Comment on Thanks AT&T!
fadedmaster@sh.itjust.works 2 months agoBecause people finance their phones with AT&T, usually without realizing it. “Free” phones and discounted phones are not usually free or discounted. You’re forced to stay with them to get the discount off each month. I hate it because I’d rather just pay for my phone outright and be done, but then you actually pay more.
Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
Not sure I see how you end up paying more by buying your phone outright, it’s more up front but then your monthly price for service is lower.
fadedmaster@sh.itjust.works 2 months ago
They give you a discount per month. So for example, a $1000 phone is on sale for $600, but they don’t give you $400 off up front. Its a $11.11 per month discount for the next 36 months. You pay $16.67 per month until its paid off. If you pay it up front you pay $1000. If you leave early or pay it off early you lose the $11/month discount on the payment for the phone
Its intended to lure people in for an advertised cheap or free phone, but then you’re stuck with them paying for the device.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 months ago
Depending on the calculation the phone + plan can be cheaper than just the phone and just the plan