• BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
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    8 months ago

    So Verizon gave you a phone for no upfront cost, and they’re shitty for making you pay for it if you decide to dash away early?

    Fascinating threshold for shitty behavior you have.

    • Neato@ttrpg.network
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      8 months ago

      I can’t believe people still do that. You aren’t saving money and you’re locked in 2 years. I guess if that’s that only kind of financing you can get.

      • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works
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        8 months ago

        I guess if that’s that only kind of financing you can get.

        That’s exactly what it is. Look up the statistics on how many people can’t afford an unexpected $500 bill. Most people simply don’t have the money to pay out of pocket for what smartphones actually cost, so they’re stuck with exploitation, or nothing.

        • shortwavesurfer@monero.town
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          8 months ago

          As somebody who’s been purchasing my phones directly from the OEM at full price since 2016, I see this as being crazy. It’s made me realize for certain that I don’t need the absolute newest thing, and so I always go with mid-range devices. I feel like people who buy their devices outright don’t buy mini iPhones LOL. If they do, they hold on to them longer, treat them better, or buy them used. So some other fool takes the hit of depreciation.

      • NineMileTower@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        How is it not saving money if they give me a phone for free though? I’m not sure what you mean.

        • BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
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          8 months ago

          If the phone costs $500, they simply increase your monthly bill by $500 / 24 months = $20 a month.

          It’s a bit more complicated than this, and they’ll likely have some interest built in as well, but functionally, it’s no different than being given a loan to buy the phone and then paying the loan off over the two years. That’s why carriers often require a credit check before doing this.

    • NineMileTower@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      It’s an Iphone SE 22. I would end up paying more than it’s worth to switch phones due to fees. Shitty behavior? Smug asshole.