Forum Discussion
Why charge a upgrade fee?
I know when you go to a store to purchase new plan or upgrade phone they charge you a 35.00 fee for each phone you upgrade. When you plan on doing 4 or more phones that fee should be waived or adjusted to a flat fee of 80 or 100.00? But what if you do it online through the website and have the devices shipped to you. Does that fee still apply? I am trying to way out my options before I upgrade my currents devices? Its not tike they have to do much work. The Phones transfer all the info for you. All the store reps have to do is scan the new phones and the required info for their service to know what phone you have and what line its too. and then the Samsung phone will switch all your information over tot he new phone.
Gracias
Unfortunately, the uograde fee applies online as well. Consider upgrading at your local BestBuy to avoid these ridiculous fees.
T-Mobile 'used to be' the uncarrier, claiming no fees or bundled services. They still use 'uncarrier', and still do sell unbundled, but promote their bundled services. Similarly, stores are basically an expense for sales. If you don't have Internet, how can you sign up for service ? Telesales ? Oddly enough, I can purchase through Apple/Samsung directly and save myself … $35. Stores are an expense, and I can understand sales attempting to recoup through these fees. I used to purchase locally at a store, but then they wanted fees. Ok .. I'll purchase over the phone … fees. Ok I'll purchase online … fees.
Ok - I’ll bypass and go through Samsung/Apple. Samsung gives better deals than T-Mobile does on exchanges as well ($325 vs $125 for the same device!)
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.
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
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.
If they have to transfer the contents of one device to another. Sure. I am fine with a fee for that because that is something I would personally do myself. If someone needs an in-store tutorial on their new device. I also think that is fair to charge a fee for. If I walk into a store to pick up a phone that doesn't even leave the box until I get it home. I don't think there should be a fee for that. If it's too much to expect a person to take a minute of their time to get it, scan it, and check me out. Put it in a vending machine inside of the store and I will use that.
I bet if they could they'd drop the brick and mortar places to save money. We've literally had someone recently on here complained a lot them were shutting down. It's a catch 22. Honestly I wish carriers would just sell services, and leave device sales to OEMs. Honestly would reduce overheads by a large margin which should lower plan costs.
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.
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.
Verizon does the same and pretty sure AT&T does the same.
Unfortunately, the uograde fee applies online as well. Consider upgrading at your local BestBuy to avoid these ridiculous fees.
