One of the reasons the US telcoms rape and pillage its customers is because the customers do not question the policies and ask for more.

I have never heard any customer bringing their old phone and DEMANDING that he /she gets a rebate on the service. When I asked a AT&T manager as to why if I get a subsidized phone I get $X / month but if I get my old phone I cant get any lesser price - and he didn't even understand the math of it. He acted incredulous that I even was asking for such a lesser price.

This is the big issue. Unless customers stand demanding a service, these companies will not even consider it. We have to force them to open up.

Of course this will not stop me from asking for a better price on service only deal than the phone+service deal when I get bring my own unlocked N900 to them again. I know what I will get for an answer - but at least the manager will be a little less incredulous on hearing about it again.