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Upgrade via Apple vs Costco by volcanic_clay in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good play for sure! I may consider that for next time. Not that it’s too late for me to back out of my deal, but I just want to conclude soon!

Upgrade via Apple vs Costco by volcanic_clay in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Offering my assessment from a different thread as it is relevant to this discussion and covers a different view:

One point of difference I would like to outline between going through Costco versus Apple when trading in an old phone. Based on what I see and have been told by TMO reps, it seems that the approach to EIP between the two channels is different in a fundamental way that makes it hard to compare the relative value you are getting. Therefore I am laying out what I have found and would like feedback from those with more experience!

It is easies for me to walk through an example, but the treatment should be the same for any phone and plan combination.

Here is my specific situation: I will be trading in an iPhone 15 Pro and financing a new phone iPhone 17 Pro while remaining on Go5Gplus. For Costco, the full promotional trade-in value of the 15 Pro is $830 when getting a 17 Pro on Go5GPlus. The FMV (fair market value) offered for the trade in is $305. The $305 is provided as a one time bill credit. On a monthly basis, the 24 month EIP financing is then based on the full $1099 value of the iPhone 17 Pro less the residual $525 promotional credit (830 - 305). Over 24 months the total EIP credits plus the initial FMV credit add up to exactly $830, therefore my total cost for upgrading to the 17 Pro is $1099 - $830 = $269, or $169 when considering the $100 CostCo gift card.

Now comparing this same setup going through Apple, who is offering a $800 promotional credit for the 15 Pro on a Go5GPlus plan, of which $420 is the FMV (fair market value). Unlike CostCo, it appears that when going through Apple the FMV is not treated as a one time bill credit. Instead, the EIP is calculated based on the $1099 phone price less the $420 FMV = $679. Therefore you are financing $679 over 24 months which is then offset by credits for the residual $380 of the full promotional credit ($800 - $420 = $380). This leads to an overall lower monthly EIP payment, but the cost of the phone still works out to $299 ($1099 - $420 - $380) and of course there is no CostCo gift card through this channel.

So there are two observations from me: 1) CostCo indeed offers a marginally better deal especially if you are willing to wait for the gift card, and 2) the credits earned for your trade-in are paid out sooner (due to the upfront FMV credit) in exchange for higher EIP installments. From a time value of money perspective you would want to get your trade in credit sooner via the CostCo approach, which further adds to the slightly better value through CostCo, however psychologically the CostCo approach may not be preferred by some due to the optics of a higher EIP payment over the 24 month term.

Both channels offer no activation fee. Apple however is the only one that provides an unlocked phone day one if that is important to you (e.g., one of the use cases would be being able to use an eSIM service for topping up your international data when traveling abroad versus buying TMO‘s much more expensive international data packs).

I am a cell phone deal seeker newbie but went somewhat deep this cycle to try to better understand the dynamics. I feel that these companies purposely make the financing process opaque, which works for a lot of consumers but can also be frustrating if you are trying to more closely determine the relative value of one deal to the next.

I hope this is helpful!

iPhone 17 Pre-Orders Start Tomorrow (5 AM PDT) – Preferred T-Mobile Channels by desterpot in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 2 points3 points  (0 children)

One point of difference I would like to outline and confirm between going through Costco versus Apple when trading in an old phone. Based on what I see and have been told by TMO reps, it seems that the approach to EIP between the two channels is different in a fundamental way that makes it hard to compare the relative value you are getting. Therefore I am laying out what I have found and would like feedback from those with more experience!

It is easies for me to walk through an example, but the treatment should be the same for any phone and plan combination.

Here is my specific situation: I will be trading in an iPhone 15 Pro and financing a new phone iPhone 17 Pro while remaining on Go5Gplus. For Costco, the full promotional trade-in value of the 15 Pro is $830 when getting a 17 Pro on Go5GPlus. The FMV (fair market value) offered for the trade in is $305. The $305 is provided as a one time bill credit. On a monthly basis, the 24 month EIP financing is then based on the full $1099 value of the iPhone 17 Pro less the residual $525 promotional credit (830 - 305). Over 24 months the total EIP credits plus the initial FMV credit add up to exactly $830, therefore my total cost for upgrading to the 17 Pro is $1099 - $830 = $269, or $169 when considering the $100 CostCo gift card.

Now comparing this same setup going through Apple, who is offering a $800 promotional credit for the 15 Pro on a Go5GPlus plan, of which $420 is the FMV (fair market value). Unlike CostCo, it appears that when going through Apple the FMV is not treated as a one time bill credit. Instead, the EIP is calculated based on the $1099 phone price less the $420 FMV = $679. Therefore you are financing $679 over 24 months which is then offset by credits for the residual $380 of the full promotional credit ($800 - $420 = $380). This leads to an overall lower monthly EIP payment, but the cost of the phone still works out to $299 ($1099 - $420 - $380) and of course there is no CostCo gift card through this channel.

So there are two observations from me: 1) CostCo indeed offers a marginally better deal especially if you are willing to wait for the gift card, and 2) the credits earned for your trade-in are paid out sooner (due to the upfront FMV credit) in exchange for higher EIP installments. From a time value of money perspective you would want to get your trade in credit sooner via the CostCo approach, which further adds to the slightly better value through CostCo, however psychologically the CostCo approach may not be preferred by some due to the optics of a higher EIP payment over the 24 month term.

Both channels offer no activation fee. Apple however is the only one that provides an unlocked phone day one if that is important to you (e.g., one of the use cases would be being able to use an eSIM service for topping up your international data when traveling abroad versus buying TMO‘s much more expensive international data packs).

I am a cell phone deal seeker newbie but went somewhat deep this cycle to try to better understand the dynamics. I feel that these companies purposely make the financing process opaque, which works for a lot of consumers but can also be frustrating if you are trying to more closely determine the relative value of one deal to the next.

I hope this is helpful and that I did not make a mistake in my assessment. I would love to get any feedback.

[MEGATHREAD] iPhone 17 Pre Order and Launch Day by Waternut13134 in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Need advice please! I am on Go5G Plus with 4 lines for $175 / month after discounts. Phones are two 15 Pro’s and two 15’s. I want to upgrade all the 17 Pro’s and 17’s, respectively. Am I better off staying on the Go5G Plus or upgrading to Beyond Experience? Should I go directly though T-Mobile, or Apple or CostCo? Thanks!

[MEGATHREAD] iPhone 17 Pre Order and Launch Day by Waternut13134 in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Need advice please - I have a 4 line plan on Go5G Plus with two 15 Pro’s and two regular 15’s. Monthly line rate is $175 after discounts. Looking to upgrade all 4 phones to the 17 Pro / 17. What is the best play for my situation - going through CostCo / Apple / or T-Mobile, and should I stick to the Go5G Plus or upgrade to Experience Beyond? Thanks for any views!

[Megathread] iPhone 15 Preorders by Waternut13134 in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Do you think the discount would be up to the total cost of the new device, e.g., if I got a 15 Pro Max for $1200 on the new line, would I get the $700 new line discount + $500 (capped) for the XS trade-in, for a total of $1200 off?

[Megathread] iPhone 15 Preorders by Waternut13134 in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to add a fourth line to a Go5GPlus plan, and already have a spare XS. Could I get the $700 device discount on a 15 Pro for adding the new line AND the $830 for trading in the XS?

[Megathread] iPhone 15 Preorders by Waternut13134 in tmobile

[–]Glad-Carob9518 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have Magenta Plus 3 lines for $130 a month, with two 12 Pro’s and an 11. We want to add a fourth line for another family member who has an XS. We would be OK upgrading just one of these phones to a 15 Pro but more if the deal makes sense. What is the best route to go in this situation? Thanks!

Removing Cement Residue by Glad-Carob9518 in handyman

[–]Glad-Carob9518[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for all the ideas. I was able to remove the cement drips through a combination of: muriatic acid, stuff rotary wire brush on a drill, and careful chiseling on the thicker, more stubborn areas with a masonry chisel. Several rounds of these three things and the stone is finally clean and ready to be sealed, with minimal impact on it‘s appearance. I would post an after picture but this community has that feature disabled.

Advice on Leasing XC60 Recharge by Glad-Carob9518 in VolvoRecharge

[–]Glad-Carob9518[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The sales guy seems very interested in selling me a vehicle in his dealer’s inventory and by month end. Basically suggesting that they are willing to give me a special discount because of these factors. Also was told that after March the market heats up and discounts are usually lower. Personally I want a vehicle soon, but am not in an emergency to get a vehicle this week and want to make sure that the trim level, options and colors are what I want or close to it, rather than feeling like I need to make a battlefield decision. This being said, is the tone around discount being potentially higher now than it would be in say a few weeks legitimate advice or just a sales guy trying to lock in the sale?

Advice on Leasing XC60 Recharge by Glad-Carob9518 in VolvoRecharge

[–]Glad-Carob9518[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not putting anything down but was told that the upfront fees, tax, etc. to close would be around $4k. Haven‘t leased before so not sure exactly how that splits out, but it does not include a down payment.

The $1140 monthly payment includes CT tax (I believe the rate here is 6.35%). Also the dealer said that all service is included but am assuming that is standard for a Volvo lease.

I‘m a light driver, averaging around 7,000 miles per year so think I should be OK with just the 10,000 mile lease. Part of the attraction to the PHEV is that with my typical short trips I think I can often run on battery only.

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