| reply to gozer
Re: Jailbreaking cell phones to become ILLEGAL at midnight A few things. Since Rogers was mentioned, glad to hear they allow users to unlock now, as they previously flat-out and absolutely refused. At the same time, I feel it is obvious that ANY charge for doing so (once the device is paid off) should be just as illegal as the user unlocking it.
@gozer, I believe I've seen it stated that many overseas countries have a fairly integrated system for blacklisting individual devices, but there is no such system in place in the Americas. I have worked for a large telco here, and at that time the technical staff could not even see the IMEI of a cutomer's current device, nevermind blocking one. In most cases the number wasn't manually logged on their account either, so unless they kept the original box there was no way to know the IMEI anyway. When a call was received about a lost phone, the procedure was to place a block on their subscription to prevent fraudulent charges, and inform them that we could not magically brick their device. There is no incentive for your provider to block your phone - it could still be used on any other network, so they might as well get the new owner's business... And sell you a new phone while they're at it. Many providers now provide location services so you can see where your device is, provided you installed the software before you lost it (and pay the monthly fees...) But how this would help if it's in someone's pocket is unclear.
Finally, we should try to keep in mind the people in the factories who are making these devices, and the questionable practices there. I have no problem believing that an iPhone or other modern device is actually worth the unsubsidized price, but I don't think it's overly cynical of me to doubt whether most of that money is going where it should. |
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KearnstdElf WizardPremium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ | I think it was the CBS show 60 minutes that stated an iPhone costs Apple $8 to make. Which is not impossible considering the bulk they buy the materials in. I am guessing all phones are a similar or lower production cost. So there is some serious bucks being made in the world of phones and tablets.
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[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports |
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 LazManPremium
join:2003-03-26
canada | Reported production cost on an iPhone 4s is a little over $130 usd; iPhone 5 is rumored to be in the $160-$170 range, with the bulk of the cost being the display/touch screen. |
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davePremium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
kudos:8
1 edit | reply to Kearnstd
said by Kearnstd:If I go into the Shop Rite and buy something not taxed(ie any normal food item.) I pay what it says on the shelf tag. In the specific subject matter of this thread, this makes a poor analogy. This would be going into the supermarket and picking up the can opener that says "special, 1 cent for this electronic can opener that will only work on our baked beans, and you have to agree to buy our beans for a year". Then you attempt to modify the can opener to work with someone else's bean tins.
That this analogy sounds ridiculous is only due to the difference between hardware and software, and that supermarkets haven't yet figured out how to do lock-in.
I agree, however, that the general nature of "fees" is irritating as hell. I don't frigging care about how the store determines the final cost to me: I just want to know the final cost to me. It amounts to deceptive advertising to show a price that is not the price I pay. |
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davePremium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
kudos:8
1 edit | reply to Lagz
said by Lagz:Management was literally creaming themselves from the thought of having increased sales due to stolen phones.
Literally? And you'd know this because you wash their underwear? |
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 LagzPremium
join:2000-09-03
The Rock
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| said by dave:said by Lagz:Management was literally creaming themselves from the thought of having increased sales due to stolen phones.
Literally? And you'd know this because you wash their underwear? Well, it could have been my good looks.
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When somebody tells you nothing is impossible, ask him to dribble a football. |
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 djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
kudos:1
 ·VOIPo
 ·Verizon Wireless..
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to LazMan
I agree with you, but I'm not aware of any carrier that won't unlock a device after it's paid off... Rogers does it for free; TELUS charges $25 - dunno about Bell or any of the new entrants...
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AT&T U-Hearse - RIP Unlimited Internet 1995-2011
Rethink Billable.
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LagzPremium
join:2000-09-03
The Rock Reviews:
·AT&T DSL Service
| reply to Sindows 7
Oh looky, ya better get your phone now before carriers stop subsidizing. »AT&T Hints at Possible Handset Financing
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When somebody tells you nothing is impossible, ask him to dribble a football. |
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 BloggerJedi PosterPremium
join:2012-10-18
·Champion Broadba..
1 edit | reply to Lagz
said by Lagz:One example is the AT&T upgrade fee, which is $36. Yes you can with some hassle get that removed, but the fee is still charged to your account. This fee is to help recover the cost of the phone. I know, I used to work for AT&T when it was Cingular back when they instituted this policy. That fee is rarely ever mention at the point of sale(at least not back then, nor this time when I was the buyer). This is one of many tactics that is used in order to recover the cost of the phone.
I've been with Verizon Wireless since their inception. I deal with them a lot online. They are all ways trying to get me to upgrade. I all most did it once about six months ago. I was going through the step by step process online---picking the phone, picking the plan, and so on. Screen after screen but...its not until the last screen the upgrade fee of $30 appears. Upgrade when I am doubling my bill with the new plan, plus forking over $250 plus bucks! Heck, it they are going to want that $30 dollars they should simply bury it somewhere the cost of the phone or some other way rather than saving it till the end and then insult me by not only charging it but hiding it until the very end of the order process.
I stopped the upgrade at that time just on principle and my indignation of the upgrade fee.
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The signal is usually drowned out by the noise. |
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| reply to Kearnstd
@Kearnstd / LazMan: Yes, the cost to Apple is low, but if everyone involved was being fairly remunerated for the work being done that would not likely be the case. Personally I would be happy to pay $600 dollars for a device which is professionally manufactured by people who are not forced to work 18+ hour shifts, exposed to harmful chemicals to cut costs, and severely underpaid. |
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| reply to LazMan
Why do we need the heavy hand of the Tyrant for this problem? Customers have contracts with their wireless providers; this is sufficient. The Tyrant makes so many laws that we have all become criminals! |
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