Apple Restricts iPhone 7 Reservations to Upgrade Program Members

['Dorian]

It's not that simple. Zero percent yes but the fact is this loan program requires an inquiry on your credit. Someone in the market for a home or who just didn't want one is a valid reason to pay in full or use carrier financing. And it requires a new inquiry every year who wants new inquiries every year for a phone.

Only the first credit inquiry is a hard inquiry, any resulting inquiry based on the IUP program is a soft inquiry. A soft inquiry is similar to you getting a credit report or a lender you currently do business with extending another loan. Also, if you are in the market for a home the inquiries all count as one if done within a 45 day period usually.

If you can get Zero percent interest it's a no brainer. Use someone else's money to buy something. Put yours into something that will pay you during the time of the loan.

The credit reports were designed to stop someone from signing you up for 6 or 7 credit cards and charging away without your knowledge (though they don't tell you if that happens, which is what they were supposed to do). ...or you just not paying your own. Overall, they are just selling your signature. It's just 'bills of exchange' and doesn't carry any real value without your signature. Food for thought!
[doublepost=1474703645][/doublepost]

I agree. You shouldn't hurt your credit to buy a phone especially if you're paying for it anyways. The only good way to buy an iPhone is to purchase it full price. Then sell it locally for cash when you want to upgrade. Selling my 6S mostly paid for my 7.

Why would you pay out of pocket full price when you can get Zero percent financing. Use someone else's money to buy your stuff and put yours in something that will give you a good or decent return.
[doublepost=1474705500][/doublepost]

In addition to what others have said about iup eg credit or just not wanting to join how about how Apple treated first year people no thanks. And for me anyway it's not about waiting for stock it's about the iup customers all up in arms over people getting phones using any valid method. This iup program is highly overrated for what it is. Now yes if Apple charges a bit more for the program and guaranteed an earlier pre order period I'm sure they would see a huge spike in use of the program.

I'm pretty sure that was what the program was supposed to be, though horribly implemented. Too many people involved getting 60mil stock bonuses and cash outs. Videos hanging out with top artists and hanging with other execs. Making sure things are functioning seems to be problem reaction based at Apple for the moment, with lots of top tier payouts. A router with a 2.0 usb hub, seriously outdated computers. No actual graphics presence for a technology company other than the phones. ...Anyway.

I had thought when I seen the initial announcement of IUP that it was a genius idea. You buy a phone on this date and you get what ever phone you want on the anniversary of that date. That was the beginning of the true Apple eco-system. It's been used so far in only a couple weeks to be taken advantage of without paying for it, and other things. As I stated above, they should have been able to replace any phone at the exact same date one year later. Then open it up to walk in customers for new phones. If they ever, EVER say, "we guarantee our IUP customers a new phone on launch", which is what I expected, and kind of what they implied, the program would really take off.

Disclaimer: Still using my 3+ year old iPhone 5s.

 

[Atreyu25]

False, but I'm glad you feel justified.

Ok. Lol. Call it justified? I do yea. I have the iPhone I wanted in my hand. Have for a week. Literally anyone could do the same thing. The cognitive dissonance here astounds me.

 

[MattAShine]

I too was denied from reserving from the IUP site, sooo... what I did was when I found stock was available on the istocknow.com site for the iPhone 7 Plus I wanted I went to main Apple.com site, bought the phone on the site but checked for 'Store Pickup' rather than shipping. The site confirmed the store had it available so I used AT&T NEXT to do the purchase, set the reservation time and got the phone within one day.

There 'are' ways of doing this even if you cannot use the much preferred classic reservation site or do not trust it for walk-in.

 

[Zimmy68]

I too was denied from reserving from the IUP site, sooo... what I did was when I found stock was available on the istocknow.com site for the iPhone 7 Plus I wanted I went to main Apple.com site, bought the phone on the site but checked for 'Store Pickup' rather than shipping. The site confirmed the store had it available so I used AT&T NEXT to do the purchase, set the reservation time and got the phone within one day.

There 'are' ways of doing this even if you cannot use the much preferred classic reservation site or do not trust it for walk-in.

The store pickup option from istocknow is different then the inventory from iup.
At least for my stores.
istocknow and IUP reserve page will both show on 3 colors, but go to "check availability" and it will show only one of the colors.

 

[aka777]

I'm literally laughing. No one gamed a system, we were smart enough to use the resources available to get what we want. Not ones fault but your own that you didn't.

Hats off to you, for managing to outsmart the apple store.

 

[shk718]

I wonder who signed off on this Upgrade Program - Eddie or Angela - whoever did is highly overpaid. I got an email from apple that my jet black 7 Plus would be available for in-store pick up next month at a store in Buffalo N.Y. - i live in NYC - Am i supposed to fly to Buffalo get get my phone? The team set up to deal with the problems is just as incompetent as the team that came up with the program.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Thing is? WE paid for the privilege first. By paying monthly for a year in a program that should have given us a fair shot at a phone. But the system did NOT give us a fair shot because we were expected to do the upgrade in store on a reservation. Being tied to store stock, the pre-order process was a closed door to most of us. We literally got pushed to the back of the line.

And to be very clear, I'm talking about those of us who signed up for IUP last year.

The bottom line is that the new phones should be equally available to everyone who wants one. I keep hearing how the IUP people paid for the privilege of being first in line. But they (will have) paid the exact same amount as every one else for the same model phone. Period.

Y'all buy your phones the way you want to. I will do the same. I'm just tired of the entitlement attitude... "gimme, gimme, gimme... I paid for the privilege".

[doublepost=1474723036][/doublepost]

I wonder who signed off on this Upgrade Program - Eddie or Angela - whoever did is highly overpaid. I got an email from apple that my jet black 7 Plus would be available for in-store pick up next month at a store in Buffalo N.Y. - i live in NYC - Am i supposed to fly to Buffalo get get my phone? The team set up to deal with the problems is just as incompetent as the team that came up with the program.

My money is on Angela. So far, she's yet to show me anything to justify her position and salary.

Done here. Enjoy your day.

 

[shk718]

guys dont buy into the hype. wait another year.

We iphone 8 users are going to laugh at you rocking the old iphones with the big bezels as the new iphone wont have a home button.

so essentially you're paying $400+ to rent the iphone from apple if you upgrade next year.

you assume the iphone 8 buying process will be improved? It's a new design = it'll be a worse experience trying to get one.

 

[Quu]

Wrong.
It is intentional to create an impression of overwhelming demand so as to lure the naive

Nonsense. Everyone is predicting they'll sell 100 Million phones before the end of the year. The iPhone sells like hot cakes and we have these issues every year because they start selling the phones so soon after the announcement. It's not enough time to make the millions they'll need.

More factories needed!

 

[technopimp]

This is a obviously a taste of what's to come. They may be doing this out of necessity now, but the retail ghouls will begin to salivate over this and I bet my money within 2-3 iPhone generations, the only way you'll be able to buy one directly from Apple will be through their upgrade problem.

"It's what our customers want."

(Just like their customers apparently don't want MacBooks or desktops anymore...)

We're starting to see the Apple of the future. Everything is an iOS device, refreshed yearly and sold to us on annual upgrade plans.

 

[anthonymoody]

This is the first step in a process by which Apple will increasingly take care of IUP customers before others. And if you don't like, join IUP.

 

[serialtoon]

Wrong.
It is intentional to create an impression of overwhelming demand so as to lure the naive

What?
-Sent from my iPhone 7

 

[Qbnkelt]

That's how it is anyway for many MR members who upgrade yearly. They come out roughly the same buying at full price and selling one year later at 50% of the initial costs.

Who says we sell? Some keep the previous device. Some give them to family members.
I've got my sisters, brothers, nephews, and nieces who get very gently used one year old devices that they don't pay for. My nieces and nephews in college appreciate it.
We all win. I get a new device every year, someone gets a one year old device in pristine condition.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Who says we sell? Some keep the previous device. Some give them to family members.
I've got my sisters, brothers, nephews, and nieces who get very gently used one year old devices that they don't pay for. My nieces and nephews in college appreciate it.
We all win. I get a new device every year, someone gets a one year old device in pristine condition.

That's why I wrote "many MR members." Not suggesting that all of us sell after one year.

 

[840quadra]

So essentially you now need a credit card, and loan approval to buy a phone in store, via reservation? What the hell are they thinking? I never thought apple would be the company to punish people who save, or have personal funding to purchase their products.

 

[George Knighton]

The thing is, the very initial demand has not been met yet. Once that is completed, watch demand drop like an anchor to the bottom of the ocean. Apple so severely shorted the initial supplies that those like us that ordered on day one STILL do not have their iPhones. That, and that fact that the freight ships were held up in CA due to a HANJIN bankruptcy, but that has now been fixed. Once the initial orders are filled, there will be PLENTY of iPhone 7's as it really is just a blip on the screen.

When I said in another venue that it was likely the Hanjin freighters had to pay at least the port charges, I was told that Apple never ships iPhones.

How exactly did the Hanjin bankruptcy stop delivery of iPhones?

 

[Surf Monkey]

Ok. Lol. Call it justified? I do yea. I have the iPhone I wanted in my hand. Have for a week. Literally anyone could do the same thing. The cognitive dissonance here astounds me.

Still incorrect.
[doublepost=1474734601][/doublepost]

This is the first step in a process by which Apple will increasingly take care of IUP customers before others. And if you don't like, join IUP.

Is it? Because the exact opposite of that happened this year. The IUP members were pushed to the BACK of the line.

 

[Atreyu25]

Still incorrect.
[doublepost=1474734601][/doublepost]

Is it? Because the exact opposite of that happened this year. The IUP members were pushed to the BACK of the line.

You're just salty because you didn't get what you wanted. Be nice and let people enjoy things.
[doublepost=1474735119][/doublepost]

I too was denied from reserving from the IUP site, sooo... what I did was when I found stock was available on the istocknow.com site for the iPhone 7 Plus I wanted I went to main Apple.com site, bought the phone on the site but checked for 'Store Pickup' rather than shipping. The site confirmed the store had it available so I used AT&T NEXT to do the purchase, set the reservation time and got the phone within one day.

There 'are' ways of doing this even if you cannot use the much preferred classic reservation site or do not trust it for walk-in.

See Surf Monkey? People use their resources to get things done. That's it. No one is hurt. Have a banana.

 

[aaplwatch]

So essentially you now need a credit card, and loan approval to buy a phone in store, via reservation? What the hell are they thinking? I never thought apple would be the company to punish people who save, or have personal funding to purchase their products.

This is the dumbest thing ever. My credit card is also a debit card. I prefer to pay for things in cash.

Tried to do IUP and it was denied because the card is a debit card. Ended up buying outright for $900 and change.

 

[Surf Monkey]

You're just salty because you didn't get what you wanted. Be nice and let people enjoy things.

Still a false accusation.

I'm "salty" because I was pushed to the back of the line. You'd be unhappy if it happened to you too.

Sorry, but you have no high horse to ride in this instance.
[doublepost=1474735346][/doublepost]

See Surf Monkey? People use their resources to get things done. That's it. No one is hurt. Have a banana.

You really don't grasp what happened here, do you?

Hitting me with a personal attack may make you feel better, but it doesn't bend reality to make Apple not have pushed people on IUP to the end of the line.

 

[Atreyu25]

Still a false accusation.

I'm "salty" because I was pushed to the back of the line. You'd be unhappy if it happened to you too.

Sorry, but you have no high horse to ride in this instance.
[doublepost=1474735346][/doublepost]

You really don't grasp what happened here, do you?

Hitting me with a personal attack may make you feel better, but it doesn't bend reality to make Apple not have pushed people on IUP to the end of the line.

How were you pushed back to the line anymore than anyone else? I had a pre-order that was repeatedly delayed. I cancelled it and got on in store using the reservation system that was available at the time, followed the rules and got my iPhone Plus. EVERYONE was pushed to the back of the line here dude (or dudette).

I WAS unhappy that my phone was pushed to the back of the line, but I decided to do something about it rather than bully people online that got what they wanted first.

 

[dan110]

The Cupertino's "Schnit Show" continues.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Nonsense. Everyone is predicting they'll sell 100 Million phones before the end of the year. The iPhone sells like hot cakes and we have these issues every year because they start selling the phones so soon after the announcement. It's not enough time to make the millions they'll need.

More factories needed!

What is "everyone's" definition of "sell"? You mean take 100 Million iPhone orders or actually DELIVER 100 Million iPhones, because as it stands now, ain't nobody getting any iPhone 7 Plus models that aren't 32GB. I ordered mine at 2AM on pre-order day and am still waiting for my black 256GB.

The iStockNow website shows only three stores in the US with any 7 Plus models not 32GB.

So I agree with you they need better supply before going live. It just causes frustration.

On the other hand, Samsung was able to deliver, within a matter of a week, over half a MILLION replacement Note 7's to carriers in the US. While many may be ditching their defective Note 7 for the elusive iPhone 7 Plus, the smarter move may be the opposite!

 

[citysnaps]

What is "everyone's" definition of "sell"? You mean take 100 Million iPhone orders or actually DELIVER 100 Million iPhones, because as it stands now, ain't nobody getting any iPhone 7 Plus models that aren't 32GB. I ordered mine at 2AM on pre-order day and am still waiting for my black 256GB.

The iStockNow website shows only three stores in the US with any 7 Plus models not 32GB.

So I agree with you they need better supply before going live. It just causes frustration.

On the other hand, Samsung was able to deliver, within a matter of a week, over half a MILLION replacement Note 7's to carriers in the US. While many may be ditching their defective Note 7 for the elusive iPhone 7 Plus, the smarter move may be the opposite!

100 Million? Now? I haven't seen that claim. I have seen 100 million by the end of the year.

That said, Apple is manufacturing 800K+ phones per day. And every one of them is being delivered to a customer in short order.

 

[Surf Monkey]

How were you pushed back to the line anymore than anyone else? I had a pre-order that was repeatedly delayed. I cancelled it and got on in store using the reservation system that was available at the time, followed the rules and got my iPhone Plus. EVERYONE was pushed to the back of the line here dude (or dudette).

I WAS unhappy that my phone was pushed to the back of the line, but I decided to do something about it rather than bully people online that got what they wanted first.

Obviously you don't grasp what happened.

As an IUP upgrade customer I was limited to STORE STOCK. Since this was a PRE-ORDER situation there WAS NO STORE STOCK. As members of the IUP program we were made to sit on the sidelines while new customers snapped up all the devices.

As to "bullying people online" that would be those of you falsely castigating IUP members as complainers and cheaters trying to get preferential treatment.