AT&T rep on facebook said we can keep unlimited plan and start and stop

[Chip NoVaMac]

Seriously, if the iPad 3G was launched with the 2GB capped plan, it would not have sold nearly as well as it did.

Happy to see someone else seeing the same thing!

Many of those iPad 3G purchases were based on the reasonable expectation that the ability to cancel and restart a "breakthrough" unlimited data plan would last longer than a month after the device shipped to customers.... and now a no contract, cancel anytime plan has turned into a de facto contract.... so if you ever let that unlimited plan lapse, you can't ever get it back.

I was one of those that took a 10% hit after buying the wifi iPad - only to realize that 3G made sense for me. And in the month I was on the 250MB plan I nursed it to hell. And it was sort of working for me - if I did not go in to power user mode. The only reason I upgraded to the unlimited was to be grandfathered in... and to test the amount that a reasonable power user might use.

I decided to make the switch from the wifi to the 3G on the thought that I could live with 250MB at $15 a month; with the "promise" that I could go unlimited for when I start traveling again.

As noted in one of my replies recently... I am at over 500MB in two days. In some ways this might represent a weekend trip (save the updates to my apps maybe). Add to that I am thinking of switching from the iPhone to a non-data phone....

I know of quite a few people who have filed complaints with the FTC against Apple and AT&T for this bait and switch.

Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58, as amended)
Under this Act, the Commission is empowered, among other things, to (a) prevent unfair methods of competition, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce; (b) seek monetary redress and other relief for conduct injurious to consumers; (c) prescribe trade regulation rules defining with specificity acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive, and establishing requirements designed to prevent such acts or practices; (d) conduct investigations relating to the organization, business, practices, and management of entities engaged in commerce; and (e) make reports and legislative recommendations to Congress.

Don't just get mad. Join us!

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

And many thanks for that link!

 

[msduncan]

If you scroll down on the facebook page, you'll notice that AT+T corrected themselves and said you need auto-renew on in order to keep the unlimited ability..they've been saying that for days...if you start and stop you'll end up on the 2gb plan

Was just about to post this. Here is a quote from the AT&T clarification:

AT&T Hi, to clarify, you can keep the unlimited plan as long at it's set to auto-renew.

 

[SailorMike]

I'm sure it won't change till the 7th. Kinda makes sense don't you think!?

NO, it does not make sense. The offer says you can start and stop. You mean to say that I can start and stop a MONTHLY plan as much as I want over the next DAY?

The offer is wrong, misleading and deceitful.

 

[marksman]

NO, it does not make sense. The offer says you can start and stop. You mean to say that I can start and stop a MONTHLY plan as much as I want over the next DAY?

The offer is wrong, misleading and deceitful.

You can start and stop whenever you want.

The cost of the service is subject to change.

You don't think a no contract month-to-month priced service will never have price changes do you?

 

[SailorMike]

You can start and stop whenever you want.

The cost of the service is subject to change.

You don't think a no contract month-to-month priced service will never have price changes do you?

Either you are acting ignorant or something worse. Not even worth responding. Good night.

 

[Battlestar]

AT&T Hi, to clarify, you can keep the unlimited plan as long at it's set to auto-renew.
Friday at 6:04pm

This is what I got from their facebook page. Keep paying them $30.00 per month for the life of your iPad and you can keep your unlimited plan. Shut it off for 1 month and your done.

They probably figure that all of the current iPads will be out of service within 3 years.

 

[John Paul]

Don't just get mad. Join us!

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Thanks for the link. I just filed my complaint (named both AT&T and Apple in it) a few minutes ago.

 

[shady825]

NO, it does not make sense. The offer says you can start and stop. You mean to say that I can start and stop a MONTHLY plan as much as I want over the next DAY?

The offer is wrong, misleading and deceitful.

I have no idea what your talking about.
The website still says $29.99 because that is STILL the current plan. What don't you get?? If you buy the unlimited plan before the 7th you CAN start and stop it at any time and still receive the same deal.
Now, on/after the 7th I'm sure the website will reflect the new prices/plans.
Do you understand or should I get my box of crayons?

http://www.facebook.com/ATT?v=wall&story_fbid=402167238908

 

[SailorMike]

I have no idea what your talking about.
The website still says $29.99 because that is STILL the current plan. What don't you get?? If you buy the unlimited plan before the 7th you CAN start and stop it at any time and still receive the same deal.
Now, on/after the 7th I'm sure the website will reflect the new prices/plans.
Do you understand or should I get my box of crayons?

http://www.facebook.com/ATT?v=wall&story_fbid=402167238908

I'll ignore the crayons crack and treat you with respect. If you read further down the comments on facebook, you'll see AT&T's clarification where they state that you must AUTO-RENEW. It's NOT start and stop.

 

[DotCom2]

I'll ignore the crayons crack and treat you with respect. If you read further down the comments on facebook, you'll see AT&T's clarification where they state that you must AUTO-RENEW. It's NOT start and stop.

You are a classy person!

 

[shady825]

I'll ignore the crayons crack and treat you with respect. If you read further down the comments on facebook, you'll see AT&T's clarification where they state that you must AUTO-RENEW. It's NOT start and stop.

Well then I stand corrected. I haven't read much into the matter as it doesn't affect me since i dont own a 3G model.
Sorry about the crayon comment. It was uncalled for.

 

[DotCom2]

Well then I stand corrected. I haven't read much into the matter as it doesn't affect me since i dont own a 3G model.
Sorry about the crayon comment. It was uncalled for.

Classy apology!
Not often seen on these boards.
Congrats to both of you.

 

[marksman]

Either you are acting ignorant or something worse. Not even worth responding. Good night.

What?

Do you think you should be able to get it for $30 unlimited for the next 30 days, turn it off for 6 months, 12 months or 120 months and then turn it back on for $30 unlimited?

You seem like the ignorant one. Why would you think that would be reasonable? Clearly the price of the no contract month-to-month service is subject to change. You are nowhere guaranteed the ability to turn it on and off and keep the same price service. Where did you get that idea? What other business can you name that offers a no contract month-to-month service also implies they will never change the price of their service? Can you name a single one? Of course you can not.

 

[IPPlanMan]

I did.

So has anyone emailed Steve Jobs and asked him about this?

I did. No response yet.

 

[IPPlanMan]

You're welcome!

Happy to see someone else seeing the same thing!

And many thanks for that link!

You are most welcome!

 

[IPPlanMan]

Great!

Thanks for the link. I just filed my complaint (named both AT&T and Apple in it) a few minutes ago.

Thanks!... and you're welcome!

 

[andiwm2003]

thanks for the link. ATT/apple should feel some heat for the bait and switch.

although I'm surprised how many people believed that unlimited is unlimited. i never expected that to last for more than 6 month anyway. i expected them to either cap it like they do now or throttle the bandwith after a few GB.

there is no way that any carrier can sustain a few million ipad users downloading movies, wired magazine, pron, upload HD movies to youtube, VOI, videochatting (i thing apple was forced to leave that out because of bandwith trouble) and all that.

it just would lead to millions of unhappy customers. now they have a few thousand unhappy customers since for most the price actually goes down.

i still think this was a bait and switch therefore i filed my complaint against apple. maybe this helps keeping the unlimited plan with cancel/restart for a while.

 

[qtx43]

What?

Do you think you should be able to get it for $30 unlimited for the next 30 days, turn it off for 6 months, 12 months or 120 months and then turn it back on for $30 unlimited?

You seem like the ignorant one. Why would you think that would be reasonable? Clearly the price of the no contract month-to-month service is subject to change. You are nowhere guaranteed the ability to turn it on and off and keep the same price service. Where did you get that idea? What other business can you name that offers a no contract month-to-month service also implies they will never change the price of their service? Can you name a single one? Of course you can not.

Nice strawman there. Nobody said 120 months. And people would "think that" because that's exactly what they are advertising. Changing the plan just barely over one month after the 3G model was released means you can't stop and start it even once. At the very least, that's false advertising. Whether AT&T makes money off the deal is not the customer's problem, and something they should have considered before offering it.

 

[Hammie]

The problem is all of 'em are, more than likely, just as bad as AT&T. If we are ever to get decent internet access in this country, it will only happen if, somehow, the companies that provide access in Korea and Japan come over here and set up shop.

I totally agree with this statement. The issue, until 4G/LTE is widely dispersed, is that all cell carriers use the same vendors for their core equipment and use a multiple-tiered design. The creates issues where Class of Service cannot be implemented easily or at all. Increases in latency, jitter, and dropped packets are inherent in these types of networks.

I honestly do not think Verizon, Sprint, or T-Mobile would perform any better given the same network usage. The only thing a multiple-carrier iPad would provide is that usage would be spread across multiple networks versus one carrier.

I also doubt that the new price plans will deter power users from data glutton. Maybe a few, but not all of them. This had nothing to do with AT&T trying to fix network issues by curbing heavy users.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

So far in my torture test of the unlimited 3G plan... I am now up to 3GB's

Not trying to abuse the plan other than not allowing wifi at the moment. Just trying to use as I can see for extreme travel....

 

[Dapper]

I had my suspicions about keeping on start stop. Were they going to send those grandfathered in to a whole different plan choice page when they went to sign up again? Or were they going to tell all new customers that they couldn't have the $30 unlimited option?

How about if you choose to go between 250 and unlimited with auto renew.

 

[IPPlanMan]

And now the unlimited plan is gone...

Well... they finally did it... The unlimited plan is gone from http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/

Of course, it's still on the store page...
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/ho...NOW-IPAD-3G+++WI-FI&cp=BUYNOW-IPAD-3G+++WI-FI

Stay classy Apple...

You can bet that the Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/us/

and Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

have heard our voices about this.

Also contact your local congressional representative:
http://www.house.gov/

Also contact your State's Attorney General.

 

[GamecockMac]

Well... they finally did it... The unlimited plan is gone from http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/

Of course, it's still on the store page...
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/ho...NOW-IPAD-3G+++WI-FI&cp=BUYNOW-IPAD-3G+++WI-FI

Stay classy Apple...

You can bet that the Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/us/

and Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

have heard our voices about this.

Also contact your local congressional representative:
http://www.house.gov/

Also contact your State's Attorney General.

Good luck with all that...