Google To Sell Phone Directly To Consumers > The way we need to head

The way we need to head

While Americans constantly complain about the high wireless prices we play, I don't think that Americans will buy into the european model of buying phones unsubsidized. I know a lot of people who switch carriers every 2 years for a better phone discount, since new customer discounts are always better than existing customer discounts.

Americans don't think much about the additional cost over the course of the contract, We want our iPhone 3GS for $199
Americans would balk at the idea of paying the retail $799 for an iPhone 3GS with 32gb, I know it doesn't make sense since I pay $100/month to AT&T. But at $799 I probably wouldn't have an iPhone 3GS either.

The European model works because there culture never got used to cheap discounted phones like Americans did, it's too late to go back.

One Disclaimer - yes I realize that many, especially on this site, would rather buy up front and not have to sign a contract, I'm talking about the majority of Americans.

I put the the wrong numbers in this post, I paid $299 for my iPhone 3GS 32gb, didn't mean to include an unfair comparision.
But seriously $299 was in my mind a real stretch for a phone.
I admit that I'm included in the major American mindset.

Maybe if all American carriers switch to LTE , I know sprint is a holdout, the european model might gain some slow adoption, but even one major carrier on a different technology creates an issue, because it kills the european mindset of buying a phone and being able to take it to any provider.

i'm not sure but i think going the unsubsidized route saves the customer money in the long run. well that is if you get a lower monthly rate for not doing the discounted phone.

i like the idea of a carrier being motivated to keep me as a customer. right now the only security they have is in keeping people on contract. if that goes away then they will have to keep service top-notch.
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sbcglobal.net speedtest result 11/11/09 - 5256kbps

Logically I agree with you 100% percent, I'm not talking logic and common sense here, I'm merely prediciting how I think the American public with react.

Common Sense and Public Reaction very rarely have anything to do with each other

reply to wkm001
"Great" post!

reply to MovieLover76
You really like the word "Americans", don't you!

reply to wkm001
Really? I can get unlimited voice + text for $40 on Verizon's network, plus a little data. To my knowledge no EU provider offers this.

Data OTOH is a rip-off.