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Getting AT&T to waive Activation fees...
- Thread starter FooArk
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In the many other threads asking this same question most people have not been able to get them to waive the upgrade fee.
For upgrades, because you obviously won't sign a new contract unless you are upgrading.
For upgrades, because you obviously won't sign a new contract unless you are upgrading.
Well if you are new then you aren't upgrading.
If you are a new customer and sign up for the very first time then there is a $36 activation fee.
If you are already a customer and upgrade your phone then there is a $36 upgrade fee.
i got mine waived too (activation) when i opened a new line out of contract. I find that if youre talking about a line thats not under contract, you have more leverage because they know you can leave whenever you want.
We haven't paid one in years. My wife calls and tells them we want it taken off because we are good customers and always pay the bill blah blah blah and it's never a problem.
Excellent point; good basis for argument that there's no AT&T CSR to be paid out of the upgrade fee since it was a purchase via another establishment.
Apollo Group University of Phoenix.
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They can't waive the fee in store.
I sent an email. They said I already got an upgrade fee waived last fall.
However, they gave me a $25.00 credit. Annoying considering some got it waived completely, but $25 is better than nothing.
This upgrade fee is annoying business practice. I'd rather than build it into the price of the phone or bill if they had to, this type of fee really annoys consumers.
However, they gave me a $25.00 credit. Annoying considering some got it waived completely, but $25 is better than nothing.
This upgrade fee is annoying business practice. I'd rather than build it into the price of the phone or bill if they had to, this type of fee really annoys consumers.
The $25.00 credit is AT&T's standard "get this annoying customer out of our hair" credit. Most CS reps have wide latitude in issuing such a credit so long as it's not a frequent thing on a user's account history, and the account is in good standing. Above that, they have to escalate the issue a bit.
So most likely, the rep handling your request tossed you that bone in the hopes you'd take it and s/he wouldn't have to do any extra work. Also, escalating is a bit of a gamble: if an upper tier support rep says no, they can also say no to the $25, and you get nothing at all.
On one hand, your complaint wasn't really registered with AT&T, but on the other, you got a partial credit with little fuss.
Agreed, it's basically free money, especially when a customer buys their phone from Apple.
I don't see why. Nobody is forcing anybody to upgrade their phone every year when they knowingly sign and agree to a 2 year contract.
Because the upgrade fee is not IN the contract, and as evidenced by people who can get it waived, enforcement on the fee is non-uniform. AT&T's stated justification for the fee is also in dispute when a customer doesn't use AT&T's sales channels to upgrade, such as when they buy from Apple. In such cases, Apple expends the staff and the resources to sell and activate the phones, and yet is not reimbursed for any of the "cost recovery" AT&T is allegedly collecting from this fee.
The $36 fee has nothing to do with every year I don't think? It's whenever you upgrade, even if you waited 5 years. I just find this fee annoying because it's like "tack one thing on the customer that isn't as up-front so they won't notice and complain."
Also...they told me the $36 covers the cost to teach the retailer, Apple, how to setup the phones on their network. haha.
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I ordered my iPhone 5s gold on the 22nd online w apple.com. It says it will ship in October. Fine I will wait for this mysterious shipping date but I noticed as soon as I ordered the phone there was a $36 upgrade fee on my ATT bill. BEFORE I even received the phone, before it shipped before I even activate it. What is going on? I don't ever remember this happening before, is this now normal practice. I'm calling tomorrow to get this straightened out. It's a stupid fee for someone who has been a long standing customer w multiple lines and pays the bill on time. Ugggggg
My girlfriend and I upgraded our phones. I did an online chat and the rep was able to waive both upgrade fees. I didn't even have to ask twice. The rep was very friendly, so I decided to be really nice to her which paid off. Convo is below.
REP: Hi Justin!I'm the upgrade expert. Let me answer all those questions you have for upgrade
Me: Hi. I have a FAN discount on my account and I was wondering if that waives upgrade fees? I just upgraded 2 phones on my account.
REP: Wow! Congratulations with your new phones Justin! How is it?I'm checking the discount as we speak.
Me: My girlfriend and I are in love with the new iPhones, they are amazing. Thanks for asking
REP: Awesome!
Me: Oh it's ridiculously fast! It's faster than my home WiFi network!
REP: I definitely agree on that! And we also have 23,000 wifi hotspot nationwide. I've already checked the discount, And yes. We can definitely waive the fee
Me: Thank you so much I appreciate it! To clarify, are you waiving both $36 fees?
REP: Yes.
REP: Can you also provide me your wireless number please. I'll be sending you a free text confirmation.
Me: Yes I have it installed. I always use the app to check my usage and pay my bill. Thank you so much for waiving it, this is why I stay with AT&T because of great customer service.
I don't know what FAN technically stands for, but AT&T gives me a discount on my plan because of where I work. They call this type of discount a FAN account.
Foundation Account Number.
Most people with a FAN don't pay activation fees. They do get charged upgrade fees. For those, you have to negotiate with a rep to try to get them waived.
I got 3 of mine waived this year. Gotta call and try for the 4th.