Other Apple should have an earlier pre-order time for the iPhone Upgrade Program

[Isaiah408]

Apple advertises the iPhone Upgrade Program as "The easiest way to upgrade to the latest iPhone" and the customer pays for this convenience. Yet this morning many on this program had their order messed up, even though they went through the correct preparation steps in advance of the pre-order time. Perhaps Apple could make early pre-ordering part of the benefit of the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Having early pre-orders for those on the iUP would also help tier the ordering process so that servers aren't so overloaded at one single time. It would also help Apple by increasing the popularity of the program.

 

[cannono]

Apple advertises the iPhone Upgrade Program as "The easiest way to upgrade to the latest iPhone" and the customer pays for this convenience. Yet this morning many on this program had their order messed up, even though they went through the correct preparation steps in advance of the pre-order time. Perhaps Apple could make early pre-ordering part of the benefit of the iPhone Upgrade Program.

Having early pre-orders for those on the iUP would also help tier the ordering process so that servers aren't so overloaded at one single time. It would also help Apple by increasing the popularity of the program.

Honestly I agree. That program is meant to lock people into yearly upgrades and should guarantee it if you order in the first hour or something. It’s such a mess when they screw up the release day option for upgrade program users, as the old phone lease keeps charging until you swap.

 

[dstew201]

Hmm… no. Why should you get priority over someone that upgrades yearly out of pocket? Not everyone wants a hard credit pull every year.

Either way Apple is making $$$, so I don’t think corporate would care.

Keep in mind I’ve purchased a number of different ways ( carrier, IUP, …).

 

[kupkakez]

I’d rather not be tied to a perpetual phone payment and the regular yearly carrier drama/bill credits/fees so I buy outright and trade in my current device. It’s always been pretty smooth ordering.

Getting wrapped up in carrier upgrade processes or 3rd party like citizens is bound to be a mess due to the extra steps and parties involved. They should just improve their processes it’s not like iPhone season is a surprise they have all year to figure it out

 

[MisterSavage]

It's way better than it was at the very beginning. I remember there was a kerfuffle after ordering began. After an amount of time who weren't on the program still had in stock options to get phone when those of us on the program weren't shown those. They ended up providing a solution.

 

[ZipZap]

I prequalified the day before, as I do every year, and my order took 10 seconds. It is 100% the easiest process once you are in the program and to the rework ahead a release. If orders were messed up, barring an admission from Apple, the fault lies with the person ordering, their workstation or location. Not every place gets the apple site updates propagated quickly. I would also look to your carrier as the possible issue, if it happens every time.

BTW overloaded servers is a hallmark of the process.

 

[ZipZap]

It's way better than it was at the very beginning. I remember there was a kerfuffle after ordering began. After an amount of time who weren't on the program still had in stock options to get phone when those of us on the program weren't shown those. They ended up providing a solution.

This is true. Way better.

 

[MisterSavage]

I prequalified the day before, as I do every year, and my order took 10 seconds. It is 100% the easiest process once you are in the program and to the rework ahead a release.

While that was also the case for me this year (but not other years) my friend kept getting errors over and over again until after 20+ tries he got his order through. It's a race before servers get overwhelmed.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Hmm… no. Why should you get priority over someone that upgrades yearly out of pocket? Not everyone wants a hard credit pull every year.

Either way Apple is making $$$, so I don’t think corporate would care.

Keep in mind I’ve purchased a number of different ways ( carrier, IUP, …).

While I agree that IUP members should not get priority; I have been an IUP member since the first year and have only had two hard credit pulls. The first year and then two years ago with the iPhone 12. Same experience with my wife.

 

[cannono]

I prequalified the day before, as I do every year, and my order took 10 seconds. It is 100% the easiest process once you are in the program and to the rework ahead a release. If orders were messed up, barring an admission from Apple, the fault lies with the person ordering, their workstation or location. Not every place gets the apple site updates propagated quickly. I would also look to your carrier as the possible issue, if it happens every time.

BTW overloaded servers is a hallmark of the process.

This is not accurate. Apple’s program causes plenty of issues. Their own Apple Card is incentivized to get 3% back on iUP payment, yet wouldn’t go through for thousands of orders last year and they had to issue a reward credit apology later. The site frequently threw errors at people who pre-qualified last year and this year. Just because you didn’t have issues, Doesn’t negate that thousands do and on the program, time is costly as you continue being stuck paying for the old model until the trade. On a program designed to get you to upgrade every launch.

 

[MisterSavage]

Hmm… no. Why should you get priority over someone that upgrades yearly out of pocket? Not everyone wants a hard credit pull every year.

There is not a guarantee that there is a hard credit pull every year. It depends on the customer.

 

[Mlrollin91]

This is not accurate. Apple’s program causes plenty of issues. Their own Apple Card is incentivized to get 3% back on iUP payment, yet wouldn’t go through for thousands of orders last year and they had to issue a reward credit apology later. The site frequently threw errors at people who pre-qualified last year and this year. Just because you didn’t have issues, Doesn’t negate that thousands do and on the program, time is costly as you continue being stuck paying for the old model until the trade. On a program designed to get you to upgrade every launch.

Yep, both my wife and I could not renew our IUP last year with the AppleCard. Worked fine this year, but nothing but problems last year.

 

[sjperformance]

This is not accurate. Apple’s program causes plenty of issues. Their own Apple Card is incentivized to get 3% back on iUP payment, yet wouldn’t go through for thousands of orders last year and they had to issue a reward credit apology later. The site frequently threw errors at people who pre-qualified last year and this year. Just because you didn’t have issues, Doesn’t negate that thousands do and on the program, time is costly as you continue being stuck paying for the old model until the trade. On a program designed to get you to upgrade every launch.

I remember this last year. Ridiculous. Today apple app/site wouldn't reload. Order went in 9 mins later. Glad I still got next Friday pick up. Been using IUP last 3 years. They should at least let us pre order the day before I guess.

 

[SisterBlue22]

Not everyone wants a hard credit pull every year.

I've been in the Upgrade Program since the very first year, and that first year is the only time I've ever had a hard pull (and I monitor my credit with all 3 bureaus closely). My experience might not be everyone's experience, but I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having a hard pull every year.

 

[MisterSavage]

I remember this last year. Ridiculous. Today apple app/site wouldn't reload. Order went in 9 mins later. Glad I still got next Friday pick up. Been using IUP last 3 years. They should at least let us pre order the day before I guess.

The worst ever was when it was at 3AM ET and the servers melted down. I didn't get my order through until after 5AM. Fun times.

I've been in the Upgrade Program since the very first year, and that first year is the only time I've ever had a hard pull (and I monitor my credit with all 3 bureaus closely). My experience might not be everyone's experience, but I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having a hard pull every year.

Exactly. If you've been previously approved *and* you pay your bill every month on time a hard pull every year would make no sense.

 

[cannono]

I’ve never had a hard pull since the first one and I’ve been on it since the second year they had it.

 

[dstew201]

While I agree that IUP members should not get priority; I have been an IUP member since the first year and have only had two hard credit pulls. The first year and then two years ago with the iPhone 12. Same experience with my wife.

Hmmm.. This was my second time getting a hard pull since joining, and I didn’t really appreciate it. My account has always been in good standing, perhaps I missed something in the fine print. Oh well, as long as I can get at least 40- 50% back on a trade in I’m going to bypass the program… plus makes exchanges a lot easier than have to close and open a new loan.

Also, with the incremental updates I may keep my phone longer than a year…

 

[dstew201]

I've been in the Upgrade Program since the very first year, and that first year is the only time I've ever had a hard pull (and I monitor my credit with all 3 bureaus closely). My experience might not be everyone's experience, but I don't think I've ever heard of anyone having a hard pull every year.

I stand corrected… I’ve only had 2 hard pulls since joining the iup ( the very first app and for this release).

 

[MisterSavage]

I stand corrected… I’ve only had 2 hard pulls since joining the iup ( the very first app and for this release).

No worries. It's a common misconception. Seen several people say it on here.

 

[Mlrollin91]

I stand corrected… I’ve only had 2 hard pulls since joining the iup ( the very first app and for this release).

No worries. It's a common misconception. Seen several people say it on here.

I remember back to either the second or third year of the IUP, another member and I got into a very heated debate about credit checks. She claimed that she worked for a bank and said that there is no way a bank would create a new loan without a new credit check. It wasn't until another dozen or so members also stated they did not have another check that she finally gave in.

My guess is they run a soft check first and if something looks funky they do a full pull. The last time I was pulled was my final year of law school so I had student loans plus an additional private bar loan, which caused my score to tank quite a bit. No additional credit checks since then.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

100% agree. I’m not on the upgrade program (though I should be since I’ve been upgrading each year), but those on the program should have benefits such as an early ordering period.

 

[Cryates]

They give everyone a laundry list of paths to choose from for what they can financially afford and/or plan for. One should not get higher priority for choosing one of those paths.

And I use the iPhone Upgrade Program.

 

[Mlrollin91]

100% agree. I’m not on the upgrade program (though I should be since I’ve been upgrading each year), but those on the program should have benefits such as an early ordering period.

In all fairness, we do have a benefit. We can do a pre-approval. If one does the pre-approval, its super easy to checkout. Once the store was live, it took me less than 20 seconds to checkout. All I had to do was confirm my phone choice, select whether I wanted pickup or delivery and then click "place order."

I'm aware there were a bunch of errors and everyone's experience does not mirror my own. However, the pre-approval process for IUP has certainly been a benefit over the years.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

In all fairness, we do have a benefit. We can do a pre-approval. If one does the pre-approval, its super easy to checkout. Once the store was live, it took me less than 20 seconds to checkout. All I had to do was confirm my phone choice, select whether I wanted pickup or delivery and then click "place order."

I'm aware there were a bunch of errors and everyone's experience does not mirror my own. However, the pre-approval process for IUP has certainly been a benefit over the years.

Good to know. I’ve just been paying full price for mine through the years, but this might be a better option.

 

[Mlrollin91]

Good to know. I’ve just been paying full price for mine through the years, but this might be a better option.

I certainly prefer the IUP over any other options. Yes, there is the occasional credit check risk, but that's the only adverse credit impact.

I don't like the 0% interest Apple Card option because it looks like the entire loan amount is "credit used" and its revolving. Although its 0% interest, it "feels" worse than a single credit hit.

If you know you are going to upgrade yearly, IUP is the easiest. No hassle.