ATT's best customers don't have promo codes on their accounts to save them money! Nor do they have family plans to, wait for it, wait for it... save them money.
Maybe you didn't noodle this through, but do you have any idea who loses that money when you save it?
That's right! The very company that you're now expecting to do you a solid by tearing up the contract you signed!
Duh!
Hey jerko. I'm not one of their best customers because of money, I am one of their best because of LOYALTY. I tell everyone about the iPhones, I show them off, I talk up ATT, I talk up Apple. I got both the 2G and 3G on DAY 1. I sell their products to others for free basically.
Loyalty is just as important as money, because customer loyalty makes you more money in the end.
My in-laws bought iPhones, my co-workers buy them, I got one for my wife, my brother and his wife and all his friends got them. NONE of them would have really contemplated it if it wasn't for me.
Hey jerko. I'm not one of their best customers because of money, I am one of their best because of LOYALTY. I tell everyone about the iPhones, I show them off, I talk up ATT, I talk up Apple. I got both the 2G and 3G on DAY 1. I sell their products to others for free basically.
Loyalty is just as important as money, because customer loyalty makes you more money in the end.
My in-laws bought iPhones, my co-workers buy them, I got one for my wife, my brother and his wife and all his friends got them. NONE of them would have really contemplated it if it wasn't for me.
So yeah... screw ATT.
I don't think that loyalty is that important. What matters is cash flow and profits.
I know someone here said that the monthly fee isn't paying off the subsidy, but it is. That's why a contract is required at these prices.
So if you're not paying off that subsidy by ending your contract too early by getting a new phone again, then you're going to pay more for the new one. AT&T isn't going to lose money on every deal just because their customers have been with them a few years. That makes no sense!
If they were going to allow that, what would be the point?
For the company, I am sure they love it if it means more sales
These are very big companies. They can't treat customers as friends. It's simply profits and losses.
They do a calculation to see if you've paid off your"debts" from the phone. If so, then you're eligible, if not, then no.
They've decided to be more liberal for a while. It will cost them money, but so will too many people hearing of this, so they compromised.
They'll write off some losses. But they can't go too far.
So if someone is paying the minimum, it takes longer to pay that off. That's all. What's loyalty? People who want a product and service, and are thinking it's a good deal for them. That's not loyalty. That's people thinking they've got something good going.
Loyalty is when you think think things AREN'T going so well, but you stick with it anyway.
I don't see people willing to do that here when they complain. They just want what they want, whether it costs the company its profits or not. Apparently, even causing losses doesn't bother these people.
So, I'd like to know why the company should reward "loyalty" like that?
I bought my 3G the very first day it went on sale, and AT&T just told
me that I'm still not eligible until March 2010. So apparrently the
only people elibigle are ones that bought an original iphone before
spring 2008, and did not extend their contract to get a 3G.
Sounds nice for PR purposes, but a useless gesture for most of us.
I bought the original iPhone 2 weeks after it released and upgraded to the iPhone 3G in July last year. I just checked and I'm eligible for the upgrade after 7/27/2009. I'm a long time AT&T customer (since 1996 Pac Bell Wireless).
I am one of the lucky ones that is eligible to upgrade after 12 months. I bought mine in Aug 2008 and was eligible to upgrade in Aug 2009. Just for informational purposes, my plan is about $120 a month and I have my bill auto debited. I have 900 minutes a month, with the $20 unlimited text plan.
I was very surprised I qualified after only 12 months, but I can confirm that some people do qualify for this.
These are very big companies. They can't treat customers as friends. It's simply profits and losses.
Loyalty is a great thing!
Loyalty means you had a happy customer and some companies (like Apple) totally banks on loyalty and happy customers. Ex. they have a 1 year program for customers called "One to One". You get 1 hr a week lessons on apple stuff for a year for only $99! Cheap as hell right? right! On average, because those customers get individualized attention, they spend $5000 more than the regular joe who doesn't do One to One. Also, don't you think a happy customer is going to tell their friends about it? Even if just 1 friend does the same exact thing, they just made 10g's originating from someone so happy about the $99 spent!
If AT&T would implement some of Apple Strategy then they would have more customers that would go to them and not just buy an iPhone on craigslist and unlock it for T-Mobile.
Treat customers as friends... maybe not, but treat customers with the respect that a company should give and your profits will increase just by treating them right.
I bought my 3G on the first day it came out last summer. But my plan does not include any texting options. My bill is $79/mo. I think. But the PR statement says you not only have to be an early adopter but you have to have been paying $99/mo. as well.
The unlimited text messaging plan is $20/mo. and that would make it $99/mo. As far as I can figure that is the reason I am 12/09 eligible while others who bought their phone on the same day I did are July-Sept. eligible and therefore qualify for the lower pricing.
This made me very mad yesterday. ATT was nice on the phone but knew absolutely nothing. Apple was frustrated on the phone and wanted to help but could do or say nothing.
I kept saying "I bought my phone the same first day as everybody else, why am I not eligible?" I have come to the above conclusion on my own.
I bought my 3G the very first day it went on sale, and AT&T just told
me that I'm still not eligible until March 2010. So apparrently the
only people elibigle are ones that bought an original iphone before
spring 2008, and did not extend their contract to get a 3G.
Sounds nice for PR purposes, but a useless gesture for most of us.
I'M in the same boat brother. I bought my 3G opening day and I'm not eligible until 3/12/2010 and I'm in a family with my GF who is eligible 12/12/09. We upgraded on the same day.......in a family plan....how the hell do they come up with these dates? And we pay $186/month
Someone made a comment today that really opened my eyes about where ATT's motivations really should be (and may be) for the iPhone upgrades.
Think about it, every iPhone out there that does NOT get upgraded equals one cell account for ATT.
But every time an iPhone user upgrades for $200, they now have two iPhones. What are the chances that one of those iPhones is going to go to a kid, a relative, or CL? My guess is that the majority of iPhones remain on an active account, even if it's second hand.
Those iPhones are already paid for by ATT. The way I see it, the quicker ATT gets the 3Gs out of the hands of the current owners and into the next owners' hands, the quicker ATT's revenue goes up. My assumption here is that ATT's marginal costs per subscriber are very low. That $200 subsidy is quickly swamped by the second user's monthly revenue after maybe 3 months.
Another factor is that as an iPhone ages, it is more likely (of course) to get beat up and eventually broken. So maybe an iPhone is given away after 12 months, and then after 4 more it gets dropped and broken. Boom, new phone at retail price, and you are still on the hook for that data contract.
Thoughts?
YOU have made the best quote on this here thread.
SCARY thought . AT&T gains 50 percent more users just from the yearly new phone rollout plus all their new iphone buyers . Unique and valid point.
Those monthly data charge's add up. Many people are very happy with the old phones.they may not do as much on them.
So I posted on AT&T's Facebook page yesterday about how confusing and downright ridiculous the pricing fiasco was... well they got back to me personally and told me to check my account this morning. As of yesterday my account showed that a new 16GB iPhone 3G S would cost me $399, sure enough today my account now shows and early upgrade price of $199. Btw... I DO NOT spend more than $99/month on the line. I actually have the lowest rate plan w/ 1500 text messages bringing my total to $85/month.
However one feels about the early adopters so called "whining" I say to them there is no other company that has the dedicated following Apple does, so yes some of us feel we should be treated with a little more respect than say a Nokia user would be. There aren't people waiting for hours in a line to get the new Nokia, Motorola, RIM or Samsung phone each year on launch day. I don't think it's too much to ask to be treated a little better by a company we treat special by purchasing many of their products as soon as they launch them. This was evident by Apple appreciating that last year and giving 90 days free MobileMe service after the horrible launch it had and by them giving in store credit to early adopters of the first gen iPhone after the quick price drop when 99% of companies wouldn't have done that and just said tough shit.
Apple realizes how important it's dedicated fan base is and continues to honor them in many ways. It's nice to see AT&T at least try and do the same even if they were possibly pressured by Apple.
Either way I appreciate the way AT&T handled this. Does this mean I'm giving them a free pass on the tethering/mms mess... no way! But it does tell me they're at least listening to the consumer even if it is out of fear.
Comments
Uh hello McFly? Are you from Russia?
ATT's best customers don't have promo codes on their accounts to save them money! Nor do they have family plans to, wait for it, wait for it... save them money.
Maybe you didn't noodle this through, but do you have any idea who loses that money when you save it?
That's right! The very company that you're now expecting to do you a solid by tearing up the contract you signed!
Duh!
Hey jerko. I'm not one of their best customers because of money, I am one of their best because of LOYALTY. I tell everyone about the iPhones, I show them off, I talk up ATT, I talk up Apple. I got both the 2G and 3G on DAY 1. I sell their products to others for free basically.
Loyalty is just as important as money, because customer loyalty makes you more money in the end.
My in-laws bought iPhones, my co-workers buy them, I got one for my wife, my brother and his wife and all his friends got them. NONE of them would have really contemplated it if it wasn't for me.
So yeah... screw ATT.
Hey jerko. I'm not one of their best customers because of money, I am one of their best because of LOYALTY. I tell everyone about the iPhones, I show them off, I talk up ATT, I talk up Apple. I got both the 2G and 3G on DAY 1. I sell their products to others for free basically.
Loyalty is just as important as money, because customer loyalty makes you more money in the end.
My in-laws bought iPhones, my co-workers buy them, I got one for my wife, my brother and his wife and all his friends got them. NONE of them would have really contemplated it if it wasn't for me.
So yeah... screw ATT.
I don't think that loyalty is that important. What matters is cash flow and profits.
I know someone here said that the monthly fee isn't paying off the subsidy, but it is. That's why a contract is required at these prices.
So if you're not paying off that subsidy by ending your contract too early by getting a new phone again, then you're going to pay more for the new one. AT&T isn't going to lose money on every deal just because their customers have been with them a few years. That makes no sense!
If they were going to allow that, what would be the point?
Loyalty counts for nothing.
I'd rather wait a few hours the first day of an upgrade than walk in the store to pick up a pre-defective phone.
Loyalty counts for nothing.
For us, agreed.
For the company, I am sure they love it if it means more sales
For us, agreed.
For the company, I am sure they love it if it means more sales
These are very big companies. They can't treat customers as friends. It's simply profits and losses.
They do a calculation to see if you've paid off your"debts" from the phone. If so, then you're eligible, if not, then no.
They've decided to be more liberal for a while. It will cost them money, but so will too many people hearing of this, so they compromised.
They'll write off some losses. But they can't go too far.
So if someone is paying the minimum, it takes longer to pay that off. That's all. What's loyalty? People who want a product and service, and are thinking it's a good deal for them. That's not loyalty. That's people thinking they've got something good going.
Loyalty is when you think think things AREN'T going so well, but you stick with it anyway.
I don't see people willing to do that here when they complain. They just want what they want, whether it costs the company its profits or not. Apparently, even causing losses doesn't bother these people.
So, I'd like to know why the company should reward "loyalty" like that?
This does not help 3G owners at all.
I bought my 3G the very first day it went on sale, and AT&T just told
me that I'm still not eligible until March 2010. So apparrently the
only people elibigle are ones that bought an original iphone before
spring 2008, and did not extend their contract to get a 3G.
Sounds nice for PR purposes, but a useless gesture for most of us.
I bought the original iPhone 2 weeks after it released and upgraded to the iPhone 3G in July last year. I just checked and I'm eligible for the upgrade after 7/27/2009. I'm a long time AT&T customer (since 1996 Pac Bell Wireless).
May be that's why?
Don't get me wrong about that, I agree on those points.
Personally, I don't see why people should expect to pay the discounted, subsidized rate to upgrade an expensive smartphone every year.
Because most whiners want to sell their iPhone 3G for $300+, buy the 3GS for $199, and make $100+ profit on AT&T back.
Is a land lione the opposite of a sea lion?
"Yes, we call them land sea lions, I tame them"
(really hope that's not obscure!)
"Yes, we call them land sea lions, I tame them"
(really hope that's not obscure!)
Is that a music group? Seems familiar.
I'm still not eligible, bought iPhone on 3G release date and I'm not eligible until 12/12/2009.
Me too!
I will just wait till the 4th itteration of the iphone comes out...hopefully not on an ATT network
That's my thinking as well.
Craigslist should be flooded with iphone 3g's soon lol
yup!!!
I am one of the lucky ones that is eligible to upgrade after 12 months. I bought mine in Aug 2008 and was eligible to upgrade in Aug 2009. Just for informational purposes, my plan is about $120 a month and I have my bill auto debited. I have 900 minutes a month, with the $20 unlimited text plan.
I was very surprised I qualified after only 12 months, but I can confirm that some people do qualify for this.
Congrats!
These are very big companies. They can't treat customers as friends. It's simply profits and losses.
Loyalty is a great thing!
Loyalty means you had a happy customer and some companies (like Apple) totally banks on loyalty and happy customers. Ex. they have a 1 year program for customers called "One to One". You get 1 hr a week lessons on apple stuff for a year for only $99! Cheap as hell right? right! On average, because those customers get individualized attention, they spend $5000 more than the regular joe who doesn't do One to One. Also, don't you think a happy customer is going to tell their friends about it? Even if just 1 friend does the same exact thing, they just made 10g's originating from someone so happy about the $99 spent!
If AT&T would implement some of Apple Strategy then they would have more customers that would go to them and not just buy an iPhone on craigslist and unlock it for T-Mobile.
Treat customers as friends... maybe not, but treat customers with the respect that a company should give and your profits will increase just by treating them right.
iPhone 3G with 3.0 is great so I am in no rush to upgrade
Yep!
The unlimited text messaging plan is $20/mo. and that would make it $99/mo. As far as I can figure that is the reason I am 12/09 eligible while others who bought their phone on the same day I did are July-Sept. eligible and therefore qualify for the lower pricing.
This made me very mad yesterday. ATT was nice on the phone but knew absolutely nothing. Apple was frustrated on the phone and wanted to help but could do or say nothing.
I kept saying "I bought my phone the same first day as everybody else, why am I not eligible?" I have come to the above conclusion on my own.
This does not help 3G owners at all.
I bought my 3G the very first day it went on sale, and AT&T just told
me that I'm still not eligible until March 2010. So apparrently the
only people elibigle are ones that bought an original iphone before
spring 2008, and did not extend their contract to get a 3G.
Sounds nice for PR purposes, but a useless gesture for most of us.
I'M in the same boat brother. I bought my 3G opening day and I'm not eligible until 3/12/2010 and I'm in a family with my GF who is eligible 12/12/09. We upgraded on the same day.......in a family plan....how the hell do they come up with these dates?
Someone made a comment today that really opened my eyes about where ATT's motivations really should be (and may be) for the iPhone upgrades.
Think about it, every iPhone out there that does NOT get upgraded equals one cell account for ATT.
But every time an iPhone user upgrades for $200, they now have two iPhones. What are the chances that one of those iPhones is going to go to a kid, a relative, or CL? My guess is that the majority of iPhones remain on an active account, even if it's second hand.
Those iPhones are already paid for by ATT. The way I see it, the quicker ATT gets the 3Gs out of the hands of the current owners and into the next owners' hands, the quicker ATT's revenue goes up. My assumption here is that ATT's marginal costs per subscriber are very low. That $200 subsidy is quickly swamped by the second user's monthly revenue after maybe 3 months.
Another factor is that as an iPhone ages, it is more likely (of course) to get beat up and eventually broken. So maybe an iPhone is given away after 12 months, and then after 4 more it gets dropped and broken. Boom, new phone at retail price, and you are still on the hook for that data contract.
Thoughts?
YOU have made the best quote on this here thread.
SCARY thought . AT&T gains 50 percent more users just from the yearly new phone rollout plus all their new iphone buyers . Unique and valid point.
Those monthly data charge's add up. Many people are very happy with the old phones.they may not do as much on them.
9
However one feels about the early adopters so called "whining" I say to them there is no other company that has the dedicated following Apple does, so yes some of us feel we should be treated with a little more respect than say a Nokia user would be. There aren't people waiting for hours in a line to get the new Nokia, Motorola, RIM or Samsung phone each year on launch day. I don't think it's too much to ask to be treated a little better by a company we treat special by purchasing many of their products as soon as they launch them. This was evident by Apple appreciating that last year and giving 90 days free MobileMe service after the horrible launch it had and by them giving in store credit to early adopters of the first gen iPhone after the quick price drop when 99% of companies wouldn't have done that and just said tough shit.
Apple realizes how important it's dedicated fan base is and continues to honor them in many ways. It's nice to see AT&T at least try and do the same even if they were possibly pressured by Apple.
Either way I appreciate the way AT&T handled this. Does this mean I'm giving them a free pass on the tethering/mms mess... no way! But it does tell me they're at least listening to the consumer even if it is out of fear.