Apple iPhone Upgrade Program Bait and Switch Scam - BEWARE

[jaybar]

They have changed nothing. They should not offer the sim free as a choice under the upgrade program.

 

[SisterBlue22]

Obviously they intend to offer the Sim-free phones on the upgrade plan and the store manager just wasn't trained on how to do it or it's a serious screw up on the apple website.

Yes, either they do, or they don't. A brilliant deduction...I can see you thought hard about that.

Why do they even require you to go to the store to get the upgrade plan and not do it online? Probably to sell you other apple stuff. Again bait you into the store and switch the deal when you show up. Bait and switch all day long.

Yes, absolutely, because you can buy more Apple stuff at the Apple Store, and you can't on the Apple website. They really should look into that whole "selling merchandise on out website" thing...I hear it works pretty well.

 

[yillbs]

They have changed nothing. They should not offer the sim free as a choice under the upgrade program.

I guess " change" was the wrong terminology. Lets break this down. In order to reserve a phone you have to click a link that says : Reserve an iPhone to buy in store

On the same page it also says : Launching at U.S. Apple Retail Stores. Available with the purchase of an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus.1

On the same page it ALSO says : You can make a reservation to buy in store. Or talk to an Apple Store Specialist and we’ll help you get set up with the iPhone Upgrade Program.

And again it says : Or pay over 24 months with iPhone Installments, exclusively available at the Apple Retail Store.

So it makes it PRETTY clear that you MUST go to a store to do this. So rather than put out EVERY tiny bit of information on the website, which would waste space, and time, they push it to retail stores.

When you DO finally decide to reserve a phone you go to the standard reservation page : https://reserve.cdn-apple.com/US/en_US/reserve/iPhone/availability?returnURL=http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone6s&channel=1&iPP=Y

This is the page you go to any time you reserve a phone, not just a 24 month contract upgrade phone. so what you want is for them to code this for the people who missed the 6 - 10 different times they told you you can ONLY do it in store. Not to mention it says your simply reserving a phone to buy in store. If you do that, then you go to the store and they tell you " sorrry, we can't sell you that in store " you then say oops, thanks for your help. They make is SO CLEAR you MUST go to a store, how can you assume what the website says is the end all be all solution when they remind you over and over everything is done in store? The store has the final word, again, multiple times?

EDIT: Essentially what you are doing is ignoring EVERYTHING the site says, finding one portion of the site that is a SLIGHT bit confusing, and basing an entire argument that everything else they say is NULL and VOID, and only the thing the best benefits you is correct, is that right?

 

[aKansasKid]

My nearest Apple Store is 200 miles away. If I intended to buy a SIM-free 6s on the Update program, I'd be pretty miffed to have to wait until I was there to find out it wasn't possible. Not bait-and-switch, per se, but pretty p**s-poor on Apple's part. It's easily fixed - just explicitly say so on the website.

 

[jaybar]

I reserved a Sim free phone and went to pick up. The way the links were structured, it appeared to qualify for upgrade. When I got to the store I learned I was not eligible. Wasted trip with

 

[pokermanlv]

yillbs: You obviously didn't read the thread. There are 2 links. A regular reservation and an Apple Upgrade reservation.

Your link is the regular reservation and says "Make a reservation to buy your iPhone in store today."

The upgrade link here at http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program says: "
iPhone Upgrade Program
A new iPhone every year and the coverage you want from AppleCare+.
From $32.41/month1
Reserve an iPhone to buy in store"

These are 2 different stories. Sure if I went to the first link and all it said was make a reservation for an iphone then I have no claims.

No, I made a reservation specifically at the second link for the Apple Upgrade Program and they put in an email to me that says "come to the store and get iphone 6s plus, sim-free, $40.75/month". When I got there they said no you can't get it. Not because you didn't pass the credit check but because it's not available period because it's a mistake (oops sucks to be you). It was not a regular reservation, it was an apple upgrade reservation and explicitly says "$40.75/month".

This is FALSE ADVERTISING. Bait and switch is an extension eg it got me in the store for something that was not available. $40.75 < $917.77 obviously and I'm sure if the FTC looks at it they will agree.

Anyway the moral of the story was they attracted to go to the store with something that was under false pretenses then failed to honor the deal.

Giving the raincheck for an alternative device plus a small gift card or free case for the hassle was a simple solution but again Apple chose to screw over it's customer and do nothing.

Is it that hard to say you can get the Verizon one and next verizon one I get I will call you. Keep this sim-free one until I get the Verizon one in. Doesn't seem that hard for good service does it?

Lets help him..

Bait and Switch : a selling method in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced product but then is encouraged to buy a more expensive one

Which, did not occur.

Did they lure you in with a low price? No. Did they encourage you to buy a more expensive one? No. However, YOU at your own free will, purchased not one but TWO. Any lawyer or judge that saw that, would laugh you out of their office.

They promised you nothing but a phone. They never promised you the ability to purchase it with the upgrade program.

I disagree. The first link to the Apple upgrade program takes you to the reservations page and the SIM FREE VERSION is offered.

I understand that the reservations page may not, conceptually only be for the upgrade program, but the average person who follows the link from start to Finnish,would assume that SIM FREE is an option under the program.

The point is, does this constitute an "illegal" and/or a "Bait and Switch" action? As it has been pointed out several times, NO!

I guess " change" was the wrong terminology. Lets break this down. In order to reserve a phone you have to click a link that says : Reserve an iPhone to buy in store

On the same page it also says : Launching at U.S. Apple Retail Stores. Available with the purchase of an iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus.1

On the same page it ALSO says : You can make a reservation to buy in store. Or talk to an Apple Store Specialist and we’ll help you get set up with the iPhone Upgrade Program.

And again it says : Or pay over 24 months with iPhone Installments, exclusively available at the Apple Retail Store.

So it makes it PRETTY clear that you MUST go to a store to do this. So rather than put out EVERY tiny bit of information on the website, which would waste space, and time, they push it to retail stores.

When you DO finally decide to reserve a phone you go to the standard reservation page : https://reserve.cdn-apple.com/US/en_US/reserve/iPhone/availability?returnURL=http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/iphone6s&channel=1&iPP=Y

This is the page you go to any time you reserve a phone, not just a 24 month contract upgrade phone. so what you want is for them to code this for the people who missed the 6 - 10 different times they told you you can ONLY do it in store. Not to mention it says your simply reserving a phone to buy in store. If you do that, then you go to the store and they tell you " sorrry, we can't sell you that in store " you then say oops, thanks for your help. They make is SO CLEAR you MUST go to a store, how can you assume what the website says is the end all be all solution when they remind you over and over everything is done in store? The store has the final word, again, multiple times?

EDIT: Essentially what you are doing is ignoring EVERYTHING the site says, finding one portion of the site that is a SLIGHT bit confusing, and basing an entire argument that everything else they say is NULL and VOID, and only the thing the best benefits you is correct, is that right?

 

[pokermanlv]

To that makes at least 4 people tricked by apple, lured into the store under false pretenses.

I reserved a Sim free phone and went to pick up. The way the links were structured, it appeared to qualify for upgrade. When I got to the store I learned I was not eligible. Wasted trip with

 

[yillbs]

To that makes at least 4 people tricked by apple, lured into the store under false pretenses.

Nah you guys just can't read

 

[Crzyrio]

Even if it does allow you 'reserve' it on the website.

The very first like of the TOC states :

• * Subject to credit check, approval. Qualified customers only with a valid U.S. personal credit card. Requires 24-month installment loan with Citizens Bank, N.A. and iPhone activation with national carrier. Learn more

It also states on this page in larger writing: http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/iphoneupgrade_us/

Wireless Service Activation. The Financed iPhone requires activation on a new or existing wireless service plan with an eligible carrier under the carrier’s terms, and may be subject to an additional fee charged by your carrier.

 

[pokermanlv]

This has been gone over several times. Activate the Sim-free phone then if required. Point here was given no options - plain said no way to get it except to pay full price. You have it in writing but we just won't honor it. Others did walk out with sim-free activated. This would have been fine for me also but manager said no way to do it so lied to me.

Even if it does allow you 'reserve' it on the website.

The very first like of the TOC states :



It also states on this page in larger writing: http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/iphoneupgrade_us/

 

[yillbs]

Even if it does allow you 'reserve' it on the website.

The very first like of the TOC states :



It also states on this page in larger writing: http://www.apple.com/legal/sales-support/iphoneupgrade_us/

You can't argue with these guys! They will justify anything and don't understand how the world works. Class action suite lol! They invented a tos for a reason. People like this make the rest of us look bad.

 

[yillbs]

This has been gone over several times. Activate the Sim-free phone then if required. Point here was given no options - plain said no way to get it except to pay full price. You have it in writing but we just won't honor it. Others did walk out with sim-free activated. This would have been fine for me also but manager said no way to do it so lied to me.

But the tos is in writing too???? Do you just only care about your reservation slip because it benefits you more ? Or?

 

[Crzyrio]

This has been gone over several times. Activate the Sim-free phone then if required. Point here was given no options - plain said no way to get it except to pay full price. You have it in writing but we just won't honor it. Others did walk out with sim-free activated. This would have been fine for me also but manager said no way to do it so lied to me.

But it would be against their policy and rules to activate a Sim-free phone on the Upgrade plan, regardless if someone else did it mistakenly. He did not lie, he knew what he was talking about. It is the other managers who let their employees do the upgrade on sim-free that were in the wrong and will probably get penalized for it.

It is in writing that you can ONLY get the Upgrade plan with a carrier attached.

 

[pokermanlv]

Were do you guys make this stuff up? Show me where on the Apple site that it says "it would be against policy and rules to activate a Sim-free phone on the Upgrade plan".

In fact, I did a online chat with customer rep:
"There’s actually no way for me to contact the store manager and speak with them. I would suggest going back to the store and letting them know that you can put the SIM-free phone on an upgrade program, you simply need to select one of the US carriers to activate with.

I think what happened is that they simply didn’t know the full procedure for the SIM-free phone because they just got released yesterday."

So the store manager did lie to me as the chat guy said they can do it. However, the chat guy's suggestion of going back to the store to work it out is silly unless they gave me something in writing or some policy statement as I'm sure the Senior Store Manager will just give me the same run around. Furthermore, I had to reserve ANOTHER phone through the online system and try again. This is ridiculous.

Why can't they just hold the next available one and we will make things right. Again poor customer service just because they're Apple.

But it would be against their policy and rules to activate a Sim-free phone on the Upgrade plan, regardless if someone else did it mistakenly. He did not lie, he knew what he was talking about. It is the other managers who let their employees do the upgrade on sim-free that were in the wrong and will probably get penalized for it.

It is in writing that you can ONLY get the Upgrade plan with a carrier attached.

 

[yillbs]

Were do you guys make this stuff up? Show me where on the Apple site that it says "it would be against policy and rules to activate a Sim-free phone on the Upgrade plan".

In fact, I did a online chat with customer rep:
"There’s actually no way for me to contact the store manager and speak with them. I would suggest going back to the store and letting them know that you can put the SIM-free phone on an upgrade program, you simply need to select one of the US carriers to activate with.

I think what happened is that they simply didn’t know the full procedure for the SIM-free phone because they just got released yesterday."

So the store manager did lie to me as the chat guy said they can do it. However, the chat guy's suggestion of going back to the store to work it out is silly unless they gave me something in writing or some policy statement as I'm sure the Senior Store Manager will just give me the same run around. Furthermore, I had to reserve ANOTHER phone through the online system and try again. This is ridiculous.

Why can't they just hold the next available one and we will make things right. Again poor customer service just because they're Apple.

Bro seriously ? Read the friggin tos , it says you must activate with a line of service. Go read , stop being confused and read , read , read the terms of service! It's been pointed out in this thread multiple time.

 

[pokermanlv]

Yes obviously you failed 3rd grade reading comprehension. Yes we understand you need to activate the line of service. No problem activate the Sim-free on Verizon just like says above. In my case, I was fully able and willing to activate on Verizon. It's sim free so you can activate on any carrier so it's even easier.

For some reason you guys equate Sim-free = no activation = not possible -> where does it say this? Obviously nowhere.

Instead, several reports (including online customer service chat) say Sim-free = activation ok if manager knows what they are doing = no problem.

So Activation required = ok. Sim-free with activation is ok.

In my case, Senior Manager fail to do the right thing, eg get me a verizon sim card, put it in the Sim-free phone and be done.

Bro seriously ? Read the friggin tos , it says you must activate with a line of service. Go read , stop being confused and read , read , read the terms of service! It's been pointed out in this thread multiple time.

 

[yillbs]

Yes obviously you failed 3rd grade reading comprehension. Yes we understand you need to activate the line of service. No problem activate the Sim-free on Verizon just like says above. In my case, I was fully able and willing to activate on Verizon. It's sim free so you can activate on any carrier so it's even easier.

For some reason you guys equate Sim-free = no activation = not possible -> where does it say this? Obviously nowhere.

Instead, several reports (including online customer service chat) say Sim-free = activation ok if manager knows what they are doing = no problem.

So Activation required = ok. Sim-free with activation is ok.

In my case, Senior Manager fail to do the right thing, eg get me a verizon sim card, put it in the Sim-free phone and be done.

Wronggggggggg tos says the phone in order to utilize the upgrade program must have a line of service. Nothing about activating it. It says you must have a line of service if you want to finance it for the upgrade program. The manager followed the rules, the other managers did not. Stop whining a companies terms of service are binding as you can get. You can't rant , but it won't make you right.

 

[pokermanlv]

So what? I did have a line of service. In fact I have 3 lines of service. What is your excuse now?

Wronggggggggg tos says the phone in order to utilize the upgrade program must have a line of service. Nothing about activating it. It says you must have a line of service if you want to finance it for the upgrade program. The manager followed the rules, the other managers did not. Stop whining a companies terms of service are binding as you can get. You can't rant , but it won't make you right.

 

[yillbs]

You can't buy a sim free and activate it with Verizon on the plan, that's not how it works. You can't just say okay throw a Verizon sim in the unlocked phone , Apple makes huge $$$ by patterning with these carriers, their is a reason you have to buy a branded service phone on the upgrade plan!!!

 

[pokermanlv]

Ok this is something different and when asked where does it say this, you can't answer so obviously you just made it up. Obviously I should be ignoring people that can't read. Google "reading rainbow" - it may change your life.

You can't buy a sim free and activate it with Verizon on the plan, that's not how it works. You can't just say okay throw a Verizon sim in the unlocked phone , Apple makes huge $$$ by patterning with these carriers, their is a reason you have to buy a branded service phone on the upgrade plan!!!

 

[yillbs]

All I'm saying is the terms are specific you must purchase an iPhone with a national carrier and activate a line of service. If you financed the unlocked phone you could then throw in any SIM card and cancel the service agreement with the the carrier. I presume ( don't quote me please ) since your bringing your own device it's some sort of two year agreement contractual to that carrier with that imie number. Nonetheless apple doesn't make money when you finance an unlocked phone then take the phone to say cricket (just an example) the phones your financing with a carrier through Apple are not unlocked

 

[yillbs]

Ok this is something different and when asked where does it say this, you can't answer so obviously you just made it up. Obviously I should be ignoring people that can't read. Google "reading rainbow" - it may change your life.

An unlocked sim free phone is not with a national carrier. Adding a prepaid SIM card is not activating a phone with a national carrier. Anyways I'll be done bottom line is you didn't get what you wanted , so clearly I'm correct you can blame the manager all you want, but at the end of the day you failed. Enjoy your evening good sir !

 

[pokermanlv]

yillbs: Seriously check this out https://www.readingrainbow.com/

 

[karmatourer]

Unlocked is one thing but sim free phone gives you band 30 which gives you full speed on ATT: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2492848,00.asp

Guy at Apple also told me all full priced carrier phones are locked to the carrier and the only unlocked ones are the ones on the upgrade plan and the full price sim free ones.

Anyway, I'm doing plenty fine financially. I walked out with two phones, the full price phone and put the other one on the upgrade contract just to make a point when the FTC asks me for evidence. Some of you have plenty of time to sell used phones when you upgrade - not me. I'm done with the phone when I upgrade and might as well just throw my old one in the trash hence why I want the upgrade plan. No hassle like leasing a car, just bring it back and get another one. Again the bait part is promising something they clearly could not deliver to get me in the door.

Anyway they have laws and you can't just lie to people and do bait and switch. It's illegal for a reason so if you are a victim file the FTC complaint and hopefully they get enough of them to fix their act.

So you're on the Tom Brady Plan for disposing of last model year phone. Kudos.

 

[maxsix]

Got an email reservation after a few days of trying for an iPhone 6s Plus 64Gb Sim Free, went to the Apple store on time at Town Square, Las Vegas to pick up the phone and they wouldn't sell it under the upgrade plan. Told me Sim-free phones didn't qualify for the upgrade plan. Showed them my reservation receipt that clearly states "iphone 6s plus, sim free, $40.75/month". They said sorry can't help you, Apple made a mistake and they can't do anything. I told them this is bait and switch. Only reason I came down here was to pick up the phone and I want what it says here.

Ended up paying FULL price for the 6s plus and then also bought a verizon 6s on the upgrade plan because I was sure they would just say I just didn't qualify for upgrade plan. Senior store manager Tony told me I need to complain to Apple Care. I did complain to Apple care and after hours of back and forth and going to 2 different managers, the net result was they said go back to the Apple store and work it out. WTF?

Already took the Senior Manager's card (Tony) and he was the one that refused to sell it on the upgrade plan. Told him this was clearly illegal bait and switch getting customers in the door then giving them something else (conveniently 6s is ok on upgrade plan) or charging more (yes we will sell it to you full price no problem) but won't honor written reservation.

Went home and put the 6s sim into the 6s plus and it worked fine. I'm going to keep both phones for the 2 weeks while I keep trying to get Apple to do what is right and just honor the deal I got in writing.

Anyone else get screwed? Class action lawsuit?

Clearly you do not understand basic business.

Are you aware that Apple is a very large successful company?

Do you honestly believe their massive, highly trained, experienced legal team would authorize bait and switch tactics?

Surely you don't think you're smarter than Apple...

Your accusations reveal your complete lack of knowledge regarding the claims you are making.

You're out of your league and may be exposing yourself to counterattack by the corporation.

You're in... way over your head.