[tight]

Long live MACrosoft!

[BearOnTheJob]

So how about this - Can I get the new 8GB iPhone 3G at $199 with 2-year contract, then cancel my contract within the first 30 days for free (as allowed by the AT&T service agreement), and effectively have an iPhone for that reduced price? I'll concern myself with the AT&T "locking" issue later...

[bak464s]

I switched to AT&T from Sprint back in late March when my contract with Sprint had expired. I had every intent to purchase an iphone back in March but was advised to hold off and simply get a cheap phone and wait for the new iphones to come out later this year by my sales person at a local AT&T retail store in St. Louis, MO. I was a little skeptical of this so I made a call to AT&T's customer service to see what they had to say on the matter. They told me that yes, a new version of the iphone would be coming out in only a few months and that if I switched to AT&T now I would have no problem getting the iphone when it came out. But in fact, it would be easier to get the iphone because I wouldn't have to worry about porting my number when the new iphone came out I would just simply switch devices. With the recent news that I will now be paying $399 for my iphone instead of the $199 simply because I listened to my AT&T sales person and the customer services representative?you can understand how I am more then just a little upset. I spoke to an AT&T representative yesterday who was less than helpful on the situation. Essentially AT&T is telling me that no we didn't want your business for the last 3 months and because you switched to AT&T early as recommended by your employees we are no penalizing you for doing so with a $200 surcharge. So, please let me know if I am not understating something. My current plan $39.99 media works $15.00 = $54.99 per month as opposed to the $69.99 text messaging of $15.00 = $84.99 per month with the iphone. That is a difference of $30 per month or $720 over the life of my contract. Seems pretty silly for $200 don't you think?

[redheadtempe33]

Suppose my iPhone stops working mysteriously (let's assume I didn't drop it in the toilet, thank you). Will I get a version 1 iPhone replacement? I have over a year left on my contract. I won't be forced into higher rates, will I?



I'm wondering the same thing. I dropped my phone a while ago and the button on top has become stuck down. The phone still works fine (though I can't let it sleep - it has to be on all the time). I was kind of waiting for the 3G to replace it but if I have to sign another two year contract at the higher rates ...

I'm thinking it just isn't worth it. EDGE isn't that slow.

[doglesby]

BearOnTheJob said:

So how about this - Can I get the new 8GB iPhone 3G at $199 with 2-year contract, then cancel my contract within the first 30 days for free (as allowed by the AT&T service agreement), and effectively have an iPhone for that reduced price? I'll concern myself with the AT&T "locking" issue later...

Ask an at&t sales rep (but phrase it as though you're concerned about coverage, "you have a 30-day no penalty opt out clause, right?"). I guarantee that at&t will want the phone back or charge you $200 to keep the phone.

[doglesby]

That sucks, really. But you can see how it would happen, right? The iPhone wasn't subsidized before. As far as those representatives knew 3 months ago, the iPhone 3G would have the same deal--we'd all be paying $399. If that had been the case, the advice you were given would have been correct.

[dave256]

To: redheadtempe33.

If you don't want to pay more per month, don't mind Edge speeds, you should probably look at picking up a used iPhone. I suspect there will be a number of them available starting next weekend. You shouldn't even need to reactivate it requiring another 2 years on your contract - I would think you can just put your existing SIM card in it.

And to the question of what happens if you're original iPhone needs warranty repairs, I doubt you'll get a new 3G version. They probably have a bunch of refurbs around to give you. And even if they did give you a 3G version, they shouldn't be able to increase your rates. You agreed to a contract as did AT&T so they should have to live up to it (unless of course the contract allows them to do it, but I doubt it).

[doglesby]

TenaciousN8 said:

What if I purchased an iPhone the day it came out, but sold it before the new model was officially announced? Am I eligible?

Eligible for what? Owning an iPhone provides no benefit in buying a new one. Assuming you didn't buy a new subsidized phone when your sold your iPhone (did you go back to your old phone?), you are eligible for the same price as everyone else.

[gudin]

Quote

{quote:title=bak464s wrote:}
I switched to AT&T from Sprint back in late March when my contract with Sprint had expired. I had every intent to purchase an iphone back in March but was advised to hold off and simply get a cheap phone and wait for the new iphones to come out later this year by my sales person at a local AT&T retail store in St. Louis, MO. I was a little skeptical of this so I made a call to AT&T's customer service to see what they had to say on the matter. They told me that yes, a new version of the iphone would be coming out in only a few months and that if I switched to AT&T now I would have no problem getting the iphone when it came out. But in fact, it would be easier to get the iphone because I wouldn't have to worry about porting my number when the new iphone came out I would just simply switch devices. With the recent news that I will now be paying $399 for my iphone instead of the $199 simply because I listened to my AT&T sales person and the customer services representative?you can understand how I am more then just a little upset. I spoke to an AT&T representative yesterday who was less than helpful on the situation. Essentially AT&T is telling me that no we didn't want your business for the last 3 months and because you switched to AT&T early as recommended by your employees we are no penalizing you for doing so with a $200 surcharge. So, please let me know if I am not understating something. My current plan $39.99 media works $15.00 = $54.99 per month as opposed to the $69.99 text messaging of $15.00 = $84.99 per month with the iphone. That is a difference of $30 per month or $720 over the life of my contract. Seems pretty silly for $200 don't you think?{quote}

Three words "Small Claims Court."

They promised you something, you bought something based on that promise. Slam dunk.

Of course then you'd have to factor in the pain in the butt factor as well as the possibility that the local small claims court judge is an idiot or hates small claims so much as to render any such claim worthless. But legally, it seems rather obvious.

Otherwise you could chat with the manager of the store who sold you this phone and had employees make these promises.

good luck.

[doglesby]

gudin said:

Three words "Small Claims Court."

They promised you something, you bought something based on that promise. Slam dunk.

No it isn't. It's a guaranteed loser. They never promised him (her?--dammit can't we do something about this?) a subsidized phone. They promised easy activation of a new iPhone.

I do wonder, if they charge $200 more, aren't you in effect buying an unsubsidized phone? Shouldn't you be eligible for a hardware upgrade at least 3 months earlier than everyone who buys a subsidized iPhone (once you've covered the subsidy on the other phone)? Small consolation, but it's something.

[bak464s]

The whole situation is just frustrating. Why should AT&T really care anymore. I already signed a contract and they have me locked in for 21 more months. This would have never have happened with Sprint. I was a loyal sprint customer for almost 7 years when I switched and have nothing but problems with AT&T since.

Sorry Sprint! I will be back in 21 months!

[gudin]

[quote]{quote:title=doglesby wrote:}
>

gudin said:

> Three words "Small Claims Court."
>
> They promised you something, you bought something based on that promise. Slam dunk.
No it isn't. It's a guaranteed loser. They never promised him (her?--dammit can't we do something about this?) a subsidized phone. They promised easy activation of a new iPhone.

I do wonder, if they charge $200 more, aren't you in effect buying an unsubsidized phone? Shouldn't you be eligible for a hardware upgrade at least 3 months earlier than everyone who buys a subsidized iPhone (once you've covered the subsidy on the other phone)? Small consolation, but it's something.{quote}

They were told by a potential customer that the customer was planning to wait for the new phone. They told said potential customer to switch now because the customer would have "no problem" getting a new iPhone, and it would actually be easier to do it then rather than wait the several months for the new iPhone to actually show up. They said this directly in response to the customer stating the intent to wait for the new iPhone. At the very least there is an extremely strong implied promise that there would be an advantage to signing up then rather than waiting for the new phone. It would be idiotic for them to try and argue that what they were promising was that saving the hassle of activation is worth $200 when in fact the customer would have to activate regardless.

They promised something, received money directly as a result, and did not deliver what they promised.

Small Claims Court.

Like I said, it depends on the judge, but absolutely this is a potential winner. Heck, they may even "make an exception" and give you the new price just so THEY can avoid the hassle or the potential negative customer reaction. Managers don't like to show up in court.

[doglesby]

Sprint is no better than at&t. If you buy a subsidized phone from Sprint and try to by a better one 3 months later, you will pay full price. Keep in mind that Sprint is facing lawsuits for extending contracts when customers complained about their bills--without telling them. Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, at&t, there are no angels in this lot.

[Irish2dabone]

Dave, according to the AT&T sales rep I spoke with, doesn't make a difference if your using EDGE or 3G... they have increased their data plan from last years $20 per month to now $30 per month. Oh, and the 200-txt msg's you were permitted as part of the $20 plan, will now cost you an additional $5 per month, increasing your monthly costs by $15.

Another tid-bit... unlike BlackBerry and TILT user's who have a "choice" or activating or de-activating their data plans on a month to month basis, iPhone user's are locked-into the $30-$35 for TWO -YR's. So, Steve's AFFORDABLE new 3G iPhone is going to cost iPhone user's more in the long run so AT&T can recoup their SUBSIDIZING the new 3G costs. The AT&T salesperson I spoke with wasn't sure if GPS access was going to be a mandatory, contractual $10 per month charge for 2-yr's as the data plan is? Logically, it wouldn't make sense... but then we are dealing with AT&T and they must make their profits like the oil companies, right.