Only thing is it will be the same situation next year. Those who bought subsidized iPhones this year will not be eligible for the "new hotness" next summer.
The only way to avoid this is to pay full price ($599/$699), you won't have a 2 year contract and AT&T will not have subsidized your phone, you are free and clear.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamIIGS
This entire thread has made me glad I have waited to buy an iPhone until now (I reserved one yesterday), I didn't really need a phone so I just bought an iTouch and used it's happy fun fuzzy goodness until now, ... I win.
Only thing is it will be the same situation next year. Those who bought subsidized iPhones this year will not be eligible for the "new hotness" next summer.
The only way to avoid this is to pay full price ($599/$699), you won't have a 2 year contract and AT&T will not have subsidized your phone, you are free and clear.
Assuming that the ineligible upgrade price remains there is no benefit for buying the device with a contract, especially since the rates are altered to compensate you.
There may also be a chance that AT&T will allow for a prorated upgrade fee. If I were AT&T I would do the $100 fee as it?s close enough to the 1 year cancelation fee to make it worthwhile while also being low enough for even the more begrudging customers to consider.
Only thing is it will be the same situation next year. Those who bought subsidized iPhones this year will not be eligible for the "new hotness" next summer.
The only way to avoid this is to pay full price ($599/$699), you won't have a 2 year contract and AT&T will not have subsidized your phone, you are free and clear.
Damn right.
You want to be an early adopter? You want the latest and greatest? Then bloody well pay for it like everyone else and stop crying. Early Adopters pay more, early adopters also tend not to get tied into long term finance deals for goods as they are fully aware they may want to buy something new before the finance is paid off. You always want the latest iPhone? Then you are gonna have to spend $700 a year on the latest model, what makes you people think you should be able to get away with paying for your goods.
I sometimes expect a better deal for spending lots of money with a company, so yes if my phone bill was $200 a month then I would expect to be treated a little differently than someone spending $40 a month. Do you have any issue with this? If I go to Vegas and drop $2000 a day on blackjack I would expect my room to be paid for me, I would not expect the old woman stuffing dimes into a slot machine to be extended the same courtesy.
What is it with this generation who think they should have everything now and for free? Do you realize how pathetic you people are sounding?
Apparently every iPhone 3G user out there was never an AT&T customer prior to their iPhone, or perhaps, never had a cell phone before period. This pricing "scheme" as everyone likes to call it has been around forever. And yes, it is a sense of entitlement, otherwise why would every iPhone 3G owner be bitching right now. Any time a new harware device comes out, not all owners of the previous version can get it right away. Thats the way it is, was and always has been. With the one exception...the original iPhone owners being allowed to get the 3G without being eligible. You all got a lucky deal last time, doesn't mean you should get one every time. This is not false advertising. ALL PHONES are advertised with their new customer/upgrade eligible prices. Give it a rest already. Please explain to me why iPhone users should get a discount upgrade every 12 months when Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, Palm, etc.. users can't. And your answer isn't a sense of entitlement? B.S.
Also, people need to check their facts. AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
They use your average bill from the past 3 billing cycles to determine this. Overages, taxes, fees, insurance, roadside assistance, gps, etc.. do not count toward that total. This is not a giant secret.
That'd be me-3.O should be enough for me. Not worth $499 for an electronic compass and voice commands.
Well, as you might suspect, there's more to it than that. Many new apps will be written for the 3Gs model, and might not work at all on the 3G model. This is no different than buying a Mac where older machines will not run newer software because they don't meet the system requirements of the later software. So, if a to die for app comes along later, it might not work on a 3G model.
I'm particularly interested in the medical apps, and I sure don't want a model that won't make use of the very latest capabilities. YMMV
Apparently every iPhone 3G user out there was never an AT&T customer prior to their iPhone, or perhaps, never had a cell phone before period. This pricing "scheme" as everyone likes to call it has been around forever. And yes, it is a sense of entitlement, otherwise why would every iPhone 3G owner be bitching right now. Any time a new harware device comes out, not all owners of the previous version can get it right away. Thats the way it is, was and always has been. With the one exception...the original iPhone owners being allowed to get the 3G without being eligible. You all got a lucky deal last time, doesn't mean you should get one every time. This is not false advertising. ALL PHONES are advertised with their new customer/upgrade eligible prices. Give it a rest already. Please explain to me why iPhone users should get a discount upgrade every 12 months when Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, Palm, etc.. users can't. And your answer isn't a sense of entitlement? B.S.
It?s the true reality distortion field, yet it?s brought upon themselves for not being aware of the purchase they made last year and it?s requirements. It truly is odd that only when it comes to Apple?s products does it seem people feel that way.
What is sad is that AT&T will probably lower the current price and upgrade eligibility times once they get it all straightened out, which is something I?ve never heard of AT&T of any other carrier doing, yet they will bitch that AT&T is still screwing them. I?m glad theses people are only through the looking glass or I might have to slap a ho in a person.
Quote:
Originally Posted by addabox
I'll be curious to see if, a year from now, when Palm has an updated Pre to sell, if Sprint subscribers will flip out over the grossly unfair terms.
Pro tip: it's how cell phones are sold.
The new $99 price for the 8GB iPhone is going to be tough for Sprint and Palm. While the Pre has some SW and HW advantages the current iPhone has the App Store and ITS that clearly make it a winner for most in terms of overall usefulness. At this point I think it?s only the AT&T haters, Sprint lovers, Apple haters and/or Palm lovers that are the only real consumer for the Palm Pre. I hope the return rate isn?t like the BB Storm.
This entire thread has made me glad I have waited to buy an iPhone until now (I reserved one yesterday), I didn't really need a phone so I just bought an iTouch and used it's happy fun fuzzy goodness until now, ... I win.
at this point i think it’s only the at&t haters, sprint lovers, apple haters and/or palm lovers that are the only real consumer for the palm pre. I hope the return rate isn’t like the bb storm.
Notice how solipism and his ilk are missing with all these complaints goin' on. Where is he? Hiding under an AT&T pole?
You sure have a chip on your shoulder about Solipism. The complaints are pretty mild anyway and there's nothing here to defend or attack.
2 yr contract is a 2 yr contract before upgrades. Anything sooner is simply AT&T being nice to long term customers or folks they hope to be long term customers.
Everyone knows Verizon has a better network. Of course they also are well known for crippling their phones. Even more than AT&T is doing with the tethering thing.
Me, probably because I live in DC and not NY or some other problem plagued area, have always been happy with AT&T even back when it was really AT&T.
That'd be me-3.O should be enough for me. Not worth $499 for an electronic compass and voice commands.
On the other hand, $49 for a family pack of Snow Leopard-BRING IT ON
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinea
You sure have a chip on your shoulder about Solipism. The complaints are pretty mild anyway and there's nothing here to defend or attack.
2 yr contract is a 2 yr contract before upgrades. Anything sooner is simply AT&T being nice to long term customers or folks they hope to be long term customers.
Everyone knows Verizon has a better network. Of course they also are well known for crippling their phones. Even more than AT&T is doing with the tethering thing.
Me, probably because I live in DC and not NY or some other problem plagued area, have always been happy with AT&T even back when it was really AT&T.
No cell phone carrier is going to provide reception for everyone, every place, all of the time. Not even Verizon. If you want that, get a land line.
If there is this "18 month" upgrade rule as part of the contract from last year why are some 3G owners getting the new customer price and others are paying the extra upgrade fee?
If indeed this is the rule, why is it not being uniformly applied?
Because there is no such rule. ATT gets to decide who they allow to BREAK THE CONTRACT agreed to by both parties.
After reading through this thread, I realize that maybe it is not as well known as I thought it was, so I wanted to re-post this without the negative tone to it. I located an Upgrade Matrix chart online several months ago. I took this cart into AT&T and confirmed with the staff that it was accurate. The chart is not a complicated alogrithm, it is very simple. Also, AT&T will allow SOME people to upgrade early for a fee of $75. This would be an option for some, I did have to say I was having problems with my current phone to use this last time.
AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
They use your average bill from the past 3 billing cycles to determine this. Overages, taxes, fees, insurance, roadside assistance, gps, etc.. do not count toward that total.
After reading through this thread, I realize that maybe it is not as well known as I thought it was, so I wanted to re-post this without the negative tone to it. I located an Upgrade Matrix chart online several months ago. I took this cart into AT&T and confirmed with the staff that it was accurate. The chart is not a complicated alogrithm, it is very simple. Also, AT&T will allow SOME people to upgrade early for a fee of $75. This would be an option for some, I did have to say I was having problems with my current phone to use this last time.
AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
They use your average bill from the past 3 billing cycles to determine this. Overages, taxes, fees, insurance, roadside assistance, gps, etc.. do not count toward that total.
That isn?t right. The original iPhone wasn?t subsidized, which is part of the problem with people expecting AT&T will let them jump from an iPhone 3G to an iPhone 3G[s] after a year with no penalty like they did with the original iPhone.
I?d go into a store directly and talk with a manager. You are under contract for that original iPhone for two years (unless you are doing month-to-month which would make this a really big gaffe) but it?sa profit sharing model. I?m certain you can get this worked out as it?s AT&T?s best interests to get you on the more expensive plan. Have you missed any payments?
Never missed a payment - auto payment from my credit card.
AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
Any idea how this works with multi-phone-number accounts?
In my case, I bought a 1G Iphone on 12/26/2007, alongside a Samsung Sync for my wife.
On July 24th 2008 I upgraded to a 3G. On 2/15/2009, Sandi finally caved in and took the 1G Iphone because the Sync so completely sucked.
The Apple site tells me that my phone is available for upgrade on 12/26/2009, and hers on 8/15/2009. None of this quite matches up to what you are saying.
Comments
The only way to avoid this is to pay full price ($599/$699), you won't have a 2 year contract and AT&T will not have subsidized your phone, you are free and clear.
This entire thread has made me glad I have waited to buy an iPhone until now (I reserved one yesterday), I didn't really need a phone so I just bought an iTouch and used it's happy fun fuzzy goodness until now, ... I win.
Only thing is it will be the same situation next year. Those who bought subsidized iPhones this year will not be eligible for the "new hotness" next summer.
The only way to avoid this is to pay full price ($599/$699), you won't have a 2 year contract and AT&T will not have subsidized your phone, you are free and clear.
Assuming that the ineligible upgrade price remains there is no benefit for buying the device with a contract, especially since the rates are altered to compensate you.
There may also be a chance that AT&T will allow for a prorated upgrade fee. If I were AT&T I would do the $100 fee as it?s close enough to the 1 year cancelation fee to make it worthwhile while also being low enough for even the more begrudging customers to consider.
Only thing is it will be the same situation next year. Those who bought subsidized iPhones this year will not be eligible for the "new hotness" next summer.
The only way to avoid this is to pay full price ($599/$699), you won't have a 2 year contract and AT&T will not have subsidized your phone, you are free and clear.
Damn right.
You want to be an early adopter? You want the latest and greatest? Then bloody well pay for it like everyone else and stop crying. Early Adopters pay more, early adopters also tend not to get tied into long term finance deals for goods as they are fully aware they may want to buy something new before the finance is paid off. You always want the latest iPhone? Then you are gonna have to spend $700 a year on the latest model, what makes you people think you should be able to get away with paying for your goods.
I sometimes expect a better deal for spending lots of money with a company, so yes if my phone bill was $200 a month then I would expect to be treated a little differently than someone spending $40 a month. Do you have any issue with this? If I go to Vegas and drop $2000 a day on blackjack I would expect my room to be paid for me, I would not expect the old woman stuffing dimes into a slot machine to be extended the same courtesy.
What is it with this generation who think they should have everything now and for free? Do you realize how pathetic you people are sounding?
Pro tip: it's how cell phones are sold.
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
They use your average bill from the past 3 billing cycles to determine this. Overages, taxes, fees, insurance, roadside assistance, gps, etc.. do not count toward that total. This is not a giant secret.
That'd be me-3.O should be enough for me. Not worth $499 for an electronic compass and voice commands.
Well, as you might suspect, there's more to it than that. Many new apps will be written for the 3Gs model, and might not work at all on the 3G model. This is no different than buying a Mac where older machines will not run newer software because they don't meet the system requirements of the later software. So, if a to die for app comes along later, it might not work on a 3G model.
I'm particularly interested in the medical apps, and I sure don't want a model that won't make use of the very latest capabilities. YMMV
Apparently every iPhone 3G user out there was never an AT&T customer prior to their iPhone, or perhaps, never had a cell phone before period. This pricing "scheme" as everyone likes to call it has been around forever. And yes, it is a sense of entitlement, otherwise why would every iPhone 3G owner be bitching right now. Any time a new harware device comes out, not all owners of the previous version can get it right away. Thats the way it is, was and always has been. With the one exception...the original iPhone owners being allowed to get the 3G without being eligible. You all got a lucky deal last time, doesn't mean you should get one every time. This is not false advertising. ALL PHONES are advertised with their new customer/upgrade eligible prices. Give it a rest already. Please explain to me why iPhone users should get a discount upgrade every 12 months when Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, Palm, etc.. users can't. And your answer isn't a sense of entitlement? B.S.
It?s the true reality distortion field, yet it?s brought upon themselves for not being aware of the purchase they made last year and it?s requirements. It truly is odd that only when it comes to Apple?s products does it seem people feel that way.
What is sad is that AT&T will probably lower the current price and upgrade eligibility times once they get it all straightened out, which is something I?ve never heard of AT&T of any other carrier doing, yet they will bitch that AT&T is still screwing them. I?m glad theses people are only through the looking glass or I might have to slap a ho in a person.
I'll be curious to see if, a year from now, when Palm has an updated Pre to sell, if Sprint subscribers will flip out over the grossly unfair terms.
Pro tip: it's how cell phones are sold.
The new $99 price for the 8GB iPhone is going to be tough for Sprint and Palm. While the Pre has some SW and HW advantages the current iPhone has the App Store and ITS that clearly make it a winner for most in terms of overall usefulness. At this point I think it?s only the AT&T haters, Sprint lovers, Apple haters and/or Palm lovers that are the only real consumer for the Palm Pre. I hope the return rate isn?t like the BB Storm.
This entire thread has made me glad I have waited to buy an iPhone until now (I reserved one yesterday), I didn't really need a phone so I just bought an iTouch and used it's happy fun fuzzy goodness until now, ... I win.
Always wait and it pays off.
at this point i think it’s only the at&t haters, sprint lovers, apple haters and/or palm lovers that are the only real consumer for the palm pre. I hope the return rate isn’t like the bb storm.
You forgot slider lovers.
Notice how solipism and his ilk are missing with all these complaints goin' on. Where is he? Hiding under an AT&T pole?
You sure have a chip on your shoulder about Solipism. The complaints are pretty mild anyway and there's nothing here to defend or attack.
2 yr contract is a 2 yr contract before upgrades. Anything sooner is simply AT&T being nice to long term customers or folks they hope to be long term customers.
Everyone knows Verizon has a better network. Of course they also are well known for crippling their phones. Even more than AT&T is doing with the tethering thing.
Me, probably because I live in DC and not NY or some other problem plagued area, have always been happy with AT&T even back when it was really AT&T.
That'd be me-3.O should be enough for me. Not worth $499 for an electronic compass and voice commands.
On the other hand, $49 for a family pack of Snow Leopard-BRING IT ON
You sure have a chip on your shoulder about Solipism. The complaints are pretty mild anyway and there's nothing here to defend or attack.
2 yr contract is a 2 yr contract before upgrades. Anything sooner is simply AT&T being nice to long term customers or folks they hope to be long term customers.
Everyone knows Verizon has a better network. Of course they also are well known for crippling their phones. Even more than AT&T is doing with the tethering thing.
Me, probably because I live in DC and not NY or some other problem plagued area, have always been happy with AT&T even back when it was really AT&T.
No cell phone carrier is going to provide reception for everyone, every place, all of the time. Not even Verizon. If you want that, get a land line.
All the ugliness and snide comments aside.
If there is this "18 month" upgrade rule as part of the contract from last year why are some 3G owners getting the new customer price and others are paying the extra upgrade fee?
If indeed this is the rule, why is it not being uniformly applied?
Because there is no such rule. ATT gets to decide who they allow to BREAK THE CONTRACT agreed to by both parties.
AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
They use your average bill from the past 3 billing cycles to determine this. Overages, taxes, fees, insurance, roadside assistance, gps, etc.. do not count toward that total.
After reading through this thread, I realize that maybe it is not as well known as I thought it was, so I wanted to re-post this without the negative tone to it. I located an Upgrade Matrix chart online several months ago. I took this cart into AT&T and confirmed with the staff that it was accurate. The chart is not a complicated alogrithm, it is very simple. Also, AT&T will allow SOME people to upgrade early for a fee of $75. This would be an option for some, I did have to say I was having problems with my current phone to use this last time.
AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
They use your average bill from the past 3 billing cycles to determine this. Overages, taxes, fees, insurance, roadside assistance, gps, etc.. do not count toward that total.
Thank you. This is far from being well known.
That isn?t right. The original iPhone wasn?t subsidized, which is part of the problem with people expecting AT&T will let them jump from an iPhone 3G to an iPhone 3G[s] after a year with no penalty like they did with the original iPhone.
I?d go into a store directly and talk with a manager. You are under contract for that original iPhone for two years (unless you are doing month-to-month which would make this a really big gaffe) but it?sa profit sharing model. I?m certain you can get this worked out as it?s AT&T?s best interests to get you on the more expensive plan. Have you missed any payments?
Never missed a payment - auto payment from my credit card.
AT&T allows customers to upgrade at the following intervals, based on their average bill amount (voice & data plans only):
12 Months = Over $99.99
18 Months = $69.99 to $99.99
24 Months = Under $69.99
Any idea how this works with multi-phone-number accounts?
In my case, I bought a 1G Iphone on 12/26/2007, alongside a Samsung Sync for my wife.
On July 24th 2008 I upgraded to a 3G. On 2/15/2009, Sandi finally caved in and took the 1G Iphone because the Sync so completely sucked.
The Apple site tells me that my phone is available for upgrade on 12/26/2009, and hers on 8/15/2009. None of this quite matches up to what you are saying.