Won't this save me $85 on buying a 3GS?!

[czeluff]

Hello to all,

I have been with AT&T for exactly one year. According to their site, the early termination fee drops for each month you stuck with them. In you've had them for 12 months, the ETF = $115.

So AT&T wants to charge me $400 for the 16gb iPhone 3GS. Couldn't I save $85 by paying the ETF and then $199 for the new phone? Paying the $400 renews my contract another 2 years also...

Or am I missing something completely?

 

[lindsayanng]

Yes. this has been explained and tested multiple times..

 

[brbubba]

Hello to all,

I have been with AT&T for exactly one year. According to their site, the early termination fee drops for each month you stuck with them. In you've had them for 12 months, the ETF = $115.

So AT&T wants to charge me $400 for the 16gb iPhone 3GS. Couldn't I save $85 by paying the ETF and then $199 for the new phone? Paying the $400 renews my contract another 2 years also...

Or am I missing something completely?

Sure, but what do you do with your phone #? You could port it out to a temporary pay as you go phone on another carrier and then port it back in, but something tells me that that will be a hassle.

 

[calvy]

Hello to all,

I have been with AT&T for exactly one year. According to their site, the early termination fee drops for each month you stuck with them. In you've had them for 12 months, the ETF = $115.

So AT&T wants to charge me $400 for the 16gb iPhone 3GS. Couldn't I save $85 by paying the ETF and then $199 for the new phone? Paying the $400 renews my contract another 2 years also...

Or am I missing something completely?

Yes, what you are missing is the fact that when you end your account and pay that ETF, you lose your phone number and can't reactivate it right away. So, if you are willing to cancel and change phone numbers, go for it. Otherwise, pay the upgrade fee.