AT&T iPhone 4S Pre-Order Status Thread

[fotofan]

Yes

You're missing the point. The issue is with the pre-order process. They are supposed to be first come first served. There are those who ordered on the 8th (Saturday) and have their phones already and then there are those who ordered as soon as pre-orders were allowed and do NOT have their phones.

Since mine was on Saturday, the only issue I have is being UNABLE to track my order in any way other than to call AT&T and hope they aren't lying to me when they say my order is in place.

Here is the deal. The store pre-orders were not put into the same cue as the online and phone in orders. The stores are each given an allotment of phones. Many or most of the stores were given the option to immediately back order the locked in pre-order customers and save their allotment for walk-in customers. They expected big lines and to quickly sell out. They rationalized with customers like me that by pre-ordering we were avoiding lines, which never materialized. So they were in the awkward situation of pre-order customers walking in and being unable to explain why the phones they had behind the counter couldn't be sold to them. Absurd. Some manager's reversed course at some point Friday as corporate decided to allow a process of canceling these back orders. But not all manager's did. They wanted to maximize their sales. Greedy, stupid decision. It will come back to haunt them at the next go around.

 

[ddixon752]

Same here - went to AT&T Store to cancel order, but they don't have anything but 64gb in stock, nor does any store within 25 miles. I did let them know that I did not appreciate the fact that they did not tell me on Oct. 7 (10:30 AM EST) when I pre-ordered that they would be selling on the 14th to walk-in customers and making me wait. I've only been with them since 2007, have bought 6 iPhones, and pay almost $200 per month on a family plan.

They said they would pass along the message.

Hmm, is Verizon's coverage area still better? I am now retired, and most of my data usage is at home on wifi, so maybe the slower Verizon data is not as high a priority for me now....just thinkin'

 

[Xer0dIn]

Here is the deal. The store pre-orders were not put into the same cue as the online and phone in orders. The stores are each given an allotment of phones. Many or most of the stores were given the option to immediately back order the locked in pre-order customers and save their allotment for walk-in customers. They expected big lines and to quickly sell out. They rationalized with customers like me that by pre-ordering we were avoiding lines, which never materialized. So they were in the awkward situation of pre-order customers walking in and being unable to explain why the phones they had behind the counter couldn't be sold to them. Absurd. Some manager's reversed course at some point Friday as corporate decided to allow a process of canceling these back orders. But not all manager's did. They wanted to maximize their sales. Greedy, stupid decision. It will come back to haunt them at the next go around.

I'm lucky that the manager at the store I went to decided to backtrack and let me cancel my pre-orders. He told me that they received 6x more phones than they had expected. I don't know if that was a lie, maybe it wasn't, but I didn't believe him that he didn't know how much stock his store was getting. Still, it was ridiculous I wasn't told that pre-ordering on 10/7 in the store, I wouldn't get one on launch day. There wasn't any line in the store on the 14th. I showed up at my store on the 14th about 1pm. I was greeted by the manager when I walked in, canceled my pre-orders, then he took me to a rep at the counter where I bought two iPhone 4s.

 

[Xer0dIn]

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Also, I'm going to have to call At&t today. I told the rep to make sure my grandfathered unlimited data didn't go away. He said it didnt. But sure is showing online that I'm on the 2gb $25 month Plan. Great.....

 

[nomadmtb]

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Also, I'm going to have to call At&t today. I told the rep to make sure my grandfathered unlimited data didn't go away. He said it didnt. But sure is showing online that I'm on the 2gb $25 month Plan. Great.....

I was actually all set up to order early on the 7th online when I decided to order it in store. I didn't want to mess up my accounts. My unlimited plan is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[Xer0dIn]

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Also, I'm going to have to call At&t today. I told the rep to make sure my grandfathered unlimited data didn't go away. He said it didnt. But sure is showing online that I'm on the 2gb $25 month Plan. Great.....

I was actually all set up to order early on the 7th online when I decided to order it in store. I didn't want to mess up my accounts. My unlimited plan is worth it's weight in gold.

That's exactly why I did an in store pre order. But they still screwed it up.

 

[fotofan]

I'm lucky that the manager at the store I went to decided to backtrack and let me cancel my pre-orders. He told me that they received 6x more phones than they had expected. I don't know if that was a lie, maybe it wasn't, but I didn't believe him that he didn't know how much stock his store was getting. Still, it was ridiculous I wasn't told that pre-ordering on 10/7 in the store, I wouldn't get one on launch day. There wasn't any line in the store on the 14th. I showed up at my store on the 14th about 1pm. I was greeted by the manager when I walked in, canceled my pre-orders, then he took me to a rep at the counter where I bought two iPhone 4s.

I had gone to the store around the same time in Westfield NJ ( around 12:30 PM) on the 14th and was told they could not cancel the pre-order. I haven't had time to get back there. I was about to give it another go at lunchtime. But I just received an email that I would be contacted by the end of the day tomorrow by a rep who would resolve my problem. This email was the fourth email in a series of emails starting Thursday (when the handwriting was on the wall regarding this asinine in-store pre-order back-order policy). I was contacted by a different rep on the last email, so I assume I was handed up to another more senior manager who actually has the power to do something for me. I think I'll just wait for that contact, since my last go around at the store ended rather badly (I was chewing out the poor rep who had to enforce the idiot manager's policy decisions). As long as I know it will get shipped in the next few days I'll be happy. My wife can't wait another month because her three year old 3G iphone dies half way through the business day now.

 

[frankly]

I think the 32 is what they're ordering the least of, even more rare are the white ones.. sadly that's what I ordered. They ordered the most 64s I think, which is stupid. Absolutely idiotic. In this economy, they're lucky those 64s are selling as well as they are..smh

A couple of things to think about in regards to the 64GB iPhones.

1. There are a lot of power users like me that were hoping for a 64GB model when the iPhone 4 was released last summer. We jumped on the 64GB this year.
2. It is smart business to have more of the 64 than the 32. As badly as many people want these phones you don't think that a ton of people will easily justify spending an extra $100 to be able to walk out with the phone as opposed to sticking with the 32GB and waiting who knows how long?

 

[gsvar2004]

finally got a CSR to put a request for cancel to the direct fulfillment team.

now i have to wait for a response. Hopefully the response doesnt take 21-28 days.

 

[djransom]

finally got a CSR to put a request for cancel to the direct fulfillment team.

now i have to wait for a response. Hopefully the response doesnt take 21-28 days.

Everytime I see that wait time I do a heavy sigh

 

[wkathym]

Four days ahead of original date

Just got notified that my iPhone (White, 64GB) has an estimated delivery date of October 20. That's 4 days ahead of the original delivery date. I finally can get rid of my iPhone 3G. yay!

 

[spizike231]

A couple of things to think about in regards to the 64GB iPhones.

1. There are a lot of power users like me that were hoping for a 64GB model when the iPhone 4 was released last summer. We jumped on the 64GB this year.
2. It is smart business to have more of the 64 than the 32. As badly as many people want these phones you don't think that a ton of people will easily justify spending an extra $100 to be able to walk out with the phone as opposed to sticking with the 32GB and waiting who knows how long?

But do you define "a lot" to be enough to underestimate how many people would want smaller GB phones, and overestimate how many people will want the 64? They're sitting in AT&T stores all over the place, while barely and 32 and 16GB models are to be found.

I know that I wouldn't want to pay $100 more for 64 GB of phone memory that i know i won't use. I'm not even done with my 16GBs after all this time of owning my iPhone 3G, so 32GB will last me even longer most likely. For most of us, we know what model we want and are sticking to it. SOME of us on the other hand are willing to give in to AT&T's strategies. (Still not nearly enough to make up for the number of 64s they ordered compared to others)

 

[YoManStation]

Just got notified that my iPhone (White, 64GB) has an estimated delivery date of October 20. That's 4 days ahead of the original delivery date. I finally can get rid of my iPhone 3G. yay!

Where did you order? store? nobody has any update in store order yet. or did you order from apple? or at&t online?

 

[None Such]

the AT&T store didn't get any iphones in today. I think I'm done with this, i'm tired of calling around, going into stores etc and obsessing about something that I paid $330 a week in advance for(and signing a 2 year contract). I'll just wait for it to be delivered and get on with my life. I just hope it isn't in 2 weeks. Congrats AT&T you win.

 

[djransom]

the AT&T store didn't get any iphones in today. I think I'm done with this, i'm tired of calling around, going into stores etc and obsessing about something that I paid $330 a week in advance for(and signing a 2 year contract). I'll just wait for it to be delivered and get on with my life. I just hope it isn't in 2 weeks. Congrats AT&T you win.

I think this is the attitude that most of us have already taken on or will take on as this drags on. I'm just hoping for the best and preparing for the west.

 

[frankly]

But do you define "a lot" to be enough to underestimate how many people would want smaller GB phones, and overestimate how many people will want the 64? They're sitting in AT&T stores all over the place, while barely and 32 and 16GB models are to be found.

I know that I wouldn't want to pay $100 more for 64 GB of phone memory that i know i won't use. I'm not even done with my 16GBs after all this time of owning my iPhone 3G, so 32GB will last me even longer most likely. For most of us, we know what model we want and are sticking to it. SOME of us on the other hand are willing to give in to AT&T's strategies. (Still not nearly enough to make up for the number of 64s they ordered compared to others)

If you are moving from a 3G to a 4S I think that you are highly underestimating your use of your new phone. I've had the 3G, 3GS, 4, and now 4S. There are three things that you should know when deciding what size you need.

1. The quality of the photos that the 4 took compared to my 3GS (and for my wife compared to her 3G) were SO MUCH BETTER that we found ourselves taking about two orders of magnitude more photos with the 4. The 4S takes even better photos and takes them 3-4x as fast as the 4 so I will likely take even more photos with it.
2. Each photo taken by the 4S is MUCH LARGER in file size than those taken by your 3G so even if you took the same number of photos you would need 4x the amount of storage for photos. If you take 10x or 100x the number of photos as I've done then you will need 40x or 400x the amount of storage.
3. Video, not only will you be taking video with your 4S but it is 1080p video. You will need plenty of storage for it.

People who underestimate the amount of storage they need will be disappointed. Better to spend an extra $100 now than be disappointed for two or three years.

Frank

 

[b1scu1t]

How big is a 1 min video in the 4gs?

If you are moving from a 3G to a 4S I think that you are highly underestimating your use of your new phone. I've had the 3G, 3GS, 4, and now 4S. There are three things that you should know when deciding what size you need.

1. The quality of the photos that the 4 took compared to my 3GS (and for my wife compared to her 3G) were SO MUCH BETTER that we found ourselves taking about two orders of magnitude more photos with the 4. The 4S takes even better photos and takes them 3-4x as fast as the 4 so I will likely take even more photos with it.
2. Each photo taken by the 4S is MUCH LARGER in file size than those taken by your 3G so even if you took the same number of photos you would need 4x the amount of storage for photos. If you take 10x or 100x the number of photos as I've done then you will need 40x or 400x the amount of storage.
3. Video, not only will you be taking video with your 4S but it is 1080p video. You will need plenty of storage for it.

People who underestimate the amount of storage they need will be disappointed. Better to spend an extra $100 now than be disappointed for two or three years.

Frank

 

[voyagerd]

My phone should be delivered this Wednesday.. however the UPS tracking number isn't showing up as valid yet.

 

[Gleemen]

So was told my order was completed on the 7th and have called every day since then to confirm. Called today and found out they never completed the order on their end. So they credited my account with $25 bucks and given priority shipping. Extremely mad. So basically I wont get it for a while. Thanks at&t.

 

[spizike231]

If you are moving from a 3G to a 4S I think that you are highly underestimating your use of your new phone. I've had the 3G, 3GS, 4, and now 4S. There are three things that you should know when deciding what size you need.

1. The quality of the photos that the 4 took compared to my 3GS (and for my wife compared to her 3G) were SO MUCH BETTER that we found ourselves taking about two orders of magnitude more photos with the 4. The 4S takes even better photos and takes them 3-4x as fast as the 4 so I will likely take even more photos with it.
2. Each photo taken by the 4S is MUCH LARGER in file size than those taken by your 3G so even if you took the same number of photos you would need 4x the amount of storage for photos. If you take 10x or 100x the number of photos as I've done then you will need 40x or 400x the amount of storage.
3. Video, not only will you be taking video with your 4S but it is 1080p video. You will need plenty of storage for it.

People who underestimate the amount of storage they need will be disappointed. Better to spend an extra $100 now than be disappointed for two or three years.

Frank

Indeed good points, but judging from how often i really used my phone camera, 32 GB should be a lot of memory for me. I won't even have music on my 4S because my version of iTunes is too old to connect to it sadly. I will use my old 3G as an iPod. The pictures and videos, plus apps will most likely be the only thing that will take up a majority of my memory. Even then, I can delete the ones I am done and over with.

I do admit though, I DEFINITELY WILL be using the 4S camera A LOT more than my 3G camera was used. Just because of how fast it is like you said. Just makes it so convenient that it's almost asking to be used all the time.

Still waiting for my phone to come out of back order hell as of this moment, but i did order a 32 GB and am sticking to my thoughts of it being enough memory to last me until I decide to buy a new iPhone. 64GB just seems like wayyy too much memory for me to fill, and if i got it I would feel required to fill it all up or I would feel like I wasted 100 dollars. Guess it's just my opinion.

 

[katniss]

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Also, I'm going to have to call At&t today. I told the rep to make sure my grandfathered unlimited data didn't go away. He said it didnt. But sure is showing online that I'm on the 2gb $25 month Plan. Great.....

You have to call them. I had the same situation. It took someone a level higher up than the first person who answers ATT to set it correctly in my case (my case was complicated, I had the original, 3gs, 4 for 29 days, then original).

I ordered by phone to ATT first morning, ATT messed up not sending me the T and C so this delayed my delivery as they had to reissue the order (which I never knew about until I didn't get the tracking number)

Anyway, after some missteps by ATT, I got my phone today, before 10:30 AM! Activation had to be by phone, they told me, due to my complicated circumstance. Now to figure out how to get my email back... (why is that not synced over).

 

[Dolfanac]

Ordered 16gb white at the ATT store Oct 7 around 11 am and still back ordered. As of today my pending charge is gone though.

 

[jromero9]

does anyone really know when they're going to get these new shipments? im sure it doesnt take 2-4 weeks to make these iphones. i preordered on the 7th and im still getting pissed that i don't have my new phone.

 

[voyagerd]

My phone shipped on the 11th and the charge is not on my card either.

 

[djransom]

does anyone really know when they're going to get these new shipments? im sure it doesnt take 2-4 weeks to make these iphones. i preordered on the 7th and im still getting pissed that i don't have my new phone.

I'm sure they will get some in sometime this week. The question remains how many will they get in and how will they ship them out. It seems like a crap shoot now.