Any AT&T sales people here? Question on buying my iPhone. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pixelbend · 07-09-2008, 06:03 AM

Just wondering if there are any AT&T sales people here or anyone who knows the policies.

My wife and I want to buy iPhones this Friday, but our contract upgrade date is not until August 2nd. Should I try and push it to get them to fudge the three week difference or just suck it up and wait? I didn't know if the rules were more stringent with the iPhone or not.

Cynthetiq · 07-09-2008, 07:37 AM

You should contact AT&T customer service for the right answer.

My guess is that since you're paying for the phone, there's no upgrade subsidy and you are just going to extend your contract out 2 more years.

xepherys · 07-09-2008, 08:58 AM

pixel, you mean you want to use your upgrade stipend early? You might be able to. TM and I use Verizon, but we got one of ours a few MONTHS early this year and I upgraded mine (because my Chocolate 1st gen was a piece of shit). Don't see why AT&T wouldn't offer the same, especially so close to the date anyways. Don't call, though, go to an AT&T store. They are much more likely to help you since they are often commissioned. Be sure it's an AT&T store though, and not an "AT&T authorized reseller" kind of place.

Cynthetiq · 07-09-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xepherys

pixel, you mean you want to use your upgrade stipend early? You might be able to. TM and I use Verizon, but we got one of ours a few MONTHS early this year and I upgraded mine (because my Chocolate 1st gen was a piece of shit). Don't see why AT&T wouldn't offer the same, especially so close to the date anyways. Don't call, though, go to an AT&T store. They are much more likely to help you since they are often commissioned. Be sure it's an AT&T store though, and not an "AT&T authorized reseller" kind of place.

really? I tried a store and they weren't helpful at all so much so that we walked out and went next door to TMobile.

when i spoke to customer care at AT&T they said I should have called...

RetroGunslinger · 07-09-2008, 09:33 AM

I wouldn't really suggest buying an iPhone, but anyyyyyway...

It really depends on the store. I work at a kiosk that sells Alltel, Sprint, and most importantly AT&T, and we can't ignore the eligibility date. The computer won't let us. However, some stores that are strictly AT&T might be able to do it. If they can't, you might as well just wait as opposed to buying the damn thing outright.

pixelbend · 07-09-2008, 10:10 AM

Well I went to the store and they told me the computer wouldn't let them override the date. But I could get the iPhone at the early upgrade price (less subsidized, but still not full price) of $100 more per phone.

No thanks. It would probably be cheaper to buy out my contract. But I guess I'll just wait the three weeks.

Thanks guys!

telekinetic · 07-09-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

My guess is that since you're paying for the phone, there's no upgrade subsidy and you are just going to extend your contract out 2 more years.

iPhone 3G's are subsidized like anything else

Cynthetiq · 07-09-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twistedmosaic

iPhone 3G's are subsidized like anything else

I thought that Jobs stated there was no subsidy on the iphone, did that change with the 3g?

dirtyrascal7 · 07-09-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

I thought that Jobs stated there was no subsidy on the iphone, did that change with the 3g?

Yes, it did. The iphone 3G has the same plan/pricing structure as any other smartphone/pda/blackberry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelbend

Well I went to the store and they told me the computer wouldn't let them override the date. But I could get the iPhone at the early upgrade price (less subsidized, but still not full price) of $100 more per phone.

No thanks. It would probably be cheaper to buy out my contract. But I guess I'll just wait the three weeks.

Thanks guys!

I don't know what phones/plan you two have, but that sounds pretty ridiculous that they wouldn't give you the subsidized price when you're 23+ months into your contract. I've read that getting the $199 price depends on a number of things (including credit scores, payment history, cost of current phone plan), so if I were you, I'd still call customer service and state your case... if you have a costly plan (say, $90+ per month) and have always made your payments on time, you could probably get them to make a note on your account to let you upgrade a little early. You will have to go to an AT&T store to buy them, however, not an Apple store.

Leto · 07-09-2008, 12:59 PM

iphone will be available here on July 11. but the plan is terrible. I'm considering using my upgrade to just get the hardware, use my old plan (no data services) and depend on the wifi access of the phone.

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/457180

Rogers caves on iPhone pricing

CHRIS SUPPA PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR

Rogers under fire over iPhone rates
Wireless giant Rogers Communications Inc. continues to be buffeted by rumours as it prepares the Canadian launch of Apple Inc.'s much-ballyhooed iPhone on Friday.Jul 09, 2008 12:09 PM

CHRIS SORENSEN
BUSINESS REPORTER

Rogers Communications Inc. has thrown a bone to potential iPhone customers by offering a limited-time promotional data rate plan that should silence complaints about Canadian pricing for the eagerly-anticipated device.

The wireless giant said today it would give iPhone subscribers who sign up before Aug. 31 the option of purchasing a 6-gigabyte data plan for $30 per month in addition to any voice plan.

While that still doesn’t match the unlimited data plans offered in the United States by AT&T Inc., the promotion offers significantly better value than the rate plans Rogers unveiled earlier this month.

Under that pricing model, the cheapest plan offered just 400 megabytes of data, 150 minutes of weekday talk time and unlimited evenings and weekends for $60 per month plus fees and taxes.

The plans immediately sparked protest in some quarters of the Internet from users who argued the iPhone’s focus on mobile Web browsing and multimedia would quickly propel users over their caps, leaving with hefty overage charges at the end of each month.

John Boynton, the senior vice-president and chief marketing officer of Rogers Wireless, said in an interview the promotional offer is in response to customer concerns.

“We’re responding to our customers that gave us a lot of feedback,” he said, adding that rumours about a spat with Apple over pricing or a limited supply of iPhones were false.

He said Rogers is expecting record sales following the iPhone’s launch on Friday at six Rogers stores across the country, including a Rogers store on Dundas St. in Toronto.

“This will be the best-selling phone in Canadian history.”

He added that the 6-gigabyte promotional offer won’t be limited to the iPhone, but will be available on all devices that run on Rogers third generation, or 3G, wireless network. That includes the soon-to-be launched BlackBerry Bold.

Boynton said existing price plans for the iPhone will go back into effect Sept. 1.

“What we’re trying to do is satisfy a very small group of people, the early adopters,” he said. “When those customers are done, we’re back to our basic user.”

Meanwhile, rivals Bell Canada Inc. and Telus Corp. have stepped into a pricing controversy of their own after telling customers they would be charged 15 cents for every text message they receive beginning next month.

At present, subscribers are only charged for outgoing text messages. Users who opt for a plan that includes text messaging won’t be affected.

The phone companies say the move is necessary because of the explosive growth in the popularity of text messaging among Canadians.

While the change would put the Canadian carriers in line with U.S. wireless operators that charge 20 cents per message, some are complaining that it’s a cash grab and that subscribers will be unfairly penalized for cell phone spam.

allaboutmusic · 07-09-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leto

The plans immediately sparked protest in some quarters of the Internet from users who argued the iPhone’s focus on mobile Web browsing and multimedia would quickly propel users over their caps, leaving with hefty overage charges at the end of each month.

They're penalising older users?!

07-09-2008, 06:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	Any AT&T sales people here? Question on buying my iPhone. Just wondering if there are any AT&T sales people here or anyone who knows the policies. My wife and I want to buy iPhones this Friday, but our contract upgrade date is not until August 2nd. Should I try and push it to get them to fudge the three week difference or just suck it up and wait? I didn't know if the rules were more stringent with the iPhone or not. __________________ But I don't want ANY Spam!

07-09-2008, 07:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	You should contact AT&T customer service for the right answer. My guess is that since you're paying for the phone, there's no upgrade subsidy and you are just going to extend your contract out 2 more years. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

07-09-2008, 08:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	pixel, you mean you want to use your upgrade stipend early? You might be able to. TM and I use Verizon, but we got one of ours a few MONTHS early this year and I upgraded mine (because my Chocolate 1st gen was a piece of shit). Don't see why AT&T wouldn't offer the same, especially so close to the date anyways. Don't call, though, go to an AT&T store. They are much more likely to help you since they are often commissioned. Be sure it's an AT&T store though, and not an "AT&T authorized reseller" kind of place. __________________ The prospect of achieving a peace agreement with the extremist group of MILF is almost impossible... -- Emmanuel Pinol, Governor of Cotobato My Homepage

07-09-2008, 09:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
RetroGunslinger eats puppies and shits rainbows Location: An Area of Space Occupied by a Population, SC, USA	I wouldn't really suggest buying an iPhone, but anyyyyyway... It really depends on the store. I work at a kiosk that sells Alltel, Sprint, and most importantly AT&T, and we can't ignore the eligibility date. The computer won't let us. However, some stores that are strictly AT&T might be able to do it. If they can't, you might as well just wait as opposed to buying the damn thing outright. __________________ It's a rare pleasure in this world to get your mind fucked. Usually it's just foreplay. M.B. Keene

07-09-2008, 10:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	Well I went to the store and they told me the computer wouldn't let them override the date. But I could get the iPhone at the early upgrade price (less subsidized, but still not full price) of $100 more per phone. No thanks. It would probably be cheaper to buy out my contract. But I guess I'll just wait the three weeks. Thanks guys! __________________ But I don't want ANY Spam!

07-09-2008, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
Leto Junkie Location: The Danforth	iphone will be available here on July 11. but the plan is terrible. I'm considering using my upgrade to just get the hardware, use my old plan (no data services) and depend on the wifi access of the phone. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/457180 Rogers caves on iPhone pricing CHRIS SUPPA PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR Rogers under fire over iPhone rates Wireless giant Rogers Communications Inc. continues to be buffeted by rumours as it prepares the Canadian launch of Apple Inc.'s much-ballyhooed iPhone on Friday.Jul 09, 2008 12:09 PM CHRIS SORENSEN BUSINESS REPORTER Rogers Communications Inc. has thrown a bone to potential iPhone customers by offering a limited-time promotional data rate plan that should silence complaints about Canadian pricing for the eagerly-anticipated device. The wireless giant said today it would give iPhone subscribers who sign up before Aug. 31 the option of purchasing a 6-gigabyte data plan for $30 per month in addition to any voice plan. While that still doesn’t match the unlimited data plans offered in the United States by AT&T Inc., the promotion offers significantly better value than the rate plans Rogers unveiled earlier this month. Under that pricing model, the cheapest plan offered just 400 megabytes of data, 150 minutes of weekday talk time and unlimited evenings and weekends for $60 per month plus fees and taxes. The plans immediately sparked protest in some quarters of the Internet from users who argued the iPhone’s focus on mobile Web browsing and multimedia would quickly propel users over their caps, leaving with hefty overage charges at the end of each month. John Boynton, the senior vice-president and chief marketing officer of Rogers Wireless, said in an interview the promotional offer is in response to customer concerns. “We’re responding to our customers that gave us a lot of feedback,” he said, adding that rumours about a spat with Apple over pricing or a limited supply of iPhones were false. He said Rogers is expecting record sales following the iPhone’s launch on Friday at six Rogers stores across the country, including a Rogers store on Dundas St. in Toronto. “This will be the best-selling phone in Canadian history.” He added that the 6-gigabyte promotional offer won’t be limited to the iPhone, but will be available on all devices that run on Rogers third generation, or 3G, wireless network. That includes the soon-to-be launched BlackBerry Bold. Boynton said existing price plans for the iPhone will go back into effect Sept. 1. “What we’re trying to do is satisfy a very small group of people, the early adopters,” he said. “When those customers are done, we’re back to our basic user.” Meanwhile, rivals Bell Canada Inc. and Telus Corp. have stepped into a pricing controversy of their own after telling customers they would be charged 15 cents for every text message they receive beginning next month. At present, subscribers are only charged for outgoing text messages. Users who opt for a plan that includes text messaging won’t be affected. The phone companies say the move is necessary because of the explosive growth in the popularity of text messaging among Canadians. While the change would put the Canadian carriers in line with U.S. wireless operators that charge 20 cents per message, some are complaining that it’s a cash grab and that subscribers will be unfairly penalized for cell phone spam.