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AT&T iPhone 3G Upgrades and Eligibility
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that was how they tried to do it for a year. guess what. a huge chunk of folks bought the phone, unlocked it and either used a different carrier and/or sold it to folks overseas or to folks that just didn't want to use ATT
now they have set up official overseas markets and combined with their ATT contract they are likely obligated to doing what they can to stop the unlocking and resells. which means requiring something at time of purchase that will ding a person for not signing up or doing the whole thing right there in the store.
i have to disagree. I would much rather wait and get information closer to the event than get it now and then have something change and I have bad information.
I suspect a lot of folks would agree with me.
also, most of the effort that is so shabby seems to be coming from ATT not Apple. the only lack on Apple's part at this point is the time sales will start. compare this to ATT not solidifying the rate plans, making a solid statement on upgrade fees etc, Apple aint doing so bad
att.com/iphone has been updated to reflect everyone's questions AND has the unsubsidized prices; $399 and $499. And has prices for a no-commitment option.
You must be eligible for an upgrade to receive the special pricing, anyone that currently has an iphone can check their online status and will see that they are.
Otherwise, it seems normal att upgrade rules apply. Still no word on what time the phone will go on sale, my att store is telling me 8am. Who knows...
eR
You must be eligible for an upgrade to receive the special pricing, anyone that currently has an iphone can check their online status and will see that they are.
Otherwise, it seems normal att upgrade rules apply. Still no word on what time the phone will go on sale, my att store is telling me 8am. Who knows...
eR
GRRRR.... STILL no option for tethering??? GOD AT&T is REALLY pissing me off with this phone! They let you tether with EVERY other phone they sell, but not the iPhone Even if I get the Corporate Data Plan, they won't allow it... RETARDED! I've been tethering for 2 years with them using my LG CU500 and it works great and I rely upon it constantly, but now they expect me to buy the iPhone, the voice plan, the iPhone data plan, a Sierra Wireless USB device and another data plan for that too??? They can go pound sand! Yeah, I want an iPhone, but I'm not gonna double my damn monthly bill to get the exact same capability I have now!
Guess what, Steve Jobs already set expectations on 6/9 when he said that it would $199 for the 8GB / $299 16GB. Nothing was mentioned that existing customers wouldn't be able to get the phone for that price even if they signed a new 2 year deal. Apple should have done their homework and worked with AT&T better before they started setting false expectations. Being in the product development / marketing business, that type of philosophy is completely unacceptable (telling half truths is the same as lying). This is Apple's big chance of winning customers over, but they are falling short by misleading people. This train wreck of a launch has left a bitter taste in a lot of people's mouths, including mine and has left me second guessing whether or not I really do want to be an Apple customer. All of this mismanagement, and I'm not even a customer, yet -- what can I expect once I do become a customer? If they did things right, there wouldn't need to be a multi-page thread -- this thread is evidence enough that this product launch was executed in a very piss-poor manner.
I agree with you totally. Not only was nothing mentioned during the keynote about eligibility, didn't Steve Jobs also say something like, you'll never pay more than $199 for the 8gb? I do not have the keynote in front of me so I could be wrong. I also understood the new Iphone to satisfy people who could not afford the $399 pricetag. After all, Apple's research showed that most people that wanted an Iphone could not get one because of the price. This is really alienating a large group of customers here.Calling this launch a trainwreck is an understatement.
Could I get Ms. Lawson's direct number? Considering just a matter of 2 weeks since this was posted things seem to be drastically different.
3g check list
Ok, I have a credit card that doesn't swipe without a translucent rapping it.
I have no state I.D. Just my college I.D.
I have lost my iphone.
But plan to be at the AT&T store at go time. Any problem with my plan.
I am an existing AT&T customer
Ok, I have a credit card that doesn't swipe without a translucent rapping it.
I have no state I.D. Just my college I.D.
I have lost my iphone.
But plan to be at the AT&T store at go time. Any problem with my plan.
I am an existing AT&T customer
i think you are a tad mistaken.
it would seem more like the difference between the $199 that Jobs and Apple are saying and the $399 is that, if you aren't at the end of a current contract, you would be considered having broken your contract and will thus be charged for it.
now here is my thought, at least in regards to current iphone users. since you are 'breaking' an iphone contract to sign an iphone contract, someone will get up the goat to file a lawsuit and it will go class action and everyone will get the money back because none of them choose to break the old contract. unless ATT can show that really the cost of the phone should have been $599 but they paid the missing $200 to make it $399 for those folks. but I suspect they can't. because they didn't.
non iphone folks are probably just screwed cause they will be dealt with according to standard cell phone game rules. although $200 seems excessive if one is close to the end of a contract. a prorated fee seems more reasonable.
Current AT&T Family Plan subscribers?
So, I'm on a family plan, and when I go to my account online, it says my number is currently not eligible for an online upgrade (is it eligible for an in-store one?), but another line on the account is. Would it be possible to purchase the new iPhone 3G on the eligible line and transfer numbers somehow? I'd really like to find a way to save the $200 price differential. It says I'll be eligible for an upgrade in September, but I really don't want to wait that long.
Thanks!
So, I'm on a family plan, and when I go to my account online, it says my number is currently not eligible for an online upgrade (is it eligible for an in-store one?), but another line on the account is. Would it be possible to purchase the new iPhone 3G on the eligible line and transfer numbers somehow? I'd really like to find a way to save the $200 price differential. It says I'll be eligible for an upgrade in September, but I really don't want to wait that long.
Thanks!
AT&T didn't "give" me anything except a crappy LG phone when I renewed my commitment (for the 5th time) 14 months ago.
This pricing "error" is a MAJOR blunder by both Apple and AT&T and there WILL be backlash. I was ready to buy the 3G next week. Now I'm not going to. How is THAT good business?
Unfortunately, that is how AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, et al have run their business in the US for quite a while. It might be a frustration for you, and I understand that, but they're using their current and accepted business model...they aren't changing the rules for the iPhone, those have been the rules whether you want an iPhone, a Tilt, a blackjack, etc.
i have a first gen iphone and i checked online to see if i can upgrade and they said that the line is eligible for equipment discount pricing when you sign up for a 2-year service agreement so this means i can get the 3g 16 gb for 300 right ?
#108
btcutter
macrumors newbie
Join Date: Jun 2008
Neither video helped me at all, nor did the AT&T reps in store.
My situation: I thought I was smart by porting the number over to AT&T on 6/14/08 in order to avoid the crowd and just pick up a new iphone 3G come 7/11.
Boy was I ever so wrong!!!!!
AT&T contract clearly STATES I have 30 days to return/exchange or completely cancel my phone or services without any penalty.
So I ported my number at a KIOSK at Costco....saved me activation fee for two phone and got myself a family plan. So I speak with the AT&T rep in store. He tells me it's no good. I can't get an iPhone for 199/$299. I probably need to pay $399/$499. WTF??? He says that I MUST activate a NEW line in AT&T store not any kiosk. I show him the AT&T contract that says I have the right to return/exchange. He says sure, you can port the number back to T-mobile and port it back..............Asshxxx.
I called 611. The AT&T customer service agent was actually very nice and told me that I am within my rights so if I return the phone to Costco, I will be elgible for $199/$299. So you would think I have the problem solved right? Being as anal as I am, I went to another AT&T store......yadayada....give me more run around and says that they must check with management again because I got the line through Costco....
Shxt!!! why don't they know what they are doing? if AT&T rep at 611 (2 different ones btw) says it's ok for me to get an iPhone 3G comes 7/11....what the hell is AT&T store problem?! I already returned the subsidized phone.
What else can I do??
I wish I know how Apple stores are going to sell iPhone so I may be able to walk over there and get one without so much hassle.
btcutter
macrumors newbie
Join Date: Jun 2008
Neither video helped me at all, nor did the AT&T reps in store.
My situation: I thought I was smart by porting the number over to AT&T on 6/14/08 in order to avoid the crowd and just pick up a new iphone 3G come 7/11.
Boy was I ever so wrong!!!!!
AT&T contract clearly STATES I have 30 days to return/exchange or completely cancel my phone or services without any penalty.
So I ported my number at a KIOSK at Costco....saved me activation fee for two phone and got myself a family plan. So I speak with the AT&T rep in store. He tells me it's no good. I can't get an iPhone for 199/$299. I probably need to pay $399/$499. WTF??? He says that I MUST activate a NEW line in AT&T store not any kiosk. I show him the AT&T contract that says I have the right to return/exchange. He says sure, you can port the number back to T-mobile and port it back..............Asshxxx.
I called 611. The AT&T customer service agent was actually very nice and told me that I am within my rights so if I return the phone to Costco, I will be elgible for $199/$299. So you would think I have the problem solved right? Being as anal as I am, I went to another AT&T store......yadayada....give me more run around and says that they must check with management again because I got the line through Costco....
Shxt!!! why don't they know what they are doing? if AT&T rep at 611 (2 different ones btw) says it's ok for me to get an iPhone 3G comes 7/11....what the hell is AT&T store problem?! I already returned the subsidized phone.
What else can I do??
I wish I know how Apple stores are going to sell iPhone so I may be able to walk over there and get one without so much hassle.
Steve Jobs did NOT make this clear in his keynote on 6/9. Not even close. I thought Apple was outside of all the usual bulls**t. As a loyal customer of both Apple and AT&T I'm shocked by this pricing scheme.
They did change the rules for the iPhone. If you buy a cheap used iPhone off craigslist and activate it by adding the $20 data plan, like magic you are made eligible for any upgrade, even if you got a subsidized Blackberry a month before.
Love that! That's what I just did yesterday! I will sell the original in a week and possibly even profit off it, and get my $199 3G!
There was no business discount on the original iPhone....I tried. no phone discount, no plan discount. anything that was iPhone-related - no discount...
from AT&T website:
What will I pay for iPhone 3G?
If you are upgrade eligible and your account is in good standing, you will pay $199 for 8GB (black) and $299 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required.
You have the option to purchase an early upgrade priced at $399 for 8GB (black) or $499 for 16GB (black or white). Two-year contract required. Coming soon, AT&T will offer a no-commitment option of $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB.