Honestly I think a bunch of Reps on both sides have no idea what they are talking about. This should be nothing more than a SIM swap. i think what's confusing the carrier reps is the word "upgrade." But it's not correct the in terms of the carrier. To the carrier, you are bringing your own equipment and swapping the SIM, updating the IMEI in their system. That is all. People should not be charged for this.
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iPhone Upgrade Program [MERGED]
- Thread starter kybldmstr
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Honestly I think a bunch of Reps on both sides have no idea what they are talking about. This should be nothing more than a SIM swap. i think what's confusing the carrier reps is the word "upgrade." But it's not correct the in terms of the carrier. To the carrier, you are bringing your own equipment and swapping the SIM, updating the IMEI in their system. That is all. People should not be charged for this.
I am 99.99% sure that I'll be able to pop the ATT SIM out of my 6, put it into my 6s, and carry on. They're not entitled to the $15 and I'll be stunned if they can really justify it, and that's why I'm fighting with them. Please feel free to signal boost / join the fun:
https://twitter.com/acitrano/status/644619840733478912
https://twitter.com/acitrano/status/644679597271814144
so since they are not letting an activation on prepaid number. i am going to use my AT&T next sim card to activate it. i hope i am not going to be charged the activation fee as after activating i will just give it to my wife and insert her AT&T go phone sim card and then i will insert my sim back in 6 plus.!
Right, I agree with you here as well. I can't justify why they are obligated to charge you $15.00 activation if the phone was purchased outright.
I think the main question is whether or not these phones are special 'unlocked' or possibly SIM-free stock, or simply the same AT&T/VZW/Sprint/T-Mo phones you would get if you simply either used a carrier upgrade or applied EIP or bought out right like in previous years...
If they are - then they will probably have their carrier's respective SIM Cards and/or ESN IMEI identifiers and thus will require intervention to 'tie' the new SIM/ESN/IMEI identifier to the account (probably post paid if they are requiring SSN, address, zip code for all 4 carriers) in the system. That is where typically they setup activation fees to auto trigger if this occurs (of if the attendant helping adds it).
This could possibly even trigger a contract agreement or extension, who knows the carrier's backend reaction - the dangerous part to me is that no one at Apple knows for sure and I don't think they have a lot of visibility as to what happens on the carrier side once the POS purchase API pings your respective carriers allow 'activation' and purchase on the upgrade plan.
This lax, uncharacteristic lack of information from Apple is not a mistake - I just don't think they know for sure period and will literally let the chips fall where they may as to each carriers, specific "terms and conditions" when it comes to this process. Very dangerous and I advise forum mates to be vigilant on their bills.
This is the point in which any sort of 'apple-endorsed' iPhone upgrade program can differentiate itself by not requiring this process but the language of the small print sounds very familiar and I would not be surprised if the above is the case, unfortunately.
Nevertheless I plan I applying and trying my luck with a t-mobile phone, mainly because I am tired of this dance and I'd like the ability to throw the 6s onto Apple's wood tables and request a new 7.
If they are - then they will probably have their carrier's respective SIM Cards and/or ESN IMEI identifiers and thus will require intervention to 'tie' the new SIM/ESN/IMEI identifier to the account (probably post paid if they are requiring SSN, address, zip code for all 4 carriers) in the system. That is where typically they setup activation fees to auto trigger if this occurs (of if the attendant helping adds it).
This could possibly even trigger a contract agreement or extension, who knows the carrier's backend reaction - the dangerous part to me is that no one at Apple knows for sure and I don't think they have a lot of visibility as to what happens on the carrier side once the POS purchase API pings your respective carriers allow 'activation' and purchase on the upgrade plan.
This lax, uncharacteristic lack of information from Apple is not a mistake - I just don't think they know for sure period and will literally let the chips fall where they may as to each carriers, specific "terms and conditions" when it comes to this process. Very dangerous and I advise forum mates to be vigilant on their bills.
This is the point in which any sort of 'apple-endorsed' iPhone upgrade program can differentiate itself by not requiring this process but the language of the small print sounds very familiar and I would not be surprised if the above is the case, unfortunately.
Nevertheless I plan I applying and trying my luck with a t-mobile phone, mainly because I am tired of this dance and I'd like the ability to throw the 6s onto Apple's wood tables and request a new 7.
Well. Just my luck. I discovered some fraudulent charges on my account this evening so now my bank is sending me a new card. I hope it gets here in time although I'm not holding my breath.
i hope that is not the case. Since Apple said its unlocked so i dont think they will force the users into an agreement/contract with the Carrier.
Jump back on with them and ask where this 'discount' is. If anything, you're paying the same amount for the phone that they would be charging you.
In fact, over the course of the entire two years, the AUP would only be anywhere from 12 cents to no more than $3 cheaper than what you're already paying (phone depending).
Otherwise, it sounds like they are going to charge everyone $15 for BYOD.
BL.
Well, I think they are quoting script on upgrades through AT&T. I would very specifically say you are using Apple's Upgrade Program and financing is through them, there is no subsidy through AT&T. They are not processing anything. Everything happens on Apple's side. I honestly think this is the problem, the reps don't understand Apple's Upgrade Program and may not even know what it is. Poor training, unfortunately.
Not to defend ATT, but since there are reports of the other carriers doing this (VZW), I'm more inclined to say that it's poor training as well as some butt hurt over Apple having a better upgrade program than Edge or NEXT. We'll wait to see what T-Mobile will say.
BL.
i will try it at AT&T store. and will try my level best to swap sims into the new phone while activating.
I would honestly just stop asking the reps at AT&T. I doubt any of them have been properly trained or informed about this. Wait until you go to the Apple Store, switch you phone. If they charge you, despute it.
If you do go, don't say "upgrade." Just tell them your getting a new phone through apple and does it cost anything to switch out the phone. Boy am I glad I moved to t-mobile. Lol.
yeah that makes sense actually. Thanks! and yeah i am thinking of switching to T Mobile because of this.!!
EDIT.
UPDATE check the screenshot LOL!
Attachments
Haha. See! It's just the wording/phrasing of the question. Save that screenshot for later just in case.
Haha. See! It's just the wording/phrasing of the question. Save that screenshot for later just in case.
lol yeah. i am just saving it and i will make sure i am not charged
Are you a new or existing customer? AT&T has made it very clear...new customers will pay a $15 activation fee regardless of where the device is purchased....existing customers will not.
EDIT: Just read your further post. So you wont be charged. Good.
I don't why you guys keep asking these online tech support people that have no clue, when AT&T has already stated their new policy in simple terms...current lines will not pay upgrade fees with NEXT or BYOD.
If that's the case how can they demand you not have a prepaid line? It works the same. I'm using the magic phrase "device only". Any Apple Store employee should know that means no carrier shenanigans.
because thats how it works. If your phone is unlocked or on the same network the sim will work in the new phone. I know this for a fact because I have used the same iPhone 6 on verizon then ATT then verizon then T-mobile then back to verizon, all in the same last year. No issues at all.