You paid it off, it's yours. Do with it as you wish, including reselling it to a third party.

Next is for those who want something new each year - you don't have to pay full price for any phone, but you also don't keep it. On Next 12 you get a new phone after 12 payments. 18, 18. Or stick with what you got, pay it off, and your bill goes down if you don't want anything new.

If you treat Next like an extended payment plan instead of up front, there is virtually no difference.

 

From what I can see and have read, Cricket is on the same 4G LTE network as AT&T (AT&T bought them out last year) so coverage should be the same?

As for speed, Cricket says:
and

If you're saving $30/month, in 24 months that's a savings of $720 so it'd probably be enough to outright buy a new phone every 2 years, unless you upgrade phones more often.

The savings on Cricket may benefit the other person however because of 2nd line discount.

 

Live chatting with an ATT agent right now.

They are saying I can't just pay off the phone, it would just show up as a credit on my monthly account...

 

Its paid off after 20 months....but you are eligible for a new phone after 12, and if you choose to do that you HAVE to give the phone to them.

 

All this learning of the plans is just pissing me off.

He did confirm if I sign a new 2 year contract, whenever it happens I will lose my discount and my lines will be upped to $40 each.

The way they try to sell it as leasing vs financing and where you get the discount and why NEXT is better is such bullshit.

 

OK, you have to wait until after the second month if you want to pay it off early. Otherwise, just buy it up front.

Tell them to read their own damn website.

 

This is correct. However the payment is just broken up over that time frame. Pay it off early after the second month if you want to.

The days of true subsidized phones are gone.

 

But you can't "just pay it off" They said it just become a credit on the on the account towards the overall plan.

 

I hate this new BS with AT&T and Verizon (next or edge plans) - I sure hope a lot of people drop their services and go to prepaid and then they will realize they need to change they plans around do whatever it takes to get people to come back.

 

'They' are a colossal dillhole.

 

Which is why I moved to Tmobile's $30 prepaid plan. 100 min talk, unlimited text, and 5GB LTE data. Tired of paying up the wazoo for wireless service.

 

All this is the only thing I miss about England.

 

This thread should be renamed to the Apple/Tear AT&T a New One Thread.

 

Nope...on the phone now with the retention department and they are saying the same thing. You can't pay up front.

 

Nope...on the phone now with the retention department and they are saying the same thing. You can't pay up front.

 

See...told you this shit is too big of a PITA. It shouldn't be this hard.

 

before it used to be a nice benefit of being a customer of AT&T, Verizon etc. sign a 2 year contract, get a phone for a decent price but now no matter which route you take you will end up paying full retail price for a phone. I sure hope they start losing customers left and right so they can stop this crap.

 

Summary....its better to just pay the full unsubsidized cost of the phone.

 

Looking at Tmobile for shits and giggles...pay for the phone outright and the plans seem to be more competitive.

 

With next it will be cheaper overall.. My friend went ahead and paid retail on it. Only thing that surprised me was it will take 3 weeks to get the phone. Are they backordered with anyone else?

 

If you sign up for Next you'd have to do two payments, then it could be paid off. If they argue with that, ask to speak to someone who can read.

If you want to buy it up front, buy it up front. Next and BYOD get the same discount.

 

Squaretrade insurance or AT&T mobile insurance? What do you use?

 

I was on the line with the retention department, spoke to two different people. You HAVE to pay monthly. They only way to you can pay it off is if you are upgrading to another phone and you can select "pay to upgrade"

I've gone through all the scenarios. And ATT basically fucks you in the ass.

The BEST case scenario is fuck them, buy the phones at FULL unsubsidized price and put them on your plan...if you don't re-up your contract...its the same as having next, your plan wont increase.

And if you buy the phone outright in some cases it works out in your favor cost wise, especially if you keep the phone for 2 years. But ATT doesn't get a piece of the pie if you bring the phone in yourself.

So, $950 for a 128gb iPhone 6+. Its my phone to do with as I will, and I keep the cheaper the data with no extra monthly payment.

I'll look into this in a month or so when I don't have other ancillary expenses that keep popping up this month.

 

3 weeks would be awesome. My phone won't be here until the 29th.

 

Cell phone insurance...waste IMO.

 

Agreed, though I never broke a phone

 

+3. Me either. But I know plenty of people who seem to go through a new phone every three months... ridiculous.

 

I don't know what to tell you. All over their website it states that you can pay off the phone early, but you have to pay it all off. No double payments (what I think the rep was saying about statement credit).

AT&T is lying to you, but is it the reps (more likely) or written statements on their website (less likely)?

https://www.wireless.att.com/busines...t-next-faq.jsp
AT&T Next installment plans for smartphones - AT&T Wireless
AT&T Next smartphone pay-off and upgrade options- AT&T Wireless Support
iPad and tablet installment plans- AT&T Wireless Support
AT&T Next: Monthly Billing - Best Buy
https://www.wireless.att.com/busines...tes-072314.pdf (PDF)

 

I had a S3 jump off of a table and crack the screen once, and it sucked. All the iPhones that broke I've repaired myself. I don't know if I would try to tackle the new ones, though.

For my new phone I went with a protection plan, but neither carrier or ST. Motorola has a plan for $85 I get two years of coverage, $39 deductible, and they'll send me a new phone before I have to turn this one in. A bit like AppleCare+, but at a much lower price.

 

With AppleCare+ my home button was barely working, they've replaced it and on time there were some scratches on my screen, they gave me a new phone. Only for these instances I think it may be worth it? No?

 

I've spent 2 hours last night compiling different plans on ATT site, such a stupid rip off. They will charge you same price for 6GB or 30GB on two lines, depends where you click. They force you with the Next so you pay less a month for your plan while paying for a leased phone with hopes that you will get a new phone in 12-18 months and give your old one back so they can refurb and sell it. Of course it also does not help that a $300 phone is selling for almost triple the price because of the manufacturers.

My only option is to keep my unlimited and renew my contract for 2 years with 'subsidized' phone. They can't force the $40 a month on me right? They must honor my existing gradfathered plan, yes?

Tmobile, 60 bux get yous unlimited talk/text with 3GB, now this is nice. Anyone has T-mobile?

 

Phone insurance is insurance, you only need it when you need it. Family got four iPhone 4S phones and I opted for no insurance. 26 months later the speaker on my daughter's phone died with no warning. We used her upgrade and got a 5S for $149 then traded in her broken 4S for $70. Locked into 2 year plan again, but that's not an issue as we have been with Sprint forever (18 years??)
One wrinkle - was told that we had to leave the store with insurance, but could cancel any time. Was told this protects them from anyone saying they didn't know or weren't offered insurance and who breaks their phone shortly after purchase. Not sure if this is/was a sales tactic or not, but I cancelled. Think it cost me $7.

 

Yeah you can stay with the unlimited and renew at the subsidized price for 2 years. No you can't be charged the line fee of $40 if you do that. Just be careful when you upgrade and make sure your plan stays unchanged. Don't let a salesman hustle/BS you when you go to upgrade it. If they can't change the phone w/o touching the plan then walk away.

 

AT&T will at some point make a 'switch' that does not allow them to continue 'supporting' the unlimited plans. It is inevitable. But while it is still allowed, enjoy it.

 

AppleCare plus, yes.

The monthly 3rd party Insurnace stuff, no.

 

I usually get the newest device before mine can break.

 

Hmm just found out last night my USB camera connection kit works on my iPhone with my USB based headset

 

This ATT bullshit is really pissing me off. If they ever force me to give up my unlimited plan, I will go to TMobile.

 

^I too will reevaluate.

 

At some point. They would probably time it so that other carriers would not seem attractive. Or switch off the subsidized model completely, as has been theorized.

I think you have to let go of the idea of the rainy day data month if you're normally only using a low amount.