3GS Upgrade Fees

[tzhourdeka]

When do the upgrade fees for the 3GS not apply?

[shutter13]

When you don't buy one. You can call AT&T and maybe get it removed, but if you upgrade there is an upgrade fee.

[styfle]

Upgrade before or after your contract is served?

[hitnrun]

When I upgraded, there weren't any fees associated with my line.

However, when I upgraded on a buddies account for him, there was on $18 activation fee.

I am not sure what the pattern is, but that's been my experience.

[trnsilver]

I've been trying to get an answer about this on here for two days.

There is an $18 activation fee & an $18 iPhone upgrade fee.

BUT, I thought the upgrade fee was only if you were going from 3G to 3GS and paying $299 or $399 for the phone.

I am going from the original iPhone (non-subsidy, paid full price) to this one, so why am I being charged for an upgrade AND activation?

[LuvKeane]

trnsilver, this has been mentioned quite a lot... even if you were going from an 3GS to some cheap flip-phone, AT&T would still charge you an $18 upgrade fee. The phone does not mean it's better, more expensive yadda yadda... they "claim" work has to be done on their end to change PHONES, not "upgrade". This is also NOT an early upgrade fee so for me, who was eligible for an upgrade in May, will still pay the $199 for the 16gb PLUS $18.


The $18 activation fee is for NEW CUSTOMERS. So if you have an AT&T account, then no worries for the activation fee.

The fee(s) will appear in your AT&T bill and NOT with Apple/Best Buy/Walmart etc.

[trnsilver]

Luv, thank you for explaining. So it is the *activation* fee that I have to make sure I don't get charged. That is fine...I just didn't want to pay BOTH! :)

[Hondamaker]

I won't have to pay the upgrade fee 17 months after I bought my 3G, which will be this december. BUt I'm not gonna wait that long just to save 18 bucks!

[trnsilver]

AT&T http://wireless.att.com is now letting you pre-order (choose your plan, text messaging, etc.) and pick your phone up in their store on 6/19 as early as 7 a.m. in some locations.

As per the $18 charge, it confirms that moving from a v1 to 3GS is only 1 $18 charge not two.

This is what I am going to do probably tonight or tomorrow. Will wake up early, get the phone, come home and load it, etc. and then go to work. Perfect scenario.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I don't trust AT&T to have a pre-ordered iPhone in the store on the 19th. In the past, AT&T stores usually only have about forty or so in stock on launch day.

[iphun]

I don't trust AT&T to have a pre-ordered iPhone in the store on the 19th. In the past, AT&T stores usually only have about forty or so in stock on launch day.

Apparently they will have lines for pre-orders and separate ones for new and people who didn't pre-order. And I have heard each pre order has your name on it so they will have one for you.
http://www.everythingicafe.com/forum/iphone-3g-s/read-this-about-pre-ordering-48324.html

[trnsilver]

I agree with iphun. That is what I heard as well. I think they will have a general order for the store & your specific orders completely separate.

[iphun]

I agree with iphun. That is what I heard as well. I think they will have a general order for the store & your specific orders completely separate.

Yes that's exactly what it is. So they might only have 40 or so in stock, but if 100 pre-orders were made then they will be delivered for those specific people.

[trnsilver]

And, if you pre-order, you've already paid for it. So you don't technically have to be there early or even on that day at all! I'm thinking of pre-ordering just to make sure I can get it on Saturday...

[styfle]

I don't remember an 18 dollar fee for any other phone...

[iphun]

And, if you pre-order, you've already paid for it. So you don't technically have to be there early or even on that day at all! I'm thinking of pre-ordering just to make sure I can get it on Saturday...

I think I am ordering online so I can get it the 19th at my house. But if not that I'll be pre-ordering for in store pickup.

[atran4321]

I hate ATT. I cant believe they are expecting me to upgrade for 499 + 18+ 18 = $535 and a 2 year contract. What is the point? I'll just buy it for 599.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I hate ATT. I cant believe they are expecting me to upgrade for 499 + 18+ 18 = $535 and a 2 year contract. What is the point? I'll just buy it for 599.

Isn't it $699 for the 32 gig?

[hoits2000]

Ther ewill be only 1 18 fee per line, if you are a new customer you will only pay the activation 18 fee, and if you are upgrading yo upay a 18 upgrade fee. They both should get charged to your monthly bill. Usually if you are a new customer you can just call att and tell them that you were told you could get the activation fee waved and 99% of the time they will wave it since it is pretty much a bogus fee anyway. Ordering through apple, they may charge you before hand, so make sure you dont get double charged.

[LuvKeane]

is this I refuse to read the prior posts which explains I will NOT get charged the $18 twice but still post like I know nothing and am venting thread?

[Hondamaker]

I don't understand why people are so shocked and pissed that they may have to pay full price for a phone. As with any phone with AT&T, you're not eligible for the subsidized pricing for at least 12 months from the time you got your last phone and re-upped your 2-year contract. Do you expect AT&T to change their policy just for the iPhone? That would then become a precedent for them to change their policy on all their phones.