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I think you mean "... lowers downpayment on over priced contracts.."
Essentially true.

The only accurate way to compare prices is to see what different vendors charge for the same phone without a contract. But such sightings are rare for overpriced phones, because if purchasers were to see what they're really paying, then they might not be so eager to upgrade every year or two.

Much the same used to be a huge scam many years ago and the result was the 1968 Truth In Lending Act (USA) which curbed the worst of the abuses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_in_Lending_Act

I have done the calculations, and that's in part why I don't have an iPhone. I do have a nice Android phone from LG; not too pretentious and it cost less than US$100 without a contract. Since it does everything I need and the battery is easily swapped, I just might keep it for the rest of the decade -- if not longer.

Steve Jobs was quite right to fear Android devices; they are the anathema to Apple's walled garden of planned obsolescence.
 
I just got my 6 at a local Apple Store over the weekend, but I may have to let my mom know about this since she wants the 6, but doesn't want to be on AT&T Next.
 
Sure, save a couple hundred, that's great — but the upfront price is really nothing compared to what it costs to pay off a two-year phone contract. Carriers have done a great job of convincing people that the $99 is the "price" of the phone when in fact you're paying a LOT more.
 
Sure, save a couple hundred, that's great — but the upfront price is really nothing compared to what it costs to pay off a two-year phone contract. Carriers have done a great job of convincing people that the $99 is the "price" of the phone when in fact you're paying a LOT more.

Yes... the carriers have certainly convinced people to act they way they want them to.

Then again... people wouldn't exactly be rushing out to spend $700 to $1000 on a phone either.

The 16GB iPhone 6 retails for $649 if you wanted to buy it outright.

As long as you agree not to switch carriers (sign a contract) you only have to pay $99

But guess what... you'll be paying a monthly fee with or without a contract.

So if you don't plan on leaving your carrier... why not take the upfront discount on the hardware and get a new phone every two years?
 
Sure, save a couple hundred, that's great — but the upfront price is really nothing compared to what it costs to pay off a two-year phone contract. Carriers have done a great job of convincing people that the $99 is the "price" of the phone when in fact you're paying a LOT more.


for alot of people that "cost" isn't anything extra than what they're already paying for their cell phone service.

It's not like those people are in a scenario where it's like " either upgrade for this phone or just cancel my phone service "
 
HOLD THE BUS EVERYONE???? Slam on the brakes!!! Did I just this correctly , "Each club will have 40-50 units???? And theirs Millions being sold?? How's that any deal that will sell out in 2 min??? Did I read wrong?
 
So am I eligible if I'm a current Verizon customer but I'm off-contract?
 
Nice Deal

Took advantage of this today. 16gb Silver for $99 and a 64gb Gold for $199. Very happy with the deal and it wasn't too much of a hassle.
 
The only accurate way to compare prices is to see what different vendors charge for the same phone without a contract. But such sightings are rare for overpriced phones, because if purchasers were to see what they're really paying, then they might not be so eager to upgrade every year or two.

Steve Jobs was quite right to fear Android devices; they are the anathema to Apple's walled garden of planned obsolescence.


Not any more. While hiding the true cost of smartphones used to be true, that's really no longer the case. Phone cost and plan cost are often separated, and plan cost drops when phone paid off. Many, myself included, simply buy a new phone outright, and then go contract free (even if stay with same carrier) with a monthly credit for owning phone. Some offer zero interest financing with little to nothing down, but again, phone cost and plan cost separated.

As far as "planned obsolescence", "walled garden", and fearing Android, you've been reading too many Enderle press releases. Besides the iP6, we have a 5s, 4, and original Classic from 2007. That over 7 year old iPhone is still functioning well, as obviously are all the others. I value my time, ease of use, and content safety and I would not get near a cheap (or expensive) Android phone. I wouldn't own a Yugo either.
 
Anyone else?

Beside the poster above, has anyone else had success?

I payed a visit to the Sams Club locally and was told they only stock the 16GB version.
 
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