ATT will Penalize if iPhone Returned

Question

ATT will Penalize if iPhone Returned

AT&T informed me that if I returned or gave away my iPhone, I will lose my current phone # which I have had for 10 years. Also, I will no longer be eligible in the future for the discounts I am receiving through my employers agreement with AT&T (currently 50%). These rules apply even within the AT&T stores 30 day return policy. When I was unsure about buying an iPhone or the Tilt phone, the sales person did not mention this extremely important drawback when we were discussing the pluses & minuses between the 2 phones.
Will someone please help me sort this out.
I do not want to keep my iPhone, but can not afford the penalties if I do not keep it. I am not in good health so I did not pursue this beyond speaking to an AT&T rep. I just don't have the energy to research this info any further. I have been composing this message for 30 minutes & it is wearing me out. Has anyone else had this experience? I really would appreciate some knowledgeable feedback.

iPhone

Posted on Dec 24, 2007 8:53 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Soft Reset

Level 4

1,790 points

Dec 24, 2007 9:16 PM in response to iamthegoaliedadatida

While I don't think I can answer every component of the question, allow me to see what I can and I'm sure other members will also chime in as well.

- If you "cancel" your cell phone contract with a carrier they release your phone number, which will most likely occur in approximately 3-6 weeks. I had a cell phone number with Verizon Wireless and I cancelled out of my contract after 3 years, within about a month the number was reassigned to someone else (with Verizon). The same thing happened with a T-Mobile account I had for about 2-years, only they recycled it about two weeks after I cancelled it.

- You can "port" your number to another phone, or even another carrier but in order to perform that action, the account (with that number) must be active. I've heard of some people being able to port numbers up to 10-days after they cancelled their account, but I also heard that it was a nightmare to arrange that action. Not something I'd expect to be a regular exception made by carriers.

- Regarding the employee discount, you might wish to speak with your employer (as well as AT&T) to see what their agreement is for employees. Perhaps there's some line item in the Terms & Conditions that specifies that. Typically, there's no cut and dry when it comes to discounts for employees of companies that have agreements with carriers.

As for the overall scope of the dilemma, it certainly appears as though you need to speak with AT&T further to resolve the specifics of the issue. Especially regarding the ability to retain your current number. Good Luck!

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 25, 2007 4:13 PM in response to Soft Reset

I posted the question and appreciate the reply. I am still confused. Maybe if I give additional and specific info, I can get a reply that directly responds to my situation.

First, the ATT return policy is: all products/services including the iPhone, can be returned within 30 days. I specifically asked about the iPhone. I have had an account with ATT/ Cingular for about 7 years I want to purchase the new Tilt phone at the same store with the required 2 yr contract renewal. This is exactly how I have purchased a Blackjack 1 yr ago. At the time I bought the Blackjack, I had not completed the time left on my current contract. The Blkjac is still mine to give away, sell etc.

Secondly, I do not even want to return the iPhone. My plan is to give it away. This plan is exactly the same scenario as the Blkjac and iPhone purchases. I kept my phone num when I bought the Blkjac and kept it with the purchase of the Ifon. I did not lose my present or future rights to any discounts with the Blkjac. When I inquired about giving my Ifon to my nephew and buy a Tilt, I was told I could not keep my num and I could not use my discount on the Tilt or any future purchases.

My options are:

Keep the Ifon which is ineffective for my needs. This will cost me my time and energy which has an impact on my I'll health.

Buy the Tilt which is much more appropriate for me. The price is just as big; lose my phone num which impacts my effectiveness and lose all discounts for the life of my account.

Find a Provider that is customer friendly and fight ATT for the early termination fee. This will take lots of effort which again is bad for my health.

I really need someone to go to bat for me. I can't be the only person in this situation. Please help.

Message was edited by: iamthegoaliedadatida

Reply

Answer 3

igrok-mac

Level 3

947 points

Dec 25, 2007 4:19 PM in response to iamthegoaliedadatida

I'm not sure I understand why you'd lose your phone number. Just go into the AT&T store, return your iphone and ask to pop the sim into the new Tilt you're buying. Your contract for services will remain, so your phone number should stay the same. Or are you thinking about switching providers? If so, you can port your number to the new provider.

Reply

Answer 4

Dec 25, 2007 4:28 PM in response to iamthegoaliedadatida

Just to back the last poster up:

If you stay with AT&T you can disconnect the iPhone and go for the Tilt and keep your number.

If you stray from AT&T you will lose your number.

So I would stay with AT&T, disconnect the iPhone, connect the Tilt and give the iPhone away to a very lucky receiver.

Reply

Answer 5

Dec 25, 2007 4:51 PM in response to iamthegoaliedadatida

You are allowed to switch plans, which you all you would do is get a different data plan.

Also you can use any phone you want.

http://supportcingular.atgnow.com/cng/resultDisplay.do?page=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport cingular.atgnow.com%2Fcng%2Ftutorials%2FKB61945.html&result=11&responseid=873e71 0e85f5d8be%3A576e70%3A11713d9630f%3A-af7&groupid=1&contextid=16365%3A364.587%2C1 370.1492&clusterName=CingularCluster&doctype=1000&excerpt=Youcan+change+your+rate+plan+online+within+myWireless+Account+by+following+these+in structions%2C+and+for+specific+instructions+on+changing+to+an+AT%26T+Unity+SM+pl an%2C+see+the+topic%3A+How+Can+I+Switch+to+an+AT%26T+Unity+RatePlan%3F#Goto364

The above is rate plans.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/iphone-faqs.jsp#return

The above link states that iPhones can be returned, no penalty, within 30 days. If you are out of the 30 day period all you need to do is keep it and swap out the SIM.

This penalty stuff is nonsense.

As I stated before you can change the data plan and be on your way. You are not not breaking your contract but actually continuing it with AT&T.

Reply

Answer 6

Dec 25, 2007 5:40 PM in response to iamthegoaliedadatida

I work for att so maybe i can provide a definitive answer to your question..

if you return your iphone to att you will be charged a 10% restock but you will retain your number and can choose any device you want as a replacement..

if you wish to sell your iphone privately you can go into any att store and ask them to activate a new sim for you which will deactivate the sim in your iphone, you may now take the new sim and put it in the phone of your choice.. as your number follows the chip and not the phone..

my advice, go into a coorperate retail location, people get bad info over the phone...

also, i have the iphone and the tilt.. and i leave the tilt in the glovebox.. it has many features yes, but it is so difficult and un-intuitive to use it makes me unhappy on a daily basis,

Reply

Answer 7

will2b

Level 2

271 points

Dec 25, 2007 6:24 PM in response to macjmillsx

macjmillsx,

Agreed. We have 3 iphones in the family...I just bought 2 for Christmas. I've been enjoying mine for about 4 months now...Love it! Anyway, my 17 year old son insisted on the the newest "tilt". I was perfectly willing to buy yet another iphone but he chose the tilt over the iphone..I don't get it??? The iphone is so much easier to use......like all the apple products...it just works. I don't want to have to spend days trying to figure out how to get a phone to work..I don't want to spend days on the phone with AT&T (very new product) either. Anyway, he's 17...lots of time on his hands. 😉 I prefer to enjoy my phone rather than fight with it on a daily basis. Just my 2 cents.

will2b

Reply

Answer 8

will2b

Level 2

271 points

Dec 26, 2007 2:43 PM in response to will2b

Update:

After wrestling with the newest Tilt for several days my son decided that it was not the phone for him after all. We exchanged it for an iphone. Oh and BTW...no restocking fee. 😉 Now he is enjoying the " real' internet....and it's works every time. 😉

will2b

Reply

Answer 9

viali17

Level 4

2,825 points

Dec 24, 2007 9:31 PM in response to iamthegoaliedadatida

Plenty of advice given, above!

Reply

Answer 10

Dec 25, 2007 4:39 PM in response to b_behringer

ATT told me I can not do that.

Reply