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benguild

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 29, 2003
827
39
Hey can someone explain this deal with the $5 price increase? Can people go buy a maxed out iPhone 6s Plus right now on a 2-year upgrade then cancel their service to get a full ETF rebate for only paying 1 month's service? That's what it sounds like, ha.
 
Hey can someone explain this deal with the $5 price increase? Can people go buy a maxed out iPhone 6s Plus right now on a 2-year upgrade then cancel their service to get a full ETF rebate for only paying 1 month's service? That's what it sounds like, ha.

Practically speaking, yes you may do so.

Morally speaking, I wouldn't do it in my opinion.

Knowing AT&T, they might close that type of loophole, or they may have already prevented it.
 
I would think that the contract you will sign today for that subsidized iPhone 6S would have something in it that mentions the $5 increase on a specified date.

I would think that the ETF exemption would be for those who signed their contracts before AT&T made the price hike announcement.

It's too large and obvious of a loophole that AT&T would let it go.
 
I would think that the contract you will sign today for that subsidized iPhone 6S would have something in it that mentions the $5 increase on a specified date.

I would think that the ETF exemption would be for those who signed their contracts before AT&T made the price hike announcement.

It's too large and obvious of a loophole that AT&T would let it go.

It may be worth it to AT&T to give a one time payout to an unlimited data user so that they go elsewhere.
 
Actually you really have to wait to feb or March 2015 before you can bail on att.

They are straight forward. Just look at your email. They say you have 60 days from time of $5 increase ($5 increase starts Feb 2016). So within this 60 day period you can cancel without ETF.

But if you wait after the 60 day period than you are responsible for the ETF.

"If you choose to cancel your unlimited data plan and you're under a two-year service contract, we'll waive your early termination fee.4 Just cancel your unlimited data plan line(s) within 60 days after the price increase first appears on your bill. Cancellations made after that time will be subject to the usual early termination fee. "


Pretty straight forward. So cancel around March 2016. You will be fine.
 
Actually you really have to wait to feb or March 2015 before you can bail on att.

They are straight forward. Just look at your email. They say you have 60 days from time of $5 increase ($5 increase starts Feb 2016). So within this 60 day period you can cancel without ETF.

But if you wait after the 60 day period than you are responsible for the ETF.

"If you choose to cancel your unlimited data plan and you're under a two-year service contract, we'll waive your early termination fee.4 Just cancel your unlimited data plan line(s) within 60 days after the price increase first appears on your bill. Cancellations made after that time will be subject to the usual early termination fee. "


Pretty straight forward. So cancel around March 2016. You will be fine.

Yeah that's what it sounds like to me, too.
 
I dont understand how its possible for them to charge the $5.00 increase. Shouldn't they let you opt-out before you get charged that extra monthly increase. Assuming you got 4 unlimited plan line on account thats extra $20.00 a month which is not waived, even after you cancel the service within 60 days.
 
I dont understand how its possible for them to charge the $5.00 increase. Shouldn't they let you opt-out before you get charged that extra monthly increase. Assuming you got 4 unlimited plan line on account thats extra $20.00 a month which is not waived, even after you cancel the service within 60 days.
They are giving you the option to leave without paying an ETF if you don't like the increase.
 
Just got a 6s subsidized under contract, a gift for Christmas. Haven't run thoroughly through it, yet, but did not notice any notice about price change in the terms next year skimming through.

Could we cancel after price up, then order another phone subsidized after? I was thinking about trying a 6s plus, too, or whatever the 7 will be if I could get one full subsidized next year.


Already received written and emailed notice of $5 price up
 
I get that..but even with leaving and not paying the ETF you are still bound to pay that $5.00 per line for at least 1 month.

Look at it this way, if you just bought a 6s or 6s+ on contract and got the subsidy and then you get out of the ETF and cancel your unlimited data--basically AT&T is giving you a new unlocked iPhone (at almost half price) that you can take to any carrier well before the terms of your contract would have expired. In my case that's a $450 value. If you have multiple lines and bought multiple iPhones on contract then multiply that benefit.

You can take all those iPhones to T-moblie and you *wouldn't* need to buy or lease one from them. That means no monthly payment added to your bill. That's kind of a big deal and I can't remember if that has ever happened before.

As for me, I'll probably keep my unlimited data with AT&T.
 
Aren't there two fees if you terminate early - the Early Termination Fee (ETF) and the unpaid balance on the phone?

  • As with all service cancellations, if you have a smartphone on an AT&T NextSMinstallment plan for the lines you are canceling, the cancellation will require the remaining NextSM balance to be paid.
I read the above from the AT&T site to mean that you have to pay off the phone if you cancel. Only the ETF will be waved for the first 60 days after the charge appears on your bill.
 
Aren't there two fees if you terminate early - the Early Termination Fee (ETF) and the unpaid balance on the phone?

  • As with all service cancellations, if you have a smartphone on an AT&T NextSMinstallment plan for the lines you are canceling, the cancellation will require the remaining NextSM balance to be paid.
I read the above from the AT&T site to mean that you have to pay off the phone if you cancel. Only the ETF will be waved for the first 60 days after the charge appears on your bill.
I think the folks here are talking about renewing on a 2-year contract, not AT&T Next.
 
Look at it this way, if you just bought a 6s or 6s+ on contract and got the subsidy and then you get out of the ETF and cancel your unlimited data--basically AT&T is giving you a new unlocked iPhone (at almost half price) that you can take to any carrier well before the terms of your contract would have expired. In my case that's a $450 value. If you have multiple lines and bought multiple iPhones on contract then multiply that benefit.

You can take all those iPhones to T-moblie and you *wouldn't* need to buy or lease one from them. That means no monthly payment added to your bill. That's kind of a big deal and I can't remember if that has ever happened before.

As for me, I'll probably keep my unlimited data with AT&T.

T-Mobile unlimited data (slowed down after 23gb in certain conditions) is around $80-90 a line. With no subsidy.

Most of my friends with att pay around $80-90 a month (depending on fan discounts) with att for unlimited data WITH subsidy.

T-Mobile isn't that much cheaper.
 
so after we decide to opt out, we can request the phone be unlocked for free from at&t? I thought thats not possible if you leave the at&t service without finishing the 2 year contract.
 
T-Mobile unlimited data (slowed down after 23gb in certain conditions) is around $80-90 a line. With no subsidy.

Most of my friends with att pay around $80-90 a month (depending on fan discounts) with att for unlimited data WITH subsidy.

T-Mobile isn't that much cheaper.

AT&T unlimited plans may also slow you down after 21 or 22GB depending upon certain conditions. Also, AT&T only lets you use your unlimited data on your smartphone at this point, whereas T-mobile and other carriers allow you to share it which is a benefit for some. You could argue that one doesn't even need to get unlimited on T-moblie considering they now allow you to exclude video streaming from your data allotment as long as you are willing to accept a lower playback quality.

AT&T currently has very expensive and limiting international roaming plans whereas you can basically use your T-moblie device internationally as you would at home -- mostly without additional charges and in Canada and Mexico at full LTE speed.

The one saving grace with AT&T is that is has better coverage than T-moblie overall -- which is why I'm staying for now.
 
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