Banned from the Apple Store, iPhone 3GS Stupidity...

[TehBest]

Yeah, he's a victim.

How many Iranians are dead, maimed or being tortured right now trying to get basic human rights?

Some people just don't get it.

In no way did I ever say the OP was a victim. I don't appreciate you trying to read things in to my post.

I'm pretty sure they scanned a new iPhone, so I have no idea what happened to the original activated one. :/

Having run into several botched activations working at the apple store, those messed up/activated phones get tossed into the back and a new SIM gets assigned to them.

 

[zorahk]

I'm not here to be a jerk and comment on how you should learn a lesson because you are not an adult and not capable of figuring that out yourself.

News flash people, no one here knows the whole story. Even the OP might not.

So my advice to you, completely unbiased, is to call customer relations and file a complaint against that store and the employees who helped you.

Generally, if there's enough complaints, well...

 

[JaySC]

Yea I should have just went with AT&T... I just figured the Apple Store would definitely have stock, and hey, who can beat an Apple shopping experience on launch day.

At least you know, and amen.

Otherwise...

Have you (or any of you) ever worked in AT&T's POS I/II system? It can be a rather horrid system, and other time it can be great. Either way, errors (user and not) happen. I don't work for either AT&T or , but I do work at a place where I use this system multiple times per day. It can make my day great, or horrible.

Knowing that, when I have problems such as yours, I am polite with my customers and expect the same from them. Similarly to how I am always polite with my carrier and its employees because I understand (as a computer user) that sometimes things just mess up. In your case, had I been the Apple employee I would have sympathized for you, done my best to help you, and if you got agitated about the problem I would have asked you to leave and helped you if you couldn't have done it yourself. It wasn't their problem, so they tried to help you. You thanked them by being a jerk.

Example: A customer called me last Saturday and told me that he wanted to upgrade his two phones to the new Moto Tundra, but AT&T was out of stock and gave him the run-around. I apologized for that, and asked him what I could do to resolve the issue (even though I'm not an AT&T core-store). He first asked me if I was an AT&T store, to which I responded that I was not an AT&T corporate store, but that I was an AT&T authorized retailer and could do anything that everything that AT&T itself could do, so he needn't worry.

His response to me: "Don't give me that b******t, answer the **** question."

My response to him: "Sir, if you have an issue, I can give you my District Manager's phone number, but I WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THIS." We both hung up.

Same man calls two days later (Monday). He says, perfectly respectfully: "Hi, I called you on Saturday, and I really need two Tundras but AT&T doesn't have them, and they're giving me the run around. Can you order them?"

Me: "Absolutely, would you like to come down to the store now? I'll have everything ready for you when you get here."

Him: "Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes."

Me: "Thanks, see you then."

Same man, but he his attitude made him a different man and his prior actions no longer mattered. In my business, if you treat me with respect, I'll treat you with the same. It is assumed that I will treat you with respect first and foremost. If you had behaved in the way that you did, you would not have gotten any farther with any other retailer, period. If you actually did apologize the way you did, it really wouldn't have mattered had I been the employee in that store. They did what they should have.

That said, you seem like a cool guy who can brush off other people when they aren't being exactly polite. Maybe you didn't think you came across as rudely in the store as you do in your story, and if so, I'm sorry that happened to you. Really, I'm sorry either way, because that sucks no matter how you handled it. Knowing what I know about cell phones and their computer systems though, you're right in saying that you should have gone to AT&T. I've gotta admit, I would go to Apple to get an iPhone even knowing that.

Stay cool man, enjoy that phone when you get it (if you don't have it already), and try to get something out of it even thought you were a jerk (maybe).

 

[Primejimbo]

Should have settled for the 10% discount..

I understand your frustration, but if you have ever worked in retail, you can understand you are probably the customer everyone dreads. Don't take this personally, as when I asked at the Apple Store to inspect my Mac for dead pixels, I said to the guy, "I know I'm the worst customer.. thanks for letting me do this" but at the end of the day, if you don't show respect and gratitude towards them, then why should they bother to try and help you?

If you read all the praises on the forums about the Apple Store, the customer has always been polite and understanding.

Treat this as a lesson on life. Just because it's an "Apple Store" don't forget real people work there, and real people have emotions and clocks that don't tick to bad customers.

Welcome to retail I guess..

A thank you and a smile goes a long way.

 

[Romanesq]

Let's be clear

In no way did I ever say the OP was a victim. I don't appreciate you trying to read things in to my post.

I take full responsibility for my actions. It was I and I alone who called him a victim.

 

[TurboSC]

At least you know, and amen.

Otherwise...

Have you (or any of you) ever worked in AT&T's POS I/II system? It can be a rather horrid system, and other time it can be great. Either way, errors (user and not) happen. I don't work for either AT&T or , but I do work at a place where I use this system multiple times per day. It can make my day great, or horrible.

Knowing that, when I have problems such as yours, I am polite with my customers and expect the same from them. Similarly to how I am always polite with my carrier and its employees because I understand (as a computer user) that sometimes things just mess up. In your case, had I been the Apple employee I would have sympathized for you, done my best to help you, and if you got agitated about the problem I would have asked you to leave and helped you if you couldn't have done it yourself. It wasn't their problem, so they tried to help you. You thanked them by being a jerk.

Example: A customer called me last Saturday and told me that he wanted to upgrade his two phones to the new Moto Tundra, but AT&T was out of stock and gave him the run-around. I apologized for that, and asked him what I could do to resolve the issue (even though I'm not an AT&T core-store). He first asked me if I was an AT&T store, to which I responded that I was not an AT&T corporate store, but that I was an AT&T authorized retailer and could do anything that everything that AT&T itself could do, so he needn't worry.

His response to me: "Don't give me that b******t, answer the **** question."

My response to him: "Sir, if you have an issue, I can give you my District Manager's phone number, but I WILL NOT PUT UP WITH THIS." We both hung up.

Same man calls two days later (Monday). He says, perfectly respectfully: "Hi, I called you on Saturday, and I really need two Tundras but AT&T doesn't have them, and they're giving me the run around. Can you order them?"

Me: "Absolutely, would you like to come down to the store now? I'll have everything ready for you when you get here."

Him: "Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes."

Me: "Thanks, see you then."

Same man, but he his attitude made him a different man and his prior actions no longer mattered. In my business, if you treat me with respect, I'll treat you with the same. It is assumed that I will treat you with respect first and foremost. If you had behaved in the way that you did, you would not have gotten any farther with any other retailer, period. If you actually did apologize the way you did, it really wouldn't have mattered had I been the employee in that store. They did what they should have.

That said, you seem like a cool guy who can brush off other people when they aren't being exactly polite. Maybe you didn't think you came across as rudely in the store as you do in your story, and if so, I'm sorry that happened to you. Really, I'm sorry either way, because that sucks no matter how you handled it. Knowing what I know about cell phones and their computer systems though, you're right in saying that you should have gone to AT&T. I've gotta admit, I would go to Apple to get an iPhone even knowing that.

Stay cool man, enjoy that phone when you get it (if you don't have it already), and try to get something out of it even thought you were a jerk (maybe).

Yea I was just angry when that initial post was made, I want to thank the members who PM'd me with some more contact information, I appreciate it.

I understand it's no ones fault but the computers, and hopefully soon I can enjoy my iPhone 3GS

 

[JaySC]

Yea I was just angry when that initial post was made, I want to thank the members who PM'd me with some more contact information, I appreciate it.

I understand it's no ones fault but the computers, and hopefully soon I can enjoy my iPhone 3GS

^shows you aren't a complete jerk. Please read the jovial nature that was intended into that. Haha, enjoy it man. Let those who hate bask in their own misery. I wish I were an iPhone owner. What's the ETA?

 

[SFStateStudent]

Hey TurboSC, things will workout in the end; if that means going to the AT&T Store to finalize it, then so be it. You'll be enjoying your new 3G S⃣ iPhone in no time; Apple Store will probably throw in a case or a $25 gift card to make amends. Good luck and keep us posted.....

 

[JaisHTX]

I'm beyond furious right now. Not only did I pre-order the iPhone 3GS a day after it was announced, I sat in line all morning on Friday waiting, only to have Apple / ATT activate my 3GS BEFORE I paid for it... so Apple can't sell me the phone that's activated in my name, sent me to AT&T store, they didn't do anything because I had no proof of purchase, because it was sitting in the box at the Apple store. Got the managers to talk to each other, the AT&T people on the phone couldn't work it out. I ended up going BACK to Apple, so they called Helifax to roll back my account to show my eligibility for the $199 / $299 ...

I called AT&T twice to confirm this morning the changes were made, both representatives noted they rolled back my account and I was ready to go for the full subsidy price. Drove to the Apple store, and they tell me it's not showing up in their system and they couldn't sell me the phone. I was so pissed at this point, I asked the manager if they could give me a general discount ( she mentioned it on Friday after me wasting 5+ hours at the store she would give me one ) ... so she says, "we can give you a 10% discount..." and to which I responded, "10%? I can get 15% with a student discount." All that very second after I finished speaking, the security guard was standing behind me, and after hearing me say it in a not so friendly tone, they said I was causing an issue and that I needed to leave the store. I asked to speak with another manager, who then told me that I declined the 10% discount and wouldn't be getting it, and that now I'm banned from the Apple store... wow, really?

All I wanted was people to do their ****ing jobs correctly the first time so I could upgrade to the ****ing iPhone 3GS, and because of their stupidity, I get kicked to the street, after wasting 2 days trying to resolve this issue with conflicting information from AT&T and Apple.

I left the Apple Store with a manager's name at ATT. So I drove to the AT&T store to talk with the manager, but guess what, they're all out of iPhones til Monday. Sweet.

Is there anyone I can e-mail or contact to lay my case out, because at the end of the day, the customer gets screwed over. I want to let someone in corporate know, so that hopefully in the future no one has to go through the same ******** I did these past two days.

The local news, lol

 

[bruinsrme]

At first i was thinking the OP was being arrogant and immature.
So after a few hours i revisited the post and re-read hs first paragraph.

Obviously the OP reserved and showed up to pick up their phone.
Some how the phone was prematurely activated. Not the OPs doing
The OP was told he could not be sold that phone because it was activated. Again not the OPs doinf.
Then the OP went to the ATT store, per the Apple Store recommendation. Op trying help resolve the situation that up to this point has was done by the Apple employee, not the OP.
The OP most likely got a run around at the ATT store and when the two mnagers spoke it was probably a condensending conversation about the OP.
By now the OP was probably frustrated as heck, as I would be.
By the time the OP got back to apple, they were in a rage for trying to have them fix their error.
As soon as mine was activated I check the *639# and it no longer said I was eligible for an upgrade and owuld have to pay full price.

so going from $299 to $699 ith a 10% discount $630. Wow I would have been steaming. But perhaps that is how much some apologetic loyalists love apple.

I don't know, as the rest of us, the whole situation. But it being a lauch day of a highly anticipated device, the manager probably didn't want to deal with it.

I am with the OP on tis

 

[JaisHTX]

Yeah, he's a victim.

How many Iranians are dead, maimed or being tortured right now trying to get basic human rights?

Some people just don't get it.

Yet, instead of focusing your efforts on those Iranians -- you're on an Mac message board lecturing people ...

Hypocrites ..................

 

[Romanesq]

Yes....

Yet, instead of focusing your efforts on those Iranians -- you're on an Mac message board lecturing people ...

Hypocrites ..................

Because I like you can only have one browser tab open at once.
Here's the other tab right next to this one I have open:

http://twitter.com/#search?q=#IranElection

Give it a try. Lots of good information. I also have CNN on right now and there is coverage on the Iranian protests.

People being lectured? You should pm all those posters on the thread who dared to suggest abusing Apple employees is wrong.

Do it now.

 

[JaisHTX]

Because I like you can only have one browser tab open at once.
Here's the other tab right next to this one I have open:

http://twitter.com/#search?q=#IranElection

Give it a try. Lots of good information. I also have CNN on right now and there is coverage on the Iranian protests.

People being lectured? You should pm all those posters on the thread who dared to suggest abusing Apple employees is wrong.

Do it now.

So you watching the news helps the people in Iran?

Are you watching the news because you care? Or are you watching the news because drama entertains you?

Seriously dude, get real.

 

[GoCubsGo]

honestly dude.. u need to relax... youre kinda going psycho... over a phone... you were mean to people that possibly honestly didnt know whats going on... over a phone...

This is the best advice yet.

Should have settled for the 10% discount..

You should have because as it was pointed out, the 15% student discount doesn't exist.

if what you describe is true. Report to better business burea and than report it to your local newspaper and possibility national ones.

Really? You're going to go to the BBB and the media over a phone?

... so she says, "we can give you a 10% discount..." and to which I responded, "10%? I can get 15% with a student discount."

You were in the wrong here. The mistake is not that Apple retail employe's mistake and they owe(d) you nothing and you were condescending in turning it down.

Hey TurboSC, things will workout in the end; if that means going to the AT&T Store to finalize it, then so be it. You'll be enjoying your new 3G S⃣ iPhone in no time; Apple Store will probably throw in a case or a $25 gift card to make amends. Good luck and keep us posted.....

Giving him something for being a jerk to people who didn't and couldn't control what happened?

OP: I would venture to guess that tension was high already in the store and that you only compounded a bad situation with a piss poor attitude. I believe that all in due time you can return that store. You're a grown man (as I understand) and you probably acted like a child over a phone … a phone!

I hope you got your phone but seriously, it's a phone. I believe it would have worked out in the end and that you blowing up at them only compounded the issue for you.

 

[Romanesq]

So you watching the news helps the people in Iran?

Are you watching the news because you care? Or are you watching the news because drama entertains you?

Seriously dude, get real.

Yes, it's entertainment, like computer games. And with my other free time, I go to the Apple Store and yell at the employees and tell them I demand to have my way.

Seriously, get a clue.

 

[Slim02]

Yes, it's entertainment, like computer games. And with my other free time, I go to the Apple Store and yell at the employees and tell them I demand to have my way.

Seriously, get a clue.

Now I know you are a troll..

If you learn to READ EVERY THING and not just what you want to read.. You would know he never did any thing as you make it out to be.. OP made a post out of angry Quoted by the OP "Yea I was just angry when that initial post was made".. Meaning he did not yell at the employees like you assumed he did.. Learn to read better as good as you know how to troll so good..

 

[PsYcHoNoVa]

I have an iPhone 3G-S

 

[davelanger]

The manager knew they messed up and should have manually discounted down the price of the phone.

I think the OP should ask them to waive the activiation fee for screwing up this bad.

 

[Romanesq]

Nope....

Now I know you are a troll..

If you learn to READ EVERY THING and not just what you want to read.. You would know he never did any thing as you make it out to be.. OP made a post out of angry Quoted by the OP "Yea I was just angry when that initial post was made".. Meaning he did not yell at the employees like you assumed he did.. Learn to read better as good as you know how to troll so good..

Yes, he's contradicted what he did and you cited the third instance.
Guess he got tossed for being too nice to the Apple Store folks.

Can a Nobel Peace Prize be far now?

 

[fallspyder]

I'm with OP

I agree with OP. Apple should have known in less than 5 hours that they weren't going to able to help you. Bottom line is that you got a lot of time wasted in this and no compensation.
At&t called Thurs evening and said that my 3Gs was in and to come by Fri and pick it up. I got there at about 7:10 and while waiting a few minutes for a rep I heard a girl asking a rep if they had stock to sell besides the pre-orders and she said yes they did. When my rep went to the back to get my phone he came back empty-handed with sad face. He said the girl who got the phones ready the day before had put my receipt with someone else's phone?!? What did that mean? I said can't I just get one of the phones they had to sell? No because returns take some many days and I would have to pay full price for the phone today. I said I'll just wait til mine comes in. That all took under 10 minutes. At least it wasn't FIVE hours!!
They called back at 10 AM and said as long as the charge hadn't hit the card that they could cancel and have mine and my husbands (that wasn't supposed to be in for two weeks) ready at the store in a few minutes. We went down, they were setting under the counter and it took about 10 minutes. Coming from Verizon I think they screwed up but still tried to fix it after I left because they knew they were wrong and keep an extra back so the hubby could get his earlier than expected to help make up for my trouble. At the end of the day I felt good. The OP just got screwed for two days and probably again Monday.
OP, I would try a different At&t location Monday. I would also email Cutomer Service for and At&t and talk to the General Manger for in your area. They knew an already activated 3Gs was their fault and you shouldn't have had to leave the store until you had a phone in hand whether it was activated or not. You could have then gone to A&t with the phone and they could have gotten activated somehow. Just my .02

 

[Slim02]

Yes, he's contradicted what he did and you cited the third instance.
Guess he got tossed for being too nice to the Apple Store folks.

Can a Nobel Peace Prize be far now?

Where you there? If you where not then you have no clue.. You know if you keep bugging a manger (even doing it in a nice way) and they do not what to deal with you but yet you do not give up until you get a answer.. What do you think they are going to do. That right get some one that can and that was a security guard.. That a good way to handle a problem that you do not want to deal with.. That bad business practice..

 

[Romanesq]

Okay....

Where you there? If you where not then you have no clue.. You know if you keep bugging a manger and they do not what to deal with you but yet you do not give up until you get a answer.. What do you think they are going to do. That right get some one that can and that was a security guard.. That a good way to handle a problem that you do not want to deal with.. That bad business practice..

Well glad to hear you were there to clear that up.
Otherwise all we'd have to go on is the stated contradictions here.