[cuhp]

I've read a few posts on here asking about the validity of this argument so I figure I should help set the record straight. I am an AT&T customer and sold my iPhone 4S before realizing the Nexus 4 would sell out on Google Play as quickly as it did.

So I decided to try purchasing it through T-Mobile as a new customer for $199. The day I got my phone, I called T-Mobile to cancel my contract. My contract was cancelled, and I did not have to pay an Early Termination Fee. The reason I did not was because I had called during the period known as Buyer's Remorse. I had made sure not to activate my SIM card so they could not charge me for any service used. They told me that I did own the phone and would not have to return it. I've been successfully using my Nexus 4 on my existing AT&T plan for the last few weeks, and managed to do so by only paying $199.

I don't know if you guys are gutsy enough to try it, or if it has a 100% success rate, I'm just telling you that it's possible, seeing how it's still sold out on Google Play.

[oldskoolsc]

Wow the 199 plus tax for the 16 gig Nexus? Not bad considering the 16 gig is is almost 400 on the playstore....

[corance]

Doesn't work and it's not that cheap any more anyways.

[cuhp]

Doesn't work and it's not that cheap any more anyways.

"Doesn't work" while I'm sitting here with my phone and only $200 removed from my bank account.

I did just notice it's sold out on T-Mobile. But it's still listed at the same price.

[oldskoolsc]

what reason did you give for cancelling your contract??

[corance]

TMobile isn't subsidizing phones anymore. And if it did work, good for you I guess? You pulled a sleazy move to get what you wanted and got away with it.

[cuhp]

what reason did you give for cancelling your contract??

I said that I don't get enough service where I live. Which is absolutely true, I dropped T-Mobile when I moved here.

[FreakyLocz14]

TMobile isn't subsidizing phones anymore. And if it did work, good for you I guess? You pulled a sleazy move to get what you wanted and got away with it.

They still are selling Classic plans, but they do plan to phase them out in the near future.

I wouldn't get too excited over this. It sounds like they've extended you a courtesy, rather than that being their usual policy. Or it sounds like they had to comply with laws regarding adequate service. They also would likely crackdown on this if it became widespread.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

[saeufer]

They screwed up. How'd you get them to sell you the phone and not activate it? T-Mo used to pre-activate phones for new customers who ordered online; I guess they don't anymore. Normally, to cancel under "buyer's remorse" you have to return the equipment.

If you had activated it, I'd tell you to watch when they charge you an ETF anyway after telling you they wouldn't. Why would I say this? Because I'm currently fighting them over an ETF from a contract their own website told me was "month-to-month."

[WilmaFinklestein]

If they come through on what they usually do, you'll get a bill for ~$300 to cover the rest of the cost of the phone. They retail the phone full price for $499.

if you cancel your contract within 14 days of purchase (buyer's remorse), you're right you wont have a contract anymore, but you do have to either pay the rest of the cost of the phone, or return the device. You don't get to keep the phone for the on-contract price.

If T-Mo really did have a policy that let people leave in 14 days w/o paying for the rest of the handset, you'd see a huge wave of resellers buying and reselling handsets with huge margins. Carriers are dumb, but not that dumb.

[DSEditorjoel]

I've read a few posts on here asking about the validity of this argument so I figure I should help set the record straight. I am an AT&T customer and sold my iPhone 4S before realizing the Nexus 4 would sell out on Google Play as quickly as it did.

So I decided to try purchasing it through T-Mobile as a new customer for $199. The day I got my phone, I called T-Mobile to cancel my contract. My contract was cancelled, and I did not have to pay an Early Termination Fee. The reason I did not was because I had called during the period known as Buyer's Remorse. I had made sure not to activate my SIM card so they could not charge me for any service used. They told me that I did own the phone and would not have to return it. I've been successfully using my Nexus 4 on my existing AT&T plan for the last few weeks, and managed to do so by only paying $199.

I don't know if you guys are gutsy enough to try it, or if it has a 100% success rate, I'm just telling you that it's possible, seeing how it's still sold out on Google Play.

They're going to give you 21 days to return the equipment, and when you don't they're going to bill you for the remainder of the retail amount. Remember, their full price for the phone is $499.

Also, their bills are pro-rated, so you can expect to see a bill for a couple of days of usage as well.

[Doooshty]

They're going to give you 21 days to return the equipment, and when you don't they're going to bill you for the remainder of the retail amount. Remember, their full price for the phone is $499.

Also, their bills are pro-rated, so you can expect to see a bill for a couple of days of usage as well.

Exactly correct. They said you "DON'T HAVE TO" return it. It just wasn't explained to you that if you do, you'll be billed for the rest.

"Do unto others as you wish them to do onto you"

It's almost poetic that by trying to take advantage and screw the system, you yourself are getting taken advantage of and screwed by the system.

Cell providers are in the upper echelon of shadiness, you were naive to think you could out shady them.

[6tr6tr]

They're going to give you 21 days to return the equipment, and when you don't they're going to bill you for the remainder of the retail amount. Remember, their full price for the phone is $499.

Also, their bills are pro-rated, so you can expect to see a bill for a couple of days of usage as well.

I hope OP updates us when the 21 days passes.

[tpd15]

Exactly correct. They said you "DON'T HAVE TO" return it. It just wasn't explained to you that if you do, you'll be billed for the rest.

This seems correct. I got a 2-year subsidized Nexus 4 from T-Mo, and here's a pic of my order form. When I talked to T-Mo, they specifically said I had to return the equipment if I cancelled in the Buyer's Remorse period, or be billed for it.

[VertigoM]

Heh, I really hope the OP gets charged the full retail price. A well deserved penalty for trying to scam the system.

[Hubertsng]

Heh, I really hope the OP gets charged the full retail price. A well deserved penalty for trying to scam the system.

Not really a scam, or is it? Dunno but it's a smart idea.

[Jeremy8000]

There is no question the balance of the retail price will be billed to the account, and credited back should the phone be returned within the defined period. That said, for those anxiously awaiting the N4 to become available once again from the Play store, buying one from T-mo at $199, canceling, and then paying the $200 ETF (after the remorse period) would end up paying $399 for the phone -- only a $50 premium over the Play store price - and getting it much, much faster. Of course, you might have to pay for the service period rendered, as well as (not sure on their policy) up to a month of additional service, if they require 30 days notice for cancellation. Still, much cheaper than some of the phones being resold online, and still carrying a full manufacturer's warranty since it's a new purchase from an authorized seller.

[FYourProblems]

Well this is a pointless discussion...

In a moment of impetuousness you decide to sell your old phone before so much as ordering a new one, and then to relieve your impatience you decide to try to scam T Mobile out of giving you a phone on the cheap. Where to even begin... I'm sure you didn't take 5 minutes to read any of the paperwork you signed, but I assure you it's filled with conditions and clauses that mainly cover TMobile's *** out of any way people might think to scam them out of money. Many of these pertain to early contract terminations. As a lot of people already mentioned, you didn't walk out with a new phone for cheap. They'll probably bill you for the remaining $300.

Next time think before acting.

[PWC Realtor]

There is no question the balance of the retail price will be billed to the account, and credited back should the phone be returned within the defined period. That said, for those anxiously awaiting the N4 to become available once again from the Play store, buying one from T-mo at $199, canceling, and then paying the $200 ETF (after the remorse period) would end up paying $399 for the phone -- only a $50 premium over the Play store price - and getting it much, much faster. Of course, you might have to pay for the service period rendered, as well as (not sure on their policy) up to a month of additional service, if they require 30 days notice for cancellation. Still, much cheaper than some of the phones being resold online, and still carrying a full manufacturer's warranty since it's a new purchase from an authorized seller.

That's if you can get one from T-mobile. When I went to get my SIM card cut the guy said every story in the area was sold out and was jealous that I was about to buy one via Craigslist.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Android Central Forums

[Doooshty]

There is no question the balance of the retail price will be billed to the account, and credited back should the phone be returned within the defined period. That said, for those anxiously awaiting the N4 to become available once again from the Play store, buying one from T-mo at $199, canceling, and then paying the $200 ETF (after the remorse period) would end up paying $399 for the phone -- only a $50 premium over the Play store price - and getting it much, much faster. Of course, you might have to pay for the service period rendered, as well as (not sure on their policy) up to a month of additional service, if they require 30 days notice for cancellation. Still, much cheaper than some of the phones being resold online, and still carrying a full manufacturer's warranty since it's a new purchase from an authorized seller.

Then you will be billed for the remaining $300. How does this make sense? $199(initial cost) + $200 (cancellation fee) + $300(remaining balance billed) = $600 for a $349 phone. Explain how this is a deal?

[corance]

Btw, if you really want to rip them off and screw someone to get what you want, TMobile is doing "$0 down" on phones including the n4. Now you can get it completely free....

[sillar68]

Then you will be billed for the remaining $300. How does this make sense? $199(initial cost) + $200 (cancellation fee) + $300(remaining balance billed) = $600 for a $349 phone. Explain how this is a deal?

There is no $200 ETF/cancellation fee if you cancelled BEFORE 14 days and keep the phone.

Google charging $349 is NOT an official retail price and PROBABLY SUBSIDIZED by Google.

[corance]

Look you're not going to get a $500 phone (TMobile price) for $200 by some scam that carriers are aware of. It will come back to you sooner or later. End of discussion.

[Doooshty]

There is no $200 ETF/cancellation fee if you cancelled BEFORE 14 days and keep the phone.

Google charging $349 is NOT an official retail price and PROBABLY SUBSIDIZED by Google.

OK. So paying 499 (199+300 billed for later) for a phone that you could wait and get for 349 isn't smart either, but some people have more money than sense.

[Jeremy8000]

Then you will be billed for the remaining $300. How does this make sense? $199(initial cost) + $200 (cancellation fee) + $300(remaining balance billed) = $600 for a $349 phone. Explain how this is a deal?

I'm pretty sure you're thinking of the 'value' plans where you have a remaining balance due on the phone, normally billed out to you over a period of time (I think it's either 15 or 18 months, not sure). With purchase under a 'classic' plan, T-mo takes a subsidy against the device, selling it outright to you for $199. Their only recourse for recovery is the ETF, $200, whose primary purpose is cost recovery against device subsidy.