Apple Upgrade program question

[macduke]

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

The problem is there are supposed to be two classes of "next" iPhone. The higher end "Pro" model is probably more likely to have a radio that supports all carriers since it would have lower sales volume and cost more. The design is supposed to be a lot different from the regular and Plus models. I was one of the first to predict an anniversary edition model a long before the rumors. We'll see.

 

[oxinthebox]

I quite agree on this and hope Apple stands firm.

Start a new 12 month term.

And you care why? If you think Apple is going to lose money on this you are crazy.

 

[bufffilm]

And you care why? If you think Apple is going to lose money on this you are crazy.

Because it's the right thing to do.

You return the phone, Apple absolves you, sign a new contract.

If you think otherwise, it just speaks entitlement.

 

[posguy99]

And you care why? If you think Apple is going to lose money on this you are crazy.

No one cares, other than the entitled. Myself, I usually upgrade, if I'm going to upgrade at all, around December or January. Long after the entitled are done whining about not being able to get a phone the instant they push the button on their order.

That's what this is about. Not the fact that Apple would forgive the remainder of their loan, not that Apple would give them a new phone. It's all about them not having a phone on release day because the clock restarts.

 

[Applejuiced]

The problem is there are supposed to be two classes of "next" iPhone. The higher end "Pro" model is probably more likely to have a radio that supports all carriers since it would have lower sales volume and cost more. The design is supposed to be a lot different from the regular and Plus models. I was one of the first to predict an anniversary edition model a long before the rumors. We'll see.

I know but it's all speculation for now
[doublepost=1487205887][/doublepost]

Because it's the right thing to do.

You return the phone, Apple absolves you, sign a new contract.

If you think otherwise, it just speaks entitlement.

I don't know about that.
Their main selling point for this iPhone upgrade plan is that you're not tied to any carrier and you can switch carriers at any time with your unlocked iPhone.
But guess what?
You cannot with a gsm only iPhone that won't work with Verizon, Sprint or any of their mvno partner networks
So in the end the many months of payments one made on a device is wasted and have to start a brand new plan and wait a full year to be able to upgrade. I'd be upset if I was stuck like that.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Because it's the right thing to do.

You return the phone, Apple absolves you, sign a new contract.

If you think otherwise, it just speaks entitlement.

No one cares, other than the entitled. Myself, I usually upgrade, if I'm going to upgrade at all, around December or January. Long after the entitled are done whining about not being able to get a phone the instant they push the button on their order.

That's what this is about. Not the fact that Apple would forgive the remainder of their loan, not that Apple would give them a new phone. It's all about them not having a phone on release day because the clock restarts.

You are both so incredibly wrong. This has nothing to do with entitlement. It's in the contract (terms and conditions and FAQ) that you can switch carriers and swap devices with Apple to work with the carrier you switched. It would be plain wrong to take away your upgrade eligibility because you changed carriers. If you switch phones and your loan is forgiving after 6 months you are essentially out 6 months of payments that cannot be applied to your next upgrade. Maybe you guys should take some contract law classes before you start spitting out that it's entitlement.

If it wasn't in the contract, that is a different story. But right now it is and therefore is not considered entitlement. Apple is legally required to do this for every IUP customer because it is stated. It would be false advertising otherwise. That if you change carriers then you lose your yearly upgrade.

Edited for spelling.

 

[bufffilm]

You are both so incredibly wrong. This has nothing to do with entitlement. It's in the contract (terms and conditions and FAQ) that you can switch carriers and swap devices with Apple to work with the carrier you switched. It would be plain wrong to take away your upgrade eligibility because you changed carriers. If you switch phones and your loan is forgiving after 6 months you are essentially out 6 months of payments that cannot be applied to your next upgrade. Maybe you guys should take some contract law classes before you start spitting out that it's entitlement.

If it wasn't in the contract, that is a different story. But right now it is and therefore is not considered entitlement. Apple is legally required to do this for every IUP customer because it is stated. It would be false advertising otherwise. That if you change carriers then you lose your yearly upgrade.

Edited for spelling.

We'll agree to disagree then.

 

[appygirl82]

I personally don't expect a new phone or anything like that. But Apple did advertise that on the IUP you could switch to any carrier and that isn't the case. I may not end up switching to VZW now since it sounds awefully messy. It does suck that the phones aren't compatible with other major carriers. I think Apple needs to do a better job of being clear about their being 2 different phones. So really we can't switch carriers easily. (Depending on carrier of course).

 

[Mlrollin91]

I personally don't expect a new phone or anything like that. But Apple did advertise that on the IUP you could switch to any carrier and that isn't the case. I may not end up switching to VZW now since it sounds awefully messy. It does suck that the phones aren't compatible with other major carriers. I think Apple needs to do a better job of being clear about their being 2 different phones. So really we can't switch carriers easily. (Depending on carrier of course).

This 100%. Because Apple advertised it, they must follow through. They are legally obligated to do so and therefore anyone requesting to do it is not entitled because it is a right given to them in the contract.

 

[appygirl82]

Just talked to a rep on VZW chat. She says that Verizon would pay off my current phones ($650) if I came over to Verizon. She claims the money would be on pre-paid visa cards. Problem is, I would be starting all over again with a new phone (with them) and wouldn't be able to upgrade this fall when the new one comes out. So sounding to me like I will stay with AT&T for the meantime. Doesn't seem logical to switch at the moment?!

 

[Mlrollin91]

Just talked to a rep on VZW chat. She says that Verizon would pay off my current phones ($650) if I came over to Verizon. She claims the money would be on pre-paid visa cards. Problem is, I would be starting all over again with a new phone (with them) and wouldn't be able to upgrade this fall when the new one comes out. So sounding to me like I will stay with AT&T for the meantime. Doesn't seem logical to switch at the moment?!

Well it sounds like if you do it through Apple, at leas the OP's experience. They start a new loan, but they apply everything you paid in the only one to the new one, so you can still upgrade when you would have been eligible.

 

[0970373]

So an update for me:

I did write that email, it wasn't angry but just mater of fact. They called today and I discussed my dealings w/ CS yesterday and the call I had w/ the store manager. Matt from Apple said that the person I spoke with did leave out the refund on previous payments part. Since it's a new policy that they just worked out w/ Citizen's Bank, some of the details might not have sunk in yet to everyone I guess.

To be clear, you will get a refund check from Citizen's Bank in about a month and YOU must pay off the additional months on the new loan to be eligible for the correct upgrade cycle. They won't transfer anything on the back end. Though, I don't get why they couldn't just swap out the phones like they do for Apple Care. Is it because the model is different?

Anyway, glad Apple is working to fix this. The Apple Upgrade Program's whole purpose is to get stock to cycle back in to retail as refurbs or resell when new models come out. All these phones come back to Apple in the end and they get to sell them again for a premium.

 

[Mlrollin91]

So an update for me:

I did write that email, it wasn't angry but just mater of fact. They called today and I discussed my dealings w/ CS yesterday and the call I had w/ the store manager. Matt from Apple said that the person I spoke with did leave out the refund on previous payments part. Since it's a new policy that they just worked out w/ Citizen's Bank, some of the details might not have sunk in yet to everyone I guess.

To be clear, you will get a refund check from Citizen's Bank in about a month and YOU must pay off the additional months on the new loan to be eligible for the correct upgrade cycle. They won't transfer anything on the back end. Though, I don't get why they couldn't just swap out the phones like they do for Apple Care. Is it because the model is different?

Anyway, glad Apple is working to fix this. The Apple Upgrade Program's whole purpose is to get stock to cycle back in to retail as refurbs or resell when new models come out. All these phones come back to Apple in the end and they get to sell them again for a premium.

Fantastic news. Might be a little messy but it's a right anyone on the IUP can take advantage of and it seems Apple is working on it. I agree about the swapping out the device like a Genius Bar replacement, but there must be backend at Apple's inventory log that is the problem with that.

 

[0970373]

Fantastic news. Might be a little messy but it's a right anyone on the IUP can take advantage of and it seems Apple is working on it. I agree about the swapping out the device like a Genius Bar replacement, but there must be backend at Apple's inventory log that is the problem with that.

Yeah, hopefully they'll have a better solution for this in the fall when new phones are released. We should at least get the option on which model we want instead of being forced based on your current carrier.

 

[terraphantm]

They really should have just given the sim-free version from the start for all IUP users. I don't even understand why they need to ask for carrier information.

Nonetheless, I'm glad Apple is facilitating this. Will probably be heading to the Apple store on Saturday to get it taken care of.

 

[appygirl82]

So, I missed it! If we go to Apple to get another phone (for VZW for instance)...they require you to pay off the phone upfront correct? And then they refund you what you've paid so far? So you can apply that to your loan and still be eligible for an upgrade this fall?

But in the meantime we'd have to fork out a large sum of money until the refund??

 

[oxinthebox]

Trying to decide if its worth the hassle or I might just give T-Mobile a chance for the next few months and then decide either to stay or switch to Verizon when the next iPhone comes out.

Anyone worried that the Verizon plan may not be around in September?

 

[0970373]

So, I missed it! If we go to Apple to get another phone (for VZW for instance)...they require you to pay off the phone upfront correct? And then they refund you what you've paid so far? So you can apply that to your loan and still be eligible for an upgrade this fall?

But in the meantime we'd have to fork out a large sum of money until the refund??

Call your local store first to make sure they know what they are doing. It's new so make sure your store has all the details. Apple has worked out a deal w/ Citizen's Bank where when you return your phone, it will cancel the current loan. You don't need to pay it off. They will open a new Upgrade Program loan and you'll start new there. Turn in the old phone, you get the new one compatible w/ CDMA. They said in about a month, you will get a refund check for the total amount of payments you made on the old loan and then YOU need to apply it to the new loan with a bulk payment so that you are on track for the fall upgrade. I think you probably need to do the down payment of $114-ish (depending on your phone) just like the original loan so that's the most you should be laying out that day.

That's what I understand it to be. I wonder if they will need to run a new credit check? If so, I'd rather just wait until the fall.

[doublepost=1487300967][/doublepost]

Anyone worried that the Verizon plan may not be around in September?

I can't imagine they would take it away so quickly. It's a way to get people to switch back to Verizon when the new iPhones are released.

 

[appygirl82]

Just got off Apple Chat with a rep. She had not heard of the issues about not being able to switch from AT&T to VZW for instance. She said any phone on the IUP is compatible. I informed her, no they aren't! She did some digging and came back and confirmed that I (or someone on the IUP) can indeed switch carriers but we would need to go into the store to do it. She didn't have specifics on what exactly they'll do there but she confirmed I could make the switch and it would NOT affect my contract and can still upgrade the same as before (this fall).

Just FYI!

 

[MiamiBourne]

Question...if you are on the IUP with AT&T and are going to switch to Verizon, how do you port your number and get the Verizon phone? Meaning, you are already supposed to have service with Verizon before you select the Verizon phone with IUP correct? Does Apple do this for you in store?

Or do you just get a Verizon phone with a new number and then port it after? I've never switched carriers so call me confused...Lol

 

[appygirl82]

Question...if you are on the IUP with AT&T and are going to switch to Verizon, how do you port your number and get the Verizon phone? Meaning, you are already supposed to have service with Verizon before you select the Verizon phone with IUP correct? Does Apple do this for you in store?

Or do you just get a Verizon phone with a new number and then port it after? I've never switched carriers so call me confused...Lol

I plan to go to Apple Store and get the whole scoop probably tomorrow or Sunday! I can update if anyone's interested?!

 

[og3og]

Not getting good news, Apple Store and 800-MYAPPLE.

Went into local Apple Store this morning (Ridge Hill, Yonkers, NY). Spoke to the greeter at the door and told him I want to switch carriers from AT&T to Verizon and he said that my phone will work on Verizon. I told him that I have been told and read otherwise, he told me to go see a different person in the store. This guy turned out to be the person checking people in for genius appts. Now back to the first guy, he now tells me that I either need to pay phone off completely in the program or pay off a year's worth of payments after 6 months to be eligible for a new phone. I showed him the IUP page where it says AT&T and T-Mo customers need to go to an Apple Store to switch and he just repeated what he said earlier.

After I left I called 800-MYAPPLE. Rep was nice and helpful, but didn't really get anywhere. I explained my situation and what had happened in the store. He agrees and through all his reading he feels that we should be able to make a switch without affecting eligibility to get a new phone in the fall. He said all the people he spoke to think that I'm just trying to get a new phone. But even he said, the program states that you can switch carriers at any time, and if you have a Vzw or sprint phone you can, but not At&T or t-mo and that really isn't fair. Especially since I wasn't allowed to purchase a vzw 7 plus because I had to activate on At&T.

His suggestion is to go back into the store and ask for a manager directly and explain the situation and maybe get a different outcome.

If I could use this phone on Verizon I would, I'm not looking for a new phone, but it will not work with them, so this is pretty frustrating. I might just get a new phone with Verizon, pay this one off and sell it to avoid anymore hassle.

Edit: was on the phone for almost an hour as the rep checked with multiple colleagues and supervisors and he felt like they all just thought I was just looking for a new phone

 

[terraphantm]

Hmm. That's concerning. Has anyone successfully swapped out their phone?

 

[Applejuiced]

Not getting good news, Apple Store and 800-MYAPPLE.

Went into local Apple Store this morning (Ridge Hill, Yonkers, NY). Spoke to the greeter at the door and told him I want to switch carriers from AT&T to Verizon and he said that my phone will work on Verizon. I told him that I have been told and read otherwise, he told me to go see a different person in the store. This guy turned out to be the person checking people in for genius appts. Now back to the first guy, he now tells me that I either need to pay phone off completely in the program or pay off a year's worth of payments after 6 months to be eligible for a new phone. I showed him the IUP page where it says AT&T and T-Mo customers need to go to an Apple Store to switch and he just repeated what he said earlier.

After I left I called 800-MYAPPLE. Rep was nice and helpful, but didn't really get anywhere. I explained my situation and what had happened in the store. He agrees and through all his reading he feels that we should be able to make a switch without affecting eligibility to get a new phone in the fall. He said all the people he spoke to think that I'm just trying to get a new phone. But even he said, the program states that you can switch carriers at any time, and if you have a Vzw or sprint phone you can, but not At&T or t-mo and that really isn't fair. Especially since I wasn't allowed to purchase a vzw 7 plus because I had to activate on At&T.

His suggestion is to go back into the store and ask for a manager directly and explain the situation and maybe get a different outcome.

If I could use this phone on Verizon I would, I'm not looking for a new phone, but it will not work with them, so this is pretty frustrating. I might just get a new phone with Verizon, pay this one off and sell it to avoid anymore hassle.

Edit: was on the phone for almost an hour as the rep checked with multiple colleagues and supervisors and he felt like they all just thought I was just looking for a new phone

Its a huge mess and a pain to have to deal with all this. And then argue with reps that dont know the products they sell or their own programs terms and conditions.
And then they tell you to back to the store and try again speaking to a manager and good luck....
Nonsense.

 

[oxinthebox]

I decided it wasn't worth the hassle, so I just got off the phone with T-Mobile and have a sim card on the way. I figured i would give them a try for a week and if they sucked I would keep att and then maybe try the Verizon switch.

I will say that you should keep making a push and ask them to check since it is a completely new program from corporate as of the 1st of the month and they may not know anything about it.

Good luck!