That's one way of looking at it.
Since these installment plans are only about a year and a quarter old, this is how I see the whole thing...
We have always been paying for our phones.
In fact, we may have been over paying for years. For years we paid something up front, or sometimes got the "free" phone, when we committed to 2 year contract. The standard monthly bill was $40 a month before tax. I kept more than one phone past the 2 year commitment, but never got a discount until 2014.
Looking at the big picture makes the current options more appealing. I guess because it's fair for everyone. I really like keeping my monthly bill low.
it also puts the responsibility for phones on the owner/user. I'm kinda sick of "I broke my phone, will my carrier give me a free replacement?" or. "Im bored of my phone and want a different one" or " the new whatever- phone just came out and I want it". FIne. Pay for a new phone. In most of the rest of the world people have to pay for the entire retail price up front. No discount or subsidy and no installment plans.
I know it's very American to live in debt, but enough already.
I Am out of debt. My mortgage is paid off, my credit cards get paid every month, I own my cars and my phones, all of it. Wow. Do I breath easy every month!
Rant complete. Thanks for putting up with it.
