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AT&T: Device Subsidies Likely to Go Away

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Translation

msteven3

Dec 10, 2013, 2:46 PM
Translation: we're still going to gouge you every month, but now you're going to have to pay full price for your phones.
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tjobrien21

Dec 10, 2013, 5:51 PM
I believe you're spot-on correct. It's all about profit. And if there are no new customers to profit from due to saturation, there is only one answer: Take the customers you have, and squeeze harder. Because 7.3 billion (2012 AT&T) in profit just won't do!!!
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T Bone

Dec 10, 2013, 9:19 PM
The article specifically says the exact opposite, it says that as a result of dropping the subsidy, monthly fees will be lower. Monthly fees will be lower because without having to give away phones, the cost to the carrier of maintaing a customer will plummet.

I worked for at&t, and the fact of the matter is that the number of free phones we gave away, on a daily business was utterly ridiculous. Everyone and his brother called in and whined demanding free phones, and 99% of the time we gave them what they asked for......and often we had to argue with them about the contract extension as well, they didn't simply demand free phones, they demanded free phones with no commitment. Their demands were utterly absurd, and I'm sure that custo...
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Tofuchong

Dec 10, 2013, 9:58 PM
You have to make them understand, no means no. I'm with T-Mobile's business care, and we RARELY give away a free phone. Extremely rarely, I don't think I have personally given away a phone in a year, maybe more.

I have had customers ask, and it is always just a flat no. We are not a carrier that provides free phones. Your friend got a free one? Most likely a one-time, or special promotion. You want to cancel becuase we won't give you a "Free" phone? No problem, we can certainly discuss cancelation.

99% of the time they do not want to cancel, and just want a free damn phone. Get used to saying no, it gets easier.
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T Bone

Dec 10, 2013, 11:22 PM
The problem with telling customers 'no' is that if the customer then gets a WAVE survey and are unhappy and you fail the WAVE survey, you get penalized. It's all about passing the WAVE surveys, and you were encouraged to do whatever you had to do to pass those WAVE surveys. It's ridiculous, we used to joke about 'the at&t lottery'.....you call in and get money for no reason......it's sad....and it was all known and encourage by at&t corporate. This approach has led at&t to the top of the JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey.....but it comes at a cost.
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Jellz

Dec 10, 2013, 10:25 PM
The system is rather broken in America. Most of the time, people are shocked when I tell them the REAL price of that shiny iPhone 5S they want. And if I have someone coming in saying they don't want a contract, they just want to buy the phone outright... yeah. Usually when I tell them the REAL price, they change their mind.

It's not like this in most other countries. People should realize that if they can't afford the phone, they probably shouldn't pay for it. If subsidies go away, it only stands to follow that plan pricing will drop. $15 now, but I bet it'll be more in the future.
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nicolasl46

Dec 11, 2013, 8:12 AM
LOL this reminds me when I used to work for T-Mobile (when the RAZR came out) Customers would come in all the time complaining that they damaged their phone or lost it and that they needed a replacement, of course most customers back then would turn down insurance no matter what. When I told them how much their motorola would cost them, they went nuts, calling me all kinds of names while I was trying to explain how phone subsidy worked, they never wanted to listen and they would go on and on about how they got the phone for $50 o free, and that he price I was asking was ridiculous. I miss those times, NOT!!!
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andrewbearpig

Dec 11, 2013, 3:55 PM
Oh my god this!!! A thousand times this!!
I can tell you, it has not gotten better.
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