iPhone Upgrade Program Causes Headaches on Launch Day Due to Limited Stock

[e1allen]

I tried to order thru Apple app to get 7+ 256gb gold using the upgrade plan.

Finished providing the payment information and was given a response "An interruption has happened. If your request is approved, you will receive an email."

No record of my ordxer.

 

[keithjfuller]

I guess reason isn't allowed on this forum. No matter what I say it gets removed for not worshipping the cult of Apple...

 

[Cineplex]

My life is over. I couldn't pre-order the iPhone 7 with my douchey iPhone upgrade program.

 

[AppleDumplings]

Same here - ready when preorders went live at 2:06 and absolutely no 7Plus in Jet Black. I'm impatient and want something new to hold on launch day so I got silver. Oh well, looking forward to the awesome new camera system!

 

[arkhanjel]

That works out perfectly then for the credit card charges. I guess I'm still not understanding how a $749 phone ends up being $930 in total charges? I'm not refuting what they charged, I just wish they could lay it out easier.

Did you add in the fact that they include AppleCare cost in your total as well?

 

[DustinJohns]

Did you add in the fact that they include AppleCare cost in your total as well?

I didn't until someone pointed that out. Thanks for the help. It all makes sense now.

 

[thefarang]

What bothers me about this whole upgrade program (and why I feel the need to chime in here) is that 1) most of you probably never read your agreement and hence haven't made the required number of payments to upgrade, and 2) many of you feel that because you are in the upgrade program you are instantly Apple's most loyal customers (you are not). I think you are all being ridiculous. Drop out of the program. Others just as ridiculous as you will take your place.

1) You don't have to make a minimum number of payments to upgrade. You have to make a minimum number of payments to upgrade at no cost.

2) While there have been a couple of people who feel they are more loyal by being in the program, most of us have asked for nothing else other than to be able to be on the wait list like everyone else rather than being forced to go to the Apple website every day, check availability, and only then can we request an appointment to upgrade. At least someone who is told the ship date is 4 - 6 weeks can place their order and sit back and wait for the phone. People on the Upgrade program have to go and check the site every day to check when they arrive at the Apple Stores.

It's not about asking to be first, it's about not being yanked out of line and told that you have to wait until everyone else gets their phones first before you can even place your order.

 

[Trocien]

This is exactly what happened to me. Got on the app at EXACTLY 12:01, only to see that my store said:

We're not taking any more reservations to upgrade your iPhone right now. Reservations will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on September 17. Please come back then to make a reservation.

Waited an hour and nothing. Woke up this morning and all of a sudden my store was no longer grayed out. All Plus's gone.

 

[smoyer04]

This doesn't even take into account the problems that will arise from this issue.

I was able to secure my wife a reservation for a rose gold iPhone 7 plus 128gb, but was unable to reserve a black iPhone 7 plus for myself (or any non rose gold phone for that matter...). If I am unable to get an iPhone the day that we go pick her's up from the Apple store we will now have different upgrade dates and payment dates. Making upgrading as a family only more confusing and frustrating.

This leads me to the Next issue.

If it takes two or more weeks past the launch date for me to be able to upgrade I will have made my 13th payment on my previous generation (6s) that I wanted to upgrade after my 12th payment. So by the time I do get to upgrade I will probably have paid at least one extra payment past the requirement to upgrade. Am I going to be credited that payment when I upgrade? Is Apple going to apply that payment to the first month's payment on my next iPhone? Or, is Apple just going to keep the extra money and start me over on a new 24 month payment plan from the date that I finally get to upgrade?

Apple better do something to make this right for the people who signed up for a program that was supposed to simplify the buying process. At a minimum Apple should credit payments made past the 12 month mark to the next iPhone once we are able to upgrade. If apple knew they would be pushing Upgrade Program buyers into the 13th or 14th payment without any way to credit them I can see some legal action taking place.

Going forward Apple should let existing iPhone Upgrade Program members (who are currently eligible) pre-order on the day the iPhone is announced and then everyone else can join in for pre-orders on the date Apple specifies. This would help Apple allocate product inventory to each respective store while highlighting the advantage of buying directly from Apple. As of now the opposite is true, I feel alienated and cheated.

 

[MaulRx]

Odd, iPhones are never hard to get at launch.

 

[pcmacgamer]

Lol, well you're welcome to believe whatever you want to believe, even if it's demonstrably wrong. I'm not an economist, but anyone who has even taken a basic economics course knows that your theory is little more than conspiracy. But what do I know, I apparently don't have common sense.

I've taken an intro to economics course,micro economics and macro economics course. So yes I have an understanding just as I'm sure you do. It's not not demonstrably wrong or some little conspiracy. You look at how they've been operating with the iPhone last 7 releases. They always want to build the hype up as much as they can. Apple knows exactly what they are doing.

Have to give Apple great credit for that. They are masters of marketing and getting lovers of their products frothing at the mouth. It's common sense that they don't make enough right away to make the first round of shipments somewhat exclusive. Even releasing the new exclusive color only available on more expensive versions.The early adopters won't buy anything else since they are such fanboys. Apple has them in the palm of their hands. What other company has the will over its huge fans to get them waking up in early hours just to order a smartphone.

 

[Millionaire2K]

All these people saying Apple didn't guarantee release day phones make me want to barf. You're missing the point. Apple made it a point in the press conference to say "this is the best way to buy iPhone". "Get a new phone every year" "It's time to upgrade"

My issue is when I went to do the "upgrade" it straight up told me to come back sept 17th to try again. So I said F that and tried to buy the SAME phone outright. And guess what? I was able to. I was able to pay $900+ for the 128gb Verizon jet Black phone with delivery between Oct 10-17th FROM APPLE.COM. BUT Apple told me 'try again later" when I wanted to "upgrade" "the best way to buy iPhone".

There is NO reason the phone I reserved for Oct 10-17th couldn't be delivered to the Apple store for the upgrade program.

Apple you need to fix this issue next year or many will not be using the wonderful upgrade program again.

PS. I will be selling my iPhone 6s+ to pay off the Citizens loan.

 

[Modernboy]

All these people saying Apple didn't guarantee release day phones make me want to barf. You're missing the point. Apple made it a point in the press conference to say "this is the best way to buy iPhone". "Get a new phone every year" "It's time to upgrade"

My issue is when I went to do the "upgrade" it straight up told me to come back sept 17th to try again. So I said F that and tried to buy the SAME phone outright. And guess what? I was able to. I was able to pay $900+ for the 128gb Verizon jet Black phone with delivery between Oct 10-17th. BUT Apple told me 'try again later" when I wanted to "upgrade" "the best way to buy iPhone".

There is NO reason the phone I reserved for Oct 10-17th couldn't be delivered to the Apple store for the upgrade program.

Apple you need to fix this issue next year or many will not be using the wonderful upgrade program again.

PS. I will be selling my iPhone 6s+ to pay off the Citizens loan.

To be fair though isn't that Verizon phone locked to Verizon? I don't understand why I need to pick a carrier to buy a supposedly unlocked phone. Let me buy it and I'll set it up on my account myself!

 

[Mlrollin91]

My 6+ still works flawlessly. Skipping this "upgrade" and getting the real upgrade in June.

Ummm you mean September.
[doublepost=1473462127][/doublepost]

This whole thing is stupid. Because I did AT&T Next 12 Month and I bought a 6S Plus on launch day I can't buy an iPhone 7 Plus until 2 weeks now. So now the shipping dates are pushed out, I might not get my phone until December. I wish Apple would just pick a date and stick with it. I might not even bother upgrading this year. I would think they would see this and fix it, because I am pretty sure I am not the only one in this boat. Others might decide to skip this upgrade as well.

It ha nothing to do with dates. It has to do with payment. You could have made your 12th payment ahead of time last night. Problem solved.

 

[Millionaire2K]

To be fair though isn't that Verizon phone locked to Verizon? I don't understand why I need to pick a carrier to buy a supposedly unlocked phone. Let me buy it and I'll set it up on my account myself!

No it's not. The Verizon phone is unlocked.

 

[Kevtech1]

The problem is those people were not given an equal chance. In fact, they were given worse chance.

Exactly! It would be one thing if we had the same rights a Joe Blow, but we can't get anything until we bring the phone in? I mean, let us use the same damn packaging the new one comes in the mail and just mail it back?!! What do they have to lose? If we don't send it back you just bill us for the one we kept and the new one! write that into the contract…. Makes no sense….

BTW- anyone know if we just bring the old phone in. Box, charger, block, EarPods, any of that required??

 

[jomo25]

My life is over. I couldn't pre-order the iPhone 7 with my douchey iPhone upgrade program.

No one is saying our life is over. But I'd bet you'd be somewhat perturbed if you paid for a service and then weren't allowed to use the service when you wanted to.

 

[Millionaire2K]

Exactly! It would be one thing if we had the same rights a Joe Blow, but we can't get anything until we bring the phone in? I mean, let us use the same damn packaging the new one comes in the mail and just mail it back?!! What do they have to lose? If we don't send it back you just bill us for the one we kept and the new one! write that into the contract…. Makes no sense….

BTW- anyone know if we just bring the old phone in. Box, charger, block, EarPods, any of that required??

I'm sure it's just the phone. Not a lot of the "regular public" will keep all those accessories.

 

[Digital Dude]

While the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus became available for pre-order at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time this morning, some customers enrolled in the iPhone Upgrade Program were unable to select the model, carrier, color, or storage capacity they desired due to limited stock seemingly as soon as orders began.

MacRumors reader Pbrutto of Allentown, Pennsylvania said that there were no iPhones available for him to pre-order, while many other existing iPhone Upgrade Program members were unable to order the specific model they wanted from Apple retail stores in their local areas, even immediately at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time.MacRumors reader Markarian421 shared a similar experience: The underlying reason appears to be that iPhone Upgrade Program members were placed into a separate stream than regular pre-order customers, and forced to reserve a new iPhone from a local Apple retail store -- many of which were sold out. Some customers were not even able to access the reservation system at all, and instead received the following message just minutes after pre-orders began:Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program lets customers upgrade to a new iPhone after just six months, as long as they have made at least 12 payments towards their current smartphone and trade it in upon upgrading. The leasing program is financed through Citizens Bank in the United States.

Today's experience has left many iPhone Upgrade Program members frustrated, and questioning whether they will enroll in the program in the future. In the meantime, Apple's in-store pickup reservation system for regular customers resumes September 17 in the United States, and select other countries, or customers can attempt a walk-in purchase on a first come, first served basis.

Article Link: iPhone Upgrade Program Causes Headaches on Launch Day Due to Limited Stock

Well, I logged on to the Apple website today, and I just ordered the new iPhone 7+ in the regular gold color using the new arrangement they have with AT&T. This seemed easier whereby Apple takes care of the particulars with AT&T NeXT which is a little bit more convenient. I believe it arrives 17 September or 3 November which is fine by me. I like the cases I get from Argentina, and it takes about three or four weeks for them to arrive. My days of waiting in line at the Apple Store or AT&T subsidiary are over. Just in case anyone cares I ordered the iPhone 7+ with 256 knowing full well I'll never use anywhere near that but who knows. You know, this iPhone 7+ while certainly an upgrade seems to be more like an S version update but admittedly my iPhone 6+ was starting to get sluggish so what the heck.

 

[GTDaveMac]

I really was hoping that the iPhone Upgrade Program would would allow online orders, similar to the workings of the Apple Express Replacement repair option. I don't see why it won't work. If eligible, you order a new iPhone, and when you get it you place your old phone in the box and send it back within 10 days. Of course, if there is damage or you don't return the phone, your credit card hold remains and Apple keeps whatever is in the terms of service.

I live two hours from two different Apple stores, so driving to one again is not exactly convenient or the best way to order a new phone!

 

[tDog1868]

As an iPhone 6 owner with AT&T as the carrier. I just opened Apple Store app this morning around 7:00am pacific time and forgot that there are not subsidized phones anymore. I joined Apple's Upgrade program and ordered a black 128 GB iPhone 7 for pickup on the 16th. I was actually surprised how easy the process was. After reading some of these posts I feel pretty lucky.

 

[thefarang]

All these people saying Apple didn't guarantee release day phones make me want to barf. You're missing the point. Apple made it a point in the press conference to say "this is the best way to buy iPhone". "Get a new phone every year" "It's time to upgrade"

My issue is when I went to do the "upgrade" it straight up told me to come back sept 17th to try again. So I said F that and tried to buy the SAME phone outright. And guess what? I was able to. I was able to pay $900+ for the 128gb Verizon jet Black phone with delivery between Oct 10-17th. BUT Apple told me 'try again later" when I wanted to "upgrade" "the best way to buy iPhone".

There is NO reason the phone I reserved for Oct 10-17th couldn't be delivered to the Apple store for the upgrade program.

Apple you need to fix this issue next year or many will not be using the wonderful upgrade program again.

PS. I will be selling my iPhone 6s+ to pay off the Citizens loan.

Funny, just went down to the Apple Store and asked about paying off the Citizen loan now. The guy looked at me like I was crazy. "You can just upgrade" he says. I told him that I can't upgrade and explained why. He called over his boss and his boss is also on the upgrade program and almost seemed to understand what the problem was but didn't quite grasp why I have better things to do than to check every day whether or not the exact iPhone configuration I want has arrived at a store near me and hope I can beat out every other chucklehead trying to buy the same phone.

There is 100% no way I will do the IUP going forward. I'm buying out the contract and selling the phone.

If it was what they said it was when they came out with the IUP, great, but let's assume that it takes an extra month or two to get an appointment to pick up the exact phone you want in store. You're paying your normal $40 a month while you wait. So, by the time you get your phone, it's going to be at least October if not November. Then you restart a new 2 year contract which you can upgrade in 12 months.

Then next year when they release the iPhone 8 in September you have to either wait until October or November or pony up $40 - $80 extra to get one at launch. Plus, they won't have enough phones for IUP anyway so you'll be in the same boat hitting the Apple site every day for a month or two waiting to get your phone. It's not just about wasting my time once to get the phone. They're going to waste your time every year.

Seriously, unless you need the phone financed, just paying the $1,000 or so up front is a clear winner. Apple sold this as "the easiest" way to upgrade but it's clearly not. For me, I was simply looking to avoid getting lowballed by Apple and trade-in houses on my old phone or the hassle of selling it online. That's what made it attractive but if Apple is going to screw you over every year and make you check back every day, well, it's not worth the hassle.

 

[WiseAJ]

As an iPhone 6 owner with AT&T as the carrier. I just opened Apple Store app this morning around 7:00am pacific time and forgot that there are not subsidized phones anymore. I joined Apple's Upgrade program and ordered a black 128 GB iPhone 7 for pickup on the 16th. I was actually surprised how easy the process was. After reading some of these posts I feel pretty lucky.

Most the delays are with the 7 Plus's

 

[tDog1868]

As an iPhone 6 owner with AT&T as the carrier. I just opened Apple Store app this morning around 7:00am pacific time and forgot that there are not subsidized phones anymore. I joined Apple's Upgrade program and ordered a black 128 GB iPhone 7 for pickup on the 16th. I was actually surprised how easy the process was. After reading some of these posts I feel pretty lucky.

I think I am understanding the problem more now..Sounds like unless Apple fixes the upgrade program I am going to be screwed in getting a new phone at launch in September 2017.

 

[Phone Junky]

Funny, just went down to the Apple Store and asked about paying off the Citizen loan now. The guy looked at me like I was crazy. "You can just upgrade" he says. I told him that I can't upgrade and explained why. He called over his boss and his boss is also on the upgrade program and almost seemed to understand what the problem was but didn't quite grasp why I have better things to do than to check every day whether or not the exact iPhone configuration I want has arrived at a store near me and hope I can beat out every other chucklehead trying to buy the same phone.

There is 100% no way I will do the IUP going forward. I'm buying out the contract and selling the phone.

If it was what they said it was when they came out with the IUP, great, but let's assume that it takes an extra month or two to get an appointment to pick up the exact phone you want in store. You're paying your normal $40 a month while you wait. So, by the time you get your phone, it's going to be at least October if not November. Then you restart a new 2 year contract which you can upgrade in 12 months.

Then next year when they release the iPhone 8 in September you have to either wait until October or November or pony up $40 - $80 extra to get one at launch. Plus, they won't have enough phones for IUP anyway so you'll be in the same boat hitting the Apple site every day for a month or two waiting to get your phone. It's not just about wasting my time once to get the phone. They're going to waste your time every year.

Seriously, unless you need the phone financed, just paying the $1,000 or so up front is a clear winner. Apple sold this as "the easiest" way to upgrade but it's clearly not. For me, I was simply looking to avoid getting lowballed by Apple and trade-in houses on my old phone or the hassle of selling it online. That's what made it attractive but if Apple is going to screw you over every year and make you check back every day, well, it's not worth the hassle.

So this is not just about getting a new iPhone every year. It's about getting THE new iPhone on launch day every year. Is it in the iUP agreement that you are guaranteed the new iPhone at launch every year? Everyone wants the new iPhone NOW but that is clearly not possible. Start using the iPhone upgrade program in November and you could probably upgrade every year with no problem but nothing is certain.