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New Phone Display Film

F

FelicityW

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 4, 2011
174
95
NY->CA->AZ->MI->AZ
I picked up my SE today from a Verizon Wireless store. Admittedly, I have almost exclusively purchased my phones directly from Apple, but I have moved from the mecca of Apple Stores (Nor Cal Bay Area) to one store for miles and miles, so I got the phone where I could. When the guy handed it to me, the film was removed from the display. I said "Where is it? I leave it on until I get a screen protector and the ones here are too expensive". He said he threw it out! I said I have never had anyone remove the film — especially without even asking — before. He said I was the first person who ever mentioned it. I told him he needed to find me something to protect the screen and after looking all over the store, the best he could so was a protector for a 6, which presumably I am to cut to fit.

What are other experiences and thoughts about this? I felt like he had taken a liberty. This is my 6th or 7th iPhone, plus the ones my kids got, and I never had anyone do that. Is that a midwest thing? I have only purchased phones in CA and AZ prior to this.
 
I've had AT&T, and T-mobile reps do it. Had verizon but got the phone at best buy and they didn't do it as well as sprint reps.
 
Bought iPhone 5 at launch in a Verizon corporate store, and the guy who brought it out pulled the film off as he was activating it. Suffice to say, I cringed every moment he set it on the table and picked it back up.

Apple Store, however, handed my reserved AT&T 5 sealed in box. One of the best experiences I've ever had at a b&m
 
They just broke the tradition of Apple (as I thought)：the customer who bought the iPhone should be the first one who open the box, touch the handset and decide whether he or she want to remove the film.

I bought my 4S and 5S in an Apple Store in Hong Kong, they just do the same as I described and I felt good.
 
Talk about third world problems that even required a thread :eek:. Hope you feel better now after venting.
 
Yikes. On my third iPhone (3GS, 5 and 6S+). All have been in box with shrink wrap still on when I opened them. At least here in Canada there's no need for them to open it up and start monkeying with it before I do. All 3 of mine were purchased from carrier stores (Rogers, Telus and Eastlink) too.
 
My phone and iPad came in the mail...so never a worry.

Agree that they shouldn't have done that - now you know to tell them to bring it to you unopened in the future.
 
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FelicityW said:
I picked up my SE today from a Verizon Wireless store. Admittedly, I have almost exclusively purchased my phones directly from Apple, but I have moved from the mecca of Apple Stores (Nor Cal Bay Area) to one store for miles and miles, so I got the phone where I could. When the guy handed it to me, the film was removed from the display. I said "Where is it? I leave it on until I get a screen protector and the ones here are too expensive". He said he threw it out! I said I have never had anyone remove the film — especially without even asking — before. He said I was the first person who ever mentioned it. I told him he needed to find me something to protect the screen and after looking all over the store, the best he could so was a protector for a 6, which presumably I am to cut to fit.

What are other experiences and thoughts about this?
Click to expand...

I have only obtained one cell/smartphone from a store and it was my very first cell phone. However, if I had been in your place, I would have been equally as upset.

I think they should bring you the phone it the sealed box and first give you the option of opening it.
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ABC5S said:
Talk about third world problems that even required a thread :eek:.
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I believe the saying is first world problems.
 
FelicityW said:
I'm sorry this thread offends you in its simplicity. You didn't have to read it or take the time to snark back. Interestingly, when I have asked what I suppose you would consider 'real' questions, I have gotten fewer responses.
Click to expand...

Hopefully the response meant "this place is going fast" in regards to the negative, unhelpful comments... but it's been like that for some time.
 
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When I bought my brother's iPhone 6 from Best Buy, the sales rep went one step further and opted the number associated with the new line in to receive marketing messages from Best Buy.

Buying online is the best bet. If you have to buy in store I would make it a point to stress to the sales rep that you don't want the box opened.
 
I only buy Apple stuff from Apple store or online from Apple.
There's really no reason to pay a premium and deal with the garbage experience in carrier stores, Bestbuy, etc. The buying experience is part of the Apple purchasing process. Unless those resellers give me a deep discount to counter their zero effort in providing me superior purchasing experience, I would not buy from them.
 
I cringed every moment he set it on the table and picked it back up.
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iDuel said:
When I bought my brother's iPhone 6 from Best Buy, the sales rep went one step further and opted the number associated with the new line in to receive marketing messages from Best Buy.

Buying online is the best bet. If you have to buy in store I would make it a point to stress to the sales rep that you don't want the box opened.
Click to expand...
That's what that extra $50 gets ya. BB us great, isn't it?
 
willmtaylor said:
That's what that extra $50 gets ya. BB us great, isn't it?
Click to expand...

That $50 is the biggest bunch of BS. I went to Best Buy just the other day to purchase a new iPhone SE as a gift for a relative. They told me that they couldn't price match just about every other retailer that was selling the phone unlocked at $399 as they would take a loss.

Went right across the street to the AT&T store and bought the model I wanted at $399 without even having to activate service.
 
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As a sales rep I take the film off of each device. The film blocks the earpiece and causes customer dissatisfaction thinking they got a defective device with a bum earpiece. This is one thread is unnecessary. Any carrier rep is going to make sure the device is up and running which is why we take them out of the box. Apple employees don't care if it gets activated correctly, they just ship you off to the nearest carrier store to activate, at least at my local Apple as I deal with customers who bought through Apple but they did not receive activated phones.
 
noodles5666 said:
As a sales rep I take the film off of each device. The film blocks the earpiece and causes customer dissatisfaction thinking they got a defective device with a bum earpiece. This is one thread is unnecessary. Any carrier rep is going to make sure the device is up and running which is why we take them out of the box. Apple employees don't care if it gets activated correctly, they just ship you off to the nearest carrier store to activate, at least at my local Apple as I deal with customers who bought through Apple but they did not receive activated phones.
Click to expand...

Maybe so but you should bring the box unopened to the customer first and then open it in front of them.

Don't automatically assume that they want it opened before then.

Best course of action is for customer to tell the salesperson to bring the box unopened. That way no crossed signals.
 
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bufffilm said:
Maybe so but you should bring the box unopened to the customer first and then open it in front of them.

Don't automatically assume that they want it opened before then.

Best course of action is for customer to tell the salesperson to bring the box unopened. That way no crossed signals.
Click to expand...

Oh, I don't open the box until the phone has been activated. So when I take that front screen film off, it is in front of the customer just like the plastic wrap on the box.
 
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FelicityW said:
I'm sorry this thread offends you in its simplicity. You didn't have to read it or take the time to snark back. Interestingly, when I have asked what I suppose you would consider 'real' questions, I have gotten fewer responses.
Click to expand...
It's honestly offensive to me as somebody who grew up working in retail. You sound like you made this guy have a real tough time for an honest mistake. Putting aside your outright hilarious obsession for having a screen protector on within the hour (I don't know how badly you treat your phones for you to be that concerned), I just feel as though most people would have just moved along and dealt with it their own way (as they should), and not escalate things like you did.

By the way, he has every right to read it and snark back. That's kind of the idea of "forums." We don't all have to love and agree with each other, and I certainly don't when it comes to your thread.
 
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Suckfest 9001 said:
It's honestly offensive to me as somebody who grew up working in retail. You sound like you made this guy have a real tough time for an honest mistake. Putting aside your outright hilarious obsession for having a screen protector on within the hour (I don't know how badly you treat your phones for you to be that concerned), I just feel as though most people would have just moved along and dealt with it their own way (as they should), and not escalate things like you did.

By the way, he has every right to read it and snark back. That's kind of the idea of "forums." We don't all have to love and agree with each other, and I certainly don't when it comes to your thread.
Click to expand...
I ordered my iPhone SE online, I peeled off the protective layer to reveal a scratch already present on the screen. Surely the sales person should be making sure you are satisfied with the quality of your phone before leaving their store!?
 
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I don't think it's a big deal if he unwraps everything in front of you, since you would have the opportunity to take the phone out yourself. It's bogus for him to come back with an unwrapped phone. Not sure why anyone is giving OP a hard time for not wanting someone's grubby hands on his/her new phone esp out of sight. Sounds like the rep did what he could to make you happy though.

When I help anyone setup their phones, I always let them unbox them. Or at least take off the film lol.
 
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