I would think right away, since you have not used an AT&T subsidy to buy the phone. (Note - I don't work for AT&T, so I strongly suggest confirming this at your local store before trying it.)
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AT&T Rep: All 3G iPhone Purchases are $199/$299 [Updated: Wrong?]
- Thread starter MBHockey
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Thank you for the clarification. The point I was trying to make was that I'm "upgrade eligible" even though I've only had AT&T for a few months. It seems, from what you have said, to be a moot point as long as you have not taken advantage of a subsidized offer.
BP
I bought the iPhone on launch day last year. Why is it I check my account and it says my line is upgrade eligible on 10/28/08?.. I bought it at an AT&T store and activated at unsubsidized price.
Confused can I upgrade or not ????
I have yet to receive an answer back from AT&T
MJ
I purchased my iPhone on launch day 2007, and my account shows upgrade eligibility for me to be 12/1/08 for some reason. But it's a moot point, it seems, since if you are an original iPhone owner you'll be able to get the good price on the iPhone 3G regardless of when you bought the 1st gen.
I used to work for a major cellphone company. Major promotions
like the iphone rollout are so convoluted that no one understands the rules.
Or the rules are like law, its depends how they are interpreted.
If you don't get the answer you want, just go to another store and say
such and such told you you could. Also, reps are on commission and
half of them don't follow the rules anyway.
like the iphone rollout are so convoluted that no one understands the rules.
Or the rules are like law, its depends how they are interpreted.
If you don't get the answer you want, just go to another store and say
such and such told you you could. Also, reps are on commission and
half of them don't follow the rules anyway.
I was thinking about this, and I just couldn't see AT&T/Apple turning away business just because you're not "upgrade eligible". That was the whole point of axing your old contract for free and starting you on a new one with the first iPhone.
So let's say Joe Schmo walks into an AT&T/Apple Store, credit card in hand, fully ready to buy an iPhone 3G...
Joe: Hi, I'd like to buy the new iPhone. *whips out credit card*
Sales: Okay, let's see if you're eligible for an upgrade... Sorry, it says here you're only 6 months into your current contract.
Joe: Uhh, okay, I'll just buy one at full price.
Sales: We don't sell them at full price, only if you're upgrade eligible.
Joe: Hmm... So you're essentially refusing my business?
Sales: Well, you're not upgrade eligible and we can't sell them at a non-commitment price, so...
Joe: I see. Good day.
Sales: We have many other great smartphones available for full price...
Joe: I said good day!
So let's say Joe Schmo walks into an AT&T/Apple Store, credit card in hand, fully ready to buy an iPhone 3G...
Joe: Hi, I'd like to buy the new iPhone. *whips out credit card*
Sales: Okay, let's see if you're eligible for an upgrade... Sorry, it says here you're only 6 months into your current contract.
Joe: Uhh, okay, I'll just buy one at full price.
Sales: We don't sell them at full price, only if you're upgrade eligible.
Joe: Hmm... So you're essentially refusing my business?
Sales: Well, you're not upgrade eligible and we can't sell them at a non-commitment price, so...
Joe: I see. Good day.
Sales: We have many other great smartphones available for full price...
Joe: I said good day!
This is my situation exactly. And I agree with zephead, they can't afford to refuse my money. If Steve Jobs' goal is to sell 10 million (or whatever his number is) iPhones by the end of the year there going to want to put an unsubsidized price tag on this phone because plenty of folks (myself included) will buy one regardless of what the price ends up being. There is no possible scenario under which Steve Jobs will allow AT&T to keep his product out of the hands of people willing to pay money for it.
And although I desperately want to know what this price will be, in the end we're all just wasting time speculating on AT&T's corporate policy. Myself included.
You guys are forgetting that this time around it's not on Steve's terms since they are no longer sharing revenue from the monthly service fees. I don't see why AT&T is going to bend over backwards for Apple now instead of just treating the iPhone like every other phone they have (which requires you to be upgrade eligible in order to get the promotional price).
Time will tell though. Hopefully sooner than later.
Time will tell though. Hopefully sooner than later.
That's my point though, since there's no non-promotional price, is AT&T just going to refuse paying customers willing to whip their credit cards out, and subsequently lose out on the money from the plans that those people would be paying for over the next 2 years? That would be a really stupid move. All the other phones carried by AT&T have pricing like "free (with a two-year contract)", "$100 (with a one-year contract)", or "$250 (non-contract price)", so they give you the option if you're not upgrade eligible.
The way it is sounding is that rather you pay full price or the subsidized price they're requiring everyone to re-up on a 2 year contract. Sounds crazy I know. For those who keep stating that AT&T is NOT gonna refuse your business may be in a for a rude awakening come July 11th.
I don't work for AT&T. I don't know anyone that does.
The iPhone will cost $199/$299, period.
Upgrade eligible or not, you will be signing a NEW 2-year contract (the subsidy).
If tons of people had to pay $400-$600 for the $199/$299 advertised phone (and sign a new contract to boot) it would be a PR disaster.
I don't know how this is really even a question for people? It's a contract subsidized phone, we know the price, we know it requires a new contract. The thing I can see is happening is that if you signed a new contract yesterday for 2 years, you are adding 2 more years to it when you buy the iPhone - because if they didnt that would mean you got a subsidy on your last phone for free. But that may not even happen.
The iPhone 3G is 199/299, for everyone. You must buy a 2yr contract.
And as for the "AT&T may treat it like its any other phone" argument, they won't, because it's not any other phone, and it's always been marketed that way. It's "special" and is treated differently. It's their flagship phone and it will outsell every other phone.
Sorry, I know if you work at AT&T and heard otherwise, I sound like a dick, but there has to be some bad info going around because it makes zero sense.
The iPhone will cost $199/$299, period.
Upgrade eligible or not, you will be signing a NEW 2-year contract (the subsidy).
If tons of people had to pay $400-$600 for the $199/$299 advertised phone (and sign a new contract to boot) it would be a PR disaster.
I don't know how this is really even a question for people? It's a contract subsidized phone, we know the price, we know it requires a new contract. The thing I can see is happening is that if you signed a new contract yesterday for 2 years, you are adding 2 more years to it when you buy the iPhone - because if they didnt that would mean you got a subsidy on your last phone for free. But that may not even happen.
The iPhone 3G is 199/299, for everyone. You must buy a 2yr contract.
And as for the "AT&T may treat it like its any other phone" argument, they won't, because it's not any other phone, and it's always been marketed that way. It's "special" and is treated differently. It's their flagship phone and it will outsell every other phone.
Sorry, I know if you work at AT&T and heard otherwise, I sound like a dick, but there has to be some bad info going around because it makes zero sense.
to OP:
If I get the jist of your first post.....Your brother's contract runs out with Verizon this weekend, right? And he wants an iPhone, right?
You're overthinking this. Just because his contract 'runs out' this month, doesn't mean they'll stop service or require him to sign another contract. He will continue to get service on a month to month/prorated plan. The only way they make him sign another extension is if he wants a new phone.
I have done this multiple times w/ Verizon (let it lapse) because I wanted a phone that wasn't released yet. I just waited until the phone was out, then got a new contract and phone. My billing stayed the same, they just try to pressure you into buying a new phone ealry or on time so that you're locked in.
HTH
If I get the jist of your first post.....Your brother's contract runs out with Verizon this weekend, right? And he wants an iPhone, right?
You're overthinking this. Just because his contract 'runs out' this month, doesn't mean they'll stop service or require him to sign another contract. He will continue to get service on a month to month/prorated plan. The only way they make him sign another extension is if he wants a new phone.
I have done this multiple times w/ Verizon (let it lapse) because I wanted a phone that wasn't released yet. I just waited until the phone was out, then got a new contract and phone. My billing stayed the same, they just try to pressure you into buying a new phone ealry or on time so that you're locked in.
HTH
Why? Have you ever heard of someone being turned away from a cellphone if they had the money?
Again, I still have a feeling that they will let anyone who wants to sign a 2 year agreement pay the 199/299 price. Upgrade eligible or not.
I believe they havent announced this yet so people won't do what they did last year and get their discounted BlackBerry, Nokia, etc and sell it on eBay when the iPhone 3G comes out. Once the 3G comes out, they will be required to sign the agreement and be locked in so there isn't an issue once the 3G is released.
I believe they havent announced this yet so people won't do what they did last year and get their discounted BlackBerry, Nokia, etc and sell it on eBay when the iPhone 3G comes out. Once the 3G comes out, they will be required to sign the agreement and be locked in so there isn't an issue once the 3G is released.
i have a question. i want to get a iphone 3g when it comes out. currently i am on t-mobile but i am not in a contract. I want to make sure that i get an iphone the day it comes out and have my number ported and working. if i go in now and activate but don't get a phone can i pay the subsidized price when it actually comes out. i don't want to be waiting in the line that take 20min per person.
Update
I wrote to an AT&T rep over the weekend and he just got back to me. At least this is in writing...i'm wondering how much more "official" they could make it.
Anyway, this guy directly contradicts the first woman i spoke to on the phone. Here is what he had to say (emphasis mine):
AT&T better get their stories straight come July 11th or there's going to be a lot of pissed off potential customers.
I wrote to an AT&T rep over the weekend and he just got back to me. At least this is in writing...i'm wondering how much more "official" they could make it.
Anyway, this guy directly contradicts the first woman i spoke to on the phone. Here is what he had to say (emphasis mine):
AT&T Email said:
AT&T better get their stories straight come July 11th or there's going to be a lot of pissed off potential customers.
It's not a point of turning away money, but it's the point of some thinking AT&T HAS to give them the price point of $199/$299. Whether you buy the iPhone or not and you're in a contract they're going to get paid regardless.
So (as I've said before) I can sign up as a new customer on July 10, buy a subsidized Tilt or Centro or Blackberry, flip it on eBay for a big profit, then show up on the 11th and buy a subsidized 3G? Sorry, but I just can't imagine AT&T permitting this.
As far as those saying AT&T would not be "turning away business", you are talking about potential 3G buyers already under contract.
I agree, i don't see this happening either. This is why i place more stock in that email i posted a few posts up. To me, that makes the most sense.
Thanks for the info....
I just wish at&t/apple would give us the non-qualified price...since nobody seems to know what they are going to do with current at&t customers (ugh).
Upgrade and Eligibility info...posted by our very own Arn (if you haven't seen it yet):
https://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/16/atandt-iphone-3g-upgrades-and-activation/
I have to agree with him -- this looks like the way it will be and echoes what the AT&T rep said in his email to me earlier today.
Arn saying it is good enough for me. He is always on point.
Edit: Gizmodo is now reporting the same:
http://gizmodo.com/5016912/ineligible-att-customers-need-to-pay-full-price-for-iphone-3g
https://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/16/atandt-iphone-3g-upgrades-and-activation/
I have to agree with him -- this looks like the way it will be and echoes what the AT&T rep said in his email to me earlier today.
Arn saying it is good enough for me. He is always on point.
Edit: Gizmodo is now reporting the same:
http://gizmodo.com/5016912/ineligible-att-customers-need-to-pay-full-price-for-iphone-3g
For sure. Clearly AT&T WILL refuse their business because these people already owe AT&T a lot of money and are under contract to provide it.
It would be dumb and bad business for AT&T throw out a current subsidized contract in a favor of a new one. That would literally be throwing money away, and anyone who thinks that is AT&T's best move is delusional.
Yep -- that is exactly why AT&T will not sell the iPhone 3G to someone who isn't "upgrade eligible" at the subsidized price ($199/$299). Well put.