Threatening to switch to Verizon for early upgrade. How well does it work?

Didn't work for me at all. I only have 3 months left and they would not help me out. I tried customer service, customer relations, and the termanation department. I couldn't believe it, but they would not budge.

 

That's because not as many people are leaving as everyone thought.

 

I doubt they would care. They have you under contract. They could probably care less if you left because you would have to pay a pretty hefty ETF. You could always try to sell you captivate for maybe around $300 or so. That would leave about $150 out of pocket for the inspire. That's not terrible. You would be paying about $50 more out of pocket than people eligible for upgrade. I think the inspire is a bargain for $100 on upgrade and I would have probably paid about $200 for it if it was priced that high. That being said, if you can sell your captivate for a decent price, paying about $150 would be a great deal.

 

In all honestly, they are probably happy with a few people leaving. take some stress off the poor network and provide a better experience (stupid iphone lol).

 

Wow. I guess I am a fortunate one. Maybe being a current iPhone customer had something to do with it.

On Saturday, January 29, 2011, I called to inquire about the possibility of an early upgrade. When the lady from Customer Service said that I am too far away (May 29 is my official upgrade day) to allow me for an upgrade. I immediately said, "I would like to speak with Account Cancellations, then."

The operator I spoke with next was actually pretty awesome. He simply asked "What's the issue? Why are you looking to leave us?" I explained the situation, that I wanted to upgrade early, not to the iPhone 4, but rather to a device that is coming out soon. I stated that I have no issue paying my low ETF (at the time of the call, it was $105.) and going to Verizon or Sprint for their phones.

After being on hold for a minute or 2, he came back on the line and asked what phone, exactly, I had in mind. And, "If you want, I can upgrade you to any phone right now if you want for the new customer price, not the early upgrade price."

I thanked him for the offer, but was only interested in the phone. I told him it was the HTC Inspire 4G that should be out in the month of February. He put me on hold again, and came back to say, "Well, the phone isn't out yet, and hasn't been given a date yet. What we can do, is flag your account right now, that when the phone is released, we can call you to go through the order process. We'll let you upgrade to the device, less $50."

Once I heard that, I was happy. But a touch confused. "Less $50? What's that mean?"

"You get the new customer deal, with a 2 year agreement, and an additional $50 off" he replied.

By the end of the 45 minute phone call, I had this operators ID, email address, and noted in my account of the entire conversation. No matter who I speak with in cancellation when I go to order will be more than aware of the prior calls and what to do.

So, maybe it's because I am a current iPhone customer, and the threat of leaving like that had something to do with it. Maybe it was a good Customer Service Rep. I don't know. But I also made sure to get everything copied on my end. The names and operator ID's of everyone I've spoken with. You gotta keep track of these things.

 

What would they lose if you port out one of 5 numbers? Probably not much so that might actually work against you in terms of leverage, at least in their mind. If you threatened porting all 5 lines that might be a huge ETF, and they could very likely call your bluff. I'm afraid I wouldn't expect much from it. Maybe you can still get the early upgrade discount?

 

I know they would not be happy that you would leave. I am sure they get a ton of calls per day with people threatening to jump ship to another carrier if they aren't given an upgrade. ATT definately has the upper hand and while I bet ATT has given in to some people, the majority of people are probably denied. It might help that you have been a customer for so long. I guess the only way to find out is to try and give them a call. If they call your bluff then you are no worse off then before.

 

I wonder if it is because of the whole iPhone angle. I noticed they were particularly nice and helpful when I called last week (I'm a current iPhone 4 user).

 

Why don't you use one of the upgrades from another line. That is what I am doing to get mine.

 

I think it has EVERYTHING to do with being an iPhone customer, to be totally honest. Ever since the Verizon announcement, they've kissed my ass royally to keep me happy. That will likely go away once I get the Inspire! lol

 

I am in the same boat boat. The line I am using to upgrade is a dumbphone. From what the guy said at radio shack, they will have to add the data plan to the line when I get the phone but you can take it off when you get home or the next day. That is what I plan on doing. I am not sure if you are the primary account holder or not, but if you are not make sure you are an authorized user on the account. I am almost postive the data plan is not part of the contract just the line upgrade. You will have to pay for the prorated data plan for a day and that should be very little since it will only be on the line for a day or so.

 

as long as the line it's using has a data plan, I don't think it'll make a difference. you may just need to call or go to an AT&T store and have them "switch" which line you are using it on so that it melds with the data service and what not.

 

The DeathStar don't care as they all know now as many never do quit. This is why I don't have contact and I pay my phone full price so if something happens I can social my way out of CS lol if you have contact then basically they got you right where they want you and if you cancel its more money for them.

 

Well not to be mean but they let you do the upgrade at 18 months on a 2 year contract. Complaining that they wont let you do it at 15 months seems kind of unrealistic and childish to me?

Is it just me???

I have waited like 21-22 months on my iphone 3gs....could have upgraded MONTHS AGO...

Take a cue from me if you are at 15 months and just wait it out till the next round of phones..youll get something even better than what we are getting and not have to deal with making threats to get it.

 

my wife got the iPhone 4 a few months ago, it's her first data phone so of course the unlimited wasn't available so she got the 2 gb plan ( I have an iPhone 4 with unlimited). the day before the Verizon announcement I decided to call At&T and see if it was possible (seeing I have been a loyal customer since 2006) to get unlimited for her line. They told me it was impossible seeing that they no longer offer the service.

I waited until the following day AFTER Verizon made the announcement. I called back and asked to speak to the contract termination department, the gentleman asked if everything was ok, I explained that it wasn't. I explained to him that my wife and I both have iPhone 4's and they both need unlimited data, and seeing that Verizon has just announced their iPhone 4 WITH unlimited data, I will go there. (I was polite btw LOL) He placed me on a brief hold and came back telling me he just got off the line with his superior and he approved getting unlimited data on her line.

Sounds great right? Well what stinks now though is I can't use that reason today to get the Inspire, because after reading the notes on my account, they'll probably call my bluff knowing my luck LOL

 

You can keep unlimited when you switch to inspire as well.

If you go back and read the blogs..there was a period of time when AT&T was not offering the unlimited plan.

Shortly after the announcement of the verizon iphone, AT&T announced all AT&T current unlimited data plan holders would be grandfathered. About a week after that, it came out in the news that previous unlimited plan holders would be allowed to GO back to the unlimited plan (for a limited time only) even if they had switched.

The actions on their part HAD NOTHING to do with your arguments/questions.

They were following company policy...

Go back and read the news announcments for the last couple months for AT&T and you will see.

 

Read the last Q&A. This is what you will need to quote in order to keep your Unlimited Data. Bookmark the page.