Right -- and if 3G service sucks in a given area, why are people in that area buying 3G products and asking for refunds (while keeping the product/service)?
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Are we entitled to a refund?
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Right -- and if 3G service sucks in a given area, why are people in that area buying 3G products and asking for refunds (while keeping the product/service)?
That is a different scenario. Voicemail is a FEATURE, and that feature can be removed. 3G data is not a feature, it is just an ability of the phone. The data plan has no special $10/month add-on that enables 3G data, it is just $29.99 whether you use EDGE or 3G. There is no "3G feature" to remove, it doesn't work like that.
Read my post again. The first iPhone was in its own special category for whatever reason, and the data plan cost $19.99. This isn't because it was a special low-price EDGE plan, it's because they priced the iPhone differently.
Now, the iPhone is just a normal smartphone, and all smartphone personal data plans are $29.99. Why can't you understand this? It would be the same if you had an EDGE-only Blackberry. You're not paying extra just to have the iPhone 3G. It's the same as any phone.
well then i misunderstood because all the people on here saying "my 3G data plan is $10 more than my edge data plan" hense the assumption that 3G data costs $10 more than edge data.. makes sense to think that.. but if ATT clearly charges the extra $10 for ALL data plans, then you're right.. there is no issue.. I DO still believe that the customer could cancel their contract without the ETF because of the bloated coveage maps. that is just false advertising and is annoying.. but i guess you cant get much MORE than that because of what you states.
no, it's not, the other iphone is 19.99 because it's edge only, the new one is 29.99 because it's 3g - you can walk into an att store with an unlocked version of either phone and you will get a rate based on which phone you have, not whether it's subsidized or not - you are not paying more because the phone is subsidized
and if other phones are receiving 3g service and yours is not, then that is a legitimate claim that att is not holding up their end of the contract, and the data should at least be pro-rated
This is not true.
The first iPhone was $19.99 becaue it was a special deal AT&T made.
That deal is over. Now iPhone customers pay the same as all other AT&T smartphone users, EDGE OR 3G.
There was a year long "discount sale" on iPhone data plans. It ended. That's IT. It doesn't mean you're paying more for 3G, it means the sale is over.
Yeah. It's pretty clear that Cellocello has no clue what it is I'm trying to say. If he would read my other posts he would notice that the problem on MY PHONE is not just in MY AREA. I've had it elsewhere too. And it's not just my problem, it's worldwide!
He's arguing for the sport of it I think. There's not much to disagree with here I don't think...
actually that deal is not over because it wasn't a "special deal," if you get an original iphone and walk into the store today, you will pay 19.99 for data
Quoted for truth... You are NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT paying for 3G access, you are paying to have a "smart phone," which to AT&T means you are going to be accessing a lot more data than a non-smart phone! Once people understand this, it will make a lot more sense.
Look at it this way. If you were paying for 3G, then you would only pay the extra money where 3G is available. The reason this isn't the case is because you are NOT paying $30 a month instead of $20 for 3G access, you are paying $30 a month for a "smart phone" data plan.
You need proof? Go to the list of AT&Ts smart phones and pretend you are buying one. The unlimited data package will cost you $30 (its called the PDA Personal data package) regardless of whether the phone is 3G capable or not.
Hey, don't get me wrong, I DO believe that if AT&T advertises 3G coverage in your area, and you don't get it, you should be able to get out of your contract without the ETF. But I *don't* believe you should get a cheaper data plan, because that's not how it works. If you don't believe me, go to att.com and start signing up for a new EDGE smartphone, and come back here and say how much the data plan is.
edit: beaten by abiyng87, but thank god someone in here finally understands what I'm saying
edit: beaten by abiyng87, but thank god someone in here finally understands what I'm saying
Man ... wow.
If you think your phone's fubar'd -- return it.
If you think the service sucks -- cancel it (assuming you didn't wait 30+ days).
Jeez. Oh well ... I guess I'll never chime in on your "please help" threads again.
No, it's not.
The original iPhone had a special data plan created because AT&T didn't spend any of their money subsidizing the cost of the original iPhone. You payed $599 for the original iPhone (or $399 later down the road). AT&T spent zero of their money reducing the cost of the phone, so they created a special, cheaper data plan ONLY for the original iPhone. None of their other smartphones, even the ones that weren't capable of 3G, got that special $20 iPhone data plan.
With the iPhone 3G, AT&T dumps a lot of their money into the cost of the phone, allowing you to buy it for $199. They are not also going to dump more of their money into a reduced cost data plan for the iPhone 3G.
It's all about the phone subsidy and nothing to do with the original iPhone being EDGE-only.
So there you go. With the original iPhone, AT&T gave you a $240 in the form of a special lower priced data plan. With the iPhone 3G, AT&T gives the break in the form of lowering the purchase price by $300+ (or whatever the analysts are saying it is these days). Again, you're not going to see a break where AT&T dumps money into the purchase price AND the data plan.
ok let me clarify what i meant, in terms of the iphone ONLY, you are paying 29.99 because of the 3g
you are NOT paying 29.99 because the phone is now subsidized - you are not paying the "additional cost" of the first iphone over the life of your contract
I fully agree; I don't know why people are jumping down your throat here.
I live in Chicago (a big city where 3G is supposed to work great) and whenever I turn 3G on, I get "No Service". I used to get a few bars, now I always get "No Service".
AT&T promised 3G service in my area, so I purchased an iPhone and (more importantly) the service plan AT&T provided. I am paying for the service they promised.
The problem brought up here is that AT&T is not holding up their end of the deal. We were promised it would work in our area, we pay for it, and yet, still no 3G.
I totally believe we (those affected by this problem) deserve a discount/refund.
I live in Chicago (a big city where 3G is supposed to work great) and whenever I turn 3G on, I get "No Service". I used to get a few bars, now I always get "No Service".
AT&T promised 3G service in my area, so I purchased an iPhone and (more importantly) the service plan AT&T provided. I am paying for the service they promised.
The problem brought up here is that AT&T is not holding up their end of the deal. We were promised it would work in our area, we pay for it, and yet, still no 3G.
I totally believe we (those affected by this problem) deserve a discount/refund.
Ok this is pretty much the answer I was looking for (and the OPs saying the same thing). I was unaware that $30 was the standard for all data plans and the original iPhone featured a special deal. Thanks for clearing that up.
And Cellocello, I don't want a different phone. I like my iPhone. I just want it to do the things it is supposed to do. My brother has a Samsung phone that is equipped with 3G and he always has a full signal. We live in the same house. The coverage in my area is fine.
Its true, but the reasoning people are using (stating that it is because it is 3G capable) is completely wrong.
The first iPhone was considered a regular cell phone (i.e. not a smart phone) for whatever reason, and now the new iPhone is considered a smart phone.
When these plans were first announce I wrote a post explaining the difference with examples. You can find it here. Its long, but if people would just read it they would understand how AT&T's pricing works.
Now, for the OPs situation. If you are unhappy with the service RETURN IT. However, you are not getting screwed by paying for 3G service when you are using EDGE. That simply isn't the case. You are getting screwed because your phone isn't working properly, which is why you have every right to return the phone and either get a new phone or cancel the service altogether. Asking for $10 back is a little ridiculous, which I think you will agree with, once you understand that you are not paying $10 a month for 3G service, but rather for a smartphone.
I never said you were more because the phone is subsidized. You are paying more because the phone has been recategorized by AT&T. Please refer to the link I provided earlier in this post.
agreed, but people kept posting that it was because att is covering part of the cost, so i had to clarify that you are paying for the data now and not because of the price of the phone
and for the OP, people don't seem to understand that it's not an issue with location - the network is supposed to be there, but it's not
now if i have the iphone 3g and my friend has a 3g blackberry, yet i receive no data and he does, that is not ok, for whatever reason, the att network has "shut off" iphone users in places like nyc and chicago (the phone used to work on 3g and it stopped working prior to the update, so the phone is not broken and the update didn't cause it)
that to me justifies a refund on data charges on att's part - especially if they are charging less to other customers essentially using the exact same phone to access the exact same network in the exact same way (original iphone users)
Because the subsidy isn't the most logical reason for the recategorization?
Original iPhone:
$000 = AT&T phone subsidy
$240 = AT&T other concession (special data plan rate savings created only for this particular smartphone)
$005 = AT&T other concession (reduced SMS rate plans on higher text pages created only for this particular smartphone)
------------
$245 = AT&T's expenditure for the original iPhone
iPhone 3G:
$300 = AT&T phone subsidy
$000 = AT&T other concession
-----------
$300 = AT&T's expenditure for the iPhone 3G
You're not going to see AT&T throw in an 'other concession' on the iPhone 3G when they've already dropped $300 on the subsidy.
Yes...you actually understand what I'm trying to say. This isn't a coverage problem for anybody except iPhone 3G users. The only solution should not be "get a new phone." Those of you saying that are just missing the point.
Now my assumption about the extra 10 dollars for 3G was logical, but obviously WRONG. I'm not defending it (and neither is anyone else) so stop pretending that I am.
I Got My Refund
I live in central NJ 15 minutes from Newark and 20 mins out of NYC. ATT lists on their site that my town is a full 3g area. I get my phone and I get no 3g at my house (use wifi anyway). I previously had verizon and the service was awful (inside my house, outside was great), but now with ATT my edge service is better than my verizon service was and I rarely drop calls in my basement so their was no reason to switch back. Then when everyone reported 3g issues I thought I might be a victim of poor reception. I called ATT and they sent a tech to my area to find out why I have no 3g service, and the tech calls me and says:
Yeah where you are located you shouldn't even be able to get a 3g signal at all but you have a great edge connection and edge will run faster than your 3g connection if you are even able to get it. I told him ok, but I am listed as a 3g area on ATT's map! I realize that he cant fix this but that its messed up that im paying for the 3g and dont get it. He told me to return the phone.
Bottom line ATT gave me a $20 credit for this months bill (I have a family plan 2 lines) because of the no 3g at home. The tech just called me Friday, so i might call them back today and see if I can get more money out of them.
ATT 3g coverage area map is what ATT THINKS they cover
I live in central NJ 15 minutes from Newark and 20 mins out of NYC. ATT lists on their site that my town is a full 3g area. I get my phone and I get no 3g at my house (use wifi anyway). I previously had verizon and the service was awful (inside my house, outside was great), but now with ATT my edge service is better than my verizon service was and I rarely drop calls in my basement so their was no reason to switch back. Then when everyone reported 3g issues I thought I might be a victim of poor reception. I called ATT and they sent a tech to my area to find out why I have no 3g service, and the tech calls me and says:
Yeah where you are located you shouldn't even be able to get a 3g signal at all but you have a great edge connection and edge will run faster than your 3g connection if you are even able to get it. I told him ok, but I am listed as a 3g area on ATT's map! I realize that he cant fix this but that its messed up that im paying for the 3g and dont get it. He told me to return the phone.
Bottom line ATT gave me a $20 credit for this months bill (I have a family plan 2 lines) because of the no 3g at home. The tech just called me Friday, so i might call them back today and see if I can get more money out of them.
ATT 3g coverage area map is what ATT THINKS they cover
It's over for new phones. Yes, the old iPhone is grandfathered in, but there is no way to get that price with any new phone. Just because some phones are grandfathered doesn't mean it's not over. It is over, there's just a few exceptions.
He's paying for a DATA connection. If he's getting EDGE, he's getting that.
Now, if they say there's 3G there and there's not, that's a seperate "truth in advertising" issue. I'm not saying that's not a problem, AT&T should be forced to be honest about what speeds are available where. If the O.P. wants 3G and can't get it then they should accept the phone back for a full refund. I have no issue with any of that.
But in no way is he paying for a particular speed. The original question was about getting money refunded based on the connection speed. If he has a data connection, he's getting what he paid for.
My original point is that I'm blaming Apple 100% and AT&T zero.
http://www.xti9.com/att/att3gfull.gif
I live in Pittsburgh.
You do the math.
This is a deficiency with the iPhone 3G and nothing else. I bought it for "3G Speed." I waited to get it instead of a 1st Gen. I am currently getting screwed.
http://www.xti9.com/att/att3gfull.gif
I live in Pittsburgh.
You do the math.
This is a deficiency with the iPhone 3G and nothing else. I bought it for "3G Speed." I waited to get it instead of a 1st Gen. I am currently getting screwed.
Ok, then your post makes even LESS sense.
Lets say you buy a TV. You find out the TV is broken. You then ask Sony to pay you for your cable bill for the month. It doesn't work that way.
If it doesn't work, take it back. Apple owes you your money back. You'll get no argument from me.
But they don't owe you money for other services. I thought you were blaming AT&T and wanting them to give you money back, but apparently that's not it. This is an even weaker argument than what I originally thought you wanted.