My ridiculously horrible experience at an AT&T Store...

[Jeremy81]

I've had bad experiences with my local store as well. They refuse to sell you a phone unless you buy their bundles which are usually 150-200 dollars more. If you demand the phone only they claim that AT&T Corporate requires that they sell the bundles only even though the price labels clearly state the actual phone only price. Best option is to avoid and buy online or go somewhere else. AT&T salesmen are worse than used car salesmen.

 

[GfPQqmcRKUvP]

I've had bad experiences with my local store as well. They refuse to sell you a phone unless you buy their bundles which are usually 150-200 dollars more. If you demand the phone only they claim that AT&T Corporate requires that they sell the bundles only even though the price labels clearly state the actual phone only price. Best option is to avoid and buy online or go somewhere else. AT&T salesmen are worse than used car salesmen.

I believe forcing people to buy bundles is actually illegal, not to mention most likely against corporate policy. I'll try to check into it and report back.

 

[TimothyB]

I wonder if you agreed to the warranty, but only if they would prove this new policy from Apple in writing, or they write it down and have it signed by the manager that it is correct, and whatever else one can think of that would be damning to them when it's proved false, a lie that which they got you to buy the warranty. They'd probably back off if you say you'd only buy it if they would do all that.

To me, I don't care if I'm right and someone is wrong, I would not need to prove it and the let the guy go on. But if would fill me with rage if I knew the guy would continue that with other customers. I'd keep my cool, but it would keep me going to get the truth out. I know salesmen use shady tactics, but if you find yourself in the middle of it, it's hard to ignore.

I believe forcing people to buy bundles is actually illegal, not to mention most likely against corporate policy. I'll try to check into it and report back.

And wasn't that kind of tactic used on gaming console launches. Like for the 360 or PS3, where people waited days in line to be first when the doors opened to only be told they have to buy a big bundle that was never advertised.

When I got my 3G on launch, the ATT store had bundles in baskets all ready to go for the iPhone, but where not mandatory there.