Does the AT&T iPhone Preorder Contract Loophole Still Exist?

[kuloch]

From at least the iPhone 4 through the 5, AT&T had an undocumented loophole that if you pre-ordered a new iPhone, you were not hit with the $250 early upgrade fee. This made annual upgrades a no-brainer, as long as you could afford the gap between the preorder and selling your 1-year-old phone on eBay or Craigslist.

I couldn't afford the gap last year, so I don't know whether this loophole still exists. I'm hoping to use it for my sister-in-law, as her line doesn't hit the 2 year contract release until March.

Is this loophole still available? Or was it so obscure that no one here even knew about it?

 

[lienhart]

My sister desperately wants to upgrade her 5S as it's pretty banged up, if you'd like to tell a little aboht this loophole

 

[nikhsub1]

There never was such a loophole. You think ATT doesn't charge you if you preorder? I have a bridge to sell you too!

 

[nostresshere]

From at least the iPhone 4 through the 5, AT&T had an undocumented loophole that if you pre-ordered a new iPhone, you were not hit with the $250 early upgrade fee. This made annual upgrades a no-brainer, as long as you could afford the gap between the preorder and selling your 1-year-old phone on eBay or Craigslist.

I couldn't afford the gap last year, so I don't know whether this loophole still exists. I'm hoping to use it for my sister-in-law, as her line doesn't hit the 2 year contract release until March.

Is this loophole still available? Or was it so obscure that no one here even knew about it?

What in the world are you talking about?

 

[mtneer]

Now that you posted it here, it will definitely not work. Even if it ever worked at all in the first place.

 

[TheBama]

He's talking about AT&T pushing up upgrade eligibility on iPhone lines, which they have done in the past automatically for some releases.

No official word, but those calling are getting stone-walled on upgrade dates since AT&T really wants people to take the Next option and not a subsidized line.

 

[mr1581]

they definitely stopped that last year. It was only on the primary line.. giving the ability to upgrade every year to new iphone..but last year it was stopped cold...

 

[kuloch]

It was not limited to the primary line, and it was definitely not free (or a pipe dream). You paid the 2-year contract price for an iPhone preorder, even if your current phone was only 1 year into its current 2-year contract. The benefit to this "loophole" was simply not having the extra $250 added on top, which AT&T normally applies between x months and 2 years.

I hardly believed it when a friend told me about it, but it still worked great - as of 2 years ago, when I last used it.

I guess I'll have to see for myself in a few days whether or not it still works.

 

[Ajones330]

It was not limited to the primary line, and it was definitely not free (or a pipe dream). You paid the 2-year contract price for an iPhone preorder, even if your current phone was only 1 year into its current 2-year contract. The benefit to this "loophole" was simply not having the extra $250 added on top, which AT&T normally applies between x months and 2 years.

I hardly believed it when a friend told me about it, but it still worked great - as of 2 years ago, when I last used it.

I guess I'll have to see for myself in a few days whether or not it still works.

No more early upgrade options beside doing the NEXT plan. You have to have a full upgrade available if you do not want to do the NEXT upgrade...

 

[maokh]

If you are hit with excessive fees or a limited discount, id forgo the 2 year contract and buy it outright.

 

[karmatourer]

Not true.My upgrade date is Sep 22 and I called in July to ask if they would move my date up and AT&T said your upgrade date is now the 1st of the month. I called in August and today to verify and got same response.Went to AT&T site it says I am upgrade eligible already.

He's talking about AT&T pushing up upgrade eligibility on iPhone lines, which they have done in the past automatically for some releases.

No official word, but those calling are getting stone-walled on upgrade dates since AT&T really wants people to take the Next option and not a subsidized line.

----------

Also,the upgrade fee is now $40,up from $36.

 

[Maven1975]

Call AT&T, threaten to cancel.

Act this way with them. I won't sweat the ETF, I can sell the 5s to pay the ETF.

Always had my upgrade bumped this way.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Call AT&T, threaten to cancel.

Act this way with them. I won't sweat the ETF, I can sell the 5s to pay the ETF.

Always had my upgrade bumped this way.

So by calling ATT and being an ******* you can get your entitlement.

 

[Maven1975]

Below.

 

[Maven1975]

So by calling ATT and being an ******* you can get your entitlement.

Pretty much. I pay for their overpriced service. Their business practices and tactics are extremely shady. Don't fool yourself.

I'm suggesting everyone votes with their wallet. Its up to them to give a decision.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Pretty much. I pay for their overpriced service. Their business practices and tactics are extremely shady. Don't fool yourself.

I'm suggesting everyone votes with their wallet. Its up to them to give a decision.

Eveyone is getting reading to "vote with their wallet" and the vote will be overwhelming in favor of Apple. May the others move aside and get out of the way!

 

[miamialley]

No more early upgrade options beside doing the NEXT plan. You have to have a full upgrade available if you do not want to do the NEXT upgrade...

That's not true. My contract ends in April '15 and I'm eligible for a $200 discount on a full priced phone if I sign a 2 year contract. They do this because I have some leverage in that I can pay EFT and switch carriers. I'd like to see how much my EFT would be, as I can't recall how much it is.