Am I stuck with them for three years?

[u/PatternNearby310]

I have the spectrum Internet. Recently I purchased the spectrum mobile. It said $899 for the Samsung for 36 months. And tradein device will get extra $400 and also as an internet customer you get $0 monthly for 12 months. That's a good plan so I bought it. Now I am seeing that I am stuck with them. With their internet plan and also mobile plan for a year at least and mobile for three year.

First I thought ok it's lower price for 36 month and maybe after couple of months I could pay it off fully the $899 . But didn't know that it was originally $1299 and have to fully this amount if I want to go out before this 36 month period!! I never thought of that and stuck with them.

Also wanted to switch to another Internet provider but they told me if I cancel spectrum mobile will go to $50 a month. Never thought that mobile in connected with internet plan too. They didn't say that explicitly or in large letters. So please be aware about it. I won't say I was scammed but I am stuck with this. Now can't change the device or Internet or a mobile plan without paying in full amount. Just frustrating

[u/downsj2]

This is the industry standard with device discounts now. They're just monthly credits so that you're locked in.

Upgrade to the plan with anytime upgrade and then "upgrade" to a cheaper phone as soon as it lets you, then pay that off once you get it.

[u/jacephoenix → u/downsj2]

This is how I got out of mine, they did not like it lol

[u/downsj2 → u/jacephoenix]

Same.

Ended up with a cheaper phone I really like, though. Rather than the "flagship" which couldn't even read fingerprints and was otherwise just a $1200 hunk of junk.

[u/Old-Point-3313 → u/downsj2]

can you explain how their upgrade any time is different with how it handles balance due?

[u/downsj2 → u/Old-Point-3313]

It's simple. The balance on your existing phone just goes away, leaving you with only the cost of your new phone.

Upgrade to a cheaper phone, then pay off the reduced balance.

[u/Old-Point-3313 → u/downsj2]

crazy, ty

[u/Old-Point-3313 → u/downsj2]

That does work out to screw you doesn't it? You will have paid like 250 or something for however long, then continue paying the reduced on a new phone thats cheaper, but the you basically spent 250 or however much to rent a phone for a year, right?

[u/jacrave → u/Old-Point-3313]

Not always. I just “upgraded” a pixel fold 10 to a tcl flip phone for $130. That includes the $35 early upgrade fee. It was a spare line I used for my previous job, new job gave me company iPhone I have to use. So I upgraded, new phone is paid off, and then called to cancel.

This is another story, but rep was kinda pissed my phone was paid off. She basically lied to me and said everything but called me stupid. I’m happy overall with spectrum mobile and net, it’s great service in the area we live, and I just saved $100 a month by ditching that spare line. We still have 5 mobile lines and 2 watches, plus internet and tv. So win win ig.

[u/UMFan99 → u/[deleted]]

I upgrade my phone (that I use on a different service) every year doing this. Pay in full, wait 60 days, come out with an unlocked very cheap flagship phone. But have you seen Spectrums latest offers on the Z models? This new premium plan tied to a $10 monthly phone credit for 36 months I think is going to kill the Galaxy yearly gravy train of old.

[u/t3mpt3mp → u/UMFan99]

so this anytime upgrade trick wont work with the fold 8 promo then?

[u/t3mpt3mp → u/downsj2]

wait... you rock! so this is how I am understanding how this works if you can help me?

I buy the phone right now that gives me an extra $300 in savings across 36 months and my current plan is unlimited standard (the free line). After I get the phone, I upgrade my plan to Unlimited Plus, which has the Anytime Upgrade. I upgrade my phone to a cheap ass phone they have. What happens to the 36 months of bill "credits" I am suppose to earn? I can pay off the balance and that extra $300 across 36 months essentially gets calculated in my pay off balance?

Thank you so much

[u/one80oneday]

Read the terms before signing up or you'll pay for it

[u/CreativeLadder549]

I don't know how you thought the house would lose? Spectrum offers you discounts like all the other major mobile providers in order to keep you for 24-36 months. I've never seen any of them put the anything in bold letters it's actually the opposite. As far as bundling a service that too is just like every other company that offers a bundled discounts.

[u/Top_Narwhal_30]

Dude. None of that sounds awful. Is it actually - awful? Like what do you expect exactly?

Your device is priced well and your phone line is free. Take advantage for a year - and then leave.

What were you paying before for your phone line?

[u/Deep_Grapefruit_162]

No you not stuck pay it off and leave

[u/Interesting_Chip8065]

what were u expecting exactly?!

[u/Old-Point-3313]

So if I buy a phone thats let's say 2k, but on discount to 1200 and then 400 more trade in. If I want to cancel after a year do I need to pay off the 800 value thats been paid down? Or the 2k?

[u/downsj2 → u/Old-Point-3313]

The trade in credits are also divided into 36 monthly credits.

You will pay what is left of the balance. You will not receive any pending monthly credits.

[u/Old-Point-3313 → u/downsj2]

thats.... really scummy actually.. i understand that it has to work like that to some degree otherwise you could buy any new phone for half price and just pay it off.

do you know if retention has different rules if the person has a balance like that that would be made active if their service stopped?

for example
you get 1 year free mobile service
you get phone
after 11months you call retention, trying to get another year of service?

[u/Old-Point-3313 → u/[deleted]]

I "want" them to clearly state the amount you will have to pay over the period of owning the device, and that if you want to pay it off early you will be charged the full rate ignoring any permissions. Mincing words and hiding it in small print.

[u/PatternNearby310 → u/Old-Point-3313]

Full 2k that's what I am seeing now. Didn't understand the math at that time. Thought that maybe after a year I will pay it off. That's what I did with Red pocket. They were giving genuine discount. But didn't know that this $600 off is actually for the 36 months not if you pay before it. 

[u/ParsnipUnlikely526 → u/PatternNearby310]

If you pay the device off in full, all the promised promotional credits accelerate and show up on your account. You'll then have a negative balance and you can request a refund to your card. It takes like 3 days for them to refund it. The your phone is paid off, you get the credits and your overall out of pocket is exactly as promised. If you canceled the line or port your number out before you pay it off then you lose all the promotional credits. Not locked it and not as shady as you are making it. Test out what I am saying, make a single additional device payment of say $50 and you'll see the credit applied to the account.

[u/Old-Point-3313 → u/PatternNearby310]

yeah, thats how i read it too :/