When the iPhone 3G came out in July, I went to my local AT&T store to upgrade and was turned around at the door. Even I’ve been a loyal customer for several years – paying $95/mo – they said I couldn’t upgrade EARLY. “Come back when your contract is up to get the discounted price”, they said.
Today I went to the AT&T store again. My contract is up on November 20, 2008 (20 days away) so I figure I’m within a few weeks … why the hell wouldn’t they let me upgrade now? I’m the perfect customer – I pay them a lot of money and have not been late with a single payment.
With credit card in hand – I was turned away again. “If you want to pay $500 for the phone you can get it now, but if you want the discounted price for the phone you’ll have to wait until the day your current contract is up.”
Can anyone explain this business model to me? If a customer proactively comes to your company’s door and says – “Hey, I want to sign a contract with you for another two years.” And the customer also says – “Hey you know what – here’s $300 in advance too“. Would you say no? Who in the hell taught these guys business?
I honestly don’t get this… WHY THE &*!@ DON’T YOU WANT YOUR CUSTOMERS TO RENEW A CONTRACT EARLY?
AT&T FAIL!
Related posts:
- Not Cool, AT&T… Not Cool! So I have been an AT&T customer for four years...
- AT&T FAIL Boy, AT&T… you are really blowing it… Looks like I’m...
- Hey AT&T! Remember Me? …I am your non-iPhone customer who has been waiting for...
- Micro-Consulting – An A La Carte Consulting Model The general idea of micro-consulting (or “microconsulting“) provides a defragmentation...
- Dear Microsoft: Address Your Pricing Structure Awhile ago I addressed the myriad of choices that is...
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I often wonder the same thing! I’m having very similar issues right now with speakeasy. Trying to cancel one contract but extending another and they are not letting us do that. They get nearly $6,000/month from us right now. All we want to do is re-arrange services to be a little more efficient!