Apple Restricts iPhone 7 Reservations to Upgrade Program Members

[Shanghaichica]

Apple need to have two reservation systems one for IUP and one for people who want to reserve a phone to buy outright. That's the only fair way. Stock was limited at launch and I'm sure some people on the IUP were able to reserve a phone to pick up on launch day.

I just don't understand the law suit. It smacks of entitlement to me. Those people seem to feel that they should have been able to get whatever iPhone they wanted on launch day. The purpose of the programme is to be able to get a new phone every year, not to get whatever I want on launch day.

Stock was limited and we all had to get in line. Nobody should be entitled to jump the queue.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Apple need to have two reservation systems one for IUP and one for people who want to reserve a phone to buy outright. That's the only fair way. Stock was limited at launch and I'm sure some people on the IUP were able to reserve a phone to pick up on launch day.

I just don't understand the law suit. It smacks of entitlement to me. Those people seem to feel that they should have been able to get whatever iPhone they wanted on launch day. The purpose of the programme is to be able to get a new phone every year, not to get whatever I want on launch day.

Stock was limited and we all had to get in line. Nobody should be entitled to jump the queue.

Stock was limited, but it was limited for every one. The IUP group should not get the special treatment of a separate stock of phones. Period. Making all phones available to all for upgrades equally at launch is the only fair way.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Stock was limited, but it was limited for every one. The IUP group should not get the special treatment of a separate stock of phones. Period. Making all phones available to all for up equally at launch is the only fair way.

Well Apple should allocate some of their launch stock for the IUP, including new and existing customers. For example they should have some phones available in store at launch so that new customers/existing customers could walk in and get a phone under IUP. Not doing that would be bad planning/resources management. I'm sure Apple allocated a certain number of phones for carriers, for on line sales, in store etc and the IUP should be part of the allocation.

However I don't think that IUP customers should expect that they can get whatever iPhone they want on launch day. Some of them are just going to have to wait, just like some of the non IUP customers had to wait.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Stock was limited, but it was limited for every one. The IUP group should not get the special treatment of a separate stock of phones. Period. Making all phones available to all for upgrades equally at launch is the only fair way.

Read up on what actually happened. The IUP customers were limited in their access. That's the whole point. Saying "no they weren't" doesn't magically change the past.

 

[AZhappyjack]

Stock was limited, but it was limited for every one. The IUP group should not get the special treatment of a separate stock of phones. Period. Making all phones available to all for upgrades equally at launch is the only fair way.

Read up on what actually happened. The IUP customers were limited in their access. That's the whole point. Saying "no they weren't" doesn't magically change the past.

Did you read what I wrote? "Stock was limited, but it was limited for every one ... Making all phones available equally at launch is the only fair way".

Did IUP get screwed at launch? Can't say, as I'm not one. But I'm sure the IUP crowd will say they were.

The solution? Just have one pile of phones for everyone, from which they can reserve, and we're good.

No one is guaranteed a launch day delivery just for logging into apple.com at midnight PDT, or by lining up at the local Apple store a week early. Likewise, just because one is IUP should not guarantee a launch day phone. Just get your order in, and get it as soon as it's available.

Why do you not comprehend that?

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

One thing that I heard about launch day was people who had reservations (no special grouping) and people who waited in line (overnight, etc) were intermingled. Many people who had reservations ended up waiting hours past their reservation while those who just waited in line were intermixed. If anyone should be pissed about launch day, it's those who had reservations. As a side note, if under the IUP, you had to have a reservation and could not order online. Probably since they needed your old phone to trade and had to ensure it worked or an AppleCare claim needed to be made.

 

[Mr Staunton]

Why not use additional courier services?

 

[bbeagle]

The $650.00 is a complete trap. You have to pay FULL retail for the iPhone of your choice first, then once you receive your new device, you send in your old iPhone, which takes THREE months to apply only as a bill credit. Allegedly, you can request the $650.00 to be applied your credit card.

The point is, Verizon wants you to pay full retail first, which is a joke. And your previous iPhone has to be in 'Good working condition.'

Not at all.

You don't pay $650 - you agree to pay installments over 24 months - about $27/month.

You might pay at most $54 (2 months of payments) before receiving your first credit of $27/month in the 3rd month.

It's a great deal if you're planning on being with your network for 2 years.

 

[ATEspo]

Oh they better not give me any **** when I go pickup my reserved 7+ today, i've been trying every day for a week to reserve one and I finally did. I am going with AT&T Next and reserved it from apple on their reservation page. I am NOT enrolled with IUP and I don't want to be (my company gave me the OK to add my new phone to the NEXT program and they will cover the cost).

 

[Zimmy68]

Before you make too much of a scene, remember to read the email they sent.
It stinks but that reserve stock is for IUP customers.
There is a whole different system for non IUP users, which is more limited.

Let us know what happens. I would try it but no stock has come in yet in my area.

 

[philb7777]

I've been trying to reserve a iPhone 7plus for the last week. When I get though the menu and my local Apple Store has one in stock, when I click on the phone I want I get linked to a screen that says 'We're sorry but this service is currently unavailable.'

The funny thing is I go down to the Apple Store and ask them what they have in stock (unfortunately a color I didn't want - rose gold) and I stand there and go through the reservation process and attempt to reserve a rose gold one to test the reserve system and still get the 'service currently unavailable screen.'

Anyone else having this problem?

 

[aggie99]

I've been trying to reserve a iPhone 7plus for the last week. When I get though the menu and my local Apple Store has one in stock, when I click on the phone I want I get linked to a screen that says 'We're sorry but this service is currently unavailable.'

The funny thing is I go down to the Apple Store and ask them what they have in stock (unfortunately a color I didn't want - rose gold) and I stand there and go through the reservation process and attempt to reserve a rose gold one to test the reserve system and still get the 'service currently unavailable screen.'

Anyone else having this problem?

Same thing happened to me last week. I located a few AT&T MB 128 7+ and I had that happen every time. Very frustrating.

 

[shk718]

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]

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.

I agree with you on Angela - what has she done? - most of the key features of the stores were in-place long before she came on the scene. Re-naming isn't evolution. Trees aren't revolutionary. Seems to be all she's doing is babysitting.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Did you read what I wrote? "Stock was limited, but it was limited for every one ... Making all phones available equally at launch is the only fair way".

Did IUP get screwed at launch? Can't say, as I'm not one. But I'm sure the IUP crowd will say they were.

The solution? Just have one pile of phones for everyone, from which they can reserve, and we're good.

No one is guaranteed a launch day delivery just for logging into apple.com at midnight PDT, or by lining up at the local Apple store a week early. Likewise, just because one is IUP should not guarantee a launch day phone. Just get your order in, and get it as soon as it's available.

Why do you not comprehend that?

No need to be snippy.

Yes. I understand and agree with your solution. It should be a level field for everyone. The reason it didn't happen is two fold:

First, Apple has no process for doing the exchange by mail. They require you to bring your old phone in to do a physical hand off. Presumably it's to give the Apple associate a chance to check that it's in good condition and to avoid fraud.

Carriers allow customers to do trades via UPS etc. and Apple needs to make that provision for IUP customers too. Let us pre-order like everyone else and then just send the old phone back when the new one arrives.

Second, the financing itself is set up weird. It isn't a revolving loan. They make you apply anew every cycle. That forces them to make customers come in to the store too, since Apple needs to look at your ID and ping your credit and so forth.

That's a big problem. They should consider making the IUP a revolving credit line so that customers don't have to take a hit on their credit rating and don't have to be restricted to upgrading in-store.

Anyway, thanks for the clarification and for providing me a chance to clarify too.
[doublepost=1474919738][/doublepost]

I agree with you on Angela - what has she done? - most of the key features of the stores were in-place long before she came on the scene. Re-naming isn't evolution. Trees aren't revolutionary. Seems to be all she's doing is babysitting.

It does seem to me that the stores are in a state of transition right now. I wouldn't be so quick to bag on AA. I don't think her full vision has rolled out yet.

 

[AZhappyjack]

No need to be snippy.

Yes. I understand and agree with your solution. It should be a level field for everyone. The reason it didn't happen is two fold:

First, Apple has no process for doing the exchange by mail. They require you to bring your old phone in to do a physical hand off. Presumably it's to give the Apple associate a chance to check that it's in good condition and to avoid fraud.

Carriers allow customers to do trades via UPS etc. and Apple needs to make that provision for IUP customers too. Let us pre-order like everyone else and then just send the old phone back when the new one arrives.

Second, the financing itself is set up weird. It isn't a revolving loan. They make you apply anew every cycle. That forces them to make customers come in to the store too, since Apple needs to look at your ID and ping your credit and so forth.

That's a big problem. They should consider making the IUP a revolving credit line so that customers don't have to take a hit on their credit rating and don't have to be restricted to upgrading in-store.

Anyway, thanks for the clarification and for providing me a chance to clarify too.

My response was not snippy (but I can show you "snippy" if you're interested). The fact is, stock was equally limited for every one. The playing field was, in fact, level for all participants.

And it now appears that the issue with IUP is not necessarily a shortage of devices, but rather, a burdensome, "hands on" implementation. Of course, that is a completely different matter, and one that needn't involve the non-IUP people in any way.

Good day, sir.

 

[sealos]

Definitely a YMMV Apple policy. I was not a enrolled in the IUP, but I was able to reserve a T-mo Black 256 7 + in Durham on Sunday morning for pick up in the afternoon. I'm on AT&T and wanted to sign up for IUP, so I was taking a chance.

I got to the store and the sales person tried to activate the phone using a new AT&T SIM, but it was locked to T-mo.

My IUP hopes were dashed at that point. The only option I had at that point was to purchase out-right which I did.

I even called Support before I left to pick up the phone and the rep said that I didn't have to be enrolled and I didn't have to have an active account on the carrier in question.

If it is a new policy, it certainly isn't being communicated very well to some of the stores.

Sealos

 

[northofnowhere]

Well I can confirm. I was able to reserve a 7+ 256 Black AT&T through the IUP reservations website this morning. Walked in for my 1pm appointment and walked out at 1:20 with my phone. No questions asked. Used my AT&T Next upgrade and they didn't bat an eye. No questions about if I was part of the IUP or not. Smooth. Easy. Now I'm not stuck waiting until the end of October for my phone!
And this phone is beautiful!!

 

[Black Belt]

Here's an idea: how about having enough stock to satisfy launch demand and enough production to satisfy ongoing demand. And how about making one website where you can order from ANY plan you wish and instantly see the live stock instead of having to traverse 8 inaccurate websites trying to figure it out ourselves. I mean this IS supposed to be Apple and this is 2016. That's just me. Angela obviously has better ideas
[doublepost=1474951512][/doublepost]The telling bit is the reservation page is only accessible by sesrching for it. There is no link from the iPhone page. Probably because it's embarrassing

 

[Xenu007]

Guess what? Citizens Bank does a hard inquiry on your credit EVERY year you upgrade to a new phone! Think about what that's going to do to your FICO score. Planning to buy a house or car in the near future? Citzen's Bank's hard annual hard inquiry could cost you thousands of dollars in increased interest rates, etc.

 

[hamzax7]

Can confirm reserving through the IUP link and then changing payment method at the store works as usual(got my silver 7 Plus finally!) Besides those isolated cases they can't force you into Apples IUP.

 

[skellener]

I've never really understood this upgrade program at all. You buy an iPhone, you pay it out over time. You then have to turn it in and they sell you another iPhone that they let you pay out over time. Can't you just do this anyway without an upgrade plan, but you keep your old iPhone?? Please explain how it works. Thanks!

 

[AZhappyjack]

Guess what? Citizens Bank does a hard inquiry on your credit EVERY year you upgrade to a new phone! Think about what that's going to do to your FICO score. Planning to buy a house or car in the near future? Citzen's Bank's hard annual hard inquiry could cost you thousands of dollars in increased interest rates, etc.

Exactly. Another reason to avoid this plan.

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

Guess what? Citizens Bank does a hard inquiry on your credit EVERY year you upgrade to a new phone! Think about what that's going to do to your FICO score. Planning to buy a house or car in the near future? Citzen's Bank's hard annual hard inquiry could cost you thousands of dollars in increased interest rates, etc.

If one inquiry to your credit causes you FICO score to drop that much, you've got bigger problems!
[doublepost=1474979357][/doublepost]

I've never really understood this upgrade program at all. You buy an iPhone, you pay it out over time. You then have to turn it in and they sell you another iPhone that they let you pay out over time. Can't you just do this anyway without an upgrade plan, but you keep your old iPhone?? Please explain how it works. Thanks!

The payment plan is 24 months, no interest. After you have made 12 payments, you can trade your phone in and that payment plan is paid off. Done. You can do that as early as 6 months after start. If you keep your phone longer than 24 months, no more payments and the phone is yours. It's also unlocked so you can switch carriers anytime you want during the 24 months.

In my case, I used to get a new iPhone every 2 years. Since everyone is doing plans like this one instead of the "2 year commitment" I will pretty much be making payments or buying outright until it changes back. I turned in my 1 year old 6S Plus for $539.08 to "pay off" the loan. The most any web site will pay for my configuration is in the $300's. Since I had Applecare, and it was included in the financing, I only ended up paying 1/2 a year so I effectively got a 50% discount.

Make sense?

 

[Zimmy68]

Can confirm reserving through the IUP link and then changing payment method at the store works as usual(got my silver 7 Plus finally!) Besides those isolated cases they can't force you into Apples IUP.

They can't force you into IUP but what they can do, is say this unit is allocated to IUP members and we are putting it back in stock and point you to the line to wait to get the regular inventory.

I'm guessing (and hoping) Apple is just saving face with IUP members but telling stores just to sell it.

 

[skellener]

If one inquiry to your credit causes you FICO score to drop that much, you've got bigger problems!
[doublepost=1474979357][/doublepost]

The payment plan is 24 months, no interest. After you have made 12 payments, you can trade your phone in and that payment plan is paid off. Done. You can do that as early as 6 months after start. If you keep your phone longer than 24 months, no more payments and the phone is yours. It's also unlocked so you can switch carriers anytime you want during the 24 months.

In my case, I used to get a new iPhone every 2 years. Since everyone is doing plans like this one instead of the "2 year commitment" I will pretty much be making payments or buying outright until it changes back. I turned in my 1 year old 6S Plus for $539.08 to "pay off" the loan. The most any web site will pay for my configuration is in the $300's. Since I had Applecare, and it was included in the financing, I only ended up paying 1/2 a year so I effectively got a 50% discount.

Make sense?

No, I'm still confused. Thanks for trying.