Not the Same Price

So I go into the ATT store today, to see what I might be able to get to replace my aging Motorola on T-mobile. There was no shortage of new phones, and the pushy salesman came right over. When he heard I was with T-mobile, I was immediately told that "ATT is more money, but the phones are better, the service is better, and it roams even in foreign countries." I have to say that the phones looked about the same, and yes it was more money. As to how much better the service is, who really knows in the end. YMMV seems applicable here.

Then, I notice the fine print on the phone subsidies. It says, "Requires new 2 year activation, and $20 or greater data plan." Huh? Since when do you need a data plan to get a phone subsidy! I've never heard of that on any carrier- ever. While I could understand it on a smartphone, this was on every phone. Even the non-smartphones, or "dumbphones," if you will. I was told this is their policy, and for the record, this is a store that only sells ATT phones.

To make matters worse, go on the ATT website, and you can get many phones without any data plan, as long as you sign a contract. I'm not sure why anyone would buy their new phone at that store, and not just head online for their purchase. Guess some folks just can't wait, and it will cost 'em.

Jonas