I Love AT&T, at Least for Tonight.
Like many of you, since I purchased the 4S last October (2011), my upgrade eligibility was quirky such as having to pay the extra $250 UG Fee unless I waited to May 8, 2013. Plus, I had to pay the $36 Early Upgrade Fee, as well. (By the way, I did confirm as I earlier stated today that my FAN 19% discount had nothing to do with the $250 fee.)
Tonight, I learned as I had posted earlier today that there was a way around the $250 fee, and I unhesitatingly took advantage of it. Although not necessary, this evening I signed up for AT&T Mobile Share. That alone dropped my billing from about $135 per month to $93--a savings of about $42 per month. I purchased the 1GB data plan since I use almost always Wi-Fi (retired and almost always at home).
Then I again confirmed how to get around the $250 early upgrade fee. I cross-upgraded by using my iPad phone number since that number has now passed the two-year contract (although I have my second iPad--the 2012 edition. On Wednesday, I am now free to upgrade to the iPhone 5 using the older iPad number which obviates the $250 early upgrade fee. Nicely, the phone numbers remain the same for each device.
Next since my billing for my unlimited talk minutes was a $20 option with my MicroCell, that $20 will drop off my bill since Mobile Share already includes unlimited dialing and texting.
When I purchased the new iPad in March, I unknowingly signed up for the iPad data plan to be post paid--meaning that rather than having that separate billed amount deducted from my checking account, it is included with the AT&T Mobility bill. By doing this, adding my iPad to the Mobile Share plan for $10 per month did not require me to obtain a new SIM card as currently pre-paid iPad customers will have to do; plus to $36 activation fee which would have otherwise been charged. Now, both my iPad and iPhone share the 1 GB of data.
Penultimately, for being a customer for well over 10 years, she not only waived the $36 early upgrade fee that every one will be billed for when buying the iPhone 5, she also pointed out that because my iPad charges are postpaid, I saved that additional $36 activation fee.
Finally, she gifted me a $50 credit toward my next bill because I was a long-time customer and for believing in AT&T's customer service. Add this to the $320 payment for my 4S from Gazelle.com, I might even come out ahead at least for my September bill. And, definitely will until the iPhone 5 debuts sometime in 2013.
SO, INSTEAD OF MY BILL THAT Will COME OUT ON THE 8TH, HAD NOTHING BEEN CHANGED MY would-have-been $159.40 BILL WILL BE $57 AND I DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE $250 EARLY UPGRADE FEE. THE SAVINGS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I hope everyone else will experience something very close to my nirvana-like experience I had tonight.
