In February 2014, after multiple soliciations from ATT Wireless, we switched from an unlimited data plan to the 10 GB Mobile Share Value Plan. In exchange for giving up our unlimited data, our bill went from $250/month to $160/month (plus taxes and fees). Fast forward to November 2014 -- less than one year later -- when we upgraded our son's old phone to an iPhone 6 and LATER learned that in doing so his line no longer would qualifiy for the discounted Mobile Share Value plan pricing. Instead, his line went from $15/month to $40/month (total monthly bill is $190+ after taxes and fees). This $25 MONTHLY increase is in addition to the $200 cost of the phone AND the $40 one time upgrade fee AND a new 2-year contract. In other words, the new phone is costing us $840 over the life of the contract. Is this correct?! Additionally, I was told that if my husband, daughter, and/or I upgrade our phones, our lines also would go from $15/month to $40/month, which would increase our monthly bill by another $75/month plus taxes and fees. In other words, less than one year after giving up our unlimited data with the promise of a much lower bill, our bill actually would be MORE than it was when we had unlimited data ($260/month with taxes and fees), but, of course, with only 10 GB of data. What am I missing? Is there a way to upgrade a phone without such a significant bill increase (which is in addition to the cost of the phone)? Isn't the installment plan, which doesn't require a contract, just as costly?
↧