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nwbearcat21

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 16, 2016
12
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I don't want to do the loan through apple as I don't need it on my credit when I can just do payments through AT&T. But when I pick trade in on the apple site the option for AT&T carrier payments goes away. So is the only way to trade my phone in to do the loan with apple?
 
Was wondering the same thing.

There are no AT&T installment plan options for selection, only Apple iPhone Payment.

My iPhone X 256GB is paid off.

That means existing carrier installment plan users have to either apply for the loan or pay for the device outright minus the trade in. BOGUS.
 
Ya that defeats the whole purpose, the only reason I would trade it in to apple is to make my monthly payments less. I don't care about the gift card. Makes my payments like $17 more a month not being able to trade in. Sucks.
 
I wonder if it’s possible to opt for the “no trade in” option, select your AT&T installment plan that way, then trade in your device and apply that gift card to the phone after the fact?? :eek:
 
I wonder if it’s possible to opt for the “no trade in” option, select your AT&T installment plan that way, then trade in your device and apply that gift card to the phone after the fact?? :eek:

Just tried it. That absolutely brings up the ATT payment option.
 
Guess that confirms I’ll do an ATT purchase then.

Unless AT&T’s process has improved, this is a nightmare. Apple takes the cake for smoothest preorders.

Just tried it. That absolutely brings up the ATT payment option.

Yes, at a higher cost though.

$35.37 in to $52.05 is a significant increase with/without trade in.

May take a trip to the Apple store on lunch to inquire about the post purchase gift card application or something for those with paid off devices.
 
Unless AT&T’s process has improved, this is a nightmare. Apple takes the cake for smoothest preorders.



Yes, at a higher cost though.

$35.37 in to $52.05 is a significant increase with/without trade in.

May take a trip to the Apple store on lunch to inquire about the post purchase gift card application or something for those with paid off devices.

Everyone I’ve ever done was through ATT and I’ve never had any issues. I know others have though.
 
Here’s another idea, walking into the Apple store with said device to be applied to purchase if they’d allow it, but that ruins the “preorder” aspect.
 
I got day one every time expect on the 7 Plus. I did two orders and got one pretty early and the second one a couple weeks later.

I have received the Note 7 , iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS Max and Apple Watch Series 4 all on release day by around 10:00 AM and ordered directly through the ATT site. Last year it was around 8 hours after preorders went live before I ordered and still received the phone and watch on release day. The one caveat is that you don’t see any movement as soon as you would ordering with Apple. I don’t get (am forced?!?) to track a plane from China. I only get tracking and shipment info 1 to 2 days before delivery.
 
I think once the phone is officially launched the carrier option will appear on Apple's site.

Right now, I think Apple is pushing it's own upgrade plan (on it's own site) but I believe the purchase page changes when sales are live. I've done the AT&T monthly payments through Apple's site before, so I'm thinking it's going to be when sales are live.
 
Here’s another idea, walking into the Apple store with said device to be applied to purchase if they’d allow it, but that ruins the “preorder” aspect.
They do allow it, because I have done that before and they put the trade in amount towards ATT Next which lowered the payments
 
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No, i've never heard of that.

They do now, the old Next plans are no longer available:

AT&T Next Up℠
  • Requires AT&T Installment Plan with Next Up
  • Trade in and upgrade after paying off 50% of your phone.
  • Never miss out on the newest device.
  • Best option for early adopters.
  • Enjoy this flexibility for only $5 more per month.
 
They do now, the old Next plans are no longer available:

AT&T Next Up℠
  • Requires AT&T Installment Plan with Next Up
  • Trade in and upgrade after paying off 50% of your phone.
  • Never miss out on the newest device.
  • Best option for early adopters.
  • Enjoy this flexibility for only $5 more per month.
We just got an Xr in August at Costco to get the $250 Costco cash card promo on an ATT 24 mo Next installment plan, not the Next Up plan. It's fine, we have never done the upgrade trade in at 50% anyway.
 
Last edited:
After some thought, I think I will just pay the increase, and trade my iPhone X in after the fact. If I can’t apply that towards the phone purchase, I may apply it towards a pair of Beats Powerbeats Pro since my AirPods are showing signs of life.
 
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