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AT&T to Raise Early Termination Fee for iPhone and Other Smartphones to $325
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Damn SHame!
Who cares if Verizon gets a Iphone or not, if AT&T does a 350 termination fee that will be too much of a commitment for me. I used to feel real bad for Verizon customers on top of them paying 80 bucks a month for 900 minutes. Verizon Wireless has had the same plans since I last had a phone with them in 2000 - do you really want a company that hasn't changed their plans in over ten years.. What if I loose my job and my bill is already 200 a month, that's automatically like 550 plus fees, and don't have a family plan. This is the banks getting their money back one way or the other. All I know if AT&T does do that while in a state of recession.. I think people should really sit and think is having this cell phone really worth it. They have unlimited prepaid phones for a dollar a day. Think how much money you can save a year. If people allow this to happened you might as well lie faced down on the ground and let them shoot you in the back of the head..
Who cares if Verizon gets a Iphone or not, if AT&T does a 350 termination fee that will be too much of a commitment for me. I used to feel real bad for Verizon customers on top of them paying 80 bucks a month for 900 minutes. Verizon Wireless has had the same plans since I last had a phone with them in 2000 - do you really want a company that hasn't changed their plans in over ten years.. What if I loose my job and my bill is already 200 a month, that's automatically like 550 plus fees, and don't have a family plan. This is the banks getting their money back one way or the other. All I know if AT&T does do that while in a state of recession.. I think people should really sit and think is having this cell phone really worth it. They have unlimited prepaid phones for a dollar a day. Think how much money you can save a year. If people allow this to happened you might as well lie faced down on the ground and let them shoot you in the back of the head..
Why should a new user have a newer phone than a older one.. **** that .. Someone gonna get they phone took..
Who cares if Verizon gets a Iphone or not, if AT&T does a 350 termination fee that will be too much of a commitment for me. I used to feel real bad for Verizon customers on top of them paying 80 bucks a month for 900 minutes. Verizon Wireless has had the same plans since I last had a phone with them in 2000 - do you really want a company that hasn't changed their plans in over ten years.. What if I loose my job and my bill is already 200 a month, that's automatically like 550 plus fees, and don't have a family plan. This is the banks getting their money back one way or the other. All I know if AT&T does do that while in a state of recession.. I think people should really sit and think is having this cell phone really worth it. They have unlimited prepaid phones for a dollar a day. Think how much money you can save a year. If people allow this to happened you might as well lie faced down on the ground and let them shoot you in the back of the head..
First off, Verizon has a $350 ETF. Second, I've been with AT&T since the first iPhone. Never had a problem with them. I will also be sticking with iPhones for years to come. Also, I like GSM better than CDMA. I'm sticking with AT&T for a while, ETF could be $1000 for all I care.
Who cares if Verizon gets a Iphone or not, if AT&T does a 350 termination fee that will be too much of a commitment for me. I used to feel real bad for Verizon customers on top of them paying 80 bucks a month for 900 minutes. Verizon Wireless has had the same plans since I last had a phone with them in 2000 - do you really want a company that hasn't changed their plans in over ten years.. What if I loose my job and my bill is already 200 a month, that's automatically like 550 plus fees, and don't have a family plan. This is the banks getting their money back one way or the other. All I know if AT&T does do that while in a state of recession.. I think people should really sit and think is having this cell phone really worth it. They have unlimited prepaid phones for a dollar a day. Think how much money you can save a year. If people allow this to happened you might as well lie faced down on the ground and let them shoot you in the back of the head..
Verizon has changed plan options 4 times in the last 4 years and currently are EXACTLY the same prices as AT&T.
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=17951
Goto the link above for the open letter from AT&T...
well, if you think about it it comes out to about the same thing if you keep the phone over a year so I guess its not that bad I wouldn't unlock it and put it on Tmobile anyways so I would stay with AT&T anyways. Tmobile needs some help with their phones tho It was stupid for verizon to even get droid.. Who even has over-priced verizon anymore.. I don't need to talk on my phone 20 feet below ground..
Goto the link above for the open letter from AT&T...
well, if you think about it it comes out to about the same thing if you keep the phone over a year so I guess its not that bad I wouldn't unlock it and put it on Tmobile anyways so I would stay with AT&T anyways. Tmobile needs some help with their phones tho It was stupid for verizon to even get droid.. Who even has over-priced verizon anymore.. I don't need to talk on my phone 20 feet below ground..
So I guess you never ride on a subway or stay in a hotel, either?
On a recent trip to Chicago, I never had service while using the subway station. And while at a hotel on Michigan Avenue (downtown Chicago) there was absolutely no reception once you went inside the walls.
This is Chicago, the 3rd biggest city in America, and AT&T was worthless unless I was on the sidewalks.
So much for verizon only being needed underground.
You only pay it if you default. So, why does every keep talking as if the ETF is being built into their monthly fees?
An Open Letter to our Valued Customers
May 21, 2010
At AT&T, we work hard every day to provide you with a great wireless experience at competitive prices.
One of the ways we do this is to offer you the industrys leading wireless handsets below their full retail price when you sign a two-year service agreement. In the event you wish to cancel service before your two-year agreement expires, you agree to pay a prorated early termination fee (ETF) as an alternative way to complete your agreement. Of course, if you prefer not to enter into a term commitment, we offer the same great selection of devices at their full retail price with no term commitment or ETF, as well as prepaid GoPhone options.
We are now making changes that will lower the ETF for many customers who agree to new term commitments, and will increase it for others. Current AT&T wireless customers who are within their two-year consumer service agreement or have an existing enterprise service agreement will see no change to their current terms.
Beginning June 1, 2010, we will reduce the ETF in new and upgrade two-year service agreements for all customers who are buying basic and quick messaging phones. Whether you are new to us or upgrading handsets, the ETF will decrease to $150 from $175, and be reduced by $4 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After the term commitment is completed, the ETF will no longer apply.
For customers who enter into new two-year service agreements in connection with the purchase of our more advanced, higher end devices, including netbooks and smartphones, the ETF will increase to $325, and be reduced by $10 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After that, the ETF will no longer apply.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer. We hope you enjoy your AT&T wireless device and service. We appreciate your business and we will continue to work hard to earn it.
May 21, 2010
At AT&T, we work hard every day to provide you with a great wireless experience at competitive prices.
One of the ways we do this is to offer you the industrys leading wireless handsets below their full retail price when you sign a two-year service agreement. In the event you wish to cancel service before your two-year agreement expires, you agree to pay a prorated early termination fee (ETF) as an alternative way to complete your agreement. Of course, if you prefer not to enter into a term commitment, we offer the same great selection of devices at their full retail price with no term commitment or ETF, as well as prepaid GoPhone options.
We are now making changes that will lower the ETF for many customers who agree to new term commitments, and will increase it for others. Current AT&T wireless customers who are within their two-year consumer service agreement or have an existing enterprise service agreement will see no change to their current terms.
Beginning June 1, 2010, we will reduce the ETF in new and upgrade two-year service agreements for all customers who are buying basic and quick messaging phones. Whether you are new to us or upgrading handsets, the ETF will decrease to $150 from $175, and be reduced by $4 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After the term commitment is completed, the ETF will no longer apply.
For customers who enter into new two-year service agreements in connection with the purchase of our more advanced, higher end devices, including netbooks and smartphones, the ETF will increase to $325, and be reduced by $10 for each month that you remain with us as a customer during the balance of your two-year service agreement. After that, the ETF will no longer apply.
Thank you for being an AT&T customer. We hope you enjoy your AT&T wireless device and service. We appreciate your business and we will continue to work hard to earn it.
More Americans crying
Waa Waa Waa honestly the quantity of Americans who /just don't get it/ astounds me. I have to put up with this crying every time a new iphone comes out on every forum I visit.
What part of subsidised handset don't you people understand?
Just because your communications companies have basically deceived you on the value of goods doesn't mean it's right.
The FACTS are that an iphone, purchased outright is about 730$ US for a brand new one, that's how much we pay here in Australia for a 16gb 3GS, it's about 830 to 850$ US for the 32gb model. That is an unlocked phone that can work on any GSM network (not CDMA) - you OWN the phone, you are not in ANY contract.
You can, of course purchase the phone here too for about 100 or 200$ on a contract for 2 years, throughought the duration of the 2 years you are expected to make enough calls to cover the cost of the phone and the network usage and make them a slight profit, perhaps a 50$ or so per month plan (depends on the initial cost, phone model purchased, how well you shopped around)
Those are the FACTS, that's how it works, now if you want to break a contract on a phone you just paid 199$ or 99$ for and 'only' pay a 325$ fee you're still well ahead on profit. So stop complaining, understand the facts and realise what a subsidised phone ACTUALLY means because that's how it works.
One last time, the iphone DOES NOT COST 199$ ... it's 199$ on a CONTRACT.
Argh.
Waa Waa Waa honestly the quantity of Americans who /just don't get it/ astounds me. I have to put up with this crying every time a new iphone comes out on every forum I visit.
What part of subsidised handset don't you people understand?
Just because your communications companies have basically deceived you on the value of goods doesn't mean it's right.
The FACTS are that an iphone, purchased outright is about 730$ US for a brand new one, that's how much we pay here in Australia for a 16gb 3GS, it's about 830 to 850$ US for the 32gb model. That is an unlocked phone that can work on any GSM network (not CDMA) - you OWN the phone, you are not in ANY contract.
You can, of course purchase the phone here too for about 100 or 200$ on a contract for 2 years, throughought the duration of the 2 years you are expected to make enough calls to cover the cost of the phone and the network usage and make them a slight profit, perhaps a 50$ or so per month plan (depends on the initial cost, phone model purchased, how well you shopped around)
Those are the FACTS, that's how it works, now if you want to break a contract on a phone you just paid 199$ or 99$ for and 'only' pay a 325$ fee you're still well ahead on profit. So stop complaining, understand the facts and realise what a subsidised phone ACTUALLY means because that's how it works.
One last time, the iphone DOES NOT COST 199$ ... it's 199$ on a CONTRACT.
Argh.
Wait, so let me get this straight.
The CEO of AT&T isn't scared customers will drop them once they lose exclusively, yet doubles the early termination fee to stop customers from dropping them.
Oh, the irony.
No one stand under AT&T when it falls once Verizon gets the iPhone.
The CEO of AT&T isn't scared customers will drop them once they lose exclusively, yet doubles the early termination fee to stop customers from dropping them.
Oh, the irony.
No one stand under AT&T when it falls once Verizon gets the iPhone.
People need to stop complaining and just stop and think about the facts. As many people have already pointed out, the ETF is to cover the cost of the subsidy. You have not paid the full price of the phone and are expected to pay some of it back.
Now you guys accross the pond are lucky. Lets say that your average iPhone user will upgrade every year to the latest model. The ETF is $325 and reduces by $10 each month. So this time next year, this has come down to $205 to get the lastest handset. For $205 you can upgrade every year and get every iteration of that phone.
I don't know how much a used iPhone is going for in the US but here in the UK I'm going to send my 16GB 3GS to a mobile recycling company and will receive £240 ($£360).
So sell your old iPhone, pay ETF and still make $150ish. Bargin I say...
If you want to know how bad things are here. My wife has a 3GS which is in a 2 year contract taken out at launch last year. She still has 13 months to go. If she wants to upgrade, theres no ETF or anything like that. She would have to buy out the rest of her contract (13 x £35 = £455 or $680)
So stop complaining and do the math(s)! And don't move to rip off Britain
Now you guys accross the pond are lucky. Lets say that your average iPhone user will upgrade every year to the latest model. The ETF is $325 and reduces by $10 each month. So this time next year, this has come down to $205 to get the lastest handset. For $205 you can upgrade every year and get every iteration of that phone.
I don't know how much a used iPhone is going for in the US but here in the UK I'm going to send my 16GB 3GS to a mobile recycling company and will receive £240 ($£360).
So sell your old iPhone, pay ETF and still make $150ish. Bargin I say...
If you want to know how bad things are here. My wife has a 3GS which is in a 2 year contract taken out at launch last year. She still has 13 months to go. If she wants to upgrade, theres no ETF or anything like that. She would have to buy out the rest of her contract (13 x £35 = £455 or $680)
So stop complaining and do the math(s)! And don't move to rip off Britain
Why don't you convince verizon or AT&T to reduce there charges instead of being content to an obviously outrageous fee. Yeah.... Regardless if you are happy with your service. That's the argument!!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect example of free market competition, eh?
Follow the leader. Since the big 4 are pretty much it, when one raises their prices the rest all follow suit. None of them see any need to do anything different. Thankfully, T-Mobile does to an extent.
It would be nice if cellphones were priced reasonably, out of contract. I'm sorry, but the iPhone 3G S is not a $700 device. Not by a long shot, Apple. Sell it for what its really worth. Let me buy it unlocked and take it to whatever carrier is willing to do the most for my business. There are chips out there that can handle GSM and CDMA on one chip, so theres no reason I can't have an iPhone that I buy at full retail and can take it to whatever carrier I desire.
Definitely no new iPhone for me. AT&T's service is terrible. And a $350 ETF (Verizon) or $325 ETF (AT&T) is too much for me to swallow. I'd rather buy the phone at full retail for what its actually worth. This mandatory data crap has to go too. I never use more than 100MB a month of cellular data. Let me pay $10 a month and get unlimited text (since it literally costs nothing for a carrier to send a text message) and at least 1GB of data.
But that'll never happen thanks to the lack of competition.
Follow the leader. Since the big 4 are pretty much it, when one raises their prices the rest all follow suit. None of them see any need to do anything different. Thankfully, T-Mobile does to an extent.
It would be nice if cellphones were priced reasonably, out of contract. I'm sorry, but the iPhone 3G S is not a $700 device. Not by a long shot, Apple. Sell it for what its really worth. Let me buy it unlocked and take it to whatever carrier is willing to do the most for my business. There are chips out there that can handle GSM and CDMA on one chip, so theres no reason I can't have an iPhone that I buy at full retail and can take it to whatever carrier I desire.
Definitely no new iPhone for me. AT&T's service is terrible. And a $350 ETF (Verizon) or $325 ETF (AT&T) is too much for me to swallow. I'd rather buy the phone at full retail for what its actually worth. This mandatory data crap has to go too. I never use more than 100MB a month of cellular data. Let me pay $10 a month and get unlimited text (since it literally costs nothing for a carrier to send a text message) and at least 1GB of data.
But that'll never happen thanks to the lack of competition.
Damn, it's refreshing to find a rational comment in here. Yeah, the last straw! How many, and for how long I have been hearing that. It's says something about a person's character he just wants to complain (and complain, and..) , rather than gain understanding on an issue.
Actually, AT&T is quite fair. Last year iPhone hit in June as opposed to July the year before. Thus, those eligible for an upgrade in one year, won't be eligible for at least ~1M. Thus no current iPhone 3G users could get the discount on launch day. People bitched, screwing over the early-adopters...yak... AT&T decides to push the date up to launch day for those who bought 3G in July - Sep. I bought in early Sep, so after 9 months I was getting another iPhone @ full discount. That was pretty unexpected. I smiled.
I terminated my O2 Ireland contract 9 months earlier to switch to Vodafone (offered me a new phone, double minutes & texts for less). It cost me €405.28 to terminate early.
Thank god they unlocked my iPhone so I was able to sell it for €340 and take less of a bashing in the process of switching over.
$325 dollars is very reasonable on a subsidized phone.
Thank god they unlocked my iPhone so I was able to sell it for €340 and take less of a bashing in the process of switching over.
$325 dollars is very reasonable on a subsidized phone.
dogerbuletx.
Gee, I guess I was wrong. I must have made a mistake, I must have seen the wrong total on my monthly bill for the 3rd year. I am so sorry. I guess I did not understand that it would take 3yrs to pay for the phone, not the 2 yrs that the contacts called for.....
Bro, The fee doesn't even effect you if your a current customer. And if your thinking of switching for verizon the fee is going to be 25 dollars higher than what you would pay with AT&T. But you just want to see what to you want see.
Your Brainwashed in your irrational discord over this fee. I'm not even going to reply to your posts anymore. Because your really not being logical. You just want to find a reason do dislike AT&T and or Apple. So your transfering that dislike to this issue.
Have fun with your fuzzy logic They would much rather charge people for leaving due to crappy service than have to spend lots of money to improve service so that people would not feel the need to leave. Screwing customers is far more important to them than providing good service.