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AT&T: Hi Blhoward2! Glad to have you here on chat. I understand you need assistance about the upgrade fees, upgrade fee is actually one of our valid charges for processing the upgrade. Let me see what I can do to help you avoid these charges.
Blhoward2: Thanks, I understand its a valid charge but I'm just hoping you can do something since I've been a customer for so long.
Blhoward2: I think I'm going on 13 years with AT&T (I've moved states a few times since I was in the military so this particular account may not be that old).
AT&T: We do appreciate you've been a loyal customer to AT&T, let me go ahead and review your account and see what we can do for you about the upgrade fees.
AT&T: Thank you for waiting Blhoward2, since you've been a valued customer with us, we can provide you a courtesy credit today of $25.00.
Blhoward2: Hmmm, only $25? My friend literally just called and they waived his entire fee on two lines.
Blhoward2: Help me out Paula ;-)
Blhoward2: I'm also not honestly sure why AT&T charges these anymore...I upgraded through the Apple store and never spoke to AT&T. So I'm being charged for the privielge of signing a new contract.
Blhoward2: Doesn't seem quite right
AT&T: To be honest Blhoward2, the upgrade fee is still on the pending charges and will show up on the next bill, so even if we apply a credit today it will still show on the next bill but here's what I can do, I will talk to my supervisor for further assistance
Blhoward2: Thank you, I appreciate any help you can provide.
AT&T: You're most welcome.
AT&T: Please bear with me
AT&T: I'm still here, I appreciate your patience
Blhoward2: No problem
AT&T: Thank you
AT&T: Thank you for waiting Blhoward2, I talked to my Supervisor and we do have another option for you to avoid the upgrade fees on the next bill.
AT&T: Since we are unable the upgrade fees, we can recommend you to upgrade your phones under Next installment, we see here your phones were activated on 09/19 and you are still in the 14 days buyer's remorse period, we can change your upgrade to Next Installment
AT&T: With Next Installment, rest assured no upgrade fees
AT&T: no contract and no down payment for the phones.
Blhoward2: I'm not interested in Next, under my rate plan it would cost me way more money. My plan would cost the same but I would no longer be getting a subsidized phone. And I can't change plans because I am grandfathered on an unlimited data plan.
AT&T: Regarding your plan,rest assured you can stay on your same plan and upgrade to Next. Though you pay for the phone in installment basis, the best thing with Next is that you can trade in your device every year and get a new phone instead of upgrading your phone every 2 years.
Blhoward2: So to avoid ~$90 in fees (upgrade for two lines), I would then be paying what $80 a month in Next installments? That wouldn't make much sense Paula. In one year alone that would be $960 in installments, versus $600 total for subsidized phones
Blhoward2: I understand that your told to push Next, but it only makes sense if you're on a Mobile Share plan and get the discount...and I can't go to Mobile Share because I have unlimited data
AT&T: I totally understand Blhoward2 that you want to pay the installment payments for the phone, I apologize for the inconvenience but we are unable to waive the total charge of $80.00 upgrade fee, the best thing we can do is to provide you a one time courtesy credit of $25.00 on your current bill today.
AT&T: We also checked your FAN discount however it does not cover upgrade fee waiver
Blhoward2: What if I wait until the upgrade fees post? Can they be waived then? I mean I've been paying my bill on time for over a decade
Blhoward2: I'm eligible for more than one FAN discount, is there a way to check if one of the others covers it and would have the same plan rate?
Blhoward2: I mean I'm doing the math Paula, and I've paid AT&T $23,400 over the past 13 years
Blhoward2: Asking you to eat $80 in fees that cost you nothing doesn't seem like that much
AT&T: I apologize but for this account only FAN is allowed, let me talk to my Manager about this. I really want to help you Blhoward2, please bear with me
AT&T: I do get your point
Blhoward2: Thanks
AT&T: I'm back!
AT&T: I have a great news!
AT&T: I explained your concern to my Manager and she approved the $80.00 upgrade fee credit
AT&T:
Blhoward2: awesome, thanks so much Paula!
AT&T: You're most welcome, please bear with us as we apply the credit to your account, I have to run back to my Manager's office to provide your number and apply the credit.