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i called and spoke to the retention dept....i was supposed to get a upgrade in may next year....they bumped me to oct 8 this year....i waited till i found out when pre orders and shipping was going to be and called back....needless to say i will be getting my ip5 the 21 of sept....
 
i called and spoke to the retention dept....i was supposed to get a upgrade in may next year....they bumped me to oct 8 this year....i waited till i found out when pre orders and shipping was going to be and called back....needless to say i will be getting my ip5 the 21 of sept....

What did you say to get them to bump you? Also, I'm confused... they bumped you to Oct 8 but you're getting it the 21st?
 
What did you say to get them to bump you? Also, I'm confused... they bumped you to Oct 8 but you're getting it the 21st?

I don't know...i just spoke to someone in retentions..and while she was really nice and did actually try to adjust my contract... she said it wouldn't work right now because I haven't even been under this contract for a year. She suggested calling back tomorrow night or go to the store on the 21st or call retentions and tell them that you will cancel all of your service.
 
I called today, im eligible for upgrade november 8th, and they told me that they cannot move an upgrade up for an iPhone due to rules that apple has placed.... I told them I would cancel my account and everything (very nicely) but nothing was done.... wtf.
 
What did you say to get them to bump you? Also, I'm confused... they bumped you to Oct 8 but you're getting it the 21st?


ya oct 8 to getting it ordered on fri and delivery is the 21 when they get shipped....

i bought every iphone on every launch day religiously and i just told them i think they should do right by me and let me be able to purchase this one....

honestly i didnt yell or scream or get abnoxious or threaten just said i am a really good customer and want the upgrade to be available....
 
i called and spoke to the retention dept....i was supposed to get a upgrade in may next year....they bumped me to oct 8 this year....i waited till i found out when pre orders and shipping was going to be and called back....needless to say i will be getting my ip5 the 21 of sept....

They did the same for me. I called to find out my etf and they asked the issue, when I told them it was cheaper to pay the etf, they offered. They said my launch day 4s would be eligible for full upgrade on october 8th and my other line they could offer full upgrade immediately. However, they told me that they could not change the date in the system(such as *639#) and I would need to call in when the preorders actually started and speak with them again. Did they tell you the same?
 
ya oct 8 to getting it ordered on fri and delivery is the 21 when they get shipped....

i bought every iphone on every launch day religiously and i just told them i think they should do right by me and let me be able to purchase this one....

honestly i didnt yell or scream or get abnoxious or threaten just said i am a really good customer and want the upgrade to be available....

and it worked for u this time too?
 
That's my thinking. I have one line of service, which I've had with AT&T since June 2007. I have grandfathered unlimited data, unlimited texts, and the 900 minute plan with rollover (I think). With taxes, my bill is usually somewhere between $125-$130/month.

That's not a big monthly bill compared to what I was thinking. Mine is more than that.

I think some are getting the offer as a fluke. But I will be checking my account again in the next couple of days and see if it changes.
 
That's not a big monthly bill compared to what I was thinking. Mine is more than that.

I think some are getting the offer as a fluke. But I will be checking my account again in the next couple of days and see if it changes.

I'm running into upgrade problems. My one year is up oct 13th.... This is what I posted in another thread. So should I wait to upgrade?

I just wanted to bring to light an option that a lot of people do not know they have when getting a new iPhone.

For a 16GB early upgrade, you will be paying 450 plus tax, bringing the total to about 500 dollars.

However, one option that you can do is open a new line on the account.

You open the line, and purchase the iPhone 5 on that line. You pay about 250 for the 16GB after taxes. You have to add a data plan when opening the line of course, but you can just add the cheapest one.

You then take the iPhone 5, and put it on your current line that is not eligible for an upgrade yet. You can grandfather the unlimited data plan (if you have it), and you will now have the same number.

So what do you do with the extra line you opened? Well, you just need an old ATT phone that does not need the data. You can put that old phone on the line, and cancel the data plan, making that line 10 dollars per month to have.

Early upgrade: 450 + tax = About 500 dollars.

Adding new line: 36 dollar activation fee, 250 for the new iPhone 5, and 10 dollars a month for 24 months. Total = 526

THE BIG DIFFERENCE HOWEVER is that you do not need to come up with the 500 dollars up front. In addition, your original line is untouched, and will be eligible for an upgrade the next time the new iphone comes out.

This is an option a lot of people do not know about, and it can add a lot of versatility to your family plan for future upgrades. I just wanted to share :)

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I just also wanted to add you will have to go to the ATT store for much of this because of the new nano sim, but the trouble is worth the amount gained from it.


You are correct! I spent over an hour on the phone with AT&T because one guy promised me a $199 upgrade with no early upgrade fee..$250. I have decided to go With the extra line.. Buy iPhone at $199 and pay the $9.99 per month on the dummy line. Why? Because I asked her if I paid the $250 + $199 for the phone on my current line, would I run into the same problem next year? She said yes. I probably would. So in turn, it will be the same hassle as everyone else is running into. She did however,give me a $30 credit per month for 6 months (giving me free unlimited texting) for my troubles. I told her I wanted to make the switch to big red but it really isn't worth it. I will run into the same problem next year with red and they don't offer the same $250+ 199 for the upgrade, I'd have to wait it out. All and all, I'm not happy since ive been to upgrade every year with no problems. I might wait until my one year is up, oct 13th, and see if my upgrade changes. She informed me that it's apple that is locking in the contracts. Apple won't allow any carrier to offer the subizied upgrade. I don't know if that is all that true. Maybe we should all hold out and protest :)
 
and it worked for u this time too?

While I'm not the person you asked, I'll answer as well. I called just to see what my etf was, since it would be cheaper to pay the etf. I never mentioned leaving AT&T, I just told the rep I was weighing my options and trying to find the cheapest route to get the new iPhone. I think the only mention of another carrier was when I said something about Verizon does offer LTE in my area and AT&T does not, but by this time she had already offered the full upgrade. I told her that I was going to weigh my options and she offered to call me back on wednesday(today) and check with me to see if I had made a decision. How they decide who is eligible, I have no idea. However, I have been with AT&T for almost 17 years. Well, actually bellsouth mobility, Cingular and finally AT&T. My bill is almost $230 every month and has been that since my Siemens sx66 in 2006. I think these probably factor into their decision.
 
While I'm not the person you asked, I'll answer as well. I called just to see what my etf was, since it would be cheaper to pay the etf. I never mentioned leaving AT&T, I just told the rep I was weighing my options and trying to find the cheapest route to get the new iPhone. I think the only mention of another carrier was when I said something about Verizon does offer LTE in my area and AT&T does not, but by this time she had already offered the full upgrade. I told her that I was going to weigh my options and she offered to call me back on wednesday(today) and check with me to see if I had made a decision. How they decide who is eligible, I have no idea. However, I have been with AT&T for almost 17 years. Well, actually bellsouth mobility, Cingular and finally AT&T. My bill is almost $230 every month and has been that since my Siemens sx66 in 2006. I think these probably factor into their decision.

I will try the same tomorrow
 
I called 2 weeks ago. Last week a manager called me find out if I was satisfied with the results of my phone call it was a survey. And I told him no because I was upset because I had been moved from a 12 month upgrade to an 18 month upgrade because of the iPhone. To make a long story short when I upgrade to the new phone they're going to credit my bill $250 for the early upgrade fee. I called back again to verify that the notes were in my account and the representative did verify it so I just have to wait to get my phone delivered and I call ATT and get $250 credit on my bill. I've been with ATT since November 1997 and my bills about $130 a month but because of my good customer relations with them manager told me that the $250 0 credit on my bill was warranted. So I'm happy plus I got six months of free texting And $25 credit can't go wrong there . It's all in how u ask for it
 
I called 2 weeks ago. Last week a manager called me find out if I was satisfied with the results of my phone call it was a survey. And I told him no because I was upset because I had been moved from a 12 month upgrade to an 18 month upgrade because of the iPhone. To make a long story short when I upgrade to the new phone they're going to credit my bill $250 for the early upgrade fee. I called back again to verify that the notes were in my account and the representative did verify it so I just have to wait to get my phone delivered and I call ATT and get $250 credit on my bill. I've been with ATT since November 1997 and my bills about $130 a month but because of my good customer relations with them manager told me that the $250 0 credit on my bill was warranted. So I'm happy plus I got six months of free texting And $25 credit can't go wrong there . It's all in how u ask for it
Sounds like everyone has some hope!
 
I called today, im eligible for upgrade november 8th, and they told me that they cannot move an upgrade up for an iPhone due to rules that apple has placed.... I told them I would cancel my account and everything (very nicely) but nothing was done.... wtf.

same exact thing happened to me. my upgrade is (10/22/12). idk how people are getting so lucky :(
 
Just checked for myself. I'm in the upgrade + camp myself. Not sure I want to blow an early upgrade. Really sure I don't want to pay $849 since I won't touch anything below a 64. I'd like to move back from Android but I'm married to the platform at this point. Right out of the box I can FLAC, torrent, use MX for everything video and Tubemate for YT downloading. I just miss the polish of the App store and the high quality hardware from Apple. No good winner for myself.
 
Another 4S user here....

....currently with an upgrade date of May '13 when I check via the website or 639. I've had every iPhone so far, purchased on launch day except for the 4S, which I got about three weeks after launch.

Just called AT&T. The very nice tech support rep said that yes, my upgrade date was May of 2013. But, they are "having a meeting" today at noon to decide how to handle iPhone customers requesting upgrades. She doesn't know if there will be a global move of all customer upgrade dates, or if exceptions to the policy will have to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Personally, while I'd like to get the 5 at launch, it won't kill me if I don't. If ATT moves me to a date in Oct or Nov, I'd be satisfied. But I'm surely not waiting until May -- I'll pay the ETF and jump to Verizon, who has better coverage here anyway. I suppose I'll politely tell ATT that when I call back late today or tomorrow.
 
....currently with an upgrade date of May '13 when I check via the website or 639. I've had every iPhone so far, purchased on launch day except for the 4S, which I got about three weeks after launch.

Just called AT&T. The very nice tech support rep said that yes, my upgrade date was May of 2013. But, they are "having a meeting" today at noon to decide how to handle iPhone customers requesting upgrades. She doesn't know if there will be a global move of all customer upgrade dates, or if exceptions to the policy will have to be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Personally, while I'd like to get the 5 at launch, it won't kill me if I don't. If ATT moves me to a date in Oct or Nov, I'd be satisfied. But I'm surely not waiting until May -- I'll pay the ETF and jump to Verizon, who has better coverage here anyway. I suppose I'll politely tell ATT that when I call back late today or tomorrow.

Interesting
 
Just got off the phone with AT&T. They told me there was no way they can push my upgrade up. My one year is coming up in October. My 18 months is in May. I even spoke with a manager. I've been with AT&T for a long time - and my monthly bill is $150+ even after my work discount of 20%. They did give me the free messaging for 6 months ($180). They didnt tell me about a meeting though. Sounds like we should all hold out :(
 
But, they are "having a meeting" today at noon to decide how to handle iPhone customers requesting upgrades.

Translation:

If a customer says they're gonna leave, let um.

If a customer says they've gotten deals in the past, tell them they should've enjoyed um while they last.

If a customer complains about how they are oh so loyal and deserve preferential treatment, refer them to Verizon.

If the customer claims to have several large accounts with ATT, all in jeopardy of cancellation if they cannot get preferential iPhone pricing, ask them if we can jack up the price of their other contracts to compensate for the upgrade price.

----

I'm surprised they didn't have a meeting about this sooner. The amount of bellyaching on the ATT forums WRT upgrade pricing is INSANE. You have Early iPhone 4S adopters (I being one of them) really seriously in their minds thinking that the iPhone 5 is DOOMED because they are unable to upgrade.
 
Just got off the phone with AT&T. They told me there was no way they can push my upgrade up. My one year is coming up in October. My 18 months is in May. I even spoke with a manager. I've been with AT&T for a long time - and my monthly bill is $150+ even after my work discount of 20%. They did give me the free messaging for 6 months ($180). They didnt tell me about a meeting though. Sounds like we should all hold out :(

I'd be satisfied with the deal you got. $180 is almost 75% of the $250 "early upgrade" fee -- are they offering you that, or full retail? I'm being offered early upgrade, so if I could get $180 credit, I'd order tomorrow. The $70 difference in price is probably offset by the fact that, as time goes on, the resale price for my 4S will drop.

Right now, I've got a Gazelle offer for $280 locked in through October 5. As of today, their price for a 32GB ATT 4S has dropped to $264, and it will continue to move downwards.

So if I can get the 5 on launch day for +$250, with a $180 ATT credit, I'll jump at it.

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....
If the customer claims to have several large accounts with ATT, all in jeopardy of cancellation if they cannot get preferential iPhone pricing, ask them if we can jack up the price of their other contracts to compensate for the upgrade price.
....

AT&T made $126 BILLION in profits in 2011. Do you seriously think they can't afford to give early upgrades as a customer retention tactic?

I understand that they may not WANT to. But obviously, they're ABLE to. Big difference.
 
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ETF vs. Early Upgrade

Just got off the phone with AT&T. They told me there was no way they can push my upgrade up. My one year is coming up in October. My 18 months is in May. I even spoke with a manager. I've been with AT&T for a long time - and my monthly bill is $150+ even after my work discount of 20%. They did give me the free messaging for 6 months ($180). They didnt tell me about a meeting though. Sounds like we should all hold out :(

Wow, I'd say you did pretty well. I politely pointed out to the AT&T rep that my ETF was $225 but the early upgrade fee is $250, and she admitted that it would be $25 cheaper for me to cancel my contract and get a new contract (with AT&T or another carrier), but she did not offer any reason or incentive not to cancel.

I guess I'll wait and see, since the ETF will continue to shrink by $10/month.
 
It seems like they are offering the free messaging to everyone that has it on their line right now. You are right about that BUT if you pay the $250 early upgrade fee, you will be stuck in the same situation next year. I, personally, dont want to basically give AT&T $250 just to be in the same mess next year. I'm really leaning towards starting up a dummy line. I think right now I will wait until my one year passes - Oct - and see if it doesnt change. If not, I'll look at moving to Big Red or buying an iphone off craigs/ebay/gamestop.
 
I don't mean to hijack this thread, does anybody know when pre-orders will start with AT&T. I can't order from Apple store cause of the FFN account won't let me do it it weird. So I have order through AT&T.
 
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