Contract vs. Monthly Math - Am I missing Something?

[randymac88]

Hi Everyone,

Apologize if this has been discussed ad nauseum already, but as I'm running through various scenarios in my head, I'm wondering whether going the contract route is the best way for me to go. I am upgrading out of my 2-year contract w/Verizon after only 1 year, and am hoping someone out there can double-check my match/logic:

Monthly Payment - iPhone 6S+ 64GB
$35.37/month * 24 months = $848.88 + $75.37 tax ($924.25) (new line added)
Minus trade-in w/Verizon ($350), applied to bill
+ETF from 2yr contract line: $230
Total Phone Cost: $804.25

or

New Contract - iPhone 6S+ 64GB
$399.99 Phone Cost + $35.50 tax ($435.49)
Minus trade-in w/Verizon ($350), applied to bill
+ETF from 2yr contract line: $230
Phone Cost: $315.49
+Additional Cost for Verizon Line Access: +$25/month (over pre-paid plan)*24 ($600)
Total Phone Cost: $915.49

Am I missing anything? Thanks for your help!

 

[DoofenshmirtzEI]

What are you trading in? You can probably get more than the $350 they're giving you if the phone is only a year old.

 

[randymac88]

Its an iPhone 6...I am going the easy route and just want to trade it in with no fuss and no hassle. I could probably get more for it, but I just want the easy way out.

 

[BrianBaughn]

What are you trading in? You can probably get more than the $350 they're giving you if the phone is only a year old.

When I ran my numbers at the first of the year I made sure that I included the taxes and fees that ATT was piling on me at the time. They say they have no control over it but it just doesn't make sense. Straight Talk adds $3.88 to my monthly $42.50 charge...and that's it.

Paying my ETF and buying an unlocked iPhone 6 outright to move to ST was a good bit cheaper than what they were going to be for 2 years. As a bonus I sold my old iPhone on Ebay. I can also move my service if a better deal makes it attractive.