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I think this will be my next phone, but I don't understand why I can't just pay for the phone up front. I like my transactions to be over and done as soon as po

I think this will be my next phone, but I don't understand why I can't just pay for the phone up front. I like my transactions to be over and done as soon as possible. If that makes it cheaper as well, that's a nice bonus.

jyrkesh 14y ago
Actually, with these new plans, T-Mobile allows you to pay the whole cost upfront if you want.[1] But with time value of money and all that, I don't see why you would want to, especially considering they're giving you a loan at 0% APR. That also means, though, that it's not any cheaper for you to pay upfront. They just take that full price, subtract out your down payment, and divide by 24 months. Also, what they're not telling you is that you need to have good credit to get those super-low down payments. For those with mediocre credit, they might charge up to 50% of the cost of the phone for money down.[2] [1] http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?features=371e5c4a-3dc6-4404-86d0-c59f8d8baa3b http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?features=371e5c4a-3dc6-... ("or pay in full today at checkout") [2] Same link as above: "0% APR On Approved Credit for well-qualified buyer."
arrrg 14y ago
You could also just buy the unlocked phone directly from Apple. It’s $70 more but it’s unlocked immediately – instead of after you paid it off – meaning you can switch plans at any time. (Though currently that doesn’t make all that much sense in the US.)
- bajsejohannes 14y ago
  Wait, what? This iphone is locked for two years? How is that "no contract"? It's seems you are right [1], and I guess it makes sense, otherwise there would be no reason not to get your unlocked iphone from t-mobile. I actually just wanted an iphone with a t-mobile plan but without a contract. T-mobile's pages are surprisingly hard to navigate, so I could find a way to just get a plan. Maybe I should look further. [1] http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/03/26/t-mobile-gets-iphone-5-99-99-up-front-with-no-annual-contract-starting-april-12th/ http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/03/26/t-mobile-gets-iphone-...
  - arrrg 14y ago
    I’m not sure, but I think you can pay it off immediately and unlock the phone that way.

jyrkesh 14y ago

Actually, with these new plans, T-Mobile allows you to pay the whole cost upfront if you want.[1] But with time value of money and all that, I don't see why you would want to, especially considering they're giving you a loan at 0% APR. That also means, though, that it's not any cheaper for you to pay upfront. They just take that full price, subtract out your down payment, and divide by 24 months. Also, what they're not telling you is that you need to have good credit to get those super-low down payments. For those with mediocre credit, they might charge up to 50% of the cost of the phone for money down.[2] [1] http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?features=371e5c4a-3dc6-4404-86d0-c59f8d8baa3b http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/?features=371e5c4a-3dc6-... ("or pay in full today at checkout") [2] Same link as above: "0% APR On Approved Credit for well-qualified buyer."

arrrg 14y ago

You could also just buy the unlocked phone directly from Apple. It’s $70 more but it’s unlocked immediately – instead of after you paid it off – meaning you can switch plans at any time. (Though currently that doesn’t make all that much sense in the US.)

bajsejohannes 14y ago
Wait, what? This iphone is locked for two years? How is that "no contract"? It's seems you are right [1], and I guess it makes sense, otherwise there would be no reason not to get your unlocked iphone from t-mobile. I actually just wanted an iphone with a t-mobile plan but without a contract. T-mobile's pages are surprisingly hard to navigate, so I could find a way to just get a plan. Maybe I should look further. [1] http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/03/26/t-mobile-gets-iphone-5-99-99-up-front-with-no-annual-contract-starting-april-12th/ http://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/03/26/t-mobile-gets-iphone-...
- arrrg 14y ago
  I’m not sure, but I think you can pay it off immediately and unlock the phone that way.