Apple Offers $30 iTunes Store Credit for Activation Delays

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/22/apple-offers-30-itunes-store-credit-for-activation-delays/)

In an effort to compensate individuals affected by the delays in iPhone activation (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/19/iphone-3g-s-customers-reporting-activation-delays/) over the weekend, Apple has been sending out emails to affected customers indicating that they will be getting a $30 iTunes Store credit.
Dear Apple Customer,

Thank you for your recent Apple Store order. We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in your iPhone activation.

We are still resolving the issue that was encountered while activating your iPhone with AT&T. Unfortunately, due to system issues and continued high activation volumes, this could take us up to an additional 48 hours to complete.

On Monday, you'll receive an email from Apple with an iTunes Store credit in the amount of $30. We hope you will enjoy this gift and accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this delay has caused.

Thank you for choosing Apple.

Sincerely,
Apple Online Store TeamAffected customers should receive the credit on Monday.

Article Link: Apple Offers $30 iTunes Store Credit for Activation Delays (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/06/22/apple-offers-30-itunes-store-credit-for-activation-delays/)

[Schtumple]

Jesus really? Are people really that affected by it?

[stephengiem]

That's nice of them.

[TranceNW]

A nice gesture from Apple, these delays are silly.

[jimmer-uk]

Jesus really? Are people really that affected by it?

Our American cousins get upset by this sort of thing

[jaycebeasley]

$30 is a LOT for having to wait two days. I say kudos.

[iMikeT]

You lucky SOBs, I'm so jealous :mad:.

I'm still waiting to receive my income tax refund before I upgrade my gen1 iPhone to an iPhone 3GS. :(

[twoodcc]

very nice of apple to do this. and i can see why they are doing it. people really cannot live without their phone these days. 48 hours with no phone can really hurt some people

[Mintin8]

That's really nice of apple.

[Mr Fish]

very nice of apple to do this. and i can see why they are doing it. people really cannot live without their phone these days. 48 hours with no phone can really hurt some people

Or you could use your old phone for another 48 hours. It's got you this far.

[tufaw]

That's awesome. Enough to buy half-dozen iPhone socks and still have $1 left!

[alm99]

How do I get in on this action since my iPhone was a port from Verizon Wireless and doesn't fully work. My Verizon phone still makes and receives calls and text messages. Whereas the iPhone can make a call, but not text messaging.

[spillproof]

They did not have to do that, but in doing so, it says a lot about how much they care, I think.
I wonder if AT&T or Apple is the one causing the delays. If it's AT&T then Apple is really being generous.

[cpgallo]

When do I find out if I get one?

[designgeek]

They did not have to do that, but in doing so, it says a lot about how much they care, I think.
I wonder if AT&T or Apple is the one causing the delays. If it's AT&T then Apple is really being generous.

I too was wondering if it was AT&T's fault, no surprise if it is. If that's the case though I bet it would come from AT&T.

[niji]

apple does marketing sooo well.

[darijoe]

When do I find out if I get one?

You'll find out sometime today. Re-login to the iTunes store at the end of the day and it should be there.

Well done Apple, you're a very generous company!

[Porco]

I'm guessing it's AT&T's fault unless we start seeing the same thing in the other countries the 3GS went on sale. But good for Apple either way.

[Jonny75]

Somehow I think it'll be an offer from Apple, but paid for by AT&T. Apple may have even put a clause about delays.

This again is a public attack on AT&T and Apple are making it clear who's at fault while keeping their end sweet.

It'd be great if they did the same with O2 etc. The advantages of the phone and network tie-up is rapidly being eroded by the faults within the networks and the monopoly for the consumer.

[Michael CM1]

Our American cousins get upset by this sort of thing

Tell me about it. I an issue with a keychain error. After finding the problem via Google and then finding the fix -- create new account, activate phone on new account, logout and sync phone on old account -- I had no trouble. Maybe I should've called Apple tech support and gotten my $30 for a complicated piece of electronics equipment not working perfectly out of the box.

I swear, Apple/AT&T have really caved to the whiners when it comes to the iPhone. Complain about a price drop? $100! Complain that you had to live up to your contract? OK, price drop for you! Slow activation? $30!

[billchase2]

Is this for everyone who purchased a 3GS Friday morning? Or just people who filed complaints?

[Tampa Tom]

Is this for everyone who purchased a 3GS Friday morning? Or just people who filed complaints?

As I understand it, if you received the following notice during activation, you will receive the credit:
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Due to current iPhone activation volumes, it may take up to 48 hours to resolve your issue. We will send a confirmation to {e-mail address redacted} once your activation is complete. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. You can set up your iPhone and enjoy features that do not require access to the AT&T network. To get started, please disconnect and then reconnect your iPhone.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

[iGary]

Guess I was lucky. Activated two phones (one Friday one last night) and it took less than two minutes to activate each of them.

[desiredusername]

Do you think I also get 30$ for waiting one week longer, than you guys in the US and germany and so on? I have to wait until this Friday. I want my Itunes Store Credit :)

[bruinsrme]

I swear, Apple/AT&T have really caved to the whiners when it comes to the iPhone. Complain about a price drop? $100! Complain that you had to live up to your contract? OK, price drop for you! Slow activation? $30!

What did people expect, with the release of the new phone.:rolleyes:

The funny thing was I was going to get the phone for $499 regardless.
When they dropped the proce I decided to get my son one too.

[Shasterball]

I swear, Apple/AT&T have really caved to the whiners when it comes to the iPhone. Complain about a price drop? $100! Complain that you had to live up to your contract? OK, price drop for you! Slow activation? $30!

Ummm, I think the take home message is, don't let others roll you over and stand up for what you want -- you may get something in return. It's in our blood -- hell, it's how this country got started. :)

I really don't have a problem with this. Apple can decide how to spend its money. I would be annoyed if people started to expect compensation for every little issue and then complained if they didn't get it. Those would be spoiled customers...

[r88my]

Shame they didn't offer this last year when I waited 4 days to have mine activated :rolleyes:

[.:R2theT]

I swear, Apple/AT&T have really caved to the whiners when it comes to the iPhone. Complain about a price drop? $100! Complain that you had to live up to your contract? OK, price drop for you! Slow activation? $30!

I was thinking the other day how AT&T and Apple must think iPhone owners are just a bunch of whiners.

But don't think for a second that both companies don't make this money back. Just by signing the 2-year contract I am sure they have at least $100 of play while still making loads of profit. The plans for these phones are very much a premium.

And remember, this is really on about $20 to Apple if you remove its iTunes Store markup.

I would be annoyed if people started to expect compensation for every little issue and then complained if they didn't get it. Those would be spoiled customers...

Isn't that exactly what just happened with the subsidized pricing on the 3GS? People whined when they couldn't have the newest little shiny and AT&T/Apple changed the rules slightly to stifle some of the complainers. Sounds more than a bit spoiled to me.

[DELLsFan]

You lucky SOBs, I'm so jealous :mad:.

I'm still waiting to receive my income tax refund before I upgrade my gen1 iPhone to an iPhone 3GS. :(

Still waiting? Taxes were done a long time ago here ... oh ... sorry ... I see you're from CA.

:eek:

Never Mind. My condolences.

Nice gesture by Apple.

[sychee]

First, apology for MobileMe problems, then delay of Push notification service. Now apology for iPhone 3GS activation delay and Push applications delay? I hope Apple can stop apologizing and start making things work for all of us :)

[DJ567]

i was affected my iphone cost £60 more than it does in america and i had to wait 5 mins for the guy in carphone warehouse to stop trying to sell me a contract lol... i wish mine had been delayed lol

[Rot'nApple]

Ummm, I think the take home message is, don't let others roll you over and stand up for what you want -- you may get something in return. It's in our blood -- hell, it's how this country got started. :)

Unless you attended a Tea Party rally. Then this government and most of it's cohorts in the state run media and the Hollywood liberal elite, criticized you for taking a stand against this government, made fun of you by saying you didn't know what your were talking about, were called racists by those who really should not throw stones in glass houses, think you don't deserve to stand up for what you want and you should just let this government roll over you. In other words, bend over! :eek:

[Eric-PTEK]

I swear, Apple/AT&T have really caved to the whiners when it comes to the iPhone. Complain about a price drop? $100! Complain that you had to live up to your contract? OK, price drop for you! Slow activation? $30!

Maybe they want to keep people's business? My activation went off without a hitch, was in and out of Best Buy in 10 minutes, much to the EXTREME annoyance of the 2 women there who had been waiting for over an hour.

I run my own business, I need my phone. I need to be in and out in a short period of time. We sell and setup a lot of MS Exchange so again to my customers quick turn around and a reliable system is extremely important. I do push a lot of iPhone's for Exchange too and part of the reason is the reliability I've had with mine.

When you get into business bell's, whistles, and the rest of the BS mean nothing if the system is not first reliable, and second you get a reasonable response from the company.

I have AT&T business service for my iPhone and I deal with AT&T business services every day. Don't think AT&T doesn't realize how crappy their customer service is on the consumer side. It sucks...but call the business side and they bend over backwards for you.

A simple phone call over any issue and its instantly resolved, credited, whatever. Its night and day between business and consumer.

A bigger part of the problem is the consumer's are sheep. Time is money and if they are causing a delay because of a lack of preparedness or proper testing then yes I would expect something.

Problems like this are due to a lack of proper planning, program management, or forethought to determine problems, something you should not find in an IT company.

Plus one thing Apple is not, is stupid....They just got themselves an extra 15-30 seconds on every TV new station with this.

[DamFu]

I'm guessing it's AT&T's fault unless we start seeing the same thing in the other countries the 3GS went on sale. But good for Apple either way.

And what makes you say that? Because AT&T is an easy punching bag? I hate to sound like an AT&T fanboy because im not. Activation goes through the iTunes servers. Lets not forget also the delays of last year (joint AT&T and Apple problem) as well as the MobileMe launch issues, unless you can find a way to blame AT&T for that one also.

[amemoryoncelost]

I'm still waiting for my 3G to work, this sucks. It worked for a good hour or two and then just stopped, it's pretty awesome when you call AT&T and they tell you to call Apple, you call Apple and they tell you to call AT&T. Such a runaround this weekend. Really hoping I can get some answers after work today...

[bob vansteel]

....I've been waiting 24+ hours, still not activated, and I never got an email!! does that mean I don't get $30? I'm not being greedy, but come on!

[Kadman]

I'm guessing it's AT&T's fault unless we start seeing the same thing in the other countries the 3GS went on sale. But good for Apple either way.

Actually, I had to call AT&T because I was doing mine as an upgrade swap. They anticipated the demand and had extra staff ready. My call went through immediately and the rep and I worked through the upgrade swap (was using eligibility from another line on my account). The part that caused things to fail was the iTunes activation. Apple's system could simply not handle the traffic. I called AT&T back (again, got right through) and all of their systems had my information correct.

So, I called Apple to sort through things on their end. I waited for 15 minutes to speak with a first line tech. They didn't even really know what happened on the back end for activations. I then had to wait another 20 minutes (granted, he checked in a few times to be sure I was hanging on) while being passed on to a specialist...who also didn't know how iTunes ultimately interacted with the AT&T databases on the back end. So, I got my phone about 9:50am on Friday, but I didn't get my actual completion notification from Apple until Saturday night about 8:45, at which time it essentially undid everything that the AT&T rep and I did during the upgrade swap.

So yeah, Apple messed this one up pretty bad.

BTW - Should all of us affected have received an email like the one above or did they stop sending those out and opt to just credit our iTunes balance? As noted earlier in this message, mine took a good 30+ hours but I haven't received a note about it beyond the one marking completion of the process.

[Avenge85]

I'm in the UK, bought my 3G-S on Friday 19/06/09 at 1pm and I am still awaiting activation.

Is there a similar compensation scheme available to those in the UK?

[Rychy]

That's certainly a nice gesture... I wasn't ecstatic when I got the notification that it maybe take up to 48 hours to activate my phone, but I knew why, so I wasn't really mad or anything.

[Exegesis48]

Or you could use your old phone for another 48 hours. It's got you this far.

When you activate a new phone with AT&T they "deactivate" your old sim card. So your old phone is effectively useless. I had a delay when i activated my 3GS and I was highly concerned, as I am a trainer for the Air Force. I have lots of troops that potentially need to get a hold of me on a regular basis. Was pretty scary being without my phone for a few hours.

[joro]

Somehow I think it'll be an offer from Apple, but paid for by AT&T. Apple may have even put a clause about delays.

This again is a public attack on AT&T and Apple are making it clear who's at fault while keeping their end sweet.

It'd be great if they did the same with O2 etc. The advantages of the phone and network tie-up is rapidly being eroded by the faults within the networks and the monopoly for the consumer.

Yeah, I have the feeling as well even though it’s coming from Apple, AT&T is paying it behind the scenes because after all, Apple doesn’t activate the phones, AT&T does.

[charlituna]

Jesus really? Are people really that affected by it?

probably not unless the issue was that their activation started so their existing phone was killed but the new one wasn't working either.

but Apple knows that some folks are going to gripe so even a token gesture is needed (like the token re: upgrade pricing) to stiffle the gripes.

i foresee that next year there will be no online orders and no standing in line outside of stores. you will have to do the web thing and make an appointment a la the personal shopping thing. that way they can meter the number of activations per store and not have this happen yet again.

[Drumjim85]

And what makes you say that? Because AT&T is an easy punching bag? I hate to sound like an AT&T fanboy because im not. Activation goes through the iTunes servers. Lets not forget also the delays of last year (joint AT&T and Apple problem) as well as the MobileMe launch issues, unless you can find a way to blame AT&T for that one also.

Ya, when I called ATT to get mine fixed, they said that iTunes didn't accept the terms and conditions correctly, and it was waiting for that.

[///M5]

You lucky SOBs, I'm so jealous :mad:.

I'm still waiting to receive my income tax refund before I upgrade my gen1 iPhone to an iPhone 3GS. :(

Geez, chill out dude, it's just 30 bucks.

[Col127]

WTG apple. great CS. :) just another reason why apple's the best!!

[jmnikricket]

This isn't Apple giving in to complaints or even apologizing. Apple didn't have to do this at all, and a 2 day delay isn't much. This is a brilliant move to get more people hooked on buying on iTunes/App Store and existing customers purchasing more. $30 can get you some good apps, which will make you want to keep buying other great apps once you see what's out there.

[Andrew D.]

And that's why Apple has one of the best Customer Services. They know it's "all about" the customers. Haha!

[Chrispy]

It is a very nice gesture on Apple's part :) Has everyone received this e-mail from Apple stating they were going to do this already? I got the 48 hour wait error but have not heard anything. Just curious.

[Drumjim85]

It is a very nice gesture on Apple's part :) Has everyone received this e-mail from Apple stating they were going to do this already? I got the 48 hour wait error but have not heard anything. Just curious.

i haven't received any kind of email, I'm also waiting.

[Parky]

I'm in the UK, bought my 3G-S on Friday 19/06/09 at 1pm and I am still awaiting activation.

Is there a similar compensation scheme available to those in the UK?

Are you getting a new number or are you transferring an existing number from another network?

If you are transferring a number then it is more likely that your existing network are causing the delay not O2.

If it is a new number then make sure you connect the iPhone to iTunes as the activation is done through iTunes and not over the air.

[Greenman85]

Or you could use your old phone for another 48 hours. It's got you this far.

+1. apple shouldn't have to do this. it's ridiculous

[SFStateStudent]

AT&T should be to blame....IMHO

[livingonvideo13]

I received the "48 hour" notice when trying to active and it ended up taking about 30 hours to active.

If I get the $30 credit, cool. I will think of it was a bonus. If I don't get it, oh well, still love my new iphone!

[Kyle23]

I kinda wish that I had an activation delay now, I could have waited a day or so still using my 3G so I could get $30 iTunes card :)

[michael.lauden]

+1. apple shouldn't have to do this. it's ridiculous

sounds like someone isn't getting the 30$. leave it to MacRumors to find someone complaining about free money

[Rob Nance]

This sounds like if you ordered your upgrade from AT&T and not the Apple Store, you are SOL on the $30 itunes credit, even if you had delay issues?

[Porco]

And what makes you say that? Because AT&T is an easy punching bag? I hate to sound like an AT&T fanboy because im not. Activation goes through the iTunes servers. Lets not forget also the delays of last year (joint AT&T and Apple problem) as well as the MobileMe launch issues, unless you can find a way to blame AT&T for that one also.

Hey, I'm in the UK, I don't even have an iPhone. I have no axe to grind. I was just pointing out that it would seem odd if Apple, who are launching the product in 8 countries at once, only had activation problems in the one of those countries, the one where they work with the company that they've also arguably been having sly digs at in their WWDC keynote about being late with support for features etc... it's not a huge leap.

If there's activation issues in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the UK as well then we know it's probably not AT&T's fault, or at least they aren't coping any less well than other carriers/networks.

[*LTD*]

And that's why Apple has one of the best Customer Services. They know it's "all about" the customers. Haha!

It's not about how big or small you are.

It's about attitude.

Steve Jobs' attitude, and the mission statement which Apple has adopted over the years, has gotten them to this point.

Not only the most influential company in tech today, but the most emulated.

Apple, regardless of little missteps here and there, values the user above all else. That can be a difficult position to maintain, especially as a company that has grown so much. But even so, may they do it for many years to come.

My hat's off to Apple. And for everyone else that gives a little now and then.

[Kevster89]

A really nice, courteous gesture by Apple. How many other companies would make a similar gesture with the economy in the shape it's in? Not many. Probably none whatsoever.

Kudos to Apple Inc

[uberamd]

I tried to activate at 3:45 PM CST Friday and got the message (+$30 for me :) ). While I was slightly aggravated, I just took my SIM from my 3G and threw it in my 3G S. However sure enough just over 24 hours later my 3G S stopped getting service because the new SIM became active, luckily I had the other one just a few miles away.

Worth the money, and honestly I don't feel like I deserve $30 for that, at all. I, unlike some people, understand that launch weekends hammer servers.

[ogdogg]

If you get the $30 and need something to spend it on... Support the cause and pick up my CDs. Raw Talent Mixtape Volume 1 & 2 in iTunes. I'd appreciate the support. Help me pay for my 3GS, lol.

[*LTD*]

I, unlike some people, understand that launch weekends hammer servers.

I think hell just froze over. ;)

Agree with you completely. You can prepare all you like, but there will be variables. We really have on basis for compariosn, anyway, since the way the iPhone has sold, the enthusiasm it has inpsired, seems to be unprecedented (for a device of its kind), at least in recent memory.

[pavyaz19]

Our American cousins get upset by this sort of thing

Wow, glad I'm not in Europe where apparently people love to shell out hundreds of dollars then become pushovers when they don't get what they pay for. Keep that attitude over there, that's fine by me.

[Jamie 360]

Is anyone here still awaiting activation :confused:Mine has been waiting since 11:45 Saturday night and I didn't get the $30 email. Maybe that was only for people who initiated the activation on Friday? I'm still using my old 2G sim, carrying the new one with me.

[maceleven]

Has anyone actually got an email saying they are getting the $30 credit or a $30 itunes gift credit ?:confused: ithink its BS

[Master Chief]

apple does marketing sooo well.
LOL it's called psychology – a trick to make you buy more stuff :D

[Master Chief]

Wow, glad I'm not in Europe where apparently people love to shell out hundreds of dollars then become pushovers when they don't get what they pay for. Keep that attitude over there, that's fine by me.
But wouldn't most Americans here sue for not getting what they payed for? I sure will.

For example: I'm not paying the full amount of my monthly fee for my iPhone contract, simply because the advertised speed is never reached i.e. I am just using all the possibilities I have. I would be stupid if I didn't.

[Kadman]

What was the source for this story? I didn't notice it when I read through it the first time, went back, and still can't find any source referenced.

[agent79]

i have not received any email regarding a.) a delay in my activation; or b.) any sort of compensation for being without a phone.

it is 3:53pm CST right now.
it has been over 67 hours since i registered the 3GS and my wife's 3G. neither of our phones have been activated. this is downright ridiculous. i'm sorry. and over father's day weekend? are you serious? great timing, apple.

for the people out there that are saying we shouldn't complain because we can just use our land line phone, well, some people ditched land lines for cells a long time ago. others rely on cell phones for long distance calling. you can't really pull over to the side of the road to use a payphone anymore.

its like buying a new car that won't start and being told you can still ride the horse out back to work. the point isn't that you can still ride the horse. the point is that you shouldn't have to rely on the horse for anything.

this will teach me to buy another iPhone on launch day.

i will be interested to see if i ever get an email or credit.

[Jamie 360]

Has anyone actually got an email saying they are getting the $30 credit or a $30 itunes gift credit ?:confused: ithink its BS

Nope. Not a peep. And still awaiting activation.

[Jamie 360]

I
Worth the money, and honestly I don't feel like I deserve $30 for that, at all. I, unlike some people, understand that launch weekends hammer servers.

Would have preferred to have the $18 Activation fee waived from the bill. WHY DID WE HAVE TO SWAP SIM CARDS AGAIN!!?? :mad: My new sim was just activated a few minutes ago (tried to beat the release day traffic and started activation at 11:45 Saturday.) Then I kept getting messages saying I wasn't subscribed to a data plan and couldn't access anything. Um...wasn't that like step 2 in the upgrade process--they wouldn't even let you go to the next page without agreeing to one, so shouldn't that have been a given?? I just logged on to my AT&T account and manually added the data plan and all is fine.

Now, if I could just get my Vibe Duos to operate properly on the 3GS :(

[Chrispy]

I think this $30 thing is BS. I have not gotten an e-mail and it seems nobody else has either. Oh well, just glad I got mine activated (after 5 or 6 repeated calls to AT&T).

[DiamondMac]

It is a nice gesture by Apple

I think most here knows what it feels like to go through the process and not be able to get through and it is extremely frustrated

If someone actually has to wait 2 days, I think this fits

But anything before that....and well, I am not sure they deserve anything

And I am someone who had to wait several days ago. I got annoyed but after it was done, I moved on

People should expect these types of delays from Apple/AT&T on launch days

[iMikeT]

Still waiting? Taxes were done a long time ago here ... oh ... sorry ... I see you're from CA.

:eek:

Never Mind. My condolences.

Nice gesture by Apple.

Ha! Actually, it's my FEDERAL tax refund that I'm still waiting on. Apparently, the IRS "never received my return". I received my STATE (California) refund a while ago. And yes, I did mail out my return, both state and federal, on time.

But yeah, my condolences too about the state. That however, is a subject for another topic.

[iMikeT]

Geez, chill out dude, it's just 30 bucks.

In this economic climate, $30 is my grocery bill for two weeks.

[Chrispy]

You should absolutely call. They will ask for a few numbers to tie to your account. When I had my issue the system at AT&T didn't even recognize I was waiting for activation. It took waaaaay too many calls to get someone who understood what I was trying to tell them. Be persistent and you will get results. It is unacceptable that some people have had to do this. Best of luck and keep us posted!

[Schweez]

you need to call ATT's activation line. There was a mistake and apple forgot to give ATT some of the IMEI(?) numbers. Once you call it will be a simple 5 minute call and you will be activated.

I don't want to sound rude, but how can people just wait around. Especially after the 48 hour period. I did 5 minutes of research, got the 866 number, and had my phone on right away. The CS lady was very understanding and helpful.

i have not received any email regarding a.) a delay in my activation; or b.) any sort of compensation for being without a phone.

it is 3:53pm CST right now.
it has been over 67 hours since i registered the 3GS and my wife's 3G. neither of our phones have been activated. this is downright ridiculous. i'm sorry. and over father's day weekend? are you serious? great timing, apple.

for the people out there that are saying we shouldn't complain because we can just use our land line phone, well, some people ditched land lines for cells a long time ago. others rely on cell phones for long distance calling. you can't really pull over to the side of the road to use a payphone anymore.

its like buying a new car that won't start and being told you can still ride the horse out back to work. the point isn't that you can still ride the horse. the point is that you shouldn't have to rely on the horse for anything.

this will teach me to buy another iPhone on launch day.

i will be interested to see if i ever get an email or credit.

[andy721]

You should absolutely call. They will ask for a few numbers to tie to your account. When I had my issue the system at AT&T didn't even recognize I was waiting for activation. It took waaaaay too many calls to get someone who understood what I was trying to tell them. Be persistent and you will get results. It is unacceptable that some people have had to do this. Best of luck and keep us posted!

I called it works now.
But we all shouldn't have to go through this and they know it.
But they were nice so I will let them Live :D:D

[Craiger]

Ok Arn, seriously, who is your source? If nobody on macrumors has gotten this email, I doubt ANYONE has. I had to wait 8 hours for my activation, and I agree that I should at least get my activation fee waived.

[Kadman]

So I guess that's why they call this place Mac Rumors then? :rolleyes:

No source=no credibility.

[SeaFox]

very nice of apple to do this. and i can see why they are doing it. people really cannot live without their phone these days. 48 hours with no phone can really hurt some people
The only people who should be having to wait for "activation" is customers new to AT&T. This is GSM, the SIM is what gets activated, not the phone itself.

When you activate a new phone with AT&T they "deactivate" your old sim card. So your old phone is effectively useless. I had a delay when i activated my 3GS and I was highly concerned, as I am a trainer for the Air Force. I have lots of troops that potentially need to get a hold of me on a regular basis. Was pretty scary being without my phone for a few hours.
Why is it necessary for AT&T to deactivate a perfectly functioning SIM card? The whole point of SIM cards is your subscriber info and phonebook are on the SIM so when you change phones, you just take the SIM out of the old phone and stick it in the new phone, the end. No "activation" (or the ************ fees attached to it) required.

[Jamie 360]

The only people who should be having to wait for "activation" is customers new to AT&T. This is GSM, the SIM is what gets activated, not the phone itself.


Why is it necessary for AT&T to deactivate a perfectly functioning SIM card? The whole point of SIM cards is your subscriber info and phonebook are on the SIM so when you change phones, you just take the SIM out of the old phone and stick it in the new phone, the end. No "activation" (or the ************ fees attached to it) required.


I've been saying this all along. My friend just got a few Samsung flip phones and her sim cards were old as hell (orange, Cingular ones!) so of course she activated the new ones that came with them, but in our case, we received the same ones. Why make it so difficult for themselves--and us!? :mad:

[jshbckr]

Is this only for people who have had issues over the weekend?

Because I just picked up my 3GS yesterday, and so far, I'm about to hit the 24 hour mark of "No Service". I've called AT&T, who sent me to Apple, who said it was a problem with AT&T, who I called again and said they were fine and it was Apple's problem.

Where do I get my $30 iTunes credit?

[Jamie 360]

Where do I get my $30 iTunes credit?

Good luck--I've yet to hear of anyone actually receiving that email, nor have I received one.

[DiamondMac]

Good luck--I've yet to hear of anyone actually receiving that email, nor have I received one.

I must admit I am a little weirded out as well in that nobody has actually admitted to getting it that I have seen on here or in my personal experience

[gheilner]

Or you could use your old phone for another 48 hours. It's got you this far.

I coulndt use my old phone. I was porting the number from Sprint and it was dea, but my iPhone wasnt activated. I never got a letter from Apple, so I guess I wasnt one of the lucky ones even though it took over 24 hours for my phone to activate.

[brjsg1]

Got my phone working by calling At&T sunday morning. These are the two emails I got when I checked my mail today.


Sunday, June 21, 2009 7:36:30 AM

Dear Apple Customer,

Thank you for your recent Apple Store order. We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience caused by the delay in your iPhone activation.

We are still resolving the issue that was encountered while activating your iPhone with AT&T. Unfortunately, due to system issues and continued high activation volumes, this could take us up to an additional 48 hours to complete.

On Monday, you'll receive an email from Apple with an iTunes Store credit in the amount of $30. We hope you will enjoy this gift and accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this delay has caused.

Thank you for choosing Apple.

Sincerely,
Apple Online Store Team



Then on Monday at 9:44 pm got this.

Dear Apple Customer,

As described in the "Your Apple Store iPhone Order" email we recently sent,
enclosed please find your $30 iTunes Store credit: (has code here)

This credit can be redeemed on the iTunes Store via your iTunes Store account. We appreciate your business at the Apple Online Store and hope that you enjoy this gift.

Sincerely,
Apple Online Store Team


Have not tried to use it yet.

[andy721]

I never received my $30 iTunes card, I pre ordered the 12th got the phone the 19th never been activated till the 22nd. WTF!

DO I really have to call, they're not good at this giveaway game.
Plus it's not $30 sense all our money is counterfeited and in debt for the rest of our lives all thanks to the Rotchchild Family.

[plickfu]

Sorry, but I think this is total BS. So many people who had delays (including myself) never got this e-mail, not a word from Apple 3 days after this rumor leaked, and still not reported by any real news outlet. Definitely one of the better Apple hoaxes in a while...

However, when I e-mailed iTunes Store CS about this, I received this cryptic reply from the rep:

"Thank you for writing in today. My name is Shameka and I will be more than happy to help you. I sincerely hope I can help troubleshoot this issue to your satisfaction. I want to take this time to thank you in advance for your patience.

Congratulation, on you new phone. I hope that you are enjoying it.Apple does not comment on rumors about decisions, products, programs, or promotions that Apple has not officially announced.

By withholding comment, Apple hopes to protect customers from making decisions based on information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or subject to change before the formal announcement. Apple believes this is the best way to ensure that all customers are treated fairly.

Thank you for being a part of the iTunes Store family.

Warmest Regards,
Shameka
iTunes store customer support

Please note: I work Monday-Friday,800AM-500PM CT

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you. You may receive an AppleCare survey email; any feedback you provide would be appreciated."

???

[clairebear04]

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