Question for AT&T employees...

[Oridus]

I called because I was genuinely going to cancel.

My iPhone is just about dead, and out of warranty. The battery can stay off a charger for less than 2 hours at a time.

So I simply called to inquire, in the situation I have, to see if I could upgrade early. When they said no, I was all set to leave for Verizon or Sprint.

I am very fortunate that I am being allowed to upgrade early, and frankly, I am thankful for it, too. I didn't want to go to Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile. I love AT&T. I am happy where I am.

If you truly loved the company, you would have ridden out your contract, and found temporary options until you had an upgrade available, instead of pulling out the "i'm going to leave" tactic.....

And I don't think you were genuinely wanted to leave the company, I just think that you were intentionally trying to get an early upgrade... as you said, you love at&t.... you didn't want to go to verizon or sprint...

you had your heart set on this phone, and you were going to get it early come hell or high water...

Sheesh... like i said, lucky you...

I'm just waiting for the day to when people doing this sort of thing starts all sorts of adverse changes for the worse...

 

[Loiselle]

If you truly loved the company, you would have ridden out your contract, and found temporary options until you had an upgrade available, instead of pulling out the "i'm going to leave" tactic.....

And I don't think you were genuinely wanted to leave the company, I just think that you were intentionally trying to get an early upgrade... as you said, you love at&t.... you didn't want to go to verizon or sprint...

you had your heart set on this phone, and you were going to get it early come hell or high water...

Sheesh... like i said, lucky you...

I'm just waiting for the day to when people doing this sort of thing starts all sorts of adverse changes for the worse...

Riding out the remaining 10 months with a phone, that could barely hold a charge? Okay... let's look at this logically.

Apple wanted $200 to replace the phone because it was out of warranty.

I could have picked up the HTC EVO 4G through Sprint, from Amazon for $100 when I first inquired about upgrading.

My ETF was $105.

Total so far, $205 to have a phone in warranty.

OR... I could have spent $200 for a phone out of warranty, that wouldn't contain a warranty anymore.

So I am thinking of this in terms of trying to get the most out of my money here.

Did I want to leave for the other 2? No.

Would I have if AT&T said they couldn't help? Yes. I would have, and was totally prepared to do so, right then and there.

And, yes, you are right. I am lucky that they did this for me. I won't dispute that. I love AT&T because they took care of me when I needed it. But don't sit there and tell me what my intentions are/were. Because you have no idea.

 

[Oridus]

Riding out the remaining 10 months with a phone, that could barely hold a charge? Okay... let's look at this logically.

Apple wanted $200 to replace the phone because it was out of warranty.

I could have picked up the HTC EVO 4G through Sprint, from Amazon for $100 when I first inquired about upgrading.

My ETF was $105.

Total so far, $205 to have a phone in warranty.

OR... I could have spent $200 for a phone out of warranty, that wouldn't contain a warranty anymore.

So I am thinking of this in terms of trying to get the most out of my money here.

Did I want to leave for the other 2? No.

Would I have if AT&T said they couldn't help? Yes. I would have, and was totally prepared to do so, right then and there.

And, yes, you are right. I am lucky that they did this for me. I won't dispute that. I love AT&T because they took care of me when I needed it. But don't sit there and tell me what my intentions are/were. Because you have no idea.

You had the option at purchase for an extended warranty option that you refused.... at&t did take care of you sure... but in all reality, you're getting more than you know. Everybody pays back the price of their device over a 2 yr contract... so you never finished paying off your original device... which in my opinion (yes, i said opinion, not fact or saying anybody else thinks like this) is theft. and at&t took a hit because of it... it may seem small to you, but that stuff adds up. Add up everybody who does this on a daily basis, and i am quite sure that over the past... oh maybe 5-6 years, with that money alone, at&t may have enough money to push a fully expanded backhaul MUCH sooner, being ahead of the competition.

 

[Androidjunkee]

Ive got no dog in this fight but I will say Oridus you could look at it from a different perspective. I have been with Cingular/AT&T for over 5 years now. I did take a two month hiatus and tried Sprint out. Network was good enough, call quality was fine, and the devices are ok. Its cheaper too, so why did I go back? Customer service.

AT&T has THE best damn customer service of any company I deal with on a regular basis, by far. They go up and beyond for the customer. Its amazing. My point is that if customer service was so amazing that maybe they wouldnt have as many customers as they do, myself included (maybe not, but it certainly helps). Then AT&T would be losing out on customers which equals revenue. Sure, some phones might not get fully paid off during a customers contract but in the end they keep those customers happy. Those happy customers tell their friends and family and in turn AT&T gets more happy customers who produce revenue. Im not saying give every customer what they demand, not at all actually, but AT&T has kept my business and several others for going above and beyond.

Just another perspective is all, like I said I have no dog in this fight. Truth is though, if AT&T didnt have the amazing customer support/service I might still be with a different carrier.

 

[jdk2]

You had the option at purchase for an extended warranty option that you refused.... at&t did take care of you sure... but in all reality, you're getting more than you know. Everybody pays back the price of their device over a 2 yr contract... so you never finished paying off your original device... which in my opinion (yes, i said opinion, not fact or saying anybody else thinks like this) is theft. and at&t took a hit because of it... it may seem small to you, but that stuff adds up. Add up everybody who does this on a daily basis, and i am quite sure that over the past... oh maybe 5-6 years, with that money alone, at&t may have enough money to push a fully expanded backhaul MUCH sooner, being ahead of the competition.

Oh good God. Have you read these?

AT&T Q4 2010 Quarterly Results Posted [AT&T Posts Q4 Financials, Activated 442k Tablets, Wireless Revenue Up 9.9% With Wireless Service Revenues Up 9.6%] TFTS – Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities

Quarterly Earnings - 4th Quarter | AT&T Investor Relations | AT&T

And not to slight VZW, T-Mobile or Sprint, these wireless companies have been making money hand over fist for years. They cry poor mouth and brain wash their employees to believe that crap.

More power to her for getting the early upgrade. After what we all pay in fees, it's the least any of these carriers can, and really should do.

 

[ttusomeone]

Add up everybody who does this on a daily basis, and i am quite sure that over the past... oh maybe 5-6 years, with that money alone, at&t may have enough money to push a fully expanded backhaul MUCH sooner, being ahead of the competition.

I can't believe you were able to type that with a straight face.

 

[Oridus]

With all the ideas flowing around here, carriers should let everyone get subsidized phones any time they want.... every day!

 

[Blanco720]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the US different than europe in that they force 2 year contracts with the justification of subsidized phones? I'd prefer to have no contract and pay a fair price for the phone. Instead, because these mobile providers dictate service terms to me, with no options otherwise, ill play my hand against theirs.

I understand go phones and the like, its just the service and rates all but force you into their profit model.

 

[Oridus]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the US different than europe in that they force 2 year contracts with the justification of subsidized phones? I'd prefer to have no contract and pay a fair price for the phone. Instead, because these mobile providers dictate service terms to me, with no options otherwise, ill play my hand against theirs.

I understand go phones and the like, its just the service and rates all but force you into their profit model.

That's just it though, we ARE in America and this is how it operates. Nobody's forced to sign a 2 yr contract, nobody is telling anybody to buy the phone. If you want it, you abide by the policy that you sign. I just wouldn't be shocked if eventually we have negative effect if this continues to happen.

 

[Blanco720]

What we have is a situation similar to OPEC in which mobile providers have decided how consumers are able to purchase and enjoy mobile phones in our entire country. This is BAD for consumers. The powers that be make it nearly impossible for newer companies to test/provide an alternative business model. You could throw walmart into the mix as well. My options are limited as a direct result of the situation I find myself in. Ill play the system in hopes that one day I will find myself in a situation that doesn't require it.

And to say no one is forcing me is accurate. But no one is providing a viable alternative as a direct result of the mobile providers wishes. You reap what you sow...