Upgrading Phone before contract end? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Vader · 2012-08-02, 01:22 PM

Hey All:

Thinking about getting my wife an iPhone, but she still has 15 months left on her 3 year (36 Month) contract. Stopped at an MTS Connect store and the lady said that they would waive 6 months, but I would have to pay $30 a month for the other 9 months to get out of existing contract to do an upgrade... so $270....

Anyone have better luck in getting them to waive 12 months or something like that? This would be additional revenue for MTS as the contract she is on now is $25 a month versus the $40-45 with the iPhone...

audacity · 2012-08-02, 02:10 PM

My strategy with phones (currently and going forward) is to not get into any more contracts. I have a Galaxy Nexus which will work on any carrier (and "work with any carrier" will be a requirement for future phone purchases).

The best way to get a deal from a carrier, IMHO, is to not be in a contract. Once you sign a contract, they've got you, and they don't have any risk of losing you as a customer (well, not without them getting a big pay off).

My contract with Bell is done in October, and when that happens I can either take 10% off my bill and I can move to a new carrier when a good deal presents itself. Taking 10% for me ($7 * 12 * 3 = $252) which is less than the $300 or so that you get off the price of a new phone. In the Galaxy Nexus example Bell will only charge you $30 if you take a 3 year contract, but Google will sell you the phone for $350. So you only really save $320 for a 3-year contract.

Anyway, I'm making a bet that with the ability to jump to a new carrier when a really good deal comes along, I'll be able to do much better with the total cost of ownership since the price of a phone is much less than the price of a cell phone service over 3 years.

BrownBullhead · 2012-08-03, 04:26 PM

Call MTS and ask to speak to the "customer loyalty" representative. If you have multiple MTS services and have been a long time customer, they will often reduce the "buyout" by up to 50%.

TorontoColin · 2012-08-04, 09:15 AM

Also keep in mind that Apple is expected to release a new iPhone next month. With previous iPhones, many carriers have had promotions in effect following the launch to allow customers to more easily renew their contracts and get at least a partial device subsidy.

CoryB · 2012-08-06, 01:03 PM

Keep in mind that most cell carriers in Canada have changed to a diminishing subsidy for a buyout -- ie the initial cost of the phone off contract is $360 and you get it free on a 36 month contract, the monthly cost to buyout would be $10 x months remaining. You should check that MTS has changed to this system rather than the old fixed fee/$30 month structure as there is not any device currently in market where you are receiving a $1080 subsidy to sign a three year agreement.

BrownBullhead · 2012-08-07, 08:27 PM

We did buyouts to get our iPhones in June 2012 and it was the $30 / month thing then. However, we negotiated them down 50% (see above) since we wanted to end two contracts to get two iPhones.

Macman · 2012-08-07, 11:32 PM

They told me today it would also be $30/mo ($300!) to buyout but if I'm upgrading, only $120. Or I can wait 6 months, then it would be only 3 months left and I can upgrade with no penalty.

I wonder if this new legislation coming into effect Sept. 15th is only for new activations or if it's for everyone? I didn't see any mention of that on the govt website.

CP3Bell · 2012-08-14, 09:19 PM

Don't hold your breath that MTS will even get the new Iphone, you are with the company that has the worst phone lineup in Canada!

Dr.Dave · 2012-08-14, 11:29 PM

MTS has the same iPhone lineup as everyone else - iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. They will likely get the next one as well.

CoryB · 2012-08-15, 06:52 PM

Keep in mind that while MTS does have the current iPhone there was a significant delay from it becoming generally available to MTS adding it as a subsidized device. From the early rumblings, it sounds like the same thing will happen this time.

CP3Bell · 2012-08-15, 09:40 PM

I have heard they will not get the iphone 5

Macman · 2012-08-15, 10:33 PM

The sales rep at the connect store I was in said possibly October. I don't know where he got that from but it's probably just speculation.

I think they will get it, it'll probably be quite a while after it comes out though.

CoryB · 2012-08-16, 01:18 AM

General rumor is the iPhone 5, or whatever they name it, will go on sale late September on the major carriers. MTS getting it that early is a real long shot. A November/December launch would seem to be about 50/50. I would be shocked if they don't have it by the six month mark.

Mozza · 2012-08-16, 08:22 AM

Quote:

I have heard they will not get the iphone 5

No - you didn't. That is obviously a lie. Why bother posting it?

Dr.Dave · 2012-08-19, 09:32 AM

The continuing discussion of Bell Mobility vs MTS in Manitoba was split off to a separate thread in the "Internet, Landline and Wireless Phone" forum since it's getting pretty far off the topic of the OP.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=155918

Please keep any further posts in this thread on topic.

2012-08-02, 01:22 PM	#1
Vader Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 148	Upgrading Phone before contract end? Hey All: Thinking about getting my wife an iPhone, but she still has 15 months left on her 3 year (36 Month) contract. Stopped at an MTS Connect store and the lady said that they would waive 6 months, but I would have to pay $30 a month for the other 9 months to get out of existing contract to do an upgrade... so $270.... Anyone have better luck in getting them to waive 12 months or something like that? This would be additional revenue for MTS as the contract she is on now is $25 a month versus the $40-45 with the iPhone...

2012-08-04, 09:15 AM	#4
TorontoColin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Wind Mobile, Rogers Cable, Teksavvy Extreme Cable Posts: 3,229	Also keep in mind that Apple is expected to release a new iPhone next month. With previous iPhones, many carriers have had promotions in effect following the launch to allow customers to more easily renew their contracts and get at least a partial device subsidy. __________________ Rules of the Forum \| DHC Help Desk DHC now supports Tapatalk for mobile devices!

2012-08-07, 11:32 PM	#7
Macman Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 468	They told me today it would also be $30/mo ($300!) to buyout but if I'm upgrading, only $120. Or I can wait 6 months, then it would be only 3 months left and I can upgrade with no penalty. I wonder if this new legislation coming into effect Sept. 15th is only for new activations or if it's for everyone? I didn't see any mention of that on the govt website. __________________ Authorized Service Provider for MTS Allstream. Any views expressed are my own.

2012-08-15, 10:33 PM	#12
Macman Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 468	The sales rep at the connect store I was in said possibly October. I don't know where he got that from but it's probably just speculation. I think they will get it, it'll probably be quite a while after it comes out though. __________________ Authorized Service Provider for MTS Allstream. Any views expressed are my own.

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2012-08-02, 02:10 PM	#2
audacity Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 1,799	My strategy with phones (currently and going forward) is to not get into any more contracts. I have a Galaxy Nexus which will work on any carrier (and "work with any carrier" will be a requirement for future phone purchases). The best way to get a deal from a carrier, IMHO, is to not be in a contract. Once you sign a contract, they've got you, and they don't have any risk of losing you as a customer (well, not without them getting a big pay off). My contract with Bell is done in October, and when that happens I can either take 10% off my bill and I can move to a new carrier when a good deal presents itself. Taking 10% for me ($7 * 12 * 3 = $252) which is less than the $300 or so that you get off the price of a new phone. In the Galaxy Nexus example Bell will only charge you $30 if you take a 3 year contract, but Google will sell you the phone for $350. So you only really save $320 for a 3-year contract. Anyway, I'm making a bet that with the ability to jump to a new carrier when a really good deal comes along, I'll be able to do much better with the total cost of ownership since the price of a phone is much less than the price of a cell phone service over 3 years.

2012-08-03, 04:26 PM	#3
BrownBullhead Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 56	Call MTS and ask to speak to the "customer loyalty" representative. If you have multiple MTS services and have been a long time customer, they will often reduce the "buyout" by up to 50%.

2012-08-06, 01:03 PM	#5
CoryB Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 213	Keep in mind that most cell carriers in Canada have changed to a diminishing subsidy for a buyout -- ie the initial cost of the phone off contract is $360 and you get it free on a 36 month contract, the monthly cost to buyout would be $10 x months remaining. You should check that MTS has changed to this system rather than the old fixed fee/$30 month structure as there is not any device currently in market where you are receiving a $1080 subsidy to sign a three year agreement.

2012-08-07, 08:27 PM	#6
BrownBullhead Join Date: May 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 56	We did buyouts to get our iPhones in June 2012 and it was the $30 / month thing then. However, we negotiated them down 50% (see above) since we wanted to end two contracts to get two iPhones.

2012-08-14, 09:19 PM	#8
CP3Bell Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 49	Don't hold your breath that MTS will even get the new Iphone, you are with the company that has the worst phone lineup in Canada!

2012-08-14, 11:29 PM	#9
Dr.Dave Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 4,692	MTS has the same iPhone lineup as everyone else - iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS. They will likely get the next one as well.

2012-08-15, 06:52 PM	#10
CoryB Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 213	Keep in mind that while MTS does have the current iPhone there was a significant delay from it becoming generally available to MTS adding it as a subsidized device. From the early rumblings, it sounds like the same thing will happen this time.

2012-08-15, 09:40 PM	#11
CP3Bell Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 49	I have heard they will not get the iphone 5

2012-08-16, 01:18 AM	#13
CoryB Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 213	General rumor is the iPhone 5, or whatever they name it, will go on sale late September on the major carriers. MTS getting it that early is a real long shot. A November/December launch would seem to be about 50/50. I would be shocked if they don't have it by the six month mark.

2012-08-19, 09:32 AM	#15
Dr.Dave Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 4,692	The continuing discussion of Bell Mobility vs MTS in Manitoba was split off to a separate thread in the "Internet, Landline and Wireless Phone" forum since it's getting pretty far off the topic of the OP. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=155918 Please keep any further posts in this thread on topic.