My purchase experience as ATT customer

[editguy]

But what about the people who are not from the US and who want the phone and will not consider coming to T-Mobile.

Me for example, I will be in the us this week and all I wanted was to pay the full price, get the phone, request an unlock, and leave.

Why must that be so difficult.

I don't disagree with you, but I guess when you get down to it carriers aren't really in the business for the purpose of selling phones. They want to sell services. Even the "Uncarrier".

 

[swbf2lord]

I don't disagree with you, but I guess when you get down to it carriers aren't really in the business for the purpose of selling phones. They want to sell services. Even the "Uncarrier".

This is pretty true. I'm completely biased, and believe we offer the best option, but we don't run a business that doesn't look out for its own self-interest. No one does, or, if they do, they aren't in business for long.

 

[editguy]

This is pretty true. I'm completely biased, and believe we offer the best option, but we don't run a business that doesn't look out for its own self-interest. No one does, or, if they do, they aren't in business for long.

And, it makes sense when you understand that services are where they make their profit. I've been with T-Mobile for twelve years because they have provided me with good service and reasonable prices. I understand that, if they are going to continue to do that, they have to make a profit as does any business. I also appreciate that they have shaken up the business and forced their competitors to make changes which have been beneficial to consumers on all carriers.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

But what about the people who are not from the US and who want the phone and will not consider coming to T-Mobile.

Me for example, I will be in the us this week and all I wanted was to pay the full price, get the phone, request an unlock, and leave.

Why must that be so difficult.

It's just business. They make peanuts on phones. The money is in the ongoing service. The phones are locked to make sure they get a few months of service fees at a minimum (you can't buy just 40 days) and they hope you stay longer which many will if they have good signal where they live, work and play.

And its the customers who buy phones from carriers that perpetuate this because that business model allows carriers to demand exclusive rights to many phones. It won't change until more people refuse or resist buying phones from carriers which is a lot like buying your car from a gas station.

Lets hope T-Mobile doesn't have an exclusive for very long. Obviously Alcatel would LOVE to sell these to people regardless of carrier.

 

[Kacchan]

The blame here lies with the OP. Have some solid information on what you are buying before spending $500. Buy an unlocked phone that works anywhere or be ready for the potential problems of a carrier locked device. An expensive lesson learned.

Blame lies with the rep for misleading the customer actually.

 

[etad putta]

Blame lies with the rep for misleading the customer actually.

Please tell me why a person working in a T-Mobile store could be expected do care one bit about a customer taking a phone to AT&T? I don't think AT&T will send him a survey asking "How was your experience?" There will be little or no help from either side. But it is something we all can learn from and hopefully not make the same mistake.

 

[dorelse]

Please tell me why a person working in a T-Mobile store could be expected do care one bit about a customer taking a phone to AT&T? I don't think AT&T will send him a survey asking "How was your experience?" There will be little or no help from either side. But it is something we all can learn from and hopefully not make the same mistake.

Because they get credit for the sale?

 

[etad putta]

Because they get credit for the sale?

I don't believe there is a lot of money to be made in the hardware. The line of service is where the real cash is.

 

[RobbieRobski]

Got my email response from TMobile today. Denying request for unlock stating again the 40 day requirement.

 

[libra89]

Got my email response from TMobile today. Denying request for unlock stating again the 40 day requirement.

Ahh that's annoying. So what happens now?

 

[RobbieRobski]

The only thing I can do is wait. I reactivated my old tmobile account for $3 a month to get the clock rolling. I have 2 lines on ATT so I'm considering just switching one over for just the first month and upgrading that plan to unlimited call and texting only. I'll be going on vacation soon and I wont actually need the data on that line, and wifi calling will work just fine for the few calls I do actually make.

 

[RobbieRobski]

This will likely be my last post on this topic because I want to clarify the price. At this particular store (franchise, not official tmobile). The price is only $469.99 if you finance/stay on tmobile for 24 months. Simply buying the device outright with or without a plan $499.99. See actual advertised price

 

[editguy]

Simply buying the device outright with or without a plan $499.99.

Actually, that doesn't apply if you're a current post-paid T-Mobile customer. I selected upgrade my phone and this is what came up. It says "Or pay in full at checkout $469.99".

 

[rruffman07]

If you can come to grips with paying 569 vs 469 for the phone TMobile will unlock your phone right away, you just need to pay the 469 and 2 months of the $50 prepay plan upfront and they will unlock it within 24hrs...I would assume you could either use the service or sell the sim to someone for 100 or 75 or what ever you can get...

 

[pazces84]

Wow! That sounds like a nightmare.

 

[Alain_A]

What no customer laws in US stating if a product is bought outright it is yours....

 

[ttsoldier]

What no customer laws in US stating if a product is bought outright it is yours....

That's the thing. Didn't Obama sign a bill where carriers HAVE to unlock your phone?

 

[Alain_A]

That's the thing. Didn't Obama sign a bill where carriers HAVE to unlock your phone?

Yeah someone mention that

 

[theefman]

Doesn't matter how much you like the phone, best advice is to NEVER buy a carrier locked phone unless you intend to use that carrier, especially in the US. They will happily sell you the phone but do their hardest to stop you from unlocking it and taking it to use elsewhere. Save yourself the stress and just don't buy locked phones in the first place.

 

[ttsoldier]

Doesn't matter how much you like the phone, best advice is to NEVER buy a carrier locked phone unless you intend to use that carrier, especially in the US. They will happily sell you the phone but do their hardest to stop you from unlocking it and taking it to use elsewhere. Save yourself the stress and just don't buy locked phones in the first place.

I would if this was an option.