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Alexwithad

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 27, 2009
323
1
USA
There are probably others like me that aren't eligible for the $200 iPhone 3GS because their contract isn't up and they don't have an iPhone 3g. Well I just noticed something, I got my LG Vu in December and my contract has a year and half before I can get a new phone. But I can get the iPhone 3GS for $400 (such a discount...right?). But anyways, I saw their early termination fee is $175 but then they lower it $5 each month you pass being their customer. So if you terminate your contract early for example I'd be paying $155. I then can open up a new account with AT&T and get the discounted iPhone 3GS for $200 right?


Question:
Is there a cancellation fee?
What is the cancellation fee?
Does the Early Termination Fee apply to me?
Answer:
Customers who cancel their service with AT&T before the end of the contract term will pay an Early Termination Fee (ETF) of $175 for each wireless telephone number associated with the service.

Effective May 25, 2008, new and renewing AT&T wirless customers who enter into 1- or 2-year service agreements will no longer be required to pay a single, flat ETF. Instead, the $175 ETF will be lowered by $5.00 every month for the term of the contract.

An Early Termination Fee is not charged if you cancel service within 30 days of activation.

If you have questions about your AT&T contract, please Contact Us.

You can find your contract end date by viewing the following topic: When does my contract end?
 
This came up last year and didn't work for some reason or another but say it did so you pay 155+200+46(new customer activation fee)=401 or pay 400+18(existing customer activation fee)..and lose your number and go through a lot of paperwork..just to save 17USD..imo not worth it.
 
Yea, I called AT&T about this and both reps I talked to reluctantly gave in that yes this would work. Two catches though:

You dont get to keep your number and you pay a $36 activation fee instead of $18 upgrade fee. My ETF would be $120 so I would be saving about $60. Not really worth it to me to lose my number that I have had for like 5 years. If you weren't eligible for the early upgrade of $399/$499 then it might be worth it as you would be saving significantly more money.
 
This came up last year and didn't work for some reason or another but say it did so you pay 155+200+46(new customer activation fee)=401 or pay 400+18(existing customer activation fee)..and lose your number and go through a lot of paperwork..just to save 17USD..imo not worth it.

Good point on the activation fee, I completely forgot about this! Either way I'm willing to pay my $400!
 
I have kind of a crazy question. The question isn't long, but maybe the story is. So please bare with me.

I'll start with the story:
My friend had at&t and bought an iphone 3g plus 2yr contract last year when they came out. Around december, he quit the contract and had to pay his ETF. He sold me the phone for $175. I activated it, jailbroke it, and unlocked for use with tmobile (who I have). That's the story. Here's my question.

Question:
Can I start an account with AT&T and be eligible for the $200 iphone then cancel the contract after a month of service as to not have to return the phone. So i'd be paying $401+one month of service for a no contract phone rather than $599 for a no contract phone? I know it's not unlocked yet, but I have faith.

Or could I try the call within the 3 days of signing up and saying i want to cancel because (make up excuse-no reception in my area) then ask to keep the phone in case I want to sign up with at&t again?
 
Yea, I called AT&T about this and both reps I talked to reluctantly gave in that yes this would work. Two catches though:

You dont get to keep your number


You can keep your number. Buy a used Virgin Mobile phone off ebay, and port your number to Virgin. Load the Virgin account with $10 bucks on the basic 20cents/min plan.

Then port your number back to ATT a few days later after you get the new phone. Problem solved.
 
If you come back on the same number within six months you resume your contract though.
 
If you terminate your account with ATT - isn't there a waiting period before they allow you to sign a new contract?
 
Just do what I did.

Open up a new line via family plan
buy the iPhone under that line
get it activated on your main line
cancel the iPhone data plan on the second line
In 31 days cancel the second line on your account.

iPhone = 299
cancellation fee = 175
Cost of other line = 10

total is 485 dollars for a 32gb without extending your contract, and you keep your number.
 
If you come back on the same number within six months you resume your contract though.

59 days.

Just do what I did.

Open up a new line via family plan
buy the iPhone under that line
get it activated on your main line
cancel the iPhone data plan on the second line
In 31 days cancel the second line on your account.

iPhone = 299
cancellation fee = 175
Cost of other line = 10

total is 485 dollars for a 32gb without extending your contract, and you keep your number.

Wow that's a ton of savings. early upgrade price $499 + tax. You saved yourself a whole ~ $40
 
59 days.



Wow that's a ton of savings. early upgrade price $499 + tax. You saved yourself a whole ~ $40

Keep in mind, since my bill is under 100 dollars, I was not eligble for an early upgrade till december. So actually I saved myself 240 dollars, I don't have to wait 6 months, and I don't have to extend my contract.

Not too bad if you ask me.
 
Keep in mind, since my bill is under 100 dollars, I was not eligble for an early upgrade till december. So actually I saved myself 240 dollars, I don't have to wait 6 months, and I don't have to extend my contract.

Any more smart ass remarks to make?

OP said they are eligible for the early upgrade.
 
Just do what I did.

Open up a new line via family plan
buy the iPhone under that line
get it activated on your main line
cancel the iPhone data plan on the second line
In 31 days cancel the second line on your account.

iPhone = 299
cancellation fee = 175
Cost of other line = 10

total is 485 dollars for a 32gb without extending your contract, and you keep your number.

kinda confused... Why would you cancel the data plan on the second line? and also I thought they won't let you cancel data plans on iphones. Also isn't At&t going to require you to return the phone? And also you have to be in a family plan already, right?

Thanks
 
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