Today I was unhappy to see that AT&T is raising insurance and deductible rates, significantly starting I believe the flyer said October 1st.
Old pricing:
$4.99/mo
$125 deductible
New pricing:
$6.99/mo
$199 deductible
Anyone else ditching their insurance?
Interesting rant on the AT&T forums about the iPhone insurance:
"I have just recently purchased an iPhone 3GS and procured insurance through Asurion. My bill: $11.99/month - $99/deduct - 24hr delivery.
As of September of 2011, ALL iPhone users will be forced to convert to AT&T's "new" iPhone insurance plan, (equal to that of Asurion's current coverage) if they want desirable coverage (including theft and water damage). The only problem with that is this: in October of 2011, the monthly rate will INCREASE from $4.99 to $6.99 and the deductible will be $199.99 for ALL iPhone models, even those that were not previously in the third tier (3G and 3GS). So, not only does AT&T have the audacity to raise their rates in an economically troubled time, they also slap us in the face before they bend us over with the $199.99 deduct when it was originally just under half of that.
I am very displeased with this insurance scam AT&T has going. It is ridiculous that we have to keep paying MORE for the same crappy and under-educated service we've been dealing with for years. I have been an AT&T wireless customer since I got my first cell phone and have not been with another carrier, but what choice do we have if we want the "best". Well, this could very well be my last venture with AT&T, if something isn't done about this insurance scam. I' expect to pay something for a refurb replacement, but not 2/3 of the retail value (again, for a refurb) when I also pay the monthly fee.
Insurance Scam Equation:
iPhone 3GS in-store retail (new) - $449
iPhone 3GS online retail (refurb) - from $300
12 months insurance (under 12 month factory warranty) - $84
iPhone deductible - $199
$199
+$84
-------
$283
$283 replacement with insurance.
$300 replacement without insurance.
So what's the deal here... or better yet, WHERE'S the deal? I'm saving a measly $17 dollars by paying monthly to AT&T for more headache than ever needed, especially when I can go buy one over the net with no headaches (next day shipping available) for the same price.... It would be more worth it if it was a NEW phone and not a refurb, but in almost all cases you're going to get a refurb. Sorry AT&T, I just don't get it. The only way this would ever be worth it is if I was to break my phone twice in 12 months, then I'd be saving a little more, but not enough to have any real meaning."
Also you can see the following:
http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/12/att-raises-iphone-device-tier-on-october-4th-perhaps-signaling-launch-date/
This may not be all AT&T either from what I'm reading. I wonder how much of it is Asurion Insurance. I for one will be ditching coverage on my phone and my wife's phone. We'll keep the lower insurance for the kids phones though!
gzrecoil said:
Today I was unhappy to see that AT&T is raising insurance and deductible rates, significantly starting I believe the flyer said October 1st.
Old pricing:
$4.99/mo
$125 deductible
New pricing:
$6.99/mo
$199 deductible
Anyone else ditching their insurance?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea complete $h1t, dropped my insurance. Everyone else should, maybe they'l move it back.
People probably bricking more phones than they anticipated!
mysticdrew said:
People probably bricking more phones than they anticipated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Truth
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Pay full price for phones. I bet you don't need insurance then. Or get through your own insurance. About a year ago I priced it and it was a little over $80 for a year coverage and $50 deductible. But that was about a year ago.
Sent from the coolest voided warranty phone ever.
Best Buy's is $9.99 per month, but with no deductible. It doesn't cover theft or "sub-merged" water damage but it covers pretty much everything else.
I prefer it because of the no deductible.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
I'm going to start "losing" my phone. According to my friend who is a district manager of att stores in my area, if you report your phone "lost," not stolen, they will send you a brand new phone as opposed to a refurbished one. You can report a phone lost twice a year. So figure, lose it, sell on craigslist, make $100 or so, get a new phone...repeat. I felt bad at first, but now hearing about this I feel as though its justified. An eye for an eye
cmccollough said:
I'm going to start "losing" my phone. According to my friend who is a district manager of att stores in my area, if you report your phone "lost," not stolen, they will send you a brand new phone as opposed to a refurbished one. You can report a phone lost twice a year. So figure, lose it, sell on craigslist, make $100 or so, get a new phone...repeat. I felt bad at first, but now hearing about this I feel as though its justified. An eye for an eye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and this is where everybody should thank you for feeling bad at first and then not.
cmccollough said:
I'm going to start "losing" my phone. According to my friend who is a district manager of att stores in my area, if you report your phone "lost," not stolen, they will send you a brand new phone as opposed to a refurbished one. You can report a phone lost twice a year. So figure, lose it, sell on craigslist, make $100 or so, get a new phone...repeat. I felt bad at first, but now hearing about this I feel as though its justified. An eye for an eye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disgusting.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
It may depend on how much you owe on breaking contract. The reality is if you have to fork out cash for a new phone you may as well go to another carrier and purchase a new phone......giving a free phone can keep them from losing a customer. Especially if they are giving you a new phone (same model) which is something you owned for 1.5 years that has depreciated in value anyways.
Yet for repairs and theft its better off to force the OEM to fix with warranty.... or fill out legal paperwork for reporting stolen property. In either of these cases its better to let ATT stand back and let somebody else fix the problem.
I have spoken with account cancellation services at ATT many times with the intention of striking a deal by merely pointing (politely) out the cost of going to another carrier is less than my current options....they are always willing to accomodate.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
cmccollough said:
I'm going to start "losing" my phone. According to my friend who is a district manager of att stores in my area, if you report your phone "lost," not stolen, they will send you a brand new phone as opposed to a refurbished one. You can report a phone lost twice a year. So figure, lose it, sell on craigslist, make $100 or so, get a new phone...repeat. I felt bad at first, but now hearing about this I feel as though its justified. An eye for an eye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know that's insurance fraud right?
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
cmccollough said:
I'm going to start "losing" my phone. According to my friend who is a district manager of att stores in my area, if you report your phone "lost," not stolen, they will send you a brand new phone as opposed to a refurbished one. You can report a phone lost twice a year. So figure, lose it, sell on craigslist, make $100 or so, get a new phone...repeat. I felt bad at first, but now hearing about this I feel as though its justified. An eye for an eye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why our rates are going up.... thanks alot!!!
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
I wonder if this is related to the [potential] eventual AT&T-sanctioned unlocking of the Atrix bootloader?
I think it may also be due to the fact that an lte ATRIX is likely on the way...perhaps a launch phone for AT&T lte... would basicly be a cut/paste of the bionic.
Makes sense, once lte launches on AT&T any lte phone will also do hspa +... I expect it by the end of the year. And all of the people that purchased the original ATRIX may begin looking for a way out/upgrade....etc
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
CaelanT said:
Interesting rant on the AT&T forums about the iPhone insurance:
"I have just recently purchased an iPhone 3GS and procured insurance through Asurion. My bill: $11.99/month - $99/deduct - 24hr delivery.
As of September of 2011, ALL iPhone users will be forced to convert to AT&T's "new" iPhone insurance plan, (equal to that of Asurion's current coverage) if they want desirable coverage (including theft and water damage). The only problem with that is this: in October of 2011, the monthly rate will INCREASE from $4.99 to $6.99 and the deductible will be $199.99 for ALL iPhone models, even those that were not previously in the third tier (3G and 3GS). So, not only does AT&T have the audacity to raise their rates in an economically troubled time, they also slap us in the face before they bend us over with the $199.99 deduct when it was originally just under half of that.
I am very displeased with this insurance scam AT&T has going. It is ridiculous that we have to keep paying MORE for the same crappy and under-educated service we've been dealing with for years. I have been an AT&T wireless customer since I got my first cell phone and have not been with another carrier, but what choice do we have if we want the "best". Well, this could very well be my last venture with AT&T, if something isn't done about this insurance scam. I' expect to pay something for a refurb replacement, but not 2/3 of the retail value (again, for a refurb) when I also pay the monthly fee.
Insurance Scam Equation:
iPhone 3GS in-store retail (new) - $449
iPhone 3GS online retail (refurb) - from $300
12 months insurance (under 12 month factory warranty) - $84
iPhone deductible - $199
$199
+$84
-------
$283
$283 replacement with insurance.
$300 replacement without insurance.
So what's the deal here... or better yet, WHERE'S the deal? I'm saving a measly $17 dollars by paying monthly to AT&T for more headache than ever needed, especially when I can go buy one over the net with no headaches (next day shipping available) for the same price.... It would be more worth it if it was a NEW phone and not a refurb, but in almost all cases you're going to get a refurb. Sorry AT&T, I just don't get it. The only way this would ever be worth it is if I was to break my phone twice in 12 months, then I'd be saving a little more, but not enough to have any real meaning."
Also you can see the following:
http://9to5mac.com/2011/07/12/att-raises-iphone-device-tier-on-october-4th-perhaps-signaling-launch-date/
This may not be all AT&T either from what I'm reading. I wonder how much of it is Asurion Insurance. I for one will be ditching coverage on my phone and my wife's phone. We'll keep the lower insurance for the kids phones though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1st The replacement is not a refurb but a new device (Iphones).
2nd It is Asurion, as the current coverage is $11.99 through them.And the deductible is actually $199 already with Mobile Protect. So for the IPhone it is actually lowering in price , SIGNIFICANTLY!!
3rd the 12 month warranty does not cover Loss/Theft. Lose your phone 3 months after purchasing it. What options do you have??
Of course the 3g/3gs are bit tough due to then original cost BUT for the IPhone 4 it is better than $450 to do an Early Upgrade and that is only after 6 months from upgrading/activating.
4th You always have the option of finding your own coverage through a 3rd party not affiliated with Asurion and AT&T (i.e State farm or Square Trade.)
BTW The insurance monthly rate will be $6.99 for all devices starting Oct. 1st. same $50 deductile for basic devices, $125 for advanced devices and $199 for IPhones.
Not to ruffle feathers of any kind but just wanted to clarify this.
Hey, does this count as a material change to the contract? i.e. get out of contract free?
Bruincdc said:
BTW The insurance monthly rate will be $6.99 for all devices starting Oct. 1st. same $50 deductile for basic devices, $125 for advanced devices and $199 for IPhones.
Not to ruffle feathers of any kind but just wanted to clarify this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got off the phone with AT&T Enterprise. The date for insurance change is October 4th, not October 1st. Also, this will not be limited to the iPhone regarding the tier change. The AT&T system does not yet show which phones will change to tier 3, but this information will be available on or before October 4th. So, it could be very likely the Atrix along with other smartphones will be added to the new tier.
http://mobileprotectionpack.att.com/pricing-enrollment.html
Also not trying to ruffle feathers.............just clarifying on an incorrect clarification!
Instead of the "insurance fraud route" *rolls eyes*
It would probably be much better to look into something like Squaretrade. They constantly float 30% discounts around.
Current code today is SUMMER ... (Max discount $30 per warranty)
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
I thought without insurance to cost to replace a phone is the full non-contract price. If so, that $283 vs $300 comparison is incorrect.
Related
Much easier to throw this all in one spot than to try to compile all the various threads. New info as of 5/27/10!
-Preorders are no longer being taken at Radioshack due to inventory constraints. IE: demand was starting to exceed quantity
-The occasional store (non-mall stores) is opening at 6am; check your local area to find out which are opening early and at what times.
-Activation will most likely not be a simple in-out process. Expect to be in the store roughly 30 minutes.
-Don't forget the phone requires a Data plan and a $10 Premium Data service in order to be activated! Sprint's Hotspot add-on is discounted to $29.99 as well.
-Most stores should have the device in-store in advance of the release date, so our worries about stock are allieved. Even if a store is out of stock, we will most likely not be able to call another store and have a phone placed on hold due to demand, BUT it may be able to be Direct2U'd, which is a method of ordering.
-Accessories at launch will be limited to chargers (generic and iGo), screen protectors, and some locations will have Zagg's Screen Protector (not full body). Evo-specific accessories will be available throughout the month of June.
-Pre-order customers will be offered 15% off accessories from 6am to whenever the store would normally open (usually 9am), and everyone else will be offered 10% from 9am through normal business hours. This stacks with the $20 credit (though neither are available on the phone itself, even though the credit can be used on anything else in the store) and is only available through close-of-business June 4th.
-Radioshack Service Plans on the HTC Evo will be lowered from $124.99 to 99.99 through June 6th, and covers everything it always has, namely:
+Wear and Tear
+Light Corrosion
+Speaker Damage
+Screen Outages
+Dead Pixels
+Battery Replacement once per year (excellent value)
+In-Store Replacement of up to four same-ticket accessories
Just keep in mind this is a warranty, not insurance. As such, it does not cover lost, stolen, broken, or water damage claims.
Luckily, none of this is classified information, so I can share it freely with all of you Ask any question you feel necessary, and I'll keep this updated if anything changes~
I also wouldn't be surprised if Sprint has server issues as well (on launch day/morning), just to really slow things down. It will make it more,.... lets just say memorable.
zone23 said:
I also wouldn't be surprised if Sprint has server issues as well, just to really slow things down. It will make it more,.... lets just say memorable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could see that... I don't think it'd be as bad as AT&T with the iPhone, though. It might be down for just the one day, if at all. Cross your fingers XD
is best buy still taking pre-orders?
Wow.. im glad i pre-order mines yesterday.. because i was going to wait to today.
EDIT: Sorry i was wrong.. the $50 dollas go towards your phone when it gets release
YoungAceAtlanta said:
Wow.. im glad i pre-order mines yesterday.. because i was going to wait to today.
But about the $20 gift card. my radio shack gave me a $50 giftcard. towards any accessories for the evo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a $20 accessory credit they give you at time of purchase (evo pickup) and the gift card is used towards the EVO 4G Purchase price (because you paid $50 for it).
wildcard said:
is best buy still taking pre-orders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure
drewX2 said:
Its a $20 accessory credit they give you at time of purchase (evo pickup) and the gift card is used towards the EVO 4G Purchase price (because you paid $50 for it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh i see now. i thought they give you the giftcard before.
wildcard said:
is best buy still taking pre-orders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im pretty sure they are...however for the 2nd shipment of phones now..which would come in on june 9th i think
YoungAceAtlanta said:
Wow.. im glad i pre-order mines yesterday.. because i was going to wait to today.
But about the $20 gift card. my radio shack gave me a $50 giftcard. towards any accessories for the evo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir, I believe they took your 50 dollars as a deposit on the phone and in return gave you a 50 dollar gift card. They also gave you a 20 dollar bonus towards any accessory of your choosing, but the gift card was actually the money you put towards the deposit.
YoungAceAtlanta said:
Wow.. im glad i pre-order mines yesterday.. because i was going to wait to today.
But about the $20 gift card. my radio shack gave me a $50 giftcard. towards any accessories for the evo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The $50 gift card is for the preorder itself. Instead of keeping your money like GameSTOP, for example, we give you a gift card so that we still have a guarantee you'll come back. Same principle, different execution. The $50 you can use toward the phone, while the $20 can only be used on accessories.
Xenithflare said:
The $50 gift card is for the preorder itself. Instead of keeping your money like GameSTOP, for example, we give you a gift card so that we still have a guarantee you'll come back. Same principle, different execution. The $50 you can use toward the phone, while the $20 can only be used on accessories.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everytime i had pre-order from gamestop or anything else. they always took the money and just took your name and address
YoungAceAtlanta said:
Everytime i had pre-order from gamestop or anything else. they always took the money and just took your name and address
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yeah. Same concept, like other people have explained while I was occupied here at work Only instead of keeping your money, we give it to you on a gift card. You have to spend it with Radioshack, regardless, so it works out the same
I think pre-ordering is coming to a close rapidly. I would say if you haven't pre-order as of yesterday or this morning @ RS your only shot is the Sprint store if you want it on the 4th.
zone23 said:
I think pre-ordering is coming to a close rapidly. I would say if you haven't pre-order as of yesterday or this morning @ RS your only shot is the Sprint store if you want it on the 4th.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If anyone else is accepting preorders, the latest it'll be is the 31st, just so they have numbers in order before they start shipping to stores. Though as I said, Radioshack CAN order the Evo if they happen to be out of stock in the store. Ask and find out~
Xenithflare said:
-Radioshack Service Plans on the HTC Evo will be lowered from $124.99 to 99.99 through June 6th, and covers everything it always has, namely:
+Wear and Tear
+Light Corrosion
+Speaker Damage
+Screen Outages
+Dead Pixels
+Battery Replacement once per year (excellent value)
+In-Store Replacement of up to four same-ticket accessories
Just keep in mind this is a warranty, not insurance. As such, it does not cover lost, stolen, broken, or water damage claims.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me more about this service plan? Does it cover 1yr, 2yr, or as long as you own the handset?
Any deductible?
apexi350z said:
Can you tell me more about this service plan? Does it cover 1yr, 2yr, or as long as you own the handset?
Any deductible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RS Service plan sucks why not just get TEP from sprint? I know its 7 bucks a month plus $100 replacement but it covers it even if its stolen. You can't beet that.
probably can sell my pre order slot to someone that's waiting outside for one.
apexi350z said:
Can you tell me more about this service plan? Does it cover 1yr, 2yr, or as long as you own the handset?
Any deductible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It covers two years (life of the contract), and all you pay is the price of the plan. No deductible or anything.
zone23 said:
RS Service plan sucks why not just get TEP from sprint? I know its 7 bucks a month plus $100 replacement but it covers it even if its stolen. You can't beet that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The insurance does have its place, that doesn't mean it's a bad idea. If you have a history of having phones go bad, it's a cheaper alternative. If you're worried about it being stolen or lost, or dropping it in water.... honestly you should probably get a different phone XD But really, insurance is good for those things, provided you don't mind paying $168 over the course of your plan, plus the $100 deductible.
The downside to the RS plan is that it's a send-off to repair (except for the accessory and battery replacement), so if you don't have a back-up phone, it might not be the best for you since we don't use loaners. So there you go, a direct comparison. Both are good, in different circumstances. I've seen the warranty do wonders for lots of customers, and I've seen it be worthless.
I just called the RS I pre-ordered at and was told:
1. They have stopped taking pre-orders since the close of business day yesterday (May 27th). He also said that most stores were limited to 20 pre-orders.
2. They are opening at 6:00AM sharp (this is a full store, not a kiosk) and stock may be limited to 2-4 phones more than pre-ordered!
3. He was not sure about the $10 or $15 discount for accessories (DUBious, who is a Houston, TX Radio Shack employee, has reported an additional 10% off accessories for people arriving between 6-9AM).
I noticed that the tone of the employee I talked to was much more serious today than my previous calls (yes, I bug them a lot! ). Maybe the scope of how big this is going to be is starting to dawn on some of them now that news is coming down from corporate?
Assuming that we stick with the fad here - the Epic 4g will be $199 on first line contract pricing. Do you all think its safe to assume the $599.99 price tag for a full retail price?
I'm curious because I will most likely make this my next phone the day it is rooted and don't have an upgrade to use on it.
Before I decide, I wan't to see Quadrant/linpac/benchmark Pi scores before I buy - I have every suspicion that it will beat/match everything else on the market with the GPU it has in it. SuperAMOLED will be nice as well.
why pay retail? Just get someone you know who worships an iphone to buy one on contract. Have them end the contract the next day (pay the $200 ETF) and give them the $400 to cover their cost. Save yourself $200. Never understood why these phones have inflated prices on ebay and stuff. When i was low on cash last year, i did this repeatedly and got hundreds a week on craigslist. There are so many ways to legally make money in this world for those that want it. If you don't, somebody else will. I could write a book with the crap I've learned through the years.
orateam said:
why pay retail? Just get someone you know who worships an iphone to buy one on contract. Have them end the contract the next day (pay the $200 ETF) and give them the $400 to cover their cost. Save yourself $200. Never understood why these phones have inflated prices on ebay and stuff. When i was low on cash last year, i did this repeatedly and got hundreds a week on craigslist. There are so many ways to legally make money in this world for those that want it. If you don't, somebody else will. I could write a book with the crap I've learned through the years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't you have to pay the deposit and I'm pretty sure you have to pay the first months bill even if you cancel out.. that's about $125 for the deposit and likely about $120 or so for the first month.
no deposit on a contract phone. If you cancel the next day, at worst, you'll pay pro-rated amount of contract (69+10)/30 or about $2.60.
orateam said:
no deposit on a contract phone. If you cancel the next day, at worst, you'll pay pro-rated amount of contract (69+10)/30 or about $2.60.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true, I almost went for the HTC Hero back in November and I paid the $125 deposit. It depends on your credit, I have zero.
Yet somehow I still have a 680 dollar bill at Verizon for 2 BB Storm 2's I bought and returned within my 30 days...I am taking them to court over it. Either way.
I don't mind paying retail for it, just curious what it is going to be.
Kcarpenter said:
I am taking them to court over it.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope you get lots of money from them for their stupidity. You should get more then just the refunded $680, they should pay all the legal fees and plus extra for wasting your time.
Retail for all (high end) Sprint PDAs should be $450 for the time being. EVO, Blackberry Bold, the Epic.
theres alot of talk of switching from this phone to that, but how do they do it? My dad has always handled the purchasing and contract stuff with tmobile, so i dont know. Theoretically if i wanted to switch from my vib to the G2 (NEVER!), would i just sell my vibrant and buy the G2 at full price?
note: this is just an example, G2's are stupid (for me)
Buying the phone outright, at least on T-Mobile, will give you cheaper rates. Part of your monthly bill is to pay back the difference between what the carrier paid for the phone and the discounted price they sold it to you for. For example, my Evo cost Sprint about $450 to buy it from HTC, however in exchange for a higher bill, they can sell it to me for $200 and make back the money about halfway into my contract. Like I said, I think only T-Mobile will give you lower rates if you choose not to buy the phone at a discounted price from them.
So yes, people usually buy them outright or they buy them for cheap off of friends or idiots on craigslist. If you do the math, most of the time it would cost you less to buy the phone for the full price if it means lower service cost. But most people want instant gratification and think...well they don't think lol.
A job helps. I buy my phones outright because the get more plus plan does not give upgrades, but over the long term, it saves money.
me i actually wait until the store is closed and "let myself in" and its usually a alot of phones out on display.
If you did not buy the phone outright (i.e. as an upgrade for cheap), and wanted to sell it and buy a different phone used, would that cause a problem for your account? Or would it just be as easy as logging into your T-Mobile account and selected a different device for "my phone"?
Terrier Hockey said:
If you did not buy the phone outright (i.e. as an upgrade for cheap), and wanted to sell it and buy a different phone used, would that cause a problem for your account? Or would it just be as easy as logging into your T-Mobile account and selected a different device for "my phone"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you pay for it, it's yours. You can do whatever the hell you want with it. Sell it, destroy it, whatever. As long as T-Mobile's getting their money, it doesn't matter.
dligon said:
me i actually wait until the store is closed and "let myself in" and its usually a alot of phones out on display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DEBO! lmao
IMHO, I'd say once a year is more than sufficient to upgrade your phone in terms of the technological jumps. Anymore than that seems like a waste of money. No one says you have to keep upgrading, its just a matter or preference. If you find a phone you love and works for you, stick with it. If you love having the cutting edge stuff and its worth it to you to spend the money, then by all means, spend spend spend.
a job and full price. lol. i haven't had a contract with tmob for like 4 years anyway...
but then again, i went from a g1 to the vibrant, but i typically get a new phone once a year. had a bb curve, wanted android and got the g1, cm wasn't cutting it on the g1 anymore, so i got the vibrant, when a substantially better phone comes out (dual core, better screen, honeycomb, etc), or the vibrant just isn't working for me i'll get a new one (likely the former).
that or my wife needs a new phone (she has a cliq...), so i may pawn my vibrant off on her and grab an sgs2 or vibrant 4g.
I have enormous piles of money all over my mansion. That's how.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
If you don't have any connections, then the best way is to go on T-mobile's cheap plans and then buy the phones used from a site like ebay or craigslist.
The typical cost for a new-ish smart phone is going to be right around $300... so you are paying more than the $200-with-contract price that T-mobile charges.... but you break even on the extra cost in 5-6 months by avoiding the extra monthly cost for service on a contract (since you buy the phone without signing up for a contract).
You can also usually sell the old phone for ~$100 after you unlock it, and put that money towards your next upgrade.
Right now, I plan to see how the battery life on the dual core phones goes. If battery life is improved, then I will shoot for device running "Ice cream" or whatever comes after honeycomb.
If battery life still sucks, then I will keep my Vibrant (and the 3 spare batteries I have for it) in the short term and keep an eye out for cheaper plans
Im in a college town and I can get things cheap off craigslist. I bought my second vibrant for 120 brand new with accessories. Just got an hd7 for 150 and ive bought 4 hd2 plus a couple broken ones from 40-150.
Key to buying phone monthly is patients, checking craigslist every couple hrs, and lowballing. I love to see a listing up for a couple days because its usually the green light.
Every phone i buy i usually see for 2x what I paid for.
Ive been living off my first real phones tmobile mda, samsung blackjack, and moto milestone. Ive been selling and buying since my mda. I try not to use my own money.
And all but not least I dont care for light cosmetic issues, thats what silicon cases are for.
imitebewrong said:
I have enormous piles of money all over my mansion. That's how.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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Lol
Sent from my LG-P500 using XDA App
intruda119 said:
Im in a college town and I can get things cheap off craigslist. I bought my second vibrant for 120 brand new with accessories. Just got an hd7 for 150 and ive bought 4 hd2 plus a couple broken ones from 40-150.
Key to buying phone monthly is patients, checking craigslist every couple hrs, and lowballing. I love to see a listing up for a couple days because its usually the green light.
Every phone i buy i usually see for 2x what I paid for.
Ive been living off my first real phones tmobile mda, samsung blackjack, and moto milestone. Ive been selling and buying since my mda. I try not to use my own money.
And all but not least I dont care for light cosmetic issues, thats what silicon cases are for.
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Click to collapse
Exactly. Thats what I do. Just buy phones, make profit, and keep the cycle going until you have the Phones you want and they cost nothing.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
serban954 said:
Exactly. Thats what I do. Just buy phones, make profit, and keep the cycle going until you have the Phones you want and they cost nothing.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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yup all my phones are a result of selling my PSP years ago.
xD
scrizz said:
yup all my phones are a result of selling my PSP years ago.
xD
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only thing I really paid for was my moto miletone. I loved that phone and it was perfect for me. Everything else is from my original purchase of my mda. I get mad when I hear people trying to choose phones or game systems ect. I just bought a newer white 360 with 20inch moniter for 65 bucks on craigslist. Now I got a 2nd moniter and my girl got another 360 exclusive for kinect. Or just sell it and make 200+ for it.
Next I will get atleast 300+ for my 32gb vibrant( this title will make me alot of moniesssss) soon.
funeralthirst said:
a job and full price. lol. i haven't had a contract with tmob for like 4 years anyway...
but then again, i went from a g1 to the vibrant, but i typically get a new phone once a year. had a bb curve, wanted android and got the g1, cm wasn't cutting it on the g1 anymore, so i got the vibrant, when a substantially better phone comes out (dual core, better screen, honeycomb, etc), or the vibrant just isn't working for me i'll get a new one (likely the former).
that or my wife needs a new phone (she has a cliq...), so i may pawn my vibrant off on her and grab an sgs2 or vibrant 4g.
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Not really. All it takes is a brain. T-Mobile is addicted to promotions. I just upgraded my Vibrant to a HD7 for $200.
Free Online Promotion:
1. Order HD7 from T-Mobile as an Add-a-Line for $0 (they waive the Activation Fee) with a $15 Data Plan and Insurance.
2. Swap the SIMs in the Vibrant and HD7s.
3. Wait 2 Weeks.
3a. Sell the Vibrant for $200+
4. ETF the Line you added when you got the HD7 (it's using your older SIM*).
5. Total Price: $200 (Price of the phone for a new customer).
* You will still qualify for upgrade pricing when you would have if you had kept the Vibrant, because you still have the Vibrant SIM, you ETF'd the new SIM instead
If you're on T-Mobile, watch the promotions and wait. The only time you should feel like you have to get a new phone early is if you've been burned with an earlier purchase - like many [US] Galaxy S users feel they were.
intruda119 said:
only thing I really paid for was my moto miletone. I loved that phone and it was perfect for me. Everything else is from my original purchase of my mda. I get mad when I hear people trying to choose phones or game systems ect. I just bought a newer white 360 with 20inch moniter for 65 bucks on craigslist. Now I got a 2nd moniter and my girl got another 360 exclusive for kinect. Or just sell it and make 200+ for it.
Next I will get atleast 300+ for my 32gb vibrant( this title will make me alot of moniesssss) soon.
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The newer 360s aren't White, they're black.
Unless you meant a newer white 360 that isn't guaranteed to fail on you sooner or later?
The new Black "S" or pre-"S" Elite Models are fine, though.
The white ones... I wouldn't spend anything on them.
Buy a phone from craigslist and sell your old one on craigslist.
N8ter said:
Not really. All it takes is a brain. T-Mobile is addicted to promotions. I just upgraded my Vibrant to a HD7 for $200.
Free Online Promotion:
1. Order HD7 from T-Mobile as an Add-a-Line for $0 (they waive the Activation Fee) with a $15 Data Plan and Insurance.
2. Swap the SIMs in the Vibrant and HD7s.
3. Wait 2 Weeks.
3a. Sell the Vibrant for $200+
4. ETF the Line you added when you got the HD7 (it's using your older SIM*).
5. Total Price: $200 (Price of the phone for a new customer).
* You will still qualify for upgrade pricing when you would have if you had kept the Vibrant, because you still have the Vibrant SIM, you ETF'd the new SIM instead
If you're on T-Mobile, watch the promotions and wait. The only time you should feel like you have to get a new phone early is if you've been burned with an earlier purchase - like many [US] Galaxy S users feel they were.
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yeah, you could do that. but you pay more monthly on a contract plan than a no contract plan. plus, if i have a problem with something (or want to go to a contract for a phone), tmob is much more receptive to what i want when i'm off contract (and they check how long i've had service with them).
and i think you mean cancel the new sim/line and pay the etf on that. otherwise you lose future upgrade capability on the existing line. you physically swap the sim card between the two phones, but you cancel the sim that came with the <new phone line>. sim cards can't be reused, so you wouldn't be able to make your old sim use the new line's number and i'm pretty sure a sim has to be associated with a line.
why wait 2 weeks and why buy insurance? or is the two weeks to make sure the imei of the new phone takes for insurance (i don't have phone insurance, it's pointless)?
the hd7? that's a downgrade... and 'get a new phone early'? two years (22 months) between new phones is ridiculous, or at least is for any smartphone. once a year is about right with how technology is moving on phones.
i'm much happier just paying full price than doing some 'activate new line, call and ***** they didn't waive the activation fee, make sure the imei transfered for insurance, cancel line, pay more each month, etc.' dance.
xmrtarox said:
Buy a phone from craigslist and sell your old one on craigslist.
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That depends on where you live. Since this is the Vibrant forum I'll assume we're talking T-Mobile...
Not many people around here have T-Mobile, and their coverage is worst than Boost and Virgin so there are probably more people on Boost than on T-Mobile. Trying to sell a T-Mobile phone here won't get you anywhere.
Plus, the Value of these phones have gone down quite a bit.
Most people don't really see a point in buying a phone at off-contract prices, or anything close, because even if you buy at contract price and ETF 2 weeks later, the phone is cheaper.
So I rather buy on contract knowing I'm not poor and can ETF at any time on T-Mobile than buy a $500 phone and act like I'm better off because I'm off-contract.
$499 off contract, or $199 (with rebats) + $200 ETF fee two a few weeks later to end the contract?
Don't see a point in paying those prices for off-contract phones...
The contract prices only matter if you stay on the contract the entire time, but it's ALMOST ALWAYS cheaper to buy at contract price and ETF on T-Mobile later, than to buy an off-contract phone. You're actually throwing money away if you buy it off-contract.
That is precisely why AT&T and Verizon raised their ETF prices up about $100 bucks. To make the contract price + ETF = retail price. T-Mobile still hasn't, so it's cheaper to buy on contract and ETF break the contract after the first two weeks or month (depending on if you're waiting on rebates).
I had read on a recent RSS Feed that Asurion is upping premiums to $11.00 or more per month and deductibles are rising from $100 to $200.
This is awful. But, It seems that on wirefly, when you go to pre-order the EVO 4G LTE, they are offering insurance with NO deductible and only $7.00 or so a month.
Reference: https://www.wirefly.com/AdditionalD...c76&referringdomain=wirefly&agent=&viewmode=1
Is this a Wirefly only offer or is this how its going with everyone? (Sprint, Best Buy?) If this is the case from Wirefly only, then that might be a deciding factor for me...
Thanks!
I heard the new insurance changes are due to take effect June 6. Chances are, the info you read about is outdated and you would still be charged the same upped charges
ImaWinRAR said:
I heard the new insurance changes are due to take effect June 6. Chances are, the info you read about is outdated and you would still be charged the same upped charges
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As far as I can tell, Wirefly doesn't use Asurion. So whatever changes they're making shouldn't affect Wirefly's insurance.
I pre-ordered my LTEvo from Wirefly with no contract and got the Platinum Insurance package. I have a device on a corporate account which has no insurance, so this was the best possible solution. I had no idea such a plan existed. So now all I have to pay is $7.49 a month for my phone, and I have the peace of mind knowing that if I have issues (like I've had with the last several OG refurbs I've gotten), I can get a working "comparable device" as a replacement.
Thanks to sgt. slaughter for posting that Wirefly link in that other thread. I was worried when I couldn't preorder on the Sprint site without a contract that I'd have to wait until launch day to get it .
EDIT: Though I just noticed the Wirefly insurance does NOT cover liquid damage, which Asurion does cover. That seems to be the only disadvantage I could see .
Zagg (Invisible Shield) now offers a warranty. There is a $99 up front fee for two years of coverage which comes out to just over $4 a month (A $59.00 deductible may apply) the Zagg coverage covers water damage as well. I have been paying for the coverage on my Evo 3D and Evo 4G through sprint and have been thinking about trying Zagg out for the new Evo LTE I just ordered. It would save money in the long run.
http://www.zagg.com/store/services/zaggsafe/safe.php
Awesome to see you on board captain throwback
sent from 2yr old Evo on ICS
dixonwa said:
Zagg (Invisible Shield) now offers a warranty. There is a $99 up front fee for two years of coverage which comes out to just over $4 a month (A $59.00 deductible may apply) the Zagg coverage covers water damage as well. I have been paying for the coverage on my Evo 3D and Evo 4G through sprint and have been thinking about trying Zagg out for the new Evo LTE I just ordered. It would save money in the long run.
http://www.zagg.com/store/services/zaggsafe/safe.php
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This is interesting.
This is cheaper than the Wirefly insurance, but has a deductible (which Wirefly doesn't), but it actually covers liquid damage (which Wirefly doesn't).
The other difference is that the Zagg insurance doesn't cover a lost or stolen device, while the Wirefly insurance does.
Historically, I haven't lost my device or gotten it liquid damaged (except the one time I accidentally jumped into a pool with my Motorola V710 in my pocket), so I'm having difficulty deciding which plan to go with.
I'll probably just end up going with the cheaper option, but if I do that, I'll probably end up losing my device. And if I go with the more expensive option, I'll probably drop it into a puddle. Stupid decisions.
the insurance wirefly offers is amazing and been wanting to change my sprint pre order to wirefly but sprint wont cancel mine. bastard
Captain_Throwback said:
This is interesting.
This is cheaper than the Wirefly insurance, but has a deductible (which Wirefly doesn't), but it actually covers liquid damage (which Wirefly doesn't).
The other difference is that the Zagg insurance doesn't cover a lost or stolen device, while the Wirefly insurance does.
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Click to collapse
Actually, the Wirefly insurance doesn't mention "lost". It only mentions theft. In fact, it speciffically states that if the phone was not secured (i.e. in your car with the door un-locked) it is not covered! No matter that it was stolen.
And, from experience, these companies make you provide a police report. So if you leave it on a bus or in your car and no window was broken, good luck collecting. No water damage, no lost phone, partial theft coverage, no thanks.
leebo said:
Actually, the Wirefly insurance doesn't mention "lost". It only mentions theft. In fact, it speciffically states that if the phone was not secured (i.e. in your car with the door un-locked) it is not covered! No matter that it was stolen.
And, from experience, these companies make you provide a police report. So if you leave it on a bus or in your car and no window was broken, good luck collecting. No water damage, no lost phone, partial theft coverage, no thanks.
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Click to collapse
Nice observation.
I actually already cancelled the Wirefly insurance, and will be taking advantage of the Zagg offer instead, once my device arrives. Seems more likely that I'd accidentally drop my device in a puddle then I'd have it stolen directly off my person in a situation where I'd have to contact the authorities.
Captain_Throwback said:
Nice observation.
I actually already cancelled the Wirefly insurance, and will be taking advantage of the Zagg offer instead, once my device arrives. Seems more likely that I'd accidentally drop my device in a puddle then I'd have it stolen directly off my person in a situation where I'd have to contact the authorities.
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You are hilarious.
Sent from my lair.
Seriously? I hate this price jumps, freaking stupid. I'm going to look into that zagg plan.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
I would rather pay Asurion 11$ with a 200$ deductible and get a new EVOLTE, than pay 7$ a month with no deductible to get a replacement phone that is not EVOLTE. There is a difference. You get what you pay for.
typhoonikan said:
I would rather pay Asurion 11$ with a 200$ deductible and get a new EVOLTE, than pay 7$ a month with no deductible to get a replacement phone that is not EVOLTE. There is a difference. You get what you pay for.
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Click to collapse
Oh I'd rather have the Asurion insurance, but it's not an option for me, unfortunately. So I have to find a 3rd-party insurance plan that gives me at least some coverage.
Actually, the Wirefly insurance doesn't mention "lost". It only mentions theft. In fact, it speciffically states that if the phone was not secured (i.e. in your car with the door un-locked) it is not covered! No matter that it was stolen.
And, from experience, these companies make you provide a police report. So if you leave it on a bus or in your car and no window was broken, good luck collecting. No water damage, no lost phone, partial theft coverage, no thanks.
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Click to collapse
Yes, I read the small print as well and don't think the Wirefly insurance is worth much.
Just thinking, I'm not too worried about defects, Google will replace it for that. But reading about the nexus 4s slickness, and people dropping them makes me realize stuff happens. This is why I have insurance on my at&t account, but obviously that isn't going to mean much with a non at&t phone. Any third party companies that offer it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
http://www.squaretrade.com/smartphone
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
estallings15 said:
http://www.squaretrade.com/smartphone
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
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Squaretrade is ridiculously overpriced given the cost of the n4 and the deductible they charge. Plus they offer cheaper coverage for iPhones which is irritating. Not recommended. If others have found reasonable insurance, I'd be interested.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
$125 for two years with a $99 deductible?
My current plan through T-mobile is $6 a month with a $130 decuctible. What are you used to paying?
Ordered my Nexus 4 on the 13th. Still waiting.
I think it's crap that I can't just pay $30 from square trade for a service plan with accidental coverage. Oh it's a phone. That means you need insurance and not a service plan. Who decides this crap? I got a service plan from square trade when I bought my HTC Flyer and it was $30, and what is a flyer? An oversized Desire HD!
I remember you used to be able to buy a service plan from best buy for a phone if you bought it from them, and now they have bend over and spread em insurance too! Really who decides this crap? Cell phones are pretty much in a class of their own with consumer electronics.
I guess I'll just go insurance free
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
estallings15 said:
$125 for two years with a $99 deductible?
My current plan through T-mobile is $6 a month with a $130 decuctible. What are you used to paying?
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Both plans are outrageous given the cost of the Nexus 4.
Cor-master said:
I guess I'll just go insurance free
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I'm with you. Unless squaretrade recognizes their ridiculousness and adjusts their pricing plans accordingly. I'll not be holding my breath.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
bumping this in hopes that it gets some action.
i think i am going to get squaretrade before my 30 days are up. one of the things i like is you can cancel at any time and be refunded the rest of your money. or cancel and stop paying your seven bucks a month. you can also transfer it with the phone if you sell it and want to use the insurance as a perk.
has anyone else found anything better?
i just noted in a previous post that my phone just dropped 18" onto a rug with the bumper on and now my glass creaks. its only a matter of time i feel before something worse happens. and who knows... maybe google and lg will start building these things a bit better and with insurance we can swap it out.
I just think it's crap I can get a square trade warranty on a tablet for $30 that doesn't have a monthly fee and offers the exact same coverage but because the device is deemed small enough to be a phone I gotta pay a monthly fee
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
Cor-master said:
I just think it's crap I can get a square trade warranty on a tablet for $30 that doesn't have a monthly fee and offers the exact same coverage but because the device is deemed small enough to be a phone I gotta pay a monthly fee
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
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i completely agree. i wish some hardware replacements would start hitting the market. if i could price out the replacement parts i could weight out the pricing better. but i dont want to go past my 30 days and be forced into buying the parts from the internet when they could very well be pricier.
Check the threads were people have sent their phones back for repair. I'd rather save my money then send it back to LG for repair, if there is something that needs repair. One post I read said it was going to cost $140 to repair the cracked glass. Another one was $153. So paying someone $125 for 2 years and $99 deductible seems like its not worth it. The cost for a one time repair would have to exceed $224 to make it worth it.
This is what I got. Square trade $79.99 for 2 years and a $50 deductible.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008I668NG/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
BruceCLin said:
This is what I got. Square trade $79.99 for 2 years and a $50 deductible.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008I668NG/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
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That would be worth it but are you sure it covers phones?
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2
I agree. Paying $125 on the chance that I break it and then have to pay another $99, for a total of $224, on a phone I bought for $300, doesn't seem quite worth it.
Of course, that's if it only breaks once. My wife is murder on phones, so figure that she breaks hers, say, three times in two years and that's $125 + $99 x 3 = $422. But then, if LG will repair it for about $150, then those three times only cost me $450, so the difference is still pretty negligible.
I'm going to get us both the Ballistic cases when they are released in a few weeks and hope for the best.
danguyf;35721483My wife is murder on phones.[/QUOTE said:
as am i.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sOoXKBYC1c
the seventy dollar deal for prepaid doesnt sound bad at all.
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I got Square Trade. They are having a 35% off sale until December 26th. :thumbup:
Transmission sent from my badass Nexus 4.
I've had mixed experiences with Squaretrade. My biggest complaint is that they send your device to a repair depot that can take over a week to fix. In addition, if the repairs exceed the cost of the phone, they keep it.
Also, the last time I used them, they wanted my SIM card (I was having SIM identification problems). I personally refuse to send an active SIM card through the mail. They said that all of their customers are fine with it?
Anyways, I personally don't think it's cost effective to buy insurance for a cell phone at $299-$349. Just keep money aside if it breaks or is lost/stolen.
I'd like to know if any one has used these guys.
http://www.worthavegroup.com/cell-phone-insurance
on paper it seems like a good deal and good coverage... but I'd like to hear some stories about claims being a hassle or not.
I'm content with using SquareTrade as an "Insurance" for my Nexus 4.
SquareTrade: $125+$99=$224 (They even cover shipping)
Buying New Replacement: $349+Shipping
Plus with buying new, you have to take into consideration that the Nexus 4 is nearly impossible to get right now.
So you could be stuck without a phone for months, where with SquareTrade you get one quickly.
And "Part Replacement" is pointless IMO. You might crack the screen, spend $150 for a new screen. But what if you do more damage than just the screen.. more parts to buy
But that's just me. Plus if the phone is not repairable. They give you the full retail cost of the phone at time of purchase.
$79 Plan from SquareTrade the Indian guy from the SquareTrade Customer Service said the Nexus 4 is covered under this plan.
Or $99 Plan from SquareTrade will cover it too, (in case you don't want to take the chance that the $79 plan does not cover it.)