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Letter from at&t: You are not eligible to buy the new 3g iphone.
- Thread starter hmfic
- Start date
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I agree with others here. AT&T has always let me buy different phones no matter what. I just paid full price for them when I was not eligible for an upgrade. But since the cost of the iPhone is hard set, there is no two price model. There is just the one price and we all pay it no matter what. So you will get it for what I will get it for, which is the same for everyone. Pretty much all Apple products are sold for the same price regardless of where you go.
You'll see.
Don't worry about this at all.
Alex
You'll see.
Don't worry about this at all.
Alex
There is simply no way that someone will be refused the opportunity to purchase the product. I think it is highly possible, even likely, that current AT&T subscribers who are not yet eligible for upgrade will pay a premium of up to $200 in keeping with standard practice for early upgrades. From a pure business perspective, the market has adopted this model and they are kind of nuts not to. I hope they don't, since I am 3 months from upgrade eligible. I will pay it, to be sure, but would rather not.
The only other possibility is no premium, just a restart to the commitment period.
Refusing to sell an iPhone to a customer for any reason besides credit concerns will not happen (IMHO)
The only other possibility is no premium, just a restart to the commitment period.
Refusing to sell an iPhone to a customer for any reason besides credit concerns will not happen (IMHO)
Have you contacted Apple directly about this? It does sound obsurd that they are not letting you buy the phone at the retail price. Maybe she's been misinformed, even though that may be hard to believe 
, so check with Apple. I agree that current customers w/o the option to upgrade will at least be able to buy it at retail. Or you could buy it at $199/$299 with a new activation. Then cancel @ $200. There is your retail price.
, so check with Apple. I agree that current customers w/o the option to upgrade will at least be able to buy it at retail. Or you could buy it at $199/$299 with a new activation. Then cancel @ $200. There is your retail price.Alex, I certainly hope you're right.
My fears are two fold:
First is that I can't buy it at all because I am not upgrade eligible. I can't see this being true because it really would be a PR nightmare for both At&t and Apple. Turning down customers outright? Yeah, that just doesn't sit right.
Second is that they do offer a "retail" price, but it ends up being $600-$700 for the two models respectively, due to what At&t is apparently paying Apple for them.
I just wish At&t would put an end to all these rumors and give us the real information already. Enough of the speculation...
Wow, harsh...
This topic actually deserves multiple threads, IMO. Its absoultely outrageous to me that the 3G was announced and is branded as "half the price" and Steve seems to state that the new iPhone is for everyone when it clearly isn't half the price nor available to everyone.
Im pretty put off by the whole thing.
Worst thing they will do is make you re-up another 2 years. Seriously, I wouldn't worry about this.
Alex
He's right!!!! why don't we speak about something that hasn't been discussed a million times over in a number of similiar threads............how about we discuss no front facing camera, no MMS, no bluetooth stereo, plastic back on iPhone 3g, no 32gig iPhone..........
It's simple. You pay your early termination fee (ETF).
Therefore, the iPhone costs you $199 or $299 + ($175 - 13 months prorate).
The max you will pay is $375 8GB or $475 16GB. But you'll pay less since you've had the contract 13 months and that reduces your ETF.
They can't prevent you from ending your contract by paying the ETF, it's the law.
And lose your phone number in the process. I don't know about you, but I have had my number for a long time and have ported it over 3 different carriers. The moment you cancel though, it is gone. No thanks.
I am sorry, but this is pure bullcrap on AT&T's part. Why is there any reason to not allow a person to buy something from you which would give you more of an income. Now I can see some strings being attached, but nothing more than renewing your contract for another 2-years or anything like that. Personally, I would go in to your local AT&T store (don't do the Apple Store just so you are talking with an actual AT&T rep) and act like you don't know that you are not allowed to upgrade it, and try to purchase one. If they give you any crap, then start making a little fuss about the situation. If you go there in person, then you probably have a better chance of it going your way. I just don't understand how any reasoning makes sense in this scenario.
I am sorry, but this is pure bullcrap on AT&T's part. Why is there any reason to not allow a person to buy something from you which would give you more of an income. Now I can see some strings being attached, but nothing more than renewing your contract for another 2-years or anything like that. Personally, I would go in to your local AT&T store (don't do the Apple Store just so you are talking with an actual AT&T rep) and act like you don't know that you are not allowed to upgrade it, and try to purchase one. If they give you any crap, then start making a little fuss about the situation. If you go there in person, then you probably have a better chance of it going your way. I just don't understand how any reasoning makes sense in this scenario.
Just wait and see. They are not going to do a thing. You'll get the phone for the advertised price. You'll see. If there was to be a two price model, Jobs would have said such.
You'll see.
Alex
Why do people keep calling and writing AT&T and asking them about policy that has yet to be determined? No one knows... they will post it on their website when they decide!
Stop calling and writing the call center people in India- they don't know!
Stop calling and writing the call center people in India- they don't know!
Here's what I think. I think AT&T probably has no idea what they're talking about. To me it's just so un-Apple like to not have everyone pay the same price for the iPhone. It's that whole 1 price thing. Apple has been really good at not confusing people. If you know what I mean.
everyone just needs to calm down and wait, till launch. i know it sucks to not know what is going on, but all this speculation is causing a lot of undo panic.
like i said before att is probably still kicking around all the details surrounds this phone, that is why there has been no official announcement with all the details, there have only been bits and pieces, like the data plan and such, i wouldn't be surprised if by launch day we have a whole new set of terms, with the exception of the price still being $199/$299 cuz that is already set in stone by Apple
like i said before att is probably still kicking around all the details surrounds this phone, that is why there has been no official announcement with all the details, there have only been bits and pieces, like the data plan and such, i wouldn't be surprised if by launch day we have a whole new set of terms, with the exception of the price still being $199/$299 cuz that is already set in stone by Apple
cancel your contract?
Have you asked how much it would cost to cancel your current AT&T contract? Then afterward, re-sign-up with a month-to-month account? If possible, this amount might be a lot less than paying full price for an iPhone.
Have you asked how much it would cost to cancel your current AT&T contract? Then afterward, re-sign-up with a month-to-month account? If possible, this amount might be a lot less than paying full price for an iPhone.
So, I should be able to go to walmart today and sign up for a 2yr plan and get the samsung blackjack2 for $50, the sell it on july 11 on ebay for $250 and then buy the ipohone for $199. Makes no sense.
Exactly. People will believe what they want to believe in hopes of their belief becoming a reality when it comes to the iPhone.
So, if they don't let you upgrade at the discounted price, does this mean you are no longer the hmfic?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
Sorry, couldn't resist.