Before you pay for an "early upgrade" on an ATT family plan.....(Dont do it).

[snook911]

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

I never noticed this but the math here is a little off it would look like this:

Early upgrade fee $249 + $199 phone + tax + 36 upgrade fee= $484 + Tax per year to upgrade

Adding new Line: $199 phone + $36 activation fee +$120 a year for extra line =$355 per year to upgrade

So over 2 years the early upgrade route will cost $968 to upgrade 2 phones where as the adding a line option would only cost $710. Personally I will be adding a line this year.

 

[mr1581]

Ok..so i think i finally figured out my attack plan for this upgrade.. little background.. I have 3 lines(2 of which have iphones). 3rd line is a dumb phone and currently eligible for upgrade. My bill after all said and done is 165/mo... we do the 700 min family plan 2x$30 for unlimited data and $30/mo for family messaging. I also get 22% off from FAN acct. I am going to add a line during upgrade process tonight and swap it with my line and upgrade the free line and swap that with my wifes line.... I realize that it is $240 over the next 2 years, but retentions has given me 6 months of free messaging ($180 total).. so for the next two years i'm paying an extra $60 for adding a line. I will also have the ability to upgrade next year on my two normal lines... and in two years I can choose whether to re-up this extra line or cancel it... sounds like a pretty good deal and I'm able to keep my options open.

 

[SeanZy]

I never noticed this but the math here is a little off it would look like this:

Early upgrade fee $249 + $199 phone + tax + 36 upgrade fee= $484 + Tax per year to upgrade

Adding new Line: $199 phone + $36 activation fee +$120 a year for extra line =$355 per year to upgrade

So over 2 years the early upgrade route will cost $968 to upgrade 2 phones where as the adding a line option would only cost $710. Personally I will be adding a line this year.

The math that I did was including only one year phone upgrade but both years of the extra line's service. Im really excited about this option. I have two lines eligible for upgrade in november, and one in may, which means by doing this, I will have 3 lines eligible for next year, and assuming no one else on my family plan upgrades, then I have 3 years of cushion

----------

Ok..so i think i finally figured out my attack plan for this upgrade.. little background.. I have 3 lines(2 of which have iphones). 3rd line is a dumb phone and currently eligible for upgrade. My bill after all said and done is 165/mo... we do the 700 min family plan 2x$30 for unlimited data and $30/mo for family messaging. I also get 22% off from FAN acct. I am going to add a line during upgrade process tonight and swap it with my line and upgrade the free line and swap that with my wifes line.... I realize that it is $240 over the next 2 years, but retentions has given me 6 months of free messaging ($180 total).. so for the next two years i'm paying an extra $60 for adding a line. I will also have the ability to upgrade next year on my two normal lines... and in two years I can choose whether to re-up this extra line or cancel it... sounds like a pretty good deal and I'm able to keep my options open.

yep thats another thing I like, is that two years from now, the extra line will ALSO be eligible for upgrade. I will probably let it expire and disappear, but it gives me yet another upgrade option much down the road.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I never noticed this but the math here is a little off it would look like this:

Early upgrade fee $249 + $199 phone + tax + 36 upgrade fee= $484 + Tax per year to upgrade

Adding new Line: $199 phone + $36 activation fee +$120 a year for extra line =$355 per year to upgrade

So over 2 years the early upgrade route will cost $968 to upgrade 2 phones where as the adding a line option would only cost $710. Personally I will be adding a line this year.

The problem with the above scenario is we do not know if at&t will still offer the early iPhone upgrade for $250 next year, especially given that Verizon and Sprint aren't doing it.

It'd be better to compare it to buying at full retail every other year (which cheaper than doing the $250 early upgrade every year).

 

[xerenthar]

I never noticed this but the math here is a little off it would look like this:

Early upgrade fee $249 + $199 phone + tax + 36 upgrade fee= $484 + Tax per year to upgrade

Adding new Line: $199 phone + $36 activation fee +$120 a year for extra line =$355 per year to upgrade

So over 2 years the early upgrade route will cost $968 to upgrade 2 phones where as the adding a line option would only cost $710. Personally I will be adding a line this year.

wouldn't adding new line for 2 phones be:
year 1 - 199 phone, 36 fee, 120 extra line
year 2 - 199 phone, 36 fee, 240 extra lines
year 3 - 120 extra line
= 830
vs.
year 1 - 199 + 36 + 250
year 2 - 199 + 36 + 250
= 970

still cheaper, but closer...

if i were to have a single user phone plan and add a dummy line at $10, does that mean i can't change to a family plan and add my girlfriend because dummy line turns into $30?

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

wouldn't adding new line for 2 phones be:
year 1 - 199 phone, 36 fee, 120 extra line
year 2 - 199 phone, 36 fee, 240 extra lines
year 3 - 120 extra line
= 830
vs.
year 1 - 199 + 36 + 250
year 2 - 199 + 36 + 250
= 970

still cheaper, but closer...

Doesn't make sense. Why $240 for 2nd year and why stop upgrading at year 3? You're also forgetting that the $199 + 250 early upgrade carries a new 2-year commitment so you need to go to year 3 for both.

if i were to have a single user phone plan and add a dummy line at $10, does that mean i can't change to a family plan and add my girlfriend because dummy line turns into $30?

You can add more lines to a family plan for $9.99 per month including for your girlfriend (unless she wants the iPhone). The dummy line for $30 would be true if you switch from the traditional family plan to the new mobile share plan.

 

[snook911]

wouldn't adding new line for 2 phones be:
year 1 - 199 phone, 36 fee, 120 extra line
year 2 - 199 phone, 36 fee, 240 extra lines
year 3 - 120 extra line
= 830
vs.
year 1 - 199 + 36 + 250
year 2 - 199 + 36 + 250
= 970

still cheaper, but closer...

if i were to have a single user phone plan and add a dummy line at $10, does that mean i can't change to a family plan and add my girlfriend because dummy line turns into $30?

Well in year 2 of the dummy line option it would still be and extra $120 for that year(you do not need to start up another new line in year 2) and $240 total for both years. I am not sure why you have a year 3 since the contract is only 2 years. So year 1's price and years 2's price are the same at $355 per year and there is no year 3 as we are comparing only 2 years prices for the 2 options.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I am not sure why you have a year 3 since the contract is only 2 years. So year 1's price and years 2's price are the same at $355 per year and there is no year 3 as we are comparing only 2 years prices for the 2 options.

No, when you upgrade in year 2, you're making a new 2-year commitment so we need to count year 3.

 

[snook911]

The problem with the above scenario is we do not know if at&t will still offer the early iPhone upgrade for $250 next year, especially given that Verizon and Sprint aren't doing it.

It'd be better to compare it to buying at full retail every other year (which cheaper than doing the $250 early upgrade every year).

Ok that should look something like this then

Year 1: $649 + $36 activation fee
Year 2: 199 + $36 upgrade fee
Total for 2 years $920

A little cheaper going that route but still not as good as adding a line and getting the full upgrade price every year for $120 spread over 12 months. Even if you add another $30 for extra fee's per year its still a great deal at $150 per year.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Ok that should look something like this then

Year 1: $649 + $36 activation fee
Year 2: 199 + $36 upgrade fee
Total for 2 years $920

A little cheaper going that route but still not as good as adding a line and getting the full upgrade price every year for $120 spread over 12 months. Even if you add another $30 for extra fee's per year its still a great deal at $150 per year.

Agreed.

 

[snook911]

No, when you upgrade in year 2, you're making a new 2-year commitment so we need to count year 3.

Yes but that upgrade is not included in my calculations. The year one upgrade I am talking about is this years upgrade using the new line. Next years upgrade(year 2) will be using the original line so you won't be signing a new 2 year agreement for the new line. You still need to add in the extra $120 for the second year but you don't have to renew in year 3 if you don't want too.

 

[email68]

FYI-

I went to the store to confirm all of this again, and to see what a basic phone would cost at the full price. After several times of explaining what I was going to do, they did say yes it can be done.

Then I looked at the flip basic phones, and they are expensive at full price. Turns out though, you can buy a $39 GoPhone, and convert it to your family plan. They said they don't advertise that, but you can do it. They also do it for people in contracts who break their contract phone so they can wait out the contract and still have a working phone.

So, I'm likely to try this and pick up a GoPhone to swap to my $9.99/mo phone.

 

[mainomega]

FYI-

I went to the store to confirm all of this again, and to see what a basic phone would cost at the full price. After several times of explaining what I was going to do, they did say yes it can be done.

Then I looked at the flip basic phones, and they are expensive at full price. Turns out though, you can buy a $39 GoPhone, and convert it to your family plan. They said they don't advertise that, but you can do it. They also do it for people in contracts who break their contract phone so they can wait out the contract and still have a working phone.

So, I'm likely to try this and pick up a GoPhone to swap to my $9.99/mo phone.

Do you know what phone would work ? I'm planning on taking a risk (at least to me) but I want to know if I can order one on ebay maybe. Hopefully the GoPhone at least has bluetooth ?

 

[SeanZy]

Im going to be using a motorola razr. Should work fine.

 

[snook911]

Do you know what phone would work ? I'm planning on taking a risk (at least to me) but I want to know if I can order one on ebay maybe. Hopefully the GoPhone at least has bluetooth ?

I just called my local at&t store as they said they could do it without having a actual phone for the line. She said if you were just going to leave the line open with no phone they could put in all 9's for the IMEI number and that then they could get rid of the data package for me. But if your at&t store won't do that I think walmart has a gophone that is $20.(at least they do online)

 

[Olivia23]

Just spoke to a Verizon rep and he is going to call me at 10:00am Friday morning. I told him I want to add a line, then when I get the iPhone 5, switch it over to my line to keep my unlimited. He said no problem. I will keep that extra line as a dummy phone for only 10 bucks a month.

 

[Blueline29]

Im going to be using a motorola razr. Should work fine.

Ha, me too. Just got hold of 2 of them from my parents, one as a backup. Backup for what? Absolutely no idea. But here it is.

 

[thadoggfather]

I wonder why more people haven't thought to do this.

That early upgrade is robbery if you're on a family plan

 

[SecretNY]

First off thanks guys for this topic. It's effing tough to figure all this stuff out (like taxes). So,

I have had a new iphone every year at the full discount. I spend over $100 for one line for the past 4-5 years. This time (like everyone else) I got the early upgrade fee message (which sucks). I'm using a 4s and have always had the unlimited data plan which I want to keep.

I still have my iphone 4 which I was planning on giving to my mother (I pay her bills). She wanted it for Facetime with my kid so it looks like a good thing for her. Would it be possible to set up a new line/plan for her using the iphone 5, then swap with her the iphone 4? I know the SIMs are different so could they transfer them? Or should I set up a new line on my account? I'm very confused by all this. Bottom line, I want the 5 and my unlimited data. I'd like to get the full discount but if I have to pay more I will (but then mom loses out). Finally, FYI I'm selling the 4s...

Thanks again!

 

[TomTomTuning]

I'm pretty upset at the moment, here's the story...

I've been with AT&T since before the original iPhone, 2006ish I believe.
The contract was originally under my (ex) girlfriends name.
I've been able to upgrade to the newest iPhone on release each year.
We split up a while ago but we kept the phones in her name.
I decided last year to transfer the billing responsibility to my name.
I lost my unlimited data but I eventually accepted that.

A few weeks ago I called AT&T about an unrelated question.
After that question was answered, I asked about upgrading my phone soon since the iPhone5 should be coming out soon. She said she didn't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to upgrade again like i've done in the past. She even mentioned how she can see that this account has been around since 2006.

I have a buyer for my current 64GB iPhone 4S, he wants to pick it up tonight.
I decided to check my eligibility online and it said I cannot upgrade till May 2013.
WTF? So I decided to call, I was super polite and eventually was talking with a manager.
I explained to him the whole issue and he said he couldn't do anything and my only option is to pay the $250 early upgrade fee.

I mentioned it would be cheaper for me to cancel and switch to a different provider...
He agreed and said "unfortunately when these type off issues happen, thats usually the outcome"

I asked how come I was able to upgrade at 11-12 months in the past and he said whenever the bill is over a certain amount then customers are granted an earlier upgrade. (I've read before that it's anything over $99)
For the most part my bill has been the same, if anything I'm paying more now for the faster data plans.

The only thing I can think of is... For over 2 years while in a long distance relationship, I would have expensive payments because of international (Canada) calling to my new GF.
She's living here now, so my bill has been pretty consistent for the past year.

I currently pay about $150.83 for two iPhones (family plan with individual data).
My main line is $114.89 and her line is $35.94

 

[mainomega]

If I pickup a gophone do I have to get AT&T to unlock it or something ? I know it carries a $25 activation but they all have sim slots right ?

Again, sorry for the volume of questions

 

[SeanZy]

I'm pretty upset at the moment, here's the story...

I've been with AT&T since before the original iPhone, 2006ish I believe.
The contract was originally under my (ex) girlfriends name.
I've been able to upgrade to the newest iPhone on release each year.
We split up a while ago but we kept the phones in her name.
I decided last year to transfer the billing responsibility to my name.
I lost my unlimited data but I eventually accepted that.

A few weeks ago I called AT&T about an unrelated question.
After that question was answered, I asked about upgrading my phone soon since the iPhone5 should be coming out soon. She said she didn't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to upgrade again like i've done in the past. She even mentioned how she can see that this account has been around since 2006.

I have a buyer for my current 64GB iPhone 4S, he wants to pick it up tonight.
I decided to check my eligibility online and it said I cannot upgrade till May 2013.
WTF? So I decided to call, I was super polite and eventually was talking with a manager.
I explained to him the whole issue and he said he couldn't do anything and my only option is to pay the $250 early upgrade fee.

I mentioned it would be cheaper for me to cancel and switch to a different provider...
He agreed and said "unfortunately when these type off issues happen, thats usually the outcome"

I asked how come I was able to upgrade at 11-12 months in the past and he said whenever the bill is over a certain amount then customers are granted an earlier upgrade. (I've read before that it's anything over $99)
For the most part my bill has been the same, if anything I'm paying more now for the faster data plans.

The only thing I can think of is... For over 2 years while in a long distance relationship, I would have expensive payments because of international (Canada) calling to my new GF.
She's living here now, so my bill has been pretty consistent for the past year.

I currently pay about $150.83 for two iPhones (family plan with individual data).
My main line is $114.89 and her line is $35.94

ATT changed their policy on this recently. They used to give upgrades every 12 months to accounts over 100 dollars I think, and were the main lines ( something like this). They have stopped doing this, and now all upgrades are 20 months like everyone else.

The line on my account the 4S was purchased on would normallty be ready for an update, but now it is available in may of 2013. It is just how it is.

 

[xerenthar]

You can add more lines to a family plan for $9.99 per month including for your girlfriend (unless she wants the iPhone). The dummy line for $30 would be true if you switch from the traditional family plan to the new mobile share plan.

What if she wants an iPhone? Are all family plans new "mobile share" and dummies are 30?

 

[TomTomTuning]

I'm pretty upset at the moment, here's the story...

I've been with AT&T since before the original iPhone, 2006ish I believe.
The contract was originally under my (ex) girlfriends name.
I've been able to upgrade to the newest iPhone on release each year.
We split up a while ago but we kept the phones in her name.
I decided last year to transfer the billing responsibility to my name.
I lost my unlimited data but I eventually accepted that.

A few weeks ago I called AT&T about an unrelated question.
After that question was answered, I asked about upgrading my phone soon since the iPhone5 should be coming out soon. She said she didn't see any reason why I shouldn't be able to upgrade again like i've done in the past. She even mentioned how she can see that this account has been around since 2006.

I have a buyer for my current 64GB iPhone 4S, he wants to pick it up tonight.
I decided to check my eligibility online and it said I cannot upgrade till May 2013.
WTF? So I decided to call, I was super polite and eventually was talking with a manager.
I explained to him the whole issue and he said he couldn't do anything and my only option is to pay the $250 early upgrade fee.

I mentioned it would be cheaper for me to cancel and switch to a different provider...
He agreed and said "unfortunately when these type off issues happen, thats usually the outcome"

I asked how come I was able to upgrade at 11-12 months in the past and he said whenever the bill is over a certain amount then customers are granted an earlier upgrade. (I've read before that it's anything over $99)
For the most part my bill has been the same, if anything I'm paying more now for the faster data plans.

The only thing I can think of is... For over 2 years while in a long distance relationship, I would have expensive payments because of international (Canada) calling to my new GF.
She's living here now, so my bill has been pretty consistent for the past year.

I currently pay about $150.83 for two iPhones (family plan with individual data).
My main line is $114.89 and her line is $35.94

ATT changed their policy on this recently. They used to give upgrades every 12 months to accounts over 100 dollars I think, and were the main lines ( something like this). They have stopped doing this, and now all upgrades are 20 months like everyone else.

The line on my account the 4S was purchased on would normallty be ready for an update, but now it is available in may of 2013. It is just how it is.

I called AT&T again and choose the general customer support option.
I got in contact with a wonderful representative that really took the time to help me.
She contacted higher ups and has opened a case in attempt to resolve my issue.
She sounded pretty confident that a positive resolution is to come.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[chraos]

AT&T just flat out lied to me, wish I had been recording the conversation. I called customer service to ask what my ETF would be since I am not eligible for an upgrade till 05/2013 and was immediately given the standard "we would hate to lose you" spiel. After 10 minutes of ducking my original question, the rep finally told me that my ETF would be $215, which is still cheaper than the early upgrade price. OR IS IT?! When I pointed this fact out, the rep actually had the balls to tell me that the the Early Upgrade Price is now only $150. They claimed that this lower Early Upgrade fee is only going to stay effective for a limited time (yea, right) for the iPhone 5 only because they wanted to "help all our loyal customers out." I told the rep multiple times that their website currently shows that Early Upgrade Pricing for me would still be $449 (16GB) and they claimed that by the time I go to place the preorder at midnight, the new lower price should show. I asked if this Early Upgrade discount applied to just to me or to everyone and they said it applies to everyone eligible for early upgrades. Basic logic tells me that this rep was either severely misinformed or blatantly lying. Anyone else call AT&T and receive similar information?