Carrier WTF is ATT trying to pull?

[HEK]

thats why I never switched to that mobile share crap. unlimited for life.

I used to think that as well, until they throttle me after 5GB. Download movie for half a day. Became a real pain.

When they offered me the share plan last February I looked at the numbers. Saved me $100 a month and declared my 5s paid in full, and was mine. Then I could get next phone for two year contract but monthly rate would go back up on both phones. Or bring my own phone, i.e. Pay full price for phone and rate stays same. Or use next option, rate stays same, but tack on monthly phone payment no interest. Better deal than old way where I paid $200 up front and higher rate for ever. Now they front me total cost of phone minus taxes.

 

[pdxmatts]

We have 4 lines that are on contract from 12/2012, when the value plan came out in 2/2013, we switched to it and saved $80 per mo plus gained 4 more GB's of data to share. It has saved us $560 as of this month. We were on the 2 yr swing where if we wanted to upgrade at that time, we only had a choice to go with the next generation 5 series. I felt stuck not being able to get the S series and always felt a year behind everyone else.

With the NEXT program, I can finally upgrade each year if I want too. Contract free without coming up with a ton of money for the down payment. As you can see in my signature, we have the i5's still, even one line with a 4S. It feels like I have more of a choice now if that makes sense.

If we want to subsidize in January, we will be off contract and can go back to the subsidized plan for another two year contract and back to what we were paying before. It's not like they took that choice away form us. We have a choice still

 

[Eileen89]

Holy crap, how slimy can they be.
I'm done with them.
Verizon has better coverage in my area and tmobile is adequate.

Verizon does the exact same thing, unless you buy into their EDGE plan.

 

[CrAkD]

I used to think that as well, until they throttle me after 5GB. Download movie for half a day. Became a real pain.

When they offered me the share plan last February I looked at the numbers. Saved me $100 a month and declared my 5s paid in full, and was mine. Then I could get next phone for two year contract but monthly rate would go back up on both phones. Or bring my own phone, i.e. Pay full price for phone and rate stays same. Or use next option, rate stays same, but tack on monthly phone payment no interest. Better deal than old way where I paid $200 up front and higher rate for ever. Now they front me total cost of phone minus taxes.

I have 1 line phone bill is $98 a month. i use right around 5gb so never really get throttled. Im on next now yeah I don't get the $15 discount and the extra $ per month will suck but whatever ill pay it off asap.

 

[HEK]

A year? I received the email in February/March of this year. When did you receive it?

Let me define "almost a year". I changed in February, and to me it feels like almost a year ago. Since the reduced rate continues, it will become over a year, after this coming march.

Then since I am iphone sheep, my year begins each September. So in two days it will be happy New Years for me.

 

[Jazwire]

Whatever I didn't read the fine print so yes technically I didn't do my due diligence and allowed the AT&T rep on the phone lie to me about the plan when they switched me.

Moving past a slimy sales tactics and being bait and switched by them.

I need to decide what's the best option. I am picking up my phone from the apple store Friday is it even possible to do Next at this point?

 

[Shockwave78]

Get used to it, all carriers are or will be doing this.

AT&T started this on 2/1/2014 and I would not blame them. You see the commercials all the time for there plans, even on the apple and at websites during my pre-run for the orders I saw the $40 access fee if I had used the subsidies/2 year commitment.

 

[ToroidalZeus]

We have 4 lines that are on contract from 12/2012, when the value plan came out in 2/2013, we switched to it and saved $80 per mo. It has saved us $560 as of this month. We were on the 2 yr swing where if we wanted to upgrade at that time, we only had a choice to go with the next generation 5 series. I felt stuck not being able to get the S series and always felt a year behind everyone else.

With the NEXT program, I can finally upgrade each year if I want too. Contract free without coming up with a ton of money for the down payment. As you can see in my signature, we have the i5's still, even one line with a 4S. It feels like I have more of a choice now if that makes sense. When we upgrade, my kids get the phone's we had, so it seems like an upgrade for them as well.

You should have just staggered your upgrades and added another line. Then you would have 3 upgrades one year, 2 the following and you could always give the handmedowns to someone else on your plan; basically everyone would always have the newest model or 1 year back. And when you sold the old phones, it would pay for [almost] all of the upgrade.

With NEXT you are stuck paying 32x12 or 385 per year for each line you upgrade because you return the phone the following year. If you tried upgrading like I did before on the family plan 3/2 each year, next costs a lot more money.

 

[HEK]

basically they have us by the balls and there's nothing we can do about it


Image

Owe....owe....owe....I feel the pain just looking!

 

[Pspressart]

I used to think that as well, until they throttle me after 5GB. Download movie for half a day. Became a real pain.

When they offered me the share plan last February I looked at the numbers. Saved me $100 a month and declared my 5s paid in full, and was mine. Then I could get next phone for two year contract but monthly rate would go back up on both phones. Or bring my own phone, i.e. Pay full price for phone and rate stays same. Or use next option, rate stays same, but tack on monthly phone payment no interest. Better deal than old way where I paid $200 up front and higher rate for ever. Now they front me total cost of phone minus taxes.

I agree. The cost of the phone is not hidden any longer. If I get a new phone with the Next plan, it does not change the voice/data cost. It's like buying a phone interest free.

 

[webbuzz]

Let me define "almost a year". I changed in February, and to me it feels like almost a year ago. Since the reduced rate continues, it will become over a year, after this coming march.

Then since I am iphone sheep, my year begins each September. So in two days it will be happy New Years for me.

Ha ha! September is Christmas!

 

[pdxmatts]

You should have just staggered your upgrades and added another line. Then you would have 3 upgrades one year, 2 the following and you could always give the handmedowns to someone else on your plan; basically everyone would always have the newest model or 1 year back. And when you sold the old phones, it would pay for [almost] all of the upgrade.

With NEXT you are stuck paying 32x12 or 385 per year for each line you upgrade because you return the phone the following year. If you tried upgrading like I did before on the family plan 3/2 each year; next costs a lot more money.

Ya, unfortunately, we left T-mobile and switched to ATT at the same time for 3 of our lines and added the 4th in Oct, so we we are stuck. Your way is very smart though My hope is to only upgrade two lines with NEXT, if we did all lines, it would cost another $160 per month IDK what we should do. It is getting overwhelming deciding on a plan and which phone size to get and what color. Arrrggghhhh!! I have been struggling with this since the 12th and haven't pulled the trigger yet.

 

[HEK]

Whatever I didn't read the fine print so yes technically I didn't do my due diligence and allowed the AT&T rep on the phone lie to me about the plan when they switched me.

Moving past a slimy sales tactics and being bait and switched by them.

I need to decide what's the best option. I am picking up my phone from the apple store Friday is it even possible to do Next at this point?

I agree with the sales tactic part. If you don't read the fine print, we all assume things not actually true. Advertising worded that way. Look at car lease ads in paper. Just try and get that monthly rate when you go to dealership. Sorry that only applied to the three cars we sold yesterday. Oh sorry you have to be employee to get that rate. Sorry we checked your credit score doesn't qualify for that rate. Live by the old saying, if a salesman or sales rep's lips are moving, you are hearing a lie. We'll perhaps that's a bit harsh, not a lie. Just not all the truth.

 

[rhaezorblue]

Whatever I didn't read the fine print so yes technically I didn't do my due diligence and allowed the AT&T rep on the phone lie to me about the plan when they switched me.

Moving past a slimy sales tactics and being bait and switched by them.

I need to decide what's the best option. I am picking up my phone from the apple store Friday is it even possible to do Next at this point?

They should be able to help you out. I am in a similar boat, I did 2 year contract not understanding the sneakiness of this. So when I pickup my reserved iPhone from my local Apple store, I'll get the phone in hand and let them know I made a mistake in selecting the 2 year contract, they'll cancel it and then I'll choose the Next option. We have two lines actually, the line I was upgrading had it's 2 year contract end around preorder time. My line had a 5s on it with 1 year remaining on contract. Apparently AT&T grandfathered us in and will allow me to upgrade my line by using Next, thereby forfeiting the remaining extra money I would have given them by being on a Moble Share Value plan and on contract.

I was going to do the switcheroo and swap upgrades with my wifes line (change number/sim card to mine once I got the phone 6 in hand) but this way I can just upgrade my line with my correct number and save a step.

 

[wxnats]

Holy crap, how slimy can they be.
I'm done with them.
Verizon has better coverage in my area and tmobile is adequate.

I like how they spring this on you 36 hours before launch.

It's been online for awhile.

 

[pdxmatts]

They should be able to help you out. I am in a similar boat, I did 2 year contract not understanding the sneakiness of this. So when I pickup my reserved iPhone from my local Apple store, I'll get the phone in hand and let them know I made a mistake in selecting the 2 year contract, they'll cancel it and then I'll choose the Next option. We have two lines actually, the line I was upgrading had it's 2 year contract end around preorder time. My line had a 5s on it with 1 year remaining on contract. Apparently AT&T grandfathered us in and will allow me to upgrade my line by using Next, thereby forfeiting the remaining extra money I would have given them by being on a Moble Share Value plan and on contract.

I was going to do the switcheroo and swap upgrades with my wifes line (change number/sim card to mine once I got the phone 6 in hand) but this way I can just upgrade my line with my correct number and save a step.

Don't forget that if you want to trade in an iPhone for $200 (4, 4S, 5, 5C) or $300 (5S)at that time, you can have them put it towards the amount of your phone. That is if you want too

 

[bueller1]

thats why I never switched to that mobile share crap. unlimited for life.

Lol word

 

[rhaezorblue]

Don't forget that if you want to trade in your 5S for $300 at that time, you can have them put it towards the amount of your phone. That is if you want too

I had planned on passing it down to someone else on my plan, as it would be an 'upgrade' for them instead of using their iPhone 5. I have a buyer lined up for the 5 already.

 

[pdxmatts]

I had planned on passing it down to someone else on my plan, as it would be an 'upgrade' for them instead of using their iPhone 5. I have a buyer lined up for the 5 already.

Very smart!!

 

[Jazwire]

They should be able to help you out. I am in a similar boat, I did 2 year contract not understanding the sneakiness of this. So when I pickup my reserved iPhone from my local Apple store, I'll get the phone in hand and let them know I made a mistake in selecting the 2 year contract, they'll cancel it and then I'll choose the Next option. We have two lines actually, the line I was upgrading had it's 2 year contract end around preorder time. My line had a 5s on it with 1 year remaining on contract. Apparently AT&T grandfathered us in and will allow me to upgrade my line by using Next, thereby forfeiting the remaining extra money I would have given them by being on a Moble Share Value plan and on contract.

I was going to do the switcheroo and swap upgrades with my wifes line (change number/sim card to mine once I got the phone 6 in hand) but this way I can just upgrade my line with my correct number and save a step.

I hope this is true, I just got off the phone with AT&T.
And basically was told I needed to return the phone to Apple and reorder from ATT to get the Next Plan.
Which of course are back ordered till Thanksgiving with ATT.

Which leaves me the option of only paying the extra $25 per phone.
Or just not getting the iPhone 6, at all and canceling everything.

 

[MareLuce]

I got the same text. I didn't do the research and was surprised by the text.

me too

 

[Rob9874]

Why do people hate Next? I don't see it as being lied to by AT&T or bait & switched. Next is cheaper. You should be happy they're offering it, instead of feeling you got scammed. My monthly bill decreased $25/line when I signed up for the Mobile Shared Plan, and I knew they would go back up if any of us signed a 2-yr agreement for a "discounted" phone. That's why the wife and I did Next for these 6's. Cheaper in the long run, don't have to shell out anything up front, and get to upgrade faster and not pay the last 8 payments for the phone you're replacing. I don't see the downside.

 

[MareLuce]

I am in a similar boat, I did 2 year contract not understanding the sneakiness of this. So when I pickup my reserved iPhone from my local Apple store, I'll get the phone in hand and let them know I made a mistake in selecting the 2 year contract, they'll cancel it and then I'll choose the Next option. We have two lines actually, the line I was upgrading had it's 2 year contract end around preorder time. My line had a 5s on it with 1 year remaining on contract. Apparently AT&T grandfathered us in and will allow me to upgrade my line by using Next, thereby forfeiting the remaining extra money I would have given them by being on a Moble Share Value plan and on contract.

How does the math work for your specific previous situation: On contract for both phones with Mobile Share

vs

AT&T Next with Mobile Share

?

 

[Blorzoga]

I've been with AT&T since the launch of the iPhone 3G. Should I be expecting it? Are certain people excluded?

If I won't be excluded and I just did the 2 year renewal, I take it I can expect my bill to jump by $25? Is that per iPhone?

I'm on AT&T, have unlimited, I haven't seen any change in my bill and I better not.

 

[normanfox]

This is why I wish they'd just get rid of subsidy altogether and just make MSVP pricing of $15/line standard without the need for any discounts. Heck, they can get rid of the financing offers, too. I'm fine paying cash for my devices. The fact that it's a discount makes me a bit antsy. If they remove the discounts, I'm switching to prepaid.

If carriers do these two things, then Apple would not sell 4 million phones on the first day. most people can only afford to live beyond their mean.