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How will getting an AT&T cell plan differ this year?

Four oF NINE said:
Hi, since you work for the company maybe you can explain this. I went to the Apple website and saw the "Next" plan as the only offer. I'm not understanding how this saves money, compared to getting a substantially reduced price on the phone up front, compared to an extra $35 a month for 24 months (counter-intuititively labeled an 18 month plan). Is the phone mine at the conclusion of the 24 months, or am I required to turn it in for a replacement when the iPhone 7S comes out?

The at&t rep I spoke with on the phone said my grandfathered unlimited data would still be available, regardless of which plan I go with, but I needed to get the phone from at&t to get the 2 year contract I'm accustomed to. If I have to turn in the phone with the "Next" plan, I don't think that's as desirable.

Also, I've always bought the phone from Apple, is the at&t store getting the same colors and storage capacities?

Thank you for your response.
Click to expand...
Hi! Thank you for your question.
So, I'm going to give you some information so you can better make your decision.
AT&T has taken the 2-year option away from third parties; i.e. Apple.
Now, you can definitely still do a two year contract through AT&T! I would recommend preordering as soon as it becomes available through the MyAT&T app. Use this next week to familiarize yourself with it.
On your UDP it does make sense to do a 2-year. I can tell you that my boyfriend does NEXT on his UDP. He pays more, BUT he gets to upgrade to every new iPhone!
I, myself, am on a new MSV plan and I utilize NEXT because it averages out about $180 cheaper than signing a 2 year. I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but if you'd like to PM me I can go a bit more in depth. Show you break downs and whatnot. I've always been completely transparent to everyone when it comes to their plans and upgrading. I'm ALWAYSgoing to suggest either the cheaper route, or the route that will fit you best after getting to know you and asking questions about you first. =]
 
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Aibocyrus said:
On your UDP it does make sense to do a 2-year. I can tell you that my boyfriend does NEXT on his UDP. He pays more, BUT he gets to upgrade to every new iPhone!
I, myself, am on a new MSV plan and I utilize NEXT because it averages out about $180 cheaper than signing a 2 year. I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but if you'd like to PM me I can go a bit more in depth. Show you break downs and whatnot. I've always been completely transparent to everyone when it comes to their plans and upgrading. I'm ALWAYSgoing to suggest either the cheaper route, or the route that will fit you best after getting to know you and asking questions about you first. =]
Click to expand...

You keep saying that you're "transparent," yet you continue to complicate and obfuscate.

As I portrayed to you in another thread, for an individual user, a two-year agreement is, at worst, a breakeven proposition for less than 10GB, and it's even more favorable with a legacy unlimited data plan.

Four oF NINE is a simple case with a simple answer: Stay with a two-year agreement with the UDP. Your mention of "in depth [sic]" and "break downs [sic]" is manufactured silliness.
 
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Aibocyrus said:
Think what you'd like to think. We've already had word from corporate regarding this change.
Click to expand...

Fact, not belief.

Since you're so confused, perhaps you should ask your boss' boss' boss' boss' boss' boss about said "word."

“I think [the two-year contract] is one of those options that is going to go away slowly, not because we insist on it, but because customers will choose it less often.” Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobile and Business Solutions, June 2, 2015
 
Four oF NINE said:
Hi, since you work for the company maybe you can explain this. I went to the Apple website and saw the "Next" plan as the only offer. I'm not understanding how this saves money, compared to getting a substantially reduced price on the phone up front, compared to an extra $35 a month for 24 months (counter-intuititively labeled an 18 month plan). Is the phone mine at the conclusion of the 24 months, or am I required to turn it in for a replacement when the iPhone 7S comes out?

The at&t rep I spoke with on the phone said my grandfathered unlimited data would still be available, regardless of which plan I go with, but I needed to get the phone from at&t to get the 2 year contract I'm accustomed to. If I have to turn in the phone with the "Next" plan, I don't think that's as desirable.

Also, I've always bought the phone from Apple, is the at&t store getting the same colors and storage capacities?

Thank you for your response.
Click to expand...
When/if you pay the phone off its hours. Next is essentially finding the cost of the phone, that's it (it gives you the option to turn it in and upgrade early without making the remaining payments, but you don't have to make use of that option). It can save some money for those on the current plans with more data. It doesn't really save money for those on older plans (like unlimited), as it wasn't really designed with those plans in mind (given that they haven't been offered for some time).
 
cousintim said:
You keep saying that you're "transparent," yet you continue to complicate and obfuscate.

As I portrayed to you in another thread, for an individual user, a two-year agreement is, at worst, a breakeven proposition for less than 10GB, and it's even more favorable with a legacy unlimited data plan.

Four oF NINE is a simple case with a simple answer: Stay with a two-year agreement with the UDP. Your mention of "in depth [sic]" and "break downs [sic]" is manufactured silliness.
Click to expand...
Already said for UDP users it makes sense to do two years. I'm really unsure at this point what point you are trying to make? Regardless, even if it doesn't make sense financially, we have plenty of customers, including my boyfriend, that are on UDP with NEXT so they can upgrade every year. I think that's a pretty positive thing. Pay for one line, pays little extra, get the new iPhone every year. It's a win win for them.
I think your hostility towards me is coming from your annoyance towards AT&T for utilizing NEXT. You can go ahead and stop taking it out on me now. I'm here to answer questions and lend suggestions from an insider perspective from someone who is genuine. If you don't think I'm being genuine, that's your problem.
 
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Sticking with my old 2-yr plan is cheaper for me, so I'm going to take my chances with the AT&T website this year. I'd rather save a bit of money, even if it means my phone choice is backordered and I don't get it exactly on release day.

@Aibocyrus, would you recommend ordering using the MyAT&T app or the website?
 
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Similar question - @Aibocyrus, I'm on android currently so I either have the choice of using MyAT&T, the att.com website, or the apple.com website. Which do you think will give me a better chance of getting the first batch of preorder iPhones? Thanks!
 
When I check my upgrade status from myATT it says that if I extend my 2 year contract I will lose my MSVP discount. Does anyone else see this? I want to pay the subsidized price for the 6s, but not if I will lose my discount. Basically they are penalizing me for not doing their NEXT program.
 
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The way that it works now, as with all the carriers, is they are trying to get away from the idea that they sell the phones. They sell the service and just offer the devices. At this point, really no carrier is offering a full subsidize device option from when I can understand. Pretty much no matter what you will be paying for the phone. On a mobile share value plan of 10 GB or higher, you are way better off doing next. You save roughly $180 off the cost of the device by utilizing the next installment plan.
 
My kids are also on the plan. I will probably use their upgrade and give them my old 5s. We bought them some cheap Galaxy s3 mini's (which suck) so I will just trade in those phones to buy a 6s. Does anyone know if I can do this from the Apple Store App? Or from Apple's web site?
 
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ripsaw650 said:
My kids are also on the plan. I will probably use their upgrade and hand them my old 5s. We bought them some cheap Galaxy s3 mini's (which suck) so I will just trade in those phones to buy a 6s. Does anyone know if I can do this from the Apple Store App? Or from Apple's web site?
Click to expand...
For buy backs, you have to take them in so the rep can inspect it first.
 
Aibocyrus said:
Hi! Thank you for your question.
So, I'm going to give you some information so you can better make your decision.
AT&T has taken the 2-year option away from third parties; i.e. Apple.
Now, you can definitely still do a two year contract through AT&T! I would recommend preordering as soon as it becomes available through the MyAT&T app. Use this next week to familiarize yourself with it.
On your UDP it does make sense to do a 2-year. I can tell you that my boyfriend does NEXT on his UDP. He pays more, BUT he gets to upgrade to every new iPhone!
I, myself, am on a new MSV plan and I utilize NEXT because it averages out about $180 cheaper than signing a 2 year. I know this doesn't exactly answer your question, but if you'd like to PM me I can go a bit more in depth. Show you break downs and whatnot. I've always been completely transparent to everyone when it comes to their plans and upgrading. I'm ALWAYSgoing to suggest either the cheaper route, or the route that will fit you best after getting to know you and asking questions about you first. =]
Click to expand...

Why would you recommend pre ordering using the My AT&T app over online ordering on your computer or through your local AT&T Store (assuming that's possible)?
May I PM you as well for information?
 
AJsAWiz said:
Why would you recommend pre ordering using the My AT&T app over online ordering on your computer or through your local AT&T Store (assuming that's possible)?
May I PM you as well for information?
Click to expand...
Of course you may.
The reason I recommend the App approach is its seemed to be more stable for the pre order process than the actual sites as they seem to crash with the traffic.
 
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cousintim said:
Fact, not belief.

Since you're so confused, perhaps you should ask your boss' boss' boss' boss' boss' boss about said "word."

“I think [the two-year contract] is one of those options that is going to go away slowly, not because we insist on it, but because customers will choose it less often.” Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobile and Business Solutions, June 2, 2015
Click to expand...
Again, we have received internal communication on this. It's clearly been made public as well. They've already made movements in the direction to pull the option for two year; i.e. Removing the option from places that sell our service( Apple, target, Best Buy, Walmart, Sam's Club), they've made MSVP data options less expensive, introduced an option for 30% down on the device for customers who may not have otherwise been approved for NEXT. I'm telling you, it's coming. Take it for whatever you want. AT&T is doing it slowly, but it's going to happen. It is what it is.
 
I have no illusions about the two-year subsidized plans eventually going away (I'm actually surprised UDP has been grandfathered for so long), but as long as it's the less expensive option for me I'll stick with it as long as I'm allowed.

Thanks for all the info you've provided, @Aibocyrus.
 
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RabbitLuvr said:
I have no illusions about the two-year subsidized plans eventually going away (I'm actually surprised UDP has been grandfathered for so long), but as long as it's the less expensive option for me I'll stick with it as long as I'm allowed.

Thanks for all the info you've provided, @Aibocyrus.
Click to expand...
I appreciate that! I wouldn't give it up either if I hadn't lost it so long ago lol
 
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Aibocyrus said:
Of course you may.
The reason I recommend the App approach is its seemed to be more stable for the pre order process than the actual sites as they seem to crash with the traffic.
Click to expand...
Aibocyrus, I've already been on Next for over a year. Can I preorder my new iPhone through Apple or do I have to do it through AT&T. My husband and I have a Business Premier account with UDP grandfathered in and was changed from subsidized to Next close to two years ago.

Last year we tried preordering through the AT&T site. It didn't crash but something went wrong for a cluster of orders made at that time and it took close to a month of being stuck in processing limbo before ours and other orders were fulfilled.

OT:
Also...do you own an AIBO? Just asking because I do.
 
GrumpyMom said:
Aibocyrus, I've already been on Next for over a year. Can I preorder my new iPhone through Apple or do I have to do it through AT&T. My husband and I have a Business Premier account with UDP grandfathered in and was changed from subsidized to Next close to two years ago.

Last year we tried preordering through the AT&T site. It didn't crash but something went wrong for a cluster of orders made at that time and it took close to a month of being stuck in processing limbo before ours and other orders were fulfilled.

OT:
Also...do you own an AIBO? Just asking because I do.
Click to expand...
I do own an Aibo! White ERS-7 running mind 3 lol

You should be just fine to upgrade on the Apple Store app just as long as your installments are paid up. You can pay on the MyAT&T app. I believe you have a special MyAT&T app specifically for premier. You could also call your business rep to make the payments if necessary. I just know you have to have all 12, 18, or 24 installments paid in order to use the Apple Store app or site. To be honest I'm not 100% familiar with the premier side of things. I can try to find out today and I'll DM you.
 
ripsaw650 said:
When I check my upgrade status from myATT it says that if I extend my 2 year contract I will lose my MSVP discount. Does anyone else see this? I want to pay the subsidized price for the 6s, but not if I will lose my discount. Basically they are penalizing me for not doing their NEXT program.
Click to expand...

Yes, I saw it clear as a bell a year or so ago when some of those on my MSVP got new phones. They've basically changed their incentives to make the Next plan a better deal than the 2 year contract plan by including a $25/line discount on the MSVP. This is probably coming to you as a shock, as it did me, as the intro price for the 10GB+ MSVP included the $25/line discount on then existing contracts even if they were not on the Next plan but that goes away when you get a new phone unless you switch to Next.

This seems to be pretty clear to me that it is an industry wide change in their pricing model to unbundle the phone costs from the service costs or at least make the relative costs of phone vs. service more transparent.
 
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O
Aibocyrus said:
I do own an Aibo! White ERS-7 running mind 3 lol

You should be just fine to upgrade on the Apple Store app just as long as your installments are paid up. You can pay on the MyAT&T app. I believe you have a special MyAT&T app specifically for premier. You could also call your business rep to make the payments if necessary. I just know you have to have all 12, 18, or 24 installments paid in order to use the Apple Store app or site. To be honest I'm not 100% familiar with the premier side of things. I can try to find out today and I'll DM you.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the answer. I don't want to put you to any trouble. I'll have my husband call our rep and get it squared away. Thank you for the help.

I also have that AIBO! Same color, too. I have some other models as well, all bought back before I became a mom and ended up with all those associated expenses. Unfortunately I didn't maintain the batteries properly. They don't run unless on the charger now. Our tan ERS-7 has a bum leg joint. One of these days when I have the time to return to the hobby I'll get them all running again.

P.S. You represent AT&T well. I hope they treat you well.
 
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