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View Full Version : Early Termination Fee Bumped Up per AT&T


Jeff Campbell
10-08-2010, 01:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/10/07/upgrades.now.cost.another.125.for.smartphones/' target='_blank'>http://www.electronista.com/article...or.smartphones/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"AT&amp;T has hiked its pricing structure for customers who want to upgrade smartphones ahead of schedule. Although customers previously could obtain a new device for the standard two-year price plus $75, the new rules now fetch the two-year price plus $200."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1263310440.usr105634.jpg" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-right: 170px;" /></p><p>You can find the memo posted over at Boy Genius Report [<a href="http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/10/07/atts-early-upgrade-smartphone-program-detailed-spoiler-they-made-it-125-more-expensive/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed:+TheBoyGeniusReport+(Boy+Genius+Report)&amp;utm_content=Google+Reader" target="_blank">link</a>], but it basically says they have to do it to provide the best selection possible due to the cost increases for smartphones as they become more and more sophisticated. If you own one of the basic phones you can still qualify for the $75.00 USD early termination fee pricing however. Sounds like maybe they are getting ready for the rumored Verizon iPhone and expect their customers to jump ship when it happens? Or it could be just that AT&amp;T is keeping up with what others charge, Verizon for example charges a $350.00 USD termination fee so this is a bargain. What are your thoughts?</p>

Brad Adrian
10-09-2010, 03:02 AM
I ran across something similar tothis just the other day, except it relates to an early upgrade and NOT early termination. I found myself next to an Apple store, so I stepped in just to find out what it would cost to upgrade to an iPhone 4 a few months before my true upgrade date. I was ASTONISHED when the employee pointed to the price tag on the demo iPhone and said, "Just add $200 to the 'new customer' price you see on the sticker."

I realize how the competitive world of mobile phones works, but GEE WHIZ, that is a CRAZY policy if their goal is to retain customers. But let's face it: Apple isn't exactly known for pricing policies that make sense, is it?