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AT&T screwing Apple out of sales?

DCIFRTHS said:
Just tried again. Here's an excerpt from my chat. Obviously names have been changed.

Me: Is the Next plan available in the retail Apple sotres?
AT&T Rep: Yes, it is.
Me: I was told earlier that it wasn't???
AT&T Rep: I'm sorry, but that plan can only be set up at an AT&T store.

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Click to expand...

Ya, the PLAN can only be setup in an AT&T store or over the phone. Apple can't actually alter your contract or cellular plan. Correct.

But, set the plan up over the phone or in an AT&T store, THEN you can go to an Apple store and get your phone for only the sales tax per NEXT program.

Think about this for a minute.

The phones HAVE to be available through NEXT at the Apple stores since the carriers are going to be doing away with the massive subsidy amounts we have been afforded in the past. Why? Because the only other way anyone would be able to get a phone in the Apple Stores without the subsidy upgrades would be to pay full price for them. That isn't a very good way to sell phones through the Apple Stores...
 
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Does it matter who sells the phone as long as a phone is sold? I don't get why one would go to an ATT store to set up the plan and apple to buy the phone??? Unless one wanted the verizon model.
 
Steve686 said:
Ya, the PLAN can only be setup in an AT&T store or over the phone. Apple can't actually alter your contract or cellular plan. Correct.
Click to expand...

Actually, Apple can change the plan. I was with a friend who was asked if they wanted to change their plan or keep it as it was when they bought a new phone (subsidized).

Steve686 said:
But, set the plan up over the phone or in an AT&T store, THEN you can go to an Apple store and get your phone for only the sales tax per NEXT program.
Click to expand...

Do you mean to convert my existing plan to a Next plan without actually purchasing the phone either online (at attwireless.com) or in an AT&T store, then going to an Apple store requesting an upgrade using Next? If so, this was my next move.

If this is not what you meant, would you please elaborate?

Steve686 said:
Think about this for a minute.

The phones HAVE to be available through NEXT at the Apple stores since the carriers are going to be doing away with the massive subsidy amounts we have been afforded in the past. Why? Because the only other way anyone would be able to get a phone in the Apple Stores without the subsidy upgrades would be to pay full price for them. That isn't a very good way to sell phones through the Apple Stores...
Click to expand...

I agree. That's why I started this thread, Apple will lose out on a lot of in-store upgrades if Next is not available at the Apple retail level. Sme thing applies to the Verizon program.

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I7guy said:
Does it matter who sells the phone as long as a phone is sold? I don't get why one would go to an ATT store to set up the plan and apple to buy the phone??? Unless one wanted the verizon model.
Click to expand...

I have gift cards for the Apples store.

To purchase the Apple Care warranty with the phone, on the same receipt. I spoke to AT&T again tonight, and they said the Apple Care warranty is not available through AT&T. Basically, I can't get a straight answer. The web site says it's available, and so do some of the people I spoke to. Others say no way...

Guess I'll find out soon enough.
 
DCIFRTHS said:
To purchase the Apple Care warranty with the phone, on the same receipt.
Click to expand...

Why do you need it to be on the same receipt?

What's wrong with getting the phone from the AT&T store then going straight to an Apple store to buy Apple Care?
 
Steve686 said:
Ya, the PLAN can only be setup in an AT&T store or over the phone. Apple can't actually alter your contract or cellular plan. Correct.

But, set the plan up over the phone or in an AT&T store, THEN you can go to an Apple store and get your phone for only the sales tax per NEXT program.

Think about this for a minute.

The phones HAVE to be available through NEXT at the Apple stores since the carriers are going to be doing away with the massive subsidy amounts we have been afforded in the past. Why? Because the only other way anyone would be able to get a phone in the Apple Stores without the subsidy upgrades would be to pay full price for them. That isn't a very good way to sell phones through the Apple Stores...
Click to expand...

I actually think they can. I remember buying iphones in the past from Apple and they had me confirm my cell phone plan and asked if I wanted to change anything.

I also remember a lot of people losing unlimited data from att when upgrading phones through apple (on a subsidy).
 
Tastowe said:
Stupid att are dumbass with their cheap crap android phone. I am will to buy my iPhone at apple store that is final for me. I never will buy any **** android phones from stupid phone carriers.
Click to expand...

Phones are only a tool to sell AT&T services.

I have to suspect that AT&T knows more than YOU and Android phones are a VERY LARGE part of their business.

Do not be blinded by the Apple brand!:p
 
DCIFRTHS said:
Actually, Apple can change the plan. I was with a friend who was asked if they wanted to change their plan or keep it as it was when they bought a new phone (subsidized).



Do you mean to convert my existing plan to a Next plan without actually purchasing the phone either online (at attwireless.com) or in an AT&T store, then going to an Apple store requesting an upgrade using Next? If so, this was my next move.

If this is not what you meant, would you please elaborate?



I agree. That's why I started this thread, Apple will lose out on a lot of in-store upgrades if Next is not available at the Apple retail level. Sme thing applies to the Verizon program.

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I have gift cards for the Apples store.

To purchase the Apple Care warranty with the phone, on the same receipt. I spoke to AT&T again tonight, and they said the Apple Care warranty is not available through AT&T. Basically, I can't get a straight answer. The web site says it's available, and so do some of the people I spoke to. Others say no way...

Guess I'll find out soon enough.
Click to expand...

Yes. Convert your plan on the phone with AT&T. It'll be immediately recognized by Apple and you can pay tax and get your phone.

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mattopotamus said:
I actually think they can. I remember buying iphones in the past from Apple and they had me confirm my cell phone plan and asked if I wanted to change anything.

I also remember a lot of people losing unlimited data from att when upgrading phones through apple (on a subsidy).
Click to expand...

What I was told is that they didn't have an option at the store to NEXT upgrade your account. You were always able to select different plans, even online.
 
Steve686 said:
Yes. Convert your plan on the phone with AT&T. It'll be immediately recognized by Apple and you can pay tax and get your phone.
Click to expand...

I tried two different Apple stores today, and the result was the same at both of them. They can not sell Next price plan phones. I was told that when a customer wants a Next pricing plan, Apple has been instructed to send the customer to AT&T because Apple currently have no way to "charge" for the phone.

Edit: Updated for clarity.
 
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DCIFRTHS said:
I tried two different Apple stores today, and the result was the same at both of them. They can not sell Next price plan phones. I was told that when a customer has a Next plan, which Apple can see, they have been instructed to send the customer to AT&T because Apple currently have no way to "charge" for the phone.
Click to expand...

You should have them call the Aventura, FL Apple Store. We did it there so I don't understand what the problem with other stores is, besides it being a very new program and there seems to be much confusion on both sides.

Also. Get into a chat with AT&T online and print it out if you need some verification for Apple. It'll be ironed out soon, but better now than later.

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I7guy said:
Does it matter who sells the phone as long as a phone is sold? I don't get why one would go to an ATT store to set up the plan and apple to buy the phone??? Unless one wanted the verizon model.
Click to expand...

You don't have to GO to ATT. You can set up NEXT online or over the phone and go to the Apple Store to get your phone.
 
must be something special with apple since AT&T Next cannot be bought at best buy and other retailers as far as i know

is it only in store? tried online with one of my lines and it says $449 to upgrade. if i go into an AT&T store i can get it on NEXT
 
The title is a bit sensationalistic, but the point has merit.
Apple is looking to drive more traffic to its stores, in order to cross-sell and raise brand awareness. Any time potential customers have to buy their Apple products elsewhere, it is a missed opportunity for Apple.
 
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