Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

[Miles_Yuhas]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

So if your already paying AT&T for 1500 texts for another phone, you just have to pay $10 more for the data if I got an iphone, Correct?

[Pared]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

What you are arguing is a non issue. 99% of the people who buy phones buy it at the customer discount. They arent going to pay 300 bucks or more for a cell phone so in order to buy a new phone they will have to extend their contract. I dont think Ive ever met a person who bought a phone at the actual retail price to avoid extending their contract. If they are happy with their service they have no problem with extending their contract and staying with their current company in exchange for a new phone. If they dont like their company, they either finish their contract or pay the fee and break the contract.

I love how it becomes a non-issue when you can't argue against it. If you don't value your money then it's a non-issue. You said it's not possible, now it's you don't know anyone who has done it. Saying it's a non-issue is basically discrediting those who actually are informed consumers.

Again, this isn't a deal; Do the math. If you can get a phone at full retail price for $100 more but can keep your current contract then it makes sense. But if you are forced to paying more to use that phone, the price equates out. The same thing is happening here. You don't get any "discount."

FYI, unless you will be able to keep the cheaper data plan if you just want the GPS and better battery life from the new phone then you're being taken to the woodshed. If you're trying to make an informed decision about whether or not to get this phone, you should probably know that.

[Flyboy]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

So if your already paying AT&T for 1500 texts for another phone, you just have to pay $10 more for the data if I got an iphone, Correct?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I already pay $20 for unlimited texting with AT&T... if I get the iPhone, I wonder what would change?

[mgoblue]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

What you are arguing is a non issue. 99% of the people who buy phones buy it at the customer discount. They arent going to pay 300 bucks or more for a cell phone so in order to buy a new phone they will have to extend their contract. I dont think Ive ever met a person who bought a phone at the actual retail price to avoid extending their contract. If they are happy with their service they have no problem with extending their contract and staying with their current company in exchange for a new phone. If they dont like their company, they either finish their contract or pay the fee and break the contract.

I've met a ton of people who want the new, latest phone and buy it at full price because they can't get the new customer discounts...They are always staying within that company, but if they want a new phone they do that.

I'm sticking with Verizon for now, and in a year I'll reconsider again...it's still worth it because a lot of friends have Verizon...being able to call whenever I want and not worry about minutes is awesome.

I'm sure the next iPhone will be great and I might be persuaded to get that, or we'll see what the competition can bring.

[aholbert32]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

I love how it becomes a non-issue when you can't argue against it. If you don't value your money then it's a non-issue. You said it's not possible, now it's you don't know anyone who has done it. Saying it's a non-issue is basically discrediting those who actually are informed consumers.

Again, this isn't a deal; Do the math. If you can get a phone at full retail price for $100 more but can keep your current contract then it makes sense. But if you are forced to paying more to use that phone, the price equates out. The same thing is happening here. You don't get any "discount."

FYI, unless you will be able to keep the cheaper data plan if you just want the GPS and better battery life from the new phone then you're being taken to the woodshed. If you're trying to make an informed decision about whether or not to get this phone, you should probably know that.

Get the **** outta here with that. Its a non issue because it doesnt matter to most people not because I dont have an argument. LOL. My argument was that no one does it and its still true...no one does it. Every company forces their customers to extend their contract if they want the phone at the lower affordable price. I wasnt including the small amount of people who pay full price on a phone in order to avoid extending their contract.

This is a non issue for another reason too. Looks like At&t will be offering it at a higher price for those who dont qualify for the upgrade price:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/10/the-iphone-3g-on-atandt-we-ask-the-burning-questions/

"Unofficially, we've been slipped information that AT&T's typical upgrade eligibility rules apply when signing the new contract, and there will be a separate (read: higher) pricing scheme for "non-qualified upgrades." These prices have not yet been set."

So more likely than not, people will have some kind of option to pay a lower price and extend or pay a higher price and not extend. Even with that VERY few will be willing to purchase the phone at the higher price just to avoid extending their contract.

Finally, OS cracks me up when it comes to what we will and wont complain about

[Bruins]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

I was considering getting the new iPhone, even though I don't have 3G in my area, but now I've decided that I'm keeping my first-gen iPhone:

"Apple will be providing a free upgrade for all existing first generation iPhone owners. You will be upgraded to the exact same firmware that makes the 3G iPhone tick. Apple has posted a web page that details exactly what you can expect from the new 2.0 firmware.

Some of the main features we're looking forward to include:

• AppStore
• Full Exchange support
  
• MobileMe
• Mass e-mail move, delete and save images
  
• Contacts search
  
• Additional language support
• Full iWork and Microsoft Office viewer support
• Scientific Calculator"

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/06/10/what-...rs-can-expect/

[Scott]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/tomtom-already-has-iphone-navigation-software-ready-to-roll/

Preview of TomTom's GPS App

[Pared]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

Get the **** outta here with that. Its a non issue because it doesnt matter to most people not because I dont have an argument. LOL. My argument was that no one does it and its still true...no one does it. Every company forces their customers to extend their contract if they want the phone at the lower affordable price. I wasnt including the small amount of people who pay full price on a phone in order to avoid extending their contract.

This is a non issue for another reason too. Looks like At&t will be offering it at a higher price for those who dont qualify for the upgrade price:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/10/the-iphone-3g-on-atandt-we-ask-the-burning-questions/

"Unofficially, we've been slipped information that AT&T's typical upgrade eligibility rules apply when signing the new contract, and there will be a separate (read: higher) pricing scheme for "non-qualified upgrades." These prices have not yet been set."

So more likely than not, people will have some kind of option to pay a lower price and extend or pay a higher price and not extend. Even with that VERY few will be willing to purchase the phone at the higher price just to avoid extending their contract.

Finally, OS cracks me up when it comes to what we will and wont complain about

Yes it's a non issue when you don't have an argument. Because you don't know of anyone particularly who does it, it doesn't happen. Great logic. You excluded a portion of the market to prove your point.

As mgo mentioned, he knows of many people who purchase a device at regular price to not extend their contract. Your link does nothing in disproving my point aside from speculation at this point. I give them all the credit for fooling consumers into thinking they're getting a deal.

But back to the original point... unless the phone is priced higher (which still isn't set in stone) then it is not the same. And the statistics where people aren't buying the phones at full price that you're giving? Completely baseless. Just random numbers being thrown based on your experience.

That cracks me up as well. 66% of all stats on a message board are made up. Actually, I think it's 67% now.

[Pared]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

You should also read your link again... According to that statement you quoted, AT&T's upgrade eligibility requirements are in effect... meaning current iPhone owners won't be able to upgrade at the lower prices ($199 and $299) unless they meet these requirements:

http://www.wirefly.com/upgrades/eligibility/att/

Certain AT&T customers may be eligible for a cell phone upgrade even if they have been in their current plan for less than two years (24 months), if they commit to a new 2-year contract and meet these eligibility requirements:

• Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing at least $68.99 a month but no more than $98.99 a month, and who has been in contract (and not had a phone upgrade) for 21 months or more,
  or
• Customer has had a standard calling plan plus data services costing $99 a month or more, and who has been in contract (and not upgraded) in the last 12 months.

A customer with a calling plan and data services of less than $69 who is 21 to 23 months into contract may upgrade for a fee and a commitment of an additional two-year service contract extension. No upgrade fee is assessed for any customers who are on a month-to-month agreement.
Note that AT&T upgrade eligibility may be further limited based on customer’s usage history, payment record, previous phone replacement, etc. Upgrade eligibility is solely determined by AT&T Mobility at its discretion.

Very far from cut and dry as some may think it may be at this point.

[Bruins]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

If you are a current AT&T customer and you have a 2G iPhone

Take a deep breath, you can get the new iPhone 3G for the new lower price (starting at $199.99), as long as you sign a new two-year contract and add-on one of the new required data plans.

To quote from the AT&T memo:
When the 3G device launches, all active postpaid customers in good standing with a 2G iPhone will be eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing for a 3G device regardless of service tenure. (Customers that would not otherwise be eligible due to tenure will be made eligible at launch).

So if you bought an iPhone in June of last year -- you can upgrade to the new 3G phone. If you bought an iPhone in May (maybe you were the last person in your city to buy one), you can still upgrade at the lower price.

If you are a current AT&T customer and you do NOT have a 2G iPhone

You may or may not be eligible to buy the iPhone 3G at its lower price upon release. It depends on the length of your contract, the time of your last handset upgrade and anything else that weighs into AT&T's standard upgrade policy. The pricing for non-qualified upgrades has not been determined, but phones will still need to be activated in-store and with a data-plan and two-year contract.

If you are a new AT&T customer

Assuming you pass the credit check (Pre-Paid and Pick-Your-Plan are not eligible for the iPhone 3G), you can get the iPhone 3G for the new lower price. You will be required to sign up for a two-year contract and a voice and data plan.

Cancellation policy spelled-out

From the AT&T memo:
To cancel service within the first 30 days, the customer must return their equipment to the place of purchase (no exceptions). If the customer cancels service after 30 days, they will be charged the ETF. The customer is not required to return the device to cancel after 30 days.

http://www.tuaw.com/2008/06/10/iphone-upgrade-breakdown/

[Flyboy]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

If you are a current AT&T customer and you do NOT have a 2G iPhone

You may or may not be eligible to buy the iPhone 3G at its lower price upon release.

*rolls eyes*

[Pared]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

If you are a current AT&T customer and you have a 2G iPhone

Take a deep breath, you can get the new iPhone 3G for the new lower price (starting at $199.99), as long as you sign a new two-year contract and add-on one of the new required data plans.

To quote from the AT&T memo:
When the 3G device launches, all active postpaid customers in good standing with a 2G iPhone will be eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing for a 3G device regardless of service tenure. (Customers that would not otherwise be eligible due to tenure will be made eligible at launch).

So if you bought an iPhone in June of last year -- you can upgrade to the new 3G phone. If you bought an iPhone in May (maybe you were the last person in your city to buy one), you can still upgrade at the lower price.

That's very smart of them. They would be stupid not to do it this way.

There is too much mis-information out there. Even this isn't solid as it's from a supposed leaked memo. Seems like they don't even know what they're going to do in some instances themselves.

Flyboy, when did you last re-up your contract?

[Scott]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

That's very smart of them. They would be stupid not to do it this way.

There is too much mis-information out there. Even this isn't solid as it's from a supposed leaked memo. Seems like they don't even know what they're going to do in some instances themselves.

Flyboy, when did you last re-up your contract?

I should be eligible shouldn't i? I don't have a 2G iPhone, I'm up for an upgrade and willing to do a 2 yr extension...

[Pared]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

If you're paying month-to-month you can get the advertised prices without any problem, Scott.

[Scott]

Re: iPhone Discussion Thread

If you're paying month-to-month you can get the advertised prices without any problem, Scott.

K, I thought so, just making sure...I wouldn't wanna have to pay $399 for an 8GB.