Joe Angeles June 8, 2009 - 11:03 pm

They are ripping us off! They want only $199 from new customers, but existing customers must pay $499… Even with a 2 year extension. It’s right on their website: “For non-qualified customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB).”

We have to rise up and stop this. Apple has listened before. We have to make them listen again. 3GSRipoff.com

jezebel June 9, 2009 - 8:06 pm

iPhone Fanboys “Have a Heart Project”

Someone made a great point about merely complaining to or about AT&T won’t do anything to change this atrocious business practice. But boycotting the new iPhone 3GS is also not a viable solution because AT&T is counting on enough new and most loyal customers to still purchase this gadget. And statistically, based on how submissive most of these iPhone fanboys behaved on the roll out of the 2nd Generation iPhone, AT&T is banking on making a huge profit this time even if it pisses off all loyal iPhone customers. They’ve already accounted for the fact that even if you don’t fork over the dough for the new gizmo, they still got you on your current 3G agreement whether you stay or go.

It is also true that AT&T should not take all the blame for this FAIL policy and that Apple should also be partly responsible. Mainly for agreeing to let AT&T screw its loyal Apple followers without lubrication, among other more minor oversights. However, the iPhone is undoubtedly a cool, user friendly, multi-functional device that is way more than just a phone.

Given the continuing demand for this type of mobile personal communication devices, it would be counter productive for techno fans as a whole not to test the newest production. Using and testing these devices over and over again are the best ways to let Apple and other personal communication devices manufactures know what features are in demand for the next generation of products. The more people use them, the faster innovative ideas/improvement can be made for future product designs.

So, what are iPhone fanboys to do now that their balls are gotten by the evil AT&T Corporation ?

Here is a solution called the “Have a Heart” Project.

ALL LOYAL AT&T CUSTOMERS who are being screwed should go out and GET the new iPhone 3GS on the day it is rolled out. Before you get to the store, write yourself a note that says the following:
“I will sign the 2-yr contract with AT&T only to obtain service for a new iPhone 3GS. However, as a consumer, I retain to the right to withhold payment until AT&T has provided service of equivalent value.” Put a sticker of a heart or draw one on this note as the official logo of the “Have a Heart” Project. Take it to Kinkos to have it “notorized” so it is “official” if you’ve got extra dough to spend. Otherwise, just the heart logo is “official” enough. It is already as official as, if not more, than AT&T’s contractual agreement you will soon be using to wipe your behinds. This will serve as your official “Have a Heart” pledge.

For those loyal AT&T customers, remember to change your account setting to STOP all automatic payments to AT&T before getting the new phone. It is your money, AT&T has no rights to steal from you unless you are satisfied with the service they promised to provide. This should be a FAIR business trade, not a robbery.

When your monthly bills arrive for the new iPhone 3GS, DO NOT PAY THEM. AT&T will of course try to wield its EVIL power and attempt to harass you. First by making automated robocalls. Don’t answer these calls, especially not with your smart new iPhone 3GS. Answering these robocalls will only poison your new 3GS iPhones and you just may need to activate the “Self-Destruction” mode. Second, if you are lucky enough to have some human beings calling you, ask him/her if they’ve got a heart. Express to only the ones who answer “Yes” to having a heart how badly AT&T has broken and crushed your hearts. Tell them it will take exactly $400 worth of credit to begin to mend your broken hearts.

To ALL iPhone Fanboys as well as other gadget lovers, you are all being lined up and asked to bend over just to pleasure the CEOs and board of directors of these phone service providers. Close your eyes and think Abu Ghraib if you need visual assistance. It is time that you let AT&T and other corporations know that it is YOUR MONEY, they better VALUE it and give you what you deserve. If you don’t show them your money is valuable and you won’t hand it over until they’ve given you respectable services, these corporations will continue to treat your hard earned money like S**T.

If AT&T gets away with it this time by squeezing your balls lightly for $200, they will ONLY squeeze harder next time for $400 when the 4th Generation phone arrives.

This is by no means stealing. You are only demanding a fair trade from a service provider. AT&T will squash and step over a couple fanboys who try to participate in this “Have a Heart” project, but this evil Giant will crumble if all you iPhone fanboys can unite, even if not all, only the pissed off ones should be enough. More importantly, those “new iPhone customers” who are getting the “subsidized” rates this time, it will be your turn to bend over and have $400 squeezed out of you next time when the 4th generation iPhone with some more cool features rolls out. So, it will only behoove all those who have a heart to donate $100 to the current 3G iphone loyal customers to energize the “Have a Heart” project, you can write it off on your taxes as charity.

I’ve given you the idea.

Fanboys and Geeks out there, this is more than just AT&T or the iPhone. Your cable company, wireless phone service providers, DSL providers, insurance companies, local gyms, basically any corporate run business that requires you to pay monthly fees to maintain a service are operating with the same “Screw Your Loyal Customers Royally” principle. Even if you hate the iPhone, go out and get one anyhow just so you can be part of his “Have a Heart” movement. These evil corporations need to know that you are not going to be sodomized by them any longer.

Technologically advanced fanboys and geeks. Start blogs, polls, post videos or whatever it takes to jump start the “Have a Heart” Project. You only have a little more than a week to accomplish this until the new iPhone becomes available. Don’t just whine or write letters to AT&T that will only disappear or get ignored, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Ask Anonymous to help if you must!

Good Luck.

abcyesn June 10, 2009 - 4:08 am

They are ripping us off! They want only $199 from new customers, but existing customers must pay $499… Even with a 2 year extension. It’s right on their website: “For non-qualified customers, including existing AT&T customers who want to upgrade from another phone or replace an iPhone 3G, the price with a new two-year agreement is $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB).”

We have to rise up and stop this. Apple has listened before. We have to make them listen again.

Express your view at http://www.iPhone3GS.org let your voice be heard.

Rick June 10, 2009 - 8:33 am

They aren’t ripping anyone off – you guys are trying to get special treatment.

If you got an iPhone before, then the price was subsidized *over a 2-year period*. Until you’re finished that 2 years you haven’t paid for the full value of the iPhone.

Think: Suppose you got an iPhone last week, with a 2-year contract. So you saved hundreds of dollars off an iPhone. You now expect to be able to get a huge discount on the new iPhones? You’ve paid $200 towards a $600 phone, have yet to make one monthly payment, and now expect AT&T just to eat that loss off that first phone and give you a second subsidized phone?

Shaun June 10, 2009 - 8:42 am

You can find a full rundown of all the new features here: http://www.theiphoneappreview.com/06/iphone-3gs/

jon Call June 10, 2009 - 11:15 pm

good point, Shaun. I never thought about it like that before. Much obliged.