iPhone 3G Store Displays, Demo Units, Apple Retail Launch

[rockstarjoe]

I've tried to get an answer to this one but I've had trouble getting concrete information. I have an older voice plan on AT&T. Is it possible to tack on the data plan like you were able to do with the old iPhone, or do you HAVE to pick one of the new voice/data plans? I do not currently have an iphone but I am upgrade eligible. I just don't want to lose my older, slightly better voice plan. Thanks if anyone can help.

 

[DoreanGrae]

I don't understand why people think it's better to go to an AT&T store to keep your chances of a screw-up lower. Given my experience with Apple employees versus employees of ANY cell carrier, I trust an Apple employee just learning how to do the activation process over an AT&T employee who "knows" how to do it.

 

[switched on]

Couple of comments on various posts...

If you have a biz account, or you get any kind of discount with AT&T through your employer, you should probably go to the AT&T store to do your upgrade. I've been told before (via a Biz customer service rep for AT&T), if I upgrade to make sure I do it at an AT&T store to be sure the discount is supported.

On the phone number thing, they can look through some available numbers to let you choose from them, but I doubt this will be the case on iPhone 3G day... it would slow the process down too much. You can request a new phone number via customer service post-sale I'm sure.

I am sure I should go to the AT&T store because of an employer discount, but I still just feel like the Apple store is the place to be. I was number 368 in line last year for the original launch... and I still got an 8GB phone. If I recall, none of the AT&T stores in town had that level of stock.

 

[switched on]

To RockStarJoe's question...

if it's like last year, you can just add on the dataplan. That's what I did. I don't think anything changes just because you are signing a new contract, there is nothing about that that (in the past) says you have to change to a new calling plan. -Unless you are with Sprint.

 

[deannnnn]

Im Curious to know what is wrong with good old cash? Is it because of credit check and with cash no way for them to to charge you in the future if ya default?

Cash slows things down.
It needs to be counted.... and then change needs to be given.... and of course there's gunna be that one guy who wants to pay in like all 5's and 1's...

 

[abijnk]

If you start new AT&T phone service, rather than transfer an existing mobile number, do you get any choice of the phone number, other than the area code? I've gotten conflicting answers when I asked that at various AT&T stores, some saying they'll assign you a single phone number with no choices, others saying you'll have a list to choose from when it comes up on their screen.

I've been told by two of them not to both coming in early for a credit check. if you have good credit, it should take only a minute or two.

Some of the salespeople are blasé about it, but some seem genuinely excited about having a Big Event in their store.

Just speaking from personal experience, I was given a list of numbers (like 5 or 6 or so) that were available and was able to choose an "easy" one. I don't know if its a store-to-store thing, but that's what happened with me. Hope it helps.

 

[matt18]

I'm going crazy waiting for the 11th! It seems so far away, but hey, we've waited this long....I guess I can wait a few more days! Haha.

I would rather go to an Apple Store because of the limited stock that AT&T stores might have. Plus I like the service and support that the Apple Store ALWAYS offers...it's like 1,000,000x better than any AT&T store...

 

[sfh]

Cash

Cash slows things down.
It needs to be counted.... and then change needs to be given.... and of course there's gunna be that one guy who wants to pay in like all 5's and 1's...

It is harder for them to get your money later if you decide to cancel your plan.

 

[trunksu]

I don't understand why people think it's better to go to an AT&T store to keep your chances of a screw-up lower. Given my experience with Apple employees versus employees of ANY cell carrier, I trust an Apple employee just learning how to do the activation process over an AT&T employee who "knows" how to do it.

well if they're in a situation like me, they prob should go to the AT&T store. my current voice plan is more expensive than the minimum plan that the iphone requires. i'd like to get the minimum plan with the new iphone with text msg.

The people at the AT&T store are used to and very capable of making that happen. i've gone to the store and had my plans changed with ease at the AT&T store.

do we know if the Apple store will be able to handle that? have they done it before? it's a new territory and getting your phone plan messed up really blows. if i wasn't changing my plan, i would definitely just go to the Apple store without hesitation.

 

[jeremihad]

Will we be able to pay a deposit at an Apple store, or is that something that will have to be done at an ATT store (as per the iReady video)?

 

[omegaphil6]

Also Cash is stupid...Maybe they are looking out for your protection! Lets see, A line of 100s of people each with at least $200 in cash... a little dangerous? I think so. A Local gang could roll through an collect and early retirement!

 

[misterc0w]

I called the Apple Store in Nashville yesterday, and they will be opening at 10 am. I suspect that Apple Stores inside malls (like this one) will stick to their normal opening times, while free-standing ones might open earlier.

That is a bummer, because parking is always so much better at the mall there. Seems like the ATT store down the street is harder to get in/out of.

 

[snverhallen]

Is it me, or does the home button look more circular?

snverhallen

 

[born4sky]

I am going to Apple store, because I have a credit there. Can't wait though I hope that i'd be able to buy it without a line... big line.

 

[matt18]

I was at an AT&T in Louisville about a week ago, and the couple in front of me wanted to get an iPhone and the employee told them that the 3G iPhones were coming out this week. He went on to say that the AT&T store that I was at (closest to the Apple Store in the mall) would be receiving 95 iPhones (no info. on what sizes...but anyway) and that any other AT&T stores in the area would only be receiving 40 iPhones.

I expected better, especially with such a high demand product!

 

[mdgolom]

Really? A lot of Malls open their doors early for "mall walkers" and for other various reasons. Also, I would think Apple would have the clout to get permission to open their store early.

I also seem to remember the Apple Retail stores were open until Midnight when the iPhone was first released. I'm sure most retail stores in malls wouldn't have a problem opening a couple of hours early.

 

[UnseenLlama]

Is it me, or does the home button look more circular?

snverhallen

The home button was always circular. Don't know how it can get "more" circular.

 

[djdole]

FTP: "Half the Price"

Half...if you don't consider the expensive service contract. -.-

 

[Bono2Beagle]

Porting?

Ok..so I'm currently a Verizion carrier and my contract ends on the 14th. But am dying to get the 3G on Friday! Does anyone know if its possible to establish a new phone number and then port my current number at a later date or are you stuck with that number until the contract expires? Might be an AT&T question. But I thought I'd ask here incase other people have the same ques.

 

[WPB2]

Also Cash is stupid...Maybe they are looking out for your protection! Lets see, A line of 100s of people each with at least $200 in cash... a little dangerous? I think so. A Local gang could roll through an collect and early retirement!

Good observation I didn't think of it that way.

 

[UnseenLlama]

Ok..so I'm currently a Verizion carrier and my contract ends on the 14th. But am dying to get the 3G on Friday! Does anyone know if its possible to establish a new phone number and then port my current number at a later date or are you stuck with that number until the contract expires? Might be an AT&T question. But I thought I'd ask here incase other people have the same ques.

Just wait until you purchase the iPhone on Friday. ATT will essentially send a cancellation request to Verizon and port your number over. Don't make things more complicated.

 

[nemaslov]

There is probably an asterisk * somewhere but they should not be allowed to post ads or window displays that promote half the price when that is not the absolute case, Half price only for some.

 

[WPB2]

Ok..so I'm currently a Verizion carrier and my contract ends on the 14th. But am dying to get the 3G on Friday! Does anyone know if its possible to establish a new phone number and then port my current number at a later date or are you stuck with that number until the contract expires? Might be an AT&T question. But I thought I'd ask here incase other people have the same ques.

Its your number you will have to pay off Verizon but until the 14th you will have 2 active phones 1 iphone with ATT and 1 whatever phone with Verizon. If you sign a new contract with a new number you are stuck with that one, sorry.

 

[JAQ]

Im Curious to know what is wrong with good old cash?

You ever try to make a purchase at an Apple store with cash or a check? They'll take it, and smile the whole time... but that time is like five times as long as it takes with a fresh piece of plastic, which can be done from anywhere on the floor with one of their handheld gizmos.

 

[Farani]

Ok..so I'm currently a Verizion carrier and my contract ends on the 14th. But am dying to get the 3G on Friday! Does anyone know if its possible to establish a new phone number and then port my current number at a later date or are you stuck with that number until the contract expires? Might be an AT&T question. But I thought I'd ask here incase other people have the same ques.

Yes, it is possible to do this. When I purchased my 1st gen iphone I was coming from Nextel. My contract wasn't up until 2 weeks after I purchased it, so I used the number I got from AT&T until my Nextel contract was up. Then I called AT&T and they ported my Nextel number. 2 Important things: 1. Don't port your number before your contract expires. If you do, you'll be charged the cancellation fee. 2. Don't cancel your account with Verizon after your contract expires. Porting your number will do this.