T-Mobile Might Charge an $18 Upgrade Fee..

I think they are looking at it this way, if everyone else gets away with it, why can't we? I've sometimes been able to get the upgrade fee waived.

-Jay

 

I say T-Mobile is stupid on this
don't forget, it's GSM, I can get any 1900 support 2G if I want

 

They're also going to raised the rates on their text messaging as well.

 

When TMobile starts to lose customers over all the increased fees lately, then they will find out why they can't. I think before they go and start charging extra for everything the least they could do is wait till their network matches that of their competitors.

 

I know, I used to believe this too. But the problem is not every one stays in the little area of the world where they live. TMobile has great coverage in my home town, but when I travel to other areas then I begin to see more and more areas in which TMobile lacks in coverage. TMobile is a great network but they still have a long way to go before their coverage will look anything like Cingular's. I do agree with you that the customer should always choose what works best for them, that's why there is more than one wireless network out there.

 

It's sort of like the 24-month contract thing. They didn't have 24-month contracts, you got the best deals with 12-month contracts. I don't know when it changed but when I upgraded to the PEBL, it required a 24-month agreement. I didn't mind since I was getting a $300 handset for the $5 cost of shipping but still, it's obvious that T-Mobile is saying, "Cingular, Verizon and Sprint do this, why can't we?"

I understand that by doing an upgrade at the sales office, it takes time away from adding new lines, etc and at least it isn't the $36 fee that Sprint charges. I still think it's kind of lame, though.

I don't call T-Mobile customer care or go to the sales office much. I've often thought that if carriers provided options online and through the automated phone system that customers who use those options exclusively (rather than calling or going to the office) should get some kind of discount since they don't cost the company much money.

When I upgrade myself and my wife to PEBLs in November, I did it totally online, I never had to talk to a person. I've pretty much been able to do everything I've ever needed to do online or through the automated system so I'll probably never have to go to the kiosk or call customer service again unless something is totally messed up.

I imagine you can get the fee waived if you ask, though. That's the way it is with Sprint, I have heard.

 

I know with Cingular they don't allow the fee to be waived, so unless TMobile were running a promotion I don't think we'll see them waiving it either.
Also customers can still upgrade at the one year pricing if they wanted to but this would require a trip to the store since TMobile did away with the one year upgrades online. Sounds like you did get a really good deal on those PEBL's that you got by ordering online.

 

they wont because everyone else is doing it too..........everywhere T-Mobile customers look for something better they will see the same thing that T-Mobile has.............upgrade fees and increased texting rates

 

Yes but they also won't see the coverage that the other carriers have as well. One of the main selling points that TMobile had going for them was their low rates and good customer service. Now that TMobile is increasing their rates the only thing left is their customer service. But most of the other carriers out their also provide good customer care as well, so I think it will be interesting to see if TMobile can hold on to their customers after all these rate changes start.

 

Maybe not waiving the fee is a new thing. I could swear I've been able to get it waived before. I know I got the activation fee waived when I activated the second line on my account.

-Jay

 

now the OP says that the upgrade fee is when you upgrade in store................what about online.............cuz i know that CIngular charges the $18 dollars everywhere you go.........

 

I just upgraded both of my parents phones, and the upgrade fee was waived on both, without my even having to ask...

I was looking at the receipt, and it showed the fee, then like the next line down it showed where they had subtracted it back out...

~*Ash*~

 

^ I don't see why all the carriers advertise that they charge an upgrading fee if all they are going to do is turn around and waive it. This doesn't make much sense to me.

 

I haven't a clue. I get alot of perks from them tho. I always sign 2 year contracts, but generally get an upgrade after a year. I have so many overages that they usually get an extra $50 or so out of me per month on top of my base charges, so I think that's where alot of mine comes from...

And I've been with the company for a long time, and I'm sure that has to stand for something...

~*Ash*~

 

WOW, if you are paying them an extra $50.00 per moth just for overages then I think you might want to increase your calling plan to reflect what your usage pattern is per month.

 

It's not my calls... Its texts.

Altho I'm hoping it will help curb it some now that I have the unlimited m2m texting plan.

I honestly hardly ever talk on my phone, I have about 5,000 in rollover. But I text out the wazoo..

~*Ash*~

 

I upgraded my phone on 4/3 and there was no sign of an upgrade fee on the receipt. I wouldnt be surprised if its just one of those fees thats there, if you dont ask any questions you get charged. Ill bring it up if it ever happens.

 

A business is a business. However I don't see that fee coming.

 

LOL, I think I'm the only person you call...

-Jay

 

Pretty much. You're the only person I call to really TALK to. I call my parents, but it's usually for like 2 seconds to confirm plans, etc.

~*Ash*~

 

I'm special...

-Jay

 

T-Mobile is lauching an upgrade fee today, nationwide, it is 18 dollars.
I work there and here are the REAL reasons on why we are charging the fee.
Before to qualify for an upgrade you had to complete 22 months of a 2 year contract of 11 months of a one year contract on a qualifying price plan so basically a PP that was 39.99 or higher for indiividual lines and 59.99 or higher for family time plans. Well know you will be able to upgrade more often, such as like only completing 12 months of a 22 month contract, also before you could only get BOG(X) as a new customer, now we cna offer better b undles and deals for FT plans.
We also are launching the TAB (T-Mobile Address Book) which means all your numbers store to our network so if you lose your phone dmaage it and get a new one your numbers will be there.
Also, T-Mobile had bought 3-g spectrum about a year ago and it is currently being used in NY and LA so in order to help us support our 3-g network we got to make the costs up somewhere, and we charge the lowest upgrade fee of any wireless service provider

 

Oh puhleez! If you use that logic then T-Mobile can charge more when their electric bill goes up. That's a lame-åss excuse if I ever heard one. I'm willing to be that your excuse for them isn't even true and that you made that up. I'm betting that you never heard that from an y higher up.

 

Come on...a fee to upgrade your phone, extend your contract, and stay with the company longer? Where is the logic behind that?

 

yeah......kinda ridic...........

 

I thought there was a $35 fee for upgrading a phone back in the Cingular days?

People will pay the fee to get a "better deal" more often than every 22 months, IMO.

 

Oh yeah I believe AT&T still charges an upgrade fee now. I don't agree with any carrier charging "upgrade" fees.

 

as far as i know they dont charge it on every medium though......they may charge it on the web and not in the store or they might charge in the store but not on the web