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

[katanna]

I'm not TRYING to be mad/pessimistic about this, but I really feel that they (AT&T and Apple) promised me that I could pre-order today AND that I could pick one up on the 24th, and they have fallen short on BOTH promises because of issues that they should have fixed. I put the blame fully on them.

Similar to the oil spill in the Gulf, I am not mad that the original problem happened, I am mad that the problem went on for as long as it did. They should have fixed the problem, they didn't, and that makes me mad.

But it's OK, really, it is just a phone. And it isn't even that I won't be able to buy this over priced phone, it is that I will have to wait a few DAYS to pick it up. When you put it in perspective, it doesn't seem that bad!

Matthew

 

[One Ohm]

Apparently One Ohm's Comprehension Problems Continue to Cause Problems for his Posting.

hahaha you wish buddy...lol

You wanted to tell everyone that you "don't care at all" yet you implied that you COULD care less.

No I did'nt, but if I did care at all, I'd wish I'd care less...

Maybe you'll care less later? At a more convenient time?

Maybe

 

[darkhunter139]

Sorry, I completely disagree. They were having problems from MINUTE ONE. At 3 in the morning it was a disaster, so the "oops too many people tried at once" theory doesn't work for me. They COULD have foreseen the problems (similar problems happened when the original iPhone launched), and yet they did nothing to correct the problem throughout the day.

Matthew

You really don't think they were trying to fix the problem the entire day? Cause I can assure you they probably where. There is no way to test for millions of people hitting the server at the exact same time.

 

[mspman]

You really don't think they were trying to fix the problem the entire day? Cause I can assure you they probably where. There is no way to test for millions of people hitting the server at the exact same time.

Yeah, there is. If you don't have the infrastructure to simulate that kind of load, you do what you can and extrapolate. AT&T, and quite frankly Apple too, did neither from what I saw today. The fact that AT&T was having problems at 4am today is unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.

 

[nytesky]

Similar to the oil spill in the Gulf, I am not mad that the original problem happened, I am mad that the problem went on for as long as it did. They should have fixed the problem, they didn't, and that makes me mad.

You aren't mad that they ignored all safety warnings? Those emails are convincing evidence that they were completely reckless. The reason the problem is going on as long as it is, is because they were so foolhardy in the first place! The problem would have been preventable had they followed proper procedures.

 

[katanna]

I will also say that I am mad at AT&T and Apple for different reasons. I don't think Apple had anything to do with the problem today, from what I see it was all AT&T's servers that were down all day. So I am mad at AT&T for not having the infrastructure to handle this, and for them not being ready.

I am mad at Apple for sticking with AT&T and accepting the problems on their behalf. Apple should be enraged at AT&T for the problems today, and it just seams like Apple is more than happy to accept the blame. It has happened in the past, and it has just happened again.

I don't understand why Apple keeps lowering themselves to AT&T's level...

Matthew

 

[taor]

I could have cared less...but to clarify, the phrase "COULDN'T care less" means that you would have to be able to care MORE, thus being ABLE to be more interested, but not acting upon that ability to care more or even at all. It's all about the conditional tense, people!!!

...ahem, that being said I COULD have cared less if I got the iPhone preorder in this morning, I just wanted to see if and/or when my account was eligible for a $299 32GB upgrade (which I find out it is...almost 24 hours later). What did grind my gears is that the white iPhone is not available. I know it's not as popular, but I want the white one! (pouty face) I'm sure a decent percentage of people who were looking to pre-order did as well...and I'm sure Apple has a good reason -- marketing, manufacturing, or otherwise. I will just get the iOS 4 on my 3GS and be happy for a while.

...which gets me thinking. How in the hell is Apple going to handle the mass Exodus to iOS 4 on June 24th?

 

[3goldens]

So much relief! What a stressful day. I can finally relax and watch the Lakers beat the Celtics! What a great day! A little complaining with an Apple support specialist got me a $100 coupon voucher off my iphone too. A huge thank you to Lynn, the coolest Apple support tech ever! So I basically got an upgrade from 16GB to 32GB for free! Thats right, an iPhone 4 32GB for $199.....LOL. Yesssir

I am assuming that you did this on line based on your px. I am really amazed that they did this and it seems no one else was given this courtesy for the absolute mess they made out of this.

So what did you exactly say to extract a coupon from good ol Lynn.

 

[luckinabox]

So when does apple send confirmations, beginning to worry it didn't go through

 

[Dj BW]

So much relief! What a stressful day. I can finally relax and watch the Lakers beat the Celtics! What a great day! A little complaining with an Apple support specialist got me a $100 coupon voucher off my iphone too. A huge thank you to Lynn, the coolest Apple support tech ever! So I basically got an upgrade from 16GB to 32GB for free! Thats right, an iPhone 4 32GB for $199.....LOL. Yesssir

I am assuming that you did this on line based on your px. I am really amazed that they did this and it seems no one else was given this courtesy for the absolute mess they made out of this.

So what did you exactly say to extract a coupon from good ol Lynn.

Yes did it online. Didnt say much at all, which is surprising. She just offered to send me a promo code via email as follows.....


Dear Mr. B*** W******,

Thank you for contacting Apple.

We are pleased to offer you a coupon for the Apple Store. This coupon is valid through 7/15/2010 for any one of the discounts listed below. The appropriate discount will automatically be applied by the Apple Store based on the total estimated cost of all eligible items in your cart, excluding applicable taxes and shipping charges. Your coupon’s Promotion Code is **********.

$30 off a purchase of at least $100
$60 off a purchase of at least $200
$100 off a purchase of at least $300

To redeem the coupon, please visit http://www.apple.com/store or call 1-800-MY-APPLE, where representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Regards,

Lynn *****
Apple

 

[Iloveapple!]

I woke up at 6am PST to order this sucker: tried 30x before heading to work. Came home from work around 5:30pm and gave it another 10 go's. It finally worked and I got my email confirmation saying I could pick it up in store on the 24th! SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!

 

[danimal99]

I am mad at Apple for sticking with AT&T and accepting the problems on their behalf. Apple should be enraged at AT&T for the problems today, and it just seams like Apple is more than happy to accept the blame. It has happened in the past, and it has just happened again.

I don't understand why Apple keeps lowering themselves to AT&T's level...

Matthew

It's not a difficult concept to get, though. Apple has a contract with AT&T. They put up with this stuff only because of that. As soon as it runs out, they will bolt town, or at a minimum sign on with more than just the one carrier. If they signed a 5 year contract, which I think is the conventional wisdom, it will be over in 2012.

 

[Eddyisgreat]

I will also say that I am mad at AT&T and Apple for different reasons. I don't think Apple had anything to do with the problem today, from what I see it was all AT&T's servers that were down all day. So I am mad at AT&T for not having the infrastructure to handle this, and for them not being ready.

lulz I kno rite! Things I additionally hate:
The grocery store for not having turkey available for purchase on thanksgiving eve.
The mall for being so freaking busy on christmas eve (don't they know I gotta shop!)
The department of transportation for not accommodating my needs during the traffic rush. Idiots.
Airports.
The OUTRAGEOUS wait time at my local emergency room when some weird virus breaks out.

 

[Warbrain]

I will also say that I am mad at AT&T and Apple for different reasons. I don't think Apple had anything to do with the problem today, from what I see it was all AT&T's servers that were down all day. So I am mad at AT&T for not having the infrastructure to handle this, and for them not being ready.

I am mad at Apple for sticking with AT&T and accepting the problems on their behalf. Apple should be enraged at AT&T for the problems today, and it just seams like Apple is more than happy to accept the blame. It has happened in the past, and it has just happened again.

I don't understand why Apple keeps lowering themselves to AT&T's level...

Matthew

Apple's shopping cart died early in the morning. They could connect to at&t's servers just fine without any problems but you couldn't add anything to the cart. The Apple store was down for about 90 minutes when this started.

After that the at&t system did get overwhelmed but so did Apple's. Both are at fault for not being prepared.

Don't put all the blame on at&t when Apple had their own issues that caused headaches.

 

[bakron1]

Iphone 4G problems at local AT&T Store

I tried for over 6 hours yesterday on Apples website to order my new IPhone 4G and after several timeouts, server crashes, I gave up. Those idiots at AT&T should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. They have known for months this day was coming and they dropped the ball big time.

I also blame Apple for not preparing for this, they aligned themselves with this company and have made it a point to lock us dedicated IPhone users to this crappy service, I know if you unlock the phone you can use it with TMobile but the device does not support all the features it does with AT&T.

I waited over an hour in line at the local AT&T corporate store and all I have to show for my effort is a hand written receipt and no confirmation my new phone was even ordered because the company servers where all down. I say it's time for Apple to make the IPhone an open device that will work with ANY GSM carrier, I think this will create good competition and eliminate any problems in the future.

As far as I am concerned, this new product launch was a joke and Apple should be ashamed for the way this was handled, they are a "50 Billion" company and have become that because folks like me who have been loyal customers and this has put a sour taste in my mouth.

 

[TroyBoy30]

yea everyone always blames att. true loyalty to apple!

apples site would not work for me even once I passed the account check screen with att.

I was able to pre order via att premier and have it shipped to my work with no issues!

good thing to since all pre-orders are sold out and delivery date now states ships by july 2nd even on apples site

 

[zippychimp]

yea everyone always blames att. true loyalty to apple!

apples site would not work for me even once I passed the account check screen with att.

I was able to pre order via att premier and have it shipped to my work with no issues!

good thing to since all pre-orders are sold out and delivery date now states ships by july 2nd even on apples site

Great point. I completely agree. AT&T is not blameless in yesterday's epic failure, but it wasn't their fault last night as the Apple site kept telling me I could check out, allow me to input my credit card info, then lock up and suddenly say "Oops! We're sorry." over 20 times. That is on Apple. It's amazing how many lemmings here want to pin 100% of this debacle on AT&T. Wake up and look at the facts.

 

[schwell]

Yeah, there is. If you don't have the infrastructure to simulate that kind of load, you do what you can and extrapolate. AT&T, and quite frankly Apple too, did neither from what I saw today. The fact that AT&T was having problems at 4am today is unacceptable. Totally unacceptable.

Yes there should be a congressional investigation. It is criminal man.

Forget the Gulf oil spill. A bunch of people had to sit on their a**** yesterday and keep clicking buttons to try and pre-order an iPhone.

 

[MadBryan]

Forget the Gulf oil spill. A bunch of people had to sit on their a**** yesterday and keep clicking buttons to try and pre-order an iPhone.

that made pepsi come out my nose! that sums up all 700 pages of this thread

 

[3goldens]

Yes did it online. Didnt say much at all, which is surprising. She just offered to send me a promo code via email as follows.....


Dear Mr. B*** W******,

Thank you for contacting Apple.

We are pleased to offer you a coupon for the Apple Store. This coupon is valid through 7/15/2010 for any one of the discounts listed below. The appropriate discount will automatically be applied by the Apple Store based on the total estimated cost of all eligible items in your cart, excluding applicable taxes and shipping charges. Your coupon’s Promotion Code is **********.

$30 off a purchase of at least $100
$60 off a purchase of at least $200
$100 off a purchase of at least $300

To redeem the coupon, please visit http://www.apple.com/store or call 1-800-MY-APPLE, where representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Regards,

Lynn *****
Apple

WOW, that really would make me a whole lot happier about service people did not receive and the time they took out of their lives to try and order a product, but its unlikely that most will get this.

I called and spoke to someone, on line division supervisor who gave me a coupon for up to $45.00 that he said could not be used for the phone. He stated he was not sure which department would have your leval of coupons....did you call another department.

I would encourage others to call and request to speak to a supervisor regarding this as they seem perfectly willing to give out this level of coupon, I just want to track down the higher level one if I can!

I am going to cancel my order though and will have to go to the dam 5th avenue store and stand around with the masses to get my phone which should have been delivered on the 24th.

 

[cohibadad]

...which gets me thinking. How in the hell is Apple going to handle the mass Exodus to iOS 4 on June 24th?

iOS4 is available June 21st. Should help reduce the load of the 24th.

 

[3goldens]

this is what I was sent:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for contacting Apple.

We are pleased to offer you a coupon for use at the Apple Online Store. This coupon is valid until Saturday, June 26, 2010 for:

$15 off an order of $100 or more (excluding sales tax and applicable shipping charges)
$30 off an order of $200 or more (excluding sales tax and applicable shipping charges)
$45 off an order of $300 or more (excluding sales tax and applicable shipping charges)

Your coupon Promotion Code is ziohaoihvjvn


To redeem the coupon, call 1-800-MY-APPLE and connect with an Apple specialist who can assist with placing your order over the phone.

NOTE: This coupon can only be redeemed once for use at the U.S. Consumer Apple Online Store at <http://store.apple.com/>; or by calling an Apple Sales Representative at 1-800-MY-APPLE. It may not be used at the iTunes Store or at Apple Retail Store locations. This coupon may not be combined with other coupons or Apple discounts, and may be transferred only once.

Best Regards,
The Apple Store Team
1-800-MY-APPLE

Note: Please do not reply to this email message. It was sent from an address that cannot accept incoming email.

 

[3goldens]

Well persistence pays off, got the coupon and away we go.

 

[zaydia]

I still have not received a confirmation email from AT&T.. I was able to log in early this morning and see my order "pending" but now I can't log into att.com at all. I sure hope mine went through correctly...

 

[kavabuggy]

Ordered mine from AT&T at 10:30am Eastern this morning. I printed out the receipt at the end of the order. I left that at work so I don't have my order number and if I check order status using my phone number it doesn't show up. 12 hours later and I haven't gotten a confirmation email from AT&T yet. With my luck, even though I have an order number, they'll tell me it never went through.

same thing here. i got a confirmation email from apple, but not AT&T; however, both payments went through as of this morning, so i'm thinking i have two of these phones instead of only one. sorry to anyone who didn't get one...i might have it instead.