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ATT upgrade eligibility moved up
- Thread starter jblock
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Wrong. At&t let most people upgrade their iPhones every year. At least the people who bought them on launch.
NoHo said:
Wrong. At&t let most people upgrade their iPhones every year. At least the people who bought them on launch.
It's not that, it's about our eligibility being pushed back without explanation. It's also about AT&T's policies changing on a case by case basis, again with no explanation.
They haven't been pushed back for no reason, usually it's due to changing plans and how much your bill costs. Trust me, I'm no ATT fanboy, but some of the people whining to CSR's just to get an upgrade is pretty low.
18 pages and NO ONE asked for a free phone. All they are asking for is the ability to upgrade early. As I posted before, if AT&T hadn't made a habit of doing this, NO ONE would be upset about them not doing this. And also, why is it $250 this year when it was $200 last year. Personally, I'd like to see a little consistency. Either everyone or no one.
Then they really shouldn't bump ANYONE up. People are obviously going to try and whine if they hear about even one person getting bumped up.
What's your basis for making this claim? You're forgetting that there are many of us out there who've been with AT&T for quite a long time and/or have multiple lines of service with them. There's simply nothing wrong with AT&T offering early upgrades to customers it wishes to retain.
Next time you're asked to sign a 24 month contract, you should ask to sign a 16 month contract instead, then you wouldn't be having this problem.
Well this is what happened to me. I bought the iphone4 day one. my contract ends 2/2012 Go figure.
I can't get a new 4s because APPLE won't allow any changes to how the phone is sold. And I would have to pay the full price plus another 2-year contract. I tried:
1) Saying if I could just get my 2-year extended on the 4s by the extra 4 months. Nope. Can't extend because APPLE said no.
2) Can I order the 4s as a new line, and move my sim into it and cancel the new number? Nope. I would be charged for the 4s as it was activated with that new number.
3) Can I cancel my contract and pay my left over subsidy and get the new phone and put my phone number to it? NOPE. They would TOSS my number away and no garantee I can get the number back. Why? I cancelled contract, which means to them I no longer want my number.
4) So the only way is to port out my number to Sprint, get charged the subsidy left over and now I can get it for the $399+ Sprints 2-year? YUP.
It irks me to no end that to get a "wanted" phone early, I would need to pay $250 MORE, get another 2-year contract, AND still pay the same rates, not lower rates because I paid the $250 subsidy price.
I can't get a new 4s because APPLE won't allow any changes to how the phone is sold. And I would have to pay the full price plus another 2-year contract. I tried:
1) Saying if I could just get my 2-year extended on the 4s by the extra 4 months. Nope. Can't extend because APPLE said no.
2) Can I order the 4s as a new line, and move my sim into it and cancel the new number? Nope. I would be charged for the 4s as it was activated with that new number.
3) Can I cancel my contract and pay my left over subsidy and get the new phone and put my phone number to it? NOPE. They would TOSS my number away and no garantee I can get the number back. Why? I cancelled contract, which means to them I no longer want my number.
4) So the only way is to port out my number to Sprint, get charged the subsidy left over and now I can get it for the $399+ Sprints 2-year? YUP.
It irks me to no end that to get a "wanted" phone early, I would need to pay $250 MORE, get another 2-year contract, AND still pay the same rates, not lower rates because I paid the $250 subsidy price.
Typically, yes. It's because one of the factors that goes into determining upgrade eligibility is how much is spent per line. If he is the primary line he has all of the charges for your voice/texting plans on his line. Which increases the cost of his line.
I hear you, this is poorly handled by ATT. Its hilarious when its less expensive to cancel and go to a competitor than stay with a company. Horrible business! This will cost them a lot of customers, which I wouldn't think they could afford. Not to mention this is just the calm before the storm. A ton of people have not even checked their eligibility but will starting tomorrow when they go to order. That is when the ***** will really hit the fan and ATT will probably decide to allow early upgrades for everyone.
Also regarding the $250 credit... a manager in retention told me any retention rep can give a $250 credit, even break it up over a few bills. But that will cause a flag on the account and a case to be started, the case will most likely reverse the credit. So beware if they offer you this $250 credit as well.
I fail to see why this should upset you. Do you understand the concept of a subsidy discount? AT&T is eating a portion of the retail price of the device in return for you agreeing to a service contract. They lose a little money upfront, but make it up on the back end. If AT&T was to offer the subsidized price to every customer, every time a new phone comes out (roughly once a year)...that wouldn't be a very profitable business plan.
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Well my buddy Jason who just got the $330 credit from the rention decided to dial *639# for one last check before preorders start.
He got a text back.
It said....
"As a valued customer, we can offer you an upgrade with a new 2 year commitment and an $18 upgrade fee"
He jumped up in the air and started doing a funny dance. Ha ha ha!
Looks like we are partying all night and preordering iPhones together.
Looks like the credit to his account is still going through too!
Well my buddy Jason who just got the $330 credit from the rention decided to dial *639# for one last check before preorders start.
He got a text back.
It said....
"As a valued customer, we can offer you an upgrade with a new 2 year commitment and an $18 upgrade fee"
He jumped up in the air and started doing a funny dance. Ha ha ha!
Looks like we are partying all night and preordering iPhones together.
Looks like the credit to his account is still going through too!
Did it ever occur to you that it is better for AT&T to collect your ETF vs. subsidizing a new device?
Ok so I checked online and my upgrade didn't change. I called and they said the only way I can get an early upgrade is if I go to the store to purchase the phone. They noted on my account that they confirmed the early upgrade so it was up to the manager to go through it. oh well. I'm over it.
$90 vs years of revenue stream? If you keep a customer there is potential to make money, if you lose them that potential is gone.
No, you missed it. I'm fine in paying subsidy. I'm not fine, when I paid it $250, and still want a 2-year contract.
I should've have added a "might" in there. I don't know what your ETF is nor how long you've been an AT&T customer. If you've been with the company for several years then I agree, its probably not a sound business decision on the part of AT&T. However, if you're a relatively new customer...my guess is that AT&T has to weigh in the cost of subsidizing a new device (which is more than likely not profitable out of the gate) vs. cutting you loose and collecting an ETF fee (and letting you go subsidy hopping to another carrier).
I pointed this out in an earlier post, but I can't imagine that it makes sense from a business perspective to offer full subsidy discounts to existing customers (on top of the line equipment) every 12 months.
The contract renewal is the killer, especially when we're paying $7xx after tax + $18 fee for a 64gb. We can probably just hop on craigslist on day one and purchase it for that much with no contract. Not sure I want to risk it though.
Yeah, but it's not like they will give you a cheaper rate. You end up losing money on that deal.
But if you're a trouble customer who signs a 2 year contract, promises to not complain, then you do complain, so they give you what you want, so you sign a new 2 year contract, again promise not to complain, then you do complain and want another early upgrade, then you're probably just not worth all the trouble.
Some customers just aren't worth it, I guess.
I don't think I missed anything. Even with the $250 charge...you're still getting a subsidy discount. The retail cost on the cheapest 4S is $650. Let's do some math: $199 + $250 = $449. That is still a $200 subsidy on the phone, and that is why you are being asked to sign another contract.