Need new phone, have stupid questions..

[yourbeliefs]

Last night, my beloved Nexus One was involved in a horrible accident, leaving it severely crippled and unable to function in our society. To put it in mathematical form, 21 month old + Nexus One + 12 flights of wooden stairs != Good Things.

In any case I need a new phone, and I am strongly considering the Samsung Galaxy Skyrocket on AT&T. I have 2 concerns though:

1. I have unlimited data currently and I really want to keep it. I'm afraid they may not allow me to since it is a 4G LTE phone. Would I have a better chance of keeping it if I go into an AT&T store and talk with the seller, or would I have better luck going through a 3rd party like Best Buy or Amazon and bypassing AT&T?

2. I really would prefer to have this phone ASAP as opposed to waiting for it to be shipped, even though often they are sent fast. On AT&T's website it is listed as $250, which is a little steep for me (ironic for me to say considering I threw down $529 for my Nexus One.) I know the price is different depending on where you live, for example if you get it in Manhattan it costs $150 instead of $250. Could I use this as a bargaining chip, telling them that I want it for $150 instead and that I don't think it's fair that I have to pay extra for a phone that can't use the 4G LTE speeds advertised and threaten to walk to Verizon (who HAS LTE available in the area?)

TIA

 

[grydlok]

let the Nexus one die and move on to either a LTE device(Sky Rocket) or check Craigslist for a Nexus S with AT&T bands

 

[yourbeliefs]

let the Nexus one die and move on to either a LTE device(Sky Rocket) or check Craigslist for a Nexus S with AT&T bands

Oh the Nexus One is currently in a vegetative state. The screen basically died. The touch part still works but I can hardly see anything so it's basically useless.

I was planning on getting the Sky Rocket but as I said, I want to keep my unlimited data and I want $100 off because I think it's backwards that I'm being charged extra for a phone with a technology on it I can't use currently (LTE.) I know it's discounted in LTE areas because they're trying to make them more appealing, but I think the fact that they're LTE phones should be enough to make them more appealing. To me, AT&T's strategy would be like if you went to a nightclub, and you could either get a standard pass or get a VIP pass. The VIP pass gives you more access to the club, yet it is cheaper than the regular pass. I also have been a valid, paying customer for nearly 6 years with no account problems, so I think that may work in my favor as well.

 

[Anole]

It was five years ago, but I politely talked to one of their service people, and discussed my desire for a Motorola RAZR V3i handset.
Eventually, they gave me a $200 credit to my account to go out and buy my own.
At the time, the handsets were $225 to 250, but I appreciated the offer.
And they didn't extend my contract.

I was up to speed on the V3i coming to Cingular (may the name rest in peace), and waited a few months.
Eventually, I picked up one at CompUSA (another dead soldier) for around $125, as I recall.
In the end, I made $75 on the deal, got my phone, and was one happy customer.

I had been with them, giving them no troubles for maybe 5 years at that time.
Could you expect similar kind service for yourself?
I haven't a clue, especially since they became AT&T.
I'm grandfathered into a sweet account from many years back, and really have had no need to talk to 'em for a long time!

 

[yourbeliefs]

I ended up with a mixed bag. I got the Samsung Skyrocket for the asking price of $250, but I got the bundle package for free, and the biggest thing was that I got to keep my unlimited data plan without even asking for it. I probably would not have been able to keep it with a third party vendor, and the guy said it seems to be a in store thing mostly, and that online and in other places they basically force you to abandon it. Overall I'm satisfied with it. The faux g speeds are good, and the faster processor really shines. A nice, if rather unexpected gift to myself.

Sent from my Samsung Skyrocket using SatelliteGuys iPhone app.

 

[StevenD]

Now call up and complain that you saw it in an ad for $150 in wherever-town and they will usually give you a credit.

You will be happy with the Skyrocket. I have had mine for about a month now and its a huge improvement over my Captivate. You can get throttled pretty quickly at LTE speeds. I have seen them send out the dreaded "top 5% message" to people who have only used 3.5GB for the cycle.