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AT&T Shipping vs. Apple Shipping

L

Luckymud

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 14, 2010
15
1
Hey folks,

I wanted to pre-order yesterday and have an in-store pick up option, but I couldn't get Apple's site to work for me, so I ended up going with AT&T. But they only ship to your billing address.

I understand that Apple ships Fed Ex overnight with a required in person signature.

Is this the same for AT&T's shipping? Or will they leave it at the front door if I sign one of their door cards while I'm at work?


Thanks
 
Luckymud said:
Hey folks,

I wanted to pre-order yesterday and have an in-store pick up option, but I couldn't get Apple's site to work for me, so I ended up going with AT&T. But they only ship to your billing address.

I understand that Apple ships Fed Ex overnight with a required in person signature.

Is this the same for AT&T's shipping? Or will they leave it at the front door if I sign one of their door cards while I'm at work?


Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm sure it will be the same. If memory serves, I got my 3GS from UPS from Apple.
 
I don't think AT&T requires a signature, if they do you will know once your tracking number is posted as it will be indicated on the carrier site. But then again, you could always just call AT&T and ask.
 
Ordered Premier through ATT, it says
"Shipping Carrier: Unless you are an employee of UPS, USPS or DHL, your shipment should ship via FedEx."
 
Everything I ever order from AT&T need to be signed for, besides, the delivery guy's not dumb, he's knows whats in a package from Apple on the 24th. I'm sure they wont just leave it at your door bro, chill a little, I'm sure you recieved many packages and never worried, right? if so, then why worry now...
 
My AT&T Premier order says:

Shipping Carrier:
Unless you are an employee of UPS, USPS or DHL, your shipment should ship via FedEx.
 
previously i received all of my packages from att via fedex, and on a few occasions the driver just left the package in my backyard (not front door, phew)
 
I was told here that AT&T online pre orders are fulfilled by Apple, and via FedEx.

Either way my premier pre-order said Fed Ex
 
I just spoke with a very courteous, polite and professional individual named Michael at AT&T Customer Service. I say all that as I am amazed they can still be even slightly non-surly after yesterday.... He confirmed my pre-order, confirmed it's shipping FedEx, so that's all good. However, he did say that they won't ship *any* pre-orders until the 24th, so the soonest we will see our phones will be the 25th.

I guess I'll find out next week. I mean, what difference does one day really make?
 
I ordered from AT&T premier website and am having shipped to my work address. Not sure why you had to ship to your billing address.

Also, I remember the UPS guy telling me last year for the 3GS that they were required to get the signature from the person buying the phone--nobody else could sign for it. I'm not sure if this was a UPS policy or an Apple/At&t thing.
 
benlee said:
Also, I remember the UPS guy telling me last year for the 3GS that they were required to get the signature from the person buying the phone--nobody else could sign for it. I'm not sure if this was a UPS policy or an Apple/At&t thing.
Click to expand...

LOL yeah because they ask for proof of I.D. at the door right
 
benlee said:
I ordered from AT&T premier website and am having shipped to my work address. Not sure why you had to ship to your billing address.

Also, I remember the UPS guy telling me last year for the 3GS that they were required to get the signature from the person buying the phone--nobody else could sign for it. I'm not sure if this was a UPS policy or an Apple/At&t thing.
Click to expand...

I can confirm this. I had the option to ship my phone anywhere.

It is the online Apple Store that is currently restricting shipping only to your AT&T billing address.
 
gilkisson said:
I just spoke with a very courteous, polite and professional individual named Michael at AT&T Customer Service. I say all that as I am amazed they can still be even slightly non-surly after yesterday.... He confirmed my pre-order, confirmed it's shipping FedEx, so that's all good. However, he did say that they won't ship *any* pre-orders until the 24th, so the soonest we will see our phones will be the 25th.

I guess I'll find out next week. I mean, what difference does one day really make?
Click to expand...

Yeah, actually that was pretty much my concern. One day makes no difference to me, really. But I'm not home all day on the 25th. Usually UPS will just leave a package at my door step (which is actually behind a gate), but when Fed Ex absolutely requires a sig, they don't.
 
phpmaven said:
I'm sure it will be the same. If memory serves, I got my 3GS from UPS from Apple.
Click to expand...

Maybe they used both carriers because last year on launch day, mine was delivered via FedEX. I missed delivery so I picked it up late afternoon from the 2 mile away FedEX.
 
Luckymud said:
so I ended up going with AT&T. But they only ship to your billing address.
Click to expand...

I went to an AT&T store and they said the same thing. I told them I wouldn't be home and that I'd be at work and wanted to receive the phone when it was delivered and they changed my shipping address, no problem. They were super nice about it.
 
1) I think ONLY premier customers can ship to someone/someplace not your billing address (makes sense as it is supposed to be business oriented)

2) Ships on the 24th?? If it's being sent by apple (which some say) shouldn't we get it on the 24th not the 25th? URGH
 
gilkisson said:
I just spoke with a very courteous, polite and professional individual named Michael at AT&T Customer Service. I say all that as I am amazed they can still be even slightly non-surly after yesterday.... He confirmed my pre-order, confirmed it's shipping FedEx, so that's all good. However, he did say that they won't ship *any* pre-orders until the 24th, so the soonest we will see our phones will be the 25th.

I guess I'll find out next week. I mean, what difference does one day really make?
Click to expand...

If their pre orders are fulfilled by Apple anyway--why is it true nobody sees their phones until the 25th? That's big news if true. The people who ordered early should get their phones the same time very other channel gets them
 
Actually delivery date

Hold on here... First of all ATT ships with FedEX. Secondly this is a signature required drop. Someone must sign for the package for it to be delivered. The driver does have the authority to waive this requirement but will be instructed that this is iPhone day and they should not do this unless their is secure delivery boxes etc... and still they may elect not to.

Now what day should we expect the phone? I was very clearly told that all iPhones ordered via ATT (online and in person) would be shipped for delivery on the 24th.
:confused:
 
Swotz said:
Hold on here... First of all ATT ships with FedEX. Secondly this is a signature required drop. Someone must sign for the package for it to be delivered. The driver does have the authority to waive this requirement but will be instructed that this is iPhone day and they should not do this unless their is secure delivery boxes etc... and still they may elect not to.

Now what day should we expect the phone? I was very clearly told that all iPhones ordered via ATT (online and in person) would be shipped for delivery on the 24th.
:confused:
Click to expand...
yep--if it's in store pick up--that's the 25th...but I was told delivery for the 24th
 
Go to the main page of this site. Per an AT&T official statement, early pre orders will arrive the 24th, late pre orders the 25th and after.
 
gilkisson said:
I just spoke with a very courteous, polite and professional individual named Michael at AT&T Customer Service. I say all that as I am amazed they can still be even slightly non-surly after yesterday.... He confirmed my pre-order, confirmed it's shipping FedEx, so that's all good. However, he did say that they won't ship *any* pre-orders until the 24th, so the soonest we will see our phones will be the 25th.

I guess I'll find out next week. I mean, what difference does one day really make?
Click to expand...
Fun Fact: You can't really take anything an AT&T rep tells you to be true for certain.
 
It's all the same warehouse

If you've read any business-related books (most specifically "The World is Flat"), you'll be able to understand my reasoning.

No matter where you pre-ordered from, for direct fulfillment to your home/business, they're all going to ship from the same place via the same method. There's a good chance that there are a few FedEx warehouses across the country which have crate upon crate of product that they will begin distributing as launch day gets closer.

Steve's said that apple isn't a search company, and likewise they're not a shipping/logistics company. It would make sense that Apple has never even taken possession of the products following its departure from the foxconn factor, and that in fact FedEx is handling all distribution and delivery logistics.

It would additionally make sense that Apple is able to provide free shipping to all based on a reduced cost per volume of packages shipped via FedEx over the next week/month/year. At this point, it seems just a matter of printing, labels on the pre-packaged, one-off iPhone boxes and starting them through the FedEx system. There are likely separate fulfillment channels for distribution to retail stores, in which shrink-wrapped iPhone boxes are packaged "by hand" for distribution to Apple/ATT locations based on reservation volume and BB/RS locations based on a (probably) simple formula taking into retail and population densities, as well as stock necessary to provide Apple and ATT with sufficient product.

My hypothesis will be generally confirmed if someone who orders two separate iphones receives two phones individually packaged in their own shipping box.
 
AT&T announcement posted main page MacRumors.com

"Because of the incredible interest in iPhone 4, today was the busiest online sales day in AT&T history. As of Tuesday afternoon, customers who preorder iPhone 4 moving forward will receive their device on June 25 or later, depending on when the order is placed. We'll email customers with confirmation once their order is placed, and again when it ships. In addition, we will have devices available on a first-come, first-serve basis in our stores beginning on June 24."


Which means customers that pre-ordered before the cut off should receive them the 24th.
 
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