Contract and Subsidy Issues for iPhone Users Looking to Upgrade to iPhone 3G S

[michelle21]

R, it just doesn't make good long term business sense.

Its only technically fair (to use your words) to the cell phone carrier, the producer (Apple) loses possible revenue. A 12 month cycle makes more sense.

But watch how I now get pounced on by the "its a contract" crowd.

I'm used to it, I post on the space advocacy forums there you have real lawmakers making stupid remarks to justify 5 year gaps and depending on the Russians for LEO. This forum is tame as a sandbox.

 

[Peace]

Ground Truth: It turns out, the majority of what everyone, including myself, has been thinking with regards to the new iPhone is false. For those of you with iPhones, please simply dial 611 (customer service). They'll tell you the same thing...

iPhone 3Gs: Current iPhone 3G customers DO qualify for new line pricing. I called customer service...they cancelled my existing contract, with no termination fees. Then they put a note in the system that authorizes me to walk into an ATT store and pre-order the 3Gs, either the 16 or 32, black or white, makes no difference. The only catch is going to an ATT store in person for the pre-order upgrade. But, yes, we can actually get the iPhone 3Gs at the discounted, new line prices.

Tethering -- Ok, so our existing iPhone data plans just went from $30 to $40 if you get the new phone, however, that extra $10 is what gives you the tethering. There will be no additional $40-$70 cost, on top of the $30 data plan we already pay, as many have suggested. Currently, the combined iPhone/tethering bandwidth usage will be limited to 5GB per month.

So, the only two unknowns here (1) If/when that limit will be lifted, or (2) if a tiered system will be available. However, when compared to the approximately $60 laptop data connect I was paying with Verizon, which is what ATT also charges, an extra $10 to have an all in one device, that frees up a USB port and actually saves me $50 a month really isn't that bad

Please spread the word...

Your word is wrong. I called ATT customer service and they told me I had to pay the $499 upgrade price even though I've been with ATT for years and I have had both previous iPhones from day 1.

 

[michelle21]

Your word is wrong. I called ATT customer service and they told me I had to pay the $499 upgrade price even though I've been with ATT for years and I have had both previous iPhones from day 1.

499.00, whats so special about 32g, I've been happy with 8g. We learned a long time ago that you keep a minimum amount of media on the phone and the rest on some-kind of file server. Get a time capsule it will work over a sticky IP address.

 

[Mnnymonhak]

I'm being punished for the corporate discount, right?

I keep being told I can only upgrade at the full $599/699 price and am not eligible for an upgrade price until April 2010, even though I bought the phone last July. I finally figured out that this is probably because I have a FAN (corporate discount) that brings my bill (usually) in at just under $70 a month. And it turns out the less you pay on your bill, the harder they make it for you to upgrade, with the sub-$70 monthly price toughest of all.

Question: If I took off the FAN and raised my monthly bill, do you think that would qualify me for the 399/499 price everyone else is being offered? Or is it too late for that?

 

[Peace]

499.00, whats so special about 32g, I've been happy with 8g. We learned a long time ago that you keep a minimum amount of media on the phone and the rest on some-kind of file server. Get a time capsule it will work over a sticky IP address.

My reply was concerning the price structure and had nothing to do with storage.

 

[maokh]

The "S" stands for "Stop Gap" ...

 

[michelle21]

My reply was concerning the price structure and had nothing to do with storage.

Still am curious, because even some of the biggest complainers here are going after the higher priced phone. you mentioned 499 which is the partial subsidized upgrade for the 32g phone. My strategy is to go for the 16g its still an 8g upgrade over my existing.

 

[speedracer81]

I keep being told I can only upgrade at the full $599/699 price and am not eligible for an upgrade price until April 2010, even though I bought the phone last July. I finally figured out that this is probably because I have a FAN (corporate discount) that brings my bill (usually) in at just under $70 a month. And it turns out the less you pay on your bill, the harder they make it for you to upgrade, with the sub-$70 monthly price toughest of all.

Question: If I took off the FAN and raised my monthly bill, do you think that would qualify me for the 399/499 price everyone else is being offered? Or is it too late for that?

I do not think the corporate discount is making the difference. I have a corporate discount, bought the 3G on the first day, and I am eligible for $399/$499 now, and 3/10 upgrade pricing. My bill is about $74 per month with taxes.

 

[teknishn]

My solution to this problem has been pretty simple. I have a family share plan with my wife and I. Her contract expiration and mine are offset by a year so I can always get an upgrade to the latest rigs 1 year later.

 

[MacGuffin]

Adopt in haste, repent in leisure. Eat my 3GS dust.

And with the price cut, what's the value of a used old-school iPhone now? $75? $60? Doorstop?

 

[michelle21]

I do not think the corporate discount is making the difference. I have a corporate discount, bought the 3G on the first day, and I am eligible for $399/$499 now, and 3/10 upgrade pricing. My bill is about $74 per month with taxes.

Sign into your account , there is a link about early upgrade plans and explains the tier priced cycle, trouble with that link is you would think it doesn't apply to the iphone. But parts of it do. Anyway if you are paying over 100 its a 12m cylcle, over 69.0 (I think) its 18 months and under that 24 months.
Thats before taxes and fees. Check the link , this is from memory.

 

[cameronjpu]

My solution to this problem has been pretty simple. I have a family share plan with my wife and I. Her contract expiration and mine are offset by a year so I can always get an upgrade to the latest rigs 1 year later.

Heh, and your wife never gets a new phone! Outstanding! What happens when she gets half of everything because of the years of second class citizen treatment?

 

[.:R2theT]

Still am curious, because even some of the biggest complainers here are going after the higher priced phone. you mentioned 499 which is the partial subsidized upgrade for the 32g phone. My strategy is to go for the 16g its still an 8g upgrade over my existing.

Because generally the logic is to go with the highest storage/memory possible one can afford for these types of devices.

And not everyone shares your ideas on storage.

Personally, I am going to wait until next years model and hopefully my patience will get me OLED and 64 GB. I have the 8 GB 1st. gen. iPhone and I like to keep apps, at least one movie and all of Frisky Dingo on it at all times. Plus, music and pictures and contact info. I usually have a bit less than a GB left. And I would carry more if I had the storage.

But I am patient, I will wait until I feel I have gotten my $399 out of this device first.

 

[ibookowner2]

this is so frustrating, why is there such a variance in the answers from people!!

 

[dukebound85]

this is so frustrating, why is there such a variance in the answers from people!!

lol i feel your pain

 

[PhaserFuzz]

Question..

I'm on a family plan with 2 others. One of them is eligible for an upgrade. Is it possible to get the discounted 3G with their account, then swap the sim card with my old 3G? I'd just give them my old iPhone. Is this even possible?

 

[Mike2128]

this is so frustrating, why is there such a variance in the answers from people!!

It depends on the value of your price plan. If you are on a higher price plan, like say, the $99.99 unlimited calling plan, you can upgrade sooner because they recoup cost faster. If you're like me and only need the $39.99 450 minute plan, upgrades are after 18 months. It's pretty simple, really.

 

[michelle21]

It depends on the value of your price plan. If you are on a higher price plan, like say, the $99.99 unlimited calling plan, you can upgrade sooner because they recoup cost faster. If you're like me and only need the $39.99 450 minute plan, upgrades are after 18 months. It's pretty simple, really.

but not explained very well.

For instance I just found out I can actually get the upgrade for 199 and save money by adding a line and converting to the family talk plan.

I wish someone would have explained these options last year.

 

[OriginalMasta]

Adopt in haste, repent in leisure. Eat my 3GS dust.

And with the price cut, what's the value of a used old-school iPhone now? $75? $60? Doorstop?

WTF are you yappin' about? Are you glowing from the fact you happily pay up the arse for AT&T sub-par services and that your new iPhone 3GS is so much better than the iPhone 3G, you have to come out and dance?!

I have 2 unlocked iPhone 3G's. Jailbroken + Unlock = worth more than your iPhone 3GS (unjailbroken, locked).

These unlocked mint condition iPhone's can sell for at leaset $350 - $600 USD. $600 is a bit of a stretch, but $350 - $450 easily.

 

[bry2k]

Sign into your account , there is a link about early upgrade plans and explains the tier priced cycle, trouble with that link is you would think it doesn't apply to the iphone. But parts of it do. Anyway if you are paying over 100 its a 12m cylcle, over 69.0 (I think) its 18 months and under that 24 months.
Thats before taxes and fees. Check the link , this is from memory.

That makes sense. I bought my iPhone 3G (never owned the 2G) last July, and it says I'm eligible for $399/$499 now, and full eligibility on 1/7/2010. My billl falls in the $69-$99 range. Oh well...I guess I gotta wait.

What does a used 3G fetch on eBay these days? If somebody wants a 3G in perfect condition (never been dropped and always had its protective cover on the body & screen), I'd consider selling it and upgrading early. Then the buyer gets a 3G iPhone and doesn't have to sign a contract, and I get to upgrade early and offset the higher early upgrade price.

(When I think it through, really the folks who wait and buy a used iPhone are getting the best deal all around...waiting really does save you a lot of money in the long run).

 

[mac*jedi*g]

Don't worry about it

This is the 1st Generation iPhone owner's time. Remember how they felt last year when we, iPhone 3G buyers, had our chance to "one-up" them? All those great features that that 1st Gen iPhone didn't have, and we let them know about it.... Well now we have to reap what is sown. That is the nature of these AT&T, or any cellphone carrier for that matter, 2-year agreements. "They f**k you in the Drive Thru!"

What is really needed here is reform. As long as Apple keep giving us a new product every 12 months these 2-years agreement are so outdated and unorthodox. They are not in line with the consumer wants or needs at this time. Plus, AT&T should be b*tch-slapped by Apple for not having their policies and agreements in place for tethering and MMS. How embarrassing is it when the mainland can not use these features upon introduction, while just about everyone outside the US will have them ready at launch? I know anyone who watched that Keynote address heard the smirks when AT&T was mentioned. The problem is definitely not Apple, but AT&T is dropping the ball in more ways than one.

 

[ubestbsteppin]

That makes sense. I bought my iPhone 3G (never owned the 2G) last July, and it says I'm eligible for $399/$499 now, and full eligibility on 1/7/2010. My billl falls in the $69-$99 range. Oh well...I guess I gotta wait.

What does a used 3G fetch on eBay these days? If somebody wants a 3G in perfect condition (never been dropped and always had its protective cover on the body & screen), I'd consider selling it and upgrading early. Then the buyer gets a 3G iPhone and doesn't have to sign a contract, and I get to upgrade early and offset the higher early upgrade price.

(When I think it through, really the folks who wait and buy a used iPhone are getting the best deal all around...waiting really does save you a lot of money in the long run).

I'm in the same boat as you except it says I need to pay $699 for the 3Gs. Someone here mentioned this might be because I haven't paid my latest bill. But my account says I don't have a bill due until July 2nd. Is this the case with you?

 

[zizo79]

That makes sense. I bought my iPhone 3G (never owned the 2G) last July, and it says I'm eligible for $399/$499 now, and full eligibility on 1/7/2010. My billl falls in the $69-$99 range. Oh well...I guess I gotta wait.

What does a used 3G fetch on eBay these days? If somebody wants a 3G in perfect condition (never been dropped and always had its protective cover on the body & screen), I'd consider selling it and upgrading early. Then the buyer gets a 3G iPhone and doesn't have to sign a contract, and I get to upgrade early and offset the higher early upgrade price.

(When I think it through, really the folks who wait and buy a used iPhone are getting the best deal all around...waiting really does save you a lot of money in the long run).

If you really want the new Iphone 3GS at the discounted price you should go to your ATT store and talk to the manager and don`t let them fool ya with the usual "I can't" ..a manager has the power to override your upgrade eligibility at their discretion of course. I did it and it worked !!
Right before I did that, I spent a lot of time on the phone trying to get an upgrade without any results: ATT's customer service really sucks!!
Basically, We are asking ATT if they want our business by renewing our contracts and keep giving us all this BS

 

[firstapple]

If you really want the new Iphone 3GS at the discounted price you should go to your ATT store and talk to the manager and don`t let them fool ya with the usual "I can't" ..a manager has the power to override your upgrade eligibility at their discretion of course. I did it and it worked !!

This quote is true. I just got off the phone with AT&T customer service, and it will be up to the store manager to give you the $399 16GB ; $499 32GB upgrade price.

I am currently working on my post which tells the whole story I got from customer service.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

This is the 1st Generation iPhone owner's time. Remember how they felt last year when we, iPhone 3G buyers, had our chance to "one-up" them? All those great features that that 1st Gen iPhone didn't have, and we let them know about it.... Well now we have to reap what is sown. That is the nature of these AT&T, or any cellphone carrier for that matter, 2-year agreements. "They f**k you in the Drive Thru!"

Yup. I got my first gen iPhone on the ATT refurb deal, too bad ATT didn't see a dime of my cash. I unlocked it and kept it on my t-mo account from day one!

But alas, its time to pay my dues, and I deem the 3G "Tuned by Jobs" model to quite a capable device. I can't help but LOL at the masses. At first they are pissed that ATT won't give them ANOTHER subsidized device, then they try to bag it and SPECULATE about the future iPhone having time travel, 1 Tb, Twenty Cameras, Ultra High Definition Display and elaborate racketeering by Apple and every carrier in the world to really only benefit the original 3G purchasers in the year 2010.

Give me a break.