Letter from at&t: You are not eligible to buy the new 3g iphone.

[saxamoophone]

Now what would be fair is this...

Straight from at&t website
===============================================
Retail Price $349.99
2-yr Contract Price $199.99
Total Due Today $199.99
Mail-in Rebate via AT&T Promotion Card - $100.00
Price After Mail-in Rebate $99.99

-------------------------------------------------------------

Now this is exactly what I paid 7 months ago when it first came out.

So at&t subsidized $250.

With that being the case, we can assume that over a 2 year contract the subsidy is paid off $10.41 a month.

So in the past 7 months, I have already paid off $72.87 of the $250, leaving me with $177.13 total debt for the phone.

So by next month, I should be able to write at&t a check for $476.13 and get a new 16gb 3G iphone w/ a new 2 year contract.

So if at&t wanted to be fair and honest, this would be it.

I could easily sell my phone on ebay for $177.13 and then only be out the $99 I first dropped down. Everyone walks away happy.

 

[hmfic]

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.

The short answer is no.

Actually that's the only answer.

 

[ALittleDrive]

And there are enough threads about it. Plus, this thread isn't even a question. It's a - boo-hoo I can't get an iPhone 3G. This doesn't change anything we already know.

shmuck.

 

[kdarling]

Now what would be fair is this...

Recently the government has been threatening to regulate ETFs if the carriers don't figure something better out.

So many carriers have gone to a pro-rated ETF dropping at $5 a month.

Still not good enough, say the feds. They want ETFs based on the cost of the phone, not a constant number.

We'll see what happens next.

 

[saxamoophone]

They want ETFs based on the cost of the phone, not a constant number.

Sounds like a great plan really! Why not just be honest?

You should be able to do your ETF/Update your phone by simply paying off debt....

You shouldn't be married to your phone company =p

What I REALLY hate is directv. They make you buy the equipment, lock you into a 2 year contract, and then you STILL don't own the equpment!

Talk about a rip-off there!

 

[asphalt-proof]

That's bull.
I can almost guarantee the new iPhone will be $199 with upgrade eligibility for anyone.

I absolutely agree. How is Apple supposed to police this if we can buy an iPhone through their website or in the Apple store. Are we going to have to wait while they check up on our account history? Have I given Apple permission to look through my account history with ATT?
This is just FUD. People who are spreading it are just not thinking things through.

 

[JML42691]

I absolutely agree. How is Apple supposed to police this if we can buy an iPhone through their website or in the Apple store. Are we going to have to wait while they check up on our account history? Have I given Apple permission to look through my account history with ATT?
This is just FUD. People who are spreading it are just not thinking things through.

You most likely wont be able to purchase them online, as activation happens in store, and if this policy is etched in stone true, then they will realize this upon activation.

 

[hmfic]

I absolutely agree. How is Apple supposed to police this if we can buy an iPhone through their website or in the Apple store. Are we going to have to wait while they check up on our account history? Have I given Apple permission to look through my account history with ATT?
This is just FUD. People who are spreading it are just not thinking things through.

That's what I was thinking too Apple doesn't have access to AT&T's databases so how will they know if you're upgrade eligible or not.

But then again I just want to be 100% sure before I wait in line.

 

[JML42691]

That's what I was thinking too Apple doesn't have access to AT&T's databases so how will they know if you're upgrade eligible or not.

But then again I just want to be 100% sure before I wait in line.

They probably will for activation, and I am sure that the iPhone salesmen in the Apple Store will probably also be trained AT&T reps.

 

[kidtronix]

I don't want to make a thread about this because but I've got a couple of questions for you.

1) Will you automatically be eligible to buy the new 3G iPhone if you already have an iPhone with AT&T?

2) How does it work with people who have iPhones now who want to upgrade?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Merlosso]

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!

Agreed. Unfortunately, we all need to wait for an official announcement. Until then, you will get each agent's interpretation of a yet-to-be-announced policy.

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.

Couldn't you port your number to T-Mobile (canceling AT&T and paying the ETF), use your current phone on a pay-as-you-go plan, then port the number back to AT&T as a new customer when the iPhone launches?

I have no idea if that will work; just throwing out ideas.

 

[MBHockey]

I don't want to make a thread about this because but I've got a couple of questions for you.

1) Will you automatically be eligible to buy the new 3G iPhone if you already have an iPhone with AT&T?

2) How does it work with people who have iPhones now who want to upgrade?

Thanks in advance.

If you have an iPhone with AT&T and you have been paying your bill on time you will be upgrade eligible for the iPhone 3G.

 

[asphalt-proof]

They probably will for activation, and I am sure that the iPhone salesmen in the Apple Store will probably also be trained AT&T reps.

Seriously think about that for a moment. How long is it going to take to get EACH and EVERY person through the line on July 11 IF they have to not only activate the phone but also look up your account history and make a judgment call as to whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade? How long are they going to argue with EACH and EVERY customer who is not a current iPhone owner and a current ATT user? Are they going to post security to quickly and quietly remove people who get loud and vociferous? Make no mistake... people will argue and draw out the process. Apple advertised at $199 and $299. Did the Steveness mention EFTs? Mention contract limitations? Was there an asterisk in the keynote that I missed? This has the potential to make the last year's price drop fiasco look like happy funtime for Apple if they are forced to deal with this. I will lay money on it that the only thing you have to deal with when you buy an iPhone is that you have to get it activated. Nothing else. Your 2 year commitment starts over.
Oh and the idea that you can't buy an Apple product from their own website is pretty absurd. Is there any precedent for that that?

 

[CrazEtooN]

Couldn't you port your number to T-Mobile (canceling AT&T and paying the ETF), use your current phone on a pay-as-you-go plan, then port the number back to AT&T as a new customer when the iPhone launches?

I have no idea if that will work; just throwing out ideas.

I am sure you could, but damn if that isn't a bunch of work and hassle to go through.

Seriously think about that for a moment. How long is it going to take to get EACH and EVERY person through the line on July 11 IF they have to not only activate the phone but also look up your account history and make a judgment call as to whether or not you are eligible for an upgrade? How long are they going to argue with EACH and EVERY customer who is not a current iPhone owner and a current ATT user? Are they going to post security to quickly and quietly remove people who get loud and vociferous? Make no mistake... people will argue and draw out the process. Apple advertised at $199 and $299. Did the Steveness mention EFTs? Mention contract limitations? Was there an asterisk in the keynote that I missed? This has the potential to make the last year's price drop fiasco look like happy funtime for Apple if they are forced to deal with this. I will lay money on it that the only thing you have to deal with when you buy an iPhone is that you have to get it activated. Nothing else. Your 2 year commitment starts over.
Oh and the idea that you can't buy an Apple product from their own website is pretty absurd. Is there any precedent for that that?

I would normally never say something like this, but....

Word!

(and I hope you're right) lol

 

[ntrigue]

My understanding is that subsidy marketing was becoming a thing of the past. It was also my impression that Apple insisted there be measures in place to allow consumers to buy their latest and greatest. In other words, the iPhone is supposed to be breaking the mold and although this letter expresses some resistance to the 'new way' on July 11 you will leave with a $199 iPhone 3G and a contract through 2010.

 

[CluTcH]

i just called att to make sure i was eligable.
1st time the lady didnt know anything and said i was not eligable for an upgrade till next year.
2nd time they said i had two ways open to me.
1) i could maybe exchange it for the new one. clean swap but wasnt sure.
2) A "secured Upgrade" which meant i would have to have a manager overide to be eligable for the $199 price which also meant i would have to go to a Coperate AT&T store and not apple. Lame but happy i get the new prices

 

[hmfic]

I just read the new article on front page. Looks like I shouldn't have sold my iphone..

Now I'm just going to have to beg my brother to let me use his upgrade to get me my phone.

 

[marksman]

That's bull.
I can almost guarantee the new iPhone will be $199 with upgrade eligibility for anyone.

I can almost guarantee you are wrong.

 

[marksman]

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 are wrong. So stop giving people false hope. This is why people like the OP make these threads and then get upset when faced with reality.

People not upgrade eligible are NOT going to get an iPhone for the $199/$299 price point.

 

[marksman]

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.

The problem is it is likely that very model that is causing all the confusion. I would suspect all of this is because of APPLE and not AT&T where everyone wants to place the blame. Jobs and Apple wants one price point, AT&T wants to subsidize the phone. The compromise is that the single price point is the subsidized price, and they will not sell any phones that are not under contract and subsidized. If this is indeed the case, which seems to be, Apple has agreed to this, because they want the single price point.

The problem is the single price point is only for people who qualify.

 

[macduke]

Why is it bull? You bought a phone at a discount one year ago, signing a two year contract. You shouldn't be able to get another discount before that two years is up, as that two years of service is what pays for the discount you got on the phone.

It IS bull...IF he can't buy it at a higher price. That being said, I highly doubt that would be the case because that is not true for any other phone in the world. Worst case scenario, $349 / $449 for the 8gb / 16gb. That price makes sense because there is a $175 contract cancellation fee, and rounds it down $25 because most people will already be part way into their contract and makes for a rounder number. That AT&T rep probably doesn't know jack. From what it sounds like, the higher ups at AT&T aren't even sure yet. What a nightmare. Apple really does need to step up and clarify this. If they don't, then I expect everyone will only pay $199 / $299 since Steve Jobs specifically said that is the maximum amount it will be sold for worldwide.

 

[PrimeXample]

Do you think this would work?

I currently have an iphone on a plan with another line on it (family plan), the other line is currently eligible for an upgrade. What I want to happen is purchase a new iphone for myself at the 199 price and also get another one with the upgrade on the other line also at the 199 price.

My plan is to then take the other iphone and cancel the data plan, give the new iphone to an "ineligible" ATT customer and see if ATT will activate the new iphone 3g on the "ineligible" account with the phone already in hand regardless of the eligibility.

I hope that makes sense!

 

[BongoBanger]

TC: Sorry, can I check something?

Was the phone you bought last year an iPhone v1.0? If it is then you shold be able to extend your contract and get the iPhone for 3G for $199. If it's a different subsidised handset then you're goosed.

From your posts I'm not sure - you say you bought an iPhone on launch day but aren't on the iPhone plan and your contract runs from 15 May 2007, not June 2007.

 

[hmfic]

TC: Sorry, can I check something?

Was the phone you bought last year an iPhone v1.0? If it is then you shold be able to extend your contract and get the iPhone for 3G for $199. If it's a different subsidised handset then you're goosed.

From your posts I'm not sure - you say you bought an iPhone on launch day but aren't on the iPhone plan and your contract runs from 15 May 2007, not June 2007.

I bought an iphone on launch day last year but sold it a month ago to have money for the 3g. I'm 16 and unemployed money isn't exactly a large commodity. So I bought some crappy phone which I assumed wasn't subsidized on account of it being so crappy. Well I was wrong and now it looks like I'm screwed.

 

[BongoBanger]

Bit confused here.

Did you take out the original iPhone contract from AT&T for two years, sell it and then get a new non-iPhone on that contract, thus extending it for another two years?

If so I think you're goosed and can see AT&T's point.