So I have been an AT&T customer for four years now. I pay $95/mo for my unlimited data and messaging plan along with my voice plan. I’ve always paid my bill on time. I’ve never called customer support and I’ve been in the store once when I initially signed up - four years ago. Sounds like the perfect customer, right?

Well yesterday I went into my local store to get the new iPhone… After I was told they did not have any and they could reserve one for me he asked if I was eligible for an upgrade. I had read all the coverage of the AT&T “Upgrade” regulations and had thought this included anyone with an existing data plan. Unfortunately this is not the case… my contract does not expire until November and therefore I can either a) pay the retail price now or b) wait until November.

I don’t get it. Here I am wanting to renew my contract EARLY by signing up for an additional two year contract. I am going to give you $300 for a new phone (when I got my Blackjack for $0.01). Why would you tell me no … explicitly sending away a very loyal customer who has spent $4560 for your lackluster services for the last four years and wants more? A customer who has stood by you reassuring potential customers that the service is good? A customer who constantly makes excuses for your lack of innovation, network coverage, and prices?

How does this business model work? What other business would deliberately turn down customers with credit card in hand?

I just don’t get it AT&T… And its very possible you just lost the perfect customer and a loyal evangelist… Shame on you.

UPDATE: I started a new meme here, on Twitter, and on FriendFeed… What would you to your clients / customers if you treated them like AT&T does theirs?