AIBU to not understand why anyone would chose the option to upgrade their phone after 12 months?

[Skarossinkplunger]

I have been an EE customer for about 10
years. When I last upgraded (Dec 2016) my
new contract included an option to upgrade after 12 months, with what is termed a ‘trade-in’ of my current phone. I would have to sign a new 24 month contract.

I always look after my phones and normally upgrade every 2 years, selling my phone and using that to pay the upfront cost of my new phone.

I have just been into an EE shop to look at my 12 month upgrade options. I looked at 2 phones, for both I would have to pay the upfront cost and my monthly payments would be higher. Both offers are exactly the same as if I were either a new customer or at the end of my existing contract. Am I really not understanding the ‘trade-in’ part by thinking that by giving them my existing phone for which I have paid at least half the cost of and being tied in to an extra 12 months should entitle me to some sort of discount?

You need to look at part of you fee as a phone rental not a purchase, it then makes sense.Do you actually need a new phone? Mobile phones use a high amount of rare minerals and in 2012 there was only around 20 years supply of one of them at the current usage. We're being told about the dangers of plastic again plenty of it in a mobile

No I don’t need a new phone hence the reason why I’m not particularly bothered about the upgrade.

I don’t understand the rental bit as my contract is worked out that that’s the cost of the phone, plus my package spread over 2 years.

My DH seems to think that just by offering me the opportunity to spend more money with them they’re doing me a favour.

I wouldn’t bother. I upgraded my iPhone 6 (2.5 years old) to an iPhone 8 recently to be able to pass my old phone on. However, had I done it to get a better phone, I would’ve wasted my money, as I can’t tell the difference.

I do upgrade my phone every year; it's the one luxury I have.

I've never heard of handing back the old handset when upgrading - you usually keep it. I often take dhs old one when he upgrades

Needmoresleep that’s usual at the end of a contract, the so called ‘trade-in’ option is an early upgrade.

"Am I really not understanding the ‘trade-in’ part by thinking that by giving them my existing phone for which I have paid at least half the cost of and being tied in to an extra 12 months should entitle me to some sort of discount?"

Yes.

The phone purchase should be seen as a deferred payment, not as some kind of rental although it's a red-herring.

Call them up and ask for their best offer. I'd be surprised if they can't offer you something better but I'd be equally amazed if they have to.

understanding as a verb can't take ing