Love the IPhone but hate AT&T...

IPhone_Chica · 06-22-2007, 12:51 PM

I strongly believe AT&T is gonna milk the iphone subscribers for every penny they can. I know someone who works for said company and it was already known that there was no discount on the iphone itself but they have recently recieved notification that they will not be getting any employee discounts on their service either. This leaves me to believe that either the plan is already low or as they would have you to believe as low as it can be, or they know that people will by the iphone no matter what they charge and they will charge you an absurd amount, i strongly believe the latter. I am just really having a problem switching carriers to get hosed all because of my love of the Iphone. Boy I tell you that supply and demand is a monster.

Question: Would you still by the Iphone even if the plans offered where an absurd amount?

TrippalHealicks · 06-22-2007, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by IPhone_Chica

I strongly believe AT&T is gonna milk the iphone subscribers for every penny they can. I know someone who works for said company and it was already known that there was no discount on the iphone itself but they have recently recieved notification that they will not be getting any employee discounts on their service either. This leaves me to believe that either the plan is already low or as they would have you to believe as low as it can be, or they know that people will by the iphone no matter what they charge and they will charge you an absurd amount, i strongly believe the latter. I am just really having a problem switching carriers to get hosed all because of my love of the Iphone. Boy I tell you that supply and demand is a monster.

Question: Would you still by the Iphone even if the plans offered where an absurd amount?

Thanks, appreciate it.

IPhone_Chica · 06-22-2007, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by TrippalHealicks

Thanks, appreciate it.

What kind of response is that. If you didn't have anything to say or wasn't gonna answer the question than why even come in this thread?

iphonenut · 06-22-2007, 01:13 PM

slow down there, turbo.

look, if you don't want one, don't get one. i don't know if you noticed or not...but people around here are kinda sorta into the iphone...like, alot. i don't think they're going to let the data plan cost get in the way.

as for me personally, a $40 data plan on top of my voice plan is the absolute most i would pay. anything more and i would probably reconsider getting one.

askewed · 06-22-2007, 01:13 PM

I'd buy an iPhone if Hitler owned AT&T.

Marksman · 06-22-2007, 01:18 PM

If you can't afford it or don't find value in it then don't buy it.

What the price is, is irrelevant.

If you can afford to pay for it, then you need to make your decision based on whether you feel you will get enough value out of the phone and service at that price. If you can't then don't buy it.

But just running around screaming "ARGH IT IS GOING TO BE TOO MUCH" is not a responsible way to make a purchasing decision.

For me, it is likely the use of this device will allow me to make significant sums of money, so the price and plan is irrelevant. Different people have different needs. If someone just wants an iPod, then it probably doesn't make sense to buy the iPhone.

robhon · 06-22-2007, 01:35 PM

I think the whole thing is far less sinister than iphone_chica makes it out to be. Yes, I think ATT will probably earn higher margins on this business than their normal business. But it's new technology! That's life on the bleeding edge!

Being in business for a very long time I can tell you there are basic market forces at work here. Supply, demand, customer interest, target market spending dollars, investment cost of setting up the technology, ROI, profit margins... All these taken together result in a market price.

No one at ATT is sitting in some ivory tower wringing their hands about how they're going to screw all their customers. All the information goes in for analysis and they come out with a pricing structure. There is a science and methodology behind it all.

I can guarantee, whatever the pricing is, it's not designed to screw anyone. It may push some customers over the edge of affordability, but don't confuse that with some conspiracy to rape your wallet.

TrippalHealicks · 06-22-2007, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by IPhone_Chica

What kind of response is that. If you didn't have anything to say or wasn't gonna answer the question than why even come in this thread?

No,no.
Thanks, appreciate it.

robhon · 06-22-2007, 01:48 PM

I would also add that, normal product introduction strategies usually start with high end products. So, this is likely to be the most expensive iPhone on the market. iPhone 2.0 and 3.0 are likely to be less expensive in order to capture greater market share.

If you can't afford the first iPhone and associated plan, just hang on for a few months or so. There are already rumors going around about the next model.

ash · 06-22-2007, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by robhon

I think the whole thing is far less sinister than iphone_chica makes it out to be. Yes, I think ATT will probably earn higher margins on this business than their normal business. But it's new technology! That's life on the bleeding edge!

Being in business for a very long time I can tell you there are basic market forces at work here. Supply, demand, customer interest, target market spending dollars, investment cost of setting up the technology, ROI, profit margins... All these taken together result in a market price.

No one at ATT is sitting in some ivory tower wringing their hands about how they're going to screw all their customers. All the information goes in for analysis and they come out with a pricing structure. There is a science and methodology behind it all.

I can guarantee, whatever the pricing is, it's not designed to screw anyone. It may push some customers over the edge of affordability, but don't confuse that with some conspiracy to rape your wallet.

Very intelligent response Robhon! Thank you for that! It's refreshing!

Everyone wants to make money; I would hope that AT&T is going to make some money off of the iPhone. Otherwise, what's the point? I used to stress about buying a car and getting "screwed" by the dealership; then I realized that they have to make money just like I do.