ATT Next
Jul 19, 2013 | 7:54 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Dirt
Posts: 949
Here is Consumerist's assessment of early upgrade programs: Without Drops In Monthly Wireless Rates, New Early Upgrade Programs Are A Fool’s Bet.
Jul 20, 2013 | 9:04 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
The nearly unanimous assessment is that these early upgrade programs do not benefit consumers and more so benefit the carriers. Of the two that are available now and with the coming of a similar program for Verizon of the three T-Mobile's is the best but still in the end is of no benefit to the customer unless the customer must have the latest "bleeding edge" device.
Jul 20, 2013 | 9:12 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
The truth is that I kind of fell into it, originally I had called into to have my DATA changed from Unlimited 3G DATA to Unlimited "4G" (really 3.5G HSPA+) DATA and during the conversation the at&t employee noticed that my account was eligible for an upgrade, in fact I have not been under contract since approximately the merger between the legacy AT&T Wireless Service and Cingular (really long story, but I have had unlocked phone for a very long time).
I said, no thanks as I had just purchased a brand new Nexus 4 directly from Google and had no interest in any of the handsets at&t was offering.
She countered with getting a new phone on contract (even a free one) and then selling that new phone on ebay or what have you and simply pocketing the change.
I said that was too much work and just wanted the DATA changed, she said well what about a bill credit? At this point, my interest was peeked and I asked about what kind of bill credit.
At first she offered $150, I did some simple math based off of T-Mobile plans at the time which were tiered those needing subsidies and those not needing subsidies. Those not needing subsidies T-Mobile basically knocked off $20 a month, I did the math, came up with $240 and said to the at&t what about $300?
She said she could not do that but what about $200, I said hmm maybe, but I would be sold with something a little higher, she put me on-hold, came back and said that her supervisor said to name a number and if he could do it, would I sign a contract for another 2 years. I said yes and offered $240, she put me on-hold (for at least 5-10 minutes), finally came back and said that her supervisor was able to authorize the $240 bill credit and she was going to process the new 2 year contract now.
In truth as I said earlier, I never imagined at&t would cough up a bill credit in lieu of a handset subsidy, but I guess it is an option, though just not a very publicized option.
Dan
I said, no thanks as I had just purchased a brand new Nexus 4 directly from Google and had no interest in any of the handsets at&t was offering.
She countered with getting a new phone on contract (even a free one) and then selling that new phone on ebay or what have you and simply pocketing the change.
I said that was too much work and just wanted the DATA changed, she said well what about a bill credit? At this point, my interest was peeked and I asked about what kind of bill credit.
At first she offered $150, I did some simple math based off of T-Mobile plans at the time which were tiered those needing subsidies and those not needing subsidies. Those not needing subsidies T-Mobile basically knocked off $20 a month, I did the math, came up with $240 and said to the at&t what about $300?
She said she could not do that but what about $200, I said hmm maybe, but I would be sold with something a little higher, she put me on-hold, came back and said that her supervisor said to name a number and if he could do it, would I sign a contract for another 2 years. I said yes and offered $240, she put me on-hold (for at least 5-10 minutes), finally came back and said that her supervisor was able to authorize the $240 bill credit and she was going to process the new 2 year contract now.
In truth as I said earlier, I never imagined at&t would cough up a bill credit in lieu of a handset subsidy, but I guess it is an option, though just not a very publicized option.
Dan
Jul 20, 2013 | 5:51 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
Jul 21, 2013 | 12:24 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,724
Plans are good for the carriers, way to increase their ARPUs.
As the market gets saturated and a lot of people upgrade less frequently, carriers are scrambling to boost revenues.
Especially as there's greater demand for prepaid or cheaper bills.
As the market gets saturated and a lot of people upgrade less frequently, carriers are scrambling to boost revenues.
Especially as there's greater demand for prepaid or cheaper bills.
Jul 22, 2013 | 6:09 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SMF
Programs: MR Platinum
Posts: 412
Thank you dan1431. Seeing as I severed my relationship with AT&T sometime back, doesn't quite sound like what happened to you is likely to apply to me. I may still give it a try if I decide to sign a new contract with them. The option of getting the subsidized phone and selling it is always an option but a bit of a hassle.