Non-Account Holder/Owner on Family Plan Can't buy from Apple

[meagain]

My husband is the account holder/owner and we are both on a family plan. AT&T says I can by my phone without his presence IF he calls to authorize me. He did. 2 Apple stores have told me it doesn't matter because AT&T told them to sell only to the main holder of the account. Period.

So even though I'm "authorized", Apple won't let me buy my own phone. I would have to go to an AT&T store (which I won't do and would probably have problems anyway). No phone for me tomorrow. wow

If anyone has any conflicting info - I'd love to hear it.

 

[pugnut]

Apple stores have a limited view into the customer records via Opus. They will not have full account notes and will NOT be able to see the authorized information. It is a slim verzion that will say Yes, or No and select packages. Period.

I would not risk waiting at the apple store. I

 

[thor79]

My husband is the account holder/owner and we are both on a family plan. AT&T says I can by my phone without his presence IF he calls to authorize me. He did. 2 Apple stores have told me it doesn't matter because AT&T told them to sell only to the main holder of the account. Period.

So even though I'm "authorized", Apple won't let me buy my own phone. I would have to go to an AT&T store (which I won't do and would probably have problems anyway). No phone for me tomorrow. wow

If anyone has any conflicting info - I'd love to hear it.

Why won't you go to an AT&T store? You one of the Apple nuts who has to buy Apple products at an Apple store?

If anything I would expect to have fewer problems at the AT&T store, though a bit more pushing by the salesman to buy acessories. They are in the sole business to sell phones and plans, it's what they do day in and day out.

 

[meagain]

Apple = kinder/gentler/better return/swap policy if something goes amiss.

 

[Iron Chef]

So this is lame. I'm an authorized user as well, but you're telling me that I have to bring my dad with me to the AT&T store to buy an iPhone like I'm 12 years old or something?

 

[meagain]

Not the AT&T store - Just the Apple. You have to bring him if you go to the Apple store. As per 2 Apple stores I called.

 

[rablat]

My apple store says if you are the AU and you have the info Last 4 of SS your good to go.

 

[Iron Chef]

Not the AT&T store - Just the Apple. You have to bring him if you go to the Apple store. As per 2 Apple stores I called.

Wow, you'd think Apple would actually let people know in advance. As it is, with their employees knew to cell phone activations and the aT&T questions that go with it, you know there is going to be a lot of confusion and frustration tomorrow.

I can't imagine what I would have done, if I had not read this topic, and gone to an Apple store at 7am as planned tomorrow. Now I'll be going to AT&T. Thank you so much for alerting us about this.

 

[dangoland]

Really now? I'm in the same package. I was planning on going to an AT&T store first anyways. I kinda feel bad for apple store employees, they are going to get quite a bitching tomorrow. But if AT&T sells out before I get one, Apple better let me buy one.

 

[littlewaywelt]

Apple = kinder/gentler/better return/swap policy if something goes amiss.

seriously? for the same phone?
What's the difference in swap policy?

 

[Interstella5555]

seriously? for the same phone?
What's the difference in swap policy?

Have you shopped at an Apple store?

 

[littlewaywelt]

Have you shopped at an Apple store?

Yes and on one occasions they severely mucked up my experience, so much so that I had ppl calling me for days apologizing.

I've always purchased right from Apple's website.

Is the return policy better at Apple and I would not have access to that if I purchase from AT&T? The line will likely be much shorter at AT&T and I have numbers to port as well.

 

[9367547]

sorry i don't want to hijack your thread but i have a similar question.

i was planning on purchasing/replacing my current iphone for the new one at the Apple Store, but I don't think they will be able to handle my situation
I am the account holder but the iphone is a secondary line on a family plan. Can I go in an apple store and just upgrade/replace my current iphone on the family plan or will i have to go to the At&t store?
I am also hearing that apple is requiring 2 iphones to be purchased if its a family plan and that basically you have to re-setup the entire account, is this true?

 

[meagain]

Alerma - You should have zero problem. You are the account holder and have special powers.

 

[9367547]

great! i was hoping it would be ok. thanks!

 

[Sky Blue]

Apple = kinder/gentler/better return/swap policy if something goes amiss.

If you buy an iPhone from AT&T you can still return it to Apple. Other than the 'niceness' of buying your phone in the Apple store, there is no difference.

 

[Spongey817]

I'm in a similar situation. The account holder won't be with me tomorrow when I purchase my iPhone, but I am an authorized user.

After calling two Apple stores, I got similar answers:

"At the moment, I'm not really sure. To be safe, I suggest you go to an at&t store."

So I'll probably end up going to at&t. I don't want to wait in line for hours at an Apple store to hear that I have to go back to at&t and wait some more...