Breaking News: Upgrade/Renewal Fee Starting June 29!

[chidesd]

Im thought id post this from teamuscc.com

Starting June 29th, us cellular will be charging a 30 dollar upgrade fee for all renewals.. the reasoning being 1) att, Verizon, and tmobile all do and 2) and i quote "to increase revenue to better invest in releasing high end devices in a similar time frame as competitors"

http://teamuscellular.com/Forum/blog...cellular-blog/

So does this mean I should preorder GSIII now to avoid the fee?

[n1philli]

Im thought id post this from teamuscc.com

Starting June 29th, us cellular will be charging a 30 dollar upgrade fee for all renewals.. the reasoning being 1) att, Verizon, and tmobile all do and 2) and i quote "to increase revenue to better invest in releasing high end devices in a similar time frame as competitors"

http://teamuscellular.com/Forum/blog...cellular-blog/

So does this mean I should preorder GSIII now to avoid the fee?

So how is this going to work considering we never have to "renew" our contracts once the 2yrs is up. If this applies to the phone upgrades, I guess one way around this is buying a phone outright or buying a "used phone" that was returned within the 15 day grace period for 1/2 off retail.

[geeter]

I hope this isn't true.
Their phones are higher priced than the competition. Change that and you will have a reason to charge an upgrade fee.
I have been with US Cellular for almost 13 years now and they seem to want my business less and less.

[billthycat]

They have had these kind of fees on the books for years, they just usually promo them so you don't end up paying the fee, it's a way they can make you think you are getting a good deal. I'll bet this ends up the same, the fee will be there, but if you order online, or buy in store (or whatever promo they run for the month), then they waive the fee.

BTC

[grusshill]

prepaid is looking better and better especially the uprepaid even with the lack of nice phones I think I could handle the Repp until something better comes along

[tearsonurcheek]

They have had these kind of fees on the books for years, they just usually promo them so you don't end up paying the fee, it's a way they can make you think you are getting a good deal. I'll bet this ends up the same, the fee will be there, but if you order online, or buy in store (or whatever promo they run for the month), then they waive the fee.

BTC

Actually, they did away with the upgrade fee 4 or 5 years ago. It was no longer even on the books, so there was nothing to waive. Now they did continue the activation fee, which only applied to new lines.

[droobie]

Their phones are higher priced than the competition.

Not always. The GS3 is the same price from them as everyone else, and those other places also charge an upgrade fee.

--Droo, @Network

[pridesticks06]

$30 per line? So they are going to charge our family of 4 $120 for buying MORE stuff from them?

I agree with geeter too, long time customers but they do seem to want our business less and less.

[grusshill]

Seems like US Cellular where customers matter has been threw to the side now its US Cellular lets stick it to our customers! They are not one of the big 4 they are still just a regional carrier and should act as such...sure they offer battery replacement which is nice and also belief points but they are increasing the rewards system and not increasing the amount of points anyone is getting. I think USCC has been bitten by the corporate greed and thats not a good thing for us as customers. I do hope this means that we will be getting a better selection of phones if not I'll jump ship and go prepaid the options are getting better and better by going that route!

[buzzstpt]

$30 per line? So they are going to charge our family of 4 $120 for buying MORE stuff from them?

I agree with geeter too, long time customers but they do seem to want our business less and less.

Not me.. We are still on the old National 1000 promotion for my family of 4
If I wanted to upgrade, my 160 dollar bill will sky rocket to 240 plus tax.
Now they would like to charge me another 120 bucks! Nope. screw that noise.

I know plenty of people on Air fire mobile in my area and they love it. 160 bucks for unlimited everything is sounding a whole lot better since my last contract is up in august.

[droobie]

I get a kick out of people crying greed, etc. The customer often is rather greedy too, which is why I'd love to separate the plan from the device (similar to what some carriers in the UK do). You're not 'buying' a phone at 199, or 249, you're 'putting a down-payment on one'. The rest of the cost is realized throughout the 2 year term. The cost of these devices has changed and the cell carrier has infrastructure they have to maintain.

Don't get me wrong, carriers do shady things, but I also think there is a strong disconnect between the customer and reality when it comes to the cost of these devices. In the case of my lines, 3 of my lines are 10$ a month. If I changed one of those to 2GB data plan and smartphone, it would be 35$ a month. The GS3 retails for 599. That means that we're 10 months in before that difference in price is realized. That family plan line is using just as much of the 'network' conceivably, as my primary line.

--Droo, @Network

[droobie]

Not me.. We are still on the old National 1000 promotion for my family of 4

No-one is making you upgrade your plan, at the moment at least. If I had to join The Belief Project in order to get the GS3, I would've been considering different carriers, or ditching some of my Family Plan lines to Pageplus The 12. I, too, have the National 1000 Family.

--Droo, @Network

[grusshill]

I get a kick out of people crying greed, etc. The customer often is rather greedy too, which is why I'd love to separate the plan from the device (similar to what some carriers in the UK do). You're not 'buying' a phone at 199, or 249, you're 'putting a down-payment on one'. The rest of the cost is realized throughout the 2 year term. The cost of these devices has changed and the cell carrier has infrastructure they have to maintain.

Don't get me wrong, carriers do shady things, but I also think there is a strong disconnect between the customer and reality when it comes to the cost of these devices. In the case of my lines, 3 of my lines are 10$ a month. If I changed one of those to 2GB data plan and smartphone, it would be 35$ a month. The GS3 retails for 599. That means that we're 10 months in before that difference in price is realized. That family plan line is using just as much of the 'network' conceivably, as my primary line.
--Droo, @Network

I call it as I see it if its not greed then what is it...I worked for USCC a few years back and I know what they paid for the phones and it was not retail price contrary to what some may say...I think back then the most expensive phone was the V710 their was about 1/3 markup from the actual price to retail so if its not greed then tell me exactly what it is!

[buzzstpt]

No-one is making you upgrade your plan, at the moment at least. If I had to join The Belief Project in order to get the GS3, I would've been considering different carriers, or ditching some of my Family Plan lines to Pageplus The 12. I, too, have the National 1000 Family.

--Droo, @Network

That is true they are not making me switch. But with all the push to belief plans, it wouldn't surprise me if they did force me to the new belief plan.
If you look at some of my other plans, I can't even get any help with my phones. 2 have texting problems and mine has a no data or texting issue when I go north of Lake Dubay. I call 611 they tell me to take it into the store. I take my phones into the store I only get "you're eligible for a new upgrade(s)"

I've been with US Cell for many years, they've always has the best plans, affordable, and best customer service. But is seems that is changing. It's unfortunate.

[ilvla2]

So how is this going to work considering we never have to "renew" our contracts once the 2yrs is up. If this applies to the phone upgrades, I guess one way around this is buying a phone outright or buying a "used phone" that was returned within the 15 day grace period for 1/2 off retail.

It's 30 days here in California.