They paid for the phones didn't they? That makes them an actual customer. Kind of a poor attitude. Glad I haven't been to your store.
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Apple Store. Very unprofessional! (Buying the iPhone w/o contract.)
- Thread starter iDentist
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They paid for the phones didn't they? That makes them an actual customer. Kind of a poor attitude. Glad I haven't been to your store.
Because their corporate told them not to sell it? AT&T corporate will make much more money by selling phone to their contract customers. These customers will pay bills and AT&T will make 2000 dollars over period of time. Obviously, you lack of working in a real world. It's not that AT&T employees care. It's about them doing what their corporate tells them to do. If they sell you an iPhone 4 with retail price without an approval, they could lose their jobs. It's simple as that. Take it to the manager.
You are obviously thinking everything as a consumer view, but that is not how it works in retail stores. Just because you are willing to pay for it, that doesn't mean AT&T and Apple has to sell the iphone 4 at full retail price. AT&T and Apple are short on iPhone 4 as it is. Obviously, they are trying to supply their iPhone 4 to their current or new AT&T customers who will pay bills monthly. They will make way more money for both of them. Some people buy iphone 4 from US and sell it 2-3 times more in their own countries as well.
The policy is keep changing. I already read some posts about how people got denied on purchasing iPhone 4 at full retail price at both AT&T and Apple Store.
But you do have AT&T service right? Yes, you do, I have seen you on the AT&T forums. Having AT&T service is why you were able to buy the no contract phone.
I have rarely had a good experience with the West Farms Apple Store.
They always seem to have a bad attitude when you ask them something, like you're bothering them.
I think I might have a problem because I'm younger and people, for some reason unbeknownst to me, seem to dislike younger people. I'm a very pleasant person and will only get an attitude if someone gives me cause to get an attitude.
Story:
I was 16 when this happened. I took my original iPhone to the West Farms mall to get my headphones replaced because the upper part of the headphone (above the clicky thing) had disconnected from the clicky thing. They gave me such a huge spit about it and how it was my fault (it was not) and how the warranty doesn't cover user-damaged headphones, blah blah blah. I told them it wasn't my fault but they refused to believe me.
I took it to the Apple Store at the Danbury Fair Mall and they gave me no trouble whatsoever.
This is but one story from a very dissatisfied customer of Apple, West Farms.
Moral: Screw West Farms, go to Danbury.
No - it's not possible. They've given you the wrong information. You can't buy it outright on the Apple website, and that's usually a good indicator on whether you can buy something in store. Get over it. If you want it so bad, buy it through AT&T with a contract.
If you'e not with AT&T then why do you care if you have the phone anyway?
Just buy the new iPod Touch - it has most of the iPhone 4 features now anyway.
Ditto in Canada.I feel sorry for you guys in the US, here in the UK we can walk into any apple store and buy one off the shelf network unlocked to do as we please
Because some people get off on being in a position of "power" and telling people no. It's just that simple. Go complain to the manager, write to Apple's retail chief, or just go back and find a different person (or go to a different store). What's the big deal?
Because you aren't an AT&T subscriber already.
When you asked if you needed to be a current sub, they said no, because they can set you up on a new contract. Simply buying the phone and not being an AT&T sub already would require a two year contract but if you already have a current contract or already activated line, the price is $599/$699.
There's an Apple Store in Hamden?!?! I'll be pissed if I drove to West Farms every time. I don't think there is.
you didn't ask the complete question....
You needed to ask this question also to the other stores you called :
When I go and buy the iPhone 4, do I need an account w/ AT&T to buy it in the no contract price?
They told you in Danbury for example they would set you up an account w/ AT&T...
You then, had to ask this question after your contract question:
I don't want to be on AT&T, I want to keep X carrier and I just want to buy the phone, do I need to be on AT&T to be able to buy it in the non-contract pricing?
The questions and answers given were true since you were talking about contracts (which you don't need and can decide later) which is completely different from them telling you that you need to be an AT&T subscriber in order to buy the device...
Once you are w/ AT&T as your carrier, you can buy it w/out contract and decide later what plan to pick... There was a memo for the 3G & 3GS to be sold like you wanted some time ago, but when the iPhone 4 came out, they went back to the rule of the person having to be an AT&T subscriber....
You needed to ask this question also to the other stores you called :
When I go and buy the iPhone 4, do I need an account w/ AT&T to buy it in the no contract price?
They told you in Danbury for example they would set you up an account w/ AT&T...
You then, had to ask this question after your contract question:
I don't want to be on AT&T, I want to keep X carrier and I just want to buy the phone, do I need to be on AT&T to be able to buy it in the non-contract pricing?
The questions and answers given were true since you were talking about contracts (which you don't need and can decide later) which is completely different from them telling you that you need to be an AT&T subscriber in order to buy the device...
Once you are w/ AT&T as your carrier, you can buy it w/out contract and decide later what plan to pick... There was a memo for the 3G & 3GS to be sold like you wanted some time ago, but when the iPhone 4 came out, they went back to the rule of the person having to be an AT&T subscriber....
when i bought a 16GB for my wife a month ago there was a guy in front of me who was almost refused because supposedly he bought 2 that morning.
people are buying them off contract to JB/unlock and fleabay them
Are you high ?
From the third transcript :
- I have a question regarding iPhone 4? Can I buy it without a contract, but do I have to be an AT&T customer?
- No. You can come from Verizon and we can get you a new contract with AT&T.
Isn't it obvious that you need to be an existing/new AT&T post-paid/contract customer to buy the iP4 outright in the US ?
While I believe the existence of rude [mostly stupid IMO] reps [or so called Geniuses lol], you're whole argument about being denied an iP4 @ retail is BS because you unable to comprehend a simple logic!!
Try another store and hope for a more *willing* Rep, or hit up Craigs or Fleabay!
hey if they don't want to sell you the phone why do you want it? take your money elseware. you're not welcome there, take the hint.
I am a T-Mobile customer and I walked into an Apple store the day after it came out, paid $599, and walked out no questions asked. If you are paying full price, they don't really care.
Looking at your previous posts on the Canada iPhone thread I assume you bought it from Canada; the discussion here is buying it in the US Apple Store...
Nope, didn't buy it in Canada, although I wanted to because it is factory unlocked there and I don't have to do a soft unlock using ultrasnow. But, looking at the prices on ebay for a Canadian one being over $1,000, I'm glad I didn't.
I bought it in a Apple store in Atlanta.
Why are many ppl on this forum so protective of Apple? I don't see the OP has misinterpreted or missed any information while posting here OR calling Apple.
For those who have had iPhones and known how the AT&T contract works, it is "obvious" that you can't buy an unlocked phone without being an existing AT&T customer. However, it's NOT in the category of "common sense." It's not something ppl just SHOULD know...
When asking the rep if he can just walk into the store and get an unlocked phone, the rep SHOULD say, yes, but you have to be an existing AT&T customer. The fact that the rep ONLY said yes without any condition is misleading. Apple might just be trying to bring more customers to store, hoping that most of these customers who want unlocked phones would leave with a locked one by signing a contract... Or that the person answering the phone's simply not knowledgeable enough on the matter.
HOWEVER, I guess all stores are different. I also called in a while ago, asking about purchasing an unlocked phone for a friend from another country who's visiting me in the States. The rep said they did not sell unlocked phones w/o a contract. I asked if other stores have and if there's ANYway to get one, the rep said NO, very firmly. There's currently no way to get an iPhone without contract. My friend nonetheless wanted to check it out in store. We went. A "genius" came over. I explained the situation. He said, sure, but the price is a lot higher, blabla... My friend wanted one right away. The "genius" went in, came out telling us the same old story -- Sorry, we don't sell it without an AT&T contract. I guess SOME "geniuses" are too new to know what they're doing...
Stop bashing on ppl who have been misled, wasted time and are disappointed. Apple's not perfect. Having an Apple or knowing how everything Apple works means even less...
For those who have had iPhones and known how the AT&T contract works, it is "obvious" that you can't buy an unlocked phone without being an existing AT&T customer. However, it's NOT in the category of "common sense." It's not something ppl just SHOULD know...
When asking the rep if he can just walk into the store and get an unlocked phone, the rep SHOULD say, yes, but you have to be an existing AT&T customer. The fact that the rep ONLY said yes without any condition is misleading. Apple might just be trying to bring more customers to store, hoping that most of these customers who want unlocked phones would leave with a locked one by signing a contract... Or that the person answering the phone's simply not knowledgeable enough on the matter.
HOWEVER, I guess all stores are different. I also called in a while ago, asking about purchasing an unlocked phone for a friend from another country who's visiting me in the States. The rep said they did not sell unlocked phones w/o a contract. I asked if other stores have and if there's ANYway to get one, the rep said NO, very firmly. There's currently no way to get an iPhone without contract. My friend nonetheless wanted to check it out in store. We went. A "genius" came over. I explained the situation. He said, sure, but the price is a lot higher, blabla... My friend wanted one right away. The "genius" went in, came out telling us the same old story -- Sorry, we don't sell it without an AT&T contract. I guess SOME "geniuses" are too new to know what they're doing...
Stop bashing on ppl who have been misled, wasted time and are disappointed. Apple's not perfect. Having an Apple or knowing how everything Apple works means even less...
And you are obviously putting words in my mouth. I did not say Apple or AT&T had to sell you the iPhone for a particular price. I said that Belligerent's claim that customers of his were not "real customers" because they were European and didn't get a plan was unfounded. I have no problem with Apple or AT&T's pricing policies. If they only want to sell to people on plans, that is their business. But if they DO sell them to people without plans, and those people are willing to pay what they ask, they are real customers. Why, and under what circumstances they bought the phone is irrelevant. Period.
Are you sure about that? Do you realize how many international folks descend to Apple Stores in the U.S and buy a whole bunch at a time?
I clearly remember when the iPad was first released, folks from China were trying to grab as many iPads as they could, and send them off overseas for a much higher profit.
There's a reason as to why some Apple employees are protective over their iP4's. With such limited supply, they want to give it to their local customers first. I can't really speak for the OP, but this was the case when the iPad had first come out.
I think the way you approach an Apple store employee or an AT&T employee will very much effect how they treat you. If you are polite and engage in a conversation that allows them to feel good about helping you they most likely will ignore rules that are not heavily enforced.
Today for the first time I was touching and actually used an iPhone 4(made a phone call to mom). My purpose for visiting the store was to open a new AT&T account with and old iPhone purchased on eBay. During my visit I heard some interesting comments as I talked to the AT&T employees. People I have never met before today.
First, if they like you they will sell an iPhone 4 (full price) with no strings attached. Even to non AT&T customers. Remember this is an AT&T store not an Apple store.
Next and I did not know this, but AT&T store policy for NEW AT&T customers is to require a two year contract on ANY iPhone activated in the store. It could be a 1st generation iPhone or an unlocked iPhone 4 purchased from another country. If you do not cancel the contract within the first thirty days you are subject to ETF just as if you bought a subsidized phone. All other previously owned phones could be set up contract free (month to month). I was told this was the result of an agreement Apple made with AT&T. Once again if they like you they will back date your contract so it expires a few days after you agreed to the two year commitment.
I am no one special (wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt) but I did enjoy talking to these people, as a result they appeared willing to bend over backwards to make me happy. Although I did not ask I suspect they would have even removed the activation fee from my new account simply to please me the customer. After I complete my trial use of the 2G phone in my area and if it works satisfactorily I will definitely go back to this store and upgrade to the iPhone 4 with a 2 year agreement. Simply because of the kind treatment I received.
I really believe caring, calm, and respectful conversations with sales people will always be a benefit to the customer. Walking in a store and bluntly saying I WANT THIS or I WAS TOLD THAT in a demanding tone will turn off many sales people and result in them following all the rules.
Today for the first time I was touching and actually used an iPhone 4
(made a phone call to mom). My purpose for visiting the store was to open a new AT&T account with and old iPhone purchased on eBay. During my visit I heard some interesting comments as I talked to the AT&T employees. People I have never met before today.First, if they like you they will sell an iPhone 4 (full price) with no strings attached. Even to non AT&T customers. Remember this is an AT&T store not an Apple store.
Next and I did not know this, but AT&T store policy for NEW AT&T customers is to require a two year contract on ANY iPhone activated in the store. It could be a 1st generation iPhone or an unlocked iPhone 4 purchased from another country. If you do not cancel the contract within the first thirty days you are subject to ETF just as if you bought a subsidized phone. All other previously owned phones could be set up contract free (month to month). I was told this was the result of an agreement Apple made with AT&T. Once again if they like you they will back date your contract so it expires a few days after you agreed to the two year commitment.
I am no one special (wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt) but I did enjoy talking to these people, as a result they appeared willing to bend over backwards to make me happy. Although I did not ask I suspect they would have even removed the activation fee from my new account simply to please me the customer. After I complete my trial use of the 2G phone in my area and if it works satisfactorily I will definitely go back to this store and upgrade to the iPhone 4 with a 2 year agreement. Simply because of the kind treatment I received.
I really believe caring, calm, and respectful conversations with sales people will always be a benefit to the customer. Walking in a store and bluntly saying I WANT THIS or I WAS TOLD THAT in a demanding tone will turn off many sales people and result in them following all the rules.
I mentioned this already but I had no problems buying an iPhone 4 32GB without a contract at an Apple Store. No mention of being an AT&T customer. They did make me pay with a debit card. No problems at all. I know there has been issues with buying iPhones and even iPads with cash, which wasn't the case here. My friend did the same thing a couple of weeks ago with 16GB. I don't know why people keep mentioning you have to be an AT&T customer. It doesn't matter at an Apple Store. If you go to AT&T store then you can still buy an iPhone 4 without contract but they make you sign up with one of those Pay as You Go deals, so you still pay for activation and partial first month. This is from what I read and what others have told me. Buying at an Apple Store should be no problem if they have stock.