News
Not all AT&T customers eligible for $199 iPhone 3G
After several conflicting reports, iLounge has confirmed with AT&T that the iPhone 3G will not be universally available to all customers at the previously announced $199/$299 price points. According to Mark Siegel, Executive Director of Media Relations with AT&T Mobility, only “[c]urrent iPhone customers, new customers, and current non-iPhone AT&T wireless customers who are upgrade eligible will get the iPhone 3G at the $199/$299 price points.” This description omits “upgrade ineligible” AT&T customers, a category that is explained on an AT&T upgrade eligibility requirements web page. In short, AT&T customers who have had their current phones and plans for at least two years, customers who have had a plan costing between $68.99 and $98.99 for at least 21 months, and customers who have had a plan costing over $99 for at least 12 months are all eligible; those who do not meet one of these standards are ineligible and will have to pay a higher price. Additionally, following speculative reports that it might be possible for some customers to activate their iPhone 3Gs at home using iTunes, Siegel reiterated that activations will “take place in the store.”
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41
Let me clarify. They said I wasn’t eligilbe for the the upgrade.
Posted by at&t just lost a customer on July 13, 2008 at 10:52 AM (PDT)
42
It gets even worse. I bought an AT&T;/Cingular subsidized Treo 650 in October 2005. In August 2006, my Treo died and I was given a replacement 650 under warranty. What they failed to disclose is that my upgrade eligibility changes from that date as well. With only a month to go, my Treo 650 is totally dead, gone, no hope. AT&T;will not advance my eligibility for any phone, let alone an iPhone 3G. I’m ok paying a new 2 year contract (which my old one has already expired) for a subsidized phone - I get that. But I can’t wait a month and AT&T;just said, “Sorry can’t help you”. As much as I really wanted the iPhone that I could use with business apps - gonna make the switch to Verizon and get the Blackberry.
Posted by Goodbye iPhone, hello Verizon & Blackberry on July 23, 2008 at 8:26 PM (PDT)
43
I have been with AT&T;for since 1998 and currently have 3 phone lines. I also own stock in this company. What a disgrace to treat long-time loyal customers like this. There is NO reason to stay with AT&T;. There are plenty of other providers and I can transfer my phone #. I’ll buy a blackberry (may not have the cool WOW factor), but it costs less and has a longer track record….BEFORE I’ll shell out $200 buck MORE for the iPhone. I’m disgusted with AT&T;.
Posted by Dianne on August 17, 2008 at 10:34 AM (PDT)
44
It can get even more infuriating: I LOST my new iphone 3G and went to get a replacement. AT&T;says I’m NOT ELIGIBLE for the $299 phone because I already had one! Penalizing current customers AGAIN.
Blackberry Storm, here I come!
Posted by another lost customer on November 26, 2008 at 12:44 PM (PDT)
45
I was not eligible for an upgrade for several months but wanted the new iphone. I decided to pay the extra $200 ($450 for 8gb after taxes) but at the end of the transaction they made me sign up for an additional two years added to my contract beyond when my contract was supposed to end originally. AT&T;customers who are not eligible for upgrade get totally ripped off and are still required to sign up for a new plan in the end anyway (as though you ARE a new customer). Bogus!
I can’t believe there is not a class action lawsuit yet!
Posted by Jackie on January 22, 2009 at 6:29 PM (PDT)
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