Since people just come in here to trash AT&T and their "******" customer service, I thought it would be reasonable to post my reasonable experiences with AT&T.
I'm on a Premier family plan with 3 lines. I upgraded to a Galaxy S2 last November on my line. Called in when iPhone 5 preorders were coming online and was able to pick one up at the early upgrade fee ($199+$250), and then they bill credited me the $250 afterwards.
In April, I upgraded my other line to a Lumia 900, when Nokia was offering their $100 credit. Just called in because I wanted to get myself a Galaxy Note 2 and they granted me ANOTHER early upgrade on my account, where I pay the $299 at the AT&T store and then after I do it, I can call back and they said they would credit me $100 on my next bill after I upgrade my line.
Probably going to pick that up, sell the Lumia 900 on craigslist, and come out ahead. Looks like I'm sticking with AT&T
Did you accidentally ask for a Note 2 and not an iPhone 5? May want to fix that asap
Since people just come in here to trash AT&T and their "******" customer service, I thought it would be reasonable to post my reasonable experiences with AT&T.
I'm on a Premier family plan with 3 lines. I upgraded to a Galaxy S2 last November on my line. Called in when iPhone 5 preorders were coming online and was able to pick one up at the early upgrade fee ($199+$250), and then they bill credited me the $250 afterwards.
In April, I upgraded my other line to a Lumia 900, when Nokia was offering their $100 credit. Just called in because I wanted to get myself a Galaxy Note 2 and they granted me ANOTHER early upgrade on my account, where I pay the $299 at the AT&T store and then after I do it, I can call back and they said they would credit me $100 on my next bill after I upgrade my line.
Probably going to pick that up, sell the Lumia 900 on craigslist, and come out ahead. Looks like I'm sticking with AT&T
Apple is a smart company. They arethe ones treating the customers poorly by not letting the loyal customers upgrade early so they can get the newest technology, but from the outside viewpoint, it looks like ATT is what is preventing the customer.
I've had AT&T for years, never had a problem with them. In fact, I have found their customer service to be exceptional. I haven't compared prices in great detail lately but I would pay a bit more to stick with them.
Pardon me, but I genuinely thought your title was being sarcastic. -.-
That's not to say you can't get an early upgrade for an iPhone, it just tends to be way more difficult. Apple is a smart company. They arethe ones treating the customers poorly by not letting the loyal customers upgrade early so they can get the newest technology, but from the outside viewpoint, it looks like ATT is what is preventing the customer.
AT&T is the one who decides when you can upgrade, it's ridiculous to suggest Apple has any say in it.
The difference you're noting here is caused by the iPhone costing more for AT&T to buy. So in a sense I guess you could say that Apple's prices are the problem, but that's a 2 step thing: More expensive phones cost more which causes AT&T to be stricter with them.
That's a fair statement, but a far different thing than "Apple doesn't let customers upgrade early." That's just nonsensical.
And wrong I walked into an apple store three weeks before my upgrade was due and they still gave me discounted price.
Because Apple's computer checked with the carrier's computer and got that answer back from it. That's still the carrier giving you an early upgrade. Doesn't matter what store you're standing in.
Apple is not the one giving you the subsidy so how on earth can they "give it early" when they're not giving it at all? That makes no sense.
Yeah you see the problem is that only a couple hours earlier I had walked into the att store and attempted to upgrade and was told I had to wait 3 weeks. So yeah, maybe the Apple checked with the carrier but it's interesting that the carrier refused and Apple allowed. Either way I thank Apple.
Either way AT&T is paying for your subsidy, not Apple.
You can thank your carrier, Apple just pockets the money either way.
They are acessing your carriers upgrade system that's all.
They cant make or edit the rules of your contract with your service provider.
They aren't paying for crap they recoup all of it with plan premiums get out of here with that nonsense att is doing no one favors.
Lol
Exactly, they're paying upfront to get it from you later.
They're not doing any favors. They're a business not a charity.
Again, I dont think you get the point but whatever makes you happy.
Yes Apple gave you the phone and AT&T didnt.
Happy now?
Some people.....
Seeing as my point was that Apple did allow me to get the phone 3 weeks early and ATT corporate wouldn't, yeah I'm happy. Some people's kids.
What I think is going on is that you are allowed to upgrade on the first day of the month your upgrade is on. However, ATT doesn't want to lose out on what can amount to 3-4 weeks of a contract so don't allow it. Since, Apple doesn't care either way they just move along with the subsidy.