I ordered 32GB black iPhone 5 for Verizon at no contract full retail price through the Apple Online Store. I changed my mind and decided I wanted a white iPhone.
I went to the Apple Store to return the phone today and learned the 30 day return policy only applied to iPhones that were purchased on contract. Apple kindly waived the 14 day return policy on my no contract full retail price iPhone and made the return to a Gift Card, which I requested since I intended to buy a no contract full retail price iPhone through Apple.
I called another Apple Retail Store to check stock on white iPhone 5 for Verizon and learned that as of today, Sprint and Verizon will not allow Apple to sell no contract full retail price both on the Apple Online Store and in Apple Retail Stores. I'm not sure if this now also applies to AT&T / GSM phones.
I went back to the Apple Store I visited and spoke with the floor manager who assisted my original transaction. He completely understood and spoke with his senior manager in the back. They could cancel the gift card, but they had trouble canceling the original transaction to my original charge card method of payment. They were kind enough to give me cash so that I could purchase my no contract full retail price iPhone elsewhere.
Long story short: Apple was very kind despite this huge change in their ability to sell no contract full retail price iPhone 5... As a Verizon user who desires to retail my unlimited data plan, this is damming. I'll have to purchase through Verizon or Best Buy or another outlet that can sell the device for no contract full retail price.
I went to the Apple Store to return the phone today and learned the 30 day return policy only applied to iPhones that were purchased on contract. Apple kindly waived the 14 day return policy on my no contract full retail price iPhone and made the return to a Gift Card, which I requested since I intended to buy a no contract full retail price iPhone through Apple.
I called another Apple Retail Store to check stock on white iPhone 5 for Verizon and learned that as of today, Sprint and Verizon will not allow Apple to sell no contract full retail price both on the Apple Online Store and in Apple Retail Stores. I'm not sure if this now also applies to AT&T / GSM phones.
I went back to the Apple Store I visited and spoke with the floor manager who assisted my original transaction. He completely understood and spoke with his senior manager in the back. They could cancel the gift card, but they had trouble canceling the original transaction to my original charge card method of payment. They were kind enough to give me cash so that I could purchase my no contract full retail price iPhone elsewhere.
Long story short: Apple was very kind despite this huge change in their ability to sell no contract full retail price iPhone 5... As a Verizon user who desires to retail my unlimited data plan, this is damming. I'll have to purchase through Verizon or Best Buy or another outlet that can sell the device for no contract full retail price.