File this one under “completely full of it,” but according to Mr. Deleon over at Gizmodo, those of you who make the iPhone plunge in June will be welcomed with 1.5 years of free AT&T wireless service.
Sweet deal, but the only proof that exists of this phantom deal is Jim Cramer’s word. The Mad Money host (SELL! SELL! SELL!) claims that the plan is to persuade people to switch to Cingular from Verizon. Maybe Mr. Deleon and Mr. Cramer should stop sipping whiskey whilst watching CNBC and start reporting the facts. Either way, we’ll see if there’s any truth to this balderdash.
Cingular To Give iPhone Buyers 1.5 Years of Free Service? [Gizmodo]
Update: Told you they were chugging whiskey! The rumor is indeed FALSE!
Ahhhh hahahaha how I love those completely retarded rumors!!
Rule #1 in Business 101: Never give something away for free that people would pay for anyway.
First of all, I am pretty sure you don’t need to come up with any special offers to make people switch over to Cingular/AT&T Wireless for the iPhone. Those who want the iPhone will do it regardless of the plan costs, keep in mind that the price of the iPhone isn’t really for the money-conscious in the first place.
Second of all, 1.5 years is such an arbitrary number that does not go well with the usual 1 year, 2 year contract lengths common in that market space. That’s like offering 137 free text messages or giving you 268 free minutes. Very uncommon, and highly unlikely.
Thirdly, any kind of deal that will come along with the iPhone will for sure have the usual fine print of cellular contracts, such as get free monthly service but the data plan will cost you $19.99 per month etc. There are so many ways for phone companies to make money through fees other than your monthly subscription fee, they will get their money (and YOUR money) one way or another.
Last but not least, keep rule #2 of Business 101 in mind: There is no free lunch.
Here it is! I thought I was going to have to [gasp!] go to page 2 for an iPhone post… :)
I cry “Bull-spit” on this one. Bak!
Sure! It’ll be free… BUT… before you place that call you just have to watch a couple of video ads. Everything is free these days as long as you’re willing to watch or listen to an ad, right? We’ve got free 411 service, etc. Why not free cell phone service? Jobs did say that he was going to change the cell phone industry – why not change the whole business model!
Ooops, talked for over 1 min? We’ll just put your caller on hold while you watch a couple more. Convenient. User friendly. Hope that battery life is strong!
It would be nice if they did this for their long-term customers to show appreciation for their commitment. Wait a minute we are talking about a phone company. Forget it! Not going happen…
It might be in AT&T’s best interest to consider this type of offer even if it is false rumor. There are still a lot of angry AT&T Wireless customers who would sooner wait for Verizon to get the iPhone (will they?) than switch back to AT&T.
It would be a good thing, but doubtful. If Cingular did offer such a promotion, consumers (particularly in the mass market) would be more willing to shell out the $500 – $600 for the handset.
Everyone is crying BS on this rumor but think about it. ATT has done something like this already. In the bay area they are advertising 1 free year of ATT Dish tv if you sign up for a 2 year contract. Yes, there is fine print attached but they are all about getting as many of the cable customers away from Comcast, TimeWarner etc.
Here is the link I found about 1 year free ATT dish.
http://www.attyourworld.com/freetv/?DCMP=att_freetv
if this is true…. I will get the phone get it unlocked and use it with my current service for 1.5 year and then think about switching or just pay 6 month ….
GOOD LUCK TO APPLE!
I’M JUST WAITING iPHONE TO GET DOWN HERE MIDDLE EAST…….. L00K!
Wajid ly-lby-tripoli
idc about that, i just want one!