Honestly the best way may be to buy a SIM free model outright, then when you get to the store make the return of that device and try and have them apply it to your IUP, and switch with your current device...
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iPhone 11 Today I tried to buy an iPhone 11 at the Apple Store...
- Thread starter Schaufelmann
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Wow, Really?
Such an odd experience I had buying my phone. First I would like to thank everyone on this thread who pointed out to order online and pick up, that was a huge help.
I placed my order for an unlocked sim free phone at 3pm for a pick up window of 7:30-8pm. I got there at 7:25 with one person in the roped off "line" outside THE MOSTLY EMPTY store. I checked in with the Mr. Random Apple Check-in Guy, he then asked me to stand in a separate roped off line. So I stood oddly by myself outside the mostly empty store waiting for 10-15 minutes staring at Mr. random apple check-in employee with a look of "really dude? Its just us out here and there is about 7 people in the store, so really?". Then Great Hair Day Apple Employee #2 comes up to Mr. random apple check in guy and Mr. random directs #2 to me. #2 escorts me across the threshold and asks how can he help. Starstruck that I was actually finally in the store, being asked again why I was there didn't raise either of my eyebrows. #2 proceeds to scan my receipt, and taps his screen and says that my phone is coming right up. Befuddled why #2 is still standing next to me and not going to get my purchase and come back, he starts to ask me a question but is interrupted by Backwards Hat Apple employee, who hands him my purchase. Then backwards hat apple employee does the quickest walk I have ever seen, one that would make Usain Bolt think twice about his abilities, to the the back room. #2 says to me, you ready to set your phone up. I let him know I got this and will knock it out myself in my onesie pj's on my couch. #2 pleasantly wished me a great evening and off I went.
I seriously spent more time waiting outside the empty'ish store by myself than it took for fast walking backwards hat guy and #2 to bring me into the store, do the transaction and leave.
Yes my transaction was fast, faster and more painless than many on this thread. But I still can't wrap my head around the uncomfortable, disproportionately length of time, stand outside a store with nobody out there with me besides random check-in guy.
Such an odd experience I had buying my phone. First I would like to thank everyone on this thread who pointed out to order online and pick up, that was a huge help.
I placed my order for an unlocked sim free phone at 3pm for a pick up window of 7:30-8pm. I got there at 7:25 with one person in the roped off "line" outside THE MOSTLY EMPTY store. I checked in with the Mr. Random Apple Check-in Guy, he then asked me to stand in a separate roped off line. So I stood oddly by myself outside the mostly empty store waiting for 10-15 minutes staring at Mr. random apple check-in employee with a look of "really dude? Its just us out here and there is about 7 people in the store, so really?". Then Great Hair Day Apple Employee #2 comes up to Mr. random apple check in guy and Mr. random directs #2 to me. #2 escorts me across the threshold and asks how can he help. Starstruck that I was actually finally in the store, being asked again why I was there didn't raise either of my eyebrows. #2 proceeds to scan my receipt, and taps his screen and says that my phone is coming right up. Befuddled why #2 is still standing next to me and not going to get my purchase and come back, he starts to ask me a question but is interrupted by Backwards Hat Apple employee, who hands him my purchase. Then backwards hat apple employee does the quickest walk I have ever seen, one that would make Usain Bolt think twice about his abilities, to the the back room. #2 says to me, you ready to set your phone up. I let him know I got this and will knock it out myself in my onesie pj's on my couch. #2 pleasantly wished me a great evening and off I went.
I seriously spent more time waiting outside the empty'ish store by myself than it took for fast walking backwards hat guy and #2 to bring me into the store, do the transaction and leave.
Yes my transaction was fast, faster and more painless than many on this thread. But I still can't wrap my head around the uncomfortable, disproportionately length of time, stand outside a store with nobody out there with me besides random check-in guy.
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I had a bizarre experience at Best Buy last night trading in 2 fully-owned iPhone X phones to apply toward a cash purchase of 2 11 Pros.
The guy told me that AT&T won’t allow him to sell me the phones without 30 month financing. As in, they won’t take my $2300 purchase unless I apply for financing, get financed, and sign into my wireless account later to pay off the phones early.
It all sounded like absolute nonsense. I took my old phones back and walked away. Then he said, “well, let me try something”. 20 minutes later I was swiping my AMEX to pay the full balance as I expected to do in the first place.
He did tell me my phone will be locked to AT&T for no reason and that I will have to contact them to unlock after 60 days if I wish to change carriers. Don’t know if 60 days is correct.
Apparently we still need more regulations on this stuff. All these carriers are forcing people into predatory financing (0% APR is great but the principal is money too many customers don’t have to begin with). Then they are locking people into their contracts until the phones are paid off, without even having to subsidize the phones as they used to.
But why do I get locked in for any amount of time when buying at full price?
As Apple’s unit sales slowly decline, they really need to take a look at the experience of buying these very expensive phones. My closest Apple store is over an hour each way and right outside Disney World / insanely busy.
I wanted to simply order the phones from Apple overnight shipping, but they have them at my Apple store, local carriers, and Best Buy, but not to ship for weeks. Just walk into the back of the store, put it in a box, and ship it to me... why do I have to drive 2 1/2 hours and stand around like an idiot in your chaotic store that I have never been out of in under an hour? Last time I was there was to pick up an AW4 I paid for and ordered for pickup. It took them an hour to find it and they asked for my order confirmation at least 6 times. It started to feel like they were accusing me of photoshopping my confirmation or something.
Also, Apple has done an incredible job of making the setup process of these phones virtually idiot-proof... so why do I have to sit in any store for 2 hours to buy one as they open the box and start setting it up? Is this just to hold me captive to their WiFi until I get bored and spend more money in the store? Why, why, why can’t a person plop down $1200, get a box, and walk out the door in 5 minutes?
I can no longer afford to upgrade every year... because I cannot afford to lose an entire day of my life every year.
The guy told me that AT&T won’t allow him to sell me the phones without 30 month financing. As in, they won’t take my $2300 purchase unless I apply for financing, get financed, and sign into my wireless account later to pay off the phones early.
It all sounded like absolute nonsense. I took my old phones back and walked away. Then he said, “well, let me try something”. 20 minutes later I was swiping my AMEX to pay the full balance as I expected to do in the first place.
He did tell me my phone will be locked to AT&T for no reason and that I will have to contact them to unlock after 60 days if I wish to change carriers. Don’t know if 60 days is correct.
Apparently we still need more regulations on this stuff. All these carriers are forcing people into predatory financing (0% APR is great but the principal is money too many customers don’t have to begin with). Then they are locking people into their contracts until the phones are paid off, without even having to subsidize the phones as they used to.
But why do I get locked in for any amount of time when buying at full price?
As Apple’s unit sales slowly decline, they really need to take a look at the experience of buying these very expensive phones. My closest Apple store is over an hour each way and right outside Disney World / insanely busy.
I wanted to simply order the phones from Apple overnight shipping, but they have them at my Apple store, local carriers, and Best Buy, but not to ship for weeks. Just walk into the back of the store, put it in a box, and ship it to me... why do I have to drive 2 1/2 hours and stand around like an idiot in your chaotic store that I have never been out of in under an hour? Last time I was there was to pick up an AW4 I paid for and ordered for pickup. It took them an hour to find it and they asked for my order confirmation at least 6 times. It started to feel like they were accusing me of photoshopping my confirmation or something.
Also, Apple has done an incredible job of making the setup process of these phones virtually idiot-proof... so why do I have to sit in any store for 2 hours to buy one as they open the box and start setting it up? Is this just to hold me captive to their WiFi until I get bored and spend more money in the store? Why, why, why can’t a person plop down $1200, get a box, and walk out the door in 5 minutes?
I can no longer afford to upgrade every year... because I cannot afford to lose an entire day of my life every year.
The reason why that is is because Best Buy was selling unlocked phones for 50-100.00 over msrp. They were called out and stopped. Now the only way they do so is by locking the phone to the carrier for 60 days.
I also paid for my phone at Best Buy and left. You didn’t have to stay, you CHOSE to stay. They ask if you want it set up here or to go home. When they started unboxing you should’ve told them no and left.
I also paid for my phone at Best Buy and left. You didn’t have to stay, you CHOSE to stay. They ask if you want it set up here or to go home. When they started unboxing you should’ve told them no and left.
I stayed because he opened the new phones, without asking, before wiping my old phones. He used the old phones’ SIM cards in the new phones too. That seemed weird to me, but maybe that will save me an activation fee?
I did stop him from restoring from a back up, don’t worry and did finish at home. Which was funny because apparently my wife and I are each others’ devices to authenticate and could not receive texts. (They dinged but didn’t show up on the setup screen).
These carriers must be giving good kickbacks to encourage all of this locking. Even Apple’s payment plan requires a major carrier contract, even though the financing is through Citizens One with a credit check and even requires AppleCare to ensure the device is protected for the life of the loan... what does AT&T have to with that transaction at all?
I guess I’d rather be locked for 60 more days than pay an extra $100 at Best Buy or drive out to / deal with an Apple Store after launch.
I don’t play that mess, if they try to open my stuff I stop them immediately. But the carriers (and now Best Buy) make no money off iPhones so locking the device for 60 days gives them *some* money/they hope you forget and keep paying and stay with them.
This is also my first time to deal with this process, but it's also my first time ordering a phone at the Apple Store. I had previously bought the 4s at AT&T and the 6 Plus at Sam's Club.
I went to the Apple Store at The Grove in Los Angeles last night and was told to come back at 10am in the morning, so I did. I got an appointment at 11am!
I realized the employee I was with was doing a lot more than just selling me a phone. He was working as the AT&T carrier to swap my device; walking me through the process to apply for a loan; and waiting with me as I setup my device. There were several full tables of people doing the same thing. This all took about an hour and a half.
I feel like they stagger clients through, because they're trying to give everyone a smooth setup experience. I can't imagine how full that room would be if they didn't reserve appointments. I doubt their wifi would even work well enough for everyone to setup their devices.
I know this process isn't necessary for everyone on this forum, but I feel it's helpful in keeping their employees sane.
I went to the Apple Store at The Grove in Los Angeles last night and was told to come back at 10am in the morning, so I did. I got an appointment at 11am!
I realized the employee I was with was doing a lot more than just selling me a phone. He was working as the AT&T carrier to swap my device; walking me through the process to apply for a loan; and waiting with me as I setup my device. There were several full tables of people doing the same thing. This all took about an hour and a half.
I feel like they stagger clients through, because they're trying to give everyone a smooth setup experience. I can't imagine how full that room would be if they didn't reserve appointments. I doubt their wifi would even work well enough for everyone to setup their devices.
I know this process isn't necessary for everyone on this forum, but I feel it's helpful in keeping their employees sane.
The way I see it, if nothing else, people buying unlocked, SIM-free phones where literally nothing needs to be done except scan the phone and pay for it like any other accessory should be able to walk in and buy it just like buying a case, any day, any time.
I like the Apple stores, but buying anything from them really, really sucks.
I like the Apple stores, but buying anything from them really, really sucks.
Great character descriptions!! Only Apple turns a simple phone purchase into a falsely complex operation for no reason whatsoever. If they think it gives potential customers a positive image and feeling of “Wow, I better start buying overpriced tech from an Apple store, look at the enjoyable and logical purchase experience”, in my opinion they are very wrong.
That happened to me on launch day but...... they were trying to accommodate those who had preordered first. They then came down the line and asked which phone you wanted to make sure they had it. They also gave me a time to come back IF I didn’t want to wait. I chose to wait. It was about 20 minutes. They were very nice and helpful. I got my phone and left.
Probably a typo for "right", although punching one's way through the queue would get you to the front quickly. And escorted back out again
Puts on Jonny Ive voice....
‘We think this is our best iPhone purchasing experience ever’
‘We think this is our best iPhone purchasing experience ever’
In my experience with Apple stores, they work great when customers act the way Apple thinks they will (or should) act and not so great when they don't. Ironic, considering a company that at least used to champion giving users choices and encouraging to not be a part of the crowd, though it's been clear that company died a while back.
I don't participate in the launch frenzies to know the details, but from accounts, it should like those principles still apply. Do it our way, or no way at all. Deviate, fall into the cracks, and good luck escaping. You'll be a mummy before anyone finds you.
During normal times, the secret to Apple Store Happiness is to find the Person Who Holds The iPad. They act as a dispatcher, as well as a traffic cop of sorts, and have the magical power to put you into the invisible queue which determines who gets helped, and in what order. In most stores, it would be like getting into a line, or taking a ticket from the dispenser, but at least those are plainly obvious.
That's essential when a store is busy, the staff is fully occupied, and doesn't pay attention to anyone except those to whom they've been assigned by the iPad Person. If you happen to get the attention of someone they'll still tell you they can't help, and hopefully, you get successfully passed off and put into the invisible queue somehow.
But I've also found it may be necessary when a store is almost completely empty, and the staff nonchalantly acts busy with other things and ignores customers, almost all of whom were huddled around the same table with only a single poor staff member trying to help. I actually had to track down the iPad Person, who seemed a bit miffed I bothered them, and tell them that we needed help before they dispatched reinforcements. If I hadn't needed to make a purchase that day, I would have left due to the p!ss poor attitude and service. In an empty store.
During most times, when a store has traffic but isn't slammed, and is well staffed, it then depends on how helpful those working are. If they're attentive, proactive, and offer assistance, it can be a quick and pleasant transaction. If, for whatever reason, the staff isn't attentive, would rather hang out with each other than attend to customers (which I've also experienced), then that requires needling the iPad Person and having them rouse one of the staff into helping.
It wouldn't be so bad if there were clear and obvious indications as to how Apple expects the store traffic to flow, like in most retailers. But there aren't, so that places an even greater onus on the staff to bridge that gap, and sometimes, that fails, making the experience worse.
Irony strikes again when Apple takes measures to clearly delineate the process, better manage the traffic flow, and it still results in a poor experience, as it did for the OP.
In the early days of the Apple stores, the Genius Bar was a new and genuinely helpful resource, and the staff was comprised of Apple enthusiasts who probably migrated from other Apple specialist outlets.
Things have obviously changed, some of it unavoidably given the success Apple has enjoyed, but now it's closer to common retail. Above average, but still retail, with unevenness, and much of the depth and experience gone.
I don't participate in the launch frenzies to know the details, but from accounts, it should like those principles still apply. Do it our way, or no way at all. Deviate, fall into the cracks, and good luck escaping. You'll be a mummy before anyone finds you.
During normal times, the secret to Apple Store Happiness is to find the Person Who Holds The iPad. They act as a dispatcher, as well as a traffic cop of sorts, and have the magical power to put you into the invisible queue which determines who gets helped, and in what order. In most stores, it would be like getting into a line, or taking a ticket from the dispenser, but at least those are plainly obvious.
That's essential when a store is busy, the staff is fully occupied, and doesn't pay attention to anyone except those to whom they've been assigned by the iPad Person. If you happen to get the attention of someone they'll still tell you they can't help, and hopefully, you get successfully passed off and put into the invisible queue somehow.
But I've also found it may be necessary when a store is almost completely empty, and the staff nonchalantly acts busy with other things and ignores customers, almost all of whom were huddled around the same table with only a single poor staff member trying to help. I actually had to track down the iPad Person, who seemed a bit miffed I bothered them, and tell them that we needed help before they dispatched reinforcements. If I hadn't needed to make a purchase that day, I would have left due to the p!ss poor attitude and service. In an empty store.
During most times, when a store has traffic but isn't slammed, and is well staffed, it then depends on how helpful those working are. If they're attentive, proactive, and offer assistance, it can be a quick and pleasant transaction. If, for whatever reason, the staff isn't attentive, would rather hang out with each other than attend to customers (which I've also experienced), then that requires needling the iPad Person and having them rouse one of the staff into helping.
It wouldn't be so bad if there were clear and obvious indications as to how Apple expects the store traffic to flow, like in most retailers. But there aren't, so that places an even greater onus on the staff to bridge that gap, and sometimes, that fails, making the experience worse.
Irony strikes again when Apple takes measures to clearly delineate the process, better manage the traffic flow, and it still results in a poor experience, as it did for the OP.
In the early days of the Apple stores, the Genius Bar was a new and genuinely helpful resource, and the staff was comprised of Apple enthusiasts who probably migrated from other Apple specialist outlets.
Things have obviously changed, some of it unavoidably given the success Apple has enjoyed, but now it's closer to common retail. Above average, but still retail, with unevenness, and much of the depth and experience gone.
Different experiences for different regions I suppose.
I walked in to the Apple Store on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on Thursday (Sept 26th) afternoon around maybe 2pm. Took a quick peek at the phones in person since I was still a bit on the fence between Silver and SG, and decided to get SG 11 Pro max 256.
Asked the guy standing near the door and he checked his system to see if they had stock (I looked online already and knew they had it). He confirmed they had it and told me to go up to the second floor to purchase it.
Went upstairs and got directed into a line with 2 people ahead of me. Waited maybe 10 mins tops before an associate was assigned to me, told him what I wanted and they brought it out from the back. Very quick and painless. Even got the same associate to apply a Belkin screen protector and sell me one of the Apple leather cases.
Sorry to OP and anyone else with bad experiences, but mine went completely flawlessly.
I walked in to the Apple Store on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, on Thursday (Sept 26th) afternoon around maybe 2pm. Took a quick peek at the phones in person since I was still a bit on the fence between Silver and SG, and decided to get SG 11 Pro max 256.
Asked the guy standing near the door and he checked his system to see if they had stock (I looked online already and knew they had it). He confirmed they had it and told me to go up to the second floor to purchase it.
Went upstairs and got directed into a line with 2 people ahead of me. Waited maybe 10 mins tops before an associate was assigned to me, told him what I wanted and they brought it out from the back. Very quick and painless. Even got the same associate to apply a Belkin screen protector and sell me one of the Apple leather cases.
Sorry to OP and anyone else with bad experiences, but mine went completely flawlessly.
as everywhere, new phones launched in-stores in Japan on Sep 20 (Fri).
but even on Sep 25 (Wed) there was a huge line of about 200+ people in front of the Ginza store.
i wasn't there to buy an iPhone. i just happened to walk in front of the store on that day.
but even on Sep 25 (Wed) there was a huge line of about 200+ people in front of the Ginza store.
i wasn't there to buy an iPhone. i just happened to walk in front of the store on that day.
Excellent experience which mirrors the first rate service given to me in all sorts of businesses in Japan. Hopefully the quality customer service that all or much of Asia is known for will not be taken down to the low level service provided in much of American retail. Apple would be wise to follow local customs and not force “foreign” approaches which many customers have found lacking.
They have to fulfill orders made for online pick up. Even when you order online you have to pick an appointment time slot to pick up your phone. They have to adjust time for everyone’s specific needs. After launch day they have to designate their employees back to their normal positions such as creative and Genius Bar. They are no longer available just for sales like they were on launch day. It’s not just a retail store to hand out phones. They have to do tech support and have lessons. You always need an appointment ahead of time. It’s ridiculous not to have an appointment on any day unless you wait in line 20mins before they open.
I think it's been said like 10 times by now. They absolutely have customers that just need to be handed a phone. They need to accommodate them or they aren't "adjusting time for their everyone's specific needs".. they are just allotting time for worse case scenarios.
It's great that Apple has fans in its corner though, even when they screw up people have their backs!
This. Many don’t need hand holding. Take our $ and give us our time back. I literally waited 45 minutes to have a salesperson assigned to me to take my $. I setup as new. I put a sim in it. There has to be a warm body that can run a transaction.
Just order before you get there and you’re in and out. You can even change your mind about which phone you get when you get there. It is really that simple. If you change your mind when you see the phone you can just cancel the order. It makes the entire process a lot smoother.
I did. Got in line. Was third in line. 45 minutes for a person to take my $. Apple fan but store processes like this are trash. Not a slight on the employees.