Cingular Confirms iPhone Will “Require” 2 Year Contract

Comments

1. Cal says:
   January 14, 2007 at 1:34 am

   I’m sure eBay will have plenty of these out there fast enough. Or celltrader. Thanks to the Consumerist Toolkit I’m sure that it’ll be possible to trade an existing cotnract for a new contract with an iPhone. Very cool research from the site.
2. Nayners says:
   April 2, 2007 at 8:58 pm

   I am eligible for an upgrade with Cingular, so I called them this morning wondering if I could apply it to the iPhone for a lower price. Evidently they don’t have the prices worked out yet, but there will be some sort of lower price involved for 1 or 2 year contracts. $499 4G/$599 8G prices are for a NON COMMITMENT phone. Which means for all the whiners, YOU DON’T NEED TO BUY A CONTRACT. YOU’RE PAYING THAT HIGH PRICE JUST FOR THAT REASON. I think it’s hilarious that all these people are going to pay all that money and have it unlocked so they can go on another carrier, not have all the features working and think they’re getting a deal! LOL! Apple is a smart company, which is part of the reason everyone wants an iPhone. If they’ve binded themselves to only one company for this project, you can be sure they’ve got a damn good reason why. I’ve been with Cingular since they bought out AT&T. They’ve always had great customer service. In fact every issue I’ve ever had, including one or two really major problems, have always been worked out completely to my benefit. I think the whiners are crazy and am totally looking forward to the sweet ass deal I’ll be getting on this sweet ass phone. And for the crazies who are like, “Waaa, it will have glitches,” HELLO, the iPhones has SOFTWARE and can be updated and fixed through a computer, unlike your prehistoric phone.
3. daq says:
   April 27, 2007 at 8:56 pm

   Actually, I recently went to a Cingular store. I asked them if it was possible to buy the iPhone without a plan, and he said yes. He also said it would cost $1200 instead.

   So, yes, you can buy it w/out the plan, it’s just double the price. I’m still getting it!
4. mattanddeana says:
   June 8, 2007 at 8:18 am

   Ok, people, as much as one can appreciate all the rantings and speculation year-to-date on this freakin’ mutant iPhone, let’s all take a deep breath and gain some perspective for cryin’ out loud, shall we?

   Thanks “Nayners” for reeling it back in and reminding everyone that the whole “contract game” has been played for YEARS in the mobile/cellular industry– so c’mon, folks, that’s nothing new. Big whoop! So Cingular is the sole provider! Anyone who has issues with the fact that this device is only available via one source, then SHAME ON YOU because you are likely being hypocritical! I would venture to say that nearly ALL of us have some favs and we’d go anywhere or do just about anything to acquire them– fashion, cars, gaming, jewelry?

   It’s a matter of brand loyalty or just down right being spoiled in America to have damn near anything at our fingertips and we’ll pay disgusting amounts of money to get what we want. So let’s get real! Don’t be pissed at some moguls who capitalize (yet again) on our own supply and demand ratio– consumers created that monster, so don’t slay the wrong dragon here.

   “Nayners” also clarified the 4G/8G price differentiation and brought up one of the gazillion “what if’s” that Cingular (“The new AT&T,” lest we forget) and Apple are having to muddle through. The scenarios are endless, so like they’ve done for years, Cingular will most likely have to handle many of these situations (i.e., upgrades for existing customers, etc.) on a case-by-case basis. So, for God’s sake, let’s not get all bent outta shape acting like children afraid the next guy in line is gonna get something we think we should get, too!

   Based on my most recent trip to the local Cingular/AT&T store (TODAY), it’ll be good ole’ “business as usual” once the fanfare dies down– and right now, the “usual” is very conflicting, inconsistent communication amongst local staffers, their customer service folks on the other end of the line (A LANDLINE, desktop telephone, I might add– can you say, “One ringy-dingy, two ringy-dingy?” Ha!). I wouldn’t be nearly as fearful of this new iPhone as I would be if the SERVICE and ABILITY TO MAKE AND KEEP CUSTOMERS isn’t made a big, fat priority at AT&T! Those “call-in” service reps need to have a deathmatch with the local office guys because even THEY are all ready to ring each others’ necks– with all the confusion still rampant as a result of the AT&T switch-a-roo earlier this year. The associate today practically stood on her head to help me with something I should have, in fact, been offered by a “call-in” rep. when I had some broken phone issues last month. I swear, if I’d have had a dollar for every time that poor woman had to say “We used to… what happened to our service to the customer… I don’t know where you got your information, but…” while she talked to that ass on the phone trying to resolve my problem– the locals play mercy all day long with the call center as a result of so many changes! NOT an optimum time to launch a gem like iPhone. These guys are NOT unified, based on my experience AND numerous observations in the store, but anyone should be able to haggle and fall somewhere in the service cracks and come out ahead– the ink’s not even dry in the damn policy and procedures manual! So who is to say customers can’t help pioneer some new territory and help write the book?! Kinda like a couple having a baby for the first time– not sure what or how, but you’ll figure it out along the way. Give AT&T some credit for most likely being willing to negotiate a tad as they embark on a new path. Their weak link right now appears to be that the acquisitional storm is still hovering like a dark cloud over them– the “old versus new” game is still being played out within the organization and it’s their weakest link right now. Call it capitalizing on their vulnerabilities (shhh, it’s a secret), but raising a little stink along the way may yield some roses in the end… if you’re persuing an iPhone and need leverage with which to negotiate. Let ‘em screw up, call them out on it, and negotiate what can be done to earn or maintain your business.

   Moral of this story, guys? The mere fact that consumers take time to post this kind of crap on a bulletin board further demonstrates our frenzied interest in a product enough (by some) to pay for it. Some really techy “gotta-have-it-all” type will pay whatever it takes and others will take the, “Eh, my polaroid camera and turntable stereo work fine” approach and take it in stride. Don’t blame Apple and AT&T for offering and EXCLUSIVE (not monopolized) product with services.

   Needs and wants are two entirely different things and, uh, no offense (good grief, I’m leaving myself wide open for horrible feedback with this), but my little grandparents in nowhere-ville WV lived long, happy, prosperous days not having to worry about such petty stuff. There will always be something faster, smaller, cuter, shinier, blah, blah, blah– but with a hefty price tag.

   If this were your sky-high electric bill or inability to have adequate water supply, I’d sympathize. Otherwise, shut up and stay abreast on the Cingular.com website. There–TAH DAH– you can read FACTS about this hyped phone on steroids– and even register for a cute little e-mail to be sent to your multiple addresses announcing it’s official arrival later this month! How precious…

   (The delivery of my sarcasm didn’t do this topic justice, I’m afraid.)