Buying iPhone then canceling contract to move to existing contract

[lindsayanng]

My cell phone service is under thebusiness I work for. Its great, and they pay for my bill.. I currently have the 3G and I had gotten it about 5 months ago. I REALLY want this new iphone if only for the video capabilities and magnetic compass..

Anyways.. I was thinking.. With the business, my NAME is not on that account.. Its only linked to the business name and the owner of the business..

So can i get a subsidized phone by opening a new account under my own name, keeping it for 60 days (or however long their requirement is) and then canceling and bringing the new 3Gs to my business line and have them reactivate it..

This way I would temporarily have two phones.. keep my 3G on the number I want to keep... then swap sims or bring it in?

Just curious on your thoughts. I have NEVER gotten a piece of apple technology when it was "new" and I kinda really WANT this new phone.. So i am trying to come up with a plan because i will NOT pay full price

 

[Abyssgh0st]

I believe you can cancel your contract after the 30 day period (If you wish to keep the 3G S), and just pay the $170 ETF (-$5 for one month).

Sounds like a good plan, it'll be high though, if your getting a 16GB:

$199-Phone
$100+ First month's bill, including activation fee
$170- ETF.

So your looking at $470+...

But you can sell your 3G for $250-350, so I'd say it's a good plan.

 

[lindsayanng]

Hmm.. Is there an ETF if you cancel a "family line"

I ask because it wouldnt be a HORRIBLE thing if i got off of the business line and just had my own. I own my own business as well, so creating a line under my name would give my business a write off anyways.. So i can do it either way I suppose. I just dont want to hit my employer with an ETF if i cancel my existing line with them..

 

[cmwade77]

There is one; however, you can usually transfer those lines from them to you, ask your employer to check what the best option would be for both you and them on that line.

 

[labman]

here is a thought

how big is the business? maybe if you go to AT&T you can work something out get a business plan going and discounts for the employees. it might be worth checking into. I think that is one thing that makes a good business great, if they are willing to work to save employees money. It's a great extra for te employee that isn't costing the business any money.