According to AT&T, Apple is Dictating the New Upgrade Eligibility Details

[glide]

Just got off the phone with an AT&T Premier rep (so take this for what its worth)

They said the new upgrade eligibility for users who upgraded to 3G last June-Aug and spend $99 a month on their bill is coming straight from Apple.

I, of course, asked how apple is dictating policy since they are not a carrier. I was then told it was part of their contract with AT&T, and that any AT&T rep who deviates from this arrangement will be terminated.

Oh - and the phone I pre-ordered from ATT on the 11th is back ordered for 2 weeks. Class act....

 

[Roessnakhan]

Just sounds like passing the buck of responsibility to me, not anything legitimate.

 

[jav6454]

Could or could not be true.

 

[marksman]

It is plausible that Apple has some control over this. Although if true it means Apple is probably taking less per phone to make this happen.

 

[Nikos]

2 weeks? Just cancel your order and pick it one up from Apple.

 

[maflynn]

I'd be surprised that apple would be dictating what level of rebating current owners would be getting. Either way, they're getting the same amount. Its ATT that stands to lose some money by offering the 3Gs for less money to existing customers.

 

[dagomike]

LOL. Apple is telling ATT not to let all 3G owners upgrade? That's priceless. If Apple did anything, it's convincing ATT to extend the eligibility window out three months is a good idea.

 

[Kevlar]

I'd be surprised that apple would be dictating what level of rebating current owners would be getting. Either way, they're getting the same amount. Its ATT that stands to lose some money by offering the 3Gs for less money to existing customers.

This is right on the head. Apple gets so much money flat out per phone they sell to AT&T. AT&T sells these phones at a lesser rate, and makes up the difference in the contracts people are forced to sign to get a discounted rate for the phone. Apple probably couldn't care less when AT&T allows their users to upgrade their phones, they would probably want the option to upgrade more often.

 

[cjandnw]

The prices were flexed because the anticipated preordering and hype is much less than the last tw0o releases. Apple set a goal to sell 1/2 millions phones this weekend.
They cannot have egg on their face, only apple.

 

[Almy]

That's a scripted response they're using for a lot of things right now. An AT&T rep told me a couple days ago that apple dictates they require a data plan on any iPhone no longer under contract, yeah right .