Yep, but if you preordered online and paid full price you cannot switch to the upgrade program.
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iPhone Upgrade Program [MERGED]
- Thread starter kybldmstr
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I'm currently on ATT and will be switching to Verizon for the new phone. I signed up for a Verizon 6s+ through the upgrade program. One of the requirements says you need carrier activation. How will this work?
Can I just create a Verizon account at the Apple Store during my window pickup? Or does the new Verizon account need to be set up already?
Can I just create a Verizon account at the Apple Store during my window pickup? Or does the new Verizon account need to be set up already?
If you pre-ordered and already paid for the phone (put in your CC info and let Apple's system process it), that's correct. If you made a reservation for purchase in store but didn't pay yet (i.e. You have a reservation confirmation email but didn't enter any CC info), then according to the rep I spoke with, you will have the option to use the upgrade program when you go to buy the phone in store, even if you didn't deserve it through the upgrade program link.
They'll create the new account with you in the store. Don't create an account in advance.
I don't think this is accurate. Let's say you DID choose the Upgrade Program and was denied due to credit. I don't see them just saying, "Sorry, we aren't going to offer you another way to buy it".
I would think the same process applies when picking the full price at reservation. When selecting the full price option, you were also given the monthly cost for the device in the same window. This leads me to believe we can change our payment to whatever we want during the appointment as there was no way to select the Upgrade Program during the checkout and no card info needed to be entered.
I sure hope we can change it as I saw after that it REQUIRES a credit card and a debit card will not work. I'm not concerned about the credit check as that's fine, but I can't have a CC sent to me before launch. So as it stands now, I have one reserved for me but will likely be trying to change it to AT&T's Next program.
EDIT* I wonder if Apple will allows us to apply for their Barclays card in-store and use that. Now that would be nice.
Ok thanks. So does this mean I'll still be able to trade in my old phone with Verizon and get the switching bonus as well?
Exactly. My phone that I wanted was sold out so I had no choice but to pay in full.
Ah, now that's a good question. My gut says no, because Verizon's corporate policies are notoriously not consumer friendly. But I could be wrong. Your best bet is to call Verizon and ask. Worst case, if your existing phone is also an iPhone, you can trade it in to Apple. Or sell it.
I am very skeptical of this credit card issue. I think a debit card will work. We'll see though I guess.
It looks like there's plenty of folks who reserved "full price" but intended to pay via the upgrade program. I have two reservations just in case, but honestly, I'm optimistic they will let us select their payment options at pick-up. If not...I'm going to have to ask Taylor Swift to write another letter to Apple! LOL! /s
Rep I talked to said I could choose how to purchase the phone when I went in to pick it up.
I ordered one phone full price and one with the upgrade program, both Tmobile. On one email it shows full price and the other clearly states upgrade program with the monthly price you will pay.
I will be out of town on launch day, but my wife will be available to pick up our phones that I reserved with the iPhone Upgrade Program. She is an authorized user/manager on our Verizon account, but I am the owner of the account and they were registered under my Apple ID. Based on the information in the reservation email, it sounds like she should be able to complete the transaction but I'm not sure, and I'm getting conflicting information from the Apple online chat. Anyone else in a similar situation?
I'm in a similar situation. I ordered 4, two on my apple account and two on my wife's. I am picking up all 4 of them. My sister wants one of them, but she is not on our Verizon account so she is hoping that they will let her buy one of mine on her own separate upgrade program. I'm just hoping that they let me pick up all 4 phones without my wife there. We have separate Apple accounts, but are both on the same Verizon account. I'm hoping that worst case, since I'm bringing my sister, they will let her buy two and myself buy two. I can add her as an authorized user to our Verizon account if need be.
Good. I just reserved it. Now I just hope that I can use my prepaid T-mobile sim. If that doesn't work I thought of a second solution... I could start a new account in store with T-mobile, get the phone going with the iPhone upgrade program (now remember these are two different things, ones the plan, ones the phone) and then walk out of the store, cancel my new t-mobile plan and put my old pre-paid sim back in my new awesome phone. I think that works as a back up plan right?
I keep reading that the Upgrade program is only good if you upgrade every year. But am I someone that buys a full price unlocked phone with AppleCare+ every two years. My quick math seems to show that I would pay the same amount of money, except spread out over 24 months interest free. What am I missing?
You're not missing anything. You have it right. The upgrade program is better than ATT Next 12 if you upgrade every year but that's it.
Since I made a reservation through the iPhone upgrade program link, I shouldn't have any issues asking to buy the phone at full price upon pick up. Since it didn't ask for my carrier information at the time I placed a reservation for.
So essentially you are just placing a reservation and picking it up and that you have the option to use the upgrade program or pay in full. That works for me.
I think this full price vs. upgrade program debate is simple. Whether you did the upgrade page route or full price page route it brought you to the same page to select a store. So I think Apple doesn't know the difference when you walk in on Sep 25 whether you are intending to pay full price or ask for the upgrade program.
So pay all upfront, or pay the same amount but spread out over 24 months interest free? Um, easy choice. Thanks!
FYI anyone that wants to use Apple's installment payment plan, but can't get the site to show availability for in store pick up: I spoke with Apple support and I ordered a 6s+ at full price with a delivery date of 9/25. Once you get the phone on launch day you can go into an Apple store return the phone and re-buy in under their payment plan.
Support told me you "weren't supposed to do this" but technically it would work
Well this only applies to people who have $650+ to pay for the phone right nowFYI anyone that wants to use Apple's installment payment plan, but can't get the site to show availability for in store pick up: I spoke with Apple support and I ordered a 6s+ at full price with a delivery date of 9/25. Once you get the phone on launch day you can go into an Apple store return the phone and re-buy in under their payment plan.
Support told me you "weren't supposed to do this" but technically it would work
You are probably correct, if you don't have a credit card with a free balance that you can pre-charge and refund then you are probably SOL.
(though Apple doesn't charge till it ships, which is probably 19-21st? if you can float the money for 5-6 days then it will work, since you will get a full refund on your credit card)