AT&T tilted-head-guy tells you how to buy an iPhone 3GS

Chauncey Dupree
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June 09, 2009
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This seems way more complex than it needs to be.  Head over to AT&T's website for all of the forms and paperwork you'll need to do. 

Comments (17)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 9:43am

It is NOT a question of entitlement. For ATT, the relative cost of subsidizing an upgrade is marginal. They could subsidize upgrades w/ contracts for huge profit + develop loyalty. instead, they want to bleed out 6+ months more of $ and then assume everyone will resign anyway. i understand this is SOP, and they're in their rights to do it, BUT its dumb! And it's dumbness is esp evident in this case. iphone users are a dream customer base for any wireless company (disposable income, high satisfaction rates and reliable revenue for premium services).
The SOLUTION: If ATT wants to make a marginal call so should we. Make your cell bill your last priority, the last mo bill you pay. Companies spend many millions to encourage you pay them first so, on average, their revenue collects a bit of interest before due. If we all agree not to do this (just pay at the last moment) we won't get in trouble (no late fees) and ATT will lose that little extra they expect from their "best" costumers. If everyone turns up the temp just a small degree, the whole cost-benefit of their policy is put into question. If on average they get payments on the 2nd or 3rd, but now its the 4th or 5th, that means a loss of millions every mo for them. We can do this without breaking our contract but simply by paying Your Cell Bill Last!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 2:32pm

The relative cost is marginal? How do you figure that? First off I would understand your being upset if AT&T was the only company that did this, but EVERY company does it. Its standard practice. You want something for nothing then steal it.

Try to get any kind of upgrade out of Verizon before your two years are up, you will be lucky if you get $50.

Apple and AT&T sold 4.4million iphones last quarter. That is with $200 each in subs, which equals $880,000,000!! How is that a small amount??

ulfoaf | June 10, 2009 - 10:33am

It doesn't look so big up against $8 billion....

Most people probably don't have the minimum plan, (about $75, maybe a little more), either. If all 4.4 million users did, that is about $8,000,000,000 dollars over two years.

I don't have a min. plan, but I remember reading it is actually $2100 to own an iPhone 3G on a 2 year contract. That may be with some options like text.

In other words, a $200 subsidy gets AT&T a minimum $1800 worth of business. That's about 11%. This is not an insignificant cost on their part, and  perfectly fair to expect a commitment, but rest assured they they are making a profit. They know what they are doing, and they are not "giving" you anything. At best, we are making payments on subsidized phones. Nobody twisted our arms and forced us to sign up, so no complaints.

 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 9:55am

Aaahhh!!!! My neck hurts after watching that video!

vichai (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 11:53am

How come his head is not straight? Give my a Headache when I watch him :(

Unhappy iPhone customer (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 12:40pm

After months of looking forward to the arrival of the new iPhone, I can't begin to express my disappointment and anger when I learned of the real pricing scheme for the iPhone 3G S. (The prices touted at the Apple Store are clear examples of false advertising, and Apple should be sued for that.) AT & T should be ashamed of itself for the pricing and the so-called "eligibility" rules they have come up with, and it is inexcusable that Apple went along with it. This is a slap in the face for people who have been loyal to Apple, and puts a permanent stain on the reputations of both companies.

Dustin (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 12:59pm

Apparently every iPhone 3G user out there was never an AT&T customer prior to their iPhone, or perhaps, never had a cell phone before period. This pricing "scheme" as everyone likes to call it has been around forever. And yes, it is a sense of entitlement, otherwise why would every iPhone 3G owner be bitching right now. Any time a new harware device comes out, not all owners of the previous version can get it right away. Thats the way it is, was and always has been. With the one exception...the original iPhone owners being allowed to get the 3G without being eligible. You all got a lucky deal last time, doesn't mean you should get one every time. This is not false advertising. ALL PHONES are advertised with their new customer/upgrade eligible prices. Give it a rest already. Please explain to me why iPhone users should get a discount upgrade every 12 months when Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, Palm, etc.. users can't. And your answer isn't a sense of entitlement? B.S.

Captain Pants (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 1:01pm

I hate this nerd, and I hate his neck.

ulfoaf | June 09, 2009 - 1:13pm

Tell him to straighten up and comb his hair. He's on video, for goodness sake!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 09, 2009 - 3:16pm

Third option for getting your iphone would be a Best Buy Mobile Store. They offer an accidental protection against drops, spills, cracked screens, and pretty much anything you can dish out. The only thing it won't cover is lost or stolen phones. I think its 14.99/month, but thats a lot better than shelling out another 600 or more to apple if your iphone does break.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 10, 2009 - 9:22am

Add the 3G S as a new line to existing contract, and my wife inherits my 3G. (Her suggestion)

luxlamf (not verified) | June 10, 2009 - 11:14am

If Apple knows just how much Business they are losing because of the AT&T relationship? I know so many people that Want to upgrde top the new iPhone but will not because ATT makes it Impossible to upgrade your phone without paying ridiculous amounts of money to do so. They seem to just want New customers and thats all. I will not be buying a new APPLE, I will have to continue to Pat AT&T for another year of service under teh contract than I will look into Crackig my phone and going to anoter provider.

MacFreak (not verified) | June 10, 2009 - 11:33am

Seriously, someone should really talk to this guy about his physical presence, especially if he's gonna be representing such a big company that so many people already have problems with.

As much as I despise all the haters, that was funny!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 10, 2009 - 2:24pm

There will never be a CDMA iPhone, so it be exclusively on AT&T is only blocking out T-Mobile customers. Lots of people, sure, but its not like without AT&T exclusivity the iPhone will suddenly appear on Verizon

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 11, 2009 - 9:00am

I thought AT&T was supposed to be cutting down the plan price. That's the real barrier to entry. You can save up and suck up the one-time cost of an iPhone, but $100 a month to AT&T is ridic!

ksmith (not verified) | June 11, 2009 - 1:19pm

Lame attempt at trying to be hip and cool, meanwhile he is a first class douche bag.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 16, 2009 - 11:07pm

ok i am wanting to purchase the new iphone 3gs. i am residing outside usa and i have a fran there who will be comming next week down. i was hoping buy this phone and get it delivered to his residence in california. when i try and place an order, it seems i gotta have an At&t plan.. wtf?

i really need to buy that phone.. any suggestions where i can get it without a MSP plan?

and yea.. that guy does look like a deformed cock... he is trying to fit in the camera it seems like.lol..

please help me someone.. email me: rickyskulke@gmail.com