AT&T NEXT 12 Actually Requires 13 or 14 Payments

[eboakes]

AT&T NEXT 12 actually requires more than 12 payments! More like 13 or 14 to get a new iPhone. The problem is that I cannot place an order for a new phone until I’ve made 12 payments. Then, until the new phone arrives and I have returned my existing phone, AT&T continues to require me to make payments on my current phone. Because of how my billing cycle lands, this means TWO more billing cycles for me. So, I have to pay 14 payments instead of the advertised 12 payments.

Does anyone know of a workaround for this?

 

[darknyt]

I think you will be ok with just 12. FYI, my NEXT plans related to iPhone 6+ and 6s + are showing in the "inactive" area of my installment accounts and the old plan is showing as "contract upgraded" and the new one as "pending".

Are you on a 6? If so, not sure how you would have to make more than the 12. Those of us that got 6 as soon as it came out last year either had just paid 12th payment or needed to pay it to become upgrade eligible (depending on bill date as you note) and I was one of the ones that has to pay the 12th early.

However, I won't be making anymore payments than that because I'm sure (as my account seems to suggest) the old NEXT plan is over and the new one is starting. I guess I will see more clearly once the bill for this month comes.

Or are you saying you've already gotten a bill for a 13th payment?

 

[eboakes]

I think you will be ok with just 12. FYI, my NEXT plans related to iPhone 6+ and 6s + are showing in the "inactive" area of my installment accounts and the old plan is showing as "contract upgraded" and the new one as "pending".

Are you on a 6? If so, not sure how you would have to make more than the 12. Those of us that got 6 as soon as it came out last year either had just paid 12th payment or needed to pay it to become upgrade eligible (depending on bill date as you note) and I was one of the ones that has to pay the 12th early.

However, I won't be making anymore payments than that because I'm sure (as my account seems to suggest) the old NEXT plan is over and the new one is starting. I guess I will see more clearly once the bill for this month comes.

Or are you saying you've already gotten a bill for a 13th payment?

I have an iPhone 6 that I purchased on AT&T NEXT 12 last year. I ordered a new iPhone 6s on 9/14, after completing 12 payments on my iPhone 6. But, since my bill closes on the 20th, I will end up making a 13th payment towards by iPhone 6 next week. Then, by the time that my new iPhone 6s shows up, I mail back my iPhone 6 to AT&T and they check it out, it will likely be beyond Oct 20th, causing me to owe yet a 14th payment. I just spent over 45 minutes on the phone with AT&T verifying this. They seem to think that this is perfectly reasonable!

 

[bueller1]

When you pre order a 6s, your old installment becomes inactive and cancels out immediately. They give you some days to send in the 6. If you don't send it in, you'll get charged the remaining balance.

 

[Wildo6882]

I had an issue with them when I picked up an S6 in the spring on Next. I used it for a week and returned it and they still charged me the monthly payment on it for one month. I paid it because they basically told me I had to, but I also got a credit down the line for that payment. If they make you pay them for a phone that your Next deal is over with and you sent it in already, I'd ABSOLUTELY throw a fit and get a credit on your account for it.

 

[darknyt]

I have an iPhone 6 that I purchased on AT&T NEXT 12 last year. I ordered a new iPhone 6s on 9/14, after completing 12 payments on my iPhone 6. But, since my bill closes on the 20th, I will end up making a 13th payment towards by iPhone 6 next week. Then, by the time that my new iPhone 6s shows up, I mail back my iPhone 6 to AT&T and they check it out, it will likely be beyond Oct 20th, causing me to owe yet a 14th payment. I just spent over 45 minutes on the phone with AT&T verifying this. They seem to think that this is perfectly reasonable!

The phone reps are probably wrong to be honest, I wouldn't worry about it until you can actually see your bill and confirm what you're paying towards.

 

[Schism213]

This is not the case. Your "13th" payment would be your first payment on the new NEXT plan. Also, three weeks seems like a real long time to ship a phone and get the return verified. Mine was done within a week of shipping last year. If you have a AT&T storefront nearby you could even get that taken care of immediately.

 

[Schism213]

I had an issue with them when I picked up an S6 in the spring on Next. I used it for a week and returned it and they still charged me the monthly payment on it for one month. I paid it because they basically told me I had to, but I also got a credit down the line for that payment. If they make you pay them for a phone that your Next deal is over with and you sent it in already, I'd ABSOLUTELY throw a fit and get a credit on your account for it.

I went through this on an iPad Air 2 in May. Returned it after a week. Online chat credited the restock fee back to me. The line charge showed up on the next two bills. Online chat credited both of those and eventually took care of it permanently.

 

[rugmankc]

mmm I only had 11 payments and upgraded.

 

[rockyroad55]

Not really. I think you think there's 13 payments, but when you get your "12th" bill, it wont post until the 13th bill.

EDIT: sorry didn't read your post correctly. I would give ATT a call now and explain your situation. Perhaps they can move your billing date temporarily.

 

[Steve686]

AT&T NEXT 12 actually requires more than 12 payments! More like 13 or 14 to get a new iPhone. The problem is that I cannot place an order for a new phone until I’ve made 12 payments. Then, until the new phone arrives and I have returned my existing phone, AT&T continues to require me to make payments on my current phone. Because of how my billing cycle lands, this means TWO more billing cycles for me. So, I have to pay 14 payments instead of the advertised 12 payments.

Does anyone know of a workaround for this?

Just pay and AFTER you receive the phone, see if ATT can credit your payment schedule to coincide with the new phone.

Also remember, the new iPhones weren't in stock right at your twelfth payment, but other phones were that you could have had delivered after competing the upgrade requirements.