Carrier AT&T Next Upgrades 2015 [MERGED]

[Aibocyrus]

I really despise AT&T. I went to the store just now to pay off next month's installment of $37.50 for my phone and the same for my wife's phone. They wouldn't let me do it. I was told if I couldn't pay the $37.50 without turning in my phone and my wife's phone today. When I look online where it says pay to upgrade I see the price of $37.50 but no option to just pay that. Any help with this would be great. Thanks.

If you came to my store we would do it for you. I'm sorry to hear you've had this experience. I'm not too familiar with the App, but my coworkers have told me you can make that payment to become eligible. Maybe play around and explore the app a bit and see if you can find it? I'll have to look too. I'm sure this question will be coming up a lot this next week.

 

[NativeTxn]

How "picky" are they about the cosmetics of the phone when you trade it in on Next? I have a small scuff on one corner of my iPhone 6. Definitely not a break, chip, or crack (as stated in the picture a few posts back), and no other issues at all, but was just curious if they will deny the trade in based on that.

My plan is to upgrade (I checked and am eligible) through the apple App Store and just turn in the phone to AT&T via mail when I get the new one.

If I send it in after upgrading and they deem it not trade-in "worthy" would they charge me the remaining balance and ship the phone back so that I would own it at that point?

Or would there be a different outcome?

 

[cousintim]

My plan is to upgrade (I checked and am eligible) through the apple App Store and just turn in the phone to AT&T via mail when I get the new one.

If I send it in after upgrading and they deem it not trade-in "worthy" would they charge me the remaining balance and ship the phone back so that I would own it at that point?

If at possible, process your trade-in/return in-person at an AT&T corporate store.

Mail-in returns are handled by a third-party and its determination of acceptability always errors on the side of itself, not the customer. The process is slow, lacks direct communication and is very difficult to appeal. Save yourself the hassle.

 

[NativeTxn]

If at possible, process your trade-in/return in-person at an AT&T corporate store.

Mail-in returns are handled by a third-party and its determination of acceptability always errors on the side of itself, not the customer. The process is slow, lacks direct communication and is very difficult to appeal. Save yourself the hassle.

If you upgrade online through the Apple App Store, I feel like others have said that you must mail it in and can't return it to the store. Is that accurate? Ideally, I'd be fine taking it into the store if that was a possibility.

I guess the question remains, if I did have to mail it and they said the scuff prohibited a trade in, would they charge me the remaining balance and return it to me?

 

[engelke2010]

Today I went into an AT&T store to make the 12th installment, which was not fun to begin with. The manager there said there were no more contracts, only Next, which I didn't want to do again at first. He finally was able to do it when he realized I was on the older plan, including Unlimited Data, which is the only way to get a contract now. However, I haven't totally decided yet whether to go back to contract, knowing it will probably be the last wireless contract I ever have. Who is in the same boat as me? I can do the 199/299 contract upgrade or go back on Next but don't know what I want to do yet and there is "only" 3 days left until the ordering.

 

[cousintim]

I can't speak to the Apple/Next process or if your phone would be returned if deemed ineligible.

"The remaining installment payments will be billed to your account upon receipt of a trade-in that is ineligible."

You might be OK with a scuff.

Your trade-in must be in good physical condition and fully functional to qualify. This means:

• It must power on and off.
• The screen must be intact, free of any chips, and function properly.
• The device must be free of breaks or cracks.
• The battery must be included.
• The activation lock has been disabled (for example, Find My iPhone).

 

[NativeTxn]

I can't speak to the Apple/Next process or if your phone would be returned if deemed ineligible.

"The remaining installment payments will be billed to your account upon receipt of a trade-in that is ineligible."

You might be OK with a scuff.

Your trade-in must be in good physical condition and fully functional to qualify. This means:

• It must power on and off.
• The screen must be intact, free of any chips, and function properly.
• The device must be free of breaks or cracks.
• The battery must be included.
• The activation lock has been disabled (for example, Find My iPhone).

Gotcha. There are definitely no breaks or cracks, but I guess you never know what they will claim.

I would also assume that if they are going to bill you the remaining installments, they would have to return the phone to you. Otherwise they are essentially "stealing" from you by charging you for goods that are not in your possession and they don't intend to allow you to possess.

 

[Nikos]

Thinking about jumping on Next, only because fees are waived when the phone is turned in after 12 months. Also because of the down payment option reducing monthly fees.

It doesn't seem like Apple offers the down payment option online. Is it available in-store?

Alternatively, will I be able to call AT&T afterwards to pay the $270 down payment and have my monthly "lease" fee adjusted? According to an AT&T rep, that will not be possible, but she can be mistaken.

I really would rather order the phone via Apple, which is why I'm thinking about going with Next.

 

[engelke2010]

Thinking about jumping on Next, only because fees are waived when the phone is turned in after 12 months. Also because of the down payment option reducing monthly fees.

It doesn't seem like Apple offers the down payment option online. Is it available in-store?

Alternatively, will I be able to call AT&T afterwards to pay $270 and have my monthly "lease" fee adjusted? According to an AT&T rep, that will not be possible, but she can be mistaken.

I really would rather order the phone via Apple, which is why I'm thinking about going with Next.

That's exactly why I am thinking about continuing with Next rather than go back on contract.

 

[Nikos]

That's exactly why I am thinking about continuing with Next rather than go back on contract.

Yeah, I'm hearing Next will be the only way to upgrade next year anyway. That could be false info though. I really don't want to add to my existing monthly bill. I pay $120-140 for one iPhone and two "dumb" phones that I use for yearly upgrades.

If I can order through Apple with the down payment option, I'd probably do it even though I also don't like that I technically don't own the phone. I won't get to sell it every year, but I also won't have to pay $400-500 for one up front.

If a large payment is made, do monthly Next payments decrease in amount, or are less months owed at the same rate? It doesn't make sense to go over the sum of 12 payments since the rest are waived at trade-in.

EDIT: I guess selling the iPhone and paying off the balance would be another option. Should net some extra money in the pocket over trading it in at the end of the year.

 

[xaqt93]

Yeah, I'm hearing Next will be the only way to upgrade next year anyway. That could be false info though. I really don't want to add to my existing monthly bill. I pay $120-140 for one iPhone and two "dumb" phones that I use for yearly upgrades.

If I can order through Apple with the down payment option, I'd probably do it even though I also don't like that I technically don't own the phone. I won't get to sell it every year, but I also won't have to pay $400-500 for one up front.

Actually, doing the NEXT with Down payment is only 12 months. So you can sell your phone every year. Also, you can pay off the phone whenever you want. Not to mention, since you have two dumb phones so you can upgrade whenever you want, you will save money by doing NEXT 12. Im not going to get into all the details, but unless you are grandfathered into unlimited Data that you are actually taking advantage of, NEXT is the better option, especailly because it seems like you are on a line by it self.

BTW, Next 12 with down payment would actually allow you to pay the phone off faster. Plus your bill with just that one phone would be $120 for your plan. If you want actual details, message me and ill explain where the money is saved.

Now, as for NEXT being the only option, I have not heard anything about that at all. I do know we are trying to move our customers off 2-year, but it does not benifit us as reps no matter what you decide to do. But nothing has been said about AT&T not offering 2-year contracts next year.

Sources: AT&T Sales Support Representitive

 

[Nikos]

Actually, doing the NEXT with Down payment is only 12 months. So you can sell your phone every year. Also, you can pay off the phone whenever you want. Not to mention, since you have two dumb phones so you can upgrade whenever you want, you will save money by doing NEXT 12. Im not going to get into all the details, but unless you are grandfathered into unlimited Data that you are actually taking advantage of, NEXT is the better option, especailly because it seems like you are on a line by it self.

BTW, Next 12 with down payment would actually allow you to pay the phone off faster. Plus your bill with just that one phone would be $120 for your plan. If you want actual details, message me and ill explain where the money is saved.

Now, as for NEXT being the only option, I have not heard anything about that at all. I do know we are trying to move our customers off 2-year, but it does not benifit us as reps no matter what you decide to do. But nothing has been said about AT&T not offering 2-year contracts next year.

Sources: AT&T Sales Support Representitive

Thanks for the help! I think I'm going to switch to a Mobile Share plan. Looks like I can actually save a few bucks on all of my with it. Still, $47.50 is going to be added to my monthly bill with Next, which is a lot for me.

The down payment option brings that amount down to around $23.25 (I forget the exact number). It doesn't look like Apple offers the down payment option directly. Can I arrange to pay the $270 down payment with AT&T afterwards and have my monthly Next fee reduced? If I were to pay even more (for example, all 12 payments at once) will the remaining 8 payments show up on my next bills, or will I be free of Next payments for the next 12 months?

EDIT: Basically, I want to purchase via Apple and pay AT&T a down payment immediately after, to reduce the monthly cost for the phone.

 

[xaqt93]

Thanks for the help! I think I'm going to switch to a Mobile Share plan. Looks like I can actually save a few bucks on all of my with it. Still, $47.50 is going to be added to my monthly bill with Next, which is a lot for me.

The down payment option brings that amount down to around $23.25 (I forget the exact number). It doesn't look like Apple offers the down payment option directly. Can I arrange to pay the $270 down payment with AT&T afterwards and have my monthly Next fee reduced? If I were to pay even more (for example, all 12 payments at once) will the remaining 8 payments show up on my next bills, or will I be free of Next payments for the next 12 months?

EDIT: Basically, I want to purchase via Apple and pay AT&T a down payment immediately after, to reduce the monthly cost for the phone.

Unfortuntly that won't work. If you go through Apple, you wouldn't be able to put a down payment on the phone. You can pay as much as you like but we woulnt be able to reducee the price of your montly cost of the phone. However, if you do choose to pay off the entire phone after a month or two or even all at once, you would be "Free" of NEXT. However, with ATT, you have to have your device for at least 6 months before you can upgrade.

 

[Nikos]

Unfortuntly that won't work. If you go through Apple, you wouldn't be able to put a down payment on the phone. You can pay as much as you like but we woulnt be able to reducee the price of your montly cost of the phone. However, if you do choose to pay off the entire phone after a month or two or even all at once, you would be "Free" of NEXT. However, with ATT, you have to have your device for at least 6 months before you can upgrade.

Thank you. I'm assuming paying off the phone means paying all 20 months? What happens to the extra money paid when I upgrade again in 12 months? I'll have made 20 months worth of payments instead of 12.

 

[xaqt93]

Thank you. I'm assuming paying off the phone means paying all 20 months? What happens to the extra money paid when I upgrade again in 12 months? I'll have made 20 months worth of payments instead of 12.

If you do NEXT with 12, you will only pay 12 months worth and that is it. Same as if you do 24 months. Anything extra gets credited to your bill. But chances are, you aren't going to pay anything extra. After your payments are complete,you just don't have the phone payments on your bill anymore.

 

[Nikos]

If you do NEXT with 12, you will only pay 12 months worth and that is it. Same as if you do 24 months. Anything extra gets credited to your bill. But chances are, you aren't going to pay anything extra. After your payments are complete,you just don't have the phone payments on your bill anymore.

Thanks! Seems like I need to order via AT&T whether I go with Next + Down Payment or subsidized with two year contract.

I really want to order via Apple, since I've had preorder success with them every year since the original iPhone, but $47.45 on top of my bill is too much for me to swallow.

Is it possible to choose Next 18 or 24 but still upgrade after 12 months? If so, what would be required to make that happen?

 

[xaqt93]

Thanks! Seems like I need to order via AT&T whether I go with Next + Down Payment or subsidized with two year contract.

I really want to order via Apple, since I've had preorder success with them every year since the original iPhone, but $47.45 on top of my bill is too much for me to swallow.

Is it possible to choose Next 18 or 24 but still upgrade after 12 months? If so, what would be required to make that happen?

If you choose NEXT with 24 months or NEXT with 18, you can upgrade every year as long as you pay off the phone or you can pay 85% of the phone and you can trade in your device to get the next phone. And like I ssaid eariler, if you took the two dubmy lines off your account, you would be saving more than 47.75 because you wouldnt have to pay for the acsess charge on those lines and you also wouldnt have to pay for the extra line costs.

 

[engelke2010]

Now, as for NEXT being the only option, I have not heard anything about that at all. I do know we are trying to move our customers off 2-year, but it does not benifit us as reps no matter what you decide to do. But nothing has been said about AT&T not offering 2-year contracts next year.

Sources: AT&T Sales Support Representitive

Based on what I was told today, AT&T isn't sure yet about whether they are going to get rid of contracts for those of us on the old plans, but it sure sounded like they were going to. I didn't even know they got rid of contracts for everyone not on these plans.

 

[Nikos]

If you choose NEXT with 24 months or NEXT with 18, you can upgrade every year as long as you pay off the phone or you can pay 85% of the phone and you can trade in your device to get the next phone. And like I ssaid eariler, if you took the two dubmy lines off your account, you would be saving more than 47.75 because you wouldnt have to pay for the acsess charge on those lines and you also wouldnt have to pay for the extra line costs.

That would work out nicely, however those lines are being used. Seems like the down payment or contract options are best for me. I appreciate all of your help!

 

[Aibocyrus]

How "picky" are they about the cosmetics of the phone when you trade it in on Next? I have a small scuff on one corner of my iPhone 6. Definitely not a break, chip, or crack (as stated in the picture a few posts back), and no other issues at all, but was just curious if they will deny the trade in based on that.

My plan is to upgrade (I checked and am eligible) through the apple App Store and just turn in the phone to AT&T via mail when I get the new one.

If I send it in after upgrading and they deem it not trade-in "worthy" would they charge me the remaining balance and ship the phone back so that I would own it at that point?

Or would there be a different outcome?

I can tell you that for a scuff, I would gladly take that as a trade in. There are four or five questions we have to answer yes to in order to take in a trade. Basically ask yourself these questions: does it include the battery, is the screen damaged, does the device power on and off, is there any water damage.
If you feel confident that you'd pass these questions, you're golden =]

 

[duaneu]

Thank you. I'm assuming paying off the phone means paying all 20 months? What happens to the extra money paid when I upgrade again in 12 months? I'll have made 20 months worth of payments instead of 12.

It's not "extra" money, you're just paying off the entire cost of the phone. When you go to upgrade next time, you don't have to trade in your old phone, as you now own it.

 

[tx2005]

I haven't read the whole thread, but it seems like people are having issues getting themselves eligible for a 12 month upgrade in anticipation for the 6s launch? What are the major issues? I'm thinking about getting on Next for the 6S and I'd really hate to run into problems when I try to upgrade to the 7 next year.

 

[gumercindo]

I'm a little confused. I spoke to AT&T late last week and found out I'm eligible for a full upgrade. I asked them if it applied to the new iPhone. The rep told me yes, just like before. She said after the iPhone is announced, pre orders will follow and I'd be eligible for a full upgrade on the phone and keep my same plan but renew for 2 years (no change in price). There was no mention of Next plan or a fee.

 

[Nikos]

It's not "extra" money, you're just paying off the entire cost of the phone. When you go to upgrade next time, you don't have to trade in your old phone, as you now own it.

Right, but it doesn't make sense to make 20 payments, instead of 12, considering the final 8 are waived upon trade-in.

It seems like we're still able to sell the phone before it's completely paid off. Considering the value of iPhones, it will be easy to sell after 12 months for more than what's owed. In my case, I'll owe $380 at the end of 12 months. I can either trade it in, or easily sell it for more and pay the remaining balance, ending up with some extra money in my pocket.

I suppose since the remaining 8 months will be credited upon trade-in, if the phone is completely paid off before 12 months, it sort of evens out, but selling and paying off seems like the better option every time.

I'm just hoping AT&T's preorder process is smooth. I'd rather make the down payment now to cut my monthly Next cost in half. Otherwise, I suppose I'll go through Apple and endure an extra $47.50 on my bill for he next year.

 

[gsmornot]

I haven't read the whole thread, but it seems like people are having issues getting themselves eligible for a 12 month upgrade in anticipation for the 6s launch? What are the major issues? I'm thinking about getting on Next for the 6S and I'd really hate to run into problems when I try to upgrade to the 7 next year.

The issue is time and payments. Since last release, it has been 11 months for most people which means most have only made 11 payments towards their required 12 on the Next plan. If you took the Next 12, you were setup with 20 equal payments and the ability to trade-in your device after 12 payments. Since many have only made 11 but are now ready to pre-order people are finding ways to make that 12th installment so there are no barriers to ordering on the first night phones are available.

With that said, I simply paid my bill for this (the 12th month since starting the plan) a few days early. I have now made 12 installment payments and if I decide, I can pre-order a phone on the first night. I'm a sucker for new but at the same time happy with my 6 Plus. I'm waiting until tomorrow, after the event, to see how I feel. My guess is I will order because that's how I roll but still open to waiting for a change.

My only thought is if I am going to trade in, I want to do it before a 13th payment is made. Unless I missed it, the credit for the 13th payment would be left with the trade-in. Meaning, I would have to hand over a device I made 13 payments on which is one month more than I should have unless I was planning to keep the phone. Hope that makes sense.