The pre-order thread seemed to talk a lot about Next programs and people who bought the 5S and are looking to upgrade. I purchased the iPhone 5 at release and was looking forward to pre-ordering the iPhone 6 this Friday. Earlier today I called AT&T to make sure everything was ready to go when I was told I wouldn't be eligible for the upgrade until October 5th. The only way I could upgrade would be to A) pay full price or B) start using NEXT. They refused to budge on the fact that I'd be upgrading two weeks early!!
To a customer experience minded person this makes no sense. I've been with the company as a loyal customer for 12 years and I plan on sticking with them and signing a new two year contract. All I'm looking for is to upgrade 2 weeks early! Didn't think that would be a difficult request. As I'm grandfather'd into the unlimited plan even the supervisor that I spoke with said I should just stick with what I have.
Of course, the easy solution is to wait until the 5th and get a phone then, but if the past is any indication shipping times and availability will slip and I may be looking at the end of October instead of the end of September for a new phone.
I explained to the rep that if they're not willing to let me upgrade two weeks early I'm going to pre-order on Friday with Verizon and leave AT&T. He seemed unfazed by losing a customer who has been loyal to the company for over a decade.
Questions are... IS there anyway around this in order to pre-order on Friday with AT&T? If not, what are the best Verizon plans? They're website seems absurd to pick a decent plan from and if they're wireless customer service is anything like their internet service, I don't think I'll be happy with them. But the phone is unlocked (assuming it will be like in the past) so that leaves me more options down the road.
Also thought it might be possible to pre-order through Verizon, try out their service for a few weeks, and if I'm not satisfied return the phone and upgrade on AT&T after October 5th.
Any input or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
M
To a customer experience minded person this makes no sense. I've been with the company as a loyal customer for 12 years and I plan on sticking with them and signing a new two year contract. All I'm looking for is to upgrade 2 weeks early! Didn't think that would be a difficult request. As I'm grandfather'd into the unlimited plan even the supervisor that I spoke with said I should just stick with what I have.
Of course, the easy solution is to wait until the 5th and get a phone then, but if the past is any indication shipping times and availability will slip and I may be looking at the end of October instead of the end of September for a new phone.
I explained to the rep that if they're not willing to let me upgrade two weeks early I'm going to pre-order on Friday with Verizon and leave AT&T. He seemed unfazed by losing a customer who has been loyal to the company for over a decade.
Questions are... IS there anyway around this in order to pre-order on Friday with AT&T? If not, what are the best Verizon plans? They're website seems absurd to pick a decent plan from and if they're wireless customer service is anything like their internet service, I don't think I'll be happy with them. But the phone is unlocked (assuming it will be like in the past) so that leaves me more options down the road.
Also thought it might be possible to pre-order through Verizon, try out their service for a few weeks, and if I'm not satisfied return the phone and upgrade on AT&T after October 5th.
Any input or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
M