Buy AT&T Blackberry, then Upgrade to iPhone?

[PatMack]

Hi,

I am planning on getting my iPhone tomorrow. My contract ends with verizon tommorow (July 14th, 2007). Being the penny pincher I am, I was looking on Amazon.com and I saw a Blackberry Curve for $0 with 2 year activation.

http://www.amazon.com/BlackBerry-83...6017?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1184367311&sr=1-1

(On the right side of the page, under "More Buying Choices" is an option to buy it from amazon.com as apposed to A1 wireless. This option makes the phone free)

So, i began to contemplate opening my AT&T account with this phone (get it for free), and then selling it on eBay for about $350 - $400.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Black...0QQihZ008QQcategoryZ64355QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now, I did a search on this forum, and found a similar thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/328377/

However, my scenario is different in that the Blackberry Curve requires the use of a data plan. Will i have to pay a fee or give back my discounted phone if i turn off the $40 a month data plan? Even though I am staying with AT&T to get my iPhone?

Other heavily discounted phones on amazon have a large disclaimer stating that you cannot do what I am planning:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KFWUMG/002-9195060-0016017

On the curve however, this warning in conspicuously absent.

I know this seems like over kill, but if i can save 300ish dollars on the iPhone, that helps me allot. Its well worth my time.

I would appreciate any feedback or experience on this idea. Maybe someone here would like to utilize this as well.*

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[LillieDesigns]

I posted a thread considering doing the same, but I was looking at getting a Krazr and keeping it for SIM swapping. Walmart.com has some good deals, maybe you'll find something without a harsh disclaimer there.

 

[PatMack]

I posted a thread considering doing the same, but I was looking at getting a Krazr and keeping it for SIM swapping. Walmart.com has some good deals, maybe you'll find something without a harsh disclaimer there.

Yeah, i have looked at WalMart, some good deals there too. (i LOVE a good deal )

Luckily though, the Curve has no diclaimer, im just wondering if that is because it dosent apply, or if they just forgot it or it isnt showing, etc.

 

[faustfire]

I would say that if you sign a two year contract on the data plane, they are not going to just let you out of it scott free. In general, cellular companies will only let you upgrade a contract not downgrade.

 

[Nahmeanz]

Most online retailers don't allow you to change anything on your phone for 3-4 months or you will be charged the full amount for the phone on your credit card. The reason is it takes them 3-4 months to get their commission from AT&T.

This is what Amazon says:
Conditional $250 Equipment Discount Included: Your price paid includes an equipment discount of $250 that has been provided to you in exchange for either activating a new, non-substitute line of service or renewing an existing line of service with AT&T and your agreement that for the 181-day period following such activation or renewal you will: (1) pay your balance due to AT&T each month and otherwise maintain your account in good standing; (2) not disconnect this AT&T line of service; (3) not transfer this equipment to another AT&T line of service; (4) not change your AT&T service rate plan to a lower monthly service rate--this includes canceling or removing required PDA, BlackBerry, or smartphone features after your product has shipped; (5) not use this line of service to replace an existing account with AT&T. If these conditions are not met, you hereby authorize Amazon.com to charge your credit card $250 as reimbursement of this equipment discount without need for further approval.

 

[wongulous]

Lots of experiences on other forums (e.g. howardforums) of people calling in to both Amazon and their providers to remove the data plans and neither one caring... this does result in a marginal reduction in Amazon's commission, but they don't seem to care.

I'm ordering two Treo 680s ($34.99 upfront and then a $50.00 rebate in a couple of months) and just waiting 2 months for an iPhone until I get the rebate (need to save up anyway )... I will likely remove the data plans after a month but hey maybe I'll keep 'em until I get the $50.00 rebates (x2). I will DEFINITELY change my credit card number before I drop the data plan just so there's no way that Amazon or A1 Wireless can try to charge me anything.