Apple won't delay activation -- any solution?

[Xenc]

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The only way to delay activation is to buy it off-contract.

What is this American Apple Store madness! They won't let you leave the Store with your iPhone, even if you've paid for it? Surely if you were in a rush they'd allow you to activate it on your own?

 

[brand]

But that's not really the point anyway... the point is that there should be a way Apple can accommodate this situation, and they won't do it.

He is an adult so he needs to be treated as such. He's in the middle of a military establishment so he is safe. If you need to get ahold of him get the number of a friend or of the unit that he is assigned to. It might do him good if you were not calling him every day. Why should there be a way for Apple to accommodate this situation? Because you said so? Who decides what situations Apple should accommodate?

 

[vitzr]

I have 4S reserved at Apple Store. It's for my son, who is at Marine base in CA. I am going out there from MN next week and wanted to bring it to him. But the store says the phone gets activated as soon as I purchase, and I don't want his old phone dead until I get there. Called AT&T and they said he could go to their store and buy new SIM card to use until I arrive... but he can't get off base. Does anyone who of any way to delay activation or to keep his old phone working? Thanks!

(I accidentally posted previously in wrong forum... hope not being bad by reposting here.)

I like the Apple Store for everything Apple BUT iPhones. They're just to rigid, and unwilling to help. Plus they're not able to help with carrier issues.

Buy the phone at AT&T, they're great at accommodating your needs. Easier, faster (less time in the store) and more locations to help you.

 

[mntentman]

He is an adult so he needs to be treated as such. He's in the middle of a military establishment so he is safe. If you need to get ahold of him get the number of a friend or of the unit that he is assigned to. It might do him good if you were not calling him every day. Why should there be a way for Apple to accommodate this situation? Because you said so? Who decides what situations Apple should accommodate?

Of course he's safe. And I could figure out a way to reach him if I had to. But we're really getting far away from my original point, which was simply this: You buy a phone from Apple online and have it delivered to your house; then you activate it. Why can't you buy a phone from Apple at their store and activate it when you get home?

 

[brand]

Why can't you buy a phone from Apple at their store and activate it when you get home?

Store Policy.

 

[mntentman]

Store Policy.

And really, that's what it comes down to. It doesn't make sense to me, but that's what it is. I understand the whole issue of people never activating, etc. etc. I get that. But they obviously have safeguards for that when you buy online, so I don't see why it is different. But it is.

 

[vincent6396]

Do you need to buy from Apple? Why not from AT&T or other stores that sells Iphones like Walmart, Target, Bestbuy or Radio Shack? Pretty sure 1 of those store would help you.

 

[mntentman]

Do you need to buy from Apple? Why not from AT&T or other stores that sells Iphones like Walmart, Target, Bestbuy or Radio Shack? Pretty sure 1 of those store would help you.

Can't find any local with stock.

 

[marksman]

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he'd still have no phone for three days. Too long.

Do they not have landline phones where he is stationed? I don't see why he can't go with out a phone for three days in the military. I was in the Marine Corps so I know it is entirely possible.

Yeah people did manage to live before cell phones. Since he is not leaving the base at all it seems a minor inconvenience.

Op how about you pick up a phone at the palm springs store and drive it to him. I think that is what others meant and not that your son get it there.

If his duties on the base require a cellphone would not one be provided to him?

 

[jekyoo]

Apple stores are total dicks about activating it at the store. There is absolutely no benefit for them or the consumer to have it activated immediately. The only time I've seen them allow people to take it home to activate it is during launch days when they're unable to activate it at the stores.

It's been beaten to death but if you want to get it be activate it at another time... your only option is to by it at AT&T, a 3rd party retailer or online. They all allow you to open it and activate it at a later time.

 

[mntentman]

Story has a happy ending. Best Buy showed stock at one of my local stores, so I was there at opening and got the phone. They only had two... but one was enough. And absolutely no issue about not activating it.

 

[green86]

Do they not have landline phones where he is stationed? I don't see why he can't go with out a phone for three days in the military. I was in the Marine Corps so I know it is entirely possible.

Just because YOU can't see a problem doesnt mean that there isn't one... sheesh

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He is an adult so he needs to be treated as such. He's in the middle of a military establishment so he is safe. If you need to get ahold of him get the number of a friend or of the unit that he is assigned to. It might do him good if you were not calling him every day. Why should there be a way for Apple to accommodate this situation? Because you said so? Who decides what situations Apple should accommodate?

Not you thankfully

 

[radiotowers]

I'm surprised to hear so many Apple Stores won't allow you to activate at home. I picked up my reserved phone at my local Apple Store yesterday and asked if I could just activate at home. (I had my 3 year old with me and it took long enough for them to track down the phone in the back; didn't really want to stand around for another 15 minutes with a toddler - he's pretty patient for his age, but still - while they futzed around with activation). The store employee said, "Sure, if you want." and I walked out with the receipt 10 seconds later.

Glad it all ended well for you, though!

 

[mntentman]

I'm surprised to hear so many Apple Stores won't allow you to activate at home. I picked up my reserved phone at my local Apple Store yesterday and asked if I could just activate at home. (I had my 3 year old with me and it took long enough for them to track down the phone in the back; didn't really want to stand around for another 15 minutes with a toddler - he's pretty patient for his age, but still - while they futzed around with activation). The store employee said, "Sure, if you want." and I walked out with the receipt 10 seconds later.

Glad it all ended well, though!

If I have learned anything from dealing with Apple Stores, it's that they are all different, and often depends on the individual employee. Daughter's phone had headphone jack broken off in it... one store said "too bad," the next gave her a new phone free of charge. Just one example.

 

[XXFirefighter]

I bought mine from Verizon.
Had it shipped to Ca. They won't ship to Alaska.
I had my roomate activate it. And he had to send it to me fedex.
If I had it shipped right here it wouldn't have worked, no VZW network to activate on.
I just had my cell number forwarded to google voice number and I used my iPad on ATT network for phone calls.