1. AaronWasHere's Avatar
    So, I was browsing on my T-Mo today and checked out the 9700 that is an additional $50 off with a new 2 yr. My contract ends on Jan. 4 '10, so I qualify for an upgrade, but I noticed that I would have finished out the online checkout, it wanted to add an $18 or (something like that) for an upgrade fee? What the deuce? Is that because I'm not completely out of my contract? I've only had T-Mo for this contract so I haven't needed to upgrade. Is that normal for store orders too, or just online?
    11-26-09 05:27 PM
  2. renesandy's Avatar
    The $18 upgrade fee has been around for awhile now. Basically you're gonna have to pay $18 to upgrade, the fee is self-explanatory.
    Most, if not all, carriers do this now.
    I'm picking up my 9700 tomorrow at the store, and calculated it to be $183w/upgrade fee and taxes.
    Also, when you logged in to upgrade, did the $149.99 come up as the price? Mine still lists $199.99
    11-26-09 05:39 PM
  3. AaronWasHere's Avatar
    Bah, that is just dumb... grumblerakkafrakka
    11-26-09 05:47 PM
  4. Ami.'s Avatar
    How do you figure it's dumb? You can't wait the extra month to avoid it altogether?

    I'd say if you're really trying to avoid an extra $18 charge, go to a TMO store and see what they can do for you.
    11-26-09 06:48 PM
  5. mandrak011's Avatar
    Even if he waits he'll still have to pay upgrade fee. There is nothing t-mobile stores can do for you as that's automatically added when they process upgrade. The only thing you can do is call the customer care and whine for 15 minutes.
    11-26-09 06:56 PM
  6. AaronWasHere's Avatar
    The $18 isn't the issue, it's just the idea of paying extra to upgrade when you figure a company would want you to do it to get a customer into a 2 yr agreement. Granted, I guess you could look at it as a way to get back a small chunk of the cost you lose, but its seems like an odd policy. I was going to wait to the end of term or beyond anyway, but the Black Friday deal is tempting.
    11-26-09 07:26 PM
  7. zenstorm's Avatar
    Call Customer Care, I had some issues when upgrading, and even though I was charged at store level for the upgrade, customer care credited the amount to my account. Honestly T Mobile will give you a credit of you've been inconvenienced.
    11-26-09 07:50 PM
  8. eds817's Avatar
    I found out about the $18 upgrade fee when speaking with customer service. She told me it was to cover the cost of replacing the phone if it went bad and they had to send me a new one. I asked her if my phone doesn't go bad in the first year do I get the $18 refunded? She said no. I told them I that it didn't make sense to me and that I didn't want to pay it. After being transfered to a supervisor they put a credit on my account.
    11-27-09 05:59 AM
  9. NorrisCell's Avatar
    The upgrade fee has been around almost two years now, minus a brief promo period where they didn't do it for a couple months. Why have an upgrade fee? Ask AT&T and Verizon. They did it first, we were just forced to follow suit. I can say that $18 is less than the other charge, but it's still there. To be honest, there is no explanation I've ever heard for it that made sense. They do it because everyone does, and everyone gets away with it. We held off on it for as long as possible, but when other carriers add several million dollars in revenue, we have to take notice.

    Going to a store wouldn't help, as mentioned above. The fee populates automatically during the upgrade. Sometimes people think that going to a 3rd party store for an upgrade saves that fee. Unfortunately it just gets added to your bill and the sales rep usually doesn't tell you about it in that case. Corporate stores charge it at the time of purchase.

    It has nothing to do with being under contract still, as customers out of contract will be charged it as well.

    As I always see, what good is a fee if all you have to do to get it waived is call? If care is willing to credit it, great. If not, pay it and be done with it.
    11-27-09 02:06 PM
  10. AaronWasHere's Avatar
    Bah, I am torn ... Curve 8900 or Bold 9700? Looking back and forth at the phones, they seem quite similiar, both have their strengths... Feedback anyone? Decisions, Decisions
    11-27-09 05:04 PM
  11. DNRuffin's Avatar
    The $18 upgrade fee has been around for awhile now. Basically you're gonna have to pay $18 to upgrade, the fee is self-explanatory.
    Most, if not all, carriers do this now.
    I'm picking up my 9700 tomorrow at the store, and calculated it to be $183w/upgrade fee and taxes.
    Also, when you logged in to upgrade, did the $149.99 come up as the price? Mine still lists $199.99
    You have to click that "Wish List Approved" picture and it will give you the $149.99 pricing.
    11-27-09 06:16 PM
  12. AaronWasHere's Avatar
    You have to click that "Wish List Approved" picture and it will give you the $149.99 pricing.
    Should also be able to go in the general ordering of the phone during this promo and see it
    11-27-09 07:07 PM
  13. BIGREDMACH1NE's Avatar
    The upgrade fee is basically an $18 raise on the price of the phone. Like the delivery charge. It increases the price of the phone WITHOUT increasing the price of the phone. Think about for a sec theres no typo here....
    11-27-09 09:42 PM
  14. K Bear's Avatar
    Bah, I am torn ... Curve 8900 or Bold 9700? Looking back and forth at the phones, they seem quite similiar, both have their strengths... Feedback anyone? Decisions, Decisions
    I'd go with the 9700. Better processor, 3G capability, trackpad. Need I say more.

    I have the same decision. Pay for a new 8900 or $60 more for a new 9700. Once I have the money, I'm going with the 9700. I don't live in a 3G area, but I do frequent area that do have 3G. Anything will be better than my Pearl.

    ----------------
    Now playing: Bon Jovi - Who Says You Can't Go Home (feat. Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland)
    via FoxyTunes
    11-28-09 10:43 AM
  15. inkwell's Avatar
    Bah, I am torn ... Curve 8900 or Bold 9700? Looking back and forth at the phones, they seem quite similiar, both have their strengths... Feedback anyone? Decisions, Decisions
    9700 hands down
    11-29-09 12:00 PM
  16. o4liberty's Avatar
    Verizon does not have an upgrade fee! When you upgrade at verizon you only pay for the new device only no other fees. I am starting to see why I am still at verizon the other side is not much better at all.

    Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com
    11-29-09 05:05 PM
  17. Armando175's Avatar
    One thing you're forgetting, VZW is more expensive compare to other carriers. You'll save more than $18 if you switch to TMO with their lower plans and great customer service. I've never been a VZW customer and don't plan to ever be for the fact that they're more expensive.
    11-29-09 05:33 PM
  18. mvc2demon's Avatar
    Yeah, verizon is more money in the long run.
    11-29-09 06:56 PM
  19. AaronWasHere's Avatar
    I already have t-mo lol
    11-30-09 03:39 PM
  20. Armando175's Avatar
    I already have t-mo lol
    I must have been sleeping when I made that "You'll save more than $18 if you switch to TMO with their lower plans and great customer service". So have you made the decision between the 8900 or 9700? I think I'll wait for another device since my contract ends on 9/2010 and I'm sure they'll be another Blackberry by that time.
    12-01-09 02:39 AM
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