PSA: JOD $0 down going away

[Almeuit]

https://www.tmonews.com/2017/08/t-mobile-jump-on-demand-down-payment-base-model-phones-2018/

Saw someone post this on Reddit.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

I'm not sure how it makes sense to require a down payment when you justify it due to the "rising costs of superphones". The customer pays the same amount either way

 

[idon12no]

There have been phones that require a down payment for a while now. The payment seemed to be so your phone payments would be a round number.

 

[Nakrohtap]

I'm not sure how it makes sense to require a down payment when you justify it due to the "rising costs of superphones". The customer pays the same amount either way

It makes sense for T-mobile because if you jump after a month or two, you still owe a lot with little money out of pocket. This way, it discourages jumping to a new phone because you have money invested. Who's going to put like $120 down every other month to upgrade? Nobody.

 

[digitalbreak]

I had to pay upfront cost when I JOS to S9+ as well while I didn’t when I JOD to S8 before. They said to keep the monthly cost down they will charge upfront cost for expensive phones. For some reason they care about what I pay monthly than me, lol.

 

[Nakrohtap]

I had to pay upfront cost when I JOS to S9+ as well while I didn’t when I JOD to S8 before. They said to keep the monthly cost down they will charge upfront cost for expensive phones. For some reason they care about what I pay monthly than me, lol.

That's the thing...they don't care. That's just what they tell you. If they really cared, they would give customers the option of how much they wanted to put down. Wouldn't that be un-carrier of them?

 

[Almeuit]

That kind of defeats jump on demand though. All they advertised was upgrade all you want. Now they don't but do? Very conflicting messages.

It makes sense for T-mobile because if you jump after a month or two, you still owe a lot with little money out of pocket. This way, it discourages jumping to a new phone because you have money invested. Who's going to put like $120 down every other month to upgrade? Nobody.

 

[anon(749368)]

Did anyone bother to check the date of the article? it's August 2017

 

[Almeuit]

Did you bother reading the article at all to see it talking about 2018 is the change?

The PSA on Reddit was more of a reminder this was coming....

"T-Mobile says that starting August 2018, base model phones will no longer be $0 down with JUMP! On Demand. For example, right now the Galaxy S8 is $0 down and $33 per month with JOD while the 32GB iPhone 7 is $0 down and $27 per month. Next year, these base model smartphones will no longer be $0 down"

Did anyone bother to check the date of the article? it's August 2017

 

[Nakrohtap]

Like I said in the Note9 thread, it's a shame they don't have any creative minds that work their promotional pricing. Not everyone wants to upgrade 3 times a year. Not everyone cares that their monthly phone lease payment is $39 instead of $30. Just say you need to pay off half of your device before you can upgrade.
If the phone is $840 and your payment is $35, just say you must pay off $420 to upgrade. Sound familiar? Before anyone says "That's the regular JUMP!", I read details that certain phones may require down payments as well. So, what's the difference anymore?
So, if you want to jump to the S10 in 6 months, you essentially THEN pay off the difference ($210), NOT at the beginning of the lease. At least that way you have a choice. For them people who hang onto their phones for a year, no penalty. For the frequent upgraders, they may think twice about the next upgrade or cough up some extra cash to do so.
It seems that every carrier we go to after a few years starts pulling stupid crap like this. Let's alienate our whole customer base instead of just trying to stop the bleeding from the frequent jumpers?
Sorry for the rant. But, this has struck a nerve with nearly.

 

[ctown81]

I had to pay upfront cost when I JOS to S9+ as well while I didn’t when I JOD to S8 before. They said to keep the monthly cost down they will charge upfront cost for expensive phones. For some reason they care about what I pay monthly than me, lol.

I didn't pay a down payment for my s9+

 

[thecaddyman]

this is a little disappointing. if I pay close to 200+ down on a phone I'd want my payments to be really really low and on some phones you'd still be paying 30 month.

 

[jackjack1969]

And now Tmobile has 2 different down payments on the Note 9 for well qualified customers. $279 for well qualified and $81 down for the super extremely well qualified. I'm in the former group and I wish I was joking. They won't give a reason as to why some pay less than others, at least not as of today. No way I'm giving $300 down for a phone I could potentially trade back in 3 months only to have to give 300 or more down again. This is crazy

 

[Thegreatone3]

And now Tmobile has 2 different down payments on the Note 9 for well qualified customers. $279 for well qualified and $81 down for the super extremely well qualified. I'm in the former group and I wish I was joking. They won't give a reason as to why some pay less than others, at least not as of today. No way I'm giving $300 down for a phone I could potentially trade back in 3 months only to have to give 300 or more down again. This is crazy

I think the lower down payment is for customers with three year's service history and very good credit. But yeah, with the down payments on JOD, my next Jump will likely be my last.

 

[atlas9171]

And now Tmobile has 2 different down payments on the Note 9 for well qualified customers. $279 for well qualified and $81 down for the super extremely well qualified. I'm in the former group and I wish I was joking. They won't give a reason as to why some pay less than others, at least not as of today. No way I'm giving $300 down for a phone I could potentially trade back in 3 months only to have to give 300 or more down again. This is crazy

Yeah I am not happy at all. I've seen some people claim they called and got zero down. I finally tired of dealing with it on Twitter, best they would do is give me a bill credit for half the down payment. I should have asked for a bill credit of $280.

 

[jackjack1969]

I think the lower down payment is for customers with three year's service history and very good credit. But yeah, with the down payments on JOD, my next Jump will likely be my last.

I've been with Tmobile for almost 5 years. My bills with them are always paid. I had 3 lines plus a watch. I'm thinking about jumping to another carrier because no one else is charging a down payment. I love Tmobile, don't get me wrong. But I did have 2 of my 3 lines canceled and my wearable line as well. I'll probably see what's best for my area and then go from there.


I went into a store, called customer service twice and talked to T Force twice on Twitter. I can't even get the half bill credit. It's crazy

 

[Nakrohtap]

I've been with Tmobile for almost 5 years. My bills with them are always paid. I had 3 lines plus a watch. I'm thinking about jumping to another carrier because no one else is charging a down payment. I love Tmobile, don't get me wrong. But I did have 2 of my 3 lines canceled and my wearable line as well. I'll probably see what's best for my area and then go from there.


I went into a store, called customer service twice and talked to T Force twice on Twitter. I can't even get the half bill credit. It's crazy

Something's not right there. I am going to wait it out until the end of the month and try again. They seem to think that the 3 year mark will put me over the hump. Maybe they have access in their system to see what criteria is met, but not allowed to say.
I wouldn't leave T-mobile though over the phone if you have good service. I have been looking into buying direct from Samsung the last day or so just to see what they offer in case it comes down to that. They have 24 month 0% financing, as well as upgrades after 12 months, if you choose. Also, Samsung insurance is only $99 deductible instead of T-mobile/Assurant's $175.
Just checked again a couple of hours ago to look around and they have the S9+ unlocked for $739, $100 cheaper than the carrier version.

 

[stackberry369]

I think the lower down payment is for customers with three year's service history and very good credit. But yeah, with the down payments on JOD, my next Jump will likely be my last.

Some have posted stating that they have the years and still have to pay 279 down

 

[Nakrohtap]

Some have posted stating that they have the years and still have to pay 279 down

Exactly. Something isn't right. It might not just be three years. Others have mentioned credit rating or payment history. Maybe, it has to do with how many years you've been on JOD? Have some of these 3+ year customers been using JOD less than 3 years?

 

[jackjack1969]

I just started JOD last year. I was in regular JUMP for 2 years before that