Gilitar
join:2000-11-20
Mobile, AL | Agreement required because of churn
Agreements have always been required because of two reasons:
1. To keep churn low
2. Subsidize price of acquisition
There is no way they would open themselves up to the churn. |
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morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs: |  another
another great idea, brought to you by AT&T.  |
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chd176
join:2003-01-10
Winfield, AL | Gotta love it
Even if you have your own SIM (AT&T unactivated) and phone you still have to sign at least a one year agreement to have unlimited M2M
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1.5/256 CenturyTel PPPoE DSL line |
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kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL
| I know it's AT&T...
...but could they really be this dumb?
Let me get this straight...I can get a free phone from you and be married to you for 2 years. Or, I can use my existing phone, pay you thousands each year and still be tied to you for 2 years?
Hmm...how can I get in on this sweet once-in-a-lifetime deal, Ma Bell?
I wonder if the "2 year contract price" is a mistake since all devices in their shopping cart system have a 2 year contract price. Maybe this plan really is supposed to be without any term agreement? Well, one can dream.
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»PropertyMaps.com - Real-time, map based, nationwide MLS property search! |
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grumpy3b
join:2001-12-11
Lompoc, CA | reply to Gilitar
Re: Agreement required because of churn
geeze don't you realize the 2-year contract is to cover the cost of the discounted SIM card...yeesh...
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fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| reply to Gilitar
Honestly.. #2 is all they talk about. #1 is also called "roping a customer"... they've never publicly stated to keep churn low - but it's true. It's also a way to not have to compete... lazy and greed. Yes, I'm using the term greed here for once - because it is.
They've offered NOTHING and want a contract. Seems more and more businesses want contracts for no reason.
"The problem? The deal requires you sign a two-year contract which somewhat defeats the purpose. Carriers have always argued that the contract is to help subsidize the phone. But in this case you're not getting one."
Back in 2005, I already satisfied a Nextel agreement of 1 year. I took my phone to it's own account - already owning the phone, they wanted a 2 year agreement to simply turn on the service to a phone I already owned.
This isn't anything new to AT&T but sure is right up their alley. |
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n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
 ·Optimum Online
| Stupidity Lives on at AT&T
It is nice to see everything we have come to love about AT&T lives on. I hope that T-Mobile picks up on this and comes up with a competing offer without the contract. It would give them a lot to crow about. In the meantime, any customer who goes for this AT&T "deal" deserves the reaming they get.
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I support the right to keep and arm bears. |
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iLive4Apple
Hybrid power
Premium
join:2006-07-13
Helena, AL
 ·Verizon BroadbandA..
·Charter Pipeline
 ·AT&T Southeast
 ·ViaTalk
| This isn't new
Just 2 months ago I signed up for AT&T for data to supplement my Nextel family plan. And I just called Customer Service and told the I have an existing 3G phone and I just had to buy a sim card which they waived haha and a 1 year contract.
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I get 29 MPG in my Toyota Highlander Hybrid! |
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nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
·Comcast
| reply to Gilitar
Re: Agreement required because of churn
said by Gilitar  :.. 1. To keep churn low ... the way to keep churn low is to have good customer service and reasonable prices - oops, no wonder they have to resort to 2 year contracts. |
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Surfinusa
Premium
join:2001-02-08
|  Another Product Delivered : From ATT , from another world!
Yes I have had ATT wireless since it was Cingular back in 2001 I had a phone with them now I have 3 phones with them.
I want to add another line and they want to make me sign a 1 or 2 year contract.
I ask them what is the advantage of a 1 or 2 year contract?
They tell me its my choice.
I asked them " Do I get anything different if I say Sign me up for a 2 year contract just to add another line ?"
They said: "no."
I wondered why would they give you an option if I am bringing my own phone to the table and just adding it the my service plan. 1-2 years Hmmm. Just because I like pain I think I will elect the 2year contract. Because I like getting nothing for nothing.
I have been with this company since 2001 and they want me to sign a contract when I bring my own phone?
Where is the trust and why pull this on me?
I think that is sad. I should be able to add a line if I already have a phone without a contract.
How insulting and a bad business practice if I have been a LOYAL CUSTOMER SINCE : 2001.
I paid Cingular/ATT on time over 100 a month for 7 years and that's the thanks I get?
Of course you could argue if you are already using it the contract shouldn't make a difference to you.
Yes it does to me its wrong. The company isn't giving me anything for free I am bringing my own phone.
I would gladly pay for the sim card that they said I would have to pay just to add my other phone to the plan and pay the activation fee for the additional line.
But put me in a 1 or 2 year contract ???
Crazy.... And I love how they give me an option.
Like I would want to put lemon juice on a paper cut and say yes sign me up for 2 years since you guys aren't doing me any favors.
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I am not that impressed with GSM service, I like the old TDMA.
Never had issues with it.
Lets see since 2001 I paid more than 8,000 $$ to Cingular/ATT and thats the thanks I get.
Sign another contract when you bring your own phone. And oh yeh buy a sim card from us and pay for a connection charge.
Sounds like POTS Delivered from ATT extra fees charges. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | reply to grumpy3b
Re: Agreement required because of churn
SIM cards used to be ~ $20-$25. I don't see how a 2 year contract makes up for it.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to fiberguy
I suppose you could go 'Prepaid' with the pick your plan style.
I do agree... signing a contract WAS to pay for the phone. If anything, paying $25 for a SIM and having it active for a month to month _should_ be ok. If I have to sign a contract AND bring my own phone, then AT&T should discount the service significantly.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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lefty1
join:2002-10-25
Clay, NY | What a joke
It's just more smoke and mirrors. Flash as much as possible while giving as little substance as possible. It provides the consumer with zero benefit, and in fact, it's a step backwards. |
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tenorsaw1
join:2003-07-10
Brooklyn, NY
·ViaTalk
| People Are Already Doing This...
Well, when you think about it, this is exactly what people are doing when they buy an iPhone. They sign a 2 year agreement for nothing in return.
When friends come to me with questions about buying an iPhone, I tell them to buy a subsidized phone first, sell it on eBay, and then buy the iPhone. |
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morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs: | reply to Surfinusa
Re: Another Product Delivered : From ATT , from another world!
$8,000 later... are you planning do DO something about it (switch to another provider)? or is it mostly hot air? |
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Nightshade
sic semper tyrannis
Premium
join:2002-05-26
Salem, OR
| When I Read This...
I think of the saying by B.T. Barnum, "there's a sucker born every minute."
But seriously, how come why is it that AT&T is so desperate to hold on to these customers, after they hook them in, they have to lock them in a 2 year contract for a device that is no bigger than the first knuckle of your thumb?
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True Happiness Must Come From Within |
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mikes60
My Paradise
Premium
join:2001-07-31
Boynton Beach, FL
·AT&T Southeast
·Vonage
| reply to morbo
Re: Another Product Delivered : From ATT , from another world!
said by morbo :$8,000 later... are you planning do DO something about it (switch to another provider)? or is it mostly hot air? And he also woiuld like to go back to TDMA ???
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No good deed goes unpunished. |
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decadent
Premium
join:2002-04-02
Piscataway, NJ
1 edit | reply to n2jtx
Re: Stupidity Lives on at AT&T
T-Mobile already has it and it is much better deal. T-Mobile SIM Activation Kit costs $9.99 and includes 10 minutes starter airtime and there is no contract. Then you can buy 1000 minutes for $100 and they are valid for one year. I have connected my MotoMing a1200e myself without issues and I even set up t-zone. I am a bit lazy to transfer my primary number to them from Verizon, but I will probably do it in a while. You can transfer wireless number to T-Mobile prepaid. |
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alrandolph
join:2004-07-11
Brooklyn, NY
·Callcentric
·Cingular Wireless
| reply to grumpy3b
Re: Agreement required because of churn
Way to go AT&T Wireless, I have to pay $5 for the sim card, then be locked into a contract for 2 years with my own device.
I see the retainer perks you give to your executives to keep them from leaving the company has really paid off if this is the best they can do |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ | reply to Gilitar
Let me get this straight, I bring my own handset and STILL have to get locked into a 2 year contract???
I DON'T THINK SO!
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You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth |
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