pissed. i went to two att stores and they BOTH told me that i would not be able to even purchase the iphone let alone buying an unsubsidized one...

i emphatically told them i have heard otherwise from a majority of people...

i told them that i thought it would be crazy to not allow existing customers the option to even buy the phone.....

they told me that they were one hundred percent positive and my information was incorrect...

Ignorance is bliss.

[Digital Skunk]

While not eloquently worded, the OP was stating that they'd heard the iPhone was going to cost $100 more than MSRP for existing customers under contract.

Total BS, indeed.

I had an AT&T rep tell me in-store that I'd have to pay well over $1000 for the phone if I wanted to sign up and get a free phone now, then re-up my contract for the iPhone. Lots of misinformation out there, folks.

I have been posting this for I don't know how long here and nobody heard me. New, existing, upgrading, whatever you are customers have to pay the same price as everyone for the iPhone and you will "have" to pay for a new two year contract even if you have an existing one with Cingular. You will have to cancel your old contract and pay the cancel fee, OR have two contracts.

I was told exactly the same thing Wednesday before last (on the 13th).

Not subsidized. Same price new/old customer. New 2 year contract.

Same thing I have been saying.... I am glad that you understand this and have said it much simpler than I... congrats on your quick uptake.

[SheriffParker]

Wait, so let me get this straight. AT&T won't let any of their current users under contract buy the iPhone? That has got to be rubbish. Lots of providers will just do an extention onto your current contract and call it a day (at least that's what T-Mobile did for me when I wanted a new phone and was under contract).

[gr8tfly]

i am pissed. i went to two att stores and they BOTH told me that i would not be able to even purchase the iphone let alone buying an unsubsidized one...

i emphatically told them i have heard otherwise from a majority of people...

i told them that i thought it would be crazy to not allow existing customers the option to even buy the phone.....

they told me that they were one hundred percent positive and my information was incorrect...

To begin with - the phones are not subsidized. If they even mentioned it, I wouldn't pay too much attention to the rest of their info. They have never refused to sell me a phone. I might end up paying a premium (if I wasn't eligible for an upgrade), but would have still been able to buy whatever phone they offer. In this case - the phone has no discount or premium. One price. What they told you doesn't even make sense - I seriously doubt Apple employees are going to check everyone's phone account.

Give them a call. I was very persistent in making sure we were both "on the same page", since I am a current customer AND are not eligible for upgrade yet.

[dagomike]

you will "have" to pay for a new two year contract even if you have an existing one with Cingular. You will have to cancel your old contract and pay the cancel fee, OR have two contracts.


How do you know this? Everyone I talked to is making assumptions based on other products. Everyone at AT&T is completely in the dark except for the unit price and launch.

I'm 18 months into my contact and curious if my only options are to pay to break my contract or wait two months. Certainly that's the SOP, but this is an unsubsidized phone and I'm sure they would love to get a data plan out of me, plus Apple wants to sell out of units and get kickbacks on services. Logically it would seem some kind of contract amnesty or at least extension. Then again, it's ATT...

[constant L]

there is no way they will require existing customers to cancel their contracts and pay the cancellation fee just to buy one. there has to be at least a way to buy it unsubsidized...but the iPhone isn't subsidized so it will be the same price for everyone....

they will probably just extend your current contract....just my guess...

[gr8tfly]

Same thing I have been saying.... I am glad that you understand this and have said it much simpler than I... congrats on your quick uptake.

Thanks.
I've been shortning it each time I re-post the same info. Maybe we can come up with an acronym. ;)

I was even starting to add: "same price for: upgrade, downgrade, side-grade, retro-grade, steep-grade....... ad nauseam"

[kevinwiz]

Hope this clears things up.
clears what up? nobody actually thought that it was going to be 600/700

[wakka092]

Hmph.. I have extended my contract many times without cancelling my contract. All a "two-year commitment/contract extension" means is that seven or eight digits on you account change; ex:

6/29/07 -> 6/29/09

[wakka092]

clears what up? nobody actually thought that it was going to be 600/700

Some people weren't sure how being an existing customer would affect pricing. Just look above. You'll see of people who thought or were unsure. :)

[Briellz]

Your post makes no sense
lmao...co-sign

[pr5owner]

Wait, so let me get this straight. AT&T won't let any of their current users under contract buy the iPhone? That has got to be rubbish. Lots of providers will just do an extention onto your current contract and call it a day (at least that's what T-Mobile did for me when I wanted a new phone and was under contract).


you can actually, you just need to pay for 2 plans at the same time.

i think what the poster is saying is that ATT stated its $600 + 2 yrs NO EXCEPTIONS

no upgrades, no downgrades, no transfers, nothing, you pay $600 + sign 2yrs and you get a phone. doesnt matter what you have now

now who is going to get 2 plans? not very many people. its cheaper to pay the cancelation fee, this is how ATT will make money, they get your cancel fee money, you get nothing back, and then they get another contract signed in their favor, $$ + $$ = W1n for ATT, Lose for you

[wakka092]

...

i think what the poster is saying is that ATT stated its $600 + 2 yrs NO EXCEPTIONS

no upgrades, no downgrades, no transfers, nothing, you pay $600 + sign 2yrs and you get a phone. doesnt matter what you have now

...


No, no, no. That is what an AT&T CSR at a store said and they were wrong.

It is $500 or $600 no matter what.

[The Viking]

I think it's important to note the risky proposition of those whose contract is less than 30 days old: you're required to return your phone to switch to iPhone.

I'm not sure how that would affect the original purchase price and rebates, but I would imagine it's made difficult enough to discourage you from exchanging your phone.

[Digital Skunk]

How do you know this? Everyone I talked to is making assumptions based on other products. Everyone at AT&T is completely in the dark except for the unit price and launch.

I'm 18 months into my contact and curious if my only options are to pay to break my contract or wait two months. Certainly that's the SOP, but this is an unsubsidized phone and I'm sure they would love to get a data plan out of me, plus Apple wants to sell out of units and get kickbacks on services. Logically it would seem some kind of contract amnesty or at least extension. Then again, it's ATT...

Since nothing about plans is really a fact... I just listened carefully to the keynote after Jobs upset me that the phone was going to be locked in and not unlocked. He said that the phone can ONLY be sold with a two year subscription to a new data and voice plan. Then in the beginning of the rumor phase about a week or so after the announcement reviewers of the phone at MacWorld that got to hold it and talk to the guy who was incharge of the entire project asked about the required two year contract and they always replied... it can ONLY be sold with a two year contract.

Only means only... as in it won't be without any contract. Since you have to buy the contract with it to obtain the phone (i.e. no pulling out a SIM card or transferring service) you will most likely (because it is still just a rumor and it could have changed over the past 6 months) have to cancel your existing one and pay the fee, or sign up for two contracts and wait for the other one to expire.

I have this vision that a long line of campers, especially the smelly white guy at the front of the line still living with his mom, are going to walk out of the Cingular/Apple store with a smile and no iPhone because they are happy they didn't blow $1000 or they will be walking out with a frown mumbling curse words because they walked out with an iPhone and a bunch of accessories for $1200 and two service contracts to pay per month.

[CDugan]

Only means only... as in it won't be without any contract. Since you have to buy the contract with it to obtain the phone (i.e. no pulling out a SIM card or transferring service) you will most likely (because it is still just a rumor and it could have changed over the past 6 months) have to cancel your existing one and pay the fee, or sign up for two contracts and wait for the other one to expire.
\

I think you're reading too much into the statement. With a two year contract does not necessarily mean "with a brand new completely independent two year contract". Every carrier out there offers contract extensions, and I'm not sure why Cingular wouldn't offer that option to existing customer's in this case as well?