Buying a phone not from ATT

**jefrox01** · 11-20-2010, 01:02 AM

I was thinking about buying a phone from Walmart and was wondering what the pros and cons of not buying it from ATT..I already have a ATT account

**Totalimmortal363** · 11-20-2010, 12:30 PM

I buy a Mercedes. It's time for its 20K Service. I'm not taking it to Jiffy Lube because its $50 cheaper.

**mtwilford#CB** · 11-20-2010, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by Totalimmortal363

I buy a Mercedes. It's time for its 20K Service. I'm not taking it to Jiffy Lube because its $50 cheaper.

I have been a customer of AT&T for almost 10 years, I would say buy the phone were ever it is cheaper. it's the same device, if you buy from AT&T or the 99c store. Must be nice to have all the money in the world to spend $50 extra for the same service

**Totalimmortal363** · 11-21-2010, 12:37 PM

It's all about how I care for my possesions. I believe it quality over quantity. I could get about the same performance out of a $500 home theater receiver, but I'll gladly spend the $2,000 for that next level of quality and service I get from my Pioneer Elite.

**blackrocker** · 11-21-2010, 02:22 PM

Same product, same manufacturers warranty, lower price. I think the only downside to buying a new phone from Walmart is you only have 14 days to return it versus 30 days at an ATT store.

**Totalimmortal363** · 11-21-2010, 04:32 PM

And an employee getting paid minimum wage to mess with your account that really doesn't care what happens after you leave.

**mark_rivers19** · 11-21-2010, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Totalimmortal363

It's all about how I care for my possesions. I believe it quality over quantity. I could get about the same performance out of a $500 home theater receiver, but I'll gladly spend the $2,000 for that next level of quality and service I get from my Pioneer Elite.

for full disclosure, you also need to let the OP know that you work for AT&T.

**amazinglygraceless** · 11-22-2010, 04:20 PM

The ridiculous analogies aside, buy the phone wherever you get the best price.

I have been a customer of AT&T for over a decade and have only bought one (1)
phone direct from them. That was a Pearl 8100 in 2007.

My 8310 I bought through work for $75.00, Bold 9000 was a gift, 8900 and 9700
were from Lets Talk for $7 and $1 respectively. The Torch was a replacement
when AT&T got tired of sending me 9700s only to have me send them back.

Guess what? I still get the great service that has kept me a customer for 12+
years, still have the same warranty and still can upgrade after a year at no
additional charge.

**breakmedown** · 11-24-2010, 12:38 PM

So, AG, while we're at it, where did you get your 9700? How did the warranty exchange work when it broke since you didn't buy it from them? I'm guessing you went through Asurion?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**amazinglygraceless** · 11-26-2010, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by breakmedown

So, AG, while we're at it, where did you get your 9700? How did the warranty exchange work when it broke since you didn't buy it from them? I'm guessing you went through Asurion?

The 9700 was from LetsTalk. As I said before the warranty is handled completely
through AT&T.

And again this was through AT&Ts warranty exchange. Asurion only handles
insurance claims, which I have never made.

**tcseacliff** · 11-26-2010, 10:10 AM

I usually buy from att phone sales. they seem to be more flexible. my question is ,I am tempted to grab a better deal on price.my question is, if i get a phone with a contract will I mess up my current plan? I have the grandfathered data plan no longer offered. so i usually just take a phone from the upgrade list, but would like to get in on one of these sales but don't know if they would be able to keep my current coverage? thanks

**Lyls** · 11-26-2010, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by amazinglygraceless

The ridiculous analogies aside, buy the phone wherever you get the best price.

I have been a customer of AT&T for over a decade and have only bought one (1)
phone direct from them. That was a Pearl 8100 in 2007.

My 8310 I bought through work for $75.00, Bold 9000 was a gift, 8900 and 9700
were from Lets Talk for $7 and $1 respectively. The Torch was a replacement
when AT&T got tired of sending me 9700s only to have me send them back.

Guess what? I still get the great service that has kept me a customer for 12+
years, still have the same warranty and still can upgrade after a year at no
additional charge.

Okay-question for you. I've been with AT&T forever as well, even before they were Cingular. I was not eligible for an upgrade until April of 2011, but 2 weeks ago went to my local at&t store since I've been with them so long. They had just dropped the price of the Torch to 99.99, so I asked the rep if they could upgrade me early. They did, but at $199 plus the $18 upgrade fee. Do you think if I went back to the store to see if they would credit me back since I paid an extra $100 they might do that? It seems as though some people can get the current deal, even if they're not eligible for an upgrade and others like me who don't. Any opinions?

**amazinglygraceless** · 11-26-2010, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by tcseacliff

I usually buy from att phone sales. they seem to be more flexible. my question is ,I am tempted to grab a better deal on price.my question is, if i get a phone with a contract will I mess up my current plan? I have the grandfathered data plan no longer offered. so i usually just take a phone from the upgrade list, but would like to get in on one of these sales but don't know if they would be able to keep my current coverage? thanks

I have the same unlimited plan and it has not changed throughout any of my
device changes. As long as you are upgrading an existing account your plan
stays the same.