When I changed to T-Mobile, there was a $15 SIM fee that was essentially an activation fee.
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AT&T Raises Smartphone Upgrade Pricing From $15 to $20 to Match Verizon's New Fee
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I thought the point of not allowing monopolies was to force competition to keep prices down. Not to make each company raise prices at the same time.
I would be curious if that applies to any switch. If I had 2 phones and move the SIM myself, for example.
Unless it only applies if I go into a store and request it. Or have to get a different sized SIM.
I don't think so, previously you could switch sim cards and not have to pay the lower $15 fee. I think this is only for buying a new phone, or upgrading.
Boy these companies don't really understand that its the customers that have all the power! Wait... Its the customers who don't realize we have all the power!
If we could all just do without our phones and organize a massive amount of people to cancel starting on a certain day, AT&T would change their tune! This principal applies to lots of companies...Comcast, DirecTV and other non essentials
It was not organized, but this is what happened to Netflix. They raised their fees and changed some policies and massive people canceled and it caused them to quickly apologize and reverse course.
If we could all just do without our phones and organize a massive amount of people to cancel starting on a certain day, AT&T would change their tune! This principal applies to lots of companies...Comcast, DirecTV and other non essentials
It was not organized, but this is what happened to Netflix. They raised their fees and changed some policies and massive people canceled and it caused them to quickly apologize and reverse course.
One reason I switched to the leasing style upgrade program was because they said there were NO fees. I wasn't happy to see an upgrade fee on my bill the second time I used the program.
So why in the world would you pay full price at AT&T vs Sim Free at Apple???? Am i missing something??
I feel bad for anyone that's not In T-Mobiles coverage area. They're a fantastic company. Been happy with them for a decade.
Nope. It's all automatic which is the infuriating bit.
The cell phone companies openly participate in collusion. Somehow always on the same page instead of competing.
The upgrade fee used to exist because they would sell you the phone at a subsidized price but they had to pay apple full price for the iPhone. Now that subsidized phone prices don't exist, why is the fee still there and increasing?
The upgrade fee used to exist because they would sell you the phone at a subsidized price but they had to pay apple full price for the iPhone. Now that subsidized phone prices don't exist, why is the fee still there and increasing?
No one uses it for free, so it'll be good to see their money go to waste.
Att: Our #1 competitor is ripping off their customers, we MUST rip ours off also to stay in business.
Duopoly in progress.
Duopoly in progress.
I never understood the activation fee in the first place. They don't suffer any cost for the activation, but it is a good way to disguise revenue from the consumer.
Glad I upgraded when I did. Got off my unlimited data plan, 500 minutes and unlimited text as it was getting expensive as AT&T raised the prices on unlimited data from $30 to $35 per line. Turns out I was able to negotiate and i got the 20GB data plan for the cost of the 15GB plan. One thing i didn't count on was i also get tethering which has actually turned out very handy. I don't need a huge phone when I can tether my iPad at no additional cost. Ended up saving $30 per month.
Dear Apple,
You have the power and leverage to squash this nonsense -- at least for users of your new Upgrade Program. At best this makes me think twice about upgrading my 6S come September. At worst, I'll forego the upgrade entirely. Yeah, I can afford the $20, but it's now about the principle of it.
You have the power and leverage to squash this nonsense -- at least for users of your new Upgrade Program. At best this makes me think twice about upgrading my 6S come September. At worst, I'll forego the upgrade entirely. Yeah, I can afford the $20, but it's now about the principle of it.
I was already planning on switching to T Mobile anyways but this is the nail in the coffin. Many of us are still on 2 year contracts but once we're done I can see a lot of people switching to T Mobile.
*Verizon raises upgrade fee*
AT&T CEO: "Whoa whoa whoa, I will NOT be outdone in screwing over customers!!!"
*AT&T raises upgrade fee*
AT&T CEO: "Whoa whoa whoa, I will NOT be outdone in screwing over customers!!!"
*AT&T raises upgrade fee*
I'm kinda hoping that John Legere responds to this on Twitter, say what you will about T-Mobile coverage but they seem to be improving fast and they have been putting out some amazing deals, I know they have a sim starter kit that they sell but I've always managed to get them to wave the fee.
I'm assuming that you on one of their plans. I use the prepaid option and I've never been charged anything
That's ok, I'll upgrade the phone myself. I don't want the store employees breaking their nails switching my sim card from my old phone to the new one.
Starting last year, AT&T began charging a $15 activation fee for customers who wanted to upgrade to a new smartphone purchased outright or through an AT&T Next plan, and as of yesterday, that fee has been increased from $15 to $20.
As Droid Life noticed yesterday, AT&T updated its wireless activation and upgrade fees document to reflect the new $20 pricing on April 6, matching Verizon's recently implemented fee.
On Monday, Verizon started charging $20 for activating smartphones purchased through an installment plan or at full retail price, $5 less than AT&T was charging at the time. Less than two days later, AT&T raised its prices to $20.
AT&T customers who bring a phone to the AT&T network, purchase a phone using AT&T Next, or purchase a device through Apple's Device Upgrade program will need to pay the one-time activation fee as outlined below. Customers with a two-year contract will need to pay the standard $45 fee, which has not changed.As Ars Technica points out, AT&T doesn't provide any explanation or justification for the fee that it charges on its website, nor does it give an explanation for the price increase. In a leaked document we shared last week, Verizon said its own fee was to cover "increasing support costs associated with customers switching their devices."
Of the four major carriers in the United States, T-Mobile is the only carrier that does not charge an upgrade or activation fee. AT&T and Verizon both charge $20, while Sprint charges a fee of up to $36 per device.
Article Link: AT&T Raises Smartphone Upgrade Pricing From $15 to $20 to Match Verizon's New Fee
Ah... The hypocrisy of the Apple Faithful as modeled by the company they fawn over.
AT&T raises the price a mere $5 and the faithful spew hate.
Apple raises the price, the faithful swoon and sing “Take My Money“
AT&T raises the price a mere $5 and the faithful spew hate.
Apple raises the price, the faithful swoon and sing “Take My Money“