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iPhone 3GS Launch Day Details and AT&T Pricing

NoExpectations said:
Stop crying,,,,you signed a 2 year contract and agreed to a monthly price in order to receive a subsidized price for a very expensive cell phone. If you knew that you wanted to buy a new iPhone every year, do not sign a 2 year contract and pay list price for the iPhone.
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because, you know, no one could buy the iPhone 3G if they bought the first iPhone.

i know it wasn't subsidized, but it's not like this is the first time anyone's wanted to upgrade their iPhone.
 
que?

wait, so whats the point of the 399 and 499 prices if these people still aren't eligible for an upgrade?
I did the eligibility check on apple, and the first time it said 699 for a 32gb. I did it again about 2 hours later and said 499 for 32gb. if i bought my iphone 3G in August, how much will I have to pay if i buy the new iphone on launch day?
 
Shiner said:
Reasons have been stated many times in the earlier posts. Please read them before posting.
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I have read them, and NONE of them make any sense.

Me...My Friend
bought iphone in July 08
had the original iPhone
pay $129 monthly
I'VE been with ATT LONGER
He is eligible in July, me in March 2010. Now, my friend, what reason is there left?
 
Shiner said:
Well if they are not on a family plan then all I can say is to call AT&T and demand the proper time for your contract. If these people truly have the same exact contract down to the penny and bought at the exact same time then that is all that is left to do. I usually find that people say exact same contract but this is not true.
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Or how about AT&T just fix their borked code that is assigning arbitrary dates. The customer shouldn't have to correct AT&T with such frequency.
 
jhCanuck said:
This morning I posted a couple of questions in the Apple forum dedicated to iPhones. Within the hour, my post was deleted.

Sample questions:
"What is likely to happen if Apple does not extend AT&T's exclusivity rights into 2011?

"Would a second carrier be allowed to offer better service at a lower price?
"Would a second carrier be allowed to offer a more flexible upgrade policy... since it is pretty clear the iPhone will be modified on an annual basis?"

I was astonished that such questions would be viewed by someone on the Apple Discussion staff as offensive.

I did, however, receive an email from Apple stating:
"Thank you for your interest in Apple products. The Host Team members, like you, are excited to see what kinds of products Apple will release in the future; however speculation or rumors are not allowed under our terms of use (http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa). Your recent post, titled "What if..... peering into the future?" was speculative in nature and Apple therefore has removed it from Apple Discussions."

Are such questions deemed to be unacceptable here in the MacRumors Forum as well?

I would like there to be someplace where people may ask civil questions about the Apple/AT&T relationship without being censored and silenced.

In my view, speaking as someone who has been buying Apple products regularly for 20 years, there is a deep divide between Apple's philosophy
and the business practices of some cell phone carriers. A product such as the iPhone (which apparently will be improved annually) needs a reasonable plan for upgrading. In Canada, we are locked into three-year contracts and not allowed to buy an iPhone from any source other than the carrier (FIDO or Rogers, twin companies.)

If one cannot, however, even talk about such issues in iPhone forums, then it makes the situation even worse, for no solution will be found until problems are honestly faced.
:apple:
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That's pretty weak that they would censor those pretty basic questions. They're in no way offensive and they're asked all the time. Why they didn't just answer them I don't know.

But I'm curious as to what upgrade plan you wish them to have? If you took a loan out for a car a year ago, and then another came out this year, do you expect your loan company to swap your 1 year old car for the new car? What if we're just talking about a car lease for 2 or 3 years? Does that analogy work better for you?

ATT loaned you $300 when you got your iphone for $200. They PAID apple $300 and you paid Apple $200 for the phone. You basically signed a contract saying you'd be a customer for 2 years and ATT has calculated that even with the $300 in the hole they started with, that eventually (after a year or so) you'd be a profitable client. So here you are, just about to be profitable to ATT and you're asking them for another $300 loan. Now, sure they could extend your contract another 2 years and eventually you'd be close to profitable again for them. Of course next year you'll want a new one again. They're not really in business to break even or lose money. Even if every dime you sent them was pure profit (as if they didn't have empolyees, stores, taxes, R&D and marketing) it would take 6 months to pay back the $300 they loaned you.

Sooooooo- they are happy to set you up for another 2 years. But they've got to recoup the investment they made in you that you want to back out on. So, they have to charge you an extra $200. Depending on when you bought the phone that still might not be a win for them.

Make sense?
 
jhCanuck said:
This morning I posted a couple of questions in the Apple forum dedicated to iPhones. Within the hour, my post was deleted.

Sample questions:
"What is likely to happen if Apple does not extend AT&T's exclusivity rights into 2011?

"Would a second carrier be allowed to offer better service at a lower price?
"Would a second carrier be allowed to offer a more flexible upgrade policy... since it is pretty clear the iPhone will be modified on an annual basis?"

I was astonished that such questions would be viewed by someone on the Apple Discussion staff as offensive.

I did, however, receive an email from Apple stating:
"Thank you for your interest in Apple products. The Host Team members, like you, are excited to see what kinds of products Apple will release in the future; however speculation or rumors are not allowed under our terms of use (http://discussions.apple.com/help.jspa). Your recent post, titled "What if..... peering into the future?" was speculative in nature and Apple therefore has removed it from Apple Discussions."

My deleted Apple post also asked a question that asked for an insightful reply, not mere speculation.

"While it seems clear that Apple is committed to go on producing the 8G 3G model for sale at $99 -- is there any indication that the 16G model will continue to be produced?
"Or will the higher end be replaced by 3G S models?"

"If the latter, what happens in the near future when a 3G iPhone is lost, stolen or broken?
"Is one likely to be offered a 3G S as a replacement... and if so, at what probable cost?"

Are such questions deemed to be unacceptable here in the MacRumors Forum as well?

I would like there to be someplace where people may ask civil questions about the Apple/AT&T relationship without being censored and silenced. (as well as questions concerning carriers in other countries.)

In my view, speaking as someone who has been buying Apple products regularly for 20 years, there is a deep divide between Apple's philosophy and the business practices of some cell phone carriers. A product such as the iPhone (which apparently will be improved annually) needs a reasonable plan for upgrading. In Canada, we are locked into three-year contracts and not allowed to buy an iPhone from any source other than the carrier (FIDO or Rogers, twin companies.)

If one cannot, however, even talk about such issues in iPhone forums, then it makes the customer's situation even worse, for no solution will be found until problems are honestly faced.
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LOL freedom of speech does not apply on THEIR website. I hate when people make this childish argument.
 
Does anyone know of a place on AT&T'S site where us unhappy AT&T customers cam submit comments/complaints to AT&T? I couldn't find a section for that. Even though it will make no difference, I think all of us voicing our opinions to them will let them know how horrible they are doing.
 
dwd3885 said:
I have done this three times, with three different people and frankly, I'm tired of it. There is no logic to the eligibility dates. That's the problem everyone is having here.

It's shame because I really like my iPhone (obviously, or else it wouldn't be a big deal) but I am not going to be renewing my ATT contract and will possibly terminate it early, sell the iPhone, and be up $400
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Well i hope you sell that iPhone for a lot. Early termination fee would wipe your profit out pretty fast. Sounds like cutting of your nose to spite your face.
 
i have purchased the last 2 iPhones on their release date and i just checked my account on att.com as well as called them and i was informed that i was eligible for the new customer price of $199 and $299 for the 16 and 32GB 3GS on July 12 2009. i purchased the 3G on July 11th 2008.

i wonder why i am eligible for the new price on July 12th of this year and 2 of my friends that also purchased their 3G phones on July 11th 2008 just like i did and their account says (they also called) that they have to wait until Dec of this year to get the new pricing?

glad its not me that has to wait but just doesn't make any sense?
 
so is another option to cancel your current plan...pay the early termination fee which should be about 120 bucks if you are 12 months into it, then resign up to get the cheap pricing?

That's a way to save couple hundred bucks off their 599 prices.
 
Shiner said:
Well i hope you sell that iPhone for a lot. Early termination fee would wipe your profit out pretty fast. Sounds like cutting of your nose to spite your face.
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early termination is $105 for me. so no, not really.
 
fletch33 said:
i have purchased the last 2 iPhones on their release date and i just checked my account on att.com as well as called them and i was informed that i was eligible for the new customer price of $199 and $299 for the 16 and 32GB 3GS on July 12 2009. i purchased the 3G on July 11th 2008.

i wonder why i am eligible for the new price on July 12th of this year and 2 of my friends that also purchased their 3G phones on July 11th 2008 just like i did and their account says (they also called) that they have to wait until Dec of this year to get the new pricing?

glad its not me that has to wait but just doesn't make any sense?
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i am like your friends, except i have to wait until MARCH
 
fletch33 said:
i have purchased the last 2 iPhones on their release date and i just checked my account on att.com as well as called them and i was informed that i was eligible for the new customer price of $199 and $299 for the 16 and 32GB 3GS on July 12 2009. i purchased the 3G on July 11th 2008.

i wonder why i am eligible for the new price on July 12th of this year and 2 of my friends that also purchased their 3G phones on July 11th 2008 just like i did and their account says (they also called) that they have to wait until Dec of this year to get the new pricing?

glad its not me that has to wait but just doesn't make any sense?
Click to expand...

How much do you pay a month?
 
fletch33 said:
i have purchased the last 2 iPhones on their release date and i just checked my account on att.com as well as called them and i was informed that i was eligible for the new customer price of $199 and $299 for the 16 and 32GB 3GS on July 12 2009. i purchased the 3G on July 11th 2008.

i wonder why i am eligible for the new price on July 12th of this year and 2 of my friends that also purchased their 3G phones on July 11th 2008 just like i did and their account says (they also called) that they have to wait until Dec of this year to get the new pricing?

glad its not me that has to wait but just doesn't make any sense?
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Well to state what has been posted many times before. You probably have a contract that costs greater than $100 a month. They do not. You can argue that they are same contract but until you see their written statement every month I would not believe them. Many people on these forums act like they know every purchase their friend makes to the penny. Most of these inconsistencies can be ironed out when you sit down and actually review the facts.

Bottom line--If you bought a iPhone 3G and pay by yourself more than $100 a month you should be eligible for a new phone at the lower price.

If you pay less than that you must either pay the higher price or wait!

No one cares if you bought the first iPhone!!!
No one care how long you have been with AT&T!!!
No one cares about your cousins, best friend's sister!!!
If the above applies call and make sure you do not get screwed that is it.
 
blindzero said:
so is another option to cancel your current plan...pay the early termination fee which should be about 120 bucks if you are 12 months into it, then resign up to get the cheap pricing?

That's a way to save couple hundred bucks off their 599 prices.
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This is what I'm wondering also. Has anyone looked into this?
 
So explain the 22 month thing for the dumb phones on a family plan. Yes, there are some factors that push in a certain direction but that is hardly the entire equation. There is far too much variability.
 
dwd3885 said:
early termination is $105 for me. so no, not really.
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Good price. So cancel pay $105. Then sell the iphone 3G for $200-250 and use the $199 dollars to start a new contract with exact same data plan price with a lesser phone somewhere other than AT&T. sounds like a great plan.
 
HailToTheVictor said:
How much do you pay a month?
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my wifes phone is the one on the top line

attf.jpg
 
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