Apple Upgrade program question

[CoriG]

Has anyone pulled the trigger and exchanged out their att phone for a Verizon compatible phone? Do you have to pay sales tax on the new phone?

Also is anyone worried about (the big) if Apple decides to release the new iPhone early - At WWDC- and you are not eligible to upgrade immediately?

 

[edlex]

Has anyone pulled the trigger and exchanged out their att phone for a Verizon compatible phone? Do you have to pay sales tax on the new phone?

Also is anyone worried about (the big) if Apple decides to release the new iPhone early - At WWDC- and you are not eligible to upgrade immediately?

As long as you pay or have paid the equivalent of 12 payments you are eligible to upgrade.

 

[MiamiBourne]

I'm on the Apple Upgrade Program for AT&T and got my iPhone 7 Plus on launch day. I wanted to switch to Verizon so I made an appointment today at the Genius bar to get my phone swapped. As mentioned earlier I was able to return for a refund my AT&T iPhone 7 Plus and I had to open a new loan account with Citizen's bank. Whatever I had paid would be refunded back to the card that was tied to the payments on my original loan. Also, they gave me a sim free unlocked iPhone and used a new AT&T sim card to activate the phone so that I can switch to Verizon later on. They offered to port my phone in store to Verizon but it was late and I'd rather make the switch at a separate time. Initially, the Genius people (first two I talked to) didn't know the AT&T iPhone 7's don't working on Verizon and but there were some managers on hand that were familiar with the process so be patient with the first people you meet. Also this article helps your case.

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/08/att-and-tmobile-iphone-7-models-lack-cdma/

While I'm not happy at Apple for offering a program that says one thing and having to jump through hoops to be able to do what they offered, I was happy with how the store (Apple Store SOHO in NYC) employees treated me. They were great.

Obviously YMMV...good luck.

 

[terraphantm]

I still wasn't able to get mine done today. Verizon seems to be the hold up. Unfortunately I'm busy enough that I probably won't be able to attempt this for another two weeks.

Might just pay off the existing phone, sell it, and start over with a new one.

So almost a month later, but I finally got it done. Verizon's fraud department was the issue this whole time. Took several calls for them to release the hold (they kept trying to blame Apple, but it wasn't them). Next will be to try to get Verizon to waive the $20 upgrade fee when that shows up (it's asinine that a phone that's not being financed or sold by Verizon still has an upgrade fee associated with it).

To anyone else planning on switching: Try to get the swap taken care of before you switch to Verizon.

 

[LoliS]

Next will be to try to get Verizon to waive the $20 upgrade fee when that shows up (it's asinine that a phone that's not being financed or sold by Verizon still has an upgrade fee associated with it)

It's now a $30 upgrade fee. And the reason Verizon charges it when you do the AiUP is because Apple and Citizens One want access to Verizon's internal payment history database as part of their credit check on you. Verizon doesn't give them that info for free, but it is Apple and CO who agree to have the cost passed onto you in the form of an upgrade fee.

If Apple and CO didn't want access to Verizon's database, there would be no charge to you.

 

[terraphantm]

I don't really care what Verizon's justification is. The other carriers don't do it - it's a cash grab, nothing else. Also worth noting that the individual getting the loan with Citizen's bank is *not* the main account holder in this case. So that payment history is irrelevant.

I'm glad there are no contracts at least. I'm liking the improved speeds, but if I have to deal with Verizon's CSR along with their nickel and diming even more, I'll just switch back to AT&T.

 

[LoliS]

The other carriers don't do it

Switch to the other carriers then.

- it's a cash grab,

Every business dealing is a "cash grab" then.

Also worth noting that the individual getting the loan with Citizen's bank is *not* the main account holder in this case. So that payment history is irrelevant.

It's definitely not irrelevant.

if I have to deal with Verizon's CSR along with their nickel and diming even more, I'll just switch back to AT&T.

You should definitely do that if AT&T is a better fit for you.

 

[terraphantm]

Switch to the other carriers then.

Every business dealing is a "cash grab" then.

It's definitely not irrelevant.

Are you a Verizon employee or something? You seem oddly defensive over a greedy practice.

You should definitely do that if AT&T is a better fit for you.

Like I said, I just might. I was very close to just switching back while their fraud department was dicking us around. If I have to deal with any inconvenience by the time the 8 comes around, I'm gone.

 

[WhoDatWayne]

So almost a month later, but I finally got it done. Verizon's fraud department was the issue this whole time. Took several calls for them to release the hold (they kept trying to blame Apple, but it wasn't them). Next will be to try to get Verizon to waive the $20 upgrade fee when that shows up (it's asinine that a phone that's not being financed or sold by Verizon still has an upgrade fee associated with it).

To anyone else planning on switching: Try to get the swap taken care of before you switch to Verizon.

Wow! You have been at this a long time! That is crazy that you had to go through all this trouble but glad it is finally done. I was going to make the switch but have now decided to stick with att for now so I don't plan on switching the phone.

 

[LoliS]

Are you a Verizon employee or something?

No, are you a disgruntled former Verizon employee?

 

[fastbagger]

As long as you pay or have paid the equivalent of 12 payments you are eligible to upgrade.

I was told only have to pay 6 payments in order to be eligible for upgrade

 

[LoliS]

If I have to deal with any inconvenience by the time the 8 comes around, I'm gone.

More bandwidth for me to use, lol!
[doublepost=1489340162][/doublepost]

I was told only have to pay 6 payments in order to be eligible for upgrade

I thought you have to pay off 50% of the loan to upgrade.

 

[fastbagger]

More bandwidth for me to use, lol!
[doublepost=1489340162][/doublepost]
I thought you have to pay off 50% of the loan to upgrade.

I asked the salesperson in Apple store that's what they told me

 

[LoliS]

I asked the salesperson in Apple store that's what they told me

http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/iphoneupgrade_us/

Upgrade Option

1. Conditions for Upgrade Option. You may exercise your Upgrade Option to purchase a new eligible iPhone, subject to availability, under all of the following conditions:
   • Payments. You have paid the equivalent of at least twelve (12) installment payments under your Installment Loan plus any taxes and fees paid at the time of enrollment;

[doublepost=1489340467][/doublepost]

I asked the salesperson in Apple store that's what they told me

Did you put down a downpayment equal to 6 payments?

 

[terraphantm]

No, are you a disgruntled former Verizon employee?

Nope, just an annoyed customer voicing his thoughts on bad policies and customer service. If you want to be the Verizon Defense Force without even being paid for it, more power to you I guess.

Wow! You have been at this a long time! That is crazy that you had to go through all this trouble but glad it is finally done. I was going to make the switch but have now decided to stick with att for now so I don't plan on switching the phone.

Some of it was that I was just too busy to deal with this earlier in the month, but I did make 5 trips to an Apple store, and I think 8 calls to Verizon (being put on hold a minimum of 20 minutes each time) before everything was sorted.

 

[LoliS]

Nope, just an annoyed customer voicing his thoughts on bad policies and customer service. If you want to be the Verizon Defense Force without even being paid for it, more power to you I guess.

I am just a customer giving out factual information. You are behaving very immaturely.

 

[terraphantm]

I am just a customer giving out factual information. You are behaving very immaturely.

I'm a paying customer who went through a much tougher process than I should have had to - I'm entitled to my opinion that their policies are bad. People should know what they're getting into if they make the switch. Yes, I'm still more than a little annoyed and expressing my opinions strongly. If that makes me immature, so be it.

If I could start things over, I probably wouldn't have switched in the first place, and for now I'll use these next ~6 months as a trial period. If Verizon makes anything else a hassle going forward, I'll switch back to AT&T since they now have a comparable plan.

 

[juststart]

I read this entire thread last night and it seems like stores can do this, you need to return the device and you'll get a refund for payments made thus far. Additionally, they'll do another pull and get you a device for Verizon.

I'm curious if the Verizon account needs to be eligible for an upgrade? I'm using a phone right now but am thinking I should return the phone, first, then go to Apple and try to get someone to help me. I had called earlier and the person said "all of our phones are unlocked for IUP" which is obviously incorrect.

 

[nicoarro]

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 have a 7+ so avoid this issue, I switched from a sprint to Verizon in August. I’ve been in the upgrade program since it started. At pre-order I was able to order easy