iPhone/ATT Contract and Upgrade Dillema

[brianbunge]

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I'm absolutely sure. I added it to my personal account the day it launched.

 

[atrac7]

First with AT&T there are two (2) types of Free phones that are currently being discussed.

1. Free basic feature phone for migrating customers ( somewhat limited set of devices ) You get a new AT&T SIM and a very basic phone without starting a new AT&T contract on a current AT&T rate plan without a contract. You only pay for the new monthly service + taxes + fees.

2. Free phone that requires a new 2 year contract! ( Note: this is not really a Free phone but a sales gimmic... )

You are interested in option 1 only, the Free phone that does not require a new contract! Since you are currently out of contract, I would suggest you want to stay that way until the next iPhone is available.

There is no need to get a data plan now unless you are able to make use of it with your "Free" phones until you upgrade to the new iPhone. You will always have the option to add a valid iPhone data plan when you upgrade to the new iPhone.

As long as you don't have a contract, then when the new iPhone is available, you will qualify for the best pricing ( aka full discount pricing ) on the iPhone. Again only accept the discounted pricing if you understand that you will be starting a new 2 year contract with AT&T to get that discounted iPhone pricing.

Note: In addition to calling Customer Care, you also have the option to go to a Corporate Retail location and complete your transactions in person. Just use the same caution about what a free phone is or is not and make sure that it does not include a contract until you get to the iPhone.

Dave

Dave,

Your post was very helpful. So I must insist that I don't want to be on a contract and that, at the moment, I wish to go by the the monthly service rate.

Also, we have unlocked smartphones in the family right now. Is it possible for them to give us these "cheap0" phones, yet not really use them for the time being? I assume that the new sim they give can still be popped into our unlocked phones for the time being until the iPhone 5 comes out?

Thanks

 

[forcetactic]

^Yes you can take the At&t sims and put them into your unlocked smartphones.

 

[brianbunge]

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I'm absolutely sure. I added it to my personal account the day it launched.

 

[aneftp]

Dave,

Your post was very helpful. So I must insist that I don't want to be on a contract and that, at the moment, I wish to go by the the monthly service rate.

Also, we have unlocked smartphones in the family right now. Is it possible for them to give us these "cheap0" phones, yet not really use them for the time being? I assume that the new sim they give can still be popped into our unlocked phones for the time being until the iPhone 5 comes out?

Thanks

U do not need to use any of the phones they give you. In fact sell it if you choose. What ATT wants from you is to continue your service with newer plans and phase out your very old old ATT blue plan.

By the way I went over on Howard forums and these posters are getting these type of retention deal for blue customers. You may want to ask for it. Just be nice. They should give it to you. Remember the key point is to make sure you are still out of contract and eligible for new subsidized phones. Have them note t on your account.

"Made the switch….
Made the switch…. No longer Blue….
Thanks to all who posted valuable information relevant to the process. Here are the stats for my switch.

Blue plan 400 +200 min family plan
nights & weekends free
free incoming text and 20 cents per outgoing.
no data
3 lines

New plan
700 min family plan
Nights & weekends free
Text 20 cents each way
2,000 roll over min.
A list (ten numbers)
3 lines
3 bribe phones
No contract

Called 611 and made the deals with retentions over several calls in the past 45 days and had them note the account. The switch was made by calling the number in the letter and they mailed the phones. Called retentions when I received the phones and they activated and applied the extra stuff.
Received a $40 credit back in May for the removal of text and got a $30 credit for three months on the new plan. Since I didn’t have a data plan I couldn’t get them to move on a better phone. "A list" on the 700 plan was the deal maker for me. And yes you can put the new sim in your old Razr and it works.

The best to all.
"http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1698164-Service-Termination-May-15th-2011-Old-Blue-AT-amp-T-Customer/page144

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The A list "free calling to any lime landline or mobile usually isn't given unless the plan is $89.99 1400 minute family.

So the poster got A list for only 700 minute $69.99 plan.

That is a very good deal.

Also if you were to add unlimited family text for $30 you would get unlimited any mobile.

So ATT current voice plans are very competitive with former blue plans. Especially family plans.