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Carrier Got upgrade fees waived by AT&T

T

thecore762

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 20, 2014
380
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I upgrade two lines on my plan, from iPhone 6 to the 7+ few weeks ago, I have a FAN account, their definition on the terms and services were very confusing, so I called two days ago to att and spoke to a nice rep, he told me he would waive the upgrade fees as a one time curtesy and that he did, saved $50 on my bill this month.

I don't understand why they say when you activate a new device it would be waived, but isn't the same thing upgrading a device since you are getting a brand new phone?

Right now my FAN discount is useless pretty much, since I upgraded to the Unlimited Plus plan. But at least I am getting a $25 discount on my directv services.
Paying $290 monthly 3 lines, and Directv it's not bad.
 
These BS upgrade fees need to go away. I am never a fan of the government interfering with business but I do wonder how they are "legal." I chatted with AT&T today and here was the rep's explanation for the fee:

"The upgrade fee is what would allow the new device to connect to our network, use the data and all the services, the activation fee will open the channels so the device can work properly under our spectrum with your current number."

That is complete BS.
 
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That's total nonsense.
Since they clearly making up fees to profit over nothing they should just be honest about it.
We know every year millions of our customers buy the new devices and we came out with an upgrade charge to make billions in profit because were greedy.


TonyC28 said:
These BS upgrade fees need to go away. I am never a fan of the government interfering with business but I do wonder how they are "legal." I chatted with AT&T today and here was the rep's explanation for the fee:

"The upgrade fee is what would allow the new device to connect to our network, use the data and all the services, the activation fee will open the channels so the device can work properly under our spectrum with your current number."

That is complete BS.
Click to expand...
 
Hopefully Apple will continue offering the SIM-free version of new phones right away, like they just did with the iPhone 8. Just buy the phone, swap out the SIM, and show ATT and their "upgrade fee" the finger. ;)
 
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Rigby said:
Hopefully Apple will continue offering the SIM-free version of new phones right away, like they just did with the iPhone 8. Just buy the phone, swap out the SIM, and show ATT and their "upgrade fee" the finger. ;)
Click to expand...
I also asked the rep, while trying not to sound like I was picking an argument, if I would be charged an upgrade fee if I bought a phone at full retail price from Apple and swapped the SIMs myself. His answer:
"Good question! if you upgrade the cellphone from Apple, you will pay the upgrade fee as well"

It really is a completely made up fee.
 
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TonyC28 said:
I also asked the rep, while trying not to sound like I was picking an argument, if I would be charged an upgrade fee if I bought a phone at full retail price from Apple and swapped the SIMs myself. His answer:
"Good question! if you upgrade the cellphone from Apple, you will pay the upgrade fee as well"

It really is a completely made up fee.
Click to expand...

I don't think this is accurate. I have swapped out phones like crazy by just changing SIM cards and I never get an upgrade fee.
 
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Seth Matthews said:
I don't think this is accurate. I have swapped out phones like crazy by just changing SIM cards and I never get an upgrade fee.
Click to expand...
I know this is what I did the last couple years and I couldn't remember if I got charged a fee or not. I hope he was wrong about this.
 
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Yep, they'd love to charge you a fee for nothing. :D
If you tell them you got a new phone and ask for a new sim they could charge you the upgrade fee.
What most do is stick their sim inside the new phone and don't tell AT&T anything;)

TonyC28 said:
I also asked the rep, while trying not to sound like I was picking an argument, if I would be charged an upgrade fee if I bought a phone at full retail price from Apple and swapped the SIMs myself. His answer:
"Good question! if you upgrade the cellphone from Apple, you will pay the upgrade fee as well"

It really is a completely made up fee.
Click to expand...
 
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