Oct 09 2007
Switching to AT&T Wireless ain’t easy to do - part 4
This post is one of a series. Get up to speed:
The telephone reps at AT&T were right: pricing at retail stores varies in more ways than one.
My wife looked at a BlackBerry Curve and was told it would cost $180 after a $100 rebate. Interesting, because the price is $200 after rebate from the AT&T web site. Likewise, he quoted the BlackBerry Connect plan as $45/month and on-line it’s $50.
As I wrote this, I challenged an on-line AT&T rep as to why the pricing varies from ‘net to phone to retail store? The reply: “that’s how ATT has it set up.”
I wonder what the FTC would say about this?
In any event, in Part 3 I mentioned how you can get any device at a discount with new activation. It’s true. Direct from Nokia, the U.S. spec N95 retails for $750 unlocked. I can buy it from an Internet merchant (hint: rhymes with NobleJanet), with new AT&T activation, for $450. How about an unlocked E61i for $260? We’re talking discounts of around 40% for unlocked devices that are better than those offered by AT&T.
What about product support? The particular merchant I was speaking with got approval from AT&T to offer these phones with new activation. You may not be able to walk into a retail store with “how do I…?” questions about an N95 but the device will work and make phone calls out of the box.
There are reasons, probably even good ones, for why AT&T pricing varies depending on the outlet you buy from. However, I’m not sure customers are accustomed to this “fluid” pricing model for phones and plans. I’m certain the prices offered by Verizon Wireless are the same wherever you go and if someone is activating with AT&T they’re probably coming from Verizon.
I’m left wondering if AT&T is doing the right thing or not but I’ve learned that getting the best deal requires asking many questions and doing some legwork. I’m not sure it should require this much effort but that’s a topic for another day.
Related posts:
- Switching to AT&T Wireless ain’t easy to do - part 3
- Switching to AT&T Wireless ain’t easy to do - part 5
- Switching to AT&T Wireless ain’t easy to do - part 1
- Switching to AT&T Wireless ain’t easy to do - part 2
- Mobile phone radiation (SAR values)