Apple blocks activating 4s on carrier employee phone lines

[lordofthereef]

No I will not accept it. Maybe if they would give me a date I would accept it. Or if I would have been told before I actually bought the device. No, I think I'm being pretty reasonable.

This is fair, I guess, except that you said the following first:

I will tell you this: I've worked for Verizon for two years, and the only time I've ever seen this done is when the iPhone 4 was released in May, and again right now with the 4s. Never with any android phones. So that tells you something...

So it seems there was a precedent that you were very well aware of, right? No, I am not saying they are justified. Hell, I am not even saying you "deserve" this. But you seem to be contradicting yourself stating that you are upset that you didn't know this would happen when it sounds like you absolutely did.

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because apple never say they will ever be open source! So you like having crap software from verizon on your iphone like on how a windows pc from dell or hp do? I like to have my iphone and mac without those 3p days trial crap ****. That's why apple is so great about it. They do it their way!

I don't mind it. I make sure I can install a stock version of the OS (with Android you almost always can) and I am happy as a clam.

How does bloatware have anything to do with Verizon blocking employee activations of the iPhone? Let's not turn this into a mudslinging contest over why you think iOS is better than Android (or vice versa) as that is not at all the point of the thread.

 

[mmmtastybusch]

This is fair, I guess, except that you said the following first:



So it seems there was a precedent that you were very well aware of, right? No, I am not saying they are justified. Hell, I am not even saying you "deserve" this. But you seem to be contradicting yourself stating that you are upset that you didn't know this would happen when it sounds like you absolutely did.

I didn't know they had done it before until all of this happened and my corporate rep told me about it. I wasn't interested in an iPhone at that time so I never had any idea it was even happening.

On a side note: Are you the same lordofthereef on Androidforums?? My username on there is tommy_ed haha

 

[lordofthereef]

I didn't know they had done it before until all of this happened and my corporate rep told me about it. I wasn't interested in an iPhone at that time so I never had any idea it was even happening.

On a side note: Are you the same lordofthereef on Androidforums?? My username on there is tommy_ed haha

Oh, yes sir, I am.

And that makes sense. That is why I asked. Unfortunately, one thing I learned about VZW is they just don't give a F. most companies don't (well, not true, I was very Happy with TMO except they don't have service anywhere). My fiance has one of those lovely Verizon plans (paid by Best Buy) otherwise we wouldn't ever have reason to still be with them.

EDIT: I forgot to mention she uses a 4S that I bought her (I posted about this on page 1), however it was a rep that activated it for her. This leads me to believe that they don't actually restrict the ESN of the phone, but they are likely just not SUPPOSED to be doing the activations?

 

[mmmtastybusch]

The phone isn't replacing itself. On the other hand, you've chosen to display your broken phone AND tell potential Verizon customers how horrible, utterly horrible the way they treat you with their iPhone activation policies. I guess Verizon finds it okay for their employees to represent them this badly?

You were implying that I am expecting Verizon to provide me with a new phone as in for free or a discounted price, which isn't the case. I don't display it, a lot of times customers ask me what kind of phone I use, or ask to see it. I never complain or dwell on the subject, I simply tell them the truth. Surely if Verizon is confident in this policy, they wouldn't want me to lie about it to customers. Lying to customers is never a good policy IMO

They aren't going to support your device if you jailbreak it, that's all. They won't fix it, they ....

You had said Apple doesn't care what happens with the phone once they sell it. He was pointing out that they obviously do.

 

[mmmtastybusch]

Oh, yes sir, I am.

And that makes sense. That is why I asked. Unfortunately, one thing I learned about VZW is they just don't give a F. most companies don't (well, not true, I was very Happy with TMO except they don't have service anywhere). My fiance has one of those lovely Verizon plans (paid by Best Buy) otherwise we wouldn't ever have reason to still be with them.

EDIT: I forgot to mention she uses a 4S that I bought her (I posted about this on page 1), however it was a rep that activated it for her. This leads me to believe that they don't actually restrict the ESN of the phone, but they are likely just not SUPPOSED to be doing the activations?

This was my thought as well, lucky girl! lol

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As for all the negative replies I'm getting... All I'm doing is calling them and politely asking if I can activate an iPhone 4s yet or if they have a date. If a customer asks, I tell them the truth. I'm not going to lie. I never even mention it unless they specifically ask why I haven't bought another one.
This is the only place I have openly vented. I love my job, and Verizon takes care of me. Just because I'm upset about one thing doesn't mean I should quit my job. I don't know if that's the kind of work ethic you have, but I wouldn't quit a job in this economy over ONE issue. I'm simply mad about it. I'm sure if you go back through the ages, you'll find millions of people have been mad about something at their job, but still liked working there. It's nothing new. I'm venting. Just like millions of people do when they come home from work upset about something that happened during their day. You don't go in and quit the next day because of it. Well I wouldn't, at least - it sounds like you might, but to each their own.
So unless you have some kind of information as to when I'll be able to activate a 4s, or some other productive info, why don't you keep your input to yourself. Your work ethics obviously don't qualify you to give me your opinion on what I should do with my job.

 

[lordofthereef]

[/COLOR]As for all the negative replies I'm getting... All I'm doing is calling them and politely asking if I can activate an iPhone 4s yet or if they have a date. If a customer asks, I tell them the truth. I'm not going to lie. I never even mention it unless they specifically ask why I haven't bought another one.
This is the only place I have openly vented. I love my job, and Verizon takes care of me. Just because I'm upset about one thing doesn't mean I should quit my job. I don't know if that's the kind of work ethic you have, but I wouldn't quit a job in this economy over ONE issue. I'm simply mad about it. I'm sure if you go back through the ages, you'll find millions of people have been mad about something at their job, but still liked working there. It's nothing new. I'm venting. Just like millions of people do when they come home from work upset about something that happened during their day. You don't go in and quit the next day because of it. Well I wouldn't, at least - it sounds like you might, but to each their own.
So unless you have some kind of information as to when I'll be able to activate a 4s, or some other productive info, why don't you keep your input to yourself. Your work ethics obviously don't qualify you to give me your opinion on what I should do with my job.

You are speaking against Apple and/or a carrier which provides the iPhone. This is Mac Rumors. Of course people are going to make black and white statements and tell you you are foolish for even thinking you are justified in your desires. Did I mention this was Macrumors?

 

[acfusion29]

ah.. another reason to avoid CDMA carriers.

sorry, but i will forever enjoy the freedom of taking my sim card with me to whichever phone i please whether or not the carrier likes it

 

[dontwalkhand]

Another reason to prefer GSM, you would have just been able to stick a SIM card in and been on your way. Please please please get Sprint and VZW to LTE ASAP (including Voice)

 

[lordofthereef]

Another reason to prefer GSM, you would have just been able to stick a SIM card in and been on your way. Please please please get Sprint and VZW to LTE ASAP (including Voice)

I think this is at least 5 years away (walking completely away from CDMA). Source: my gut.

 

[mmmtastybusch]

You are speaking against Apple and/or a carrier which provides the iPhone. This is Mac Rumors. Of course people are going to make black and white statements and tell you you are foolish for even thinking you are justified in your desires. Did I mention this was Macrumors?

HAHA! yes, at first I thought it was Apple doing this, but found out that it's Verizon from people on here and at work. So I understand the initial negative comments concerning Apple, but now that has turned into people telling me I should quit my job, I have no right to be upset, etc.. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I guess I just don't see the point in what some people are doing in this thread...

 

[lordofthereef]

haha! Yes, at first i thought it was apple doing this, but found out that it's verizon from people on here and at work. So i understand the initial negative comments concerning apple, but now that has turned into people telling me i should quit my job, i have no right to be upset, etc.. everyone's entitled to their own opinion as long as it coincides with my own, but i guess i just don't see the point in what some people are doing in this thread...

ftfy!

EDIT: I realize this may not be clear, but I am referring to the way others are responding to you, not how you feel.

 

[jedolley]

HAHA! yes, at first I thought it was Apple doing this, but found out that it's Verizon from people on here and at work. So I understand the initial negative comments concerning Apple, but now that has turned into people telling me I should quit my job, I have no right to be upset, etc.. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but I guess I just don't see the point in what some people are doing in this thread...

I haven't been following this thread since I last posted. However, in the beginning I think people were just posting that you were incorrect in thinking that Apple had anything to do with this situation.

I'm not going to tell you how you should feel about your company's policies.

However, my experience with other Sprint employees and friends/families that have phones on employee related accounts is generally understanding about availability of premium devices like the iPhone. It's a small price to pay for free (employee) or heavily discounted (family) cell service.

 

[scaredpoet]

You were implying that I am expecting Verizon to provide me with a new phone as in for free or a discounted price, which isn't the case.

I stated (not implied, stated) that you're making a stink here and to customers about your employer's policy and you are vocally expecting sympathy for your first world problem. I for one, am not sympathetic. Thats all I'm saying.

You had said Apple doesn't care what happens with the phone once they sell it.

I made no such statement. And it still has absolutely nothing to do with how or whether carriers sell phones to their employees.

 

[lordofthereef]

I stated (not implied, stated) that you're making a stink here and to customers about your employer's policy and you are vocally expecting sympathy for your first world problem. I for one, am not sympathetic. Thats all I'm saying.

He is displeased. Asking for sympathy? Hardly. I am sorry that you don't think his complaint is noteworthy. That doesn't mean he should be belittled for it. If you don't think his "first world problem" warrants the light of day, you are certainly free to move right along.

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However, my experience with other Sprint employees and friends/families that have phones on employee related accounts is generally understanding about availability of premium devices like the iPhone. It's a small price to pay for free (employee) or heavily discounted (family) cell service.

I see where you are coming from but there is a huge flaw in the reasoning here. We are talking about a phone that the OP had purchased in some way, shape, or form, completely outside of his affiliation with the company. That is to say he has the phone in his possession whether they are willing to activate it or not. This isn;t really helping with the availability of these premium devices, I wouldn't think.

 

[scaredpoet]

He is displeased. Asking for sympathy? Hardly. I am sorry that you don't think his complaint is noteworthy. That doesn't mean he should be belittled for it.

It's unfortunate that you feel that you have to defend him for being "belittled." He's expressed his opinion, and I'm sure he'll continue to do so every time he sells an iPhone 4S to a Verizon customer, assuming he doesn't discourage them from buying, which he certainly would have me.

And in return, I express mine. That's how discourse works. There's clearly no other expected outcome here. It's not like by posting this, he's gotten someone at Apple to see the alleged dastardly error of their ways. Equally unlikely is that my disagreeing with him has made Tim Cook rethink his nonexistent change-of-heart.

If you don't think his "first world problem" warrants the light of day, you are certainly free to move right along.

And he's equally free to move along to some place where people are amenable to entertaining his conspiracy theory, and even sympathizing with with his plight, where this bad, bad, evil uber-controlling corporation pulls the puppet strings of other corporate entities, to deny him the joy of giving that same bad, bad, evil controlling corporation lots of money to use their bad, bad evilly-controlled products.

 

[lordofthereef]

I'm sorry that you feel that you have to defend him for being "belittled." he's expressed his opinion. I express mine. That's how discourse works.

How is it possible to have an opinion on how one is feeling without seeing the person and only reading words posted on a forum about a situation he is in? That's new to me. Bottom line is you are blaming him for wanting sympathy. That's just silly. I may as well never express my opinions about anything I am displeased with in fear that I will be labeled as just wanting sympathy.

 

[scaredpoet]

How is it possible to have an opinion on how one is feeling without seeing the person and only reading words posted on a forum about a situation he is in?

Quite simple: He states his position. People either agree or disagree, based on their own knowledge and experiences.

It's not that miraculous. It happens all the time, really.

That's new to me. Bottom line is you are blaming him for wanting sympathy.

Uhm, no. I'm saying he's not doing himself very many favors with how he's portrayed himself.

I did blame him for breaking his phone two months into owning it. And he did admit that's his fault.

That's just silly. I may as well never express my opinions about anything I am displeased with in fear that I will be labeled as just wanting sympathy.

When you say things, you need to be prepared to accept the consequences of those statements. Including acknowledgement of the fact that people, not being all identical in their viewpoints, may disagree with you. This is not the only place where this is true. It's pervasive throughout society.

The notion that one little disagreement on this little corner of the Internet would discourage you, or the OP, from EVER expressing their opinion again, is shockingly reactionary. I may even suggest seeking help for such anxieties.

 

[lordofthereef]

Quite simple: He states his position. People either agree or disagree, based on their own knowledge and experiences.

It's not that miraculous. It happens all the time, really.




Uhm, no. I'm saying he's not doing himself very many favors with how he's portrayed himself.

I did blame him for breaking his phone two months into owning it. And he did admit that's his fault.



When you say things, you need to be prepared to accept the consequences of those statements. Including acknowledgement of the fact that people, not being all identical in their viewpoints, may disagree with you. This is not the only place where this is true. It's pervasive throughout society.

The notion that one little disagreement on this little corner of the Internet would discourage you, or the OP, from EVER expressing their opinion again, is shockingly reactionary. I may even suggest seeking help for such anxieties.

You have been nothing but condescending thus far. In short, I am done with this. Nothing you have said has been helpful to me, and I would guess the OP. Good day.

 

[jedolley]

He is displeased. Asking for sympathy? Hardly. I am sorry that you don't think his complaint is noteworthy. That doesn't mean he should be belittled for it. If you don't think his "first world problem" warrants the light of day, you are certainly free to move right along.

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I see where you are coming from but there is a huge flaw in the reasoning here. We are talking about a phone that the OP had purchased in some way, shape, or form, completely outside of his affiliation with the company. That is to say he has the phone in his possession whether they are willing to activate it or not. This isn;t really helping with the availability of these premium devices, I wouldn't think.

Yeah, I understand that. I can't speak for the Verizon experience, but in Sprint's case it was communicated to the employees (several times) that we could not activate iPhones on our employee accounts regardless of how we obtain them (i.e. Off-contract purchase, gift, prize, etc.). I may not completely understand the reason for this decision, but Sprint (as they have with every major launch) was very good with regular employee communications in regards to the status of the iPhone availability.

I can't tell if in the OP's situation it's lack of communication from Verizon to their employees or if he's just not a direct Verizon employee. The reason I mention that, and it may just be my ignorance on how Verizon is staffed, but the comments don't sound like someone directly employed (maybe an affiliate), and there was a mention of contact his "corporate rep"?

If I am completely wrong and the OP is a direct Verizon employee, and Verizon is just not communicating with their employees about the iPhone availability, then I could understand how the OP would be upset about buying an iPhone at off-contract price and not being able to use it. However, going back to the original post/title, it's definitely all Verizon and in no part Apple's doing.

 

[scaredpoet]

You have been nothing but condescending thus far.

I could say the same of you, but I take your condescension for what it is: you disagree with what I'm saying. That's life. No harm, no foul. Nothing of substance has changed as a result. My AT&T iPhone 4S still happily works, and the OP's Verizon iPhone still doesn't, because he wants to activate it on a employee line, and Verizon's policy on that hasn't changed.

In short, I am done with this. Nothing you have said has been helpful to me,

What would have been helpful, exactly? I really want to know. Seriously. If I had said "that dude is totally right! Apple is the devil for making Verizon do that thing that they actually don't make them do!", would his iPhone have been magically activated for him or something? because if I have that power to "help," then I really should start using it.

 

[aziatiklover]

This is fair, I guess, except that you said the following first:



So it seems there was a precedent that you were very well aware of, right? No, I am not saying they are justified. Hell, I am not even saying you "deserve" this. But you seem to be contradicting yourself stating that you are upset that you didn't know this would happen when it sounds like you absolutely did.

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I don't mind it. I make sure I can install a stock version of the OS (with Android you almost always can) and I am happy as a clam.

How does bloatware have anything to do with Verizon blocking employee activations of the iPhone? Let's not turn this into a mudslinging contest over why you think iOS is better than Android (or vice versa) as that is not at all the point of the thread.

I never say anything about android, but I was talking about open source os in general. Again go and read what I quoted! You said something about why I can't install whatever I want or having verizon apps out of the box on an iphone or something like that I ain't going back and reread what you said!

Edit: I remember now you said something about apple controlling their products. Well that's the way to go! better that apple is controlling who gets wat and wat get into a phone. So I don't get bs carriers setting, apps and other crap.

 

[lordofthereef]

Yeah, I understand that. I can't speak for the Verizon experience, but in Sprint's case it was communicated to the employees (several times) that we could not activate iPhones on our employee accounts regardless of how we obtain them (i.e. Off-contract purchase, gift, prize, etc.). I may not completely understand the reason for this decision, but Sprint (as they have with every major launch) was very good with regular employee communications in regards to the status of the iPhone availability.

I can't tell if in the OP's situation it's lack of communication from Verizon to their employees or if he's just not a direct Verizon employee. The reason I mention that, and it may just be my ignorance on how Verizon is staffed, but the comments don't sound like someone directly employed (maybe an affiliate), and there was a mention of contact his "corporate rep"?

If I am completely wrong and the OP is a direct Verizon employee, and Verizon is just not communicating with their employees about the iPhone availability, then I could understand how the OP would be upset about buying an iPhone at off-contract price and not being able to use it. However, going back to the original post/title, it's definitely all Verizon and in no part Apple's doing.

All valid points. It still doesn't answer the question "why" and "what's the point"? Do they just not want employees running around with phone potentially upsetting clients that may jump to conclusions thinking that the employee got preferential treatment? Short of that I do not see what is actually achieved by Verizon's (and apparently Sprint's) refusal to activate a phone that was purchased completely off contract onto an employee line.

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I never say anything about android, but I was talking about open source os in general. Again go and read what I quoted! You said something about why I can't install whatever I want or having verizon apps out of the box on an iphone or something like that I ain't going back and reread what you said!

My point is it had very little, if anything, to do with this actual thread. Sorry if I jumped to conclusions, but what other open source OS could you be referring to when speaking of smart phone OSs? I am only aware of the one; Android. Personally I didn't speak about verizon apps out of the box. Maybe you are confusing my statemnts for those of someone else.

 

[aziatiklover]

All valid points. It still doesn't answer the question "why" and "what's the point"? Do they just not want employees running around with phone potentially upsetting clients that may jump to conclusions thinking that the employee got preferential treatment? Short of that I do not see what is actually achieved by Verizon's (and apparently Sprint's) refusal to activate a phone that was purchased completely off contract onto an employee line.

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My point is it had very little, if anything, to do with this actual thread. Sorry if I jumped to conclusions, but what other open source OS could you be referring to when speaking of smart phone OSs? I am only aware of the one; Android. Personally I didn't speak about verizon apps out of the box. Maybe you are confusing my statemnts for those of someone else.

webos, meego ect.....

 

[lordofthereef]

webos, meego ect.....

Ok, webos was made open source what, a month ago? Yes, I am quite sure that is what you were referencing. My bad.

 

[jedolley]

All valid points. It still doesn't answer the question "why" and "what's the point"? Do they just not want employees running around with phone potentially upsetting clients that may jump to conclusions thinking that the employee got preferential treatment? Short of that I do not see what is actually achieved by Verizon's (and apparently Sprint's) refusal to activate a phone that was purchased completely off contract onto an employee line.

My guess (and it's simply that and in no way the official Sprint answer) is that it was to discourage employees or friends/families on employee accounts from buying the phone off contract in the first place. If an employee account obtains an iPhone and adds it to the employee account, Sprint doesn't really get anything out of it since they are either $0 or heavily discount rates to begin with. By implementing this "policy" it's more likely that the phones will be sold to "regular" paying customers.

Again, I don't know if that's the official story and honestly it was never a big deal for me.