AT&T Surcharges & Fees for the Watch

[anthonymoody]

Funny thing about this...my wife loves to forget her phone at home. Though I consider the +/- $15 AT&T would charge us egregious (for me), I think when I get her an S4 I'm going to sign her up for cell service.

 

[sean000]

On my AT&T account it says it will cost $25 a month for 20 months to add a 40mm AW aluminum to my contract. I'm in Washington State. Am I missing some kind of special deal where you can get it for less, or is that only when you are including it with an iPhone XS?

 

[deeddawg]

On my AT&T account it says it will cost $25 a month for 20 months to add a 40mm AW aluminum to my contract. I'm in Washington State. Am I missing some kind of special deal where you can get it for less, or is that only when you are including it with an iPhone XS?

That sounds like an installment purchase plan to buy the watch.

Folks are talking about the cost of the service, which is not included in the purchase price. On AT&T it is $10 per month plus fees and state/local taxes -- which can vary. Here it totals about $15/mo.

 

[sean000]

That sounds like an installment purchase plan to buy the watch.

Folks are talking about the cost of the service, which is not included in the purchase price. On AT&T it is $10 per month plus fees and state/local taxes -- which can vary. Here it totals about $15/mo.

Ah... that makes so much sense. I must need more coffee.

 

[newellj]

Really, $30 a month in NY? You need to look at your State and Local governments and place blame where it belongs. I'd seriously consider a move to a more free State. Here in Texas, my bill is $14.41

469.XXX.XX24 SCOTT MXXXXR $14.41
Monthly plan charges for Aug 09 - Sep 08 $10.00
Access for Apple Watch
$10.00
International Long Distance - Standard
$0.00
Surcharges & fees $3.55
Administrative Fee
$1.99
Federal Universal Service Charge
$0.20
Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge
$1.25
State Cost-Recovery Fee
$0.04
Texas Universal Service
$0.07
Government taxes & fees $0.86
9-1-1 Service Fee
$0.50
911 Equalization Surcharge
$0.06
City Sales Tax - Telecom
$0.07
TX State Sales Tax - Telecom
$0.23

No offense at all, but that's sort of crazy? Most ($3.24) of the additional $4.41 is going straight to AT&T:

Administrative Fee
$1.99
Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge
$1.25

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

I'll join in on this conversation. Got he 4 from having a 2 and decided to add it to my AT&T plan. Did that a couple days ago. Funny thing this AM, received a text from AT&T:

AT&T Free Msg:
Thanks for choosing us for your wireless service. Your recent activation of an Apple Watch means you may be eligible to receive up to $60 in credits. Keep your service active for a minimum of 30 days & until credit(s) have been applied to your account. You'll be credited within 3 bill periods.

SO, that's a nice surprise!

 

[newellj]

Yes, but they're effectively telling you that you may have to keep it active on your wireless plan for three months?

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

It appears that way. With the exception of additional fees people report having to pay, it's 6 months credit for waiting 3 months. So technically, I could pay, but be reimbursed for all of it plus some if I drop it after 3 months. Not too bad. Didn't expect anything.

 

[mrwilly25]

It appears that way. With the exception of additional fees people report having to pay, it's 6 months credit for waiting 3 months. So technically, I could pay, but be reimbursed for all of it plus some if I drop it after 3 months. Not too bad. Didn't expect anything.

It’s only 3 months credit, $30 of the $60 is credit for the activation fee.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

No activation fee.

 

[Arran]

It appears that way. With the exception of additional fees people report having to pay, it's 6 months credit for waiting 3 months. So technically, I could pay, but be reimbursed for all of it plus some if I drop it after 3 months. Not too bad. Didn't expect anything.

Beware of "may":

"Your recent activation of an Apple Watch means you may be eligible to receive up to $60 in credits."​

 

[mrwilly25]

No activation fee.

You'll only get $30 for 3 months of service. Below is directly from AT&T

Bill Credit: Account and service on your line must remain active to get up to two credits ($30 service + Up to $30 activation) w/in 3 bills. No activation credit if already waived.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

You'll only get $30 for 3 months of service. Below is directly from AT&T

Bill Credit: Account and service on your line must remain active to get up to two credits ($30 service + Up to $30 activation) w/in 3 bills. No activation credit if already waived.

Ah interesting. I hadn't seen that. I suppose I'll only get $30 since I didn't have to pay the activation fee. Thanks for helping me understand that.

 

[TheBearman]

$15.14/mo here in GA, total. Details below.

What's different with Arizona jacking it up another $6.60/mo? That's real high.

From my latest bill (I've had S3 LTE)
View attachment 792570

You know, this surprises me. Not most of the cost but the E911 fee.... So if I don't activate cell service I get 911 support for free but if I do they charge 1.50 a month. So is it safe to say I'm saving $18 a year by not having cell service on my watch.