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

[dmelgar]

We are worried because Apple isn't the one responsible for the activation and contract signing process, AT&T is and we all know that AT&T makes things as difficult and complicated as they possibly can. Combine that with the fact that you will have an entire staff who has never set up cell phone contracts before doing it for their first time with a massive amount of customers all wanting an iPhone on the same day. They are going to have to come up with a radical plan to deal with the in-store activation or else its going to be a mess.

I still want to buy my iPhone at an Apple Store, but I fear that its not going to be a pretty sight.

I just signed up for service w AT&T over the weekend in advance of the iPhone. What a mess. About a simple a AT&T signup as you could wish for... just single line, minimum plan, no options nothing. Plain vanilla.

Their accounting system screwed up. They'd enter all my info, everything would be fine, going to return a phone number, their screen goes blank then says it can't find an application, can't find any of the info. The salesman calls their support, they're no help. He goes through the whole process a second time. Same thing. Calls support again. They do it. They run into the same thing. He says this is a known problem happens sometimes. But if he gives me a number in a neighboring city it will go through! Argh!

45 minutes later I walk out with a phone and a number from a neighboring city. There was NO ONE else in the store. Just the salesman and the manager trying to help out too. They both seemed smart and knowledgeable.

Friday will be a mess... and I'll be there.

 

[bigtar]

We're talking about a company that obsseses about visible screws, and how round corners are. Why would anyone asume that they haven't already figured out how to integrate their systems to AT&T, and tested and tested and tested the system? I'm a glass half full guy. 'd gues that all the systems are in place, and have been exhaustvely tested. It's bad for business if everyone who wants one can't buy one at the Apple Store. It will be fine.

I'm still waiting for official word from my wife's cousin's girlfriend's uncle. I'll let you know if I hear from him

 

[graybry]

wow. are you kidding me?
u can pay with anything but cash.
but you can buy a gift card with cash, then buy the iPhone.
that seems like a waste of time.

 

[Farani]

We're talking about a company that obsseses about visible screws, and how round corners are. Why would anyone asume that they haven't already figured out how to integrate their systems to AT&T, and tested and tested and tested the system? I'm a glass half full guy. 'd gues that all the systems are in place, and have been exhaustvely tested. It's bad for business if everyone who wants one can't buy one at the Apple Store. It will be fine.

I'm still waiting for official word from my wife's cousin's girlfriend's uncle. I'll let you know if I hear from him

See I'm a glass half empty guy consistently and for some reason I'm with you on it. I wouldn't be surprised if this went either way. Let's hope apple has something to take care of problems... BUT the first iphone launch did come with a slew of number porting problems so who knows...

 

[jbellanca]

She said that Apple Stores will have access to the exact same records AT*T stores will have

I hope that this is also true for "Authorized User" information. I'm upgrading two phones - mine and one that I'm listed as an Authorized User on, and I'd really prefer to get it all done at the Apple Store.

 

[beatledud]

I have a question, and this may decide which store I go, but if I'm living in Cincinnati and moving to San Fran in a couple weeks, can I get a San Fran number? Can I go to the Apple store to do this or should I just go to an ATT store...will ATT do this to begin with?

 

[spencers]

Just go to the ATT or Apple store and get a gift card right now.

Will do that Tuesday. Thanks!

 

[havenhamilton]

YES that's the point. It is only Monday and only freaks like us are reading all these details. Most civilians in the world think they can prance into the store friday and simply pay 199 and done. Many will be upset to find out that day (since they are no reading this crap online all week) that that is not always the case. They all read last month about Steve Jobs telling the World that the iPhone is half the price. He didn't say that it was only cheaper for a chosen few million and not everyone.

with that line of logic if you get there at 8 when they open early most of the "normies" won't be there so everything should be fine.

 

[Farani]

Appleinsider has a new post up:

Apple plans to rely heavily on its portable checkout devices to speed up the iPhone 3G checkout and activation process at its retail stores beginning this Friday, according to information coming out of the company's retail meetings. Other notes from the internal gatherings follow.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...e_3g_transactions_at_apple_retail_stores.html

 

[theotherrogue]

Is it just me, or does the white "square" on the home button look more circular than before?

If so, then this looks different than all the official pictures of the iPhone 3G we've seen so far.

 

[BustAGroove]

Yes, I'm anxious about this too. I have a 1st Gen IPhone that I've been using on T-Mobile since Sept. '07. I spoke with a T-Mobile rep last week and they didn't foresee any problems with me using IPhone 3G (unlocked) on T-Mobile's USA 3G network.

One detail I'm trying to get confirmation on is the fate of the current AT&T non-iPhone users. Those people need to qualify for upgrade eligibility and may need to go to AT&T stores to get an iPhone 3G.

arn

 

[Doctor Q]

Appleinsider has a new post up:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...e_3g_transactions_at_apple_retail_stores.html

Apple plans to rely heavily on its portable checkout devices to speed up the iPhone 3G checkout and activation process at its retail stores beginning this Friday, according to information coming out of the company's retail meetings.

Why isn't Apple using an iPhone application for this?

 

[Pwned]

499 is coming out of my account either way on Friday morning, who's gonna get it?

 

[Chrisrokc]

Anyone call their local apple store to confirm the rumor you have to have a iPhone to buy one at the Apple Store?

 

[Pwned]

Anyone call their local apple store to confirm the rumor you have to have a iPhone to buy one at the Apple Store?

I just called the Tysons Corner, VA and Pentagon City, VA Apple Stores and asked them if I do NOT qualify for a subsidized upgrade and am currently an AT&T customer, could I still buy one for 399/499 at the Apple Store and both told me I would have to go through AT&T because Apple is only dealing with subsidized Iphones. They said they will sell subsidized phones only and re-direct people like me to the AT&T store, that's the latest and greatest.

 

[aikomhoch]

I hope that this is also true for "Authorized User" information. I'm upgrading two phones - mine and one that I'm listed as an Authorized User on, and I'd really prefer to get it all done at the Apple Store.

That is the potential wrinkle with me as well. I didn't mention it since it wasn't relevant to the idea of seeing upgrade status. But since you bring it up: my wife is listed as the account owner (family plan, her phone and my phone) and I am an authorized person on the account. The ATT rep confirmed that I am authorized to upgrade my phone. She said there will be no issue in an ATT store to prove I am authorized. She said there SHOULD be no issue at the Apple store, but if there is, I should have the Apple salesperson call ATT to confirm. I hate the idea of making things take longer, but she assured me that it really shouldn't be an issue, that my name is listed on the account.

 

[h2z81]

whoever you talked to said that because that is what they think will happen. Apple is now selling the iPhone at 199 and 299. When you scan the barcode on the box that is the price that comes up. Apple stores can only sell the iphone at this subsidezed price...hence the fact that if you walk into an Apple Store with a RAZR on AT&T and say I want an iPhone 3G for 199....the Apple employee will say...I'm sorry but since you already have a non-iPhone with AT&T you must go to them.

100% wrong, the only people who must go to AT&T are those who are on corporate/business/university discount plans.

 

[abijnk]

Page 2:

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

snverhallen

Page 8:

Is it just me, or does the white "square" on the home button look more circular than before?

If so, then this looks different than all the official pictures of the iPhone 3G we've seen so far.

Deja vu?

 

[Pwned]

100% wrong, the only people who must go to AT&T are those who are on corporate/business/university discount plans.

PS3 is correct, I questioned him as well but if you DO NOT qualify for an upgrade and are willing to pay the unsubsidized 399/499 then you have to go to an AT&T store. This could all be proven otherwise if Apple announces something tomorrow which is entirely possible seeing how there was a big teleconference today.

 

[abijnk]

PS3 is correct, I questioned him as well but if you DO NOT qualify for an upgrade and are willing to pay the unsubsidized 399/499 then you have to go to an AT&T store. This could all be proven otherwise if Apple announces something tomorrow which is entirely possible seeing how there was a big teleconference today.

Yeah, Apple Insider has the same thing posted on their site. (the link is a few posts up)

 

[TGFits]

Why do people seem to think existing customers would be better off at AT&T stores? I am going to an Apple store and am an existing customer. I would think the steps for that would be easier, especially if the activation only version of iTunes is like what we used at home. You enter the existing customers information, slap the data plan on the line and send them packin'...

I agree with you. If you have ever experienced buying a phone at an AT&T store (anything but iPhone), its a horrible experience. I have never really had a bad experience in an Apple store. AT&T people are a bunch of morons. If you have a choice, go to an Apple store.

 

[Voltaic]

It is the most recent product being released after all. If it sickens you so much, why are you reading and posting in an iPhone thread. You must be a masochist.

Sadly the iPhone has been the most news we (Mac users) have had for well over a year, thats what I am complaining about, the lack of "Mac" news.

You must admit, some of the "news" posts about the iPhone are pretty irrelevant if not plain stupid.

 

[4np]

I saw this demo stand already at the Sydney Apple Store last sunday

 

[iNassar]

"twice as fast. half the price. iPhone 3G"<---------- ********.. you lied steve

 

[calancaster]

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.

You can BUY your new iPhone on Friday and then WAIT until the 14th when your Verizon contract expires to port your number. Just call AT&T Customer Support on the 14th (but NOT before) and tell them you want to port your number from Verizon to replace your existiing AT&T number.