Develop Bugs

T-Mobile plan question

What's the name of that plan that you can get unlimited everything but have to put down a deposit & pay a little extra each month? I was going to get this plan when I buy my SG3 later on this year.

Skip-Breezy said:
What's the name of that plan that you can get unlimited everything but have to put down a deposit & pay a little extra each month? I was going to get this plan when I buy my SG3 later on this year.
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The regular plans allow you to "finance" the cost of the phone over a certain # of months. Maybe clarify what you are looking for?

Value Plan

jdpdata said:
Value Plan
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This.
Realize you pay the full cost of the phone too, over time though. I just bought mine outright.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

I did the math 8 ways from Sunday and value plan costs way less in the long run than classic plan. T-mo will still put the phone on a payment plan for you that has no interest financing. So essentially you end up paying $20 a month until the phone is paid off, which is usually 20 months, as opposed to paying $20 more per month forever. Plus, if you bring your own phone, or find a good deal on an S3 (going for about $400 in these forums), you pay even less. That is if you can float your own initial costs.
It's such an under-rated plan. I have friends on the other 3 carriers who are eligible for upgrades, but aren't using them, because they are waiting for better phones, or don't want to renew contracts, etc. But the thing is, AT&T, VZW and Sprint all build the cost of subsidizing your phone into that plan. T-mo finally said, listen, if we don't have to pay for your phone, you can pay less every month. I wish all carriers would move to this as their standard. T-mo could ditch the classic plans in my opinion.

bradleyw801 said:
I did the math 8 ways from Sunday and value plan costs way less in the long run than classic plan. T-mo will still put the phone on a payment plan for you that has no interest financing. So essentially you end up paying $20 a month until the phone is paid off, which is usually 20 months, as opposed to paying $20 more per month forever. Plus, if you bring your own phone, or find a good deal on an S3 (going for about $400 in these forums), you pay even less. That is if you can float your own initial costs.
It's such an under-rated plan. I have friends on the other 3 carriers who are eligible for upgrades, but aren't using them, because they are waiting for better phones, or don't want to renew contracts, etc. But the thing is, AT&T, VZW and Sprint all build the cost of subsidizing your phone into that plan. T-mo finally said, listen, if we don't have to pay for your phone, you can pay less every month. I wish all carriers would move to this as their standard. T-mo could ditch the classic plans in my opinion.
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I like the classic plans. They can keep them.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

bradleyw801 said:
I did the math 8 ways from Sunday and value plan costs way less in the long run than classic plan. T-mo will still put the phone on a payment plan for you that has no interest financing. So essentially you end up paying $20 a month until the phone is paid off, which is usually 20 months, as opposed to paying $20 more per month forever. Plus, if you bring your own phone, or find a good deal on an S3 (going for about $400 in these forums), you pay even less. That is if you can float your own initial costs.
It's such an under-rated plan. I have friends on the other 3 carriers who are eligible for upgrades, but aren't using them, because they are waiting for better phones, or don't want to renew contracts, etc. But the thing is, AT&T, VZW and Sprint all build the cost of subsidizing your phone into that plan. T-mo finally said, listen, if we don't have to pay for your phone, you can pay less every month. I wish all carriers would move to this as their standard. T-mo could ditch the classic plans in my opinion.
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i just got this plan

bradleyw801 said:
I did the math 8 ways from Sunday and value plan costs way less in the long run than classic plan. T-mo will still put the phone on a payment plan for you that has no interest financing. So essentially you end up paying $20 a month until the phone is paid off, which is usually 20 months, as opposed to paying $20 more per month forever. Plus, if you bring your own phone, or find a good deal on an S3 (going for about $400 in these forums), you pay even less. That is if you can float your own initial costs.
It's such an under-rated plan. I have friends on the other 3 carriers who are eligible for upgrades, but aren't using them, because they are waiting for better phones, or don't want to renew contracts, etc. But the thing is, AT&T, VZW and Sprint all build the cost of subsidizing your phone into that plan. T-mo finally said, listen, if we don't have to pay for your phone, you can pay less every month. I wish all carriers would move to this as their standard. T-mo could ditch the classic plans in my opinion.
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I thought it was the value plan, thanks! My mom did the same thing when she got her G2 a while back & I'm do the same when I get my Galaxy.

bradleyw801 said:
I did the math 8 ways from Sunday and value plan costs way less in the long run than classic plan. T-mo will still put the phone on a payment plan for you that has no interest financing. So essentially you end up paying $20 a month until the phone is paid off, which is usually 20 months, as opposed to paying $20 more per month forever. Plus, if you bring your own phone, or find a good deal on an S3 (going for about $400 in these forums), you pay even less. That is if you can float your own initial costs.
It's such an under-rated plan. I have friends on the other 3 carriers who are eligible for upgrades, but aren't using them, because they are waiting for better phones, or don't want to renew contracts, etc. But the thing is, AT&T, VZW and Sprint all build the cost of subsidizing your phone into that plan. T-mo finally said, listen, if we don't have to pay for your phone, you can pay less every month. I wish all carriers would move to this as their standard. T-mo could ditch the classic plans in my opinion.
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+1 this
I, like you, also did in-depth analysis of cost savings of value vs classic plans. Value is always cheaper. And since TMO is essentially financing the phone for 0%, why not take the deal.

Getting note 2 from tmobile on cheap

I am on galaxy s 3 and want to get this phone but dont want to upgrade my any line ( one of my line is upgradeable) and they offer me $100 credit towards it but I dont want data on that line.
I am reading about 200 down payment and 20 dollar per month to some month. Do we need upgrade for that?
I also heard samsung phones are on sell from this black friday. So how much its going to cost?
Any idea will be appreciated.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

The 200 and $20 per month is for the value plan, which is contract. Some sites have said the note 2 will be on sale for black Friday but the lowest I've seen so far is $50 off for renewing a contract or new line, so it's still not "cheap" anywhere, unless you get a good deal on Craigslist or ebay
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

j_shelton1988 said:
The 200 and $20 per month is for the value plan, which is contract. Some sites have said the note 2 will be on sale for black Friday but the lowest I've seen so far is $50 off for renewing a contract or new line, so it's still not "cheap" anywhere, unless you get a good deal on Craigslist or ebay
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
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Actually, the sale on the Samsung phones is now over, I don't know if another round will be coming soon (I would not be surprised)...but on Nov. 16-17th, I purchased several Samsung Note 2 devices for my multi-line account at a price of $199.99 after mail in rebate (almost all other Samsung devices were free though, after mail in rebate). That is very cheap for a Note 2. I'm sure if you wait till after the new year, they will be giving them away for free in one of their sales events. T-mobile has been doing this for a couple of years now, and the sales are great! If you want to wait.....and yeah I know how hard it is to wait......you should be able to get it for free in a few months.
good luck!
oh yeah the price I paid is for the classic plan not the value plan.....it's simple, if you are on the classic plan you pay about $20 more per month and the device is highly subsided by T-mobile. If you go with the value plan the rate plan is $20 cheap per month, but no discount on the phones...you pay full price....but T-mobile will finance the purchase for you for free over 20 months. In the end if you want a flagship device and have multiple lines, it is cheaper to go with the classic plan (especially if you can swing the 15% corporate discount...I end up paying appox. $56/month for each line with unlimited everything no slowing down of my internet either).
Gool Luck on getting a great price on your purchase!

Explain me please whats difference between classic and value plan .
I have 4 lines on family plan with 59.99 for 1000 mins and different adds on (data , text) on each line ( differ as per line) ).
Its not prepaid .
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

bikrame said:
Explain me please whats difference between classic and value plan .
I have 4 lines on family plan with 59.99 for 1000 mins and different adds on (data , text) on each line ( differ as per line) ).
Its not prepaid .
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
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Okay, think of it this way.....Classic plan is where T-mobile will subsides the price of the phone for you. So, if you sign a two year contract, they will give you a certain amount of money off the price of the phone. You get the device for free or you pay a small amount for it at the time you purchase the device. But in return for that they charge you $20 more each month for the classic plan.
The same plan specs but in a value plan range, will be $20 less per month...but they will not subsides the device for you at all. You pay 100% of the cost of the device. Now they will help you afford the device by taking a down payment from you and then charging your $20/month for 20 months on the device with no interest.
So in the end they are very similar in cost. Unless you have multi-line account and purchase flagship devices (especially when they have their free phone sales)...you can really clean up with the saving at those times. I just did an early upgrade (I called in and asked nicely and they allowed me to upgrade all 5 lines after only 8 months on our contract). So I purchased 2 Galaxy S3 devices for free and 3 galaxy Note2 devices for 199.99 after mail in rebate.
Also, with the classic plans they offer upto 15% corporate discount....no discount is offered for value plans. On top of it, if you call in and again ask nicely, you can get them to reduce the cost of your plan. I pay approx $56/month for unlimited everything on each line. That includes getting reduced rates, 15% discount, and being on a classic plan with the devices being highly subsides. I sell my older devices (S2 and S3 devices) and I end up making money on the devices rather than costing me anything. And $56/month is very cheap for everything included (no throttled internet either!! that is a big deal!!).
but if you want a cheaper device and want to keep it for as long as possible then the value plan may be a better deal. I can see situations where that would make sense for someone...but for me, I like a new device about once a year and I always get the flagship devices...with so many devices on my account...this is the best value for me.
I hope that makes sense...good luck

jfarhat said:
Okay, think of it this way.....Classic plan is where T-mobile will subsides the price of the phone for you. So, if you sign a two year contract, they will give you a certain amount of money off the price of the phone. You get the device for free or you pay a small amount for it at the time you purchase the device. But in return for that they charge you $20 more each month for the classic plan.
The same plan specs but in a value plan range, will be $20 less per month...but they will not subsides the device for you at all. You pay 100% of the cost of the device. Now they will help you afford the device by taking a down payment from you and then charging your $20/month for 20 months on the device with no interest.
So in the end they are very similar in cost. Unless you have multi-line account and purchase flagship devices (especially when they have their free phone sales)...you can really clean up with the saving at those times. I just did an early upgrade (I called in and asked nicely and they allowed me to upgrade all 5 lines after only 8 months on our contract). So I purchased 2 Galaxy S3 devices for free and 3 galaxy Note2 devices for 199.99 after mail in rebate.
Also, with the classic plans they offer upto 15% corporate discount....no discount is offered for value plans. On top of it, if you call in and again ask nicely, you can get them to reduce the cost of your plan. I pay approx $56/month for unlimited everything on each line. That includes getting reduced rates, 15% discount, and being on a classic plan with the devices being highly subsides. I sell my older devices (S2 and S3 devices) and I end up making money on the devices rather than costing me anything. And $56/month is very cheap for everything included (no throttled internet either!! that is a big deal!!).
but if you want a cheaper device and want to keep it for as long as possible then the value plan may be a better deal. I can see situations where that would make sense for someone...but for me, I like a new device about once a year and I always get the flagship devices...with so many devices on my account...this is the best value for me.
I hope that makes sense...good luck
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Good explanation.
I see the plans being the same in the end, but for me the value plan is better.
Value plan you pay full price on the phone but plan is $20. Cheaper. Classic you get a discount on the phone but your plan is always $20 more than value. Im trying to save money ea mo so I paid off the phone to save the 20/mo.
Ill try your advice on getting a lower price on unlimited plan though. Thanks

This is the perfect use of the value plan...you pay off the price of the phone and then bank the $20 per month, each and every month you don't update your device. That makes perfect sense!
For me, since we always are updating our devices to the latest, greatest....it would not make any sense.
as of getting the lower price...call and ask to speak to account retention dept. They will put you on a $20 unlimited data plan (only retention dept has access to the account codes for this grandfathered plan) and they basically give you deeply discounted plan rates and still get discounts on the devices if you are willing to sign a two year contract. I believe I am paying very similar to a value plan pricing, but with a classic plan benefits with regards to the device discounts. I never accept the price quoted by sales rep. Always call account retention. I do that will all services I purchase from cell service to cable with TimeWarner Cable....you can save a ton of money by just asking nicely to have your rates reduced...it is amazing. Hell, I even get my credit card interest rates reduced that way also....just get the right person and ask nicely...if the rep doesn't want to do it for you...just hang up and call back...sometimes it is just that easy.
Good Luck with whatever plan you choose!

jfarhat said:
This is the perfect use of the value plan...you pay off the price of the phone and then bank the $20 per month, each and every month you don't update your device. That makes perfect sense!
For me, since we always are updating our devices to the latest, greatest....it would not make any sense.
as of getting the lower price...call and ask to speak to account retention dept. They will put you on a $20 unlimited data plan (only retention dept has access to the account codes for this grandfathered plan) and they basically give you deeply discounted plan rates and still get discounts on the devices if you are willing to sign a two year contract. I believe I am paying very similar to a value plan pricing, but with a classic plan benefits with regards to the device discounts. I never accept the price quoted by sales rep. Always call account retention. I do that will all services I purchase from cell service to cable with TimeWarner Cable....you can save a ton of money by just asking nicely to have your rates reduced...it is amazing. Hell, I even get my credit card interest rates reduced that way also....just get the right person and ask nicely...if the rep doesn't want to do it for you...just hang up and call back...sometimes it is just that easy.
Good Luck with whatever plan you choose!
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Just to clarify... if I am a longstanding customer on a classic family plan and I call account retention to ask about upgrading one line to a Note 2 at the new contract price ($199) without disrupting any other services or changes that would affect the other 3 lines, they would be apt to do so as long as I extend that line's contract (or the contract in general) another two years? I just added all kinds of services recently but each line pays their own way so to speak, so I wouldn't want to have to switch to a value plan that might make everyone have to potentially pay more overall per month. I hope this is clear.
Thanks!

vettic said:
Just to clarify... if I am a longstanding customer on a classic family plan and I call account retention to ask about upgrading one line to a Note 2 at the new contract price ($199) without disrupting any other services or changes that would affect the other 3 lines, they would be apt to do so as long as I extend that line's contract (or the contract in general) another two years? I just added all kinds of services recently but each line pays their own way so to speak, so I wouldn't want to have to switch to a value plan that might make everyone have to potentially pay more overall per month. I hope this is clear.
Thanks!
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yes that's exactly correct, you don't even need to contact account retention to upgrade your line. You can upgrade 1 line or you can upgrade all of them individually as you see fit. I will tell you, that I don't believe the 199 dollar sale is still going on. I believe right now the best price you can get it from T Mobile is 369 dollars, that might be where account retentions maybe able to help you out by reducing the cost of the phone for you. Also you want to see if they can reduce the cost of your data plan, put you like on an Android gandfathered plan that will cost you about 20 dollars, that's what I'm on.

Corporate discount applies to value plans too

robl45 said:
Corporate discount applies to value plans too
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Oh really, I was not aware of that? When I switched to Tmobile about 3 years ago, I was told otherwise by the store clerk. I guess I wss told incorrectly. Thanks for correcting that information.

jfarhat said:
yes that's exactly correct, you don't even need to contact account retention to upgrade your line. You can upgrade 1 line or you can upgrade all of them individually as you see fit. I will tell you, that I don't believe the 199 dollar sale is still going on. I believe right now the best price you can get it from T Mobile is 369 dollars, that might be where account retentions maybe able to help you out by reducing the cost of the phone for you. Also you want to see if they can reduce the cost of your data plan, put you like on an Android gandfathered plan that will cost you about 20 dollars, that's what I'm on.
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Funny you said that because as recently as yesterday, I checked and the new customer sale price was $199. The price today is in fact the regular $369, although they advertised til 12/20 on their site! Sneaky, sneaky...

vettic said:
Funny you said that because as recently as yesterday, I checked and the new customer sale price was $199. The price today is in fact the regular $369, although they advertised til 12/20 on their site! Sneaky, sneaky...
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Yeah, that charge so much for this device as compared to the other carriers. I really don't understand it. I can only assume that their rate plans are so cheap, that they can not afford to subsides the device as much as the other carriers...but you know what, it doesn't bother me that much since I save so much overall being with T-Mobile.
I think they are a great company to be with, as long as they have coverage in your particular area....they can't be beat on price, and their customer service is exceptional (at least from my experiences with them - unlike AT&T, they SUCK!). Sprint always has billing errors, you have to call them each and every month to correct the charges, and Verizon...well they are just way to expensive to even bother with.
Stepping down from my soap box now.....

Value vs Classic will be different for everybody since there is many variables.
Value is best for me. When I was on classic on a family plan with 5 lines, 1 with 2gb data, one with 200mb data, and 3 without data, all with unlimited texting, 2 with unlimited minutes and 3 with 500 minutes I used to pay $225 per month including taxes. Now on value I pay $115 per month including taxes but I now have true unlimited data without throttling on the line I previously only had 2gb plus I added data to one of the lines that didn't have it previously. Everything else stayed the same. My end result is a savings of $110 a month.
I get new devices constantly but only on my line and not the others and I'm happy to pay full price since my savings clearly outweigh my new device addiction expenses.
Either way, you should go to your local store to find out what would be the best deal for you......just as long as you get a smart rep you should be ok.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium

Financing on Bestbuy

There is an option on best-buy to do a 18 month financing on the Galaxy Note 2 I dont want to sign a contract so I'd be paying $47 a month for the phone, Is that a good idea I need some opinions Im new to this financing stuff

If you're looking for opinions, then no. It's not a good deal. Financing on a credit card rarely is. In the long run you'll probably end up paying more by financing, than if you signed a 2 yr contract and actually ended up opting out of the contract early. That's just my opinion

it's 18 month interest free financing. you just have to make sure you pay it off by the 18th month or all that interest over those 18 months will be put on your card. so try to not use the card until the interest free charge is paid off. if you happen to make further purchases your payments will be split among the purchases but i'm not sure what they use to determine which purchase get the bulk of the payment - each has it's minimum taken first then the rest goes to, possibly, the oldest purchase.
it's a good deal as long as you have self control. don't forget to have them do a price match before you buy. they count price matches as refunds and the retail equation may count that as a non-receipt return if it's an online order. too many returns will put you on RE **** list and you won't be able to make any returns to a lot of stores for 90 days.

Why would you be paying $847 for the phone interest free if its $649.99 + tax off contract?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

bmoreboy02 said:
Why would you be paying $847 for the phone interest free if its $649.99 + tax off contract?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
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Because Best Buy charges $799 for the phone without contract.

thunderwagn said:
If you're looking for opinions, then no. It's not a good deal. Financing on a credit card rarely is. In the long run you'll probably end up paying more by financing, than if you signed a 2 yr contract and actually ended up opting out of the contract early. That's just my opinion
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I have to COMPLETELY agree!!! Here is the thing... I understand it sucks to sign a contract... BUT... Once you buy the phone after 6 months your Early Termination Fee (ETF) goes down every month that you keep the phone by $10 a month... After just one year your ETF is $240... Saying that you only kept the thing for a year... If you were to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note II at WireFly for an upgrade at the moment you would spend $249... A year from now you get pissed off at Sprint, say FU, and cancel paying the $240... That's still WAY FRIGGIN LESS That's $490 vs. $799... That's a savings of $309... Or $25 a month savings for that year... I think it's a no brainer...

DarkManX4lf said:
Because Best Buy charges $799 for the phone without contract.
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Bestbuy will pricematch sprint or amazon. I paid $649.99 + tax for my phone on launch day. Idk why it is so many people dont know this by now bc its really a secret they tell you in there commercials. Ive walked into bestbuy and paid $30 for otterbox defenders that they were sellin for $54.99 bc amazon had it cheaper
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app

ourprisonplanet said:
I have to COMPLETELY agree!!! Here is the thing... I understand it sucks to sign a contract... BUT... Once you buy the phone after 6 months your Early Termination Fee (ETF) goes down every month that you keep the phone by $10 a month... After just one year your ETF is $240... Saying that you only kept the thing for a year... If you were to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note II at WireFly for an upgrade at the moment you would spend $249... A year from now you get pissed off at Sprint, say FU, and cancel paying the $240... That's still WAY FRIGGIN LESS That's $490 vs. $799... That's a savings of $309... Or $25 a month savings for that year... I think it's a no brainer...
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you can only pay that etf to get out if you quit sprint. i don't want a contract nor do i want to quit since if i quit i lose my sero - $57 for unlimited data and 500 min. not worth it to do that if i ever decide to come back to sprint after quitting.

madsquabbles said:
you can only pay that etf to get out if you quit sprint. i don't want a contract nor do i want to quit since if i quit i lose my sero - $57 for unlimited data and 500 min. not worth it to do that if i ever decide to come back to sprint after quitting.
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Have someone else create a different account if you can. Family member, friend, anyone.
Or see if you can create a business account so you don't tinker with your current one.

garwynn said:
Have someone else create a different account if you can. Family member, friend, anyone.
Or see if you can create a business account so you don't tinker with your current one.
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you also have to maintain the account for 90 days (or 60, i can't remember). otherwise you have to return the phone or pay full price. so that adds a minimum of $140 for service not used (with everyting plus referral). add the etf and the cost of the subsidized phone and you're better off just buying the phone without any headaches.

Att next

AT&T announces its own early upgrade program -- AT&T Next, coming July 26th
http://phandroid.com/2013/07/16/att-next-information/
Could be cool. How many people plan on taking advantage of this deal? Personally I don't think I will be. Most new phones will raise the bill $30+. But it's still pretty cool to have the option I just wish they would lower your plan payments then it would justify monthly payments for a phone.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda premium

This sounds interesting all though I think I will be hanging on to my OG Pro for awhile.

b4dk4rm4 said:
This sounds interesting all though I think I will be hanging on to my OG Pro for awhile.
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Yea I don't see anything worth upgrading to in the near future but a year from now who knows.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda premium

acejoker25000 said:
Yea I don't see anything worth upgrading to in the near future but a year from now who knows.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda premium
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They only thing that bothers me is that you have to be a new customer or have an upgrade to be eligible and great credit. I'm don't have an upgrade til 2015 but I don't think the deals super great. I think from now on ill just buy my phones out right. If I save 30 to 40 buck a month plus sell my current phone I can just buy a new phone. That's all their doing but their making a profit. But Atlas its another option. I get a 20% discount so if I did this that would pay for itself. Well if I were eligible.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

What most people don't consider is that our phone bills already include the cost of a device subsidy. The $90 or so that I pay every month includes paying back the $350 or so that AT&T fronted me for the cost of my phone. This AT&T Next plan adds an additional subsidy on top of what's included in our rate plans so we can upgrade after 12 months.
Personally, I'm planning on buying my next phone at full, un-subsidized price and possibly even switching to T-Mobile if their coverage has improved in the next two years. I wanted to do all of that in November when my contract was up, but my old phone died on me and I hadn't socked away the money for a full device, so I had to take it as an upgrade.

Don't fall for at&t next program, it will be the most expensive smartphone you'll ever get.

^^^^
That!

I miss my sprint yearly upgrades
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda app-developers app

I agree... I shouldnt have to pay twice for a phone (subsidy cost in plan + the next fee for phone). If i did the math correctly, wouldnt it be worth it more for tablets considering they arent subsidized?

Can someone explain how there's a subsidy cost in plan when my bill doesn't lower after my contract? I've been out of contract for over a year now and my plan cost hasn't changed since I first signed up with AT&T in 07. If there's a subsidy cost in plan does this mean that AT&T's been ripping people off once their contract ended? If there is, shouldn't there be a class action against AT&T and other carriers with contracts?

cproaudio said:
Can someone explain how there's a subsidy cost in plan when my bill doesn't lower after my contract? I've been out of contract for over a year now and my plan cost hasn't changed since I first signed up with AT&T in 07. If there's a subsidy cost in plan does this mean that AT&T's been ripping people off once their contract ended? If there is, shouldn't there be a class action against AT&T and other carriers with contracts?
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The carriers have been gouging their customers for years. It's all about profit and shareholders. We don't, and never will, factor into the equation.

cproaudio said:
Can someone explain how there's a subsidy cost in plan when my bill doesn't lower after my contract? I've been out of contract for over a year now and my plan cost hasn't changed since I first signed up with AT&T in 07. If there's a subsidy cost in plan does this mean that AT&T's been ripping people off once their contract ended? If there is, shouldn't there be a class action against AT&T and other carriers with contracts?[/QUOTE
How do you think AT&T makes up for the money that they fronted to pay for your phone that you got at a discounted rate... I called them the last time i was with them and they had told me that my monthly rate includes a percent for the subsidy.. Why do you think T-Mobile lowered their monthly rates once they ditched the two year contract. Why do you think you have to pay full price for a prepaid phone... Its not right that they still charge you the same monthly rate once your contract is up if you are month to month.
They do this because a ton of people wouldnt think twice about it.. Thats why they think AT&T Next will be a kick ass program. The consumer pays nothing up front?! Sounds like a good deal, but at the end you end up paying double for the phone
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cproaudio said:
Can someone explain how there's a subsidy cost in plan when my bill doesn't lower after my contract? I've been out of contract for over a year now and my plan cost hasn't changed since I first signed up with AT&T in 07. If there's a subsidy cost in plan does this mean that AT&T's been ripping people off once their contract ended? If there is, shouldn't there be a class action against AT&T and other carriers with contracts?
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In theory, there should be a subsidy if you buy a phone full price but there is not. We just continue to get ripped off every month. No class action suit because you made a choice and signed a legal contract. AT&T sets the prices and we agree to them. T-Mobile pricing model will hopefully be the way of the future.
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martinezma99 said:
In theory, there should be a subsidy if you buy a phone full price but there is not. We just continue to get ripped off every month. No class action suit because you made a choice and signed a legal contract. AT&T sets the prices and we agree to them. T-Mobile pricing model will hopefully be the way of the future.
Sent from my LG-E980 using xda premium
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We can always file a complain with someone. We should be able to make some noise somehow.
It's a shame that they get away with this

cproaudio said:
Can someone explain how there's a subsidy cost in plan when my bill doesn't lower after my contract? I've been out of contract for over a year now and my plan cost hasn't changed since I first signed up with AT&T in 07. If there's a subsidy cost in plan does this mean that AT&T's been ripping people off once their contract ended? If there is, shouldn't there be a class action against AT&T and other carriers with contracts?
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Att and Verizon and sprint never officially stated that but its common knowledge that's how they recoup the cost if the phones over time. Hence why T-Mobile changed their pricing plans to reflect the fact you are buying your phones now. If the other carriers never state they are doing that they don't have to lower prices
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Just got my OGP for a month

AT&T Next to Offer Option to Forgo Wireless Contra

ATT will begin offering wireless customers the option to forgo contracts and get more frequent upgrades if they pay full price for their smartphones, allowing the carrier to cut back on the profit-sapping cost of subsidizing devices like the iPhone.
ATT is beginning a program later this month for subscribers to buy their phones using a monthly financing plan that will add payments to their monthly bills. After a year, they will be allowed to trade in the device for a new one. Under the new option, called AT&T Next, there are no service contracts other than the financing commitment. It is available for tablets as well.
So for a $650/20 months we get almost $35 per month added to your bill. what do you guys think: is it worth it?

BTW unlimited data plans are still allowed on Next.

privatewarrior1 said:
ATT will begin offering wireless customers the option to forgo contracts and get more frequent upgrades if they pay full price for their smartphones, allowing the carrier to cut back on the profit-sapping cost of subsidizing devices like the iPhone.
ATT is beginning a program later this month for subscribers to buy their phones using a monthly financing plan that will add payments to their monthly bills. After a year, they will be allowed to trade in the device for a new one. Under the new option, called AT&T Next, there are no service contracts other than the financing commitment. It is available for tablets as well.
So for a $650/20 months we get almost $35 per month added to your bill. what do you guys think: is it worth it?
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Hmm. I think I'd go for it.
I don't particularly care to wait two years for a new phone. I get tired of phones after 8 months.
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I've never had to wait 2 years for a phone upgrade; usually, after about 12 months, I have been able to call and ask nicely for an upgrade, so, I would NEVER go for this...ATT gets more than enough of our hard earned cash, why give them more???

So when you first buy a phone...you are paying a subsidized price, and that amount is "hidden" in your monthly fee...now they want you to pay another fee...then get a phone...then pay more on top of that?? Makes no sense to me. I'd rather buy a new phone outright on a no-interest credit card or something..shoot maybe even just save up for it. I've even wheeled and dealed my phones on Craigslist...Is business really that bad that carriers are trying to nickel and dime people for everything? 20 months was fine. Gave you time to make a choice on what you wanted instead of paying an arm and a leg when you get that itch to change. Oh well, to each their own. I definitely won't be taking advantage of this new option.

I guess ATT (and eventually Verizon) feel the need to come up with some new razzle dazzle to make people think they are getting something similar to what t-mobile is offering. You are correct, when you do the math, this new "special" program is nothing more than another way for ATT to take money out of your pocket.
Carriers ALWAYS try and nickle and dime the public out of every possible dollar they can, and most of these new "special" deals, aren't special for anyone except ATT executives, and stock holders...

privatewarrior1 said:
ATT will begin offering wireless customers the option to forgo contracts and get more frequent upgrades if they pay full price for their smartphones, allowing the carrier to cut back on the profit-sapping cost of subsidizing devices like the iPhone.
ATT is beginning a program later this month for subscribers to buy their phones using a monthly financing plan that will add payments to their monthly bills. After a year, they will be allowed to trade in the device for a new one. Under the new option, called AT&T Next, there are no service contracts other than the financing commitment. It is available for tablets as well.
So for a $650/20 months we get almost $35 per month added to your bill. what do you guys think: is it worth it?
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Click to collapse
you paid $199 for note 2, one year later you sell the phone for $300 (min). then you spend $350 on another phone. total is 199+350=550
with new plan. one year you pay 650/20*12=390, second year you pay 390. total 780.
you know what you should do.

This is a bit tricky.
Say for the Note 2 you paid 199 + locked into a contract. The price isn't actually subsidized into the cost of your monthly contract, rather the cost is the ASSURANCE that you'll be locked into a contract for 2 years. The amount of your monthly bill can go up/down obviously, and you won't find a line on your bill stating "monthly phone subsidized fee".
My take on this new program is that there will be a line listing the cost of your phone bundled into your monthly fee, without a contract locking you in for 2 years.
Difference is that if you're insane, you can get a different phone 12 months down the line, and split that new cost into your existing monthly bill. This allows you to theoretically have the cost of the new phone added onto the bill in addition to the cost of the old phone.
This isn't much of a deal if you're getting a high end smartphone at 6-700 bucks, but a pretty good deal if it's a lower end or less expensive phone.

vista1984 said:
you paid $199 for note 2, one year later you sell the phone for $300 (min). then you spend $350 on another phone. total is 199+350=550
with new plan. one year you pay 650/20*12=390, second year you pay 390. total 780.
you know what you should do.
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This here^^^^^^^
This is what AT&T stated:
The monthly installments will run between $15 and $50, depending on the phone, and are a function of evenly dividing the full retail price of the phone by 20 months.
By way of example, AT&T says, a Samsung Galaxy S4 in Next will cost $32 a month on top of your monthly service plan. You'll be able to trade it in and upgrade after 12 payments, or pay it off in full after 20 months. That's based on the full $639 purchase price of a 16GB model.
Just my 2¢®
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vista1984 said:
you paid $199 for note 2, one year later you sell the phone for $300 (min). then you spend $350 on another phone. total is 199+350=550
with new plan. one year you pay 650/20*12=390, second year you pay 390. total 780.
you know what you should do.
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Click to collapse
Slight correction. Second year you'd be paying 260, not 390. The split is over 20 months remember.

apallohadas said:
Slight correction. Second year you'd be paying 260, not 390. The split is over 20 months remember.
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if you get a new phone, the 20 months term will start over again. my calculation is based on the assumption that we buy new phone every year.

vista1984 said:
if you get a new phone, the 20 months term will start over again. my calculation is based on the assumption that we buy new phone every year.
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I'm just guessing here, but I think that if you buy another phone right at the first 12 month point, they'll stack that with (on top of) the existing cost of the old phone. So you'll be paying monthly + old phone + new phone, instead of month + new phone.
If they give you a buyout amount to totally pay off the old phone, that might work better.
Another thing that we haven't really considered are the extra fee (if any) revolving around the extended cost of the phone. Is there a service fee for this 'loan'? I mean, that's what it is after all. It's like a mortgage for your phone.

apallohadas said:
I'm just guessing here, but I think that if you buy another phone right at the first 12 month point, they'll stack that with (on top of) the existing cost of the old phone. So you'll be paying monthly + old phone + new phone, instead of month + new phone.
If they give you a buyout amount to totally pay off the old phone, that might work better.
Another thing that we haven't really considered are the extra fee (if any) revolving around the extended cost of the phone. Is there a service fee for this 'loan'? I mean, that's what it is after all. It's like a mortgage for your phone.
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Click to collapse
the new plan, my understanding is that when we have a new phone with this plan, we only need to pay for monthly phone payment, after one year, we can choose either keep the phone and pay for the remaining 8 months (after that the phone is yours), or, upgrade to a new phone and pay for the new phone's monthly payment again (20 months term reset).
so basically every 12 months you can upgrade with no cost, by keeping paying 650/20 each months. convenient for lazy people i think.
monthly service bill won't be affected (call+text+data).
yeah, there might be service fee for every upgrade too.

vista1984 said:
the new plan, my understanding is that when we have a new phone with this plan, we only need to pay for monthly phone payment, after one year, we can choose either keep the phone and pay for the remaining 8 months (after that the phone is yours), or, upgrade to a new phone and pay for the new phone's monthly payment again (20 months term reset).
so basically every 12 months you can upgrade with no cost, by keeping paying 650/20 each months. convenient for lazy people i think.
monthly service bill won't be affected (call+text+data).
yeah, there might be service fee for every upgrade too.
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Click to collapse
I thought they said no upgrade fee.
Sent from the TermiNOTEr 2!

Bsmith0731 said:
I get tired of phones after 8 months.
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Who doesn't man?

wase4711 said:
I've never had to wait 2 years for a phone upgrade; usually, after about 12 months, I have been able to call and ask nicely for an upgrade, so, I would NEVER go for this...ATT gets more than enough of our hard earned cash, why give them more???
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which department do you ask? and do you get any discounts on top of that?

privatewarrior1 said:
Who doesn't man?
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I'll say.
I was getting tired of my note but I switched over to an aosp based rom and my excitement has been renewed, for how long, who knows.
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vista1984 said:
the new plan, my understanding is that when we have a new phone with this plan, we only need to pay for monthly phone payment, after one year, we can choose either keep the phone and pay for the remaining 8 months (after that the phone is yours), or, upgrade to a new phone and pay for the new phone's monthly payment again (20 months term reset).
so basically every 12 months you can upgrade with no cost, by keeping paying 650/20 each months. convenient for lazy people i think.
monthly service bill won't be affected (call+text+data).
yeah, there might be service fee for every upgrade too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well when you upgrade your line you have to do one of two things: either you trade in your old phone (I am assuming it should be in good condition otherwise they will charge you for it) or you can keep your phone and pay the balance left to pay it off.
ATT is marketing the deal like its doing us a favor saying they got rid of the $35 upgrade fee, yet they will charge us the same amount each month for the next 20.
I wonder how many will fall for this?

privatewarrior1 said:
which department do you ask? and do you get any discounts on top of that?
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I ask for retention, since they can make decisions no other department can...
the last 2 early upgrades I got were for 2 Gnote2's; one was about 4 months ago, and then the other one was about 1 month ago; I was less than 12 months in on both of these phone contracts when I called.
The first one I got for 299, less 6 months of unlimited texting credit(180 dollars, so the net was 119. They waived the activation fee on that one...
The most recent one,was 199, about a month ago, and they did charge me activation, but I called when the bill came and asked them to waive it, and they did!
The only take away from this is that you need to ask for an early upgrade, and if you are a good customer,(I have 3 lines,) ALWAYS pay your bill on time, and dont ask for all sorts of crazy stuff, there is a very good chance you can get an upgrade after 8-12 months...the "sales" department, usually cant do these kinds of things, thats why you have to get to retention....

apallohadas said:
I'm just guessing here, but I think that if you buy another phone right at the first 12 month point, they'll stack that with (on top of) the existing cost of the old phone. So you'll be paying monthly + old phone + new phone, instead of month + new phone.
If they give you a buyout amount to totally pay off the old phone, that might work better.
Another thing that we haven't really considered are the extra fee (if any) revolving around the extended cost of the phone. Is there a service fee for this 'loan'? I mean, that's what it is after all. It's like a mortgage for your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correction: when you get a new phone after 12 months, you trade in old phone buy new phone and start over. The old phone bill is canceled. With Att Next, you no longer own the phone, it's a "lease phone". The tricky part is now rooting and unlocked bootloader will be difficult decisions because the phone must be in good satisfactory condition on all levels
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