I would not cancel, getting a new iPhone will just take longer. It’s possible that it will arrive sooner. Yes I know it’s hard to be patient, but worth doing so.
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Carrier AT&T: iPhone 16/Plus/Pro/Pro Max US Pre-Orders, Orders, and Delivery Status Thread (2024)
- Thread starter joefrank64k
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Yes but if they have plenty in store why would you want to wait another week or two? With lack luster sales preorders should have shipped by now. Instead they are holding them for people who walk in the door.
Well, yes if you could get one that way go for it. Depending on what model and storage size, the 256 gig is the most popular. Those will tend to sell out first. Getting a 1 terabyte like I have or 512 gig Would probably be easier to come by depending on the color. however, if you’re willing to settle for what storage and color they have available, that would be a decision you’ll have to make. But like you said, you’ll have one sooner.
For the record, I was referring to simply processing my trade in device at the store opposed to mailing it back with my original question.
I visited my local AT&T company store yesterday and spoke with the store manager. Here's what I confirmed:
1. The store cannot process the trade-in for my iPhone 16 Pro Max, which I ordered AT&T online, because their system already has the information about the trade-in device I pledged during the order process, including the IMEI. (I'm not entirely sure whether they cannot or simply will not process it.)
2. Since I had already entered the IMEI for my iPhone 14 Pro Max, I asked if I could turn in another eligible device, like an iPhone 12, which also qualifies for the $1,000 credit. The manager suggested contacting AT&T customer service to check, but she couldn’t confirm whether this would be possible.
I will follow up with customer service to inquire about the second question.
Thanks for your first hand update. I have heard today a few reports that if you had already completed your Trade-in information including the IMEI the form was complete and the retail store could not modify the trade-in form.
I also heard from another customer today that if you did not include the IMEI they could still modify the trade-in information.
Do you happen to have multiple AT&T Company owned (Corporate) retail locations in your area that you could try?
I posted earlier in the tread about my previous experience trying an in-store trade-in return. It took me 3 different stores but store 3 took both of my trade-ins. One from AT&T and one from Apple both on a new AT&T Installment agreement.
I will not have a chance before the weekend to post my experience with an in-store trade in...
Dave
I contacted AT&T Trade-In via their chat service (https://tradein.att.com/contact-us).
The representative informed me that they can only cancel my current trade-in, but cannot modify the existing trade-in information. To make changes, I will need to contact AT&T customer service directly. They also mentioned that while in-store trade-ins can be modified by them, local stores cannot change trade-ins processed online.
So, it seems I have two options:
- Contact general customer service to request a modification for my current pledged trade-in of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, for which I provided the IMEI when placing my order on att.com.
- Mail in the iPhone 14 Pro Max as originally pledged to avoid any issues with the trade-in credit.
Your first point seems consistent with what I was told when I did a trade-in at a store for my mother’s phone. I was told at the time that once you start the trade-in online, you have to complete it that way and you can’t then switch to an in-store trade in. If you want to do a trade-in in the store, you have to do the entire process from beginning to end in the store including getting the new phone, trading in the old phone, transferring your info and data to the new phone and activating it. All of it is done right there and then in the store.
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Would you consider returning the new phone and ordering your 16 again but with a different trade in? I’m assuming you can do that, right?
Ok where do you guys live because I’ve called like 5 stores in my area and all tell me to order my phone online and that they haven’t received any stock in stores. Are they lying and just want you to show up?
When did you do the trade-in for your mother's phone. Was it this year?
I have always been able to complete my trade-in via an AT&T Company (Corporate) retail store. My last attempt last did require me to visit 3 location be for they would accept both of my trade-ins.
One ordered directly from AT&T and 1 from Apple on a new AT&T Installment agreement. The 3rd store had no issues with accepting either iPhone to complete the trade-in and print a detailed receipt. I will be visiting the same store again this year and report back this weekend on the outcome.
Note: I did not enter the Trade-in IMEI numbers when I ordered on-line this year with AT&T.
The AT&T retail stores don't have an inventory of the new iPhone models which makes the issue somewhat moot for now. Just to clarify what an in-store purchase, and trade-in must include: Purchase, activation, and trade-in.
You can use an iCloud backup to restore your info and data at home. You just activate the new device as "New" no Quick Start or restore from iCloud backup is required. You just reset the iPhone when you get home using the path Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. Just pick Reset iPhone and the iPhone will launch the Quick Start when it restarts. Yes you will be able to download your eSIM from the AT&T network over Wi-Fi since your new iPhone IMEI was registered to the AT&T network.
Dave
No they are honest. They would love to have the new iPhone models available to sell to you. They will get store inventory later in the rollout.
Dave
Yes, back in February.
That's the only trade-in I've ever done in person. I would have done it online. I even called to see how soon would it be completed if I did it online but my mother needed a replacement immediately so that meant I had to go into a store and get one same-day. There's a corporate store about 10 minutes away from my house. I'm not sure if I just got lucky that day but they did the trade-in right there in the store. While I was there, that's when I was informed that if I had started it online, they wouldn't have been able to help and I would have had to complete the process as was outlined for online orders.
It was an unlocked phone I had purchased from the Apple Store a few years ago.
Ah there is no option to complete the trade-in in store when ordering from AT&T online. If you know where / how that would be a breakthrough.
Dave
Well I couldn’t wait so I stared my return today because I hate desert titanium and my new dates are between oct 7~21 think it could move up?
Yes, as mentioned by other folks, the online ordering page gives you the option to submit your old devices in a store. By default, the mail option is selected, so you have to manually change it. The option shows on the very last page where you hit submit. It is an icon that you have to click in the tradein subsection on that last page. Once you click that icon, a popup will show up where you can select in store drop off of your old devices.
EDIT: From your post, it looks like you actually did not go through the ordering process (my apologies if I am wrong). The image you posted seems like a generic stock image, but you do get the option for in-store tradein when actually putting in an order.
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Did you order via the Web or the My AT&T app?
You gave me a good laugh this morning. And Yes you are wrong. Thanks for the Apology in advance.
That Image is not generic it is right from the Order process "Details" from the Web last night. It's odd that they would clearly list as Item 3. Mail back your old phone in the return box but make no mention of an option for a store trade-in...
No I did not save a screenshot of every screen during the pre-order window. I ordered at 7:40 AM ET on September 13th using the My AT&T app since AT&T was early and Apple was late again this year on both the Web and Apple Store app. My order confirmation email was at 7:44 AM ET. I had both my iPhone units saved in my cart from Thursday, September 12th as AT&T has setup for pre-orders. AT&T sent an email...
Last night while looking for this phantom in-store trade-in option. So far I have not walked all the way through the order process flow again since Pre-order. I did notice when using the My AT&T hybrid app Order flow the trade-in process no longer allows me to skip the IMEI step that I was able to skip for the pre-order. The Web order flow still allowed me to skip entering the IMEI for my trade-in.
Dave
So far, this isn't just working.
I filled out the form on Apple.com to reserve a phone. I made sure I chose that i was going to finance through AT&T. There was nothing I could choose to specify that I was financing through AT&T with their trade-in promotion. But I assumed that once I got the phone that AT&T would contact me with next steps. That's what you said. And I even called Apple in advance of my appointment to make sure that when I pick up the phone that AT&T would be in touch with details on any trade-in/financing.
We picked up the phone last night, and my son has activated it.
Crickets. I went to att.com and it just says I am financing it for 36 months period. There's nothing about a pending trade-in. I am waiting for a callback from AT&T customer service to try to make this work. I don't want to pay for it in full. We bought this phone intending to get it "for free" with trade-in and 36-month lock-in. Frustrated!
If you only "Reserved" an iPhone an in-store purchase all steps should have been completed in-store. Yes that includes your trade-in and Activation of the new iPhone on an AT&T Installment agreement.
There are no next steps until you go back to the Apple store and have them complete all the steps properly and process your trade-in.
You should have not paid the full retail price for the iPhone. Only the taxes on the full price. The sale should have been processed an AT&T Carrier Installment contract.
Sounds like a trip back to the Apple store will be required. The Apple individual that processed your purchase did not complete all the steps. In your situation your trade-in is normally processed directly with Apple.
You still can but you need work with your local Apple store so that you get the up to $1000 in month credits on your AT&T bill.
Note: it may take 1-2 billing cycles for your monthly credit to show on your bill but for example if it takes 2 billing cycles then you will get both credits nothing is lost in the process.
Dave