Official iPhone 3GS "No Subsidized Price For Loyal iPhone Users" Thread [ Edited ]

[tsfroggy]

So.

Watched the keynote on Engadget.  VERY excited about new features.

And then the pricing came out.

There is NO - repeat, NO - subsidized price for loyal iPhone users, like there was on the last iPhone release.

The only way - repeat, the ONLY WAY - this will come to fruition is to contact AT&T and complain.  Otherwise, you loyal iPhone users who waited in line for the iPhone 3G will have to wait around 9 more months.

The following link will take you to the contact page.  If you are a loyal iPhone user like me, contact them through email, phone, whatever - let your voice be heard.

Also, reply to this thread.  Let them know you will not be quiet.  Do whatever it takes.

http://www.wireless.att.com/about/contact-us/contact-us.jsp

Regards,

tsfroggy

Disappointed Loyal iPhone Owner

Message Edited by tsfroggy on 06-08-2009 01:39:38 PM

Message Edited by tsfroggy on 06-08-2009 01:40:07 PM

Message Edited by tsfroggy on 06-08-2009 01:40:42 PM

[ripleyr1]

I may be in the minority of 3G users but the new model doesnt get me as excited as 3.0(which I will get free anyway). I understand what you are saying but to At&t its just another phone really. I mean just if someone bought a curve 2 months before the Bold was released it wouldnt make sense to give subsidied prices to them.

[tsfroggy]

Regardless, if you think about it, the iPhone 3G wasn't that great of an upgrade over the original iPhone, save for the 3G.  The rest of the hardware was unchanged.

The point is, we should have the option.

Cry foul, all disappointed iPhone users!

[DWC1 ACE - Professor]

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tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

[drgnbear]

It may be just another phone to AT&T but we already pay higher service fees to use the iPhone. We should be exempted from their upgrade policies like we were from the 1st generation. absolutely ridiculous. I wonder how many customers AT&T would have if you could get the iPhone on T-Mobile?

Message Edited by drgnbear on 06-08-2009 02:04:59 PM

[kgipp]

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drgnbear wrote:
It may be just another phone to AT&T but we already pay higher service fees to use the iPhone. We should be exempted from their upgrade policies like we were from the 1st generation. bsolutely ridiculous. I wonder how many customers AT&T would have if you could get the iPhone on T-Mobile?

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Blackberry users pay higher service fees too, but they don't have the early upgrade option either.  1st generation iPhone users paid full price for their phones, not a discounted price, hence the ability to upgrade to the 3G for a discounted price.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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DWC1 wrote:

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tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

---

At this time in this place, we live in a world of wealth redistribution and lack of following contracts and living up to our commitments!

[tsfroggy]

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DWC1 wrote:

---

tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

---

Just expressing my disappointment.  I feel that greater feats have been achieved through threads such as this with smaller responses.  Hopefully, the outcry will be enough for AT&T to make an exception.  I for one will not buy the iPhone 3GS for $399, but I will remain committed to AT&T for $199 for sure.  It's a simple thing called customer loyalty - you shouldn't screw your most loyal customers just to get new ones.

{please keep it courteous, thanks}

Message Edited by IanSee on 06-08-2009 05:13:05 PM

[tsfroggy]

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youngjm wrote:

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DWC1 wrote:

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tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

---

At this time in this place, we live in a world of wealth redistribution and lack of following contracts and living up to our commitments!

---

Excuse the double post, but my BS detector was going off.  No one said anything about not living up to their committment - I just feel that AT&T should have more loyalty to those who have had - and love - the iPhone.

[kgipp]

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tsfroggy wrote:

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youngjm wrote:

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DWC1 wrote:

---

tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

---

At this time in this place, we live in a world of wealth redistribution and lack of following contracts and living up to our commitments!

---

Excuse the double post, but my BS detector was going off.  No one said anything about not living up to their committment - I just feel that AT&T should have more loyalty to those who have had - and love - the iPhone.

---

And why should the iPhone be any different than any other ATT phone?  Your reasoning would imply that anyone that has had a Blackberry should be able to upgrade to a new Blackberry anytime they want.  What would be the point of offering incentives such as discounted phone prices if they're just going to keep making exceptions.

[Doppler808]

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tsfroggy wrote:

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youngjm wrote:

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DWC1 wrote:

---

tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

---

At this time in this place, we live in a world of wealth redistribution and lack of following contracts and living up to our commitments!

---

Excuse the double post, but my BS detector was going off.  No one said anything about not living up to their committment - I just feel that AT&T should have more loyalty to those who have had - and love - the iPhone.

---

I like my iPhone 3g.  Am I going to upgrade to the 3gs probably not.  Sure a slightly better camera and other small options.  I don't feel I should trade in my 3g for it.  Maybe next year when my contract is up maybe the 4g will be out.  Well then i'd be stuck in the same place.  At least I can get the 4g when 4g comes out....  If it ever comes out.  4g would be a big enough for me to upgrade but currently nothing the 3gs makes it worth me going to cry about.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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tsfroggy wrote:

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youngjm wrote:

---

DWC1 wrote:

---

tsfroggy wrote:

The point is, we should have the option.

---

You do have a cheaper option once you live up to your side of the bargain when you signed a 2 year contract.  There is no guarantee on any phone that at&t sells that you can get an early upgrade for less.

The option you have is to honor the contract you freely committed yourself to.  If you want to upgrade early then you will have to pay full price with no subsidy discount.  You can't blame anyone but yourself for your predicament.

---

At this time in this place, we live in a world of wealth redistribution and lack of following contracts and living up to our commitments!

---

Excuse the double post, but my BS detector was going off.  No one said anything about not living up to their committment - I just feel that AT&T should have more loyalty to those who have had - and love - the iPhone.

---

I agree that they should value their customers but I got a discounted price from them based on them being able to recoup that over two years.  If I upgrade early, I expect that they are entitled to get back the money they invested in me becasue I did not complete my two year contract.  Revenue is just as important as keeping customers.  If they continue to give away iPhones and don't recoup their costs, they won't be here.  It is a fine balancing act.

[tsfroggy]

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kgipp wrote:

And why should the iPhone be any different than any other ATT phone?  Your reasoning would imply that anyone that has had a Blackberry should be able to upgrade to a new Blackberry anytime they want.  What would be the point of offering incentives such as discounted phone prices if they're just going to keep making exceptions.

---

They did it last time, why not again?  Besides, there are many, MANY Blackberries to choose from - and the features (and even markets, to some extent) are vastly differentiated.  The iPhone also has a much bigger following and is a much bigger moneymaker.  Just hoping for some customer loyalty...

[kgipp]

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tsfroggy wrote:

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kgipp wrote:

And why should the iPhone be any different than any other ATT phone?  Your reasoning would imply that anyone that has had a Blackberry should be able to upgrade to a new Blackberry anytime they want.  What would be the point of offering incentives such as discounted phone prices if they're just going to keep making exceptions.

---

They did it last time, why not again?  Besides, there are many, MANY Blackberries to choose from - and the features (and even markets, to some extent) are vastly differentiated.  The iPhone also has a much bigger following and is a much bigger moneymaker.  Just hoping for some customer loyalty...

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Because (as already stated) "last time" the iPhone users had paid FULL PRICE for their original iPhones, not the discounted upgrade price.  Also, the percentage of smart phone users that use Blackberries is significantly higher than the percentage that uses the iPhone.

Message Edited by kgipp on 06-08-2009 02:18:09 PM

[apw34]

Contacted AT&T via email already, I'll call tonight too.  This is ridiculous and slap in the face to long time loyal iphone customers like me who switched from Tmobile and the only reason was the iphone. We have to mount a vigorous campaign to change this policy, call your local at&t and ask for the manager and complaint. Send emails and post in forums everywhere.

[tsfroggy]

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youngjm wrote:

I agree that they should value their customers but I got a discounted price from them based on them being able to recoup that over two years.  If I upgrade early, I expect that they are entitled to get back the money they invested in me becasue I did not complete my two year contract.  Revenue is just as important as keeping customers.  If they continue to give away iPhones and don't recoup their costs, they won't be here.  It is a fine balancing act.

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No one's arguing that revenue is not a good thing, but it can be argued that customers > revenue in certain cases.  I'm sure that the $199 plus monthly fees is enough to recoup their costs over time, especially if people keep renewing their contracts to keep their iPhones.  It's win-win for AT&T, in my opinion.  Unless of course the phone costs them a lot, which I don't see happening.  Doesn't the iPhone 3G cost something like <$200 to manufacture?

[tsfroggy]

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kgipp wrote:

Because (as already stated) "last time" the iPhone users had paid FULL PRICE for their original iPhones, not the discounted upgrade price.  Also, the percentage of smart phone users that use Blackberries is significantly higher than the percentage that uses the iPhone.

Message Edited by kgipp on 06-08-2009 02:18:09 PM

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Wrong.  I paid <$200 for my first iPhone - a refurb.  Straight from Apple.  Your logic fails here.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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tsfroggy wrote:

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youngjm wrote:

I agree that they should value their customers but I got a discounted price from them based on them being able to recoup that over two years.  If I upgrade early, I expect that they are entitled to get back the money they invested in me becasue I did not complete my two year contract.  Revenue is just as important as keeping customers.  If they continue to give away iPhones and don't recoup their costs, they won't be here.  It is a fine balancing act.

---

No one's arguing that revenue is not a good thing, but it can be argued that customers > revenue in certain cases.  I'm sure that the $199 plus monthly fees is enough to recoup their costs over time, especially if people keep renewing their contracts to keep their iPhones.  It's win-win for AT&T, in my opinion.  Unless of course the phone costs them a lot, which I don't see happening.  Doesn't the iPhone 3G cost something like <$200 to manufacture?

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Manufacture price is one thing... What Apple sells it to ATT is another.

[MissAllison]

I went into the ATT store today to switch my BB Bold back to a 3G iPhone, and I talked to the guys at the store and the only big differences is the new phone will have video recording capabilities, 3MP camera, slimmer design and the ability for a TomTom app. Honestly I would prefer the phone I have now and just download the new software. I don't think current iPhone customers need to upgrade to this for a subsidized price. Now the regular 2G to 3G iPhone I understand allowing us to upgrade early.

[djWHEAT]

Actually, I have to agree with the Original Poster.

I am in a unique situation that I believe has ultimately left me short stacked.

My iPhone 1st Gen was stolen in July of 08.  I happened to be the same weekend the iPhone 3G was released.  While I had no intentions of purchasing that as an upgrade, I wasn't even ALLOWED to consider a replacement 1st Gen.  I was forced to purchase a 3G if I wanted to continue to use the iPhone.  Now here it is one year later, and I'm in a position where I do want to upgrade to the new version (for me video more than anything)... but I like many others am "screwed".

It's pretty comical to me that the full retail price of $599 is still more expensive than canceling my account, and signing up as a new customer.  I'm not sure the policy behind this, but the ETF is chump change compared to what they want to charge a loyal customer who's actually willing to upgrade with each new revision.  I wonder how many people are in the same boat as me.  

I just don't get it... if I'm such a valued customer, how come I never feel like I am? 

[tsfroggy]

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youngjm wrote:

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tsfroggy wrote:

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youngjm wrote:

I agree that they should value their customers but I got a discounted price from them based on them being able to recoup that over two years.  If I upgrade early, I expect that they are entitled to get back the money they invested in me becasue I did not complete my two year contract.  Revenue is just as important as keeping customers.  If they continue to give away iPhones and don't recoup their costs, they won't be here.  It is a fine balancing act.

---

No one's arguing that revenue is not a good thing, but it can be argued that customers > revenue in certain cases.  I'm sure that the $199 plus monthly fees is enough to recoup their costs over time, especially if people keep renewing their contracts to keep their iPhones.  It's win-win for AT&T, in my opinion.  Unless of course the phone costs them a lot, which I don't see happening.  Doesn't the iPhone 3G cost something like <$200 to manufacture?

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Manufacture price is one thing... What Apple sells it to ATT is another.

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For bulk, I'm sure the markup isn't much - the bulk of the value comes from the contract agreements.  AT&T probably has to pay a pretty penny for the exclusive US deal, but the value is more than recouped in the customer and revenue growth.

[drgnbear]

Uh... Belive me if you calculate out why you pay for the year you've had your 3G phone they have MORE than made up for it. My unlimited text messaging fee alone (and I would like to point out SMS costs AT&T NOTHING) makes up for the hardware upgrade. Your argument doesn't hold water. What we're talking about is simple greed. AT&T believes that we love the iPhone so much we will pay the non-subsidized price. Prove them wrong. wait until your contract is up or until they change their mind. 

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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djWHEAT wrote:

Actually, I have to agree with the Original Poster.

I am in a unique situation that I believe has ultimately left me short stacked.

My iPhone 1st Gen was stolen in July of 08.  I happened to be the same weekend the iPhone 3G was released.  While I had no intentions of purchasing that as an upgrade, I wasn't even ALLOWED to consider a replacement 1st Gen.  I was forced to purchase a 3G if I wanted to continue to use the iPhone.  Now here it is one year later, and I'm in a position where I do want to upgrade to the new version (for me video more than anything)... but I like many others am "screwed".

It's pretty comical to me that the full retail price of $599 is still more expensive than canceling my account, and signing up as a new customer.  I'm not sure the policy behind this, but the ETF is chump change compared to what they want to charge a loyal customer who's actually willing to upgrade with each new revision.  I wonder how many people are in the same boat as me.  

I just don't get it... if I'm such a valued customer, how come I never feel like I am? 

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As an FYI, if you cancel your contract, pay the ETF to buy a new iPhone, you are not considered a new customer for six months and therefore cannot get the disocunted price this way.

[dwcliff703]

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tsfroggy wrote: 

They did it last time, why not again?  Besides, there are many, MANY Blackberries to choose from - and the features (and even markets, to some extent) are vastly differentiated.  The iPhone also has a much bigger following and is a much bigger moneymaker.  Just hoping for some customer loyalty...

---

First generation iPhone purchasers paid an unsubsidized price for their devices, so when the iPhone 3G came out a year ago, these users were able to purchase the 3G device at the subsidized pricing of 199/299 along with all new subscribers to AT&T.....but that subsidized pricing required a 2 year committment to AT&T (the first iPhone did NOT).  Anyone that bought the iPhone 3G under this agreement will not be eligible for the subsidized pricing again on the newest iPhone until 18 months has been used on their 'new' contract period.  However most 3G users would be eligible to pay a small discounted price from the 'full retail' price if they have to have the newest, greatest iPhone.

This is a very different situation going from the 3G device to the 3GS device, than it was going from the the first iPhone to the 3G version.  

An understanding of these rules would probably relieve some of your angst!

[kgipp]

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dwcliff703 wrote:

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tsfroggy wrote: 

They did it last time, why not again?  Besides, there are many, MANY Blackberries to choose from - and the features (and even markets, to some extent) are vastly differentiated.  The iPhone also has a much bigger following and is a much bigger moneymaker.  Just hoping for some customer loyalty...

---

First generation iPhone purchasers paid an unsubsidized price for their devices, so when the iPhone 3G came out a year ago, these users were able to purchase the 3G device at the subsidized pricing of 199/299 along with all new subscribers to AT&T.....but that subsidized pricing required a 2 year committment to AT&T (the first iPhone did NOT).  Anyone that bought the iPhone 3G under this agreement will not be eligible for the subsidized pricing again on the newest iPhone until 18 months has been used on their 'new' contract period.  However most 3G users would be eligible to pay a small discounted price from the 'full retail' price if they have to have the newest, greatest iPhone.

This is a very different situation going from the 3G device to the 3GS device, than it was going from the the first iPhone to the 3G version.  

An understanding of these rules would probably relieve some of your angst!

---

Yes, but it is evident that these people can't grasp that as I've made that point a couple times already.  Apparently they just think they are more entitled than any other ATT customer and want to cry about it until they get their way.

[djWHEAT]

@Youngjm:  What if I cancel my line and had my wife create a "new line" under the family plan?  It seems that both "lines" are under completely different obligations, so would that change anything?  I'm willing to find any loophole just to feel like I was "served" properly as a customer.

[daylove]

You can go to the store and talk to the manager about getting an "override" they are usually willing to do so. The early upgrade is  $200 off. You can get a software update free since the 3g s and 3g hardware is unchanged.

[youngjm ACE - Professor]

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djWHEAT wrote:

@Youngjm:  What if I cancel my line and had my wife create a "new line" under the family plan?  It seems that both "lines" are under completely different obligations, so would that change anything?  I'm willing to find any loophole just to feel like I was "served" properly as a customer.

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If you cancel your line, you will be subject to the ETF fee.  If you then add a line to your wifes plan via a family plan, that will work but you will not retain your current phone number.

[tsfroggy]

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kgipp wrote:

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dwcliff703 wrote:

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tsfroggy wrote: 

They did it last time, why not again?  Besides, there are many, MANY Blackberries to choose from - and the features (and even markets, to some extent) are vastly differentiated.  The iPhone also has a much bigger following and is a much bigger moneymaker.  Just hoping for some customer loyalty...

---

First generation iPhone purchasers paid an unsubsidized price for their devices, so when the iPhone 3G came out a year ago, these users were able to purchase the 3G device at the subsidized pricing of 199/299 along with all new subscribers to AT&T.....but that subsidized pricing required a 2 year committment to AT&T (the first iPhone did NOT).  Anyone that bought the iPhone 3G under this agreement will not be eligible for the subsidized pricing again on the newest iPhone until 18 months has been used on their 'new' contract period.  However most 3G users would be eligible to pay a small discounted price from the 'full retail' price if they have to have the newest, greatest iPhone.

This is a very different situation going from the 3G device to the 3GS device, than it was going from the the first iPhone to the 3G version.  

An understanding of these rules would probably relieve some of your angst!

---

Yes, but it is evident that these people can't grasp that as I've made that point a couple times already.  Apparently they just think they are more entitled than any other ATT customer and want to cry about it until they get their way.

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Once again, I bought my 2G iPhone for less than $200 straight from Apple. Your argument then doesn't hold water.

[Facci]

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daylove wrote:
You can go to the store and talk to the manager about getting an "override" they are usually willing to do so. The early upgrade is  $200 off. You can get a software update free since the 3g s and 3g hardware is unchanged.

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They were unwilling to budge on the price or the early upgrade options when I purchased my 2 3G's back in October. The regional manager happened to be in the store at that time, and she wouldn't budge on it.

Good luck with that. It's probably because the iphone is a hot item.