Carrier What's with the $30 "extortion fee"?

[stafil]

You’re right about it being greed, but they need to at least figure out a creative way to be greedy that somewhat disguises it (like, I dunno, Apple). These companies just seem to be overtly terrible and don’t really care about what you think of them because there are few alternatives.

It's not about finding a "creative" way IMHO. It's about creating value. Apple creates a products, sells it expensive and it's up to you if you decide to buy or not.

These guys add absolutely no value at all. The literally try to piggy-back on Apple's product. The only reason that they can pull this scam is because they are a oligopoly.

 

[white4s]

Just had it waived, I suggest everyone doing the same.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I use Verizon and my last 3 phones were bought without SIMs. I just pop the old one into the new phone and turn it on. I never paid a fee.

You purchased a sim free phone right? I went on the Verizon IUP, picked up the phone at Apple without activation, swapped my old sim into the new phone never powering it on and was charged the fee. I did get them to drop the fee to $15 and probably could of got them to drop it completely but, I was fine with $15.. I know sim free works if you swap out sims but I think if you finance, they nail you know matter what..

 

[white4s]

You purchased a sim free phone right? I went on the Verizon IUP, picked up the phone at Apple without activation, swapped my old sim into the new phone never powering it on and was charged the fee. I did get them to drop the fee to $15 and probably could of got them to drop it completely but, I was fine with $15.. I know sim free works if you swap out sims but I think if you finance, they nail you know matter what..

Interesting. There was no hesitation with waiving it fully for me

 

[stafil]

Interesting. There was no hesitation with waiving it fully for me

Ya. It depends on the agent you get. If you have time and patience you can just keep calling back to get a different agent that will agree to waive it.

Or if you are with Verizon, you can move to another carrier for 30 days and come back to them after that. They will credit you $100 for each line you move back within 50days. Ask for the "Winback" program.

 

[white4s]

Ya. It depends on the agent you get. If you have time and patience you can just keep calling back to get a different agent that will agree to waive it.

Or if you are with Verizon, you can move to another carrier for 30 days and come back to them after that. They will credit you $100 for each line you move back within 50days. Ask for the "Winback" program.

If you have Verizon ask for Jamie next time lol.

 

[teeshot44]

XS Max on Apple Upgrade and XR from Apple paid full price. Swapped SIM on both with Verizon and no upgrade fee.

 

[adamhenry]

You purchased a sim free phone right? I went on the Verizon IUP, picked up the phone at Apple without activation, swapped my old sim into the new phone never powering it on and was charged the fee. I did get them to drop the fee to $15 and probably could of got them to drop it completely but, I was fine with $15.. I know sim free works if you swap out sims but I think if you finance, they nail you know matter what..

I purchased the phones. No financing used.

 

[stafil]

[Deleted]

 

[Kendo]

Odd. I picked up an AT&T XR and before powering it on I swapped my old iPhone 7 SIM and it activated the phone with no problems. Didn't have to pay $30 or anything.

 

[drewaz]

Odd. I picked up an AT&T XR and before powering it on I swapped my old iPhone 7 SIM and it activated the phone with no problems. Didn't have to pay $30 or anything.

I did the same thing with my XR (from the Apple store, not AT&T). I looked on the AT&T web site and it shows my current phone as XR. Haven't hit the billing cycle end though so I'm not sure if I'll be charged an activation fee.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Odd. I picked up an AT&T XR and before powering it on I swapped my old iPhone 7 SIM and it activated the phone with no problems. Didn't have to pay $30 or anything.

Did the same with XS Max, but it still showed up on my bill. They waived it though.

 

[alphaod]

There is no fee unless you're doing AT&T Next.