Is there any particular reason why one wouldn't buy it on contract and then pay the $175 cancellation fee? Seems like it would be cheaper, even with an activation fee. Or is there something in the contract that prevents you from doing so?
you have to have service for before you can get your $100 mail in rebate. it takes 10-14 weeks to get it and you have to have service when they process your check so that puts you just a little above off contract price.
That would do it. I'll have to read over the contract terms more carefully.
For the record, I haven't done this and don't plan to in the future, but I always wondered how a carrier could charge more than $175 over the subsidized price.
you're also missing the fact that you have to actually pay for your contract while you wait for the rebate, or pay for that one month. THat's at least $69, $300 + $175 + $70 = $545. You're paying 4 dollars less for a bunch of hassle and risk. If you choose to take the rebate, then you're waiting, say, three months.... $200 + $175 + (3*$70) = a big fat $685.
Even the best case scenario barely saves you any money, and you've got the risk of them pulling the phone and leaving you down $545
Sony's just released a 15.5-inch addition to its VAIO S Series that not only adds a crucial bit of extra display acreage, but also bumps things up to a full 1080p.
The most commented posts on Engadget over the past 24 hours.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Is there any particular reason why one wouldn't buy it on contract and then pay the $175 cancellation fee? Seems like it would be cheaper, even with an activation fee. Or is there something in the contract that prevents you from doing so?
you have to have service for before you can get your $100 mail in rebate. it takes 10-14 weeks to get it and you have to have service when they process your check so that puts you just a little above off contract price.
But $300 + $175 = $475, which is still less than $549, right?
And in the case of the iPhone, $475 is less than $600.
I have to be missing something (other than the hassle).
What you're missing is they can take back the phone if you cancel too soon.
That would do it. I'll have to read over the contract terms more carefully.
For the record, I haven't done this and don't plan to in the future, but I always wondered how a carrier could charge more than $175 over the subsidized price.
@rollins
you're also missing the fact that you have to actually pay for your contract while you wait for the rebate, or pay for that one month. THat's at least $69, $300 + $175 + $70 = $545. You're paying 4 dollars less for a bunch of hassle and risk.
If you choose to take the rebate, then you're waiting, say, three months.... $200 + $175 + (3*$70) = a big fat $685.
Even the best case scenario barely saves you any money, and you've got the risk of them pulling the phone and leaving you down $545