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Will you be ordering the new iPhoneS or C ?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by JMD, Sep 10, 2013.

  1. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Friendly so what is your argument ? What is your point? Are you saying old outdated technology on a third party carrier yields the lowest cost plan?

    Most of the conversations are hardware based, you keep taking us to the voice and data plan. Why? I can buy an iPod and use Skype for $5.00 a month x 4 accounts is $20. Cheaper than your. $75.00. I can also suggest you use free hot spots and avoid all data charges.

    However I don't suggest to do that because I know that a new data plan on a LTE data coverage with a high quality carrier Att or Verizon is a much better experience and customer experience is important. But if you got a budget.... Than the T Mobiles and Sprints and Virgins and Crickets of the world are your oyster with old hand me down phones.
     
  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    You authoritatively stated that new iphone costs ONLY $99. It doesn't, as $99 is only the "hook me on" subsidized price. It doesn't matter to you apparently, because you don't pay.
     
  3. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    I'm not familiar with T Mobile because I use Att. However if I take a new 5c or my old 4S the phone use fee data voice and mms is the same per month. In that scenario $99 and a 2 year commitment is the only cost differentiator and a faster newer phone.

    Explain to me how T Mobile is better on an old phone. I can only think a slower cheaper data plan may be an option.
     
  4. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I calculate $1684 for two years -- $70 a month.

    16 GB 5s -- $700 (NM tax included)
    Straight Talk pre-paid unlimited talk/message/5 GB 3G data (ATT network) -- $41/month
    -----------------

    That is the paper charge -- my actual charges (ymmv!!) work out like this:
    40% less because it is a business phone: $1674*0.6 = $1000
    ~ $300 resale value in two years
    --> $700 over two years = $29 a month*

    I'm lucky to be able to deduct business expenses, but the cost for a new iPhone without any discounts is realistically about 350/24 = $14.5 a month + sales tax. Then you add on carrier charges. I do agree with you that the contract model is usually expensive and best avoided unless one is willing to pay for the expensive privilege of LTE.

    *The truth is, I lied. I am one frugal b*astahd, and I make it a point to flip credit cards to keep gaining promotion awards that work out to *about* a 15% discount. So my REAL cost for iPhone and carrier charges over 2 years works out this way:
    CC discount: 1684*0.15 = $252
    Tax deduction: 1684 * 0.4 = $674
    Resale: $300
    -----------------
    $458 over 2 years, or $19 a month
    I mention this mostly to point out that a huge variation exists in what people carrying a new iPhone are actually paying. Best not to jump to conclusions.
     
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Sage I got that beat on the Skype scenario. 2 years $120 plus a device and use free wifi hit spot. Att charges $15 per month for a data plan.

    Skype Voice and MMS $120 2 years
    Att data $36o 2 years 5 gig per month
    iPod

    Cost 2 years = $480

    iPod touch $299

    Wow Skype lowered prices.

    image.jpg
     
  6. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Example of enhanced user experience.

    image.jpg
     
  7. Fluxuated

    Fluxuated Member

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    Doesn't really look like it?? I've been paying about $35 a year for Skype North American calling, for a couple years now. Can't beat that price.
     
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  8. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I know you are mostly kidding, but I have to tell you -- the iPod Touch is *sweet*. My wife and I were at the Apple store today and I kept going back to the iPod stand while she played with the phones. The device is 6.1 mm thick and weighs 86 grams. The iPhone is a bit obese in comparison :)

    I have tried this wi-fi approach before by the way, and it has not worked out for a variety of reasons. Some day in the future maybe it will. As for Skype, I wrote them off the day M$loth bought the company.
     
  9. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Skype is not that bad if your calling the USA and you have access to a high speed network. You may want to give if a shot. If cost containment is your hot button Skype is your salvation. If actually works. It is cheaper than pay as you go cell plans. You can also get a phone number and allow people to call you. Mail box etc. you can cancel at any time. Works great in the Apple environment.

    I prefer my Att cell service but if cost containment is my only buying criteria Skype wins hands down .

    I have a Skype account and use it and no complaints at work. It is also on my iPhone if I'm out of the office.

    Sage you can download the app for free at iTunes and use it on your old iPhone and test the waters.
     
  10. SuperGLS

    SuperGLS Member

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    I must say I think the stupid fake 3D is pretty dumb, however, it doesn't seem to be using up too much battery. In fact I've noticed my battery lasting a bit longer with the same amount of use since I got the update.
     
  11. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    I'm so jealous of people like you. I have nothing against RIMM. But geez, they can't go bankrupt fast enough. I don't exactly hate my company provided Blackberry but it just lacks so much versus the competition. I am just too cheap to buy my own cell phone. I actually carry an iPod Touch for when WIFI is available which thank goodness is plentiful everywhere I am except in the car.
     
  12. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Just curious, why do you call the parallax effect 'fake' ?
    If I ever knew what it was I had forgotten, so I read up a few weeks ago. Now I recognize how important it is to my depth perception in general.
     
  13. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Heh.

    I'm pretty sure JMD would be one of the first to say that no perk is truly 'free.' *
    As for BlueBerry being the perk -- I feel your pain.

    *
    I do my best to stay away from 'perks' and 'company benefits.' I'm happier with the money in my pocket, leaving me free to shop for the best deal for me with unrestricted choice. If you work for a large company, you can obtain a corporate discount from the major phone carriers yourself; group purchasing by your company is not required.
     
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  14. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    High enough speed -- yes. Open IP port -- no. Our government dollars at work.


    At home I use google phone through my computer if I can since I am usually using the computer anyway. Phone quality is very hit or miss;and by miss, I mean unusable.
     
  15. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Buy what you want and expense it if you want. Freedom of choice on handset and carrier.


    I also keep the phone number private, the company phone will call my cell as a call forward during established times. I can ignore the call, answer it, or let it go to VM
     
  16. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Google phone is not Skype. Much different.
     
  17. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    If you stayed with your old phone and changed to pre-paid, would your company give you the difference in cash ?
     
  18. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    No. You have to show a receipt to get paid.
     
  19. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    How so ?
     
  20. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I think I follow you, but I was asking who benefits if you choose a less costly alternative.