• BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    36
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    7 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
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      21
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      7 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
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        7 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
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          7 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.

        • BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          7 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.