6 ms·

The AT&T Next Hustle

23 points by HiggySmalls 11y ago

bbakkd 11y ago
It's actually worse than this article states. If you get the "AT&T Next 24" plan that just means you can upgrade to a new phone after 24 months. You are actually agreeing to make 30 payments so you end up with $56 tax plus $29 x 30 or $926. Edit: Also note that you are only eligible for upgrading after 24 months if your phone is in good condition--no cracks, chips, etc. If your phone breaks not only do you have to buy a new one, but you have to keep paying for the old one for 30 months!
- iamstephenliu 11y ago
  It's nowhere near being "worse" than the article states. The Next plans are literally just $0 down, 0% interest installment plans. It's exactly what T-Mobile is doing, except AT&T does a really shitty job of explaining how it works and, instead of having you pay $10 for Jump to trade-in whenever you want, you can opt to trade it in a few months before the payments finish. My friend's T-Mobile phone broke halfway through her installment plan. She had to buy a new one and still pay for her old, broken one for the next year.
  - bbakkd 11y ago
    It actually is worse than the article states because he calculated it at 24 months but he should have calculated it at 30 months. And if you lose, break, or even crack your phone before the 30 months--which isn't at all uncommon--you still have to pay for the old one and a new one.
    - iamstephenliu 11y ago
      How is that "worse"? They have two other installment duration options. Again, though, that's the same thing that happens if you break your phone on T-Mobile before 24 months if you don't have Jump, which not everyone has.
- fengb 11y ago
  Monthly cost is $21.67 under Next 24.
lowmagnet 11y ago
When someone gets out a piece of paper, draws lines or quadrants on it, and starts writing down numbers, refuse to continue the conversation. This is new/used car dealer tactics.
LargeCompanies 11y ago
I'm on this plan with my family and recommend everyone (if possible) to coral family/friends to do the same. It's six of us who share 20gigs a month. Each of us pays $50 a month for the data and unlimited text/talk. Further, we can upgrade annually by returning our phones in good condition (have an otter box so it's solid) and pay an upgrade fee. I use about 6 gigs a month while the others about 2 gigs.
- LargeCompanies 11y ago
  Ha this isn't spam just someone who use to have their own plan and was paying more then double for a lesser service(sprint).
fengb 11y ago
I'll never understand how Next disparagers get their numbers. The screenshot [1] clearly shows $21.67 per month for 30 months ($650.10). Next is effectively 0% installment loan for buying a new device with the (admittedly terrible) option of terminating the contract and returning the device for a new Next contract. [1] http://i1.wp.com/don.citarella.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/att01.png http://i1.wp.com/don.citarella.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/0...
- adanto6840 11y ago
  It's closer to a lease though, no? If you use the [upgrade] option prior to making the final payment, you have to return the phone. If you make the final payment, and then choose to upgrade, do you get to keep the phone you've been paying for (i.e. an installment loan), or must you return it (aka, a lease)?
  - fengb 11y ago
    If you pay off the entire amount, you keep the device. If you upgrade before the contract ends, you have the option of paying off the remaining amount and keeping it (or returning it). It's most likely a terrible idea to return the device instead of paying off and selling it, and AT&T probably makes free money from that, but the rest of the plan is pretty reasonable.
    - joshstrange 11y ago
      This is what I've always understood to be the case, just never return the device, pay it off and sell it on craigslist/ebay (which I've done 4+ times without any issues).
- bbakkd 11y ago
  Yes except you are paying a high retail price for the phone. I paid $100 for a top-of-the-line phone and the rest was subsidized in my contract price, I didn't have to pay an installment plan. Yeah, if the phone lasted more than two years it would be an okay deal but how often does a smartphone ever last that long without being lost, broken, or obsolete? You are better off buying it somewhere else--even on a credit card--and staying on the old $15/mo contract.
adanto6840 11y ago
Isn't loading for me, here's text-only cached version: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:don.citarella.net/2015/06/23/att-next-hustle/&es_sm=91&strip=1&vwsrc=0 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:don.cit...
reagency 11y ago
Why would you even start down this hideouslly complicated system instead of just getting a T-Mobile or Boost or similar plan, and buying a retail phone. (Preferably a $200 Anroid , or a uaed iPhone, instead of a $600 iPhone) The "hustle" only shows up when you sign up for the incredibly expensive systems and then try to find a loophole.
- intopieces 11y ago
  >buying a retail phone For the same reason people very rarely pay cash for a house. They can't afford it. The AT&T Next Plan is a reasonable compromise for people who want a new smartphone and cannot afford to pay 200-500$ up front.
  - bbakkd 11y ago
    That doesn't make it any less of a hustle and probably why rent-to-own places still get customers. So yeah if you have to have the most expensive phones but can't afford them you will do this. The thing is they are pretty much forcing everyone into these plans by almost doubling the old plan prices. Plus the old family plans are no longer cheaper if you don't have a smartphone and don't use data--you pay the same price for all phones.
    - intopieces 11y ago
      >That doesn't make it any less of a hustle. Still not quite understanding your use of this word. How can the deal be a fraud or swindle if the terms are given up front? Let's set aside the argument about whether you think it's a good deal or not, as that is not the meaning of the word "hustle". They're not intentionally selling you a defective product masked as a new one. They're not signing you up for something and then changing the terms. As far as I can tell, the word hustle is being used here to mean "trying to convince people that a product is a better deal than it is." But again, this is a matter of opinion and situation. What is a good deal for you may not be available to others because of the up front cost And here again, the math behind the swindle claim doesn't add up. You are still paying the retail price of the phone whether you sign up for two years contract or with Next. AT&T does not lose money on either contract.
bgilroy26 11y ago
If Apple feels the phone is worth $600, and you're getting the phone new, you're only going to be able to pay $200 for it if AT&T pays the rest for you.
Evolved 11y ago
Unless my (read: everyone whom this affects) bill(s) actually drops by a corresponding amount of $ then this Next doesn't seem worth it. Many of us pay $200 for a phone and the rest is subsidized by signing the contract for 2 years. Why would I want to pay $650 + the same monthly payment for 2 years for the same phone? Upgrade early? If I stick with iPhones and can tolerate not having the newest one every 1 year vs. every 2 years then this has no benefit. This may only serve to benefit those who A. keep their phones in good condition and B. have Android or other non-iPhones where a newer model is introduced more than once a year.
guelo 11y ago
The worst deal is for new users that are stuck paying the $40/month if they don't want Next. Thank goodness they weren't allowed to buy T-Mobile.
janesvilleseo 11y ago
I just went through this "fun" several months ago. I was and still am livid. The rate increase for the 2 year contract is a horrible tactic used by them to increase the bottom line. What I did was simply call and threaten to leave. They offered me over $400 in credits. During that call I found out I can get my normal line price by simply paying off my phones early. Note I had the 2 year contract when I upgraded. The plan was to pay them off once I went through my credit after 3 months and switch to cricket. When the time came I paid off my phones (2 phones at about $350 a piece + tax). When I called to pay them off the lady had to get a manager approval because she didn't know how to do it. Long story short I am not yet with cricket, because I can't find a cheap tablet only option (I travel a lot). This and other billing practices really put piss me off about att (combined billing)
lawnchair_larry 11y ago
At first I thought this was an obvious scam. Then I realized, when I upgrade my phone, the old one just sits in a drawer. In general, I can't be bothered to actually sell my old devices. So, maybe it isn't so bad.
- janesvilleseo 11y ago
  Several places have a buyback program. I used Amazon for my last phones. Didn't get as much as if I sold them myself, but it was painless. I had 2 iPhone 5s and got around $200 for each. They give you Amazon credit which is not as good as cash, but I still used it for things I needed for around the house.
Evolved 11y ago
I assume Apple store employees don't try to sway people into Next when buying in the Apple store?

23 points by HiggySmalls 11y ago

It's actually worse than this article states. If you get the "AT&T Next 24" plan that just means you can upgrade to a new phone after 24 months. You are actually agreeing to make 30 payments so you end up with $56 tax plus $29 x 30 or $926. Edit: Also note that you are only eligible for upgrading after 24 months if your phone is in good condition--no cracks, chips, etc. If your phone breaks not only do you have to buy a new one, but you have to keep paying for the old one for 30 months!

iamstephenliu 11y ago
It's nowhere near being "worse" than the article states. The Next plans are literally just $0 down, 0% interest installment plans. It's exactly what T-Mobile is doing, except AT&T does a really shitty job of explaining how it works and, instead of having you pay $10 for Jump to trade-in whenever you want, you can opt to trade it in a few months before the payments finish. My friend's T-Mobile phone broke halfway through her installment plan. She had to buy a new one and still pay for her old, broken one for the next year.
- bbakkd 11y ago
  It actually is worse than the article states because he calculated it at 24 months but he should have calculated it at 30 months. And if you lose, break, or even crack your phone before the 30 months--which isn't at all uncommon--you still have to pay for the old one and a new one.
  - iamstephenliu 11y ago
    How is that "worse"? They have two other installment duration options. Again, though, that's the same thing that happens if you break your phone on T-Mobile before 24 months if you don't have Jump, which not everyone has.
fengb 11y ago
Monthly cost is $21.67 under Next 24.

lowmagnet 11y ago

When someone gets out a piece of paper, draws lines or quadrants on it, and starts writing down numbers, refuse to continue the conversation. This is new/used car dealer tactics.

LargeCompanies 11y ago

I'm on this plan with my family and recommend everyone (if possible) to coral family/friends to do the same. It's six of us who share 20gigs a month. Each of us pays $50 a month for the data and unlimited text/talk. Further, we can upgrade annually by returning our phones in good condition (have an otter box so it's solid) and pay an upgrade fee. I use about 6 gigs a month while the others about 2 gigs.

LargeCompanies 11y ago
Ha this isn't spam just someone who use to have their own plan and was paying more then double for a lesser service(sprint).

fengb 11y ago

I'll never understand how Next disparagers get their numbers. The screenshot [1] clearly shows $21.67 per month for 30 months ($650.10). Next is effectively 0% installment loan for buying a new device with the (admittedly terrible) option of terminating the contract and returning the device for a new Next contract. [1] http://i1.wp.com/don.citarella.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/att01.png http://i1.wp.com/don.citarella.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/0...

adanto6840 11y ago
It's closer to a lease though, no? If you use the [upgrade] option prior to making the final payment, you have to return the phone. If you make the final payment, and then choose to upgrade, do you get to keep the phone you've been paying for (i.e. an installment loan), or must you return it (aka, a lease)?
- fengb 11y ago
  If you pay off the entire amount, you keep the device. If you upgrade before the contract ends, you have the option of paying off the remaining amount and keeping it (or returning it). It's most likely a terrible idea to return the device instead of paying off and selling it, and AT&T probably makes free money from that, but the rest of the plan is pretty reasonable.
  - joshstrange 11y ago
    This is what I've always understood to be the case, just never return the device, pay it off and sell it on craigslist/ebay (which I've done 4+ times without any issues).
bbakkd 11y ago
Yes except you are paying a high retail price for the phone. I paid $100 for a top-of-the-line phone and the rest was subsidized in my contract price, I didn't have to pay an installment plan. Yeah, if the phone lasted more than two years it would be an okay deal but how often does a smartphone ever last that long without being lost, broken, or obsolete? You are better off buying it somewhere else--even on a credit card--and staying on the old $15/mo contract.

adanto6840 11y ago

Isn't loading for me, here's text-only cached version: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:don.citarella.net/2015/06/23/att-next-hustle/&es_sm=91&strip=1&vwsrc=0 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:don.cit...

reagency 11y ago

Why would you even start down this hideouslly complicated system instead of just getting a T-Mobile or Boost or similar plan, and buying a retail phone. (Preferably a $200 Anroid , or a uaed iPhone, instead of a $600 iPhone) The "hustle" only shows up when you sign up for the incredibly expensive systems and then try to find a loophole.

intopieces 11y ago
>buying a retail phone For the same reason people very rarely pay cash for a house. They can't afford it. The AT&T Next Plan is a reasonable compromise for people who want a new smartphone and cannot afford to pay 200-500$ up front.
- bbakkd 11y ago
  That doesn't make it any less of a hustle and probably why rent-to-own places still get customers. So yeah if you have to have the most expensive phones but can't afford them you will do this. The thing is they are pretty much forcing everyone into these plans by almost doubling the old plan prices. Plus the old family plans are no longer cheaper if you don't have a smartphone and don't use data--you pay the same price for all phones.
  - intopieces 11y ago
    >That doesn't make it any less of a hustle. Still not quite understanding your use of this word. How can the deal be a fraud or swindle if the terms are given up front? Let's set aside the argument about whether you think it's a good deal or not, as that is not the meaning of the word "hustle". They're not intentionally selling you a defective product masked as a new one. They're not signing you up for something and then changing the terms. As far as I can tell, the word hustle is being used here to mean "trying to convince people that a product is a better deal than it is." But again, this is a matter of opinion and situation. What is a good deal for you may not be available to others because of the up front cost And here again, the math behind the swindle claim doesn't add up. You are still paying the retail price of the phone whether you sign up for two years contract or with Next. AT&T does not lose money on either contract.

bgilroy26 11y ago

If Apple feels the phone is worth $600, and you're getting the phone new, you're only going to be able to pay $200 for it if AT&T pays the rest for you.

Evolved 11y ago

Unless my (read: everyone whom this affects) bill(s) actually drops by a corresponding amount of $ then this Next doesn't seem worth it. Many of us pay $200 for a phone and the rest is subsidized by signing the contract for 2 years. Why would I want to pay $650 + the same monthly payment for 2 years for the same phone? Upgrade early? If I stick with iPhones and can tolerate not having the newest one every 1 year vs. every 2 years then this has no benefit. This may only serve to benefit those who A. keep their phones in good condition and B. have Android or other non-iPhones where a newer model is introduced more than once a year.

guelo 11y ago

The worst deal is for new users that are stuck paying the $40/month if they don't want Next. Thank goodness they weren't allowed to buy T-Mobile.

janesvilleseo 11y ago

I just went through this "fun" several months ago. I was and still am livid. The rate increase for the 2 year contract is a horrible tactic used by them to increase the bottom line. What I did was simply call and threaten to leave. They offered me over $400 in credits. During that call I found out I can get my normal line price by simply paying off my phones early. Note I had the 2 year contract when I upgraded. The plan was to pay them off once I went through my credit after 3 months and switch to cricket. When the time came I paid off my phones (2 phones at about $350 a piece + tax). When I called to pay them off the lady had to get a manager approval because she didn't know how to do it. Long story short I am not yet with cricket, because I can't find a cheap tablet only option (I travel a lot). This and other billing practices really put piss me off about att (combined billing)

lawnchair_larry 11y ago

At first I thought this was an obvious scam. Then I realized, when I upgrade my phone, the old one just sits in a drawer. In general, I can't be bothered to actually sell my old devices. So, maybe it isn't so bad.

janesvilleseo 11y ago
Several places have a buyback program. I used Amazon for my last phones. Didn't get as much as if I sold them myself, but it was painless. I had 2 iPhone 5s and got around $200 for each. They give you Amazon credit which is not as good as cash, but I still used it for things I needed for around the house.

Evolved 11y ago

I assume Apple store employees don't try to sway people into Next when buying in the Apple store?