Related
Here is the text of the email I just sent to Dan Hesse. The savings you supposedly get from the Framily plan are a joke.
I recently jumped on the Framily plan bandwagon for my 6 lines of service to take advantage of the savings that are advertised all over Sprint.com. I actually started to convince my friends and relatives that they should move to Sprint for this fantastic deal.
Then when I inquired about adding a new line to the Framily plan and found out that there are no discounts on equipment I slammed on the brakes and reversed my feelings. Then I additionally found out that my existing lines would no longer be eligible for discounted equipment. Now I am feeling really deceived.
So the end result of the Framily plan hoax is that the monthly savings you supposedly get are the direct result of losing the discount on new line/renewal equipment. I am so angry about this that I will most certainly move back to the plan I was on previously and since 5 of my 6 lines all expire in the next 6 months I will probably take them elsewhere.
To be the number three carrier and do this to your devoted customers and expect them to help you get new customers shocks and amazes me.
I brought my family's lines to Sprint because they were the best deal for me. I can say that you are now following along the path of money sucking that your competitors have been on for years.
I hope that you get many more of these letters as I will be spreading the word to have everyone I can to contact you about this horrible plan.
I to hate losing discounts on equipment, but Sprint has to make money somewhere. Lower monthly rates (yes, 25 a month for unlimited talk/text 1GB of data is LOW) usually means a higher cost somewhere.
I have an unlimited everything plan for 45 a month on the Framily plan, phone costs 25 a month, but heck, I'll take it! Better than anything Big Red or TMob can do.
I will direct your attention to the fine print if you want to be even more upset, particularly the section about data and video streaming.
I'm on mobile, but if memory serves, it basically says that framily plans get bumped down in case of localized high data demand + video streaming is limited to the point of being useless to ease network congestion.
Hesse: data will remain unlimited. Yeah, OK guy.
No discounts are applied until you hit 7 users on the plan then you get the $25.00 a month, you can forget about device discounts too. If you want unlimited data add another $20.00 a month which brings the plan higher then what I am paying now for 5 phones. I will keep my family plan I have now, well actual 2 family plans, better deal and new phone every 2 years with discounts and savings...
Sezmar said:
No discounts are applied until you hit 7 users on the plan then you get the $25.00 a month, you can forget about device discounts too. If you want unlimited data add another $20.00 a month which brings the plan higher then what I am paying now for 5 phones. I will keep my family plan I have now, well actual 2 family plans, better deal and new phone every 2 years with discounts and savings...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just checked my bill, I have 3 lines, and all of them are getting $10 off, making them $45 each. You get more off for each line until they're down to $25 each, IIRC.
First of all, for clarification purposes I think it's appropriate to call them "device subsidies" rather than "discounts".
Next, I am not sure what the OP's "big surprise" here is. The Framily plan is a no-contract engagement. As such there are no device subsides provided under it. This isn't any different than any of the other large carriers' no-contract offerings.
clshores said:
Here is the text of the email I just sent to Dan Hesse. The savings you supposedly get from the Framily plan are a joke.
I recently jumped on the Framily plan bandwagon for my 6 lines of service to take advantage of the savings that are advertised all over Sprint.com. I actually started to convince my friends and relatives that they should move to Sprint for this fantastic deal.
Then when I inquired about adding a new line to the Framily plan and found out that there are no discounts on equipment I slammed on the brakes and reversed my feelings. Then I additionally found out that my existing lines would no longer be eligible for discounted equipment. Now I am feeling really deceived.
So the end result of the Framily plan hoax is that the monthly savings you supposedly get are the direct result of losing the discount on new line/renewal equipment. I am so angry about this that I will most certainly move back to the plan I was on previously and since 5 of my 6 lines all expire in the next 6 months I will probably take them elsewhere.
To be the number three carrier and do this to your devoted customers and expect them to help you get new customers shocks and amazes me.
I brought my family's lines to Sprint because they were the best deal for me. I can say that you are now following along the path of money sucking that your competitors have been on for years.
I hope that you get many more of these letters as I will be spreading the word to have everyone I can to contact you about this horrible plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got to tell you, you are whining about nothing. I don't have this plan, but why would you expect device subsidies on a price that low. It obviously isn't a plan for some one that wants a new phone every two years and do the math. You could pay Sprint $30 more a month for your supposed phone upgrade discount which amounts to $720 over 2 years plus the $199 you paid for your discounted phone totaling $919 for you discounted phone. Or pay cash for your phone $600 and save $319 over the same 2 year period. Now, where was your discount? Oh wait there is more, no contract, cheap monthly bill, leave when you want. What are you complaining about.
cruise350 said:
I got to tell you, you are whining about nothing. I don't have this plan, but why would you expect device subsidies on a price that low. It obviously isn't a plan for some one that wants a new phone every two years and do the math. You could pay Sprint $30 more a month for your supposed phone upgrade discount which amounts to $720 over 2 years plus the $199 you paid for your discounted phone totaling $919 for you discounted phone. Or pay cash for your phone $600 and save $319 over the same 2 year period. Now, where was your discount? Oh wait there is more, no contract, cheap monthly bill, leave when you want. What are you complaining about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No argument on most of the points. My biggest complaint is that they don't come out and tell you up front that this is the way it works. It all just seems a little deceiving to me. I will get my first Framily bill soon and I will see what my actual monthly change is and then I will pass judgement on what/if the savings based on a traditional plan will be.
Glad to read these issues. I've got 5 family phones still on my Sprint Everything Data Family 1500 and it sounds like I will just stay. I tell everyone that Sprint in OKC is a great wifi use and limited data with partial phone calling. Basically it sucks but with 5 phones my bill is still less than most of the 2-3 smartphone plans of other carriers.
It at least helps when I can't download or even make a call from my house.
@jtsv. I have the same plan so I think I will stay on it as well. I pay $190 for 4 lines unlimited everything.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
cruise350 said:
I got to tell you, you are whining about nothing. I don't have this plan, but why would you expect device subsidies on a price that low. It obviously isn't a plan for some one that wants a new phone every two years and do the math. You could pay Sprint $30 more a month for your supposed phone upgrade discount which amounts to $720 over 2 years plus the $199 you paid for your discounted phone totaling $919 for you discounted phone. Or pay cash for your phone $600 and save $319 over the same 2 year period. Now, where was your discount? Oh wait there is more, no contract, cheap monthly bill, leave when you want. What are you complaining about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah cruise is right on this one. I was thinking of doing the Framily Plan also but I get a 25% discount on my monthly bill from work. I called up Sprint and inquired extensively about this plan and even asked about my discount and was told that it would apply to the unlimited data which would bring it down from $20 to $15. I was also told that if I move a line into the plan and it wasn't eligible for upgrade that it would cost me an extra $15 a month for 12 months or until the upgrade was available. There are a lot of hidden things in that plan but that's why it's always best to call and get info on it before you make a decision. They aren't going to come out and tell you anything unless you ask. They are hoping more people just switch to the plan without asking about the intricacies of it.
jtsv said:
Glad to read these issues. I've got 5 family phones still on my Sprint Everything Data Family 1500 and it sounds like I will just stay. I tell everyone that Sprint in OKC is a great wifi use and limited data with partial phone calling. Basically it sucks but with 5 phones my bill is still less than most of the 2-3 smartphone plans of other carriers.
It at least helps when i can't download or even make a call from my house.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I hit 6 lines I could no longer use the Family 1500 plan. I had to go to the My Everything plan. Like I said I will have to analyse the bill and see if I should switch back.
travisw0204 said:
Yeah cruise is right on this one. I was thinking of doing the Framily Plan also but I get a 25% discount on my monthly bill from work. I called up Sprint and inquired extensively about this plan and even asked about my discount and was told that it would apply to the unlimited data which would bring it down from $20 to $15. I was also told that if I move a line into the plan and it wasn't eligible for upgrade that it would cost me an extra $15 a month for 12 months or until the upgrade was available. There are a lot of hidden things in that plan but that's why it's always best to call and get info on it before you make a decision. They aren't going to come out and tell you anything unless you ask. They are hoping more people just switch to the plan without asking about the intricacies of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are currently waiving the $15 fee.
Woah, thanks for the info. I was thinking about switching to the framily plan but hadn't looked into it yet. Now I know it's not for me. It may be a good choice for people who don't mind keeping phones for a long time though.
With sprint, read the fine print
So it's a trade off between equipment fees and the monthly bill?
Smashbro29 said:
So it's a trade off between equipment fees and the monthly bill?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Essentially. But with the added feature of not being under contract which means you can jump ship at any time unless you still have time left on your existing contract then you will be contract free from that point forward.
I've been curious I kind of understand how their new plan is working but I have a question has anyone seen any fine print on the new plans say in 12months u upgrade but your existing phone shows signs of being rooted or knox is tripped? Just wondering if theres anything in there about it.
MrWicked1 said:
I've been curious I kind of understand how their new plan is working but I have a question has anyone seen any fine print on the new plans say in 12months u upgrade but your existing phone shows signs of being rooted or knox is tripped? Just wondering if theres anything in there about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no fine print in regards to that. The early upgrade portion is saying that 12 months in, with unlimited data, they will let you upgrade at no charge.
You don't turn your phone back in or anything like that.
join my sprint framily plan
hey guys join my framily E00395575cg i have 3 people so far lets get this price down
Thanks guys
lawmangrant said:
There is no fine print in regards to that. The early upgrade portion is saying that 12 months in, with unlimited data, they will let you upgrade at no charge.
You don't turn your phone back in or anything like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah ok thanks that's what i was wondering I was assuming you have to turn your phone in.
Last night at 1am I did an upgrade, thought it was through jump but was just a regular upgrade. Now I have two EIP's which is fine the balance on the nexus 5 is low.
My concern is that the nexus 6 will mess up jump even though my line has jump coverage.
I need it for the insurance coverage. Rep said only way to do a real jump upgrade is to refuse the package and try again. Forgot to ask her about insurance.
Any one have any idea if I'll be covered?
lightsout said:
Last night at 1am I did an upgrade, thought it was through jump but was just a regular upgrade. Now I have two EIP's which is fine the balance on the nexus 5 is low.
My concern is that the nexus 6 will mess up jump even though my line has jump coverage.
I need it for the insurance coverage. Rep said only way to do a real jump upgrade is to refuse the package and try again. Forgot to ask her about insurance.
Any one have any idea if I'll be covered?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The EIP in Jump is tied to the phone, not the line. So if you did a regular upgrade, you might have a separate EIP that isn't part of Jump. I'd confirm with T-Mobile that you do have an EIP for your Nexus 6 and be sure to get the details of its coverage.
Typically when you do a Jump upgrade, you turn in the previous Jump device, which sounds like a Nexus 5 that you purchased from T-Mobile. When they accept your previous device any balance remaining to pay it off is cleared and you start over with your new Jump device. Doing Jump upgrades can't be done online, only in a T-Mobile store.
If your getting a N6 sent to you by T-Mobile, instead of refusing the package I'd talk to a manager at the T-Mobile store to see if you can "return it" and then rebuy it under your Jump upgrade. As difficult as it is to get this phone, go for the solution in which you get to keep it.
Sent from my MB Nexus 6 (64 GB)
GPS Ordered, 2-Day Shipping: 10/29, 13:29
Account Charged: 11/14
Shipping Notification: 11/18, 03:42
Device Received: 11/19, 14:59
All Times in EST
I had a similar issue.
I went to T-mobile yesterday to get the phone with my Jump upgrade. I wanted to put 100$ down on the phone. Originally he told me for whatever reason it wouldn't go thruogh even thoughI was paying for jump, I wasn't using it.
He said if I went the non jump route, they would give me the trade in value of my phone and I'd be responsible for the remaining EIP balance, and then the balance of the nexus 6 as well. I can't remember if I had to put money down on the nexus through this route or if it was still 0$ down.
My issue ended up being resolved because of something else, but it looks like you get more for your phone through the jump program. They pay off the balance, where as with a non-jump upgrade you only get the trade in value of your phone, not necessarily how much you still owe on it.
Without jump my Note 3 was $260 trade in. With Jump it was was remaining balance on my EIP account $350
Its possible you would have to put some money down on the phone if you go the non jump route. .. Not sure if they do financing for that method.
Hope that makes sense. Hope I helped
Thanks guys, indeed I do have two EIP's now. I put down $60 and am now paying monthly for my old nexus 5 and the new 6. If the only difference is the trade in on my phone thats fine. Because I don't owe much. But I'm pretty sure jump is also how tmobile handles insurance on the phones. I'll have to call them back today and clarify.
soljaofjesus said:
I had a similar issue.
I went to T-mobile yesterday to get the phone with my Jump upgrade. I wanted to put 100$ down on the phone. Originally he told me for whatever reason it wouldn't go thruogh even thoughI was paying for jump, I wasn't using it.
He said if I went the non jump route, they would give me the trade in value of my phone and I'd be responsible for the remaining EIP balance, and then the balance of the nexus 6 as well. I can't remember if I had to put money down on the nexus through this route or if it was still 0$ down.
My issue ended up being resolved because of something else, but it looks like you get more for your phone through the jump program. They pay off the balance, where as with a non-jump upgrade you only get the trade in value of your phone, not necessarily how much you still owe on it.
Without jump my Note 3 was $260 trade in. With Jump it was was remaining balance on my EIP account $350
Its possible you would have to put some money down on the phone if you go the non jump route. .. Not sure if they do financing for that methodHope that makes sense. Hope I helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's how T-Mobile handles their subscribers now. Since they "did away" with Service Contracts, they allow subscribers to purchase phones and pay for them over a 2-year period. Once the device is paid off, it's your to do what you wish. To clarify, you can leave T-Mobile whenever you'd like, but you'd have to pay the balance for the device. You also don't have to wait 2 years to pay off the phone, you can do it from day one, in a week, or a year. The key to understand is that once that it's paid off, the device is yours and the carrier is suppsoed to provide you with a Network Unlock PIN (doesn't apply to Nexus/GPE devices; only carrier locked).
lightsout said:
Thanks guys, indeed I do have two EIP's now. I put down $60 and am now paying monthly for my old nexus 5 and the new 6. If the only difference is the trade in on my phone thats fine. Because I don't owe much. But I'm pretty sure jump is also how tmobile handles insurance on the phones. I'll have to call them back today and clarify.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. From T-Mobile's Jump FAQ
JUMP! includes Premium Handset Protection (PHP), which covers accidental damage, mechanical breakdown, loss, and theft, and provides a replacement phone up to two times in twelve months after the deductible or any processing fees are paid. If a device is damaged and does not pass the 3-point inspection at trade in, you must file a claim for the damaged device through PHP and pay the deductible or any processing fee to replace it before a trade-in for an upgrade can be initiated. However, this can be handled in one visit to a participating T-Mobile store. If you want to file a PHP claim but not process an upgrade, you can call the vendor directly without a store visit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I spoke with T-Mobile and they said insurance will be covered just as it would have if I did a jump order.
Only difference being I don't get to trade in my phone to get rid of the previous EIP.
So I'm good to go thanks folks.
**Warning** Kind of a long read but I'm curious to other peoples thoughts.
Wanted to share my experience today. I went into a Corporate AT&T store planning on upgrading to a 32GB MB Nexus 6 on the Next program. I'm good with it being carrier locked and I'll just remove the AT&T bloatware. I was excited that they had them in stock, however I noticed that the retail price was for $682.99 instead of $649 like Google has it for. I asked the rep and he was surprised and looked it up. I told him that other carriers were selling it for $649 also, and he verified it but couldn't explain it and mentioned that they can't match it either. I asked why do I want to pay like $30 more for it to be carrier locked and have bloatware installed (okay with it but not gonna pay for it).
At home, I called 611 to see if they would match it and see if they knew why. The first rep basically said that was the way it was and didn't really seem interested. The second time I called (I know now maybe I'm crazy but didn't think its right), I asked for their loyalty department cause I know they have more power. The guy there said he was being told that its not ATT but the Manufacture that is dictating the price. I told him that Motorola has it for $649 on their website and it doesn't make sense that they are letting everyone else sell it for one price and making AT&T sell it higher. Told them that I may change carriers if AT&T thinks that its good business practice to charge more then everyone else.
I want to point out that:
1. I was never rude or demanded anything. Just told them that I hope it gets pushed up and corrected.
2. Realize that this is a first world problem and I could just go purchase it from Google or somewhere else but I feel its the principle. Its not right to charge like $30 more and add to the fact that I would have paid higher taxes.
3. They still ended up not matching the price but did offer me a $50 discount off the contract price but told them I didn't want a contract.
The extra cost is for the high quality paint used for the death star logo on the back. (The one that comes off if you stare at it hard enough.)
Actually, I didn't mind the extra 30 for one simple reason: it didn't require waiting 6 to 20 weeks for moto to get stock and ship.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Ha on the paint. I'm still torn. Almost talked myself into going back and just pay for it.
You know what? I just bought a Nexus 6 from AT&T web ordering and I knew it was $30 more than everyone else, but you know what?! AT&T has them in stock and nobody else does!! Get over it. If you don't like it wait until Google has them on their site and then wait some more until they really have it and can send it to you! I had no problem getting mine from AT&T and I really didn't care that it has their logo on it!
ILuvRice said:
Ha on the paint. I'm still torn. Almost talked myself into going back and just pay for it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you going to leave a service because they charge 30 bucks for a device no one got in stock? Sound like a great business strategy for me... They know they can provide it today while others can in weeks. I will advice you go back
Appreciate the feed back. I realize that's it only like 30 bucks but there is also the added cost of paying taxes on 682 instead of 649. Not outrageous but still there. I doubt they are charging higher because they know they have them in stock. Especially when they are late to the game. They had to send their initial batch back. I wonder if this is fair to be who don't realize they are paying more. I noticed the price difference and accept the added cost, I'm okay with it but it's not fair to an unsuspecting customer.
Complain about it on at&t's Facebook page. The first person that contacts you probably won't be alot of help. They will eventually have someone else contact you. This person can help you. They gave me a $100 bill credit. I could have paid the balance of $582.99 plus tax but I chose to do the next 12 plan. So I paid $682.99 in order to do next and the $100 came off my monthly bill.
Well to update. I ended up going back and getting it. Really wanted to check it out and decided it was worth to walk out with it now. I hope its corrected still though. Now to run it through its paces before the 14 days are up. Like it so far. It is my first nexus device.
Mine was 249.99 with the 2 year contract.
$249.99 + $25 per month extra for 24 months = $849.99 + tax and upgrade / activation fees.
Best buy has the at&t n6 for 649 but the sprint n6 is 699 dosent make sense
Sent from my LG-D950 using XDA Free mobile app
That's interesting, on Sprints website its 648.
I am a grandfathered unlimited user on Verizon. I have not used an upgrade in years to keep my UDP, and have paid full price for my phones. Yet the price of my plan hasn’t changed once. Back when I did use upgrades wasn’t I supposed to be paying extra to cover the cost of my phone? And now that I’m on month-to-month wasn’t I supposed to get some kind of discount to account for the fact that I was no longer paying subsidies for a phone? Just curious if anybody else got some kind of discount when they switched from a contract to month-to-month. I switched about 2 years ago and the price never changed. Figured I'd ask here since there are probably a lot of people with UDPs on month-to-month here.
ahaynes42 said:
I am a grandfathered unlimited user on Verizon. I have not used an upgrade in years to keep my UDP, and have paid full price for my phones. Yet the price of my plan hasn’t changed once. Back when I did use upgrades wasn’t I supposed to be paying extra to cover the cost of my phone? And now that I’m on month-to-month wasn’t I supposed to get some kind of discount to account for the fact that I was no longer paying subsidies for a phone? Just curious if anybody else got some kind of discount when they switched from a contract to month-to-month. I switched about 2 years ago and the price never changed. Figured I'd ask here since there are probably a lot of people with UDPs on month-to-month here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your on a more everything plan u get a discount if u are on edge or have a device that has been paid off, or a contract was completed, but i believe its only for people on more everything
If you go into a Verizon store, they are actually pretty good about going through your bill/plan. They tell you all your options, even if it is detrimental to them. I went it with my brother, reworked his plan, and walked out paying less. They never once gave him a hard time.
the_rooter said:
If your on a more everything plan u get a discount if u are on edge or have a device that has been paid off, or a contract was completed, but i believe its only for people on more everything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on an older style Nationwide Talk & Text plan. They used to call me all the time trying to get me to switch and give up UDP, telling me I would save money, but I guess they gave up. Has anybody ever switched plans and kept UDP? I'm scared to make any changes to my plan for fear of losing unlimited.
ahaynes42 said:
I am on an older style Nationwide Talk & Text plan. They used to call me all the time trying to get me to switch and give up UDP, telling me I would save money, but I guess they gave up. Has anybody ever switched plans and kept UDP? I'm scared to make any changes to my plan for fear of losing unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think that if u make any data changes like from what u have to everything share plan u will lose the UDP
ahaynes42 said:
I am a grandfathered unlimited user on Verizon. I have not used an upgrade in years to keep my UDP, and have paid full price for my phones. Yet the price of my plan hasn’t changed once. Back when I did use upgrades wasn’t I supposed to be paying extra to cover the cost of my phone? And now that I’m on month-to-month wasn’t I supposed to get some kind of discount to account for the fact that I was no longer paying subsidies for a phone? Just curious if anybody else got some kind of discount when they switched from a contract to month-to-month. I switched about 2 years ago and the price never changed. Figured I'd ask here since there are probably a lot of people with UDPs on month-to-month here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No when you got the first phone you signed a 2 year contract that's what paid for the phone, when the 2 years was up everything stayed the same except the contract was over and you went month to month.
sinclac said:
No when you got the first phone you signed a 2 year contract that's what paid for the phone, when the 2 years was up everything stayed the same except the contract was over and you went month to month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What confuses me is that a lot of people around here have said that when you get a subsidized phone you pay extra for it in the contract. They say there are hidden fees that cover the cost of the phone over those 2 years. The cost of my plan is based off the average person who gets a $400 discount on their new phone every 2 years. With UDP, we can't upgrade at a discount so I am paying $600 for a new phone instead of $200. And I've been on month-to-month for at least 2 years now so they got 2 more years out of me without a contract all while paying contract price. Either way, it all comes down to paying this extra $400 every phone to keep unlimited when Verizon is trying everything in their power to get me to switch. That's a lot of money to have unlimited, but it's worth it.
ahaynes42 said:
What confuses me is that a lot of people around here have said that when you get a subsidized phone you pay extra for it in the contract. They say there are hidden fees that cover the cost of the phone over those 2 years. The cost of my plan is based off the average person who gets a $400 discount on their new phone every 2 years. With UDP, we can't upgrade at a discount so I am paying $600 for a new phone instead of $200. And I've been on month-to-month for at least 2 years now so they got 2 more years out of me without a contract all while paying contract price. Either way, it all comes down to paying this extra $400 every phone to keep unlimited when Verizon is trying everything in their power to get me to switch. That's a lot of money to have unlimited, but it's worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No you only pay the extra fee if you are on the edge plan like i am for my phone, then when the phone is paid off you no longer pay that.
My wife's 2 YR agreement just ended and we are paying the same amount as we did but we own the phone now.
Hey all,
I went out and got the at&t s6 yesterday and I hopped onto my wife's family plan. While there, they were successful in convincing me the AT&T Next payment plan is the way to go, compared to a 2 year contract.
Next: $23 monthly for phone, $15 monthly for service charge, $40 up front payment for tax.
2 year contract: $200 for phone, $40 monthly for 2 year contract, $40 one time initiation fee.
Doing the math in store convinced me that after 2 years is done in both situations, the Next plan was cheaper. However, I remember reading in the past that monthly payment plans are for suckers. Any ideas?
It's about convenience in my opinion. Not everyone has 684-784 for a new S6. $37/mo is a reasonable and usually unnoticeable. I also think you forgot to mention the $15 monthly smartphone service charge is $40 if you're on contract. It's a minute difference if any. The only way you got hosed is the locked bootloader. But this phone is golden. I don't miss root at all
eddiekang said:
Hey all,
I went out and got the at&t s6 yesterday and I hopped onto my wife's family plan. While there, they were successful in convincing me the AT&T Next payment plan is the way to go, compared to a 2 year contract.
Next: $23 monthly for phone, $15 monthly for service charge, $40 up front payment for tax.
2 year contract: $200 for phone, $40 monthly for 2 year contract, $40 one time initiation fee.
Doing the math in store convinced me that after 2 years is done in both situations, the Next plan was cheaper. However, I remember reading in the past that monthly payment plans are for suckers. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really depends on how long you keep your phones or if you want to be able to upgrade very often. If you keep your phone for more then 2 years then yes next is cheaper because once you pay it off then you will continue to pay $15/month instead of the $40/month if you signed a 2 year contract.
If you want to upgrade quicker then you need to choose the more expensive next plan so you can upgrade sooner.
eddiekang said:
Hey all,
I went out and got the at&t s6 yesterday and I hopped onto my wife's family plan. While there, they were successful in convincing me the AT&T Next payment plan is the way to go, compared to a 2 year contract.
Next: $23 monthly for phone, $15 monthly for service charge, $40 up front payment for tax.
2 year contract: $200 for phone, $40 monthly for 2 year contract, $40 one time initiation fee.
Doing the math in store convinced me that after 2 years is done in both situations, the Next plan was cheaper. However, I remember reading in the past that monthly payment plans are for suckers. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I calculated it out, you end up paying more for the phone when you switch to the Next plan, which is why they are trying to get people to switch.
I've dealt with them with this and they do everything they can to make it seem cheaper, but I don't buy it.
---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------
xeni said:
It really depends on how long you keep your phones or if you want to be able to upgrade very often. If you keep your phone for more then 2 years then yes next is cheaper because once you pay it off then you will continue to pay $15/month instead of the $40/month if you signed a 2 year contract.
If you want to upgrade quicker then you need to choose the more expensive next plan so you can upgrade sooner.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you ever pay the phone off, you just pay the monthly fee, until you hit the minimum amount to upgrade. However, it divides the full price of the phone over 30 months.
Also, you have to make sure the phone is perfect when you go to trade it in or else you will run into issues with them accepting the phone as part of your upgrade...
Edit: I read up a little bit more on it, they are offering discounts on data plans depending on if you have Next or not. I can see this maybe factoring into the pricing. I haven't priced it out since the first time I got asked to switch to a Next plan. The real advantage from the program is not being tied down to a 2 year contract.
Do you mind explaining the calculation? For me, it's
Next 30: 24 x 23 = 552 for the phone
15 x 24 = 360 service fee
~40 up front tax for the phone. Total after 24 months= 952
If i want to buy the phone outright after 24 months, i pay the difference on the phone which at that point would be 680-552 = 128.
952 + 128 = 1080 total after 2 years and i own the phone.
2 year contract: 40 x 24 = 960 monthly service fee
40 initiation fee + 200 subsidized phone cost= 240
960 + 240 = 1200 total after 2 years and i own the phone.
(This doesn't even include taxes throughout 2 years.)
What am I missing? Thanks for your replies.
yoman258 said:
When I calculated it out, you end up paying more for the phone when you switch to the Next plan, which is why they are trying to get people to switch.
I've dealt with them with this and they do everything they can to make it seem cheaper, but I don't buy it.
---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------
I don't think you ever pay the phone off, you just pay the monthly fee, until you hit the minimum amount to upgrade. However, it divides the full price of the phone over 30 months.
Also, you have to make sure the phone is perfect when you go to trade it in or else you will run into issues with them accepting the phone as part of your upgrade...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yoman258 said:
When I calculated it out, you end up paying more for the phone when you switch to the Next plan, which is why they are trying to get people to switch.
I've dealt with them with this and they do everything they can to make it seem cheaper, but I don't buy it.
---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------
I don't think you ever pay the phone off, you just pay the monthly fee, until you hit the minimum amount to upgrade. However, it divides the full price of the phone over 30 months.
Also, you have to make sure the phone is perfect when you go to trade it in or else you will run into issues with them accepting the phone as part of your upgrade...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said it really depends on what you want to do. I just got he Galaxy S6 (after upgrading from my M8 AT&T Next 12 and buying off the phone so I can resell it) on the AT&T next plan and this is how it works out, just like it did with the M8.
1. Instead of paying $40 a month per line I pay $15 so I save $25 on the monthly service plan.
2. If I choose the AT&T Next 12 (20 Payments of 34.25 = 685 + tax), I can make 12 payments and then upgrade after 12 payments and get a new phone and start a new payment plan depending on how much the phone is. Or I can choose to make the full 20 payments and keep the phone and maintain the $15/month line charge. Or I can pay off the entire phone at anytime and keep the $15/month charge.
3. If you buy this on contract it works out like this. 24 x $40 = $960 + 200 = $1160, and you continue to pay $40 a month after the 2 years.
4. If you buy this on AT&T Next 18 which allows you to pay it off over 2 years just like the contract term then it works out like this. 24 x $28.55 = 685.2+tax ~ 740 or so + 15/month x 24 = $1100, however after the 2 years are up you continue to pay $15/month and not $40 a month so if you keep your phone past the 2 year mark you are saving $25/month where as with the contract you wouldn't be.
eddiekang said:
Do you mind explaining the calculation? For me, it's
Next 30: 24 x 23 = 552 for the phone
15 x 24 = 360 service fee
~40 up front tax for the phone. Total after 24 months= 952
If i want to buy the phone outright after 24 months, i pay the difference on the phone which at that point would be 680-552 = 128.
952 + 128 = 1080 total after 2 years and i own the phone.
2 year contract: 40 x 24 = 960 monthly service fee
40 initiation fee + 200 subsidized phone cost= 240
960 + 240 = 1200 total after 2 years and i own the phone.
(This doesn't even include taxes throughout 2 years.)
What am I missing? Thanks for your replies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've hit the nail on the head. AT&T Next/Verizon Edge are legit. It's a reorganizing of costs. Instead of getting the phone at a massive discount and paying a higher amount on your bill, you are now paying more for the phone with monthly installments added to your bill in order to earn/retain a billing discount. If you calculate almost any phone with a 10gb or higher data plan, NEXT will save a minimum $140 every time.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
If you're on a mobile share plan, it definitely works out in your favor to use Next. Otherwise you're paying a premium for the service itself. I think it's compelling that once you've made your payments, your monthly bill goes down, whereas on 2 year, if you decide to hang on to your phone longer, you're paying to keep your device.
Next is cheaper for those that like to get their phones at launch price. If you wait for one of Amazon's $1 deals or Bestbuy deals, then the contract way is not so bad due to less money up front.
I've been trying to figure this out myself. They already signed me for the Next24, but I'm still within the time period to make a change. I'm not sure if the cost/benefit ratio works for me in my circumstances. Perhaps one of you guys that understands the voodoo can help me figure it out.
Let's take the 1G plan as an example. First, I'm going to examine the costs, then I want to ask for your help to understand the mechanics of the Next plan.
NOTE: Because of the different tie periods between the two plans, I adjusted the 2 year plan for another six months of cost to more accurately compare.
Next:
$25 - 1g Data
$40 - Voice
-$15 Discount
$50/month
$23.64 Phone Finance
= $2209 total ($1500 service plan cost for 30 months + $709.20 in phone payments)
2 Year Contract
$25 - 1g Data
$40 - Voice
$200 Phone
= $2190 total ($1950 in service plan costs for 30 months + $200 phone cost + $40 renewal/upgrade fee
There seems to be only about $20 difference between the two. What matters to me is what happens in the event I want to upgrade next April to a new phone with the Next plan, or what happens at the end of my Next contract.
Upgrade: My understanding is that in the event I want to upgrade to a newer phone in a year, I pay off the phone balance, turn in the phone and presuming it's in good condition, I get the latest-and-greatest. I can only do this once in any given Next plan, but if I do, there's a question about who owns the phone (see below).
Contract End: Who owns the phone? In the case of the traditional 2-year contract, I know that the phone is mine. But under the Next plan, if I get to the end of the 30 month period and have paid off the phone (whether I've upgraded or not), is it mine to keep or do I have to turn it in?
Once you make all the payment, the phone is yours. If you upgrade early without paying it off, they get the phone back as a trade in. You have to make a minimum number of payments before you can upgrade which I believe is based on which next program you choose. Course after you've had it a while you could then pay it off and upgrade. Would be better than paying all up front.
BillTheCat said:
I've been trying to figure this out myself. They already signed me for the Next24, but I'm still within the time period to make a change. I'm not sure if the cost/benefit ratio works for me in my circumstances. Perhaps one of you guys that understands the voodoo can help me figure it out.
Let's take the 1G plan as an example. First, I'm going to examine the costs, then I want to ask for your help to understand the mechanics of the Next plan.
NOTE: Because of the different tie periods between the two plans, I adjusted the 2 year plan for another six months of cost to more accurately compare.
Next:
$25 - 1g Data
$40 - Voice
-$15 Discount
$50/month
$23.64 Phone Finance
= $2209 total ($1500 service plan cost for 30 months + $709.20 in phone payments)
2 Year Contract
$25 - 1g Data
$40 - Voice
$200 Phone
= $2190 total ($1950 in service plan costs for 30 months + $200 phone cost + $40 renewal/upgrade fee
There seems to be only about $20 difference between the two. What matters to me is what happens in the event I want to upgrade next April to a new phone with the Next plan, or what happens at the end of my Next contract.
Upgrade: My understanding is that in the event I want to upgrade to a newer phone in a year, I pay off the phone balance, turn in the phone and presuming it's in good condition, I get the latest-and-greatest. I can only do this once in any given Next plan, but if I do, there's a question about who owns the phone (see below).
Contract End: Who owns the phone? In the case of the traditional 2-year contract, I know that the phone is mine. But under the Next plan, if I get to the end of the 30 month period and have paid off the phone (whether I've upgraded or not), is it mine to keep or do I have to turn it in?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
beaverslayer said:
Once you make all the payment, the phone is yours. If you upgrade early without paying it off, they get the phone back as a trade in. You have to make a minimum number of payments before you can upgrade which I believe is based on which next program you choose. Course after you've had it a while you could then pay it off and upgrade. Would be better than paying all up front.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so let's say I qualify for an upgrade at 12 months. If I upgrade to a new phone, I pay off the remaining balance, turn in the old phone (let's use the S6 as an example) and get a new phone to replace it, say it'll be the S7. Do I have to begin making payments on the new phone, or is it mine to keep?
BillTheCat said:
OK, so let's say I qualify for an upgrade at 12 months. If I upgrade to a new phone, I pay off the remaining balance, turn in the old phone (let's use the S6 as an example) and get a new phone to replace it, say it'll be the S7. Do I have to begin making payments on the new phone, or is it mine to keep?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's say you get the AT&T Next 12 which is 20 payments at $34.25 for the Galaxy S6. After 12 payments you can give back the S6 and get the S7 and the payments start over depending on which phone you pack along with which Next plan. If you keep the phone for the full 20 payments the phone becomes yours and you can keep it. Let's say you want to upgrade your phone after 10 payments (12 is minimum), then you would have to pay an additional 20 payments at 34.25 before you can upgrade your phone and give back the S6.
xeni said:
Let's say you get the AT&T Next 12 which is 20 payments at $34.25 for the Galaxy S6. After 12 payments you can give back the S6 and get the S7 and the payments start over depending on which phone you pack along with which Next plan. If you keep the phone for the full 20 payments the phone becomes yours and you can keep it. Let's say you want to upgrade your phone after 10 payments (12 is minimum), then you would have to pay an additional 20 payments at 34.25 before you can upgrade your phone and give back the S6.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, let's go with your scenario because I still have a week to change my mind.
What I hear you saying is that if I were to go with the Next 12 plan and upgrade at one year, it will look like this for an (imaginary) S7, presuming it will be the same price as this year's phone:
$411 for the S6 phone RENTAL FEE over the course of a year (because I'd be turning in the phone)
+ $685 for the cost of the S7 which would require a NEW F'n CONTRACT that resets all over for another 20 months of payments
= 1096 for a next generation phone that would retail for $685 on a straight purchase by the end of year two
I see no reason why anyone would want to bother. It would make more sense to just buy the phone outright from Amazon at a discount (because AT&T charges more - this is the only business I can think of where the retailers charge more than the manufacturer!) and keep the old phone as a backup or sell it on Ebay.
Do I have it right?
BillTheCat said:
Alright, let's go with your scenario because I still have a week to change my mind.
What I hear you saying is that if I were to go with the Next 12 plan and upgrade at one year, it will look like this for an (imaginary) S7, presuming it will be the same price as this year's phone:
$411 for the phone RENTAL FEE over the course of a year (because I'd be turning in the phone)
+ $685 for the cost of the S7 which would require a NEW F'n CONTRACT that resets all over for another 20 months of payments
= 1096 for a next generation phone that would retail for $685 on a straight purchase by the end of year two
I see no reason why anyone would want to bother. It would make more sense to just buy the phone outright from Amazon at a discount (because AT&T charges more - this is the only business I can think of where the retailers charge more than the manufacturer!) and keep the old phone as a backup or sell it on Ebay.
Do I have it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy out the phone today at $685 and then buy the S7 at $685 (presuming the price stays the same) then you are paying $1470 over the course of 1 year and you would be owning both handsets outright. When you make 12 payments at 34.25 and you want to upgrade you have the option of paying off the remainder of the loan (8 payments at 34.25) and keeping the phone so you are back at $1470.
Also good luck finding the phone on sale on Amazon for the forseable future and remember the more you wait the less months you have until S7 comes out. So if you wait until July for an S6 sale on Amazon you are now 3-4 months back and the phone is 3-4 months old meaning that you are $105-140 back on payments so technically the phone is only worth $545-580.
Either way you look at it, you are paying for the phone full price, whether you are buying it outright today or paying it off over 20 months (unless you give it back after 12 months and get a new phone and start a new payment plan).
BillTheCat said:
Alright, let's go with your scenario because I still have a week to change my mind.
What I hear you saying is that if I were to go with the Next 12 plan and upgrade at one year, it will look like this for an (imaginary) S7, presuming it will be the same price as this year's phone:
$411 for the S6 phone RENTAL FEE over the course of a year (because I'd be turning in the phone)
+ $685 for the cost of the S7 which would require a NEW F'n CONTRACT that resets all over for another 20 months of payments
= 1096 for a next generation phone that would retail for $685 on a straight purchase by the end of year two
I see no reason why anyone would want to bother. It would make more sense to just buy the phone outright from Amazon at a discount (because AT&T charges more - this is the only business I can think of where the retailers charge more than the manufacturer!) and keep the old phone as a backup or sell it on Ebay.
Do I have it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are getting what you are paying for. You are buying on a payment plan. You wouldn't go out and buy a new car this year with 60 months of payment ahead of you and trade it in after one year and not expect to loose money in the deal now would you. You are making the decision to trade it in before it's paid for, not AT&T.
---------- Post added at 05:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------
I've always heard the cheapest way to get a phone ls to sign a 2 year contract then go home and call AT&T and say you want to do an early termination which cost roughly $350, which means you at out about $550 and get to keep the phone.
beaverslayer said:
Once you make all the payment, the phone is yours. If you upgrade early without paying it off, they get the phone back as a trade in. You have to make a minimum number of payments before you can upgrade which I believe is based on which next program you choose. Course after you've had it a while you could then pay it off and upgrade. Would be better than paying all up front.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking that's what I'll do. I guess I'll ride it out and see what the landscape looks like next year.
xeni said:
If you buy out the phone today at $685 and then buy the S7 at $685 (presuming the price stays the same) then you are paying $1470 over the course of 1 year and you would be owning both handsets outright. When you make 12 payments at 34.25 and you want to upgrade you have the option of paying off the remainder of the loan (8 payments at 34.25) and keeping the phone so you are back at $1470.
Either way you look at it, you are paying for the phone full price, whether you are buying it outright today or paying it off over 20 months (unless you give it back after 12 months and get a new phone and start a new payment plan).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it just seems that $411 for one year's use seems a tad steep considering for a couple hundred more, you can use it forever. Though there is the benefit of the lower pricing on the Next plan compared to the 2 year contract.
beaverslayer said:
You are getting what you are paying for. You are buying on a payment plan. You wouldn't go out and buy a new car this year with 60 months of payment ahead of you and trade it in after one year and not expect to loose money in the deal now would you. You are making the decision to trade it in before it's paid for, not AT&T.
---------- Post added at 05:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------
I've always heard the cheapest way to get a phone ls to sign a 2 year contract then go home and call AT&T and say you want to do an early termination which cost roughly $350, which means you at out about $550 and get to keep the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An interesting strategy. I might consider it, but it seems 'dishonest' in some strange way. And I'm sure there will be repurcussions, I wonder what the chance of getting a new plan might be after cancelling another one.
BillTheCat said:
I'm thinking that's what I'll do. I guess I'll ride it out and see what the landscape looks like next year.
I guess it just seems that $411 for one year's use seems a tad steep considering for a couple hundred more, you can use it forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can buy it out for the remainder of the balance, you don't have to give it back if you pay it off. After 12 months you have a few choice, either give it back and get a new one, buy out the remainder of the balance or continue your payments until you have it completely paid off and it is yours to keep.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using XDA Free mobile app
BillTheCat said:
I'm thinking that's what I'll do. I guess I'll ride it out and see what the landscape looks like next year.
I guess it just seems that $411 for one year's use seems a tad steep considering for a couple hundred more, you can use it forever. Though there is the benefit of the lower pricing on the Next plan compared to the 2 year contract.
An interesting strategy. I might consider it, but it seems 'dishonest' in some strange way. And I'm sure there will be repurcussions, I wonder what the chance of getting a new plan might be after cancelling another one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not dishonest at all. That's a reason they have ETF. You won't need a new contract. You shouldn't want one either. You'll be paying for the service month to month as people do when their contracts expire.
It's actually brilliant and I'm an idiot for not thinking of it myself
DigitalUnderground said:
Not dishonest at all. That's a reason they have ETF. You won't need a new contract. You shouldn't want one either. You'll be paying for the service month to month as people do when their contracts expire.
It's actually brilliant and I'm an idiot for not thinking of it myself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would worry that they might not start new service with you if you were to cancel, even if you did pay the ETF.
I suppose I could just change my Next 24 plan to a Next 12, accelerating the payments, pay the 'balloon' at a year to own the phone, and see what things look like at that point. It seems there's no point in buying the phone from the carrier anymore.