AT&T's Server Problems Continue to Cause Problems for iPhone 4 Pre-Orders

[o0godspeed0o]

Just placed the order after trying since 8AM ET. Finally went through, and when it did, it went smoothly.

Thing to note: I had to place two separate orders for my two lines on my FamilyTalk plan.

 

[bytethese]

I did say that I Pre-Ordered it through the app didn't I?? it's not a reservation, the confirmation email clearly says that I pre-ordered it. The my iPhone will be available for pickup at the Apple Store anytime on the 24th.

BTW, the App does not let you reserve the iPhone only pre-order. I'm guessing if you want to reserve it, than it's something you can only do through AT&T, i don't think Apple is offering any reservations, only pre-orders, through their site and APP.

Oh and btw, the App gives you the choice for delivery or instore pickup.

I think you have it backwards.

If you want to reserve it, it can only be done through Apple.com. Reserve means you paid no money, and will wait in line to buy it on launch day.

If you pre-order, you are forking over money and can pick up at store of have it delivered. I have seen mixed information about the Apple Store App, but most I see say that you can reserve with the app, and not actually pre-order. If you pre-ordered, I assume it asked for your credit card? If so, then this is def a pre-order.

 

[tclary]

AT&T needs bigger hamsters

I reserved mine via the app. Just for kicks I thought I'd stop into the AT&T store up the street and see what their chances for online preordering were. They finally got through only to look up at me and go, "....um. Now they're telling us the iPhone4's are...um...backordered."

"Backordered?!"

"Yes. For 2 to 3 more weeks."

"Lol I'll keep my reservation at the Apple Store, thanks lol."

 

[NyArtboy]

Fyi

FYI, I started my order for my 32GB version this morning at 7:00 am EST on Apple.com. At first I kept getting the oops page for the 32GB but when I tried the 16BG it worked. I waited and periodically clicked the 32GB again until it finally went through. It even found my ATT info. I choosed the in-store pickup so maybe that was why it was easy. Got my email about 5 minutes later confirming my pickup on June 24th at 7AM. Very excited. Sorry so many people are having probs. My brother in Chicago said it took him 3 hours to order his phone and his wife's phone. My other brother in NY had been trying since 6am and was able to order his first iPhone around 2pm EST. So I guess its been all over the place.

p.s. I also think the post about ATT saying they are on backorder already was just a silly sales rep who was regrettably misinformed. I would be surprised if they even have had a chance to sell out with all the pre-order mishaps today.

 

[tonystocco]

iPhone 4 Pre-Order Success

Considering myself lucky - got up at 5:30am Central Time and the pre-order via Apple.com was a breeze. No issues.

 

[babak]

successfully odered through AT&T's site

took several tries but worked in the end

 

[MacVixen]

woot!!! success through AT&T's website - finally!!!!

I'm gonna credit my magical iPad for allowing this order to go through cause my work computer was not doing a thing for me

 

[Cynicalone]

I've been trying most of the day, I have got as far as the screen telling me to pick an Apple Retail Store. Then it times out.

 

[pacmantech]

Well, I have two reservations for the iPhone 4 set up, and I don't trust either of them.

The first one I did was stop at Best Buy and put down a $50 deposit on the phone. The people working in the mobile department at my Best Buy store are idiots, and I'm not confident that my order was placed correctly, or that there will indeed be a 32GB black iPhone waiting for me on 6/24. One of the employees there, who speaks about thirteen words of English on a good day, said he was "99% sure" there would be a phone waiting for me. I'm 99% sure he's an idiot.

The second reservation is through the Apple Store iOS app, which says I have an iPhone reserved for me at my local Apple Store, which is all lovely and whatnot, but I didn't pay anything to reserve this phone. I can only assume there's not going to be a phone on 6/24 at that store with my name on it, and if a sweaty dude who waited in line since 1:30am the night before gets there before I do that morning, he will probably get the last one.

What a mess. You'd think these companies want the thousands of dollars we want to throw at them over a two-year contract. I guess we are all gluttons for punishment.

 

[Warbrain]

Considering myself lucky - got up at 5:30am Central Time and the pre-order via Apple.com was a breeze. No issues.

I don't know how you were so lucky. I tried then and failed.

 

[derek4484]

Got through on AT&T

I tried to get through on apple.com from 7am EST till lunch time, never got anywhere. So I went to att.com and had it ordered in under 5 mins. Seems to me its apple's servers that are screwed.

I remember the garbage I had to go through on iphone 3G release day when they also released the iphone OS 2.0 update. My phone was worthless for the entire day because apple's servers couldnt handle the load.

 

[ZGXtreme]

While maybe a little premature, there seems to be consistency (albeit within a short period of time) of successful orders through ATT. Lets hope this is an upward trend.

Although I am still waiting for the confirmation email...

 

[swoods93631]

Finally got ATT site to come up, still cannot get into APPLE. I was able to PRE-ORDER via ATT @ 12:37 PST. DONE, waiting for email conf.

 

[rdrr]

What are you talking about? After trying apple.com and AT&T.com all day I just used the apple store app. Took a couple of tries but I got it to work. There is a note right in the store saying I have a phone reserved until the store closes on the 24th. I also got an email that says the same thing. Yes it skipped the At&T check but I have known for weeks I am eligible for an up grade so I don't care.

If you know you are up grade eligible use the app.

Go through the app process again... You'll clearly see that it says it failed to confirm your account status. And at the bottom of your email it says, "Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple Retail Store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis." Which means you'll be standing in line when everyone who pre-ordered and put money down gets theirs.

 

[SlvrSrfr]

AT&T Premiere

Just got through on the Premier site and successfully ordered!

Keep trying everyone, I think it might be easing up!

 

[spice weasel]

After reading this thread I am now absolutely convinced that the world is going to collapse in on itself if not everyone attempting to pre-order an iPhone 4 gets one on launch day.

No one forced you to get up early, spend all day on the computer, wait in line, etc. Besides, people only did that because they knew demand was going to be high and they were trying to get an edge over everyone else. It's like going to a blockbuster movie on opening night, waiting on line for a while, and then being told they are sold out. Sh][t happens.

The only people I feel bad for are the ones who got seriously screwed by AT&T's system, like one guy who reported to Gizmodo that he was charged $300 three separate transactions before finally being told that he isn't eligible for the subsidized upgrade.

 

[irwcll94]

Try the Apple Store iPhone app... Worked the first time for me. I had been trying on their website for about an hour until I thought of it.

 

[Goodeye]

I used the app it placed the reservation, seemed to work and the app says shows the iPhone in my reservations for the 24th. I just now got my email confimation. It did ask for my ATT info like it does on site but skipped any plan choosing etc, anyways they do that all in the store anyways.

I have to work till 3:30 pm on the 24th and will be at the store by 4:00 pm hopefully since they are opening up at 7 am the lines wont be that incredibly long. And hopefully launching mid week instead of on a Friday means lines wont be as horrible as they have in the past. Of course this is all wishful thinking.

 

[tgildred]

It is taking forever for the article thumbnail to load.

Oh... wait.

 

[cinder]

Ok.

Reserving an iPhone at your local store helps Apple guage demend and allocate units at an overage above people who've already said they would get the phone. Even if people don't show up , it's easier to have quantities > expected demand rather than guess way low and have everybody p/o.

At my local store for 3G there were two lines, one for reservations (and you had to bring your print out with reservation information) and one for joe blows. At opening, everyone who didn't have a reservation was moved to the iDonthaveareservartion line. All of us who did reserve, walked in, they found our phone and models and we contined the transaction.

So I only know how it helps for those at opening. I don't know what the advantage of reserving is for those who come in later in the day.

See?
I knew I was right.
Thanks for the explanation, Eddy.

 

[mnrvokk]

iPhone Reservation question

I reserved a iPhone to be picked up on the 24th. Looking at the email I received from Apple i noticed something strange...


"Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple retail store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis"

What in the hell? I thought a reservation means I walk in and buy an iPhone since I made a reservation for it.....Any one care to explain or speculate?

 

[Enuratique]

The real bullshit here is that NEW AT&T customers can waltz right on into their ordering system no problem, but existing customers are subjected to the retarded server from hell.

 

[rydenfan]

Since I have completed the in-store reservation via the new Apple app does that mean I cannot order one for delivery without first canceling that other?

 

[Thornie]

I reserved a iPhone to be picked up on the 24th. Looking at the email I received from Apple i noticed something strange...


"Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple retail store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis"

What in the hell? I thought a reservation means I walk in and buy an iPhone since I made a reservation for it.....Any one care to explain or speculate?

This what me and a bunch of other people have been saying since the whole "hey everyone, just "pre-order" on the app!" hoopla started.

 

[Enuratique]

I reserved a iPhone to be picked up on the 24th. Looking at the email I received from Apple i noticed something strange...


"Pre-authorization does not guarantee iPhone availability at an Apple retail store. iPhone is sold on a first-come, first-served basis"

What in the hell? I thought a reservation means I walk in and buy an iPhone since I made a reservation for it.....Any one care to explain or speculate?

My guess is they (by default) can handle maybe 50 reservations at a store (I think they're treated no differently than a Genius Bar reservation) but the store may not get 50 iPhones shipped to them. So reservation != guaranteed iPhone to my interpretation.