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Re: AT&T/Cingular
I thought AT&T did away with in-store bill payments over a year ago or more? Can someone else confirm this? I haven't had service with them for at least a year.
As far as the "free phone," it may be free to the consumer, but it costs each wireless carrier a chunk of money.
Say for instance the free Nokia phone that phone carriers give out, they charge the company at least 200.00 for that phone, and in turn give it to the customer for free, the catch? You are required to sign a contract, most times a two-year agreement.
This is the only way the wireless carrier can get their money back, that's why wireless salespeople push the "extra stuff" like picture messaging, internet access, text messaging, or mobile-to-mobile minutes.
Now, what happens if during that contract you want to switch phones again? You'll either have to pay full price for the phone, or agree to extend your contract again, to get a discounted price.
Up until last year, Sprint PCS was the only wireless carrier to sell phones with out a discounted price, in theory, you could buy a new phone as often as you wanted, and it didn't affect your contract, and Sprint wasn't losing money on the phone either.
Currently, things are still the same, but now they offer new customers a $150.00 savings on a phone, and current customers can take advantage of this if they've been using the same phone for 18 months.
So, whether we all realize it or not, wireless phones aren't that cheap, and the free one, isn't exactly free.
FYI, I used to work in the wireless industry up until two years ago, currently, I use Nextel, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint PCS.
Originally posted by Serenity
IMHO...
I think that Cingular Companies have a very limited supply
of choices to choose from as far as their phones,
although I can definatley give them credit,
the only thing I like most is their "roll over minutes".
I went to their store in Wahiawa to pay my bill, well,
to my surprise, I endded getting Pissed off the more, because
their system is not set that way. I know that with AT & T wireless,
I could do it before. SIGH!. Regardless of the switch with cingular,
I think I will (maybe) still keep my original phone, their freebie phone
that I am able to change over, really SUCKS BIG TIME
& the other phones that I might like to transfer later, will cost me more!
I just got my new phone that I am finally happy with, & they go off &
change companies!. Personally you wont want to hear what I feel
& what I have to say about that & about them!.
BTW... the NOKIA phones that they have is really UGLY!,
& they need more & much better phones to choose from
as far as the freebie ones!.
I think that Cingular Companies have a very limited supply
of choices to choose from as far as their phones,
although I can definatley give them credit,
the only thing I like most is their "roll over minutes".
I went to their store in Wahiawa to pay my bill, well,
to my surprise, I endded getting Pissed off the more, because
their system is not set that way. I know that with AT & T wireless,
I could do it before. SIGH!. Regardless of the switch with cingular,
I think I will (maybe) still keep my original phone, their freebie phone
that I am able to change over, really SUCKS BIG TIME
& the other phones that I might like to transfer later, will cost me more!
I just got my new phone that I am finally happy with, & they go off &
change companies!. Personally you wont want to hear what I feel
& what I have to say about that & about them!.
BTW... the NOKIA phones that they have is really UGLY!,
& they need more & much better phones to choose from
as far as the freebie ones!.
I thought AT&T did away with in-store bill payments over a year ago or more? Can someone else confirm this? I haven't had service with them for at least a year.
As far as the "free phone," it may be free to the consumer, but it costs each wireless carrier a chunk of money.
Say for instance the free Nokia phone that phone carriers give out, they charge the company at least 200.00 for that phone, and in turn give it to the customer for free, the catch? You are required to sign a contract, most times a two-year agreement.
This is the only way the wireless carrier can get their money back, that's why wireless salespeople push the "extra stuff" like picture messaging, internet access, text messaging, or mobile-to-mobile minutes.
Now, what happens if during that contract you want to switch phones again? You'll either have to pay full price for the phone, or agree to extend your contract again, to get a discounted price.
Up until last year, Sprint PCS was the only wireless carrier to sell phones with out a discounted price, in theory, you could buy a new phone as often as you wanted, and it didn't affect your contract, and Sprint wasn't losing money on the phone either.
Currently, things are still the same, but now they offer new customers a $150.00 savings on a phone, and current customers can take advantage of this if they've been using the same phone for 18 months.
So, whether we all realize it or not, wireless phones aren't that cheap, and the free one, isn't exactly free.
FYI, I used to work in the wireless industry up until two years ago, currently, I use Nextel, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint PCS.
I guess it was a long time ago that I was able to have an in-store bill payment, 
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