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AT&T More Than Doubles Administrative Fee for Wireless Customers
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For sure. Some, like At&t and Comcast, will take it further than others. Which will require a response from a real president. This is all temporary.Well...mostly.
Dude, the president really has no say in what a wireless provider wants to charge customers. Even the FCC has limits. The president has far less power than most seem to think.
However, the president does appoint the chair of the FCC. I’m not saying this directly causes price increases, but policy and regulation changes by the FCC will ultimately have impact on customers and providers.
Yeah but then I lose the money I already paid for them. AT&T shouldn’t be able to raise my bill while I’m in contract
As some one who worked for T-mobile and now works for AT&T he is spot on. Everyone bitching about pay raises but then complain when prices rise, I make more than DOUBLE working with AT&T than I ever did with TMO. So don't bitch about pay inequality and then move to a company who has their employees subsidize the customer perks like Tmobile, that only shows what hypocrites you guys are and your "values".
My other half is American and the prices she sees are ridiculous.
For the land of free market capitalism the place is sorely lacking in competition in so many areas. I think Americans confuse free markets with deregulation = monopolies.
With my discount I was paying £12/m O2 5GB unlimited calls and texts ~ $15.77. I've seen 20GB contracts for £20 and I imagine prices are just going to keep dropping.
I think a 10GB for £10 contract will happen in the near future.
There's only one problem, the (U.S.) system is rotted to it's core.
As for AT&T, seems you can get out of your contract after a price hike so what's the problem.
So what? Everything can be fixed or replaced.
Or are you saying we all just move out and abandon this giant mass of land?
After being a U-Verse Customer and a 2-Line Wireless Customer, I was forking over $400 a month. Dumped Uverse, now will be dumping Wireless. Customer service is declining faster than ever. A few years back it was good, now they've gotten a bit tougher on just about everything. T-Mo is looking good! What happened to consumer protection? I feel like today you literally have to chase every penny that comes out of your account, because there is always something shady going on.
T-Mobile has tons of buy one phone get second one free, so you will not do too badly. On top of that, as OldSchoolMacGuy explained, you can walk away from AT&T with the phones as well which is far better than carrier freedom. Worth a shot to see if its real if you're motivated to change from AT&T.However, if you really have 10 phone lines, that might be why as that's a huge pain in the butt to move, I know I wouldnt want to deal with it (gosh 10 lines one account, you either have way too many kids or are sharing with multiple people, kudos on able to deal with those logistics
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The "system?" What is this "system?" I suppose you could be referring to the Federal Gov't...? But it's hardly "rotted." (sic)
It's more like a swamp, that has been in need of draining.
Did you see posted how much PROFIT AT&T rakes in?? They make that much cause they charge a lot more than other carriers.
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Curious, does that include roaming for everything across the entire EU?
I did call to get them to tell me my ETF would be waived by email prior to actually switching and referred them to section 1.3 as mentioned earlier in this thread
https://www.att.com/legal/terms.wirelessCustomerAgreement.html#canAttChangeMyTermsRates
they are leaning on the fact that the first paragraph states that they do not have to notify prior to an increase in administrative charges. As mentioned in the section this is not considered a material change and the ETF would still apply.
https://www.att.com/legal/terms.wirelessCustomerAgreement.html#canAttChangeMyTermsRates
1.3 Can AT&T Change My Terms And Rates?
We may change any terms, conditions, rates, fees, expenses, or charges regarding your Services at any time. We will provide you with notice of material changes (other than changes to governmental fees, proportional charges for governmental mandates, roaming rates or administrative charges) either in your monthly bill or separately. You understand and agree that State and Federal Universal Service Fees and other governmentally imposed fees, whether or not assessed directly upon you, may be increased based upon the government's or our calculations.
IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE, BEYOND THE LIMITS SET FORTH IN YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUMMARY, OR IF WE MATERIALLY DECREASE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH YOUR AIRTIME RATE APPLIES (OTHER THAN A TEMPORARY DECREASE FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE), WE'LL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE.
If you lose your eligibility for a particular rate plan, we may change your rate plan to one for which you qualify.
https://www.att.com/legal/terms.wirelessCustomerAgreement.html#canAttChangeMyTermsRates
they are leaning on the fact that the first paragraph states that they do not have to notify prior to an increase in administrative charges. As mentioned in the section this is not considered a material change and the ETF would still apply.
https://www.att.com/legal/terms.wirelessCustomerAgreement.html#canAttChangeMyTermsRates
1.3 Can AT&T Change My Terms And Rates?
We may change any terms, conditions, rates, fees, expenses, or charges regarding your Services at any time. We will provide you with notice of material changes (other than changes to governmental fees, proportional charges for governmental mandates, roaming rates or administrative charges) either in your monthly bill or separately. You understand and agree that State and Federal Universal Service Fees and other governmentally imposed fees, whether or not assessed directly upon you, may be increased based upon the government's or our calculations.
IF WE INCREASE THE PRICE OF ANY OF THE SERVICES TO WHICH YOU SUBSCRIBE, BEYOND THE LIMITS SET FORTH IN YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SUMMARY, OR IF WE MATERIALLY DECREASE THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IN WHICH YOUR AIRTIME RATE APPLIES (OTHER THAN A TEMPORARY DECREASE FOR REPAIRS OR MAINTENANCE), WE'LL DISCLOSE THE CHANGE AT LEAST ONE BILLING CYCLE IN ADVANCE (EITHER THROUGH A NOTICE WITH YOUR BILL, A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOUR DEVICE, OR OTHERWISE), AND YOU MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING AN EARLY TERMINATION FEE OR RETURNING OR PAYING FOR ANY PROMOTIONAL ITEMS, PROVIDED YOUR NOTICE OF TERMINATION IS DELIVERED TO US WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE FIRST BILL REFLECTING THE CHANGE.
If you lose your eligibility for a particular rate plan, we may change your rate plan to one for which you qualify.
Not surprised AT&T figured a way to slime out of this loophole. Folks have used this trick for years so they probably started noticing it.
If you feel like it take them to small claims court. Usually the big company doesnt bother showing up to these and you get a nice default judgement against the big corporation
I got 7. Me my girlfriend, brother, 2sisters . Mom. And my grandma.T-Mobile has tons of buy one phone get second one free, so you will not do too badly. On top of that, as OldSchoolMacGuy explained, you can walk away from AT&T with the phones as well which is far better than carrier freedom. Worth a shot to see if its real if you're motivated to change from AT&T.However, if you really have 10 phone lines, that might be why as that's a huge pain in the butt to move, I know I wouldnt want to deal with it (gosh 10 lines one account, you either have way too many kids or are sharing with multiple people, kudos on able to deal with those logistics
It pains me to say it but I almost didn't have the motivation to make the phone call.. I know it's exactly what companies like AT&T bank on but it really is just a pain to deal with. The only reason I considered switching is I can get T-Mobile Amplified through my company and after the Netflix discount I'd gain some features and save maybe $5 per month. I actually asked on the call "so you could raise my bill by $100 if you choose, and as long as it's an administrative fee I would have no recourse", she replied "yes".
My ETF is only $305 for one line so I will ride it out until its a bit lower and eventually make my switch.
I know T-Mobile will pay ETFs but by the time I trade in and buy a new one it will cost me the same as the ETF is.
Just confirms what they have become, hopefully T-Mobile will not become like them after the merger and everybody switches to them!
I switched from AT&T to T-Mobile and I LOVE it. Service is better where I use it, the features are FAR better (worldwide data roaming free and cheap voice/text worldwide), and the service reps are so much more helpful. Even if I didnt save money i would stay with T-Mobile given the perks and service.
I'm glad to hear that, they will be my next carrier since their coverage map now looks identical to AT&T in my area, It's just not worth the $305 for my wife's ETF for me to switch today.
Makes sense. Youre also going to want to wait for the new September 2018 iPhones which should support the new frequency band T-Mobile is rolling out now in rural areas mostly.
You're not on a contract in the traditional sense. AT&T service plans are "at will". You can leave whenever you want without penalty.
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You're leaving out a key portion of that agreement. (hint: You don't get to keep the phones if they aren't paid for)
This is a administrative fee increase.
You only keep the phones if they're already paid for. If you're on a Next plan, you still owe the balance if you leave.
Read your Next finance agreement.
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You're talking about phones on a next plan. I think he was referring specifically to folks who are on a 2 year contract with an ETF. I know that is not the norm anymore, however if you happen to have gotten the recent deal for a discounted iPhone X (I paid $699 for a 256gb) then you are roped into a contract with an ETF.
However, they still won't let you out of that either for this particular increase.
AT&T doesn't offer those 2 year plans anymore.
The iPhone X deal is still on a Next purchase agreement. The discounted portion would be waived under section 1.3, as it was a promotional discount, but the remaining $699 is not waived.
This is not a contract with an ETF in the old sense, it is a discount promo (like the BOGO deals). You're still on the hook for the non-discounted portion as it is under a Next agreement.
Sure it can be fixed, people just need to realise it's a mess.
As for moving out and abandon, some people did last time......
I appreciate your opinion. I did this. I have a contract... with an ETF.. I paid 699 up front with no payments and now have to pay an additional 20 line access fee... it was not a great deal, and I was lied to.. so this plus the admin fee is why I am looking to switch.