How has AT&T handled their pre-orders in recent years? I typically do mine directly through Apple and always get mine on launch day. Thanks to the new policy, we can only pre-order using a 2-year contract through AT&T. Frankly, I don't really trust them with getting one for launch day.
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Experience pre-ordering through AT&T?
- Thread starter NYY FaN
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I pre-ordered through AT&T last year and didn't have any issues. I was one of the lucky few that got in early and got my phone on launch day. Now with the restrictions on the 2 year contracts, they may have a lot more traffic this year.
I visited AT&T's website and I don't even see the iPhone 6S listed on the front page as "available for pre-order". I'm wondering if it won't be available through AT&T for pre-order this year.
I'm on the same boat. Purchased directly from Apple every year since the original iPhone.
Is it better to preorder with AT&T online or in person? Do stores usually know how many they'll receive before preorders start? Do they even take preorders in store?
I'm tempted to upgrade one of my lines via Apple, in case AT&T fails me, but the monthly cost via Apple will be doubled since they don't offer Next + down payment, which is probably the option I want to go wth.
I have a feeling preordering via AT&T will be worse this year, since so many of us are being forced to do so. Hopefully Apple's new preorder program combats that a bit.
Is it better to preorder with AT&T online or in person? Do stores usually know how many they'll receive before preorders start? Do they even take preorders in store?
I'm tempted to upgrade one of my lines via Apple, in case AT&T fails me, but the monthly cost via Apple will be doubled since they don't offer Next + down payment, which is probably the option I want to go wth.
I have a feeling preordering via AT&T will be worse this year, since so many of us are being forced to do so. Hopefully Apple's new preorder program combats that a bit.
A few years back, I "pre-ordered" from AT&T. NEVER AGAIN. Not only did I not receive my phone on Launch Day, it was stuck in fake pre-order limbo. They had no idea when it would ship and it took me over two weeks of calling every few days just to get them to let me cancel the pre-order. I finally was allowed to cancel and I walked into the Apple Store and bought it there. Although I don't really want to use Next, I'd rather do that than ever deal with AT&T's pre-order nightmare. (I believe this was for the iPhone 5)
I pre-ordered through AT&T last year using Next 12 month and it was slick as butter. Received my phone launch day no problems. I am worried that this year will be different though due to possible Next issues.
I'm also interested in AT&T ordering tips. Did the app or website work better last year?
I have NEXT and my 12th payment is Aug 27, but the way my billing is, I can't actually pay it until after 9/15. I can only use Apple if 12 installments are paid - or that's the way it looks. So since I have 1 payment left, I can't order thru Apple. It appears that only way to pay it off thru AT&T online is to pay the remainder of 20 months. I'll stop in tomorrow but I'm not hopeful I can just pay up the 12th month payment.
I have NEXT and my 12th payment is Aug 27, but the way my billing is, I can't actually pay it until after 9/15. I can only use Apple if 12 installments are paid - or that's the way it looks. So since I have 1 payment left, I can't order thru Apple. It appears that only way to pay it off thru AT&T online is to pay the remainder of 20 months. I'll stop in tomorrow but I'm not hopeful I can just pay up the 12th month payment.
My experience when I pre ordered the 4 was terrible. Ever since, I went to apple,and haven't had a glitch yet.
I did exactly that, went into the ATT store to pay the one remaining payment. I couldn't do it because it is tied into trading the phone on the spot. So I too have one payment remaining which they have told me can be paid off at the time I pre-order! I believe, but don't know this for a fact, that you can initiate your pre-order through Apple but they make you go to the ATT website to make the balance payment. That's why Apple is now requiring that you have the special ATT password because I think it's all tied together. Don't quote me though, just that I tried a pretend upgrade through Apple last week and that's what it looked like.
So is Apple not offering the two-year contract option? I am eligible with AT&T but Apple is only currently showing me the the installment plans as options.
I don't think that's true. I tried to order a iPhone 6plus just as a test and it says I have to go to AT&T and pay off my eligibility balance before I can buy thru Apple.
You can do it on the AT&T website, but it's not very intuitive. Go to upgrade options, then select any phone as if you're going to upgrade now. It will then give you the option to make that 12th NEXT payment. It's a separate transaction, so don't worry, you won't be stuck with a phone you don't want. Then just stop and don't complete the phone purchase. You're now eligible for a new NEXT upgrade.
Ordered through ATT once last year and never again. Waited 2 weeks even though I had ordered at midnight. Could hardly find out status.
I had the same horrible experience trying to pre order through att. I have the unlimited data and do not want to give it up, but last year was horrible and having to preorder through premier site made matters worse.
I am actually tempted to just buy the phone out right or doing the next program and paying it off within a month. The thought of paying 400 extra to avoid att seems silly, but my phone is sold and I need to send it in asap.
I am actually tempted to just buy the phone out right or doing the next program and paying it off within a month. The thought of paying 400 extra to avoid att seems silly, but my phone is sold and I need to send it in asap.
Well the real story is AT&T is not allowing any retailer, including Apple, to sell the iPhone to customers with the 2 year contract. It was AT&T's call and not Apple (or any other retailer for that matter).
Not sure about AT&T's motive in doing this though.
When preordering on AT&T's site, does it tell you when a certain model is out of stock or do they continue to take preorders and ship them at a later date without initial notice?
In other words, if you get a preorder in when it goes live, are you pretty much guaranteed to get one on launch day?
In other words, if you get a preorder in when it goes live, are you pretty much guaranteed to get one on launch day?
I don't have an answer but that's a very good question. And one I'd really like to see a knowledgeable answer to.