cell phone plan question - do I have any options here?

[NTB]

At the moment I have a talk-only plan with ATT/Cingular, the contract for which is up in August, so I've been keeping my eyes open for something just to see what's available. I've also considered upgrading to some sort of talk/data/messaging plan (still with ATT) and getting a smartphone like Samsung's Blackjack II; the PDA features would be useful for work.

Today while I was out running some errands, I found just such a plan, and a good deal on the blackjack to boot. But I'm not sure if I can do anything yet. So, *can* I do something now, or am I stuck waiting until August to avoid breaking the existing contract?

Nathan

 

[pm]

You didn't mention what carrier the new plan and deal is - although I presume it's AT&T. Recently AT&T announced that they are pro-rating the early termination $175 fee. So if your contract is up in August, you'd be looking at about $75 to cancel it now... which is still a lot, I know.

Talk to AT&T - see if they can work something out for you.

 

[NTB]

both plans are indeed from AT&T. I'll probably call them next week and see what I can do; I just wanted to see if anybody here knew anything in the mean time.

Nathan

 

[NTB]

Looks like the new pro-rating policy starts tomorrow: What if I change my mind?

'pro-rating' = $5 less for every month you stay on the plan. So If I wait a week or two and cancel in June, that would knock the original $175 down to $65. Not great, but still better than the full fee

Nathan

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Most likely they will give you the phone for the subsidy price with a 2 year contract. They wont make you terminate early and resign. Just go into a store and ask. Most sales people will do this because they get to add a new contract to their records.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I'd be very reluctant to buy into the current generation of phones, everyone is coming out with an iPhone clone or iPhone inspired device this fall.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I'd be very reluctant to buy into the current generation of phones, everyone is coming out with an iPhone clone or iPhone inspired device this fall.

If I wait that long, I'll have no phone My cell is the only phone I've got; I didn't have a land-line put in when I moved into my apartment. Besides, I already have an MP3 player.

Nathan

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: NTB
Looks like the new pro-rating policy starts tomorrow: What if I change my mind?

'pro-rating' = $5 less for every month you stay on the plan. So If I wait a week or two and cancel in June, that would knock the original $175 down to $65. Not great, but still better than the full fee

Nathan

Wrong. The new policy only applies to new contracts started on or after 5/25/2008. Existing contracts are still going by their own ETFs.


If the contract is up in August, then at worst you'd be eligible for upgrade 3 months prior to that, or May. In some cases you might even be eligible earlier than that. Simply login to My Wireless on the ATT wireless website, and click "Upgrade phone" and it'll tell you if you're eligible, and what prices you can get on phones.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: NTB
Looks like the new pro-rating policy starts tomorrow: What if I change my mind?

'pro-rating' = $5 less for every month you stay on the plan. So If I wait a week or two and cancel in June, that would knock the original $175 down to $65. Not great, but still better than the full fee

Nathan

Wrong. The new policy only applies to new contracts started on or after 5/25/2008. Existing contracts are still going by their own ETFs.


If the contract is up in August, then at worst you'd be eligible for upgrade 3 months prior to that, or May. In some cases you might even be eligible earlier than that. Simply login to My Wireless on the ATT wireless website, and click "Upgrade phone" and it'll tell you if you're eligible, and what prices you can get on phones.

OK - thanks for clearing that up. I was looking at ATT's site the other day; I'll have to go back and look again.

EDIT according to ATT's site:

This line is eligible for equipment discount pricing when you sign up for a 2-year service agreement. You can also take advantage of our no-commitment pricing option.

So...if I chose the phone and a new / modified plan, would that plan replace my existing one, or would I be paying for both of them until the old one is up in august?

Nathan

 

[onlyCOpunk]

It would replace your existing contract. Extended your current contract another 2 years from the date you purchase your new phone.

 

[Sphexi]

If you purchase a new phone at a discounted price, then the contract is extended by 2 years. If you pay full price for the phone, no contract extension. Rate plan change by itself, also no contract extension.