To our dear customers
If you buy a new Razr and it cost you $50 at point of sale and you get it free after rebate, do you really think that if you break it you'll get that same phone at that same price? The answer is no. That is why we always stress getting the phone insurance. You'll save yourself the headache of having to pay full retail price for that phone.
I'm saying this because it has happened quite a few times this week, especially this morning. Customer came in with a wet phone with no insurance and expected to get the razr for the same price. She even dropped "I've been a cust for 6 years." Don't get me wrong we love our customers that show that type of loyalty, but don'...
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attworld804 said:...
As a AT&T Cor Rep I would like our customers to consider the following.
If you buy a new Razr and it cost you $50 at point of sale and you get it free after rebate, do you really think that if you break it you'll get that same phone at that same price? The answer is no. That is why we always stress getting the phone insurance. You'll save yourself the headache of having to pay full retail price for that phone.
I'm saying this because it has happened quite a few times this week, especially this morning. Customer came in with a wet phone with no insurance and expected to get the razr for the same price. She even dropped "I've been a cust for 6 years." Don't get me wrong we love our customers th
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attworld804 said:
You must have missed my entire point. What I'm saying is don't expect the same price you paid for a phone when you the customer dropped it in water or a toliet or whatever and expect me the sales rep to give you the same phone for teh price you paid. Ypu don't go to best Buy and expect to pay the same price for a tv that was on sale a month ago and when something goes wrong with that tv expect that same tv to be the same price.
I am agreeing with you. However The carriers set them selves up for this behavior by shouting FREE phones. The public really believes they don't cost much at all. Therfore it's logical to assume they take that "education and advertising" back into the store look...
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Once again, I will point out to you, you have no clue at all how the US market works compared to the rest of the world.
primus said:
You are correct, the whole issue would go away if the US carriers did business like some of the European carriers did... and also there would be less than half the number of US customers with wireless service...
Once again, I will point out to you, you have no clue at all how the US market works compared to the rest of the world.
Then don't bitch when customers demand "free" phones when they screw up.
I could care less if HALF the country uses wireless service or not. I buy my phones "offline" and pay for the services I use.
CA residents demanded they be allowed to buy heavily subsidized handsets in exchange for agreements which led many other states to follow (some states did not restrict this practice but most did).
Funny how is many cases CA now leads the nation in lawsuits against the carriers due to situations they "demanded".
People have been programmed by the Carriers to believe the phones have no real value. Whenever something is free or low cost it automatically loses it's value.
Imagine a Stainless Steel Rolex for $500.(Which is what it is really worth) Price determines "value" in many minds. Which in turn provides the all elusive and revered "exclusivity" factor. "I have one you don't". That's what is really being sold in many cases.
Wireless carriers could stop the business of subsidized phones at anytime but I am sure they rather "subsidize" phones rather then give away services for a commitment. Not to mention selling a "Gleaming colorful Phone is a lot easie...
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texaswireless said:
Consumers made the choice. The carriers cannot move away from this model without a backlash from consumers. Some have started to offer the choice and very few a decided to go your route.
I agree not many go my route and neither would I if the Carriers had the phones I wanted. I dont want to carry around more than one tool to do all the things many people pay separately for that achives similar results.
Believe me if ATT had the N82 for $300 I would have signed another couple years. I will be with them anyway (Unless Google comes out with something a lot better). They have no phones I am interested in. If they offered a rate reduction for services I would be inclined to commit. But...
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texaswireless said:
Not that many people know but they do offer a rate reduction for a 1 year agreement (for new customers anyways) versus no contract. You get MTM for free instead of $9.99. Not always a big deal but it is there.
Yeah But I already have all of that from the first contract. I don't understand why they would not take that away when the contract expired creating further incentive to re-up for those who buy phones "offline" I suppose they would if there were a lot of people like me who buy unbranded unlocked phones.
I can tell you if you spent some time making a few calls you might be able to get a bill credit in exchange for an agreement considering you bought your own phone. It may not be much more than $150 for a 2 year agreement but that is basically the discount they give in store off a typical phone.
texaswireless said:
My guess is positive reward for staying on with AT&T even if you are not obligated to stay.
I can tell you if you spent some time making a few calls you might be able to get a bill credit in exchange for an agreement considering you bought your own phone. It may not be much more than $150 for a 2 year agreement but that is basically the discount they give in store off a typical phone.
Thats interesting, However I think I will keep the option in my pocket in case ATT gets the flagship Nokias down the line.
texaswireless said:
Not that many people know but they do offer a rate reduction for a 1 year agreement (for new customers anyways) versus no contract. You get MTM for free instead of $9.99. Not always a big deal but it is there.
they have removed all plans that do not include m2m. m2m comes with all plans (post paid) regardless of contract 1,2 years or no commitment. they even started offering sim only activations.
texaswireless said:
No need to give you information, you won't care to know the truth anyways.
Translation: I'm speaking out of my ass.
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bwag717 said:...
I will note that in the past few months we have had only 1 free phone. That phone was only free if they got an unlimited data or text for $20. The American carriers have clearly seen the error of their ways and are raising the price of the phones. European companies were lucky because their customers were clamoring for cell phones whereas American customer only adopted them when they were free. Now the younger generation can't live without the phones and now the price will go up. Look at the current phone deals at any COR or reputable dealer and you'll see very few phones that are under $40 after rebate, unlike last year where 80% were under $40 after rebate. Remember that European carriers also includ
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lefteyeiu2002 said:
If I need a new AT&T phone, I just go to Best Buy and get a prepaid phone. They work great and you don't break the bank. :-)
Oh god, and the sad thing is you're not even new. That's prepaid fraud and when they find that phone on a postpaid accounts it will be suspended.
Glad to see your posts are refreshing.
Still honary as a mofo. Give me a call ya bitch ass.
Will
Remember: With insurance you never need it when you've got it, but you wish you had it when you need it.
We have Cellguard which is so much better and easier then Asurion's coverage of AT&T phones.
People do need to realize that phones are expensive and that part of your monthly bill PAYS off your phone. Anytime after its paid off you're just making the carrier(any carrier) more money.
stargrl78 said:
I'm probably in the minority here, but insurance on a phone bugs me. For example if I buy a phone for $100 after rebates, then have it for 14 months, and drop it. I have paid $70 for insurance, then another $50 for the deductible. What will I get when they send me a new phone? A refurb! That is crazy to me. Thats happened to my hubby twice. Had insurance, messed up the phone, and they want to send a refurb. The phone was new when he got it, why send a used one when it breaks? Just seems like a waste to me.
You don't believe they sell that "insurance" as a favor do you? Its a huge profit and Im guessing a spiff or attaboy for the sales rep. EWS are a huge source of profit. Circuit City's ENT...
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I REALLY hat...
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The way i always tell a customer no when they ask for the dreaded free phone is to compare cellular service to internet service, if your computer broke would your internet provider give you a new one?
golem22 said:
An interesting thing, i firmly believe as wireless carriers adopt pro rated early termination fees the cost of phones will begin to increase and these 2 yrs for a phone deals will start to dry up. It is no big secret that those early termination fees is the carriers way of insuring themselves.
The way i always tell a customer no when they ask for the dreaded free phone is to compare cellular service to internet service, if your computer broke would your internet provider give you a new one?
To which I would reply, "No internet service company EVER offered a free computer to sign up"
"NO cable company ever offered a free TV to sign up"
However It is common business practice for Wirele...
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Buy a phone on ebay for pete's sake. Just make sure it's a reputable seller, and you'll be fine.
1: Make sure they're a "power seller". Power sellers do over $1,000 bucks a month.
2: Make sure they're positive rating is 98% or higher.
Follow these two things, and buying phones on ebay will save you hundreds.
chainmail311 said:
If you're dumb enough to buy a phone for full retail, you deserve to have to pay for it. Maybe you'll take better care of it.
Buy a phone on ebay for pete's sake. Just make sure it's a reputable seller, and you'll be fine.
1: Make sure they're a "power seller". Power sellers do over $1,000 bucks a month.
2: Make sure they're positive rating is 98% or higher.
Follow these two things, and buying phones on ebay will save you hundreds.
Good advice. I bought some phones on Ebay, but always used ones. Bought my N82 with the $99 Garmin software package for $480 shipped, Bought the wife's 6126 for $86 Shipped.
I got a Katana II for $184. (Back when they were only out for a month.) I got a Upstage for 260, but returned it cause it was a piece of crap. Also bought a stolen blackberry. When the seller found out it was stolen, he was pissed. He refunded me the $80 I spent on that. I might switch to a Treo or Blackberry on Sprint soon.
I couldn't aggree with you more on the free phone/contract business. Thats dead on. Insurance is a nice option to have but I don't think its the ultimate solution to this omnipresent customer service issue.