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AT&T to Raise Early Termination Fee for iPhone and Other Smartphones to $325
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I don't quite get all of the venom for AT&T here. Aren't the other major carriers already charging a similar termination fee and they are just following suit?
Wow $25 more but $325 is still a lot. Go ahead pay $325 if you want. Absolutey ridiculous for you to back up AT&T on the basis of $25 dollars. You crazy???????????????????
I Disagree. I think people have a unrealistic expectation of AT&T and pretty much every carrier. I've had cell phones with pretty much every single carrier in the east with the exception of Ntelos.
I've dropped calls with each of them. My data was slow when i was on VZW and t-mobile. AT&T and Sprint in my experience offer the best data coverage but it varies during the time of day.
But people rag on AT&T like they have never had problems with any other carrier. Anyone who expects their phone to work at their house is not being realistic. And anyone who claims to have never dropped a call is a LIAR.
If you guys are so unhappy then Man up and leave and go to a carrier that makes you happy. But keep in mind that no carrier is perfect.
I agree. The issue is this raises is how they'll handle new upgrades. My GUESS is that if you upgrade your phone to the new iPhone when it comes out there will be requirement to accept the new Terms and Conditions, which will include the new ETF. For 99% of present customers it doesn't matter, and since most who want an iPhone have one, it's not going to really shift the bulk of their subscribers to the higher ETF. However, it'll suck if the upgrade agreement for us loyal customers includes a modification in terms of contract, to the new higher ETF.... it would be a deal-killer for me, as the no-contract price in most of the asian countries for an iPhone is $750 and it comes unlocked, so for $350 + $300 to get an ATT locked iPhone, I'd rather just pick one up for $750 and have it be factory unlocked overseas. Guess most people don't think of that tho.
Dear ATT,
For two years you provided mediocre service. Yes, I did choose to buy an iPhone but don't think you have mine or anyone one else's loyalty. It is a phantasm. I like the iphone device but, as Jon Stewart as well as the team at SNL have said numerous times, it needs to operate as a PHONE as well as its other functions. ATT, you have been nothing short of pitiful: for three years you said you would improve the network. Really? REALLY? Hmmm. In San Diego, San Francisco and New York we are all waiting.
Apple and their wonderful product is not forcing me away from the iphone. You, ATT, are. And now, to add insult to injury, you plan to fornicate those who decide to buy the 4G next month and re-up with you in fear that a Verizon iphone device is in the wings waiting to steal your cash cow. If you just FIXED the network, your two black eyes would have healed by now.
If you can not fix a known problem in three years, you are incapable of fixing it. Period.
You are no longer a monopoly. People have choices and I and many others on this board and across the country will begin the migration away from ATT. And we won't be coming back.
For two years you provided mediocre service. Yes, I did choose to buy an iPhone but don't think you have mine or anyone one else's loyalty. It is a phantasm. I like the iphone device but, as Jon Stewart as well as the team at SNL have said numerous times, it needs to operate as a PHONE as well as its other functions. ATT, you have been nothing short of pitiful: for three years you said you would improve the network. Really? REALLY? Hmmm. In San Diego, San Francisco and New York we are all waiting.
Apple and their wonderful product is not forcing me away from the iphone. You, ATT, are. And now, to add insult to injury, you plan to fornicate those who decide to buy the 4G next month and re-up with you in fear that a Verizon iphone device is in the wings waiting to steal your cash cow. If you just FIXED the network, your two black eyes would have healed by now.
If you can not fix a known problem in three years, you are incapable of fixing it. Period.
You are no longer a monopoly. People have choices and I and many others on this board and across the country will begin the migration away from ATT. And we won't be coming back.
I don't care how it works, that is not my concern or business but theirs. But they should have known that before they made the promise via contract - and I was standing in the apartment not getting any internet and had to set everything up anew.
And in case it wasn't clear - the "electron pressure" was irony. Didn't help to raise the confidence in Verizon in general though...
This is also another indication that AT&T won't be the exclusive carrier for the iPhone.[/QUOTE said:
I'm backing up AT&T because it works for me. I haven't had many issues with my service. But then im realistic and expect to drop a call or so. Technology is not flawless.
But anyway AT&T works for me and sorry bro if it doesn't work for you. Find the door and use it
But keep in mind since no one actually knows how an iPhone would work on VZW's network you could have a far worse experience.
That's a good call! Gives me some small piece of mind in holding (adding) to my aapl holdings.
Waaaah they want to charge me to break my contract.
Considering how poor their service is, people should have the option to opt out without getting screwed again.
Don't you realize though that if people leave for VZW they are going to be paying more. And since the 2 Biggest carriers in the industry have done this. Then i bet t-mobile and Sprint will do the same thing.
So then unless you go with a local provider like metro pcs or cricket you will be forced eventually to pay the higher fee
Well for me the bitterness comes with foundation. I live in San Francisco, which is arguable (with New Yorkers) the WORST city for ATT. I have both an ATT phone (personal) and Verizon phone (work). My last employer was T-Mobile, so I have had them as well. You're correct, they all have issues. ATT has 100x the issues in San Francisco as ANY other carrier. I will say that I travel the country and world, and ATT's coverage is pretty good in most of the US, but it's bad in subscriber-saturated areas, and it's abysmal in San Francisco.
Last night I had to call because my voicemail got disabled (who knows, they didn't)... and the rep even joked about lowering to a lower plan because in SF I can't use my minutes due to inability to make a call, haha
Actually, if you want the nitty gritty on that, I can tell you from my own personal experience.
My contracts about to run out (July 1st) so I was looking at a new 2 year with VZW... only I then saw that any smart phone ("multimedia phone") requires a $10 mo 25 MB!!!!!!!!!!!!! data plan (ripoff!), with the true smart phones requiring a $30 mo data plan. Total bs. I'm college poor. Needless to say, I wasn't happy.
Emailed customer service, got into a heated tirade, owned the poor tech support guy, got the manager, got past him, now I'm onto the "committee of public voices"-- long story short I told them to **** off if they didn't change policies, and I haven't heard back thus yet, so as soon as this contract is up I'm switching carriers!
IMO, all of the carriers are just as ******, with each one trying to burn as much of your cash as possible... which isn't really cool. Now I know some of you are going to respond with "get a "feature" phone," but since texting is pretty important for my lifestyle right now, I'd enjoy a touch or real qwerty keyboard, not a $10 Nokia T9 POS.
Actually read the contract, they have a "service reach" clause. And they can easily pull the "in building wiring" issue if the first floor can get it but you can't. LOL... not trying to talk ****, just letting u know they did no wrong.
Also, verizon wireless and verizon communications are two separate companies.
This Is A Sign Folks!
THIS COULD BE A CLEAR SIGN THAT THE iPHONE IS COMING TO VERIZON REALLY SOON. Why else would AT&T pull this crapola all of a sudden if not to prevent people from jumping ship.
From what I know the same thing happened in Canada. Rogers did the same thing just before rival carriers got the iPhone. They probably knew it then they're losing exclusivity.
THIS COULD BE A CLEAR SIGN THAT THE iPHONE IS COMING TO VERIZON REALLY SOON. Why else would AT&T pull this crapola all of a sudden if not to prevent people from jumping ship.
From what I know the same thing happened in Canada. Rogers did the same thing just before rival carriers got the iPhone. They probably knew it then they're losing exclusivity.
People will complain about anything. Know your facts before you try to rip on something:
- Only applies to new contracts. If you're already in a contract and not happy, don't sign a new contract and you won't be affected at all. This doesn't prevent anyone from "jumping ship" if/when a Verizon iPhone is released, since this doesn't change existing terms.
- Verizon raised their ETF last year to $350 ($25 more than the new AT&T fee).
- Of all the iPhone leaks, none have suggested a Verizon version.
- People have been abusing the current system (buying subsidized phone, cancelling, and selling on eBay for profit). This eliminates that practice.
Also, take a deep breath and think about your raging. If you can afford $100+ per month for a smartphone (plus the initial cost of the phone), an extra $150 for ETF probably won't break the bank.
- Only applies to new contracts. If you're already in a contract and not happy, don't sign a new contract and you won't be affected at all. This doesn't prevent anyone from "jumping ship" if/when a Verizon iPhone is released, since this doesn't change existing terms.
- Verizon raised their ETF last year to $350 ($25 more than the new AT&T fee).
- Of all the iPhone leaks, none have suggested a Verizon version.
- People have been abusing the current system (buying subsidized phone, cancelling, and selling on eBay for profit). This eliminates that practice.
Also, take a deep breath and think about your raging. If you can afford $100+ per month for a smartphone (plus the initial cost of the phone), an extra $150 for ETF probably won't break the bank.
Maybe, but there's probably language in the contract that exempts them from that haha.
Just makes me wonder at what point it became commonplace for people to completely disregard a contract... like pro athletes - play out the contract you signed!
Please explain my attitude other than I don't want someone hogging a shared resource. Oh yeah, bricking his phone. We'll I guess I do have an attitude!
ATT has traffic engineers running simulations of bandwidth daily, and they know full well that the network isn't ready for tethering yet. If it were, you bet they would be happy to take your $$ to offer us that service.
Here's a close analogy. You pay for basic cable, but hacked your cable box to get HBO. Screw the cable company cause they charge more than I want to pay for that level of service.
Some of us call that theft. The reason the analogy isn't perfect is because a cable pirate isn't hurting other subscribers service experience, like with someone tethering on ATT.
My contract didn't promise tethering. I doubt your did either. The effort to provide it was in the press, but it wasn't a guarantee. You have no right to circumvent ATT and hack your own service level. "Unlimited" is very strictly defined. Check your contract. It is unlimited on the phone, not as a tethering device.
ATT has done a good job saying the rates are higher on verizon, because they're not. If you actually compare apples to apples the cost per minute and cost per mb are lmost identical!
First of all, quit complaining. This ETF is still rather cheap compared to many European and Canadian carriers.
Second, an iPhone is an optional purchase. Nobody is forcing you to buy a subsidized iPhone, and nobody is forcing you to sign a contract. If you don't like the ETF then take your money elsewhere or buy the phone for the non-contract price.
If you believe the non-contract price of the phone is too expensive, blame Apple. It should be of no surprise though that Apple products come with the
logo tax, including the iPhone. Once again vote with your wallet.
No wonder we're going down as a country. We're seriously demanding the government investigate the pricing practices of a private company that is selling an optional, luxury product?
Second, an iPhone is an optional purchase. Nobody is forcing you to buy a subsidized iPhone, and nobody is forcing you to sign a contract. If you don't like the ETF then take your money elsewhere or buy the phone for the non-contract price.
If you believe the non-contract price of the phone is too expensive, blame Apple. It should be of no surprise though that Apple products come with the
logo tax, including the iPhone. Once again vote with your wallet. No wonder we're going down as a country. We're seriously demanding the government investigate the pricing practices of a private company that is selling an optional, luxury product?
I never suggested anything was free. I am suggesting, however, that we make the marketplace a level playing field by making the terms of lease to these companies actually beneficial to the consumer. Maybe you should read the constitution before calling people names.
