iPhone 15 Pro Max Upgrade Program Members Get The Shaft

[captrlp]

This launch was the biggest sh$& show in years.
As others have mentioned, the store was late to go live and was riddled with issues.
Apparently Apple and Tim figured they’d sell enough phones so there was no need to ensure they IUP members who completed the process in advance, could tap two buttons and complete their order…as Apple’s system continually and consistently returned errors or simply would not process the the IUP program.
Hopefully heads are rolling in Cupertino this morning.

 

[powerbook911]

This launch was the biggest sh$& show in years.
As others have mentioned, the store was late to go live and was riddled with issues.
Apparently Apple and Tim figured they’d sell enough phones so there was no need to ensure they every IUP member who completed the process in advance, could tap two buttons and complete their order…as Apple’s system continually and consistently returned errors or simply would not process the the IUP program.
Hopefully heads are rolling in Cupertino this morning.

I found the desktop site worked before the app.

 

[captrlp]

I found the desktop site worked before the app.

I was running multiple devices, as I do every year, but have never seen such a delay between devices getting into the store….but once in, Apple wouldn't process the IUP.
I spoke with Apple and they have openly admitted multiple failures this morning…

 

[ctbaz]

It’s part of the pre order program. Can’t have real Coca Cola every time. Sometimes you get the Walmart brand.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

This year I actually ended up going through AT&T instead of IUP since I wasn’t approved even though I’ve been using IUP for years without issue. I was very surprised to find out that you could also do the pre pre order going through AT&T finance as I thought it was a IUP exclusive. Regardless I was still have so many errors pulling up my pre preorder.

 

[Rnd-chars]

Desktop site via Safari on iCloud Private Relay came back at 2 minutes after. My iPhone and iPad apps were still ”Almost there” 18 minutes later.

 

[cforster]

I'm on the iUP and while I did see a disparity between devices being able to access the store which seemed longer this year, my iPhone running on Verizon (wireless turned off) got me on the fastest and my preorder went through super fast and efficient. It was probably 7:02 central time and I got my e-mail at 7:05 to confirm. d

Guess I got lucky. Sorry to hear of all the trouble.

 

[LiemTa]

It’s part of the pre order program. Can’t have real Coca Cola every time. Sometimes you get the Walmart brand.

Problem is you're needlessly making extra payments that could be going toward the new model

 

[ckurt25]

There are issues every year. If you are IUP, were trying at 5 PDT and didn’t get one, then I’d call it an issue. Otherwise it’s BAU.

 

[drill423]

Took about 7-8 minutes for the app to go live, but then got nothing but errors. The website worked fine, however. First time the app has failed me.

 

[carbphrek]

I found the desktop site worked before the app.

Yep. After constant errors I switched to my iPad and 38 seconds later I had a 15pm ordered for pick up on the 22nd.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

Took about 7-8 minutes for the app to go live, but then got nothing but errors. The website worked fine, however. First time the app has failed me.

Interesting, I was on my IPad and iPhone and never thought about just using the browser. I’ll have to try that next time.

 

[Brisby]

I’m really glad I decided to skip this year seeing all the issues folks are having. It’s a shame for a company as big as Apple to constantly have issues like these. I guess demand wasn’t as low as everyone expected either

 

[antnard1]

I was repeatedly killing the app and relaunching on my iphone and ipad, force refreshing in both safari and firefox on my macbook, and had Almost There until 8:15ET. I was changing between wifi, cellular, vpn on / vpn off, nothing mattered. The app finally connected on my phone, but was super slow and took several attempts. I eventually got through to the Place Order screen. I hit it, it clocked for a few minutes, then I got a timeout exception. I then got an email confirmation with a 10/4-10/9 ship date, which I now see in my recent orders.

My wife got her order in by 8:02 and the app worked for her on the first try. We both did the pre-approval for IUP earlier in the week. I honestly have no idea what the pattern is but now I'm going to be miffed af if I have to make another payment towards current phone that should've gone towards the 15. I'll reconsider IUP if that happens.

 

[cthompson94]

I was able to use the app and got the pre order in at 5:01AM with the upgrade program

 

[lordhamster]

I'm not on iUP, I just buy outright whenever the given model year appeals to me. That said, I DO think that iUP users should get priority. Maybe an earlier pre-order window just or them. Or let them just place an order during the pre-pre order process with guaranteed launch day fulfillment for all iUP members. Otherwise, what is the point?

 

[vincentnnguyen]

I am currently on IUP but got shafted like many others this AM. Wasn't able to process my pre-order that I had set up days in advance until the shipping delayed to October dates. I was able to put in a launch day order through Verizon directly with monthly payments and trading in my old 14 Pro Max. How do I get off the Apple IUP now? Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[Apple_Tiger]

I am currently on IUP but got shafted like many others this AM. Wasn't able to process my pre-order that I had set up days in advance until the shipping delayed to October dates. I was able to put in a launch day order through Verizon directly with monthly payments and trading in my old 14 Pro Max. How do I get off the Apple IUP now? Does anyone have experience with this?

You can pay off the remainder of it through your account on citizens one.

 

[ZipZap]

This launch was the biggest sh$& show in years.
As others have mentioned, the store was late to go live and was riddled with issues.
Apparently Apple and Tim figured they’d sell enough phones so there was no need to ensure they IUP members who completed the process in advance, could tap two buttons and complete their order…as Apple’s system continually and consistently returned errors or simply would not process the the IUP program.
Hopefully heads are rolling in Cupertino this morning.

The store is late every year. And its not the store but your ISP and location that causes issues. You also have to know how best to order and have your new loan pre-approved. I was checkin at 7:55 and the store app opened around 8:05. I am on the East Coast USA. Clicked the waiting order and I was done by 8:07. Also don't order over cellular.

 

[philrock]

I’m really glad I decided to skip this year seeing all the issues folks are having. It’s a shame for a company as big as Apple to constantly have issues like these. I guess demand wasn’t as low as everyone expected either

Yeah, and when was the last time we heard: "...and, it's available today" an iPhone event? I'm still a fan, but things aren't the same as they used to be.

 

[MsRandall]

I was pre approved to start IUP today and after the issues with the Apple site this morning - I ordered thru Verizon directly with launch day shipping including my AW2.

My plan is to pay off the phone and AW early anyway so I will try again next year for iPhone 16 and IUP plan

 

[forza69]

I got completely shafted. Both the app and web browser were stuck on “almost there” for 45 minutes. Once I was finally able to get in, the option I wanted wasn’t available until mid October. I’ll keep checking the app and hope to see if I can snag one in-store soon. Pretty disappointed as this would have been a nice upgrade from my dying 12 Pro Max.

 

[Djones96]

I'd be interested to see everyone's results with this. I joined the upgrade program for the first time this year, had my pre pre order ready, and was approved for the upgrade program on Wednesday. Was having trouble galore with the app, and also the website. Saw everyone else posting that they got their orders in, and was getting very panicked because I wanted an iPhone on day 1. For reference, my 14 pro max last year slipped all the way into November, was very frustrated so since I wasn't able to get the website to load until about 20 minutes past 5 AM PST, I was starting to get very anxious. Website finally loaded and continued with my pre pre order. To my surprise, even though the website had been "up" for 20 minutes, I was able to get a white 512 Pro Max with a Sep 22nd ship date. FWIW I'm in So. Utah.

 

[mattopotamus]

Gotta learn to kill the app and refresh. Works every time and is the best way.

 

[Cyberguycpt]

Gotta learn to kill the app and refresh. Works every time and is the best way.

Man I did that so many times, even powered off IPhone and iPad. iPad came up first and still had loads of issues.