Carrier AT&T 2yr contract or NEXT?

[rui no onna]

4. Payment plans are feasible for some people. I can pay for my phone outright, but I'd rather invest it or use it for my Disney World trip.

For me, it was a trip to Universal Orlando for WWoHP.

Its not outdated. AT&T is still charging the subsidy behind the scenes.

You people really think this is in the benefit of the customer. Plaaaaaeeese!

If they're charging subsidy behind the scenes, my wallet certainly doesn't feel it. On the old 2 year contracts, I used to pay $240/month or $6,960 every 2 years inclusive of devices ($5,760 service + $1,200 upfront). On the new Mobile Share Value Plans with AT&T Next, I'm paying $160/month for service and $37.50/mo per financed device or $6,840 every 2 years inclusive of devices ($3,840 service + $3,000 in 0% APR device financing). If I choose to keep my phones longer than 2 years, with MSVP I don't have to keep paying subsidy once the phone has been paid off. On the old plans, I felt obligated to upgrade just so I don't waste my subsidy.

That said, MSVP is frequently more expensive for subscribers with just 1-2 lines.

 

[cableguy619]

Off contract for $649 is what I did, NEXT is a major rip off.

Actually with next and my 6 devices I end up saving about 1000 bucks. I was saving about 2300 a year but I added a tablet and 6+ to the next plan.

Overalls I am saving money.

 

[zhenya]

Its not outdated. AT&T is still charging the subsidy behind the scenes.

You people really think this is in the benefit of the customer. Plaaaaaeeese!

I'm not sure you know what a subsidy is.

Strictly for the benefit of the consumer? No way. Yet it does make what you are paying for a lot more transparent. And like automobile leasing vs. buying it gives the consumer choice of always having a new device with no buying/selling hassles, or to keep a device for a longer period of time to save some money.

Five years ago if the carriers were offering to sell you a $600-1000 device with a 2 year payment plan with no interest and no real strings attached, and they lowered your monthly bill vs contract it would have been pretty hard to believe. This is a remarkably fair and transparent offering for companies that are generally pretty sleazy.

 

[biscuitsxluv]

I'm not sure you know what a subsidy is.

This is a remarkably fair and transparent offering for companies that are generally pretty sleazy.

Weird, but after doing some research and calculating the numbers, you are right! We pay full price of the phone we get to keep (or trade-in upgrade), I get additional discount, and no contracts. It works for us because either way we still save. We're not on a grandfathered plan, plus there's only two lines and we use about 8GB or less of data per month.

 

[gregnauman]

zhenya you need to dig a bit deeper.

Just one example of many.

http://www.cnet.com/news/the-phone-subsidy-is-paid-off-so-why-is-my-monthly-bill-still-high/

I might add read the ATT filings with the government the fee is still listed. I read it myself with my own eyes

----------

This is outdated information. NEXT is an Interest free loan that gives you a lot of flexibility. The overall cost completely depends on what plans you have, what you switch to, and what device you want. For me, switching to Next costs maybe $25/year more, but I can upgrade with no hoops when I want and I don't have to pony up $500 up front for my top of the line device. Not that I couldn't but if AT&T wants to give me an interest free loan I'll take it.

Not true at all, you must work for ATT.

I proved this by going into the ATT store early to try for an upgrade. I had a discussion with one of the sales reps and he just smiled. He knew I knew what I was talking about.

For those that went to NEXT, happy paying, ATT loves you guys

BTW, I STILL have my plan, STILL have unlimited data, and have upgraded almost every time a new iPhone has come out since the 3. Now with iPhone 6+ almost since released

Paid for the 3 but have never paid for a iPhone again. Sell on eBay and purchase new one for less than I sell them for.

 

[C DM]

zhenya you need to dig a bit deeper.

Just one example of many.

http://www.cnet.com/news/the-phone-subsidy-is-paid-off-so-why-is-my-monthly-bill-still-high/

I might add read the ATT filings with the government the fee is still listed. I read it myself with my own eyes

----------



Not true at all, you must work for ATT.

I proved this by going into the ATT store early to try for an upgrade. I had a discussion with one of the sales reps and he just smiled. He knew I knew what I was talking about.

For those that went to NEXT, happy paying, ATT loves you guys

BTW, I STILL have my plan, STILL have unlimited data, and have upgraded almost every time a new iPhone has come out since the 3. Now with iPhone 6+ almost since released

Paid for the 3 but have never paid for a iPhone again. Sell on eBay and purchase new one for less than I sell them for.

What exactly is not true?

As mentioned depending on your plan Next can offset the "subsidy". Sometimes it doesn't make sense, other times it makes good sense.

 

[zhenya]

Not true at all, you must work for ATT.

I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth.

Nothing you said here changes what I originally stated- it all depends on exactly what your circumstances were before you change to NEXT. I crunched the numbers thoroughly before committing. For me, it was a great deal as the overall cost was extremely close, but I no longer have to deal with selling the phone - I just hand it in for a new one.

 

[gregnauman]

I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth.

Nothing you said here changes what I originally stated- it all depends on exactly what your circumstances were before you change to NEXT. I crunched the numbers thoroughly before committing. For me, it was a great deal as the overall cost was extremely close, but I no longer have to deal with selling the phone - I just hand it in for a new one.

All the while still paying the fee behind the scenes.

Ill try and find the filing sheet they submit to the government, but I doubt it will make a difference for you your mind is made up

 

[C DM]

All the while still paying the fee behind the scenes.

Ill try and find the filing sheet they submit to the government, but I doubt it will make a difference for you your mind is made up

Again it's offset by the discount Next provides on the higher data plan.

If someone calculates the numbers of what to would cost over 2 years to get a contract phone vs. a phone on Next and the Next price is lower, why or how wouldn't Next be a better deal for that person? It's that simple.

 

[zhenya]

All the while still paying the fee behind the scenes.

Ill try and find the filing sheet they submit to the government, but I doubt it will make a difference for you your mind is made up

Either you are having trouble explaining yourself clearly, or you don't understand what this conversation was about. The article you linked to above is outdated - most US carriers do now offer plans where you get a discount once the device is paid for or if you do not buy a device from them - that is the entire point of this conversation.

Please, cite whatever evidence you like - but as stated, the point remains that the only thing that matters is what we are paying in the end - regardless of where that money is going.