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Are 3G users screwed come June by AT&T?
- Thread starter DigitalDorf
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how much was the iphone 2g after they gave all the people a 100 dollar gift card thing. Cause thats probably how much an unsubsidezed iphone for 09 would cost 3g iphones users.
Exactly. Because if they "screwed over" the 3G owners, they'd have an awful lot of early cancellations on contracts - or at least that's my guess. Because personally I would rather pay a $250 early term fee and go to another provider than stick with one who screwed up.
Of course, usually if you threaten to do that, cell phone providers tend to find some way to make you happy.
I'd argue that - although I admit that wasn't with an iPhone, by far. I had a phone that died once - just up and died after one year. I went to Alltel and told them I'd be willing to lock myself in to a new two year commitment in exchange for a new phone. They said - no go, I'd have to pay three hundred bucks for a cell phone because they need that time to recoup the price.
What a load of crap.
I asked them how were they going to lose money if I committed for a new contract - on top of the year I still owed them? (Stupidly she told me it "takes us a year to get our money" - which I promptly pointed out I'd completed a year of the existing contract!)
I also said if that's what they wanted, fine - how much was their early termination fee, because I'd rather kick them to the curb for $250 and walk across the street to AT&T or whoever, commit myself to them for two years, and let Alltel lose an outstanding customer with a spotless payment record who'd already completed one two-year contract with them.
I walked out with a new contract and a (at the time) spanky new phone, which still works fine.
IMHO, I think a lot of this cell phone pricing stuff is a corporate shell game anyway. (Especially when I see what the genuine article generally sells for overseas - and especially in Asia in the actual cell phone stores; I'm talking the real stuff and not fakes or knockoffs or even gray market phones.) I think this stuff is generally priced at what the market will bear - or what people are willing to pay when they think a product is hip, cool, or exclusive. Also, there is no company on the planet that is going to LOSE tons of money to gain sales - which is why I look at the whole AT&T subsidy thing with a bit of skepticism. What a poor business model. Sounds like a bit of spin to me. And I may be wrong, but I'm certainly entitled to my opinion on it.
It always seems to me that it boils down to no more than conspicuous consumption and we're all guilty of it.
That said, I'm not slagging iPhone users or buyers, because the only reason I'm still with Alltel is I'm waiting for the new iPhone.
And it is purely because I want one, I think they're cool as hell, and I'm lucky enough to be able to afford one. Oh yeah - and because I'm a huge ApplePhile. And I'll admit it all freely. 
Similar situation happened to me when I dropped my brand new cell in the toilet by accident.
Cellular one said they couldnt do anything and that I should have got insurance.
I had to pay full price for a new one mostly cause I liked the service and back then I dont think you could keep the same number if you switched companys.
But like it or not thats how every company works.
They might make exceptions depending on how many lines you have with them, how much your average bill is per month, how long you been with them, your payment record etc.....
Cellular one said they couldnt do anything and that I should have got insurance.
I had to pay full price for a new one mostly cause I liked the service and back then I dont think you could keep the same number if you switched companys.
But like it or not thats how every company works.
They might make exceptions depending on how many lines you have with them, how much your average bill is per month, how long you been with them, your payment record etc.....
I'd argue that - although I admit that wasn't with an iPhone, by far. I had a phone that died once - just up and died after one year. I went to Alltel and told them I'd be willing to lock myself in to a new two year commitment in exchange for a new phone. They said - no go, I'd have to pay three hundred bucks for a cell phone because they need that time to recoup the price.
What a load of crap.
I asked them how were they going to lose money if I committed for a new contract - on top of the year I still owed them? (Stupidly she told me it "takes us a year to get our money" - which I promptly pointed out I'd completed a year of the existing contract!)
I also said if that's what they wanted, fine - how much was their early termination fee, because I'd rather kick them to the curb for $250 and walk across the street to AT&T or whoever, commit myself to them for two years, and let Alltel lose an outstanding customer with a spotless payment record who'd already completed one two-year contract with them.
I walked out with a new contract and a (at the time) spanky new phone, which still works fine.
IMHO, I think a lot of this cell phone pricing stuff is a corporate shell game anyway. (Especially when I see what the genuine article generally sells for overseas - and especially in Asia in the actual cell phone stores; I'm talking the real stuff and not fakes or knockoffs or even gray market phones.) I think this stuff is generally priced at what the market will bear - or what people are willing to pay when they think a product is hip, cool, or exclusive. Also, there is no company on the planet that is going to LOSE tons of money to gain sales - which is why I look at the whole AT&T subsidy thing with a bit of skepticism. What a poor business model. Sounds like a bit of spin to me. And I may be wrong, but I'm certainly entitled to my opinion on it.
It always seems to me that it boils down to no more than conspicuous consumption and we're all guilty of it.
That said, I'm not slagging iPhone users or buyers, because the only reason I'm still with Alltel is I'm waiting for the new iPhone.
This thread is starting to bother me. Ok... If I bought a computer for $1,400 and a year later they come out with a MacBook that is better then I should get the new MacBook for a discounted price too!
No! Because it's an iPhone doesn't make you or me or anyone special. You can pay the fee for early termination and buy the new phone for full price. That's the way it goes.
No! Because it's an iPhone doesn't make you or me or anyone special. You can pay the fee for early termination and buy the new phone for full price. That's the way it goes.
Relax already! Everyone knows that! Occasional need for bitching is natural, y'know!