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Notice Of Administrative Charge Increase
Effective 1/1/2012, the monthly Verizon Wireless Administrative Charge for voice and email plans will increase from $0.83 to $0.99 per line for all eligible customers. The charge for Mobile Broadband customers will remain at $.06. For information regarding this charge, call 1-888-684-1888. Please consult your Customer Agreement for information about rate changes.
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Will this make us eligible to terminate our contract without an ETF and go month to month? I would definitely be interested in re-signing a new contract for another phone.
They did this back in 2008 to the same fee and it was possible to cancel. Actually getting to Verizon to do it is a different story.
http://consumerist.com/2008/04/esca...-based-on-administrative-charge-increase.html
Well my question more specifically is...can I basically end my 2 year contractual commitment and go month to month due to this change? Or do I have to cancel completely and move to another carrier?
I have no desire to break my contract but I wouldn't mind getting them to offer me some freebies to not do it.
On the other hand, if I got out of the contract and something happened to my phone I could get a new one at a reasonable price so it could be my insurance. Hmmm...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk
feralicious said:
I have no desire to break my contract but I wouldn't mind getting them to offer me some freebies to not do it.
On the other hand, if I got out of the contract and something happened to my phone I could get a new one at a reasonable price so it could be my insurance. Hmmm...
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk
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That's exactly what I'm interested in. I'm wondering if it will basically let me get a new phone at a subsidized price anytime I want since I'm off contract. Essentially an upgrade available immediately for me.
You would probably lose your unlimited data and get on the 2/4Gb plan.... by having to start a new month to month contract.
Cares said:
That's exactly what I'm interested in. I'm wondering if it will basically let me get a new phone at a subsidized price anytime I want since I'm off contract. Essentially an upgrade available immediately for me.
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Month-to-month customers rarely get discounted devices. Generally you will have to pay full price for a new phone. It wouldn't be worth it. And I agree that you would lose your unlimited data that way. On the other hand, if you break your contract, you could possibly come back in a week or so and sign up for a new one to get a discounted phone.
WasabiWa83 said:
Month-to-month customers rarely get discounted devices. Generally you will have to pay full price for a new phone. It wouldn't be worth it. And I agree that you would lose your unlimited data that way. On the other hand, if you break your contract, you could possibly come back in a week or so and sign up for a new one to get a discounted phone.
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That's exactly what I meant. Stay month-to-month until a new phone comes out and resign a 2 year for a fully subsidized line.
If you break contract you are at the will of Verzion. If they decide they want to raise your price, reduce your data, etc, they can do it. The only thing keeping you in the plan you have now is the fact they have to honor their end of the deal too.
I will try this tonight. I have a line that I keep suspended, so this would be a great out for me.
H3Dude said:
You would probably lose your unlimited data and get on the 2/4Gb plan.... by having to start a new month to month contract.
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And there it is who would want to be on a more expensive data plan.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using xda premium
WasabiWa83 said:
Month-to-month customers rarely get discounted devices. Generally you will have to pay full price for a new phone. It wouldn't be worth it. And I agree that you would lose your unlimited data that way. On the other hand, if you break your contract, you could possibly come back in a week or so and sign up for a new one to get a discounted phone.
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Which is only a slight discount from buying it outright in the beginning.
VZW charges $299 for these devices with a $350 ETF that drops $10 a month. Same $649 either way - you're just paying for your freedom in advance.
Superguy said:
Which is only a slight discount from buying it outright in the beginning.
VZW charges $299 for these devices with a $350 ETF that drops $10 a month. Same $649 either way - you're just paying for your freedom in advance.
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But we're talking about getting to break the contract without the ETF and we already have a phone. So I paid 1 penny for my phone and am on a 2 year contract. If I got out of contract and went month to month without the ETF and lose my phone then it will only cost me $150 to get a new phone with a new contract at Amazon or Wirefly. I don't know why people pay more and buy at Verizon.
The issue would be what they would charge you for a plan month to month - or if they even offer that option, they might just say see ya - and if you keep unlimited data if you already have it.
Regardless of who you buy your phone from, in the end we'll all be dealing with Verizon in the end. The .01 Rezound was a deal for new customers only/new lines only I believe. I'm not going to buy from wirefly or any of those retailers. I don't think Costco reduces the price of the phone too much when it first comes out. I do know they generally offer nice bundles for pretty much the same price though. With my company I do get more $ off my devices ranging from $50 - $100. Not sure if other places can apply that discount or not. Imo I don't see what the big deal is from such a minuscule bump in price. When we signed up with Verizon we all knew we were going to pay the highest rates already to begin with. Slight price increase with the 4-5 years I've been with them, I frankly could care less. You pay what you get for imo. If you people want to terminate and sign back up to get a subsidized phone you can try. I'm pretty sure they have some policy or regulation in place that will prevent such scenario. Well! Good luck to those that decide to go down this path.
feralicious said:
But we're talking about getting to break the contract without the ETF and we already have a phone. So I paid 1 penny for my phone and am on a 2 year contract. If I got out of contract and went month to month without the ETF and lose my phone then it will only cost me $150 to get a new phone with a new contract at Amazon or Wirefly. I don't know why people pay more and buy at Verizon.
The issue would be what they would charge you for a plan month to month - or if they even offer that option, they might just say see ya - and if you keep unlimited data if you already have it.
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since you haven't had your rezound for 6 months, amazon would charge you their ETF. When they don't get their monthly commision for your line, they will come after you.
nrfitchett4 said:
since you haven't had your rezound for 6 months, amazon would charge you their ETF. When they don't get their monthly commision for your line, they will come after you.
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Not true. I work at Best Buy mobile. We get payed by Verizon as long as they sign there contract and don't return and cancel with in 14 days. I assume this is the same at Verizon.
zetsumeikuro said:
Regardless of who you buy your phone from, in the end we'll all be dealing with Verizon in the end. The .01 Rezound was a deal for new customers only/new lines only I believe. I'm not going to buy from wirefly or any of those retailers. I don't think Costco reduces the price of the phone too much when it first comes out. I do know they generally offer nice bundles for pretty much the same price though. With my company I do get more $ off my devices ranging from $50 - $100. Not sure if other places can apply that discount or not. Imo I don't see what the big deal is from such a minuscule bump in price. When we signed up with Verizon we all knew we were going to pay the highest rates already to begin with. Slight price increase with the 4-5 years I've been with them, I frankly could care less. You pay what you get for imo. If you people want to terminate and sign back up to get a subsidized phone you can try. I'm pretty sure they have some policy or regulation in place that will prevent such scenario. Well! Good luck to those that decide to go down this path.
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Pretty sure the 1 penny deal was for any new contract, existing customers or new, but that's neither here nor there. I only brought up the price I paid cuz the poster I was responding to was adding up costs.
As to the additional costs, I could care less about pennies more per month, but if it creates a way to lose the 2 year commitment that would be cool since that would allow me to replace the phone for only $149 if something should happen to it. Most likely I won't do anything about it, I'll wait and see if anyone else reports back successfully. I've already had so much good luck getting this phone I may be pushing things. I got refunded $199.98 from Amazon when it went on sale, ordered it with the mhs to get the Amazon $100 gift card for which I found no fine print stating I had to keep it for any length of time, then found the unlimited data plan trick so bumped up my mhs to unlimited to get that. I really needed a new phone too so I made out like a bandit! Oh, and moms got me a 64gb card for xmas (she actually thought it was a boring gift, lol). Now I just have to get brave enough to root.
nrfitchett4 said:
since you haven't had your rezound for 6 months, amazon would charge you their ETF. When they don't get their monthly commision for your line, they will come after you.
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I thought about that, but if Verizon is the one breaking the terms perhaps there's an out and they would be held responsible. However, I suppose they would just subsidize that pennies per month cost to keep the contract valid if it came to that.
After they changed the way discounts are applied in Feb, my bill went up $5.
I called them today to complain. They offered me $80 to add on a year to the contract, which would not affect the upgrade I have sitting around on my primary line.
Mathematically, $5 increase for a year is $60, so $80 makes up for it.
Thoughts?
EDIT: I'm in a well covered 4G area, and planning on picking up (assuming it happens) the Evo ONE X phone we think is coming with my upgrade. No other upgrades on my account besides that one.
Nah, you'll end up spending more as your locked in longer.
Sent From My HTC Evo 3D, On The Now Network By Sprint.
drbadass said:
After they changed the way discounts are applied in Feb, my bill went up $5.
I called them today to complain. They offered me $80 to add on a year to the contract, which would not affect the upgrade I have sitting around on my primary line.
Mathematically, $5 increase for a year is $60, so $80 makes up for it.
Thoughts?
EDIT: I'm in a well covered 4G area, and planning on picking up (assuming it happens) the Evo ONE X phone we think is coming with my upgrade. No other upgrades on my account besides that one.
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As long at it doesn't mess with your upgrade date, no reason not to like it.
If you don't plan on leaving sprint anytime soon then do it. I always jump on those offers when they come along because i am perfectly happy with sprint and don't plan on switching anytime soon.
Good luck.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Yeah I take that deal, unless I plan on leaving. One year, and it shouldn't screw with your upgrade at all...If you're staying, it's free money.
For what its worth, they offered the same thing to me, but @$100
Idk if they have a formula based on your monthly bill or what, but maybe you can get them to do that?
I had the same issue a while ago and got 120.00 been with sprint like 18 years
Is your contract up???
If you have say 6 months left on your contract, plus you tack on a year, then you will be paying 5 a month for 18 months. This would equal 90 dollars. I don't know where you are in your contract, but I just wanted to point it out to make sure that you take this into account.
Does anyone know? I know they can't be done, but is there some level of customer service that can still provide one-year contracts? The death of one-year contracts is pernicious and unfortunate, especially when corporate discounts so often put the one-year price at only 30 or so dollars over the two year.
tekhna said:
Does anyone know? I know they can't be done, but is there some level of customer service that can still provide one-year contracts? The death of one-year contracts is pernicious and unfortunate, especially when corporate discounts so often put the one-year price at only 30 or so dollars over the two year.
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sadly i think the one year contracts are done for, it is sad. i love verizon but our bill is far to expensive anymore. id move back to sprint to save some $$ but i cannot afford the eft's on two lines.
mighty_markus12 said:
sadly i think the one year contracts are done for, it is sad. i love verizon but our bill is far to expensive anymore. id move back to sprint to save some $$ but i cannot afford the eft's on two lines.
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I left Sprint when I realized that Verizon actually ended up costing the same, or less, for our 4 lines of service once Sprint added in their 10$/smartphone fee.
sprint was about $40-50 cheaper for me.
I could save a ton of money by switching to sprint, but their service is so bad around my area it is virtually unuseable.
jmorton10 said:
I could save a ton of money by switching to sprint, but their service is so bad around my area it is virtually unuseable.
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same here, that's why i left them last summer.
Alright, well that's great--Sprint sucks, but it's cheaper. Alas, one-year contracts with Sprint are dead too, so let us never discuss that wretched company again.
yeah one year contracts are dunzo, no way to get them at all.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA App
One year contracts, as far as equipment upgrades are concerned, are completely done. If a rep is gonna offer you equipment as a save option, it will come with a 2 year agreement or at full retail (there is also the Certified Pre Owned option, but that's another story and doesn't have a 1 year deal).
There are some save options, as far as Friends and Family for non-qualifying plan or bonus minutes/texts, that do require a 1 year agreement if you accept, but they are unrelated to equipment. Of course, it's been several months since I stopped working for VZW, so things may have changed.
jmorton10 said:
I could save a ton of money by switching to sprint, but their service is so bad around my area it is virtually unuseable.
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Exactly how I feel. I had the EVO4G with Sprint but did not want to go for another contract. It's true they offer unlimited data for a significantly cheaper cost than Verizon, but what's unlimited data worth if you can't use it? With Verizon, I am paying $30 more than I was paying to Sprint, but at least, I can play my music with MOG Music. I felt so frustrated with sprint because I was paying $10/month for my MOG subscription without being able to use it on Sprint Network.
Wendemixda said:
Exactly how I feel. I had the EVO4G with Sprint but did not want to go for another contract. It's true they offer unlimited data for a significantly cheaper cost than Verizon, but what's unlimited data worth if you can't use it? With Verizon, I am paying $30 more than I was paying to Sprint, but at least, I can play my music with MOG Music. I felt so frustrated with sprint because I was paying $10/month for my MOG subscription without being able to use it on Sprint Network.
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My biggest problem with sprint is the spectrum they use. Wimax is a joke indoors on a phone. Move 2 feet to the side and it would drop to 3g. What frequency are the building lte out on?
Sent from my Rezound using Tapatalk
tekhna said:
Does anyone know? I know they can't be done, but is there some level of customer service that can still provide one-year contracts? The death of one-year contracts is pernicious and unfortunate, especially when corporate discounts so often put the one-year price at only 30 or so dollars over the two year.
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I sent a letter directly to Mr. Mead voicing this exact thing. They stated that they removed 1-year contracts because no one actually used them. When the truth is that VZW's business model made reps always push you into a 2 year for the added commission.
It's really been downhill for VZW. First they got rid of Annual Online Upgrades, New Every Two, Unlimited Data, and then finally one year contracts. I've been planning to send out a few more emails to executives, maybe if we all voice our disappointment?
isdnmatt said:
I sent a letter directly to Mr. Mead voicing this exact thing. They stated that they removed 1-year contracts because no one actually used them. When the truth is that VZW's business model made reps always push you into a 2 year for the added commission.
It's really been downhill for VZW. First they got rid of Annual Online Upgrades, New Every Two, Unlimited Data, and then finally one year contracts. I've been planning to send out a few more emails to executives, maybe if we all voice our disappointment?
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I actually wouldn't be surprised if people didn't use them, people aren't very smart about their money. It's a no-brainer though if you've got most corporate discounts. And most people don't care about their phone that much to upgrade very year.
It's been downhill since the iPhone. Let's be clear about what caused the problem! I think it's probably too late for them to bring one-year contracts back, but I was wondering since they did promos like this http://www.droid-life.com/2011/07/07/verizon-offers-1-year-contracts-to-out-of-contract-customers/ last summer when one-years were supposedly dead, if they'd do them again. But that was a while ago.
I'd rather just have a European pricing model where I pay for my phone outright and have a smaller monthly bill.
I actually move from ATT to VZ because of the Droid Inc and got it on a one year contract (paid $30 extra for the phone). It's almost been a year since my contract has expired and I don't want to upgrade because of the 2-year contract policy and also since phones are moving so fast, if I wait 6 months for a price drop like the rezound, everyone has already moved onto another phone. Lol.
Side Note: My wife is on the Eris and I'm thinking about getting a Rezound for her. Is it easy to root and flash a custom rom on it?
AT&T is the only I know that offered a 1 year contract, and was typically online only thru Premier. They kept making them harder to get.
I refuse to sign a 2 year contract based on how Verizon treated me in 2004. When you think about it, the ETF difference is virtually the different in phone price buying off contract. So you're paying for it one way or another. I will say I have found that on AT&T and Verizon, they treat you better if you DON'T have a contract. You can threaten to walk out that door immediately and mean it. That puts a lot more power back in the consumers' hands.
Is there a MINIMUM time you have to hold the contract for $200 ETF? I am now 22 months on vibrant and planning to upgrade to SG3 and trade in vibrant. Then break the contract in 2 months, effectievly paying 200+200-75 = $325 for new phone. Will this work
rakeshchn said:
Is there a MINIMUM time you have to hold the contract for $200 ETF? I am now 22 months on vibrant and planning to upgrade to SG3 and trade in vibrant. Then break the contract in 2 months, effectievly paying 200+200-75 = $325 for new phone. Will this work
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where's the -75 coming from? I believe it's 200-300 etf at around $10 month as you go, so in 2 months, you're at 20...no? Also, if you break it in 2 months, and they gave you a 600 dollar phone for 200, there's a very good chance they will want that phone back or charge you the discount...
---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------
Altho, my gf did get tmo a while back, got a free HD7, canceled after abou 2 months, they charged her somewhere around 250-300 for etf, plus whatever monthly service, but they never asked for the phone, or bill her for it, so it's possible, but I think she got lucky, anyone could easily do that , never open the phone, sell it on ebay for 4-5 hundred (at the time) and pay the etf and pocket the rest...
According to this, which is a bit dated, http://wirelesscontractsinfo.blogspot.com/2010/09/t-mobiles-early-termination-fee.html?m=1 it seems like you are correct in your assumption.
I would simply call them. Don't tell them you are specifically scheming to find a way to get a phone cheaper and leaving their contact. Rather, be inquisitive to the details of the contract you will be signing with them to upgrade your equipment, and the repercussions you will face for breaking said contract if the circumstances arise.
They'll be nice and cover all bases with you. They have to, it's a contract, and by law they are required a full disclosure to you.
Last month, my cousin decided he wanted a new phone. He called them, and he was 2 months early for his upgrade. By the time he got off the phone, he got an early FULL upgrade, and 2 new Samsung Blaze 4g's for $100 each plus taxes and shipping.
So, in my opinion... T-mobile seems to be more than willing to help out their customers, and understand that their customers want new equipment.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2938
Looking at the link there is no mention of $10 per month etc, just a flat $200 for more that 180 days. Also how would Tmobile charge me more than what they would make me sign on the contract, even if phone is $600? Can someone else chime in?
And the $75 is the current trade in value for vibrant.
Toast6977 said:
Last month, my cousin decided he wanted a new phone. He called them, and he was 2 months early for his upgrade. By the time he got off the phone, he got an early FULL upgrade, and 2 new Samsung Blaze 4g's for $100 each plus taxes and shipping.
So, in my opinion... T-mobile seems to be more than willing to help out their customers, and understand that their customers want new equipment.
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Thanks for your reply! I am not trying to be a douche to Tmobile, I get the best plan and rate from them and add to that great 3G speeds here. But I have to leave US in Sep and dont want to miss the GS3
That might be new, it was always, every month your etf goes down by a few dollars as you get closer to end of contract...
The reason they could charge you is they are giving you the $600 dollar phone for 200 assuming you sign and fulfill your contract...they make their money charging you a lot more a month on a classic plan every month vs. the monthly 4g for example.
Classic Unlimited = $79 unltd talk/text/2Gigs web....and after all the regional/911/city taxes you HAVE to pay on a contract plan, that is close to $95 a month ...vs same exact service on Monthly 4g, is $60 a month, and all you pay is sales tax on that...
so if you cancel it a month later, they let you out, yes for 200 dollars etf + 200 for the phone , and you are free and clear with a $600 retail phone? If this is the case, sign me up. That's 200 savings plus 20/month on service x24
Are you leaving for good, or coming back? It's it like a vacation, or a few months and you'll be back? You can have them put your account on hold, like a parked state, while your gone. Then when you return they can turn it back on and resume your contract from where you left off. I've seen this done from time to time.
Just depends on your situation.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
rakeshchn said:
http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2938
Looking at the link there is no mention of $10 per month etc, just a flat $200 for more that 180 days. Also how would Tmobile charge me more than what they would make me sign on the contract, even if phone is $600? Can someone else chime in?
And the $75 is the current trade in value for vibrant.
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Don't trade the vibe in for $75, sell it outright or keep it. People are paying twice that on Craigslist.
What are you looking at shortbus......
Does the etf hurt your credit?
What are you looking at shortbus......
ETF doesn't hurt your credit. But don't pay it and ignore the bill, and it still definitely screw up your credit.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA
Well it sounds like a no brainer, buy the s3 on contract, wait a couple of months and buy out. They can't ask for the device and an etf. I haven't read the fine print but its not a lease. I am going to check that out.
What are you looking at shortbus......
So heres my case, after the 12 months would they take my phone back even tho its rooted and bootloader unlocked? just wondering because im gonna upgrade to the m9!!
HRodMusic said:
So heres my case, after the 12 months would they take my phone back even tho its rooted and bootloader unlocked? just wondering because im gonna upgrade to the m9!!
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yes they will take it back. the reps dont know enough to check for root and unlocked bootloader. all they will check for is if it has "normal" wear and tear as per your at&t next agreement.
freebee269 said:
yes they will take it back. the reps dont know enough to check for root and unlocked bootloader. all they will check for is if it has "normal" wear and tear as per your at&t next agreement.
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chill, ill just make sure i go back to a stock rom. =)
freebee269 said:
yes they will take it back. the reps dont know enough to check for root and unlocked bootloader. all they will check for is if it has "normal" wear and tear as per your at&t next agreement.
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this rep nows well enough :good::good:
just unroot and relock the bootloader lol
Is next worth it? These Damn salesmen keep trying to get my dad to switch and he wants to do it.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
The way Next was explained to me by a customer service rep was this: You get a phone on Next and you pay monthly on it, on the unsubsidized price. As long as you're paying on the phone monthly, you get a discount off of your bill. When you stop paying for the phone, the discount is removed. But you never really own the phone.
So you're stuck constantly renting a phone from AT&T to keep your bill lower. They now have you even more firmly by the balls.
This was how it was explained to me, but not all reps know what they're talking about. So if anybody knows more or differently, feel free to correct me.
Anyway, I used a cross-upgrade to get mine.
rahtrip said:
Is next worth it? These Damn salesmen keep trying to get my dad to switch and he wants to do it.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
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You end up paying more in the long run IF you switch at the halfway point....but if you run the full payment plan then you obviously end up paying the same amount for the phone. That being said, the 2 year contract is ultimately cheaper by several hundred dollars. But of course you have to wait 2 years to get subsidized pricing, and if you're a gadget-addict such as myself then NEXT might be a good deal because you can get a new phone without having to worry about your two year wait period.
Ultimately they make way more money off of you....otherwise they wouldn't offer it
TheEmpyre said:
You end up paying more in the long run IF you switch at the halfway point....but if you run the full payment plan then you obviously end up paying the same amount for the phone. That being said, the 2 year contract is ultimately cheaper by several hundred dollars. But of course you have to wait 2 years to get subsidized pricing, and if you're a gadget-addict such as myself then NEXT might be a good deal because you can get a new phone without having to worry about your two year wait period.
Ultimately they make way more money off of you....otherwise they wouldn't offer it
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Actually, Next is cheaper than a 2 year contract. With Next you pay the full price of $640 plus tax. With a 2 yr contract you pay $800 plus tax... The phone is $200 up front plus you lose the $25/month Next discount and end up paying $600 extra over the term of the contract...so $800 total.
It's win-win for gadget addicts like me. I don't have to worry about losing resale value of I get a scratch or ding...no need to sell it to break even. I can just bring it back and get the new hotness each year.
working for at&t sales for 3 years i find it so awesome looking for phones that are rooted and unlocked. granted when i do see it i let it slide because heck im gonna do the same when i trade mine in lol.
but if they come in complaining about all the stupid issues their having and i find it rooted then i cant help them because theyve got a tmobile phone with an att type rom with tmobile apns and i just sit there and go...if ur gonna root...go learn to read dude.
/gets off soap box
bbunsen said:
Actually, Next is cheaper than a 2 year contract. With Next you pay the full price of $640 plus tax. With a 2 yr contract you pay $800 plus tax... The phone is $200 up front plus you lose the $25/month Next discount and end up paying $600 extra over the term of the contract...so $800 total.
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Not all plans will receive a $25 subsidy. That's only if you pay for one of the more expensive mobile share plans. All plans below, I think 8 GB, only receive a $15 discount. Doing a cursory search of different sites that have done mathematical analysis on NEXT all conclude the two year subsidy is cheaper. Why would AT&T do it if they weren't going to make money hand over fist?
Sent from my HTC One_M8
TheEmpyre said:
Not all plans will receive a $25 subsidy. That's only if you pay for one of the more expensive mobile share plans. All plans below, I think 8 GB, only receive a $15 discount. Doing a cursory search of different sites that have done mathematical analysis on NEXT all conclude the two year subsidy is cheaper. Why would AT&T do it if they weren't going to make money hand over fist?
Sent from my HTC One_M8
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Ok. Well, I did the math myself and Next is cheaper for my lines on the 10GB plan.
Regardless of plan, you pay $40/mo with a contract plus $200 up front for the phone right now. That is $1160 for one line over 2 years. With a $15 subsidy one would pay $1240 over 2 years and with a $25 subsidy it is $1000 over 2 years.
So, after 12 months on Next, one will have spent either $684 or $564 for the line depending on the plan vs $680 with a contract...but with Next you can upgrade to a new just released phone and likely keep paying the same amount monthly.
If you don't want to upgrade early and don't get the 10GB or greater plan, it might not be as good for you...unless you keep your phone longer than 2 years. If you do, Next is better.
I've been buying new phones every year (or sooner) and selling my used ones to help finance the new one. I've been doing so since the Palm Treo 650 days...about 10 years now I guess. [Wow, I'm old.] I know how much money I've lost doing that over the years...even when hopping carriers to do so when ETFs were cheaper. Since I obviously plan on spending extra money to get the latest technology more frequently, this option helps spread out the costs and minimizes risk of not being able to sell a phone for the price I need to keep the ball rolling.
Again, it may not be for everyone.
bbunsen said:
Ok. Well, I did the math myself and Next is cheaper for my lines on the 10GB plan.
Regardless of plan, you pay $40/mo with a contract plus $200 up front for the phone right now. That is $1160 for one line over 2 years. With a $15 subsidy one would pay $1240 over 2 years and with a $25 subsidy it is $1000 over 2 years.
So, after 12 months on Next, one will have spent either $684 or $564 for the line depending on the plan vs $680 with a contract...but with Next you can upgrade to a new just released phone and likely keep paying the same amount monthly.
If you don't want to upgrade early and don't get the 10GB or greater plan, it might not be as good for you...unless you keep your phone longer than 2 years. If you do, Next is better.
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I'm really not trying to start a pointless bickering match here, but for the sake of someone trying to make an informed decision here is my math:
Individual 2 GB Plan: $40 per month for the plan + $25 smartphone charge (includes $15 Subsidy off of the $40 fee) + $25 per month for a premium smartphone. Multipled over 12 months = $1,080
2 Year contract: $65 per month for a smartphone plan, 2 GB data + one time $200 fee, multiply the plan cost over 12 months = $980
The cost of the 2 year contract is cheaper in this case by $100, for an individual, for 2 GB of data.
TheEmpyre said:
I'm really not trying to start a pointless bickering match here, but for the sake of someone trying to make an informed decision here is my math:
Individual 2 GB Plan: $40 per month for the plan + $25 smartphone charge (includes $15 Subsidy off of the $40 fee) + $25 per month for a premium smartphone. Multipled over 12 months = $1,080
2 Year contract: $65 per month for a smartphone plan, 2 GB data + one time $200 fee, multiply the plan cost over 12 months = $980
The cost of the 2 year contract is cheaper in this case by $100, for an individual, for 2 GB of data.
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I don't want to keep going back and forth here either.
Your math is correct if a 2GB $65 on-contract plan exists, but I don't think it does. They advertise 2GB plans for $65 but that doesn't include a subsidized phone. 1GB on contract for $65 is a possibility and would be slightly cheaper over time if you can live with 1GB per month.
Everyone has different needs and requirements. I am just happy that the US is starting to transform their policies to separate phones and service like many other countries where the cost for mobile data is much more affordable. I've lived places where they dish out data on the cheap and it was glorious. BYOD pricing is getting reasonable and isn't just for MVNOs anymore which is nice.
Bottom line is that AT&T wouldn't invest money in creating and implementing the Next plan if they weren't going to see more profits from it. More profits means the customer pays more or more customers pay more. They aren't doing this as a convenience to their customers - it's about making more money.
Right. Businesses don't make changes to decrease their bottom line unless it is to attract more customers. I believe this is an attempt at gaining more customers and more market share while trying to remain competitive in this changing space. At the same time, I imagine it doesn't hurt them financially.
bbunsen said:
Right. Businesses don't make changes to decrease their bottom line unless it is to attract more customers. I believe this is an attempt at gaining more customers and more market share while trying to remain competitive in this changing space. At the same time, I imagine it doesn't hurt them financially.
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AT&T makes record profits every quarter, I bet they're willing to take a hit for a quarter or two to stop customers from fleeing to T-Mobile.
Me having 5 lines and the 10 GB mobile share it is significantly cheaper for me to do the Next with that $25 discount. When I first converted I didn't had the discount without the Next, but when my contract was up for me to upgrade it was cheaper to do Next than the 2 year contract.
I'll probably pay it off before the year and sell it myself and do another Next when my next phone i want comes out.
edit: ATT doesn't necessarily need to make a killing switching to these plans. If they keep their profits the same, but keep people under contract ( 2 year/or owing money on the Next) longer it makes sense. Carriers fear losing customers more than anything.
TheEmpyre said:
2 Year contract: $65 per month for a smartphone plan, 2 GB data + one time $200 fee, multiply the plan cost over 12 months = $980
The cost of the 2 year contract is cheaper in this case by $100, for an individual, for 2 GB of data.
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2 year contract price for 2 year is $80, $40 for the 2GB and then $40 for smartphone charge.
So AT&T Next with an iPhone 5S on the 20 month plan is $32.50 a month.
Next: ($25+$32.50)20 = $1150
2year: ($40x24)+$236 =$1196
That $236 is including the upgrade or activation fee, which is waived on Next as well.
Edit: I guess this is assuming you do the full ride for each the Next agreement and the 2 year contract. Although with Next you have the CHOICE to turn it in sooner and upgrade sooner, you don't HAVE to, which many people are misinformed about.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
HRodMusic said:
So heres my case, after the 12 months would they take my phone back even tho its rooted and bootloader unlocked? just wondering because im gonna upgrade to the m9!!
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If you're going to be upgrading to a new phone release(which is every year) then "Next" is a great option for you.
Reason why is you going to be stuck in a contract with AT&T for two years. And when the M9 or whatever device you might see next year come out you won't be able to upgrade for the new/upgrade 2 year price tag, you would have to pay full retail($600-$800). Most likely you are going to stop using the older device once the new come out so why not just sign up for Next and keep upgrading every year. If you wanna spend $1,000+ a year for phone service + $600+ every time a new phone comes out then thats up to you.
You can also pay off your phone before a year. you don't have to keep paying $35 a month for the device.
Longcat14 said:
AT&T makes record profits every quarter, I bet they're willing to take a hit for a quarter or two to stop customers from fleeing to T-Mobile.
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I doubt T-Mobile is a threat to AT&T or Verizon. they're service is still useless unless you live in one of those "Markets".