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$199 and $299? Maybe not for you! Read on...
- Thread starter CrazEtooN
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I'm upgrade eligible. No worries here!
I was upgrade eligible, but I blew it a few months back for reasons explained below... Aside from that, I never expected the iPhone 3G to be treated like other phones with subsidies and whatnot...
I was full well expecting to pay $400-$500 for it, so it isn't the price that bothers me, it's the principle. I can walk into an At&t store today, buy a phone full retail, swap my SIM and be set. No contract renewal because I paid full retail for the phone, instead of a subsidized price.
With the iPhone though, I will go into the At&t store, pay a "special" price for it since I am not upgrade eligible, and STILL be FORCED to extend my contract for another 2 years from that day, regardless of the fact that they are making me pay more for it. This wasn't as big of a deal with the original iPhone because there was no subsidized price, it was just how it was. Now that there is a subsidized price, it really just boils down to not being fair.
By the way, I used to own a 1st gen iPhone, and I paid $400 for it like most other people. I sold it months and months ago for reasons that had nothing to do with the potential release of the 3G model though.
People that bought their iPhones and still use them are eligible for discounted upgrade, regardless of their contract tenure.
What about people like me? People that also paid high prices for the gen 1 iPhone but just don't have it on their plan anymore. I am still paying the same as I used to for minutes, and I am still paying for an unlimited, $30 a month data plan, I am just not using these things on an iPhone. That doesn't detract from the fact that I paid $400 for one and used it for 7 months though. I didn't even sell it to capitalize on the 3G model!! I sold it because I needed a BlackBerry for work (nope, not even BES, just their rules), but my working situation has completely changed, and I want my iPhone back!
I have the money. I can afford the money. I am really put off on the simple concept and principal of it though...
I am in the same boat. From what I'm reading and thus distilling from the mixed-bag of information out there, I will not be "upgrade eligible" either...is that even worse than not being "sponge worthy"?!
I jumped ship from Sprint to AT&T last July, so come the 3G's release, I will have been with them a year. I received an absolutely free (no activation, tax, shipping, etc.) Blackjack, for signing a two-year contract with said carrier. According to AT&T's website, I am first "upgrade eligible" in mid-December of this year...which I'm calculating to be approximately 18 months into my contract.
However, I believe SJ did say something to the effect of "$199/$299 will be the highest price in the world for the new iPhone 3G." Now at the time of that verbiage coming out of his mouth, the corresponding slide did not show an asterisk on screen (that I can remember). So, it's hard to make that statement, and then have a large portion of the US population have to pay a higher price due to not being "worthy" of the pre-described iPhone 3G pricing.
However, as a current Blackjack owner, who has had 3G mobile internet for a while now, I see no problem with the new data plan costs. Coupled with the same voice plan (450 min/mo.) the $35 data plan (including SMS) will still see me saving $10-$15 a month. Which leads further to my confusion as to why AT&T is charging more for a "3G" data plan than for a "2G" data plan. When I first joined AT&T and got my Samsung Blackjack (3G), Western Mass was still under "2G" coverage, but Hartford, CT (where I work) was under "3G" coverage...thus leaving me to experience two types of internet use depending on whether I was home or at work. Yet my data plan was always the same cost, regardless of "how fast" I was browsing.
Yet another way that cellular providers are finding new and even more devious ways to ram said phallis into said tuchus! (sp?)
I jumped ship from Sprint to AT&T last July, so come the 3G's release, I will have been with them a year. I received an absolutely free (no activation, tax, shipping, etc.) Blackjack, for signing a two-year contract with said carrier. According to AT&T's website, I am first "upgrade eligible" in mid-December of this year...which I'm calculating to be approximately 18 months into my contract.
However, I believe SJ did say something to the effect of "$199/$299 will be the highest price in the world for the new iPhone 3G." Now at the time of that verbiage coming out of his mouth, the corresponding slide did not show an asterisk on screen (that I can remember). So, it's hard to make that statement, and then have a large portion of the US population have to pay a higher price due to not being "worthy" of the pre-described iPhone 3G pricing.
However, as a current Blackjack owner, who has had 3G mobile internet for a while now, I see no problem with the new data plan costs. Coupled with the same voice plan (450 min/mo.) the $35 data plan (including SMS) will still see me saving $10-$15 a month. Which leads further to my confusion as to why AT&T is charging more for a "3G" data plan than for a "2G" data plan. When I first joined AT&T and got my Samsung Blackjack (3G), Western Mass was still under "2G" coverage, but Hartford, CT (where I work) was under "3G" coverage...thus leaving me to experience two types of internet use depending on whether I was home or at work. Yet my data plan was always the same cost, regardless of "how fast" I was browsing.
Yet another way that cellular providers are finding new and even more devious ways to ram said phallis into said tuchus! (sp?)
They aren't truly charging more for just the 3G speeds. They have simply moved the iPhone up to the PDA/Smartphone data tier and needed a good way to word it that people would understand. Unfortunately, it has done nothing but cause more confusion and has done nothing but piss most people off. Those of us that currently pay $30 a month couldn't care less, but the older iPhone users most of them just don't get it.
well according to BGR, existing customers can purchase the new iPhone at 199/299 price as long as you have good standing with AT&T.
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/06/09/iphone-3g-the-details-you-never-wanted-to-know/
looks like everyone qualifies...
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2008/06/09/iphone-3g-the-details-you-never-wanted-to-know/
looks like everyone qualifies...
AT&T only wants to do business with customers. They have gotten Apple to agree to this.
You will not be getting a 3G iPhone without a 2 year contract with AT&T or if you are lucky, paying some kind of non-activation penalty.
Just realize it is unlikely to be easy at all to obtain one of these devices without the contract. That is the whole intent. AT&T wants this to build their business.
Spending time and money selling phones to people who will not actually use their network is a huge resource waste for them.
You will not be getting a 3G iPhone without a 2 year contract with AT&T or if you are lucky, paying some kind of non-activation penalty.
Just realize it is unlikely to be easy at all to obtain one of these devices without the contract. That is the whole intent. AT&T wants this to build their business.
Spending time and money selling phones to people who will not actually use their network is a huge resource waste for them.
I agree with you. I am an At&t customer. What you said really has absolutely nothing to do with this topic.
I took a look at your referenced link, and I still am questioning the details. I did see the part about being "in good standing" which I definitely am. However, that language is always coupled with "Exisiting 2G iPhone users..." which I am not.
Whatever...there's always going the route of just making a fuss until you get it at the price you want it. That or make a huge scene while 200 people are in line behind you. It will be amazing how fast they'll conform once you get a few more people scratching their heads saying "so this is REALLY going to cost how much...?!
So since I'm not upgrade eligible, if I go to the Apple Store with $350 I might not be able to get the 16GB iPhone. Why would I have to pay more? Can't I just extend the contract and just get the iPhone for what it's advertised for?
Right on! I like that idea. Throw a tantrum and watch the workers cringe as the line gets rowdy and others start asking questions.
I have to honestly say that my biggest "beef" with this whole thing is that we don't know the truth of it. The wording is vague, and the "to be determined" part leaves way to much to the imagination. If they can announce the subsidized price, I see no reason why they can't announce the real price.
If nothing else, it would make it far easier for some of us to figure out how we are going to approach the situation, i.e., buy a used iPhone to be eligible for the upgrade, or just buy the new one outright. Which will be the cheaper route? That is all I want to know! C'mon At&t, lose the cryptic messages and just set a price!
You and I would both hope so. Only time and/or definitive clarification from AT&T will tell us!
Not like it matters, the price that is. Our government just gave us all $600 to spend on this thing! It's not as if we're paying historically high energy prices or anything... Oh wait...
you would think... AT&T really has no idea what is going on, they need to figure everything out for this launch, it should have been all set and detailed out yesterday.
One other thing...
Last year, the original iPhone launch price left the world shocked, and in some cases, appalled. At least it was the price though. There were no questions, there were no rumors, it just was what it was.
Whether it was liked or hated, at least it was solid...
Last year, the original iPhone launch price left the world shocked, and in some cases, appalled. At least it was the price though. There were no questions, there were no rumors, it just was what it was.
Whether it was liked or hated, at least it was solid...
Tisk tisk, I pray that I will be able to walk into Apple on July 11th (or earlier, haha yeah right) and buy my iPhone 3G for $299 plus tax.
It's a shame that Apple/AT&T can't get some things right...
It's a shame that Apple/AT&T can't get some things right...
I would have been helpful to include this paragraph from the memo you quote in your first post:
This seems to say to me every person with a 2G iPhone is qualified. (Edit: forgot about pre-paid iPhone customers... that language seems to rule them out).
You see what happened don't you?! Apple and SJ were ready to release the iPhone 3G yesterday/today along with WWDC announcement, as all the other hurdles to do so had been overcome (FCC, etc.)
However, SJ's "red iPhone 3G" started ringing at 3am Monday morning, and because HRC wasn't there to answer it, he had to take the call, and it went something like this:
"...Hey Stevo! It's your buddy Randster over at American Telephone & Telegraph, how are ya pal, I didn't wake you did I?! Some bad news...my colleagues and I here at AT&T have inserted our heads so far up our touch holes that we don't know which way is up or brown...nevermind what we're going to charge users to play with your new toy! So Stevo, what do you say we hold off releasing this bad boy until, oh I don't know, July 11th? That should give us here at the "Ol' Tele" enough time to extract our craniums from said dirty pennies, and figure out what to do..."
Steve was so wasted from pullin' tubes of his Humbolt sticky that he just said "Yeah whatever man...I gotta go...Domino's is at the door!"
damn it man, i was eligible for an upgrade, and i used it today. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I hope i can get it for 300.
EXACTLY - this is the real problem. Language from AT&T so far has been unclear:
$199 8GB and $299 16GB for new activations and qualified upgrades with 2-year agreement.
All customers will be required to sign a 2-year agreement. There will not be a no commitment price for the iPhone 3G.
Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing. However, not all customers will be qualified upgrades. AT&T has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades.
I will not be "upgrade eligible" from my Blackberry until October, although I am a customer is good standing. If necessary I am willing to pay a higher price ($499?) for the iPhone, but not also sign a new 2 year contract.
Either give me a $299 16BG iPhone with a new two year contract, or give me a $499 16BG on my current contract. AT&T better clear this up before they lose more customers than they gain.
my ultimate plan
I sold my iPhone few months ago to prep for the 3G release. In case the price is only available to existing iPhone users, this is what I will do.
tell me what you think.
1. Few days prior to 11th release date, I will take my wife's iPhone and activate it under my number.
2. Walk into at&t or apple store to purchase the iphone for 299.
3. Come home and give the old iphone back to my wife.
Case Solved.
will this work ?
I sold my iPhone few months ago to prep for the 3G release. In case the price is only available to existing iPhone users, this is what I will do.
tell me what you think.
1. Few days prior to 11th release date, I will take my wife's iPhone and activate it under my number.
2. Walk into at&t or apple store to purchase the iphone for 299.
3. Come home and give the old iphone back to my wife.
Case Solved.
will this work ?
The one thing that concerns me is if I get the new iPhone how long does it take for me to become eligible to purchase another subsidized phone. If the rate continues and there is a 3rd iPhone a year from now would I be eligible if I had purchased this one now.
Did I do the math correctly?
iPhone Cost: $200 or $300
Mandatory 2 year contract
Mandatory Data: $30/mo
Minimum Voice Plan: $40/mo
Total with taxes: about $75/mo x 24 months = $1800
Total cost of ownership for 2 years = $2,000 ! ! ! Thought I heard Jobs say that they were going to reduce the cost. Aye?
I, for one, can live without it.
iPhone Cost: $200 or $300
Mandatory 2 year contract
Mandatory Data: $30/mo
Minimum Voice Plan: $40/mo
Total with taxes: about $75/mo x 24 months = $1800
Total cost of ownership for 2 years = $2,000 ! ! ! Thought I heard Jobs say that they were going to reduce the cost. Aye?
I, for one, can live without it.
But I do have a feeling that AT&T will allow anyone with a "good standing account" to purchase the new iPhone at 199/299 rate. AT&T will only gain by making the users commit to the new 2 year term.
Keep 3G iPhone w/o keeping a contract
I believe that I have read that you can buy the 3G at $199/$299, activate it, and then cancel the contract and pay a cancellation penalty of ~200. If this is true, then you can get it for $399/$499 plus an activation fee, plus 1st months bill.
Then, just take a gamble to see if someone figures out a way to Unlock it now that is has to be activated in-store. Or, just wait to see if it's jailbroken before you buy it.
I believe that I have read that you can buy the 3G at $199/$299, activate it, and then cancel the contract and pay a cancellation penalty of ~200. If this is true, then you can get it for $399/$499 plus an activation fee, plus 1st months bill.
Then, just take a gamble to see if someone figures out a way to Unlock it now that is has to be activated in-store. Or, just wait to see if it's jailbroken before you buy it.
If my family plan contract is ending in a month and I plan to extend my contract and get the new 3g iphone will I be paying for the data and voice price for the iphone or just the voice for family plan and the extra 30 a month for data?
You can check out att.com or call AT&T and speak to a rep. That's what I'm doing in about 10 minutes!