Apple Upgrade program question

[oxinthebox]

So like many I am thinking about leaving Att for the new Verizon plan but have my iPhone 7+ on the IPhone Upgrade plan. So I know my current phone won't work with Verizon but according to the Upgrade website once your phone is activated you can switch carriers whenever you like, with an asterisk and the fine print says Att and t-mobile customers may have to visit an Apple Store to switch.

Has anyone tried this? Any issues doing so?

 

[og3og]

So like many I am thinking about leaving Att for the new Verizon plan but have my iPhone 7+ on the IPhone Upgrade plan. So I know my current phone won't work with Verizon but according to the Upgrade website once your phone is activated you can switch carriers whenever you like, with an asterisk and the fine print says Att and t-mobile customers may have to visit an Apple Store to switch.

Has anyone tried this? Any issues doing so?

I too am in this situation and wondering how to go about making the switch. Hopefully someone has done it and can help answer.

 

[Applejuiced]

Yes, that's a tough situation.
Your phone will not work with Verizon or Sprint.
So not sure if the upgrade program allows you to bring it in and get the same model phone but switch with one that's compatible with CDMA networks?

 

[macduke]

Huh, this is something I've never thought about. I'm on Verizon now, but I'd hate to move to T-Mobile with the iPhone Pro, hate the service or something, and not be able to switch back. Guess if I do switch, I should do it before or after (not at) launch—either so I can test the network and service or have the unlocked Verizon capable model. Although I suppose there's a chance that the next iPhone won't have this issue. Wasn't this not an issue for a few generations there? Weird that they regressed—isn't it that Intel chip/patents to blame? Smart to diversify chips, but annoying for customers.

 

[Applejuiced]

Huh, this is something I've never thought about. I'm on Verizon now, but I'd hate to move to T-Mobile with the iPhone Pro, hate the service or something, and not be able to switch back. Guess if I do switch, I should do it before or after (not at) launch—either so I can test the network and service or have the unlocked Verizon capable model. Although I suppose there's a chance that the next iPhone won't have this issue. Wasn't this not an issue for a few generations there? Weird that they regressed—isn't it that Intel chip/patents to blame? Smart to diversify chips, but annoying for customers.

Your Verizon iPhone 7 works everywhere on both CDMA and GSM networks. Its fully unlocked without having to do anything.
So you dont have have to worry about that.
Only people with AT&T and Tmobile Apple upgrade phones cannot use them on neither Sprint or Verizon.

 

[Mlrollin91]

The OP is right, it does state that if you want to switch form AT&T to Verizon you will need to go to a store, but I can't imagine they will just take your phone and give you a Verizon one. You have your loan contract with that device. And Apple would lose money by taking an old phone and giving you a new one in return. Very odd. Two different iPhone 7 models made it more difficult.

OP, if you go to Apple or call them, please let us know how they arrange it. I'm very curious.

 

[nburwell]

OP, if you go to Apple or call them, please let us know how they arrange it. I'm very curious.

I'm curious about this as well. Maybe they would give the OP a refurbished device? But again, what happens to the original iPhone as it's tied to the loan.

 

[Mlrollin91]

I'm curious about this as well. Maybe they would give the OP a refurbished device? But again, what happens to the original iPhone as it's tied to the loan.

Probably no different than if you get a replacement device, they just carry over the IMEI/Serial Number. But I can't imagine Apple would willingly take back a used phone with no defects and hand out essentially a new device. There has to be a catch.

 

[0970373]

I was testing this swap idea out today and after 80 minutes on the phone with 4 different people, the answer isn't a good one. Basically, only the physical stores can handle anything AUP related so skip the chat and sales call. Call a store.

But to make a long story short, the only way to get a Verizon compatible phone if you signed up on AUP under AT&T or TMO, is to start a new contract with the correct model. The Apple store is absolutely willing to do this but it's not a good solution. They would close out your current AUP and you would no longer have to make payments on that phone contract/loan. They would swap that phone out with a VZW compatible iPhone and start a new AUP contract for you and reset that 12-month upgrade window. No bueno.

If you do want to switch to Verizon from AT&T or TMO, it's probably better to wait until the new iPhones are out. Until then, I suggest you express your displeasure to Tim Cook (tcook@apple.com) for false or at the very least, misleading advertising.

While there isn't much to be done about this now, I think it's important for them to hear from customers on this issue.

If someone else has had luck with a straight swap out, I'd love to know.

 

[oxinthebox]

I was testing this swap idea out today and after 80 minutes on the phone with 4 different people, the answer isn't a good one. Basically, only the physical stores can handle anything AUP related so skip the chat and sales call. Call a store.

But to make a long story short, the only way to get a Verizon compatible phone if you signed up on AUP under AT&T or TMO, is to start a new contract with the correct model. The Apple store is absolutely willing to do this but it's not a good solution. They would close out your current AUP and you would no longer have to make payments on that phone. They would swap that phone out with a VZW compatible iPhone and start a new AUP contract for you and reset that 12-month upgrade window. No bueno.

If you do want to switch to Verizon from AT&T or TMO, it's probably better to wait until the new iPhones are out. Until then, I suggest you express your displeasure to Tim Cook (tcook@apple.com) for false advertising.

While there isn't much to be done about this now, I think it's important for them to hear from customers on this issue.

If someone else has had luck with a straight swap out, I'd love to know.

View attachment 688731

Ok so, I 1st called the 800# and was told, yep what you read is correct, just go to the store and they will swap out phones. Thought ok cool, so I called the local store to see if I needed to get an appt or what and they said, no can't be done...went around and around with the person on the phone, no dice. I asked to speak to a manager/GM/whatever, said they would have them call me back.

Got a call back and still a no, said can't be done, even said I must be reading it wrong...was not happy with that. Told her what the 800# said etc. Finally got her to pull up the site and we both read what it said and followed the asterisk and she said hmm ok, let me see what I can find out.

Called me back and gave me good/bad news (well not really bad, just labor intensive) almost the same story as E3BK, yes would have to return old phone, sign up for new AUP plan but she said what would happen is they would process the return from the start and refund me all monies paid and I would need to then apply that amount to my new plan as to catch up and thus still be on the track to get a new phone in sept.

She said literally nobody had heard of this and it would be the 1st one they have done so it would take some time to get it all done right. She said this was just sent over from Apple at the 1st of the month with out much info.

So all that, still trying to decide if ATT is going to get their act together and give me a reason to stay or if I am going to jump ship, then Verizon or T-moblie...

She said she would document everything in the managers log and she has all my info as well so if I decide to do it I will let you know.

 

[posguy99]

...for false or at the very least, misleading advertising.

What're we all missing? They'll move you to the other carrier, they'll end your current AUP and take the phone back (and not charge you the balance), and they'll start another AUP.

Oh, I'm sorry, I missed that you're entitled to the new phone (whatever it is) the moment it comes out. Silly me.

 

[0970373]

Called me back and gave me good/bad news (well not really bad, just labor intensive) almost the same story as E3BK, yes would have to return old phone, sign up for new AUP plan but she said what would happen is they would process the return from the start and refund me all monies paid and I would need to then apply that amount to my new plan as to catch up and thus still be on the track to get a new phone in sept.

That's not the story I got, They told me I would have to start over with a new plan. I asked about the payments made applying to the new phone but the rep said that wasn't possible. This is messy.

 

[oxinthebox]

That's not the story I got, They told me I would have to start over with a new plan. I asked about the payments made applying to the new phone but the rep said that wasn't possible. This is messy.

I agree it is messy, she said it would be, but it would be a new plan but the why they would have to do it is to refund me all amounts paid and if I wanted to keep my "timing" (for lack of a better term) I would need to pay that amount to my new plan.

 

[0970373]

What're we all missing? They'll move you to the other carrier, they'll end your current AUP and take the phone back (and not charge you the balance), and they'll start another AUP.

Oh, I'm sorry, I missed that you're entitled to the new phone (whatever it is) the moment it comes out. Silly me.

No, that's not what I was told. I would have to start over with a new loan when I switched phones and it would reset my 12 month upgrade window. Previous payments *would not* be applied to the new phone.

I don't feel entitled to a new phone. I want what was advertised to me and what I signed up for. Having to swap out the phone and start over with a new model isn't really being able to "choose your carrier." They could swap it out for a refurbished model for all I care but they really should be using the CDMA compatible models for AUP customers. It was the case with the iPhone 6S/6S+ when I originally signed up w/ AUP.
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I agree it is messy, she said it would be, but it would be a new plan but the why they would have to do it is to refund me all amounts paid and if I wanted to keep my "timing" (for lack of a better term) I would need to pay that amount to my new plan.

It wouldn't be so bad if they actually did refund all previous payment to apply to the new loan. But it's definitely not the story I got. I do still think people should write to Tim Cook to get them to clarify what this process is.

 

[posguy99]

I agree it is messy, she said it would be, but it would be a new plan but the why they would have to do it is to refund me all amounts paid and if I wanted to keep my "timing" (for lack of a better term) I would need to pay that amount to my new plan.

You've GOT to be kidding. You had the use of the existing phone for N months, and you think they should refund that to you?

 

[Mlrollin91]

You've GOT to be kidding. You had the use of the existing phone for N months, and you think they should refund that to you?

You are missing the point. IUP clearly states you can change carrier whenever you want. The GSM phone cannot change to Verizon or Sprint, so Apple even states that you can go to an Apple Store to switch carriers on their website in the fine print. This is more than reasonable. It should be a clean swap, phone for phone.

They are not refunding you the entire phone and you are walking away with the money, they are then applying it directly to the replacement phone. You don't make money on the deal.

 

[Applejuiced]

I hear you, that does sound like a major pain in the rear to have to go through and Apple should have thought of that when putting out 2 different models where 1 of them will not work with CDMA.
They should make it easier on themselves and their customers and just swap it out with a replacement that works on the new carrier you want to switch to. That's the whole part of their Apple iphone upgrade program. That is not locked and can be used on any carrier.

 

[0970373]

I hear you, that does sound like a major pain in the rear to have to go through and Apple should have thought of that when putting out 2 different models where 1 of them will not work with CDMA.
They should make it easier on themselves and their customers and just swap it out with a replacement that works on the new carrier you want to switch to. That's the whole part of their Apple iphone upgrade program. That is not locked and can be used on any carrier.

To be fair, it was a true statement when the program rolled out under the 6S/6S+. They just screwed it up when they decided to make CDMA-incompatible (or non-CDMA compatible?) phones and gave those out instead. And having to sign up for new loan, regardless of if previous payments are applied to it or not, is a step one shouldn't have to take.

 

[posguy99]

You are missing the point. IUP clearly states you can change carrier whenever you want. The GSM phone cannot change to Verizon or Sprint, so Apple even states that you can go to an Apple Store to switch carriers on their website in the fine print. This is more than reasonable. It should be a clean swap, phone for phone.

Can you just *imagine* the entitlement wanks trying to use (abuse) this to get a new phone, if it were actually the case? There have to be some controls. If this is what they're actually doing, Apple's are more than reasonable.

To reiterate:

Apple states you can switch. Apple will facilitate your switch, by taking your old phone back, and forgiving the remainder of the loan. You have had the use of the phone for N months, so no harm, no foul. You are now given a new phone that works with the new carrier, and a new AUP is started. This new AUP has a 12-month term, it's a new phone, so again no harm, no foul.

Anything else is just wanking by the entitled.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Can you just *imagine* the entitlement wanks trying to use (abuse) this to get a new phone, if it were actually the case? There have to be some controls. If this is what they're actually doing, Apple's are more than reasonable.

To reiterate:

Apple states you can switch. Apple will facilitate your switch, by taking your old phone back, and forgiving the remainder of the loan. You have had the use of the phone for N months, so no harm, no foul. You are now given a new phone that works with the new carrier, and a new AUP is started. This new AUP has a 12-month term, it's a new phone, so again no harm, no foul.

Anything else is just wanking by the entitled.

This has nothing to do with entitlement. This has to do with Apple fulfilling the terms and conditions of the contract of the IUP. If you trade the phone in after 6 months and needing a new phone for a different carrier, you are not getting the return value that you would after 12 months of trading in the device. You don't have the option to upgrade. You would then have to wait another 12 months and the 6 months would be literally wasted. Apple states you can switch the phone for the carrier that you are with, therefore it should be an even swap and the loan continues on, just as Applejuiced stated. It should be as simple as a Genius Bar replacement.

There is harm, you are no longer eligible to upgrade within 6 months again. You must start all the way over with 12 months. Because someone wants to upgrade does not make them entitled. They aren't asking for anything for free.

 

[macduke]

Your Verizon iPhone 7 works everywhere on both CDMA and GSM networks. Its fully unlocked without having to do anything.
So you dont have have to worry about that.
Only people with AT&T and Tmobile Apple upgrade phones cannot use them on neither Sprint or Verizon.

I was talking about when I get the iPhone Pro or whatever the new high-end one is called.

 

[Applejuiced]

I was talking about when I get the iPhone Pro or whatever the new high-end one is called.

What iphone pro?

 

[posguy99]

What iphone pro?

Depending on which doesn't-know-anything pundit you prefer to listen to, there will be either two or three new phones in September. Those who are saying there will be three are calling the third "iPhone Pro".

 

[Applejuiced]

Depending on which doesn't-know-anything pundit you prefer to listen to, there will be either two or three new phones in September. Those who are saying there will be three are calling the third "iPhone Pro".

Lol
I see.
I'd rather stick to calling it the next iphone for now.

 

[bufffilm]

Can you just *imagine* the entitlement wanks trying to use (abuse) this to get a new phone, if it were actually the case? There have to be some controls. If this is what they're actually doing, Apple's are more than reasonable.

To reiterate:

Apple states you can switch. Apple will facilitate your switch, by taking your old phone back, and forgiving the remainder of the loan. You have had the use of the phone for N months, so no harm, no foul. You are now given a new phone that works with the new carrier, and a new AUP is started. This new AUP has a 12-month term, it's a new phone, so again no harm, no foul.

Anything else is just wanking by the entitled.

I quite agree on this and hope Apple stands firm.

Start a new 12 month term.