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I have a plan, will this work?
- Thread starter angemon89
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You do not have to keep data on the line. You can remove data on the day you buy the iPhone.
It will never be cheaper to pay the no-commitment price.
dont you have to pay the first month? and or keep the iphone for 30 days before you cut off your contract with them?
Ya, i didnt think it would be cheaper than the non contract price...but i dont know for sure myself.
You only have to pay the first month (+ a few days prorated) of voice, not data.
It ends up being about $125-150 cheaper than buying the phone at the no-commitment price.
ohh, i gotcha...so in a way, its the same thing...i was really referring to cancelling your account in terms of money. So if you have to pay the first month anyway, might as well consider it as you need to keep it a month.
so you get the discounted price on the phone, cancel the data, pay the 30$ for the first month...sell the phone and all you lose out on is a upgrade on that account.
if you got a new 3G 8G for 99$, pay the 30$ and you got a new 3G you got for 129$? Do you have to pay a ETF to cancel the iphone data plan?
Yes. i didnt know what i was thinking about. Yes, i preasume if you did that it is just bending the rules. However, i am going to upgrade with the 399 price, and not use an etf, as i plan on staying with att. What i was asking is if i could use the partial upgrade price and still keep my same voice/no data, even if i have to pay for the first month
Alright, so I got the phones that I bought on eBay yesterday. Later today I'm gonna head to the AT&T store to buy the 4 iPhones (32GB Black, 2x 16GB White, 16GB Black.) I will be keeping the 32 Black, my brother will get one of the 16GB whites, and the other 2 will go on eBay. 
I just hope this works out ok.
I just hope this works out ok.
If I was you, I would ask one of the kids that work at the AT&T store. They seem to be pretty honest with individual customers about what you can and can't get away with. Just go to your local AT&T store, be very nice and polite and tell the kids that work there your idea and they will be honest with you and tell you if it will work.
Why would you buy mom and dad iPhones and then have to worry about selling them when you can just buy them flip phones from the start? It seems to make a lot more sense to just get the flip phones from the start for mom and dad. (When I sold my 3G to get a 3GS, I found that it wasn't as easy to sell it as I had thought. It took several weeks to finally sell it and it wasn't easy. I posted on craigslist and on eBay)
Why would you buy mom and dad iPhones and then have to worry about selling them when you can just buy them flip phones from the start? It seems to make a lot more sense to just get the flip phones from the start for mom and dad. (When I sold my 3G to get a 3GS, I found that it wasn't as easy to sell it as I had thought. It took several weeks to finally sell it and it wasn't easy. I posted on craigslist and on eBay)
Like I said, the flip phones that I bought for my parents cost me ~$60 brand new. At the AT&T store the same phone costs $49.99 with a 2 year contract, with a $40 rebate. So in the end the phone comes out to $10 after the rebate. For only $50 more I got the phone without a contract, and I don't have to wait for the rebate. It's just not worth it to get a 2 year contract with that phone.
With the iPhone I can get $650+ for the phone alone on eBay. Subtract the $200 cost of the phone and that's a $450+ profit per phone.
I'm pretty experienced with selling on eBay and I know how to not get scammed so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll probably do 1 day listings and expect the payment within 24 hours or I will relist the phone. Shipping will be to confirmed buyers only, signature required, insurance required, no returns.
With the iPhone I can get $650+ for the phone alone on eBay. Subtract the $200 cost of the phone and that's a $450+ profit per phone.
I'm pretty experienced with selling on eBay and I know how to not get scammed so that shouldn't be a problem. I'll probably do 1 day listings and expect the payment within 24 hours or I will relist the phone. Shipping will be to confirmed buyers only, signature required, insurance required, no returns.
Cause a Brand new 3GS can go for $500-600 and a flip phone costs $20-30
you do the math and see if it's worth it.
you do the math and see if it's worth it.
I'll be blunt. You can do it - I was in the exact same situation and did the exact same thing last month. I bought 3 $50 Razrs from ebay and gave them to my family. They could care less about the phone so it worked well. Then I ported my numbers and bought 3 subsidized iPhones, and sold them unlocked + jb on ebay for a nice $1200 profit (after all fees).
How soon after you switched the sim cards did you call to remove the data plans? Cause I just got home with all the iPhones, moved the sim cards over to the flip phones, and am ready to cancel the data plans but I think I'm gonna give it a few days before I do that.
I did it as soon as my wireless account reflected my new phone (which was immediately). I had my data plans canceled within an hour of buying the phone. However, my initial bill still reflected the prorated data plan plus next months service (even though I was not using it anymore). It's probably going to be the same for you, so expect a large first bill.
In any case, I suggest you do the switch before Sept. 6.
I hope you realize the 36$ activation fee for each iPhone is non-refundable. And even if you keep the phones for 1 month each one has to have their own 30$ data plan.
36*4=144
30*4=120
then the family plan for 4 lines
700 minutes (69.99)
9.99*2 (extra lines)
family messaging 30.00
144.00
120.00
69.99
9.99
9.99
30.00
-------------
383.97
then add 20$ for taxes and then the prorated days and you have a bill over 400$
I hope you are paying that bill and for the next 24 months that you keep the service.
36*4=144
30*4=120
then the family plan for 4 lines
700 minutes (69.99)
9.99*2 (extra lines)
family messaging 30.00
144.00
120.00
69.99
9.99
9.99
30.00
-------------
383.97
then add 20$ for taxes and then the prorated days and you have a bill over 400$
I hope you are paying that bill and for the next 24 months that you keep the service.
You can get the activation fee removed if you call and ask nicelly.
The rest he obviously knows that he's signing a contract and will be tied up to AT&T.
The rest he obviously knows that he's signing a contract and will be tied up to AT&T.
Is pertaining to the ATT stores? How are the Apple store easy on removing the $18 upgrade fee? i went on apple.com to check for an upgrade there and it show a One-time AT&T Upgrade Fee $18.
TIA!
did the same thing with my inlaws and got the A237 free from AT&T. my FIL hates because it's small and light. he likes the old way when you could feel the phone in your hand
Update: I just called and removed the data plans from my parent's 2 lines. At first the rep said "sorry, I can't remove the data plans because they're iPhones" then I explained to her that "my parents did not want the iPhones anymore because they were too complicated to use, so they just got regular flip phones." She verified the IMEI numbers on the flip phones and removed the data plans. Cake.
99.99 - 2100 Family Plan
27.00 - iPhone Data Plan
27.00 - iPhone Data Plan
27.00 - Messaging unlimited for families
09.99 - Extra Phone
09.99 - Extra Phone
200.97 + tax
(those are my discount rates above)
Oh yeah, and here's a pic: the 4 new 3GS phones + my white 3G
Obviously I know about the activation fees. And my montly breakdown is more like this:I hope you realize the 36$ activation fee for each iPhone is non-refundable. And even if you keep the phones for 1 month each one has to have their own 30$ data plan.
...
then add 20$ for taxes and then the prorated days and you have a bill over 400$
I hope you are paying that bill and for the next 24 months that you keep the service.
99.99 - 2100 Family Plan
27.00 - iPhone Data Plan
27.00 - iPhone Data Plan
27.00 - Messaging unlimited for families
09.99 - Extra Phone
09.99 - Extra Phone
200.97 + tax
(those are my discount rates above)
Oh yeah, and here's a pic: the 4 new 3GS phones + my white 3G
Attachments
Update: I just called and removed the data plans from my parent's 2 lines. At first the rep said "sorry, I can't remove the data plans because they're iPhones" then I explained to her that "my parents did not want the iPhones anymore because they were too complicated to use, so they just got regular flip phones." She verified the IMEI numbers on the flip phones and removed the data plans. Cake.
Obviously I know about the activation fees. And my montly breakdown is more like this:
99.99 - 2100 Family Plan
27.00 - iPhone Data Plan
27.00 - iPhone Data Plan
27.00 - Messaging unlimited for families
09.99 - Extra Phone
09.99 - Extra Phone
200.97 + tax
(those are my discount rates above)
Oh yeah, and here's a pic: the 4 new 3GS phones + my white 3G
I could be wrong, but I have been told by numerous at&t reps that they will not discount the iPhone data plan under any circumstances. I qualify for Gov. as well as other discounts but it only comes off the $99 plan and not any of the add-ons.
OP,
Can you update this thread after you get your 1st and 2nd month bills just so that we can have 100% confirmation on what ATT charged you?
I think that will be the best way to know for sure that you didn't get charged any other fees or penalty.
Thanks
Can you update this thread after you get your 1st and 2nd month bills just so that we can have 100% confirmation on what ATT charged you?
I think that will be the best way to know for sure that you didn't get charged any other fees or penalty.
Thanks