Apple Announces iPhone 3G S, Launching June 19th

[bchance]

Horrible Customer Service

Ok so I had been having the same trouble as many ordering the new iphone. I expect that and can deal with it. So I try to call in and am told that the web ordering system is having many problems (to be expected), and that I can hold and place an order over the phone. So I wait. 2.5 hours on hold. And when someone finally does answer I am told that they are no longer placing orders because the system has had so many problems. So I ask how long ago they stopped taking orders. The operator responds that they stopped taking orders 2 hours ago. Almost the entire time I was on hold! You had to leave me on hold for 2 hours to tell me you cant place an order? Can anyone tell me how this is remotely acceptable?

 

[Bono2Beagle]

My Story

I got the 3G on release day last year. Walked into ATT today to get the lowdown on the transition for next Friday. My boss was with me and got his on day one last year too. We were thrilled to find out that we could pre-order instead of having to camp out like last year.

He was told he had to wait until 7/12 to get the subsidized price of $299. Lucky for him he had another number on his plan that was eligible for upgrade enabling him to pre-order and get his phone on release date next Friday.

When I inquired about my number, I was told I was not eligible until 12/12/09. I asked how my boss was eligible next week, yet I was not for another 6 months. They told me, that because the amount of business he conducted on his plan was greater he had special privileges. So basically I got an FU. I was furious and about ready to walk out of the store when the manager told me all I had to do was add an additional line. Transfer the numbers and cancel the new line with-in 30 days and I wouldn't have to pay an early termination fee and I could get the $299/price. I whipped out the CC paid the man and before I got home had received confirmation that my iphone would be delivered on the 19th. I don't think they are supposed to tell you that, I don't know if he was hookin' me up. I have been going there for 8 years but It seemed easy enough for me. I'll sell my 3G and come out about even.

 

[iSamurai]

so I guess I'll still be using my 1st generation iPhone... not so much of a improvement (for me, at least)... I like the camera but somehow cameraphones can never beat nokia's cameras... and no radio, no nike+ either. (don't ask why I would carry a brick while running, but I do that).

I was looking forward to that rumoured matte case though 😛

 

[Mnnymonhak]

It depends on if AT&T likes you. If you pay on time every month, etc then it's $499

I guess AT&T doesn't like me. I have paid a couple of my bills late, it's true (but not habitually). Is that really why I'm getting this message?:

"We can offer you an iPhone at the full retail price. On 04/03/2010, you may qualify for a standard iPhone upgrade.
$499.00* — 8GB iPhone 3G (black)
$599.00* — 16GB iPhone 3G S (black or white)
$699.00* — 32GB iPhone 3G S (black or white)"

This message I got is also missing the "As a valued AT&T customer..." preamble. So obviously I'm not a valued customer.

The thing is, I didn't know I wasn't an unvalued customer until today. Just imagine if I had never gone onto the Apple Store site to see how much an upgrade would cost me, and when I could qualify for a discount, and never known that other people who bought at the same time as me can get a new iPhone for $200 less than I can right now, and get one for even less than that months before I can. If I hadn't checked this out, I would have gone on in blissful ignorance, thinking that AT&T valued me as a customer. Thank God I found out the truth, so I don't go on living in denial that they love me.

Seriously... does AT&T really mean to separate its customers into wheat and chaff like this?

Until today, I loved Apple and even liked AT&T--defended them against all the crap others say. As of today, they have an unvalued and enraged customer.

 

[hh83917]

I got the 3G on release day last year. Walked into ATT today to get the lowdown on the transition for next Friday. My boss was with me and got his on day one last year too. We were thrilled to find out that we could pre-order instead of having to camp out like last year.

He was told he had to wait until 7/12 to get the subsidized price of $299. Lucky for him he had another number on his plan that was eligible for upgrade enabling him to pre-order and get his phone on release date next Friday.

When I inquired about my number, I was told I was not eligible until 12/12/09. I asked how my boss was eligible next week, yet I was not for another 6 months. They told me, that because the amount of business he conducted on his plan was greater he had special privileges. So basically I got an FU. I was furious and about ready to walk out of the store when the manager told me all I had to do was add an additional line. Transfer the numbers and cancel the new line with-in 30 days and I wouldn't have to pay an early termination fee and I could get the $299/price. I whipped out the CC paid the man and before I got home had received confirmation that my iphone would be delivered on the 19th. I don't think they are supposed to tell you that, I don't know if he was hookin' me up. I have been going there for 8 years but It seemed easy enough for me. I'll sell my 3G and come out about even.

Interesting idea, thanks for the heads up. I might as well try it too because I am getting the 699 price for the 32gb on mine and I had the 3G phone for 1 year or so already. It's weird because my brother who got the 3G the same time as I did got the discounted price of $499. I think I better check with ATT or do what you suggested. 😡

 

[ugp]

The pricing doesn't make sense is all.. my buddy I waited in line with when I bought my 3G on launch day is eligible for the $199 and $299 price... why is this? Have others gotten this? Any iPhone 3G people eligible for the pricing?

 

[cadreamer]

Thanks for the macrumors feed of the WWDC!

I haven't read all the replies and rarely post, but thanks for the live feed of information. I was able to view it and work and know when the new 32G 3GS would be available.

Rant: Not one worker at the Annapolis, MD Apple store knew or cared when I called shortly after the announcement to tell me what to do to order a phone other than to sign up on AT&T the night before and wait in line for a phone when the store opened up at 10:30 for FCFS to purchase a phone. I went back to work but something told me to check the apple web page. Sure enough within one hour the 3GS information was loaded to include information to click to pre-order. I couldn't get on to register to save my life. There must be a lot of interest.

I drove out to the store after work, no one helped me and i tried 3 times unsuccessfully I thought (I do have confirm emails that state otherwise) to register as a new AT&T customer. In the meantime people kept coming in the store to ask about the phone. I was the one giving out information, not the darned employees. I was also told the information about pre-ordering an iPhone as stated on the Apple web site was incorrect, but they did tell me I could try, although the answer wouldn't be any different at the AT&T store down the way.

I went to AT&T, the first person told me they were doing pre-orders for existing customers and those who had registered (since I couldn't get in I was out of luck). Another employee overhead the conversation, told her it was incorrect an in less time than it took me to bore you with this thread, I purchased a black 3GS that I can pick up starting at 7:30 am on June 19th.

I'm done with the Apple store, they've got the same crappy kids and low standards of caring about their product (just put a store up and they will come....we need not do any work to help our customers unless they are cute, young and in short shorts needing help, but not buying anything... )

Go get your phone at the AT&T store. my 3d gen iPod died last week, this has been worth the wait, I suspect.

Again, MacRumors rocks. If not for you, I'd be out there wondering what to do next...Thanks

 

[rkubat]

Interesting AT&T Article

Interesting article I found on Washington Post, a good indication AT&T feels the storm of unhappy customers and Apple's ability to seek better service provider. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/08/AR2009060803490.html

 

[casmith07]

So i am leaving on my honeymoon on the 20th.
I pre-ordered with a Deliver By date as June 19th, however I don't know if i trust that I need to have a phone before I leave the next day.

Do you think i'll have better luck picking it up in the store on the 19th? but then again, i wouldn't have time to wait in lines

what do you think?

How were you able to get it delivered to your house? I got to the last page and my only options were to pick it up in the store.

 

[AudiA4]

Waited in line on launch day for both 1st gen and 3G. Now ATT wants to hose me on an upgrade to the 3GS? They can suck my cojones!! I'll wait and see if Apple and ATT decide to give us current owners a break. If not, I'll be on the sidelines along with every single current 3G iPhone owner that I know....

THEY ARE NOT HOSING YOU (and all you other whiners!!!) The ONLY reason you were able to buy your 3G phone last June for $199 was b/c AT&T and Apple subsidized the price through your 2-year service contract. If you want to bail on your 2-year contract 1-year early, then you have to pay the difference for the phone. It is a simple as that. Why do you feel slighted!!??

 

[dwd3885]

No...not a mistake.. mine says the same thing.... bought mine 7/23/08 and can upgrade 7/23/09.........

It's bull because I got my 3G 7/17/08 and my eligibility isn't until 3/17/2010

 

[eff pc]

anyone else getting this error right now??

 

[dwd3885]

anyone else getting this error right now??

You have a shared TXT messaging plan..You need to go to your ATT account and remove the txts, then order the phone with Apple again, then go back to ATT website and put the shared txts back on.

ALL ATT fault

 

[.:R2theT]

So I wait. 2.5 hours on hold. And when someone finally does answer I am told that they are no longer placing orders because the system has had so many problems. So I ask how long ago they stopped taking orders. The operator responds that they stopped taking orders 2 hours ago. Almost the entire time I was on hold! You had to leave me on hold for 2 hours to tell me you cant place an order? Can anyone tell me how this is remotely acceptable?

You stayed on hold for 2 1/2 hours? And then didn't even get to ORDER your phone? That's the second funniest thing I've heard this month.😀

 

[zacheryjensen]

so I guess I'll still be using my 1st generation iPhone... not so much of a improvement (for me, at least)... I like the camera but somehow cameraphones can never beat nokia's cameras... and no radio, no nike+ either. (don't ask why I would carry a brick while running, but I do that).

I was looking forward to that rumoured matte case though 😛

The 3GS does have Nike+ support according to the twitter liveblogging from this very site.

 

[eff pc]

You have a shared TXT messaging plan..You need to go to your ATT account and remove the txts, then order the phone with Apple again, then go back to ATT website and put the shared txts back on.

ALL ATT fault

thanks im gonna try that. hopefully it work and att doesnt over charge me with their "prorated" charges ******** they pull on me whenever i change features.

 

[Surklyn]

no nike+ either. (don't ask why I would carry a brick while running, but I do that).

I was looking forward to that rumoured matte case though 😛

It has Nike+ built in.

 

[equiprimordial]

Interesting article I found on Washington Post, a good indication AT&T feels the storm of unhappy customers and Apple's ability to seek better service provider. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/08/AR2009060803490.html

That's a great article, thanks for posting. It perfectly sums up why AT&T made a terrible business decision.

 

[gentleman00]

THEY ARE NOT HOSING YOU (and all you other whiners!!!) The ONLY reason you were able to buy your 3G phone last June for $199 was b/c AT&T and Apple subsidized the price through your 2-year service contract. If you want to bail on your 2-year contract 1-year early, then you have to pay the difference for the phone. It is a simple as that. Why do you feel slighted!!??

I am tired of all the idiots who keep on repeating the "thats what you get with a two year contract...suck it up" argument. From a business standpoint, it does not make sense from preventing all the existing 3G owners to upgrade to 3Gs by asking them to spend an extra $200. The iphone is a phone unlike any other device, and to keep its customers happy they will have to change their policy for existing 3G owners who want to upgrade. To remain competitive in this smartphone market, apple will have to increase its market share, not decrease it by excluding existing 3G owners.

 

[iappleforever]

pick up next friday

have original 2g 2nd day out, did not fall for 3g trap, waited 2 years for this, just ordered (finally, a few minutes ago) for pickup at my local store, black 32 gig,.......stocked......and ready to roll guys...........

 

[eff pc]

You have a shared TXT messaging plan..You need to go to your ATT account and remove the txts, then order the phone with Apple again, then go back to ATT website and put the shared txts back on.

ALL ATT fault

Dude you are a life saver. good find figuring that out. worked awesome and am awaiting the arrival of my iphone 3gs

better update my signature on here now!! haha

 

[sd2009]

I am tired of all the idiots who keep on repeating the "thats what you get with a two year contract...suck it up" argument. From a business standpoint, it does not make sense from preventing all the existing 3G owners to upgrade to 3Gs by asking them to spend an extra $200 they don't have. The iphone is a phone unlike any other device, and to keep its customers happy they will have to change their policy for existing 3G owners who want to upgrade. To remain competitive in this smartphone market, apple will have to increase its market share, not decrease it by excluding existing 3G owners.

Do you not understand? It's because you're in a contract.
The iPhone would only be $199 if it was SUBSIDIZED BY AT&T FOR SIGNING A NEW CONTRACT. Somebody has to pay that $499 or whatever it is to Apple. And AT&T aren't gonna do it again for you. Wait until your contract is up.

 

[iappleforever]

whoops!

forgot, paid $299!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rock on....................

 

[Surklyn]

Heck Ya!!!

Ok.. just purchased my 32G 3G S, 15 mins ago.. (11pm) no problems, upgrading from a 1st gen iphone... that has been dropped.. literally about 30 times (no case) in 2 years. Thing still works, amazingly... but seems to not pick up WiFi spots as easily now.. 🙁 Get spotty service at my house!!! 🙁

Besides AT&T absolutely giving us the shaft, this was a great WWDC. Enhanced Notebooks which I was absolutely looking for, SL almost finished, and 3G . As a 1st Gen user, I am siked about the speed boost... gawd I can't take how slow my iPhone is!! 🙂 Video is nice, but not a "must have". The auto focus/ enhanced camera though is a MUST HAVE.

 

[xerenthar]

THEY ARE NOT HOSING YOU (and all you other whiners!!!) The ONLY reason you were able to buy your 3G phone last June for $199 was b/c AT&T and Apple subsidized the price through your 2-year service contract. If you want to bail on your 2-year contract 1-year early, then you have to pay the difference for the phone. It is a simple as that. Why do you feel slighted!!??

this is why

Interesting article I found on Washington Post, a good indication AT&T feels the storm of unhappy customers and Apple's ability to seek better service provider. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/08/AR2009060803490.html