Existing AT&T cellular customers -- whats in it for us?

[jblodgett]

I'm still at a bit of a loss on this whole iPhone sales bit.

First-- I'm an existing AT&T cellular customer. Signed my contract in August 2006.


I have absolutely no problem chunking my current plan and signing up for a new phone. But--- CAN I???

I am reading some conflicting reports here on the message board about just what existing customers are allowed to do. In some reports, it looks like existing customers can purchase the iPhone-- but then we have to add it to our existing plan by purchasing a $20 data plan.

Is that correct?

I'd much rather just abandon my current phone plan, and sign up for one of the new $59.99 plans with a 2 year contract. But I'm not sure I can.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[clevin]

I strongly suggest u call ATT. they should be much more helpful than rumors here.

 

[powerbook911]

I'm still at a bit of a loss on this whole iPhone sales bit.

First-- I'm an existing AT&T cellular customer. Signed my contract in August 2006.


I have absolutely no problem chunking my current plan and signing up for a new phone. But--- CAN I???

I am reading some conflicting reports here on the message board about just what existing customers are allowed to do. In some reports, it looks like existing customers can purchase the iPhone-- but then we have to add it to our existing plan by purchasing a $20 data plan.

Is that correct?

I'd much rather just abandon my current phone plan, and sign up for one of the new $59.99 plans with a 2 year contract. But I'm not sure I can.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

Well what plan are you on? If you're on the $39.99 plan, $20 makes it the same price.

 

[SirOmega]

There is no difference in price, so why does it matter? if you want less minutes, call AT&T now and change your rate plan down to the 450 plan.

 

[jshbckr]

I'm pretty sure you're open to do whatever you want. Basically look at the iPhone as "Full retail phone, but requires $20 data plan."

The "iPhone" plans are just the standard voice plans with the data applied. It's nothing special.

 

[chriswheat]

As I understand it, the $59.99 plan is just the standard $39.99 plan and a $20 data plan. It shouldn't make any difference if you just add the $20 data plan to your existing plan.

 

[jblodgett]

I'm actually on a $59.99 plan now. I have 400 txt messages which is another $9.99. Which includes 850 anytime minutes, I think - I never use them all- so they rollover. If I just add the $20 data plan, I'm looking at an $89 bill.

Obviously -- if I can get the $59.99 plan that includes unlimited data and 200 txt messages, that would be a better deal for me.

 

[JustinP81]

For us AT&T users, all we have to do is add on 20 bucks a month to our plans for the iPhone data.

That's it.

Now, the thing that I'm still confused about is whether or not existing AT&T customers have to get a credit check like everyone else...

I would ASSUME that since we already have contracts, we don't.

That's what a rep told me on the phone yesterday.

When I walked into the AT&T store today, he said "we'll probably run checks just to make sure".

GRANTED, this dude was kind of an ass and never really once looked me in the eyes... and, when I asked how many iPhones they were getting, he wouldn't tell me, and then and he said he "couldn't tell what the phone plans were, it's top secret"... (even though I know the plans already)

Which, I replied, "Even though it's on your website AND the Apple website?"

"I still can't talk about it."

It did seem like he read the iPhone/AT&T users guide that leaked on the net today, though!

-Justin

 

[macWilson420]

I am in the same situation. Since we are signing a new contract, we will be able to pick one of the new plans because they seem a lot better than what I'm paying now. I have the 900 minute plan for $59.99 plus I already have a data plan that I pay $49.99 for unlimited with 1500 SMS. That alone total $109.99. With the new plan I can get the 900 minute and unlimited SMS for $99.99 a month. That saves me $10 so its that much difference but $10 is $10.

 

[eddietr]

That is correct, the "iPlans" are no different than the current AT&T plans, plus the $20.

On iTunes, when you are activating with an existing account you apparently will not be able to change your voice plan. You can just add the $20 (or $30 or $40) data plan which would replace your existing data plan, if any.

If you don't like the particular voice plan you have now, you can just change it tonight.

 

[eddietr]

I am in the same situation. Since we are signing a new contract, we will be able to pick one of the new plans because they seem a lot better than what I'm paying now. I have the 900 minute plan for $59.99 plus I already have a data plan that I pay $49.99 for unlimited with 1500 SMS. That alone total $109.99. With the new plan I can get the 900 minute and unlimited SMS for $99.99 a month. That saves me $10 so its that much difference but $10 is $10.

This isn't that complicated, guys.

When you activate any of the iPhone data plans, it will replace your existing data plan. So just sign up for the $40 unlimited SMS plan, and your bill will be $10 less than you are paying now.

There is no advantage for existing customers to switch to the new packaged plans. There is no discount there.

 

[macWilson420]

That is correct, the "iPlans" are no different than the current AT&T plans, plus the $20.

On iTunes, when you are activating with an existing account you apparently will not be able to change your voice plan. You can just add the $20 (or $30 or $40) data plan which would replace your existing data plan, if any.

If you don't like the particular voice plan you have now, you can just change it tonight.

Either way I'm pumped because I'm saving $10 a month off my plan alone and about $70 a month in SMS overage. I believe this is the first time AT&T has offered unlimited SMS. 1500 has been the max for a while and on an average month I use well over 2000 so I'm glad my bills will be cheaper buy purchasing the iPhone. Tomorrow is going to be the longest day at work in the history of the world.........

 

[eddietr]

Now, the thing that I'm still confused about is whether or not existing AT&T customers have to get a credit check like everyone else...

I would ASSUME that since we already have contracts, we don't.

That's what a rep told me on the phone yesterday.

When I walked into the AT&T store today, he said "we'll probably run checks just to make sure".

GRANTED, this dude was kind of an ass and never really once looked me in the eyes... and, when I asked how many iPhones they were getting, he wouldn't tell me, and then and he said he "couldn't tell what the phone plans were, it's top secret"... (even though I know the plans already)

And this is why I've decided to go to the Apple store tomorrow instead of AT&T. Who knows what kind of nonsense the AT&T guys will come up with tomorrow and what they will want to upsell.

And then you'll have people in front of you in line having ridiculous arguments with the reps, which will make the lines go that much slower!

I think better to stay in the longer, but probably faster, lines at the Apple store and those guys will just want to get people in and out as quickly as possible.

Why would there be credit checks for existing customers? They don't require that for any other plan changes or any other phone upgrades.

 

[yukon8170]

Either way I'm pumped because I'm saving $10 a month off my plan alone and about $70 a month in SMS overage. I believe this is the first time AT&T has offered unlimited SMS. 1500 has been the max for a while and on an average month I use well over 2000 so I'm glad my bills will be cheaper buy purchasing the iPhone. Tomorrow is going to be the longest day at work in the history of the world.........

AT&T offers Unlimited Text Message Plans. Take a look at your online account information. You can change almost any aspect of your plan.