4 devices, 20GB, ~$200/month? Not bad considering we're paying $150/mo for two unlimited data plan iphones w/700 minutes and unlimted text on only one of them...
My kids will want phones soon too...
My kids will want phones soon too...
Hm... Mine just went from $210 to $145. DAMN. I thought businesses were supposed to MAKE money! Plus I get a $30/mo loyalty discount for 6 mos.
Right now I have two smart phones (3gb data each) and two dumb phones (voice only) on a Family talk 700 for $150 a month (not including FAN discount, tax/fees)
If I switch to the new plan, its $160 for everything with 10gb of data that I wont need (again not including FAN/tax/fees).
My smart phone and dumb phone lines are at alternating upgrade cycles so I upgrade every year. When its the dumb phones turn, like this year in Sept, I upgrade at the $199 or $299 price and use the new phones on the my other lines (removing the two $30/month data plans associated with the upgrade). Selling the old phones covers the costs of the upgrades and I pocket the difference. Next year I upgrade the smart phone lines like normal, rinse and repeat.
Will I be forced to use this value plan come September? Ill be paying more plus I lose the upgrade pricing
thanks
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If you are using dumbphones or Tablets to 'GAME' the subsidies then changing plans is not worth it.
If you are using dumbphones or Tablets to 'GAME' the subsidies then changing plans is not worth it.
Yes for those on mobile share. It's a wash to switch over.
But for those of us on the older plans it may not be worth while.
Right, but will I still be able to do that now? Or are we all forced to this new plan?
How did you manage to score the loyalty discount?
My fear is what they will do to counter. Subsidized upgrades aren't going away but changing the rules on your new contract can be done.
Taking away the early extra $250 upgrade or requiring you to keep data if the phone you are purchasing originally came with data.
Looks like AT&T has cleverly found a way to move around the numbers to make their customers feel like they are getting a deal. Verizon will likely follow soon. I'll be sticking to my unlimited data plan no matter what they try to offer.
I learned from a thread hear to whine about my bill being high. I was out of contract on all phones and she offered me free unlimited text messaging/calling. So it amounts to $30/mo.
We have 4 iphones. Total usage about 2-3 gb.
How the HELL can someone go through 7gb?
Guessing there is an easy way to trim that back if you need to.
Does anybody know if the AT&T offer for $100 credit on new lines would apply to an upgrade from say a basic flip phone to a new iPhone w/ 2-year agreement?
I thought so but figured why not ask, in the process of moving to the Mobile Share value plan and upgrading to the iPhone 5c for the wife at $99 and $40 a month, do you guys think this is a good move? Is it better to just wait for the new iPhones and get her a 5s you think those would eventually drop to around $100?It would have to be a completely new line, not an upgrade.
I thought so but figured why not ask, in the process of moving to the Mobile Share value plan and upgrading to the iPhone 5c for the wife at $99 and $40 a month, do you guys think this is a good move? Is it better to just wait for the new iPhones and get her a 5s you think those would eventually drop to around $100?
She doesnt want to spend a whole lot, doesnt use much data, and is not worried about having the latest and greatest. Looking for opinions though if I can get her the 5s for what I'd pay for the 5c now when the new iPhone 6 release maybe I'll wait. Would the 5s drop to around $99 bucks once the iPhone 6 comes out given you agree to a 2-year?
I have the 5c and love it (had the 5s but had too many 64-bit processor related issues). just go buy a good used iPhone 5c or iPhone 5 from swappa and don't mess subsidized pricing
iPhone 5c through at&t will be $99 + $25/month ($40-$15)x24months = $600
I'm sure the 5s will drop to the $99 subsidized price when the iPhone 6 comes out (been like this for several years with updates).
you'll just have to see what makes sense for you guys and your budget.
Right now I have two smart phones (3gb data each) and two dumb phones (voice only) on a Family talk 700 for $150 a month (not including FAN discount, tax/fees)
If I switch to the new plan, its $160 for everything with 10gb of data that I wont need (again not including FAN/tax/fees).
My smart phone and dumb phone lines are at alternating upgrade cycles so I upgrade every year. When its the dumb phones turn, like this year in Sept, I upgrade at the $199 or $299 price and use the new phones on the my other lines (removing the two $30/month data plans associated with the upgrade). Selling the old phones covers the costs of the upgrades and I pocket the difference. Next year I upgrade the smart phone lines like normal, rinse and repeat.
Will I be forced to use this value plan come September? Ill be paying more plus I lose the upgrade pricing
thanks
You are a little off here about Next. First if you don't trade in on next and jsut pay the phone off through next, then in actuality all you are doing is paying full price for the phone. So you can go into ATT and pay $650 + $36 activation for an iphone or you can sign up for next and only pay $650 spread across 20 months. A $36 savings.
So now that we agree the phone costs $650 if you do it right. We can look at what a subsidized phone costs. A subsidized phone costs $200+$36 activation. Plus $25 extra/monthx24= $836. Think of the subsidy as a high interest loan on $450 and the Next as a no interest loan on $650. Both from the same company. Finally lets not forget that the high interest loan also forces a contract too.
It wouldnt be $25/month though it would be $40/month right? I was quoted that as she's on a basic phone right now so it'd be a new upgrade. Thanks for the recommendation
You are absolutely correct, but I was only comparing plans on a yearly basis. I suspect the overwhelming majority of NEXT customers will upgrade at the 12 month cycle for basically $0 additional costs (save taxes).
If NEXT customers are smart and pay off their phones at the 12 month point (my plan of attack), then they do not have to trade in their phones and lose the equity of their devices on that 0% interest loan. BUT, the customer loses if they trade in annually because they can't apply any equity towards the upgrade.
If you have dumb phones, or a plan older than family talk 700, or you are gaming the 'Subsidies' through tablets, then this may not be worth it.
Oh ok right if they are contract free then it'd be $130 for two under the 10GB plan. I was thinking of going the subsidized route though because I don't plan on keeping my iPhone 5. I'll be selling it and putting that toward the subsidized iPhone 6 when that releases as they are and arm and a leg upfront out of contract. I was also thinking of going with the 2GB Mobile Value plan since we don't need that much data. I'm currently grandfathered with unlimited data yet I only average 0.5GB. We're looking more at the 2GB data plan to share with unlimited text and talk (which we dont have now on Family Nation we pay per text).I could be wrong (lots of numbers being thrown around here)
but if you guys switch to the 10GB family share value plan, it would be
$100 (10GB of data) + $15/line / month... not sure how dumbphones are handled in this...
but if you get her an iPhone 5c at the subsidized price ($99 down with 2-year contract), you would be paying $40/month ($15/month of that is basically the cost of service for calls and texts + $25 subsidy per month in essence) for that line.
if you brought your own smartphone to the table (say you got one from craigslist or ebay), then you are only paying the $15/line/month on her line... that's where I'm getting the difference in $25/month
so, without phone contracts or subsidized handsets, 2 smartphones would be ($100 + ($15/line))/month
Oh ok right if they are contract free then it'd be $130 for two under the 10GB plan. I was thinking of going the subsidized route though because I don't plan on keeping my iPhone 5. I'll be selling it and putting that toward the subsidized iPhone 6 when that releases as they are and arm and a leg upfront out of contract. I was also thinking of going with the 2GB Mobile Value plan since we don't need that much data. I'm currently grandfathered with unlimited data yet I only average 0.5GB. We're looking more at the 2GB data plan to share with unlimited text and talk (which we dont have now on Family Nation we pay per text).
It'll be $55 2GB month plan + $80 2 iPhones subsidized = $135 before taxes and before we apply a FAN discount were in the process of doing. Does this sound like a good plan based on our minimal data usage?
Yeah wasn't sure how much do know going this route while you pay less upfront it is a bit more over the long run. It works for me though as like I said I usually sell my old device then put that toward the new one or hand it down to a family member as you know with AT&T after your contract they are unlocked. Thats the good thing unlike the horror story a member just posted from Tmobile he wasn't allowed to sell or do anything with his phones after he fullfilled the contract. I was going to look into them but no way in hell would I go there after reading that...just ridiculous. That is a good point on us being able to adjust our data plans accordingly if we need to that is nice. Thanks for the advice on everything sometimes these forums can be more helpful than the AT&T reps who try to push AT&T Next on you or only tell you half the price you'll pay when it really is more.according to this link, it looks like your math is right for 2GB... just keep in mind that while $650 is a lot up front, you do end up paying more for your phone in the long run if you go the subsidized phone route.. just an fyi
I'd say go that route if that works best for you guys. remember, you will have some upfront costs when you do the subsidized route... iPhone 6 base model will likely be $199 up front + a $36 activation fee... and then yes, it's $40/line each month for the entirety of your 2-year contract. The nice thing is that tethering (mobile hotspot) is included in these plans, so you can tether your phone to an iPad or computer if it is needed.. that just dips into your 2GB allotment. Also, AT&T does let you change your data allotment (plan) when you need to, so if you guys figure out you need more or less data, you'll be able to change your plan again down the road.