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iPhone Upgrade Program Penalty

When I logged on their were no appointments available at all for Jet Black Plus's, no store inventory at all and there are quite a few stores around me.
 
It used to be that the best way to get an iPhone near launch was to just show up at an Apple Store and wait in line instead of going through your carrier, because the carrier stores had little stock. But the past couple years all that has switched around- now the best way seems to be to order from a carrier.
 
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ProMod said:
Normally, so what if you didn't get your iPhone on launch day? Get it in a few weeks or a month. No harm done.

With the iPhone Upgrade Program, however, you actually pay a penalty by missing out on the preorder. Those that enrolled in the program on iPhone 6S launch day, such as myself, will now pay a penalty by not being able to preorder the 7 for launch day.

Instead of upgrading to the new phone right at 12 months, we'll now most likely make at least one extra payment on our old phones. And when we do get the iPhone 7, say in a month, our new loan will begin in October, meaning when next year's iPhone is released in September we'll have to pay an extra payment to "catch up" before we're upgrade eligible on launch day.

This, coupled with the fact you have to go to an Apple Store to complete the transaction and have your credit pulled every single year have me figuring out how to bail from this not-so-consumer-friendly plan.
Click to expand...
 
ProMod said:
Normally, so what if you didn't get your iPhone on launch day? Get it in a few weeks or a month. No harm done.

With the iPhone Upgrade Program, however, you actually pay a penalty by missing out on the preorder. Those that enrolled in the program on iPhone 6S launch day, such as myself, will now pay a penalty by not being able to preorder the 7 for launch day.

Instead of upgrading to the new phone right at 12 months, we'll now most likely make at least one extra payment on our old phones. And when we do get the iPhone 7, say in a month, our new loan will begin in October, meaning when next year's iPhone is released in September we'll have to pay an extra payment to "catch up" before we're upgrade eligible on launch day.

This, coupled with the fact you have to go to an Apple Store to complete the transaction and have your credit pulled every single year have me figuring out how to bail from this not-so-consumer-friendly plan.
Click to expand...
I think this sounds like a bait and switch tactic. Maybe contact the FDA and open a case.
 
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Apple paints themselves as this world class company with executives that get awards and act like royalty. Dripping in cash the Cupertino Company has massive resources and should certainly be better than this. Their highly touted upgrade program is a sham.
 
ProMod said:
Normally, so what if you didn't get your iPhone on launch day? Get it in a few weeks or a month. No harm done.

With the iPhone Upgrade Program, however, you actually pay a penalty by missing out on the preorder. Those that enrolled in the program on iPhone 6S launch day, such as myself, will now pay a penalty by not being able to preorder the 7 for launch day.

Instead of upgrading to the new phone right at 12 months, we'll now most likely make at least one extra payment on our old phones. And when we do get the iPhone 7, say in a month, our new loan will begin in October, meaning when next year's iPhone is released in September we'll have to pay an extra payment to "catch up" before we're upgrade eligible on launch day.

This, coupled with the fact you have to go to an Apple Store to complete the transaction and have your credit pulled every single year have me figuring out how to bail from this not-so-consumer-friendly plan.
Click to expand...

This post clarified the preorder day for me. Maybe you guys would be interested in this story. First, I bought a new 6S last year on the first day. At that time I was going to pay cash, but when I got there, and the rep told me about the upgrade program, I thought why not. I bought the phone on the upgrade program. A month into the program I had a probelm with my phone. Eventually, Apple replaced the phone, all done through Apple Support.

So now, prior to prelaunch, I go to Apple website. I'm going to check out exactly what the program is. So I enter serial number, last 4 of the imei number, a box pops up that says I'm not enrolled in the program! So first opportunity, I call support. They tell me to go to the store. I go to the store, and fortunately I had my receipt saying I bought on the program, and I had an email about the phone replacement. Turns out according to the store, Apple Support did not enter all the information correctly so that my update program would be correct. They enter all the information. They tell me to check in 24 hours. I do that, still not enrolled.

Somehow still not believing this, at midnight I try to upgrade my phone. Nope, not enrolled in the program. Eventually I called Apple the next day. I was on hold for just over 3 hours! When the guy comes on the line, he tells me that maybe the payments aren't showing correctly, and that I will just need to wait until November to upgrade! What??? That's going to cost me a couple of extra payments.! I tell like hell, get it corrected. I did my part of the program, I expect Apple to do theres.

Eventually he calls me back, tells he's got it all straightened out. So I get on the site again, key in my serial number, etc, I note when the box comes up that now it has the old phone serial number, instead of my replacement phone! But what the hell, I go on, except when I get to the order section, there were no 7Plus phones at all.

In a fit of frustration, I try to order a phone WiTHOUT the update program. I go through the pages of the order form, waiting for it to tell there's no phone. But lo and behold, I go all the way through, order a black 7Plus 256. It say they will be delivering it to my house on the 27th (I believe). I'm figuring OK, I can cancel it for 14 days, or maybe use it for my upgrade program.

But since then, I have tried to order the 7Plus in the upgrade program. Now there is a silver phone available, which I don't want. Not until this post did it really hit me, Apple has screwed all of the upgrade people out of a minimum of $40. Multiply that times the millions of customers on the program, nice little boost to earnings at time they could use it. Meanwhile, what wasn't available on the upgrade program, WAS available otherwise. I know, I bought one. I'll have to figure out what to do next, but trust me, I'm through with the upgrade program. It's a screw job.
 
JPiper said:
This post clarified the preorder day for me. Maybe you guys would be interested in this story. First, I bought a new 6S last year on the first day. At that time I was going to pay cash, but when I got there, and the rep told me about the upgrade program, I thought why not. I bought the phone on the upgrade program. A month into the program I had a probelm with my phone. Eventually, Apple replaced the phone, all done through Apple Support.

So now, prior to prelaunch, I go to Apple website. I'm going to check out exactly what the program is. So I enter serial number, last 4 of the imei number, a box pops up that says I'm not enrolled in the program! So first opportunity, I call support. They tell me to go to the store. I go to the store, and fortunately I had my receipt saying I bought on the program, and I had an email about the phone replacement. Turns out according to the store, Apple Support did not enter all the information correctly so that my update program would be correct. They enter all the information. They tell me to check in 24 hours. I do that, still not enrolled.

Somehow still not believing this, at midnight I try to upgrade my phone. Nope, not enrolled in the program. Eventually I called Apple the next day. I was on hold for just over 3 hours! When the guy comes on the line, he tells me that maybe the payments aren't showing correctly, and that I will just need to wait until November to upgrade! What??? That's going to cost me a couple of extra payments.! I tell like hell, get it corrected. I did my part of the program, I expect Apple to do theres.

Eventually he calls me back, tells he's got it all straightened out. So I get on the site again, key in my serial number, etc, I note when the box comes up that now it has the old phone serial number, instead of my replacement phone! But what the hell, I go on, except when I get to the order section, there were no 7Plus phones at all.

In a fit of frustration, I try to order a phone WiTHOUT the update program. I go through the pages of the order form, waiting for it to tell there's no phone. But lo and behold, I go all the way through, order a black 7Plus 256. It say they will be delivering it to my house on the 27th (I believe). I'm figuring OK, I can cancel it for 14 days, or maybe use it for my upgrade program.

But since then, I have tried to order the 7Plus in the upgrade program. Now there is a silver phone available, which I don't want. Not until this post did it really hit me, Apple has screwed all of the upgrade people out of a minimum of $40. Multiply that times the millions of customers on the program, nice little boost to earnings at time they could use it. Meanwhile, what wasn't available on the upgrade program, WAS available otherwise. I know, I bought one. I'll have to figure out what to do next, but trust me, I'm through with the upgrade program. It's a screw job.
Click to expand...


I'm in a similar boat, but they haven't figured out how to add my replacement phone, so I just ordered as a new upgrade phone. Will be taking my phone to apple to return with original receipt.
 
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Lobwedgephil said:
I'm in a similar boat, but they haven't figured out how to add my replacement phone, so I just ordered as a new upgrade phone. Will be taking my phone to apple to return with original receipt.
Click to expand...

My store really didn't get the problem straightened out. I'm just guessing that part of the problem has to do with Citizens. They show the phone as security, with the old serial number. So that if Apple doesn't manage to get that changed, the screen they have set up for the upgrade program won't clear you, because your phone doesn't jive with the Citzens data. When you take your phone to your store, they won't have the capability to change that.

Maybe you'll fare better. I like the way you handled it though, ordering a new upgrade phone. In retrospect maybe I should have done that as well.
 
JPiper said:
My store really didn't get the problem straightened out. I'm just guessing that part of the problem has to do with Citizens. They show the phone as security, with the old serial number. So that if Apple doesn't manage to get that changed, the screen they have set up for the upgrade program won't clear you, because your phone doesn't jive with the Citzens data. When you take your phone to your store, they won't have the capability to change that.

Maybe you'll fare better. I like the way you handled it though, ordering a new upgrade phone. In retrospect maybe I should have done that as well.
Click to expand...

Really had no choice, spent over 4 hours the two days before launch on the phone with apple with no luck. They were able to get the AppleCare plus added on the phone that shows its upgrade program, but that's it. Every department kept transferring me around, finally senior advisor said that I have to go to the store to get it changed.
 
JPiper said:
This post clarified the preorder day for me. Maybe you guys would be interested in this story. First, I bought a new 6S last year on the first day. At that time I was going to pay cash, but when I got there, and the rep told me about the upgrade program, I thought why not. I bought the phone on the upgrade program. A month into the program I had a probelm with my phone. Eventually, Apple replaced the phone, all done through Apple Support.

So now, prior to prelaunch, I go to Apple website. I'm going to check out exactly what the program is. So I enter serial number, last 4 of the imei number, a box pops up that says I'm not enrolled in the program! So first opportunity, I call support. They tell me to go to the store. I go to the store, and fortunately I had my receipt saying I bought on the program, and I had an email about the phone replacement. Turns out according to the store, Apple Support did not enter all the information correctly so that my update program would be correct. They enter all the information. They tell me to check in 24 hours. I do that, still not enrolled.

Somehow still not believing this, at midnight I try to upgrade my phone. Nope, not enrolled in the program. Eventually I called Apple the next day. I was on hold for just over 3 hours! When the guy comes on the line, he tells me that maybe the payments aren't showing correctly, and that I will just need to wait until November to upgrade! What??? That's going to cost me a couple of extra payments.! I tell like hell, get it corrected. I did my part of the program, I expect Apple to do theres.

Eventually he calls me back, tells he's got it all straightened out. So I get on the site again, key in my serial number, etc, I note when the box comes up that now it has the old phone serial number, instead of my replacement phone! But what the hell, I go on, except when I get to the order section, there were no 7Plus phones at all.

In a fit of frustration, I try to order a phone WiTHOUT the update program. I go through the pages of the order form, waiting for it to tell there's no phone. But lo and behold, I go all the way through, order a black 7Plus 256. It say they will be delivering it to my house on the 27th (I believe). I'm figuring OK, I can cancel it for 14 days, or maybe use it for my upgrade program.

But since then, I have tried to order the 7Plus in the upgrade program. Now there is a silver phone available, which I don't want. Not until this post did it really hit me, Apple has screwed all of the upgrade people out of a minimum of $40. Multiply that times the millions of customers on the program, nice little boost to earnings at time they could use it. Meanwhile, what wasn't available on the upgrade program, WAS available otherwise. I know, I bought one. I'll have to figure out what to do next, but trust me, I'm through with the upgrade program. It's a screw job.
Click to expand...

This program is a disaster on so many levels!
 
If we order phones online at full price for shipment, is there any way I can apply our Upgrade Program to that phone? Or can we only use the Upgrade Program for in-store reserved phones? If not, I may need to cancel 2 online orders.

I have a reservation for Friday but it's not for the phone I wanted unfortunately.
 
swamyg1 said:
If we order phones online at full price for shipment, is there any way I can apply our Upgrade Program to that phone? Or can we only use the Upgrade Program for in-store reserved phones? If not, I may need to cancel 2 online orders.

I have a reservation for Friday but it's not for the phone I wanted unfortunately.
Click to expand...

The IUP is considered a payment option so if you are having it shipped at full price you've already paid for it. They may be able to return it in store and re process it as a IUP though. Just call to confirm but you might be able to do it.
 
ProMod said:
This program is a disaster on so many levels!
Click to expand...
I've had the iPhone 6 plus for the past two years and am am more than ready to upgrade to a smaller phone.

I'm also one of those in the camp that believe the 2017 iPhone will have a major exterior redesign. So, I was thinking that going with an iPhone 7 (4.7 inch) under the IUP would be a good plan in that I'd have my smaller/faster phone for the next year and would be free to upgrade to the new design (ie if it materializes) in 2017. However, now that I read this thread, I'm seriously reconsidering the IUP option.

Considering that I'm highly likely to upgrade again in one year, what would those currently under the IUP recommend (ie having just gone through the IUP upgrade fiasco):
  • Buy the 64GB iPhone se (full purchase) now and use it for the next year? Then, I'd have a small, fast, relatively cheap phone to use for the next year, would be free to pre-order the 2017 phone at launch (perhaps under the IUP in hopes that Apple will improve the upgrade process in time for the 2018 launch). I could then sell the se outright or perhaps get a good trade in deal.
  • Buy the iPhone 7 (4.7) now under the IUP and trust that Apple will fix the upgrade process before the 2017 release so that I'd be relatively "assured" that I'd be able to upgrade at the time of the 2017 launch....and avoid the unfortunate fiasco that it sounds like so many went through this year?
 
DSTOFEL said:
I've had the iPhone 6 plus for the past two years and am am more than ready to upgrade to a smaller phone.

I'm also one of those in the camp that believe the 2017 iPhone will have a major exterior redesign. So, I was thinking that going with an iPhone 7 (4.7 inch) under the IUP would be a good plan in that I'd have my smaller/faster phone for the next year and would be free to upgrade to the new design (ie if it materializes) in 2017. However, now that I read this thread, I'm seriously reconsidering the IUP option.

Considering that I'm highly likely to upgrade again in one year, what would those currently under the IUP recommend (ie having just gone through the IUP upgrade fiasco):
  • Buy the 64GB iPhone se (full purchase) now and use it for the next year? Then, I'd have a small, fast, relatively cheap phone to use for the next year, would be free to pre-order the 2017 phone at launch (perhaps under the IUP in hopes that Apple will improve the upgrade process in time for the 2018 launch). I could then sell the se outright or perhaps get a good trade in deal.
  • Buy the iPhone 7 (4.7) now under the IUP and trust that Apple will fix the upgrade process before the 2017 release so that I'd be relatively "assured" that I'd be able to upgrade at the time of the 2017 launch?
Click to expand...

If you don't mind selling the phone on your own then buying it outright gives you more flexibility next year.
 
It sounds like Apple found a way to charge interest on a no-interest payment plan. Every extra payment made on your old iPhone is essentially lost if you get a new one on the plan. Apple should put those extra payments toward the new phone if it's been ordered but delayed for a month or two-- but I'm not holding my breath.

Looks like I'll paying in full next when I upgrade from my 6s Plus. I'm glad this last one on subsidy.
 
edlex said:
If you don't mind selling the phone on your own then buying it outright gives you more flexibility next year.
Click to expand...
Thanks....that's the way I'm leaning at the moment. I really want some assurance that I'll be able to pre-order next year for delivery on or near the 2017 launch day. It sounds that by going with the IUP now....that would be anything but certain.
 
barkomatic said:
It sounds like Apple found a way to charge interest on a no-interest payment plan. Every extra payment made on your old iPhone is essentially lost if you get a new one on the plan. Apple should put those extra payments toward the new phone if it's been ordered but delayed for a month or two-- but I'm not holding my breath.

Looks like I'll paying in full next when I upgrade from my 6s Plus. I'm glad this last one on subsidy.
Click to expand...
They've been charging "interest" right from the start. AppleCare+ is practically pure profit for Apple.
 
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