When did AT&T raise the activation/upgrade fee to $40?

[mkstewartesq@co]

I just spoke to an AT&T rep and they put a note in my account to waive the upgrade fee once I sign up for another 2-year contract. So there are sill ways of getting the fee waived.

I did the same tonight as well, no muss or fuss whatsoever. I just went to live chat, told them that my contract was about to be up and that I plan to get the iPhone 6. However, I wanted to know now before I pre-ordered whether AT&T would waive this fee because, if they didn't, I would consider instead starting a new account with T-Mobile who does not charge an activation fee. I nicely told the rep that I did not feel the upgrade fee was warranted given that AT&T would be receiving a commitment from me for two years worth of fees.

I said all of this in my little introductory statement and the rep offered no opposition whatsoever – she just told me that she would note on my file that the fee was waived and that I could contact them after it showed up on my bill to have them remove it. The rep was very nice - you might even say overly nice with lots of Smileys and jokes in the replies - and I was done with the whole transaction in less than five minutes.

For the record, I have been with AT&T for seven years, and this will be the third year running that I have gotten the upgrade fee waved. I have just a very basic two line plan, no corporate or FAN account

M

 

[terraphantm]

The fee and their other BS (like everyone raising the price of SMS at the same time, eliminating early upgrades, eliminating unlimited data, etc) comes down to the wireless industry being an oligopoly and having a huge lobbying influence. They can do whatever the hell they want and not have to worry about any real consequences.

 

[blairh]

It's weird. Verizon is really against waiving upgrade fees but AT&T is relatively lax if you've been a customer for some time. Activation fee is a different charge at Verizon and maybe at AT&T too?

Just checked it is.

 

[lordofthereef]

I imagine it went up when they changed their plans to family share.

FWIW I have never actually had to pay an upgrade fee. A 1-2 minute online chat always has netted me the upgrade credit OR MORE. I know that's not the point of the thread, but anyway.

As far as the FCC requiring total costs, I know nothing about that, but they are pretty clear everywhere you look that there will be an upgrade fee. unless you put your blinders on completely in the store and online while checking out, you won't simply be agreeing to a fee that you had no idea about until you had already paid. Is the upgrade fee BS? Absolutely. So is an application fee to go move into a condo (we just had to deal with that lol). But it's perfectly legal because someone somewhere, even if that someone is a machine, had to process your upgrade.

 

[Justin33]

So lets just get to the point here. Cant we simply, nicely, ask for them to remove the charge? I mean, that should work right?

 

[attdude]

I'm gonna chime in here as I work for att. It is official policy to not do any fee waivers even if its in the notes anymore at least in the SE Markets, att has got to rain in the spending. If cor reps refer you to customer care they will refer you back to cor. See where it's going. It's not a bull fee though It goes towards the constant network upgrades att does and towards further developing and expanding the products that are offered to our customers.

I know it sucks but if you don't want to pay the upgrade fee just do the next.

 

[lordofthereef]

I'm gonna chime in here as I work for att. It is official policy to not do any fee waivers even if its in the notes anymore at least in the SE Markets, att has got to rain in the spending. If cor reps refer you to customer care they will refer you back to cor. See where it's going. It's not a bull fee though It goes towards the constant network upgrades att does and towards further developing and expanding the products that are offered to our customers.

I know it sucks but if you don't want to pay the upgrade fee just do the next.

Shouldn't that fee be incorporated into what we are paying monthly? Why are only the folks buying new phones the ones responsible for paying towards network upgrades. Further, how can AT&T afford to waive said fee for next plans versus others?

At the risk of sounding offensive, it sounds like corporate has fed you the perfect PR story. Whether you believe it or not, I don't know.

 

[vega07]

Every time upgrade time comes around, I get so angry. Same emotion when I pay my tuition because of hikes every year.

What's the upgrade fee going be in 7 years? $100?

 

[kromix]

Shouldn't that fee be incorporated into what we are paying monthly? Why are only the folks buying new phones the ones responsible for paying towards network upgrades. Further, how can AT&T afford to waive said fee for next plans versus others?

At the risk of sounding offensive, it sounds like corporate has fed you the perfect PR story. Whether you believe it or not, I don't know.

Hah. attdude is right, perfect name for a **** comment.

So let me break this down.

• My Monthly Payments: Goes towards lining executive pockets/Shareholders/Profits, you know that $128billion revenue annually for AT&T
  
  
• My $40 Upgrade fee: Just enough money for them to barely squeek by and give us some much needed network enhancements, without this, they would need government bailout to do such crazy things.

/rollseyes /rollseyes /rollseyes

 

[pavelbure]

I just spoke to an AT&T rep and they put a note in my account to waive the upgrade fee once I sign up for another 2-year contract. So there are sill ways of getting the fee waived.

Same with me, they said they cannot waive anything yet that has not been billed.

 

[rui no onna]

Hah. attdude is right, perfect name for a **** comment.

So let me break this down.

• My Monthly Payments: Goes towards lining executive pockets/Shareholders/Profits, you know that $128billion revenue annually for AT&T
  
  
• My $40 Upgrade fee: Just enough money for them to barely squeek by and give us some much needed network enhancements, without this, they would need government bailout to do such crazy things.

/rollseyes /rollseyes /rollseyes

Technically, that's $128B revenue but just $30B operating income. Also, that's for AT&T as a whole. AT&T Mobility is $70B revenue and $18B operating income. AT&T Mobility has 116.6M subscribers so that means they're getting an average of ~$600 revenue per subscriber per year but income after operating expenses is just ~$155 per subscriber per year on average.

That said, I agree, the $40 is a BS charge.

 

[lordofthereef]

Hah. attdude is right, perfect name for a **** comment.

So let me break this down.

• My Monthly Payments: Goes towards lining executive pockets/Shareholders/Profits, you know that $128billion revenue annually for AT&T
  
  
• My $40 Upgrade fee: Just enough money for them to barely squeek by and give us some much needed network enhancements, without this, they would need government bailout to do such crazy things.

/rollseyes /rollseyes /rollseyes

If you are referring to my name, it has to do with keeping a saltwater tank.

If you are still convinced the fee is necessary, please explain to me why it is not, and likely will never be, added to the Next plan. Even if it is true that the $40 fee is going for a "good cause", you have pointed out perfectly why it is unnecessary. Rather than using the monthly service charges to "line the CEO's pockets" it SHOULD be going towards the aforementioned upgrades.

You are literally upset with me for pointing out the fee is BS by saying that we need it since the CEO won't give up his multi million dollar paycheck to upgrade services. There is something very wrong with that argument/picture.

EDIT: Re-reading your comment I am unsure if you are vehemently against or for my statement. If the latter is true, forgive my response.

 

[kromix]

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Technically, that's $128B revenue but just $30B operating income. Also, that's for AT&T as a whole. AT&T Mobility is $70B revenue and $18B operating income. AT&T Mobility has 116.6M subscribers so that means they're getting an average of ~$600 revenue per subscriber per year but income after operating expenses is just ~$155 per subscriber per year on average.

That said, I agree, the $40 is a BS charge.

Agreed, that's why I said goes towards, because their profits goes towards AT&T the Parent Companies revenues.

If you are referring to my name, it has to do with keeping a saltwater tank.

If you are still convinced the fee is necessary, please explain to me why it is not, and likely will never be, added to the Next plan. Even if it is true that the $40 fee is going for a "good cause", you have pointed out perfectly why it is unnecessary. Rather than using the monthly service charges to "line the CEO's pockets" it SHOULD be going towards the aforementioned upgrades.

You are literally upset with me for pointing out the fee is BS by saying that we need it since the CEO won't give up his multi million dollar paycheck to upgrade services. There is something very wrong with that argument/picture.

EDIT: Re-reading your comment I am unsure if you are vehemently against or for my statement. If the latter is true, forgive my response.

I was commenting on ATTDUDE's name, as he seems like an ATT Shill. I'm with you, the fee is BS, and ATTDude's comments are BS as well.

Bonus: I have a 150g Coral Reef tank dominated by SPS.

 

[mtneer]

So lets just get to the point here. Cant we simply, nicely, ask for them to remove the charge? I mean, that should work right?

Yes. If the first CSR does not budge, be polite, hang up and call again. And call again after 2 days, 3 days, a week.. until you find someone who will budge.

Every time upgrade time comes around, I get so angry. Same emotion when I pay my tuition because of hikes every year.

What's the upgrade fee going be in 7 years? $100?

That's what they are banking on. People getting angry and tired of a confrontation and giving up on contesting the $40. Be polite and dogged, you'll get it back.

 

[ZBoater]

That's what they are banking on. People getting angry and tired of a confrontation and giving up on contesting the $40. Be polite and dogged, you'll get it back.

Or maybe pay it?

I mean, you are getting the phone activated, right?

Why are you entitled to free activation?

Pay it. Or switch carriers. AT&T can charge whatever they want to activate your phone on THEIR network.

You are free to take your business elsewhere.

 

[lordofthereef]

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I was commenting on ATTDUDE's name, as he seems like an ATT Shill. I'm with you, the fee is BS, and ATTDude's comments are BS as well.

Bonus: I have a 150g Coral Reef tank dominated by SPS.

I don't know whether I love you are hate you! I have a meager 20g cube, also SPS. Had to downsize in the cross country move. Next to iPhones I think it's my biggest addiction (it sure has hell costs more).