FAN Discount Activation Fee???

[wr1020]

So i've been having so many issues with registering my FAN discount with ATT and thought i finally had everything resolved. My billing cycle ended a few days ago and my bill was posted today. It's normally $95 after fees, taxes etc without the fan discount. So when i looked at my bill it was $118. So i called ATT and asked why it's more expensive this month when i didnt change a single thing feature wise. The lady i spoke with sounded dumb as rocks from the start and she said the extra amount was from the "FAN discount activation fee". Is there really a FAN discount activation fee?

When i had issues i had to go to three ATT stores and not a single one told me theres an activation fee for just the discount to be applied. I've had ATT since June of this year when the 3gs came out. Before i call again to speak with someone else i wanted to verify that there really is an activation fee for the discount, if so that is ridiculous.

 

[bradl]

I've had a FAN on my account for the past year and a half. No activation fee whatsoever. Whoever told you there was one fed you some BS.

BL.

 

[wr1020]

What i thought, i didn't wanna go on with her and get nowhere so i just hung up, i'll call them up tomorrow and get this sorted out.

 

[Rayfire]

AT&T calls it the sponsorship activation fee which is $36. They just started this around June '09 I think. Read this: http://consumerist.com/5323897/att-charges-you-a-fee-for-getting-a-discount

 

[bradl]

AT&T calls it the sponsorship activation fee which is $36. They just started this around June '09 I think. Read this: http://consumerist.com/5323897/att-charges-you-a-fee-for-getting-a-discount

Interesting. I got my FAN applied to my account when I purchased my iPhone in August '09, and never had to pay that at all. Could this be for some corporation or university to sign up to get FAN accounts for their people? otherwise, I kinda doubt this..

BL.

 

[pukifloyd]

activation fee for a discount?sounds ridiculous!

i hate at&t...!

 

[samcraig]

1) before adding a fan - one should look at the discount they're getting vs the cost of the activation. I get 20 percent off - so even if I had to pay an activation (I don't) - that would equate to about 2 months of no real discount but many many months OF a discount. If you're only getting 5 percent through your fan - it might not be worth it. Only you can determine

2) AT&T might have changed their policy in June. The fee might also be based on how long you've been a customer and/or how your company/association has their FAN setup. IE - I've been an AT&T customer for a few years and JUST (as of the 3gs) put a fan discount on. No fee. My fiancee just switched to AT&T and didn't have to pay a fee (this was in Sept). So I am more inclined to believe it's based on FAN setup.

3) You can hate AT&T all you want - but the bottom line is - they are giving a discount. And no one is forcing you to sign up. Do I think its the BEST business practice - not really. But before getting panties in a twist - see my #1. If you have to pay $36 to eventually save, say $350 over 2 years - isn't it worth it?

It's not really the same - but banks charge for loan applications. You're paying them money to pay them more money, no? And you're not SAVING money in the long run.

Some credit cards you have to pay an annual fee - again - you don't SAVE money after you pay. You just get the priv of charging.

There are costs involved with running the FAN program (and no I am not an AT&T loyalist or apologist). There's time and resources used (computer system, accounting, CSR's salaries, etc) all required to have a FAN program.

AT&T is offering discounts - which they do not have to do at all. So in the long run they are losing money they could have had (yes - perhaps you might not have chosen at&t without the FAN, I realize). So if they try to recover a little bit up front, how angry do you really want to get?