Will you buy an iPhone 4 at $599? Not even early upgrade eligible.

M

melman101

macrumors 68030
Hey all. Well I just spoke to AT&T. I bought an iphone 3GS on launch day along with my wife. We are on a family plan. She's eligible for the upgrade and getting it. However, I am not. After speaking with AT&T they informed me I would not be early upgrade eligible till November 2010. Full upgrade eligible on Feb. 2011.

Which means, AT&T wants me to pay $599.

I'll be passing at that price point. $399 no problem. But $599, that's a matter of principle. LOL what are you going to do?
 
Same boat as you. No chance i'm paying full retail price. My full upgrade isn't until feb and i expect there to be some Verizon buzz by then anyway.
 
I am told I'll have to pay the 699 price and I bought my 3GS on launch, as well. However, ATT told me to check *639# on Tuesday b/c they claim it should say I am eligible for the 499 as of that day. There are several ATT logo'd statements that claim that current iPhone owners should be able to at least get the middle tier pricing.

In any case, the way I see it is that if I have to pay $699 this year, then I'll pay $299 next year ... versus $499 + $499 ... same difference, really.
 
Sell your 3GS, it's not like it's worthless at this point. That way, you'd only end up spending $100-150 maybe
 
Each line on a FamilyTalk plan has it's own contract and price point, so the two contracts can have differerent contract end dates. Her line may be the primary line or just eligible for a standard upgrade.

Each line also has a Monthly Recurring Charges (MRC) value. Since the primary line has bulk of the rate plan $$$, they will almost always have an earlier standard equipment upgrade. Many qualify for a standard upgrade every 12 months based on a high MRC.

In short, you pay more so AT&T recovers their subsidy quicker and as a benefit to some of their best customers, there are a few perks.

Dave
 
a little off topic, but does any line thats upgradable in 2010 get the 199 price, or is it only existing iphone line that ends in 2010? tia.
 
The ONLY way I'll pay $599 is if I sell my current phone and get at least $400 off of it, so thats only $200 coming out my pocket. But paying $599 straight out my pocket, HELL NO!
 
bmms8 said:
a little off topic, but does any line thats upgradable in 2010 get the 199 price, or is it only existing iphone line that ends in 2010? tia.
Click to expand...
The current Official response is that only existing iPhone customers that would be eligible for a standard upgradebetween Jun. 7 and Dec. 31, 2010 would qualify for the best pricing on the new iPhone 4.

For existing AT&T customers who are not yet eligible for our best iPhone 4 pricing, AT&T offers a special program exclusively for iPhone – early upgrade pricing. This gives customers who do not yet qualify for an upgrade the opportunity to upgrade at a special price. Best price + $200.00. Two-year term agreement and eligible voice and data plan are required.

Dave
 
dave006 said:
The current Official response is that only existing iPhone customers that would be eligible for a standard upgradebetween Jun. 7 and Dec. 31, 2010 would qualify for the best pricing on the new iPhone 4.

For existing AT&T customers who are not yet eligible for our best iPhone 4 pricing, AT&T offers a special program exclusively for iPhone – early upgrade pricing. This gives customers who do not yet qualify for an upgrade the opportunity to upgrade at a special price. Best price + $200.00. Two-year term agreement and eligible voice and data plan are required.

Dave
Click to expand...

thanks for the info!


i think we might get two lines at 600 and my primary at 400. i think this would be best so all 3 lines would be 100% upgradeable next year.
 
The whole upgrade topic seems so confusing to me... AT&T has no clue what they are doing, or at least they aren't telling us. I upgraded my 3G last year on launch day to the 3GS, & at first I was told no upgrade discount, & was charged 500.... Within 2 weeks of launch AT&T refunded my 200 & sent me an apology. Not saying it will happen this time, but I'm buying 2, 1 for me, 1 for my wife... Whatever it costs.... I just don't care about the $$$ I want my new iPhone... I was very curious how many others would say the same... I understand some of standing on principle... But do it with a new iPhone... I'd rather spend hundreds more then go without...
 
I sold my 3GS on eBay a few weeks ago and pocketed ~$400 after fees, so I've got $600 sitting in my checking account right now, but I'm still crossing my fingers hoping I can get the discounted price. I can think of other things to spend $200 on.

... and I know hopes of a Verizon iPhone are quickly diminishing, but I still have a little bit of hope and if I did pay $600, at least I could jump ship in February when my contract expires, should a Verizon iPhone be imminent.
 
No way I'd do it for $599.

I'm seriously considering it for $399 though (that's the boat I'm in). I figure I can get around $275-$300 for my 3Gs so I don't feel too bad about spending $100 or so for the iphone 4 (until I start thinking that I would be MAKING money if I could get it for $199 and sell mine for $300, lol).

Decisions, decisions...
 
melman101 said:
Hey all. Well I just spoke to AT&T. I bought an iphone 3GS on launch day along with my wife. We are on a family plan. She's eligible for the upgrade and getting it. However, I am not. After speaking with AT&T they informed me I would not be early upgrade eligible till November 2010. Full upgrade eligible on Feb. 2011.

Which means, AT&T wants me to pay $599.

I'll be passing at that price point. $399 no problem. But $599, that's a matter of principle. LOL what are you going to do?
Click to expand...

Pay the price. Otherwise you will not be able to participate in the first day festivities (waiting lines and such) ;)
 
I truly think when the time comes to get the iPhone, they will let you get it for the $399/$499 pricing, regardless of what the retarded ATT eligibility system says right now. None of the customer service reps at ATT know what the hell they're talking about and they're system is too complicated for them to explain any of it to you. They just look at the system and say "oh, looks like you're not eligible."

I've talked to 3 Apple people, and they all said if you're not eligible for the 199/299 pricing, then everyone should be eligible for the 399/499 early upgrade pricing. And if you argue your reasoning to the Apple store with the document that clearly states all other iPhone owners are eligible for the early upgrade price, I think they'll let you go with that pricing. They allowed it last year, and there's no reason it shouldn't be this year, especially when someone who has the same phone, got it at the same time, and pay the same monthly gets the full subsidized price, while others are stuck at full retail.

All that being said, I am still willing to pay $599/699. My plan is to argue until I get the 399/499 pricing, but if they don't budge I will probably just buy it full retail because I don't have to extend my contract. I have a year left, so at that point, I can sell the iPhone 4 and get the next upgrade at full subsidized pricing...or even have the option to switch carriers, if that ever happens. For me, because I like to upgrade every year, it doesn't make a difference to me. I can pay 599/699 right now, and pay 199/299 next year.. or I will pay 399/499 now and pay 399/499 next year for the early upgrade.
 
If it's unlocked, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. $599 is not bad at all, considering an unlocked Nexus One is $529, and only comes with 4GB SD card. $599 for 16GB iPhone 4 is actually no bad at all, considering SE is still selling its Satio for $649.
 
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