Why charge a upgrade fee?

syaoran wrote:

gramps28 wrote:

Verizon does the same and pretty sure AT&T does the same.

Yes, but that still doesn't make it right.  It literally takes 15 seconds to remove a SIM from one device and put it in another.  Not 3 hours pay for one employee!  This is literally my one exception to wanting self-serve options so they don't have to employ someone to charge this ridiculous fee.

syaoran wrote:

gramps28 wrote:

Verizon does the same and pretty sure AT&T does the same.

Yes, but that still doesn't make it right.  It literally takes 15 seconds to remove a SIM from one device and put it in another.  Not 3 hours pay for one employee!  This is literally my one exception to wanting self-serve options so they don't have to employ someone to charge this ridiculous fee.

A lot of times they are required to transfer things, and at times explain the features not just swapping sims.  A lot of people assume that's what everyone does, but working for places where I can watch lower employees for long periods of time you'd be surprised how much they do especially for the much older crowd.

It's like that delivery fee which delivery drives for pizza places.  Those drivers are seriously underpaid, and they don't even get the delivery fee.

I have a feeling people would be robbing that vending machine!  Some areas would be prime for it.

Honestly I say Carriers should just stop selling devices.  Make the OEMs spend the money on inventory, warehouses, personnel, and locations.  Reduce services costs, and rid of upgrade fees.  OEMs make 1 device unlocked works for all carriers.  

tidbits wrote:

I have a feeling people would be robbing that vending machine!  Some areas would be prime for it.

Honestly I say Carriers should just stop selling devices.  Make the OEMs spend the money on inventory, warehouses, personnel, and locations.  Reduce services costs, and rid of upgrade fees.  OEMs make 1 device unlocked works for all carriers.  

That would be great, but just look at the mess Samsung created trying to sell the s23 preorders.  Most of us couldn't even place an order through their site.  After 4 days, I gave up and ordered mine through T-Force and still got it on the 10th, a full 10 days before the device officially launched.  :D  

Apple orders for other carriers were terrible, but they have a better grasp on inventory and fulfill their own first before giving carriers more to send.  It'll force OEM's to upgrade every preorder to compensate or do a better job.  Ironically as bad as Apple has done it they always invest more each year for preorders and does a better job overall fulfilling orders.  

There is a fee for a new SIM card unless it is replaced by Tech Support as a possible cause of network connectivity issues.  Have you made sure that the APN Settings and MMS settings are correct on your BYO Devices? 

https://www.t-mobile.com/support/devices/not-sold-by-t-mobile/byod-t-mobile-data-and-apn-settings#:~:text=In%20Settings%2C%20look%20under%20Wireless%20%26%20Networks%20or,update%20the%20following%20settings%20for%20the%20Data%20APN.

Bingo.  Sadly, the concept of ‘free phone’ doesn’t include tax or .. fees.

The fee is imposed by T-Mobile, not the government.

This is where I’d purchase directly from the vendor, and not deal with those … fees.

I've been a mobile customer for well over 20 years, AT&T for a couple of years, then Verizon for most of the time and just recently moved over to T-Mobile.  I have never paid an "activation" fee for a phone.  What a crock.  I say waive that fee or I will go to another carrier, and they say okay.  Maybe it's because i have good credit and the carriers want those customer to stay or come on board new, but they never say no or even argue with me, they just waive it.  Since I like free budget phones as well, I can usually wrangle one free every 3 years as well.   I do pay tax on the phone of course, and I have to stay with the plan for 24 months, as they usually credit me each month for the cost of the phone.  You have to be willing to change carriers though.  That's how I landed here, Verizon was starting to charge me more, trying to get me out of my grandfathered plan and move to a bigger plan.  I said no and they said sorry, so I joined up here.  I get far more in data, perks, all at a $20.00 month price reduction.  I've read Verizon lost all most 130,000 customers last quarter.  They really need to rethink their business model and start to get competitive again.  Right now, they are the most expensive and seem to give you the least for your mobile plan dollar.  I also read they are laying off 6000 customer service reps here in America and sending those jobs overseas.  That won't make Verizon customers happy.  Sign of the times I guess, gotta pad the bottom line for the share holders.  I'm happy here at T-Mobile and switching from Verizon was painless for me, thanks to the brilliant sales lady in the store I went to.  I didn't want to try and port the number myself.  She got it all done in about 15 minutes.

T-Mobile in general 'has been' the price leader.  In the past 2 years, they've also been the 'speed' leader.

That ends in many areas when you look for coverage.  It is true that Verizon/AT&T 'appear' old / stuffy / lethargic and out of touch, as well as quite expensive.  They don't have the Uber high speeds - which 'sell'.  Some (those that live in more rural areas) or those expecting better overall 'service' in areas that have storms/power outage may end up with some buyers remorse.

Your buying a new phone , they want to charge you an upgrade fee .I can take out my own SIM card , is there a charge for a down grade .Me: Hello I want to purchase the IPhone 14 pro . TMobile: sure $1300 please plus $35 to up grade  Me: I'll keep my IPhone 13pro 

I'm going to charge you $3 for a gallon of milk for taking it off the shelf for you, but the milk itself cost $4 a gallon that you can pay at the cashier counter, thank you for shopping at Tmobile .