Why is ATT so stupid? No upgrade!!

[b166er]

To be fair, ATT has offered early upgrade for iPhone users who purchased at launch the past 3 gens. This time around the release cycle was 4 months longer than usual and they're not offering the early upgrade, which seems odd.

Add to that the fact that it is cheaper to pay the ETF with ATT and buy your iPhone on another carrier. I'd do this if it weren't for ATT having talk & surf- I actually use that a lot.

Add to that the fact that ATT has spent the last 3 days bumping up some customers and not others. I called today to ask and got nowhere. A friend of mine (who purchased his 4 after me) called and he got bumped up with barely even asking.

A contract with ATT is not the same for one as it is for the other. There are a lot of variables. And it would seem that since Tuesday they are bumping up eligibility at random.

 

[silver8ack]

Something tells me we're not the idiots here. You say forget it but I bet you're still whining.

Looks like you're still whining too.

 

[slippery-pete]

It's a numbers game. They recover the subsidized cost of the phone faster on your main line than they do on subsequent lines, so they can offer you an upgrade on that line sooner without incurring a loss on the subsidy.

well said

The main line on my family plan gets and upgrade every 12 months, the other lines follow the normal upgrade process.

Not sure why people get pissy about this.

 

[silver8ack]

To be fair, ATT has offered early upgrade for iPhone users who purchased at launch the past 3 gens. This time around the release cycle was 4 months longer than usual and they're not offering the early upgrade, which seems odd.

Add to that the fact that it is cheaper to pay the ETF with ATT and buy your iPhone on another carrier. I'd do this if it weren't for ATT having talk & surf- I actually use that a lot.

Add to that the fact that ATT has spent the last 3 days bumping up some customers and not others. I called today to ask and got nowhere. A friend of mine (who purchased his 4 after me) called and he got bumped up with barely even asking.

A contract with ATT is not the same for one as it is for the other. There are a lot of variables. And it would seem that since Tuesday they are bumping up eligibility at random.

Thank you. A voice of reason.

Every other iPhone release was no problem. Upgrades all lines at discount price. Everyone happy. Now they switch it up. I've gotten the new iPhone every year since launch. Now they change the rules. And they suck. Truth.

 

[Fissure]

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Well that is the first helpful post. Thank you and it makes sense.

And yea they quoted me $457 I think for the 16gb. It would be cheaper to pay the $175 he quoted me to cancel and sign up for $199 elsewhere. I said are you telling me it's cheaper to cancel and go elsewhere... Yes was his reply. Nothing more. Peace!

Cancel your 2nd line by paying the $175.
You're technically a new AT&T customer now.
Buy that 2nd 4s for $199 at AT&T again as your technically a "new" customer.
Your total out if pocket = $374, saving you $83 (versus the $457 you were quoted).

I mean I dunno if AT&T would allow that, it's kinda a loop hole, but you could try?

 

[trouble747]

Thanks to those who have actually helped and given advice/reasons instead of telling me I'm ignorant and should take it up the butt because that's how they like it.

Classy!

 

[maclook]

The main line on my family plan gets and upgrade every 12 months, the other lines follow the normal upgrade process.

I have 3 lines on my family plan. I don't know which one is the "main" line, but two are eligible for upgrades and only one isn't. The customer service rep says he doesn't know why some are eligible and others aren't, he's just reading what the page is telling him.

Can anybody explain why 2 are eligible and one isn't? It seems to be the opposite of the comment I quoted.

 

[Millionin20s]

Any rep telling a customer that it would be cheaper to go elsewhere is laughable. The money is in keeping the customer. Idiocy.

How many people actually carry out their threat to leave their carrier though? Especially those on family plans? At the end of the day, cell phone carriers are businesses that have to make hard decisions and make stances on things. AT&T know they have leverage in this situation, so the smart business decision to make is to force the customer's hand.

OP, I understand why you're upset to a certain extent, but you did sign an agreement, and AT&T has the right to make you live up to your end of the deal. If the situation was reversed, and they were trying to get out of the contract without rendering you the services owed, you would be trying to hold them to it. Correct?

 

[irDigital0l]

Wait...why are you expecting an early upgrade? Its called a 2 year contract for a reason.

/getmoremad

 

[JohnnyQuest]

I don't feel entitled. Sorry for venting and taking up your precious time.

Thanks to those who have actually helped and given advice/reasons instead of telling me I'm ignorant and should take it up the butt because that's how they like it.

Guilty as charged.

 

[DiamondMac]

Wait...why are you expecting an early upgrade? Its called a 2 year contract for a reason.

/getmoremad

Yet the 2-year contract was broken the previous 3 iPhone orders?

I mean, that seems quite straight-forward of an answer.

That is why people want and/or expect it.

 

[xdhd350]

Wait...why are you expecting an early upgrade? Its called a 2 year contract for a reason.

/getmoremad

And as long as EVERYONE is held to the same standard, it's not an issue. When they cut some people slack, and not others, then WE have a right to get feathers a bit ruffled. It's called fairness to all involved, and AT&T doesn't seem to be playing fair with their loyal customers at this point.

 

[forza69]

I like how all of OP's posts have been thumbed down to the ground.

 

[mikejfrd]

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I can't believe some people still don't get this. AT&T has specific criteria for determining when to bump up someone's upgrade, based on the amount of money spent on that line. They aren't being nice to some and not others.

I just want to know what that criteria is because I was eligible for an early upgrade on every other iPhone but not this one for some reason?? Bills the same, nothing changed. The other kicker is that my good friend and I got them both on launch day with the same plan and he's eligible and I'm not??

I agree with you I do have a 24 month contract and I do not think AT&T is doing me wrong by sticking to the contract that I signed, I just got used to upgrading every year and am a little confused about how they're determining who is eligible and who isn't. Seems like there isn't any rhyme or reason and everyone in cust service seems clueless.

 

[dodgerbluetx]

And as long as EVERYONE is held to the same standard, it's not an issue. When they cut some people slack, and not others, then WE have a right to get feathers a bit ruffled. It's called fairness to all involved, and AT&T doesn't seem to be playing fair with their loyal customers at this point.

Everyone is. You think they are selecting folks willy-nilly to get early upgrades? Everyone is held by the same standard, but there are many variables involved so it's not clear on the surface. Variables like the amount of money you spend monthly (your bill), number of lines, timely bill payments, etc.

Loyalty means nothing, they don't need loyal customers who bitch every year thinking they deserve an early upgrade because they bought their iPhone on day 1. Those same loyal customers would cause the company to lose money if they allowed them early upgrade after early upgrade. It's basic economics yet 95% of the people on this forum can't grasp the concept.

For those bitching and threatening to bail to another carrier if they don't get their way, my guess is they'll be right back here next year with the same sob story and complaining about carrier XYZ.

 

[Jagardn]

Looks like you're still whining too.

silver8ack, quit hitting your sister!!

 

[Mlrollin91]

As other have stated. The primary line gets an upgrade every 12 months if the primary line's bill is over $100 a month for the individual line (not the bill as a whole). Anything else the upgrade ranges from 16-20 months depending on monthly line cost.