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AT&T In Store Activation Rumors False?

C

chicagdan

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 3, 2002
723
0
Chicago, IL
I decided to do some in-store research about some of the AT&T new iPhone rumors, so I walked two blocks to the Michigan Avenue Apple Store, then two blocks more to the nearest AT&T store.

The Apple Store employee said they hadn't received much information about the new iPhones, but the one thing he knew for sure is that activation would continue to happen via iTunes.

I was skeptical ... but the AT&T store employee told me the same thing ... not much information, but the rumors of in-store activation were false, activation would continue to go through iTunes.

For what it's worth ...
 
Possible. And if you don't activate in say 30 days, you get whacked for the extra $200. Who knows.
 
chicagdan said:
I decided to do some in-store research about some of the AT&T new iPhone rumors, so I walked two blocks to the Michigan Avenue Apple Store, then two blocks more to the nearest AT&T store.

The Apple Store employee said they hadn't received much information about the new iPhones, but the one thing he knew for sure is that activation would continue to happen via iTunes.

I was skeptical ... but the AT&T store employee told me the same thing ... not much information, but the rumors of in-store activation were false, activation would continue to go through iTunes.

For what it's worth ...
Click to expand...

I would take that with a grain of salt as that same rep also told you that they hadn't received much info about the new iPhones. On another note, I went to the store yesterday to pick up a case for my current iPhone and it's a very nice, but I still like the one in Orland Park much better. Gotta love :apple:
 
The only reason I am starting to believe these rumors is because of the 30 day activation penalty.

If you HAVE to activate it in the store, why the hell would At&t institute a penalty for not activating after 30 days? How would it even be possible to not activate for more than 30 days?

The concept is like trying to shove a square peg in a circular hole. It just doesn't make sense.
 
CrazEtooN said:
The only reason I am starting to believe these rumors is because of the 30 day activation penalty. If you HAVE to activate it in the store, why the hell would At&t institute a penalty for not activating after 30 days? How would it even be possible to not activate for more than 30 days? The concept is like trying to shove a square peg in a circular hole. It just doesn't make sense.
Click to expand...

Well, some folks will just buy the 3G iPhone and turn around and sell it, don't you think? :confused:
 
On the other hand the activations could still go through iTunes...just in the store. Maybe an employee has to enter their employee code this time.
 
Whatever the exact process is, you will not be able to leave the Apple or AT&T store with a 3G iPhone without signing on for a 2 year agreement. I would expect that a credit check and a credit card will be required.
 
I spoke to an AT&T salesman yesterday and he told me that the 3g iPhone will not leave the store until it is activated and paid for.
 
SFStateStudent said:
Well, some folks will just buy the 3G iPhone and turn around and sell it, don't you think? :confused:
Click to expand...

I don't know the stipulations of the "penalty." I am just saying I can't understand them threatening a penalty for a situation that should, technically, never arise since the device is supposed to be activated in-store.

I think we are just going to have to wait out the official word from At&t. I personally can't believe that the device was OFFICIALLY announced WITH price AND release date on Monday, yet there are still rumors circling it. I can't comprehend how Apple could have a release data and price point set for the WWDC, yet At&t can't get their stuff together.

The vast majority of negativity towards this announcement stems from At&t's dropping of the ball, not Apple. (not including the $30 data; I don't see that as wrong, nor a problem)
 
CrazEtooN said:
The vast majority of negativity towards this announcement stems from At&t's dropping of the ball, not Apple. (not including the $30 data; I don't see that as wrong, nor a problem)
Click to expand...

I don't see it as a problem for me, since I qualify for the upgrade on my iPhone to the 3G iPhone. I think this is due to my 2-year contract expiring in about 14 days, and AT&T wants to keep my business. As I stated in another thread, a bump in the data plan is not a big deal with me, but I'm sure it will be for many others. So, I'll head out to the San Francisco, California or Emeryville, California Apple Store and make my purchase on 07.11.2008, all the wiser.
 
SFStateStudent said:
I don't see it as a problem for me, since I qualify for the upgrade on my iPhone to the 3G iPhone. I think this is due to my 2-year contract expiring in about 14 days, and AT&T wants to keep my business. As I stated in another thread, a bump in the data plan is not a big deal with me, but I'm sure it will be for many others. So, I'll head out to the San Francisco, California or Emeryville, California Apple Store and make my purchase on 07.11.2008, all the wiser.
Click to expand...

I'm with you 100%. I am just not upgrade eligible, so I am eagerly waiting for finalized information that should have been available on Monday...
 
jrbdmb said:
Whatever the exact process is, you will not be able to leave the Apple or AT&T store with a 3G iPhone without signing on for a 2 year agreement. I would expect that a credit check and a credit card will be required.
Click to expand...

There's absolutely no need to run a credit check for existing iPhone users.
 
SPECULATION:

Possibly there are 2 steps to the contract/activation process -- ie. something that you have to do in store, whether it be AT&T or Apple Store (credit check, sign 2yr contract on the dotted line, pay deposit, whatever...) combined with the actual iTunes activation at home. Just a thought...
 
jrbdmb said:
Whatever the exact process is, you will not be able to leave the Apple or AT&T store with a 3G iPhone without signing on for a 2 year agreement. I would expect that a credit check and a credit card will be required.
Click to expand...

That is absolutely ridiculous.
 
From TUAW:

The iPhone 3G activation saga is quite confusing. Most people think that Apple and AT&T will require iPhone activations on the spot, thereby cutting into a big part of the unlocked iPhone phenomenon. However, this AP report suggests that there will be a way for people to get unactivated iPhones, the only catch being AT&T will slap a penalty on you if you don't activate your iPhone within 30 days. The amount of the penalty, or how AT&T will even know who you are since your iPhone wasn't activated, is unclear.

Let's hope that all this confusion clears up a little closer to the iPhone 3G's release.
Click to expand...
 
Never mind ...

http://gizmodo.com/5014909/att-memo-to-retail-managers-shows-iphone-3g-policy

This Gizmodo story makes it pretty clear that both the Apple and AT&T Store employees I talked to didn't know what they were talking about. Interesting stuff from the AT&T memo here ... alludes to the possibility that after you accept the terms and conditions and new rate plan, you might be able to walk out of the Apple Store with a bricked 3G phone and finish the activation at home via iTunes:

The new 3G device will be activated in store in both AT&T and Apple stores. Customers must accept AT&T and Apple Ts & Cs, sign a 2-year agreement, and select the data plan for the iPhone 3G before leaving the store. The current iTunes activation process will no longer be required for iPhone 3Gs, however a short tether process to unbrick the 3G device will be performed in all AT&T stores (tether cords will be provided). Apple stores will also perform this tether process, however in the event that a customer's device is not tethered in the Apple store, their device will be inoperable until they get home and tether through iTunes. Prepaid and Pick Your Plan will not be allowed on the 3G device.

The SSK has been modified to allow customers interested in the iPhone 3G to enter their information, select rate plans and data plans, and print a document that will allow COR reps to quickly access the customer's information in OPUS and save time for data entry in the activation process.
Click to expand...
 
SFStateStudent said:
That's right CD; I think that applies to all AT&T existing customers as well. :cool:
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Everyone has the option for a pre-paid plan with NO contract, on every device.....including the iPhone.

The REQUIRED 2 year service contract was bogus last year and its bogus now.
 
As someone who has never had a cell phone plan before, could someone explain why AT&T would limit eligibility for an upgrade? Basically a person is asking to give AT&T MORE money, but AT&T is saying "no."

That doesn't make sense to me. The only reason I can think of is perhaps if the original phone is subsidized, but the original iphone wasn't.
 
gnortenjones said:
As someone who has never had a cell phone plan before, could someone explain why AT&T would limit eligibility for an upgrade? Basically a person is asking to give AT&T MORE money, but AT&T is saying "no."

That doesn't make sense to me. The only reason I can think of is perhaps if the original phone is subsidized, but the original iphone wasn't.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it all comes down to the subsidy. AT&T is losing money on every iPhone it sells ... it does that so it can keep making boatloads of money on the contracts and data plans. What they don't want is for someone to keep coming in and buying a subsidized phone every couple months, then the profit on that customer disappears.
 
gnortenjones said:
As someone who has never had a cell phone plan before, could someone explain why AT&T would limit eligibility for an upgrade? Basically a person is asking to give AT&T MORE money, but AT&T is saying "no."

That doesn't make sense to me. The only reason I can think of is perhaps if the original phone is subsidized, but the original iphone wasn't.
Click to expand...

Because they figure 'We've got you on the rope for another 8 months anyway, might as well juice you for as much money as we can before we sign you for another two years.'
 
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