AT&T - Upgrade Rip Off

[CooKieMoNs7eR]

None of the lines were eligible for an upgrade for a discounted price, so I called AT&T and talked to the guy and he was kind enough to move up the eligibility from Oct 10th to Sep 17, so now I can get the iPhone on release date instead of wating for like 1-2 months.

 

[iphoneclassic]

I don't know, it looks like paying the EFT and switching costs just as much over-time as staying with AT&T and paying full-price for an iPhone every other year (which qualifies you for the $199 upgrade rate every other year).

Doing the AT&T yearly "$250 early upgrade" looks to cost the most money!!!

If you look at these three scenarios...

AT&T model 1: (paying the early upgrade fee every year)
Year 1: $199
Year 2: $199 + $250 early upgrade fee
Year 3: $199 + $250 early upgrade fee
Year 4: $199 + $250 early upgrade fee
Year 5: $199 + $250 early upgrade fee
------------
$2245

AT&T model 2: (alternate paying full price every other year)
Year 1: $199
Year 2: $549 (don't do an early upgrade, pay full price)
Year 3: $199 (since you didn't do an early upgrade the year before, you qualify for this price)
Year 4: $549 (full price again)
Year 5: $199 (you qualify for this price again)
------------
$1695

Switching to Verizon
Year 1: $199 (AT&T)
Year 2: $199 (switch to Verizon as a new customer) + $225 ETF fee to AT&T
Year 3: $549 (they don't offer an early upgrade price)
Year 4: $199
Year 5: $549
------------
$1695

In AT&T Model 1, you have to add $36 upgrade fee and subtract old iPhone sale price from second year onwards.

 

[nostresshere]

These whining posts drive me nuts.

I have a two year contract and understand exactly what it means.

Gee whiz folks.

 

[neutrino23]

If you have family on AT&T then go to the AT&T store with them and work out a deal. The family member with the oldest phone can "buy" the iPhone 5. After the purchase they will switch the numbers around so that your number is on the new phone. You use your credit card so the family member doesn't get dinged.

I did this last year to get the 4S.

Also, look at the new group pricing. We lowered our total cost and I added my iPad for just $10 a month. We're sharing 6 GB.

 

[atteligibility]

These whining posts drive me nuts.

I have a two year contract and understand exactly what it means.

Gee whiz folks.

I don't know about your contract, mine certainly doesn't mention that I have to promote AT&T's service for the next 2 years, nor did it mention I had to be happy with whatever change of attitude they had towards their loyal customers.

I don't feel entitled to that free upgrade, but I'll tell you, between my phone, internet and TV service, those $3,000 I give out to a single company certainly make me feel entitled to great service and consideration.

Wake up for god sake, a way better service than what I mentioned above cost you less than $800 overseas, the contract we all sign is effectively a contract to be taken advantage of. You guys that mention how AT&T used to do us a favor with a free upgrade... THAT makes me sick.

 

[brand]

Again, I'll restate my point from earlier in this thread. If AT&T is giving certain benefits to some customers and not others, without any explanation, that's patently unfair. It has nothing to do with past favors. It has to do with the preferred treatment some customers are getting NOW, while others get less or nothing.

The noisiest wheel gets the grease.

 

[Caliber26]

The noisiest wheel gets the grease.

I guess I didn't get loud enough, lol. I just got off the phone with an AT&T CSR and I explained to her that I was aware of the $250 early upgrade fee and that I had agreed to it but, upon finding out that a lot of fellow subscribers were getting credits to offset the $250, I wanted to know what I had to do to get credits too. She said no credits were being issued to anyone upgrading to an iPhone 5 and quickly shut me down. It was worth a try, I guess.

 

[renesandy]

I paid $489 for the 16GB 5, tax included. I was able to get $120 credit, and will more likely sell my 4S for $350. So I guess I'm only paying $19 for this upgrade, all is well. Plan on getting that upgrade fee waived, its ridiculous.

 

[ohio.emt]

:/

 

[physicsguy13]

got a 4s last year and 5 this year for 199 and 299 respectively (upgraded the gbs )

This is really where the issue is. If AT&T applied the same policy to everyone then the original poster would really have nothing to complain about. Unfortunately, AT&T is inconsistent in how they apply these policies and it leads to complaints and upset customers.

 

[renesandy]

This is really where the issue is. If AT&T applied the same policy to everyone then the original poster would really have nothing to complain about. Unfortunately, AT&T is inconsistent in how they apply these policies and it leads to complaints and upset customers.

Yes. My best friend and I both got the 4S at launch. He was able to upgrade to 16GB for 199 while I had to pay 450. But it all worked out at the end, with a $120 credit and possible $350 gain from 4S, I'm only really paying $19. Also, upgrade fee was waived!

 

[atteligibility]

An update on my efforts to get some credit to offset the upgrade cost.
I had called them a few times already, was promised a callback today, which of course did not happen.
I tried one more time, was told that weird excuse that lots of people get (that Apple is forcing them to charge $250), but eventually got transferred again to retention.
After some more polite discussion and after looking at my account, we agreed on a credit of 2 months of service + $36 upgrade fee waived, applied immediately to the balance. In my case, my monthly payment is $78 for 450 minutes/200texts/2Gb, so I didn't do as good as those getting the full credit, but I now feel better about the idea that staying with at&t is gonna cost me much less than switching to the other guy.

 

[Ryukouki]

This is beyond astonishing. I don't even have a smartphone and there's whining because people can't get the latest tech. Unfreakingbelievable.

 

[ixodes]

I have been a AT&T customer for a long time 12+ And was looking forward to upgrading my 4S to the 5, but wait AT&T wants an extra $250 this year!
F AT&T this is the straw that broke the camels back. Its cheaper to pay the early termination fee and go to Sprint or Verizon.

Its not necessarily about the money, its about customer loyalty.

Anybody else pissed off about this? or has everyone just paid the extra $250?

Which one's better Sprint or Verizon?

One can only surmise that you may not pay your bills on time.
Or, maybe there's a mistake on your account. They're only human you know. We all make mistakes.
But if you're as angry with them before you give them a chance, they probably wouldn't miss your business.

My experience has been the opposite. Ive been with AT&T as long as you have. I get annual upgrades, terrific customer service. And great call quality & reliability.

I guess that's why they say "buyer beware"

 

[Eddyisgreat]

This is beyond astonishing. I don't even have a smartphone and there's whining because people can't get the latest tech. Unfreakingbelievable.

Apple users are LOYAL and HONEST to ATT and deserve to be treated with more respect than any other user on the network, so please understand.

 

[Ryukouki]

I wouldn't know, as I'm still using my Motorola Razr v3.

 

[al0513]

I added a new line to my family plan. $9.99 and I get 18% off my bill from work.

$120 a year to upgrade compared to $250 a year.

Plus they threw in 6 months of unlimited messaging.. $180