4 ms·

Well it isn't an outright purchase for most people buying a phone on contract - i.e. they don't pay for it upfront, don't own the device upfront (typically you

by Closi 5y ago

Well it isn't an outright purchase for most people buying a phone on contract - i.e. they don't pay for it upfront, don't own the device upfront (typically you only own the device at the end of the contract term), and they pay a monthly subscription/contract charge to the carrier (who offers them a set of services in exchange for a monthly charge). So I'm a little baffled as to why you are baffled that a 'pay monthly for a service where you don't own the phone for 3 years' could be considered more similar to the concept of a subscription than the concept of outright ownership. Would you prefer the term 'Phone contract subscription with an inclusive phone hire-purchase agreement'? (Which I still think is more similar to a subscription than outright ownership).

ozzythecat 5y ago
> Well it isn't an outright purchase for most people buying a phone on contract - i.e. they don't pay for it upfront, don't own the device upfront Yes, this how is how a finance model works. Why are you giving us an example of financing works when the real question is on purchasing (with or without financing) vs leasing? > So I'm a little baffled as to why you are baffled that a 'pay monthly for a service where you don't own the phone for 3 years' could be considered more similar to the concept of a subscription than the concept of outright ownership. Your statements are inaccurate. For all practical purposes, if I purchase a new iPhone from ATT or T-Mobile on contract, I do own the phone. It’s now mine. I can’t skip my contractual obligations and just ask ATT to take the phone back. I keep the phone but the full balance becomes immediately due. Financing and leasing are two different things.
- Closi 5y ago
  > For all practical purposes, if I purchase a new iPhone from ATT or T-Mobile on contract, I do own the phone. What do you think owning something outright means? (If i can own something outright while it not legally being mine, and me paying for its use monthly via a contract, you have a more flexible definition of outright ownership than me!) With this definition, I own my home outright with a mortgage. (This is of course nonsense, and by definition owning outright means it is unencumbered).

by Closi 5y ago

ozzythecat 5y ago

> Well it isn't an outright purchase for most people buying a phone on contract - i.e. they don't pay for it upfront, don't own the device upfront Yes, this how is how a finance model works. Why are you giving us an example of financing works when the real question is on purchasing (with or without financing) vs leasing? > So I'm a little baffled as to why you are baffled that a 'pay monthly for a service where you don't own the phone for 3 years' could be considered more similar to the concept of a subscription than the concept of outright ownership. Your statements are inaccurate. For all practical purposes, if I purchase a new iPhone from ATT or T-Mobile on contract, I do own the phone. It’s now mine. I can’t skip my contractual obligations and just ask ATT to take the phone back. I keep the phone but the full balance becomes immediately due. Financing and leasing are two different things.

Closi 5y ago
> For all practical purposes, if I purchase a new iPhone from ATT or T-Mobile on contract, I do own the phone. What do you think owning something outright means? (If i can own something outright while it not legally being mine, and me paying for its use monthly via a contract, you have a more flexible definition of outright ownership than me!) With this definition, I own my home outright with a mortgage. (This is of course nonsense, and by definition owning outright means it is unencumbered).