Cingular Store Employee: iPhone is No Longer being Released

[emanaydin]

I just got back from a mall nearby, and on my way out I passed a cingular store and decided to go in and ask about the iPhone just for the hell of it. The response was rather shocking. As i brought up the iPhone, he cut me off and said "it's not coming out anymore". I was like, wait wat?.. He explained how his manager went to a conference in vegas where they claimed that cingular will no longer release it as it has too many flaws and it will either not come out at all or be delayed for about a year.

Now we all know cingular sales in PDA/Smartphones are going down because everyone is waiting for the iPhone, so my immediate thought is that the higher ranks in cingular are now telling all employees that the iPhone is no longer coming out or will be delayed for a large amount of time so that the sales in other pda/smartphones will go back up. If i was an idiot, i'd probably fall for it and go with the cingular 8525, but for one i will never get a windows mobile fone, and two.. it's DEF still releasing. f'n idiot..

[PlaceofDis]

um okay, so one store employee is what makes you think Cingular is changing their marketing tactics?
they mention the iPhone front and center on their site.

more likely the guy was just being a jerk because he could. (and probably has to field questions all day about the iPhone)

[The General]

He's a liar.

I can't believe you believed him! :rolleyes:

[MacbookSwitcher]

Sounds like utter BS. That employee was lying through his teeth, just messing with you.

[emanaydin]

well obviously.. relax its not like i believed him, i laughed at him. i just thought it was funny and figured i'd bring it up lol

[neven]

If you didn't want this thread to turn into a series of "Bullpoop!" calls, you should've titled it "Some Cingular Jackass: iPhone Is No Longer Being Released".

Those people are, like, failed used car salesmen.

[Chaszmyr]

Really, was this thread necessary?

[PlaceofDis]

Really, was this thread necessary?

nope. not at all. but then we wouldn't be here talking, now would we. :p

[papadopolis1024]

I just got back from a mall nearby, and on my way out I passed a cingular store and decided to go in and ask about the iPhone just for the hell of it. The response was rather shocking. As i brought up the iPhone, he cut me off and said "it's not coming out anymore". I was like, wait wat?.. He explained how his manager went to a conference in vegas where they claimed that cingular will no longer release it as it has too many flaws and it will either not come out at all or be delayed for about a year.

Now we all know cingular sales in PDA/Smartphones are going down because everyone is waiting for the iPhone, so my immediate thought is that the higher ranks in cingular are now telling all employees that the iPhone is no longer coming out or will be delayed for a large amount of time so that the sales in other pda/smartphones will go back up. If i was an idiot, i'd probably fall for it and go with the cingular 8525, but for one i will never get a windows mobile fone, and two.. it's DEF still releasing. f'n idiot..

No in my area they are telling people the same thing! I went in the other day to buy a new charger for my phone (mine broke) and one guy asked "what is this new iPod phone everyone is talking about are you going to have it?" and the guy said "no our manager was told they will not have it with us any more"

And I said "umm no cingular and apple are in contract" and the cingular guy was like ****** off :rolleyes:

[emanaydin]

If you didn't want this thread to turn into a series of "Bullpoop!" calls, you should've titled it "Some Cingular Jackass: iPhone Is No Longer Being Released".


you're right, i realized after that i should have.. i would edit it, but i don't have the power..

[balamw]

Here's what I think is going on here:

iPhone will only be available online or maybe at Apple stores and Cingular corporate stores.

Most "Cingular stores" are not company owned. They are indpendent franchises, and may not get the phone.

When the ROKR first came out, I checked at some of the "Cingular" stores and they told me they don't carry it, but that the corporate store down the street should have 'em.

B

[esaleris]

I think something would have been leaked by now, if it weren't going to be made.

[monke]

Really, was this thread necessary?

No.

nope. not at all. but then we wouldn't be here talking, now would we. :p

Are we really talking, or is it just our imagination? :eek: :p :D

[grapes911]

Cingular won't carry the iPhone, but AT&T will. :rolleyes:

[PlaceofDis]

No.



Are we really talking, or is it just our imagination? :eek: :p :D

http://upload.yo-momma.net/uploads/macros/jedimindfook.gif

[BigPrince]

Cingular Store Employees are just as honest as my former Catholic Priest.

[buymeaniphone]

OK wait...so Cingular isn't going to be carrying the iPhone anymore ;)

[nagromme]

Cingular store employees are just like the general population--meaning a certain subset of them have tied their egos to Microsoft (how does this happen??) and have an emotional reaction against all things Apple.

[solvs]

Unless it's privately owned, get his ass fired. If it is privately owned, complain anyway, and if they don't do anything consult the BBB. Seriously, it pisses me off when employees are jerks like this, especially if they're giving out the wrong info to people. This is how FUD gets out.

[katie ta achoo]

Unless it's privately owned, get his ass fired. If it is privately owned, complain anyway, and if they don't do anything consult the BBB. Seriously, it pisses me off when employees are jerks like this, especially if they're giving out the wrong info to people. This is how FUD gets out.

But when you have a metric boatload of questions about a product that isn't even out yet every day, it's understandable he'd get snappy.
I work at a toy store. We sell this thing called "webkinz." Think beanie babies with internet. Every damn day, no fewer than 2 dozen times a day, we get the questions: "do you know when they'll come in?" "Do you have the dalmation/clydesdale/koala/black lab/orange and white cat/golden retriever/chiahuahua?" "What do you mean you only have 2 kinds left?"
I've wanted to tell people that webkinz have been discontinued forever and ever.
Bad days happen to everyone.

[CHROMEDOME]

Unless it's privately owned, get his ass fired. If it is privately owned, complain anyway, and if they don't do anything consult the BBB. Seriously, it pisses me off when employees are jerks like this, especially if they're giving out the wrong info to people. This is how FUD gets out.

Are you serious?

Its some guy who works at a Mall...not the CEO of Cingular. You want to fire some guy from his low paying job just because he doesn't know everything about a product that no one knows anything about...:rolleyes:

[solvs]

Bad days happen to everyone.

I've been there. Still am kinda. But you aren't telling people that. He is. He isn't doing his job, and I'm guessing this isn't the first time he's said this. How angry would you be as a consumer if you trusted him and he turned out to be a liar? Worse, a rude liar.

If I did anything like this now, I'd be fired in a heartbeat, and I'd deserve it.

[solvs]

You want to fire some guy from his low paying job just because he doesn't know everything about a product that no one knows anything about...:rolleyes:

No, I'd fire him for not doing his job. For deliberately giving out false information that could cost the companies involved business. I've worked with people like this in the past, and it makes it tougher for the rest of us. I've also had to go through this when I'm out there shopping for myself. Customer service is dropping in this country, and it sucks if he's some minimum wage paid lackey, believe me I've been there too, but he still has a job to do, and if can't do it, he shouldn't work there.

Frankly, I don't understand why people put up with this.

[/dev/toaster]

No, I'd fire him for not doing his job. For deliberately giving out false information that could cost the companies involved business. I've worked with people like this in the past, and it makes it tougher for the rest of us. I've also had to go through this when I'm out there shopping for myself. Customer service is dropping in this country, and it sucks if he's some minimum wage paid lackey, believe me I've been there too, but he still has a job to do, and if can't do it, he shouldn't work there.

Frankly, I don't understand why people put up with this.

I agree 100%. Customer service has been getting very bad. I great example of this is at your local Gamestop. Just go in and ask about the PS3, you will hear all sorts of lies and BS. For a month period, they were telling everyone who asked about a PS3 that they catch fire and are all being recalled and canceled. Of course, with nothing to back it up.

I don't care how much, or how little you are paid. If you got a job to do, you need to do it or get fired. I have a very good friend who owns a pizza joint, I have watched him fire many people over the years for treating customers poorly. The common response from the employee is, who cares its just a minimum wage job.

Anyway, I would also recommend complaining to the management. Then check back next week to see if its been resolved. Otherwise, call the corp office and make a formal complaint.

[papadopolis1024]

@ /dev/toaster

Ya I remember when the Wii came out (prob like the 6th day after the offical lanch) I went to the game store in my area (was an eb games now gamestop) to buy my friend a birthday pres. and I was like so when you getting some wiis in (as a joke I know one of the guys in there) and another guy who worked there (I had never seen him jumped up) and was like (in a very loud voice so everyone could hear him) WE ARE GETTING 50 Wiis IN ON MONDAY!!

And this one kid was like MOM HEAR THAT LETS COME BACK ON MONDAY.

I was like how can you say that I know alot of people wont belive that but people who dont know much about games might.

[APPLENEWBIE]

I don't know about that particular guy, but I would not be surprised if some Cingular salespeople are having a hard time making $ by selling smart phones/high end phones, because at least some of their customers are waiting.... for the iPhone. Some sales people may be getting paniced due to reduced commissions. Just a guess...

[/dev/toaster]

I agree they are losing sales. I haven't upgraded my GFs phone or mine because I am waiting for the iPhone. However, thats not an acceptable excuse on why they are spreading FUD.

Not to mention, they are only tarnishing their own brand name by creating these lies.

[balamw]

Can someone please point to a source from Apple or Cingular that unequivocally states that the iPhone is going to be available in any of either company's brick and mortar stores? All I recall from the keynote was "will be available from Apple and Cingular". This could mean only their web stores.

I don't doubt what my local Cingular franchisee told me a few months ago that they were told not to expect to stock any iPhones, at least initially when all sales and contracts handled online. This is easily misunderstood in the way that was presented.

"No iPhones in Cingular (franchise?) stores until October" is not a big step to "No iPhone ... until October". Yes, it's an omission, but could well be partially true.

B

[BornAgainMac]

I want to start going to these stores and bug them about the iPhone just to mess with them. I am sure they get a lot of customers asking about it and they are losing commissions on sales for their other smart phones.

[Cult Follower]

Some people are so ignorant, that doesn't even make sense. What was he thinking.

[jericho53]

Unless it's privately owned, get his ass fired. If it is privately owned, complain anyway, and if they don't do anything consult the BBB. Seriously, it pisses me off when employees are jerks like this, especially if they're giving out the wrong info to people. This is how FUD gets out.

Oh its not that serious. It was probably just some worn out retail employee. I am sure they are tired of answering iPhone questions all day.

[thesnowman16]

Oh its not that serious. It was probably just some worn out retail employee. I am sure they are tired of answering iPhone questions all day.

Yeah it must suck actualy having to do the job they are paid to do.

[LxTxNx]

I work for at&t and it's still comming out.

[dwishbone]

I agree 100%. Customer service has been getting very bad. I great example of this is at your local Gamestop. Just go in and ask about the PS3, you will hear all sorts of lies and BS. For a month period, they were telling everyone who asked about a PS3 that they catch fire and are all being recalled and canceled. Of course, with nothing to back it up.

I don't care how much, or how little you are paid. If you got a job to do, you need to do it or get fired. I have a very good friend who owns a pizza joint, I have watched him fire many people over the years for treating customers poorly. The common response from the employee is, who cares its just a minimum wage job.

Anyway, I would also recommend complaining to the management. Then check back next week to see if its been resolved. Otherwise, call the corp office and make a formal complaint.


thats funny, because my gamestop praises the PS3. it will do all your house work for you AND make you a sandwich. yet they still cant sell the things. they lie about what comes with it, games that are coming out for it, and many other things about the system. they also lie about the wii.
lies ive heard personally about the wii.
1. you HAVE to buy a memory card or games dont work. there is no built in memory in the system.
2. no nunchuk comes with the system. it's extra.
3. it does not support HDTV's (meaning there are no component cables available for it..and he has them in the store!)
thats just a few examples.

these came from the MANAGER for god sakes.

it would not make me happier if cingular dropped the iPhone. i am not a fan of their service, and also their reception where i live and most areas around here are piss poor. i love the iPhone from what ive seen and i REALLY want one, but unless they expand to a different carrier i won't be getting one. bring on the CDMA version Apple. Alltel (and others using CDMA) customers will love you forever.

[yellow]

Come on now people... we all know cellphone employees at a mall kiosk are totally "in the know" on all market information!

[CHROMEDOME]

Come on now people... we all know cellphone employees at a mall kiosk are totally "in the know" on all market information!

Exactly.

THEY WORK IN A MALL! JESUS.

[jericho53]

Exactly.

THEY WORK IN A MALL! JESUS.

Thank you. My thoughts exactly.

[roland.g]

I can't beleive this warrants discussion.

[emanaydin]

i went to a verizon kiosk and asked what they'll have to compete with the iphone showing him that i'm about to switch for it .. i wnated to see what he would say to keep me as a customer, and WOW he was talkin MADDDD shiiit about iphone, sayin how the touchscreen is gonna be crap this and that.. ignorant things.. then i mocked him on vcast and i could tell he got mad and wanted to continue to fight but then the rest of my friends came over and he sat back down lol .. i really hate vcast and the bullshiiit OS they put on verizon fones.

[ShiggyMiyamoto]

i went to a verizon kiosk and asked what they'll have to compete with the iphone showing him that i'm about to switch for it .. i wnated to see what he would say to keep me as a customer, and WOW he was talkin MADDDD shiiit about iphone, sayin how the touchscreen is gonna be crap this and that.. ignorant things.. then i mocked him on vcast and i could tell he got mad and wanted to continue to fight but then the rest of my friends came over and he sat back down lol .. i really hate vcast and the bullshiiit OS they put on verizon fones.

Haha. I have ATT/Cingular already and am counting down the days until the iPhone's available. I utterly hate Verizon. This may sound somewhat biased, but I've used my friends' Verizon phones and they suck. People say that Motorola OSes suck.. The Verizon-branded RAZR OSes, for example, sucks badly. Also Verizon takes phones and CRIPPLES them to all hell. Bluetooth is limited to a supported headset ONLY. You can't send files back and forth between other BT phones or devices.

Now, on topic: I worked at my local Toys R Us over the holiday season and people asked about the Wii very often before and after its release. Either I or my colleagues would have to lie that we didn't have any, when sometimes we actually had some but we couldn't sell them until a certain day. Man some customers would get super arrogant and storm off. I miss working there. lol.