That's what she said Sorry, I had to! Samsung is the way to go, BUT, if you are used to an iPhone there will be a learning curve. iphones are very user friendly and intuitive. My mom switched from one to a Galaxy S5 and hasn't been very happy with it. Go through an AT&T corporate store, not an authorized reseller. The website tells you which are corporate. They have a 14 day trial period. Used to be 30, but I think it's 14 now. You can return for any reason.
It turns out that there are both kinds of store here in town - a corporate store and a franchise. I'll deal with the corporate store. It's who I've been dealing with for a few years, anyway, but your point is well taken. Thanks.
That's what she said Sorry, I had to! Samsung is the way to go, BUT, if you are used to an iPhone there will be a learning curve. iphones are very user friendly and intuitive. My mom switched from one to a Galaxy S5 and hasn't been very happy with it. Go through an AT&T corporate store, not an authorized reseller. The website tells you which are corporate. They have a 14 day trial period. Used to be 30, but I think it's 14 now. You can return for any reason.
I agree with this. I went from a Galaxy S3 to an iPhone and I think there are good things about both brands. If you are used to an iPhone, I would suggest sticking to that, but it won't hurt to try out a GS6. One of my favorite things about the Galaxy was the ability to switch batteries out, which is very useful for traveling, and they took that away.
The short answer, Jay, is no. The long answer follows. I was drafting it when you posted the above post.
Man, what a roller coaster of a day this has been. Nothing but ups and downs.
First, I find an AT&T website that says I can have an S5 free if I qualify. I know I qualify so that's an up. But to get it for free, I have to order it online and pick it up at a corporate store. That's a downer.
So I go to the store and they say they never heard of that deal and I'll have to pay a price that depends on the length of contract that I choose. That's another downer. But then the sales guy says maybe it's right and I should order online. That's an upper.
But then he tells me that whether I order online or through him the discounted plan I'm now paying won't be discounted any longer. Downer. So I go home, mumbling to myself.
Then I say, "Screw it" and decide maybe I'll just stick with iPhone and upgrade to a 5 or 5S. I check prices to do that and find out it'll cost the same as if I go for a Samsung. Downer.
The long and short of it is that no matter how I slice it, it'll still cost me $360 for a free phone. Plus tax, activation fee, and on and on, ad infinitum. If that's the case, I may as well go for the gusto and get the S5. Ain't life grand??
Waiter, oh waiter, make that a triple bourbon, would ya please??? <sighhhhhh>
Sorry man! Try the non corporate store when you feel up to it again.
You might get a better deal if their sales guys need to make quota on the month.
I renewed my contract a month or so ago; AT&T, two new phones, only paid $100 out of pocket, and they bought the old devices too.
-Jay
Ah, ya see, the key to what you just said is the phrase "out of pocket". The $360 I'm talking about is either (a) the $15 per month discount that I'll no longer enjoy - 24 months worth, or (b) a new 24 month contract amounting to the same thing. So I guess, in today's vernacular, $360 = free. And it's all out of pocket, one way or the other.
The activation fee is $40, sales tax on whatever value they place on it will be some more out of pocket, etc., etc., etc.
And the non-corporate store can't offer a free phone to begin with so their starting point will be full price. And if you go online like I did and read some of the analyses of how much people actually pay when you calculate their monthly payment times the number of months and come up with a total figure in excess of a couple grand, it gets kinda scary.
It doesn't look like we do att 2 year renewals anymore in best buy. It's all att next plans where you pay a little over 17 a month for the phones for like 30 months. The monthly plans look cheaper though. If you want a quote pm me and I can have 1 of my mobile people work one up. If your good with what you got then cool. I use Verizon and I'm on a Corp acct new phone every year I want one and only pay the data charge at 50 percent discount.
"Come party with me in Tennessee for my birthday July we can smoke in the Smokey's."
Well, about two minutes ago I finally completed submitting my order. I'll pick it up at the corporate store tomorrow. Took 3+ tries to submit it, but it finally went through.
Now comes the learning curve. Not looking forward to it with great glee but I can back it....
I read you on the payment and the phone cost thing.
Oddly, with my renewal I am paying $85 less a month. Weird and wild stuff, as I didn't/don't negotiate or throw a fit (I have worked customer service for close to 25 years and believe in the saying that one can attract more flies with honey instead of vinegar).
The rep did say I was on a 'really old plan', yaddah yaddah.
I am glad you pulled the trigger, and that the site let you finish the transaction. I recommend checking out some user tips on YouTube to help you acclimate to the new platform.
-Jay
“There’ll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read ’em but all that’s gonna matter is that little dash between ’em.” -Kevin Welch
Thanks, Jay. Amidst all of the happenings of yesterday I managed to find the time to look for and find a couple promising looking sites to help me make the transition.
One is called Yoexpert.com and the other is Androidforums.com. Between the two of them I think I'll be okay. If I'm not, I know I can always count on the BOTLs to "Help a brother out".
And, with that lead-in, I'd like to thank all of the brothers who have offered up their knowledge and their help in my quest. You guys are all fantastic, I love you all, and I really, really appreciate your help.
Comments
Thank you,
Jay
You might get a better deal if their sales guys need to make quota on the month.
I renewed my contract a month or so ago; AT&T, two new phones, only paid $100 out of pocket, and they bought the old devices too.
-Jay
The activation fee is $40, sales tax on whatever value they place on it will be some more out of pocket, etc., etc., etc.
Now comes the learning curve. Not looking forward to it with great glee but I can back it....
Oddly, with my renewal I am paying $85 less a month. Weird and wild stuff, as I didn't/don't negotiate or throw a fit (I have worked customer service for close to 25 years and believe in the saying that one can attract more flies with honey instead of vinegar).
The rep did say I was on a 'really old plan', yaddah yaddah.
I am glad you pulled the trigger, and that the site let you finish the transaction. I recommend checking out some user tips on YouTube to help you acclimate to the new platform.
-Jay