You sound like you work for Sprint! But,that would never happen on a forum! Anyways, I do have Sprint and got my bill today. I had called last month and they slashed my monthly rate for a family plan to $150 for 3 phones and it includes around 3000 shared minutes. Have 2 ham and egger simple phones and a Treo 700p with data. The $150/mo included all taxes. I had multiple discounts to get this rate. When I called, I asked for retention - told them I was likely buying the iPhone. I was previously paying $260/mo and was getting nailed on roaming and text messaging. All of this mentioned regarding the cheap rates - I'm buying 2 iPhones next week. I've had nothing but Treos since they started the Treo 600. Their technology is ancient. The Palm Operating System is archaic. Just tired of a tired phone. Sprint is fine, Att is fine - who cares, it is in the phone that decides cell phone purchasing.
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AT&T iPhone 3G Pricing Details:
- Thread starter iphone529
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. I understand you, but money is money and a phone is a phone. and the end of the day it is what it is. I'm sick of the conversational piece. I felt that way when I ran out and spent $500 for the 2nd generation ipod or the $500 sanyo 5000 that sprint had back in 2000. I just didn't need it.
It doesn't. People say that because of personal reasons, same reason I say AT&T sucks, but my opinion can't be backed up so I just don't state it.
Sprint is 3rd in line of a long list of cell carriers. They have the "perceived" second best phone on the market, and the cheapest and most extensive plans. They are competitive like most other carriers, sans AT&T.
If you are an economical person the price also matters, and with that Sprint wins out. I agree that the carriers don't matter that much, but if you don't want to pay $150 a month, then their services will play a major role in buying decisions.
But doesn't it state on the, IMO confusing, plan layout that if you have a familytalk plan, you MUST get the unlimited text plan for $30?
Or are you telling me that I can get an individual plan on just my line, in my familytalk plan, OR I can get the familytalk unlimited for $30 and that goes for unlimited text on both mine, and my girlfriends phones?
Thanks for the patience.
You can get individual text packages per line in a family share plan, or you can get unlimited text, for EVERY phone in the share plan for $30.00. (as my limited experience with AT&T tells me)
Combination of inflation and paperwork. It's just costing more to do business. Especially with the iPhone, having to open up an hour earlier, pay for more employee hours, etc.
Yeah, except it's bull that AT&T is more or less giving the finger to current AT&T customers who aren't eligible for an upgrade...
Why pass savings on to loyal customers?
That's crazy!
above poster,
They have always done it this way. It is their job to build their business by acquiring a bigger customer base. That is how all, well, companies who are not in bankrupt do it. The iPhone for the first time is being price set like any other phone through ATT, and more and more people are complaining. They want a $20 data plan, and a $200 iphone no matter who they are.
Also, to the people who state the 199/299 was a scam, you are all idiots. I would rather not state more and just stop now.
They have always done it this way. It is their job to build their business by acquiring a bigger customer base. That is how all, well, companies who are not in bankrupt do it. The iPhone for the first time is being price set like any other phone through ATT, and more and more people are complaining. They want a $20 data plan, and a $200 iphone no matter who they are.
Also, to the people who state the 199/299 was a scam, you are all idiots. I would rather not state more and just stop now.
So you are saying that buying a piece of crap sandwich for lunch for $1.00 is better than buying a ribeye steak sandwich for $4.00 because it is cheaper?
Ahhh... but what about if you already have a family plan?
I have an iPhone and pay for additional messages, then phone #2 has the 200 messages plan and phone #3 has no messaging.
So even the extra cost only comes to $15, the way the new family plans run, it would cost me double at $30.
If that is the way the competitors are doing it, then sure why not.
Not really, this is the typical strawman argument here, but I know that we aren't all here to debate anything
I will use the analogy you gave though it's not the best or in anyway relevant.
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Nevermind, I tried to do it but it's just too weak an analogy. Sandwiches and steaks have nothing to with it AT ALL.
If that is the way the competitors are doing it, then sure why not.
Not really, this is the typical strawman argument here, but I know that we aren't all here to debate anything
I will use the analogy you gave though it's not the best or in anyway relevant.
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Nevermind, I tried to do it but it's just too weak an analogy. Sandwiches and steaks have nothing to with it AT ALL.
you have to also realize that, ATT is the exclusive carrier in the US for the iPhone, why would they do what "others" are doing when they are out to make money? if they do what others do, then they wouldnt be selling the iphone..
The texting plans will work the same with the new iPhones as they have in the past. Unlimited family texting for $30 or individual texting plans on each line or none.
Agreed.
But as most consumers will do, users on these forums will complain about it. Personally I agree with everyone that says "just don't buy the iPhone," especially since there are better deals out there.
If I had $130 a month to burn, I'd be talking to my friends on an iPhone, but since I can get the same thing for half as much. Those that are just simply complaining may be justified, but there are other alternatives.
Sprint has never been that ever! But att has been, even when they were omnipoint back in the day. GSM has built their business, not their service or signal.
Below poster (now above poster),
Your 2 cents is worth about 2 cents. Also, you might want to check your noun usage before you call a bunch of other people "idiots"...
Moreover, included in best way to expand a customer base, especially to the extent Czar Jobs hints that he wants, is FOR SURE by NOT alienating loyal customers. That is how all, well, companies that know what's up treat their customers. It's just that AT&T is giant enough to get away with most anything they choose.
And **** yes I want a $20 data plan and a $200 iPhone. What the hell is wrong with that? **** AT&T. Maybe if they weren't such huge douches I'd have some compassion for their pricing scheme. AT&T's net income is over 11 billion... pretty deep pockets.
But forgetting all that, you'd think they'd give ALL peeps a break, especially when they'd end up making MINIMUM $360 more a year on a basic 3G data plan alone from an iPhone subscriber than from a standard service subscriber. Not to mention the pretty necessary but bullshlt $5 for 200 texts option, which bumps it up to $420.
It's cool, though, obviously AT&T is just milking their exclusive contract with Apple for all it's worth, while the wool is over the public's eyes.
But who knows, maybe Apple will start screwing their customers over regularly too. When I bought my MacBookPro a year ago the motherboard was literally fried out of the box and Apple CHARGED ME OVER $100 to replace it. To Apple's credit, they at the very least, did reimburse me for PART of my AT&T cell bill that month since I was on the phone with them so long that even all my clever rollover scheme minutes were used. Oh irony...
But all that's beside the point how safe is this new 3G iphone? No one is talking about that, that I have seen... The original iPhone had a SAR rating(W/kg) digital level of 0.974...
I feel it is pretty obvious WHY At&t first decided to go with a cheaper (compared to other smartphones on their network) data plan with the 1st iPhone.
Of course people expected that the Apple iPhone would be great and change cell phones forever, but did At&t as a company truly expect the embrace of the first iPhone? I mean they had to think it would be a big hit otherwise the 5-year exclusivity deal wouldnt be in existence. But at the same time, with the old iPhone being Apple's FIRST phone, At&t probably thought they had to entice people to try it. Blackberry has a long history in the corporate world, and people that need 24/7 access to email rely on their BIS or BES service and are willing to pay the $30 and $45 data prices because they trust it.
People didnt know what to expect with the 1st iPhone and having a $20 data plan made it even more enticing to try. Now with it's success and almost sure guarantee that the next will be as successful if not more, they CAN and did increase the data prices to be in-line with the rest. For those thinking it has something to do with the actual 3G network, you need to read a little more before posting. Personal BB data plan = $30/month...BB's do not have 3G.
They raised it for one simple reason, because they can. And people will pay.
Of course people expected that the Apple iPhone would be great and change cell phones forever, but did At&t as a company truly expect the embrace of the first iPhone? I mean they had to think it would be a big hit otherwise the 5-year exclusivity deal wouldnt be in existence. But at the same time, with the old iPhone being Apple's FIRST phone, At&t probably thought they had to entice people to try it. Blackberry has a long history in the corporate world, and people that need 24/7 access to email rely on their BIS or BES service and are willing to pay the $30 and $45 data prices because they trust it.
People didnt know what to expect with the 1st iPhone and having a $20 data plan made it even more enticing to try. Now with it's success and almost sure guarantee that the next will be as successful if not more, they CAN and did increase the data prices to be in-line with the rest. For those thinking it has something to do with the actual 3G network, you need to read a little more before posting. Personal BB data plan = $30/month...BB's do not have 3G.
They raised it for one simple reason, because they can. And people will pay.
AT&T hasn't screwed over any loyal customers. Every 2 years you are eligible for an upgrade. How has this changed in the past...10 years?
Yet people who just upgraded their phone are saying that AT&T is screwing them because they can't get a subsidized iphone. ("But I'm a loyal customer! Wahhhhh!!")
What?! Are you serious? Does ANY mobile carrier in the US allow their customers subsidized upgrades whenever the hell it suits the customer? Because I'm not retarded, I know that every 2 years, I get to have a shiny new gadget to play with. If I want a new one before that cycle is up, I expect to pony up more money than if I waited.
And really? A company with an exclusive contract using that contract to make more money? Holy crap! You don't say, Beav. That's why you sign the exclusive contract!! You take a risk and you give a lot of money in exchange for the ability to make money.
(shakes head, walks away)
Yet people who just upgraded their phone are saying that AT&T is screwing them because they can't get a subsidized iphone. ("But I'm a loyal customer! Wahhhhh!!")
What?! Are you serious? Does ANY mobile carrier in the US allow their customers subsidized upgrades whenever the hell it suits the customer? Because I'm not retarded, I know that every 2 years, I get to have a shiny new gadget to play with. If I want a new one before that cycle is up, I expect to pony up more money than if I waited.
And really? A company with an exclusive contract using that contract to make more money? Holy crap! You don't say, Beav. That's why you sign the exclusive contract!! You take a risk and you give a lot of money in exchange for the ability to make money.
(shakes head, walks away)
very well put, i totally agree with you. i do not understand how they don't see it.
And they calculated that the money they'd lose by alienated people is < the money they will make from new customers. It's obvious you've never taken a business class.
What is wrong with that? They're not going to buy a phone from Apple for $600 and sell it to customers for $200 without at least charging whatever they usually charge for smartphone plans.
Oh, and because they have money they should not want to make more? I mean, are you now going to go on a communist tangent on how much better off we'd be if we all just got along and worked together?
There's no wool being pulled. People will know what they're spending when they look at the prices. It's not like they're signing people up and then changing the rate afterwords in some illegal manner. It's a CONTRACT. If you don't like the contract, don't sign it.
You need to get a clue. It's a voluntary contract. If you don't want to buy one, don't buy it. That's the only way you can prove to ATT that they're making a bad decision. I understand that you still have the right to complain if you don't voluntarily buy it, but at least make some good points instead of some stupid mock outrage at a company who is just looking to make some money. They make less money per iPhone than per Blackberry (because the iPhone is subsidizes more), so stop complaining.
With this I would be happy:
iPhone 3G 16Gb max of $400, I prefer to pay a little more for the hardware.
ATT service Family plan for 700 min for $70, each additional line $10, and the data plan for $20~30 for the 3G data+ the 200 SMS.
Insurance option for the phone.
And no hidden extra fees that increase my bill every quarter.
________
homemade vaporizers
iPhone 3G 16Gb max of $400, I prefer to pay a little more for the hardware.
ATT service Family plan for 700 min for $70, each additional line $10, and the data plan for $20~30 for the 3G data+ the 200 SMS.
Insurance option for the phone.
And no hidden extra fees that increase my bill every quarter.
________
homemade vaporizers
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because they are forcing your hand with this one. the 1st iphone is not 2 years old and and the iphone had all the goodies, but no 3g and it was behind the other phones from the start....I got my instinct this week and a 32 gig touch brand new in the box from craigslist today for $380, so I'm done.
And AT&T has put a gun to exactly how many customers' heads and forced them to buy the new 3G iphone?
Have fun carrying around 2 things.
I had a Macintosh IIc, 520 c, all the way through to now. I had a 1.0 iPhone. Unreal phone, nothing less. I hacked it played with it, and then returned it knowing about the 2.0 release. Lost 35$. Big deal.
Because of the pay structure that AT$T has I for the first time will not get the Apple product I would like. I am not a big phone user, but on Engadget I believe verified cost would go up 25% for the price point plan's, and you actually get less on top of that.
...and dont forget @ 10$ on top of whatever plane in fees and tax.
I wait for Android with interest-
Because of the pay structure that AT$T has I for the first time will not get the Apple product I would like. I am not a big phone user, but on Engadget I believe verified cost would go up 25% for the price point plan's, and you actually get less on top of that.
...and dont forget @ 10$ on top of whatever plane in fees and tax.
I wait for Android with interest-