Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Verizon iPhone 5 Preorder Status Thread

Regarding unlimited data, FYI...

I'm currently on unlimited corporate data via my employer's "voucherable" program. When I went online to per-order a 32gig black iPhone 5 I got a pop-up stating that my unlimited data plan was no longer available, and that I needed to pick a new plan to continue. Needless to say, I cancelled the process.

I then called customer service to ask for clarification and was given an interesting tidbit ... the very nice rep explained that through the end of 2012, as long as I was eligible for an upgrade prior to the June 28 cutoff date, I could still use my upgrade and keep unlimited data with one important caveat: that I do not use the automated online activation procedure.

She informed me that choosing a new data plan as part of the pre-order process effectively means nothing; any choice wouldn't take effect unless/until I performed the automated online activation. She said to call customer service once I receive the new phone, ask them to activate, and state that I would like to keep my current unlimited plan. She stated that she would note my account as having explained this to me as well.

Hopefully this helps a few people hang on to their unlimited plans while saving a few dollars.
 
SR71 said:
It's not that VZW is slower updating than Apple, it's just that VZW isn't shipping iPhone 5's to customers from China like Apple is. VZW has tons of iPhone 5's that are already at different shipping hubs in the states, so they have no need to start shipping them 4-5 days before they are stated to be delivered like Apple needs to. Since VZW's are already in the states, they can just ship them on Weds/Thurs with 2-day or overnight shipping and get them to people on time. Meanwhile, Apple ship to customers direct from China. In order to get them delivered on time, they need to ship them ASAP. Apple's stock needs to go from China, through US Customs, to state side shipping hubs, and then finally to customers. This is why people who ordered through Apple have already started receiving their tracking numbers.

I can't complain, though, because VZW's website, as you said, didn't skip a beat. It never slowed down for me and showed no signs of failure. They definitely prepared for this, and boy did they do a good job. From what I've heard, AT&T did not prepare so well.
Click to expand...


Is this correct? I was not under the assumption that the carriers already had their stock waiting across the country. My impression was that Apple ships to customers directly from China, and the carriers would get their shipments directly from China as well, at around the same time, but the extra couple of days had to do with them receiving it from China and then handling the shipping to its customers once they received them, therefore not being able to generate a tracking number until received from customs.

----------
onepoint said:
Regarding unlimited data, FYI...

I'm currently on unlimited corporate data via my employer's "voucherable" program. When I went online to per-order a 32gig black iPhone 5 I got a pop-up stating that my unlimited data plan was no longer available, and that I needed to pick a new plan to continue. Needless to say, I cancelled the process.

I then called customer service to ask for clarification and was given an interesting tidbit ... the very nice rep explained that through the end of 2012, as long as I was eligible for an upgrade prior to the June 28 cutoff date, I could still use my upgrade and keep unlimited data with one important caveat: that I do not use the automated online activation procedure.

She informed me that choosing a new data plan as part of the pre-order process effectively means nothing; any choice wouldn't take effect unless/until I performed the automated online activation. She said to call customer service once I receive the new phone, ask them to activate, and state that I would like to keep my current unlimited plan. She stated that she would note my account as having explained this to me as well.

Hopefully this helps a few people hang on to their unlimited plans while saving a few dollars.
Click to expand...


That's interesting and seems to go against what every other Rep has said. Hope she's right. Good luck!
 
spacebetween said:
Is this correct? I was not under the assumption that the carriers already had their stock waiting across the country. My impression was that Apple ships to customers directly from China, and the carriers would get their shipments directly from China as well, at around the same time, but the extra couple of days had to do with them receiving it from China and then handling the shipping to its customers once they received them, therefore not being able to generate a tracking number until received from customs.

----------




That's interesting and seems to go against what every other Rep has said. Hope she's right. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks I'm sure I'll need it :D

I'm really not sure if this is a result of my company's corp account or otherwise, but I would assume it's worth checking for at least a few people.
 
onepoint said:
Regarding unlimited data, FYI...

I'm currently on unlimited corporate data via my employer's "voucherable" program. When I went online to per-order a 32gig black iPhone 5 I got a pop-up stating that my unlimited data plan was no longer available, and that I needed to pick a new plan to continue. Needless to say, I cancelled the process.

I then called customer service to ask for clarification and was given an interesting tidbit ... the very nice rep explained that through the end of 2012, as long as I was eligible for an upgrade prior to the June 28 cutoff date, I could still use my upgrade and keep unlimited data with one important caveat: that I do not use the automated online activation procedure.

She informed me that choosing a new data plan as part of the pre-order process effectively means nothing; any choice wouldn't take effect unless/until I performed the automated online activation. She said to call customer service once I receive the new phone, ask them to activate, and state that I would like to keep my current unlimited plan. She stated that she would note my account as having explained this to me as well.

Hopefully this helps a few people hang on to their unlimited plans while saving a few dollars.
Click to expand...

My email confirmation has both unlimited and the 2gb i was forced to choose. I paid full retail. Thanks for the info. I will definitely call them to sort it out before i activate the phone. I figured it was just a glitch since im not signing up for another contract.
 
amv1017 said:
My email confirmation has both unlimited and the 2gb i was forced to choose. I paid full retail. Thanks for the info. I will definitely call them to sort it out before i activate the phone. I figured it was just a glitch since im not signing up for another contract.
Click to expand...
I would absolutely call to activate; she was very explicit about losing unlimited and not getting it back if I follow the typical activation instructions included in the box.
 
onepoint said:
Regarding unlimited data, FYI...

I'm currently on unlimited corporate data via my employer's "voucherable" program. When I went online to per-order a 32gig black iPhone 5 I got a pop-up stating that my unlimited data plan was no longer available, and that I needed to pick a new plan to continue. Needless to say, I cancelled the process.

I then called customer service to ask for clarification and was given an interesting tidbit ... the very nice rep explained that through the end of 2012, as long as I was eligible for an upgrade prior to the June 28 cutoff date, I could still use my upgrade and keep unlimited data with one important caveat: that I do not use the automated online activation procedure.

She informed me that choosing a new data plan as part of the pre-order process effectively means nothing; any choice wouldn't take effect unless/until I performed the automated online activation. She said to call customer service once I receive the new phone, ask them to activate, and state that I would like to keep my current unlimited plan. She stated that she would note my account as having explained this to me as well.

Hopefully this helps a few people hang on to their unlimited plans while saving a few dollars.
Click to expand...

Super dumb question, but what is the online automated activation? Where/who do you call do activate over the phone?

I was eligible to upgrade sometime last year, and I selected 2GB on checkout from Verizon...so it would be crazy awesome if this were true! :)
 
spacebetween said:
Is this correct? I was not under the assumption that the carriers already had their stock waiting across the country. My impression was that Apple ships to customers directly from China, and the carriers would get their shipments directly from China as well, at around the same time, but the extra couple of days had to do with them receiving it from China and then handling the shipping to its customers once they received them, therefore not being able to generate a tracking number until received from customs.

----------




That's interesting and seems to go against what every other Rep has said. Hope she's right. Good luck!
Click to expand...


Yes it's correct I asked a phone rep what the location ID is for and she said what verizon warehouse your phone is shipping from
 
Just realized that our preorder is under a different name than our account, so hopefully it doesn't cause problems.

Bought the phones withe my debit card, and the account is in my stepdad's name, so that's what populated on the order. The rep says it won't be a problem due to the way their billing happens, so here's to hoping she's right.
 
jordanwiseman said:
Super dumb question, but what is the online automated activation? Where/who do you call do activate over the phone?

I was eligible to upgrade sometime last year, and I selected 2GB on checkout from Verizon...so it would be crazy awesome if this were true! :)
Click to expand...
Online activation would mean plugging your phone into the computer or otherwise using an automated process (wifi?). In short, I'm not even going to turn the thing on without getting customer service on the line.

Edit: again I'm not sure if this info was given to me as a corporate customer, etc. so I wouldn't get your hopes up -- worth a shot though for sure!
 
spacebetween said:
Is this correct? I was not under the assumption that the carriers already had their stock waiting across the country. My impression was that Apple ships to customers directly from China, and the carriers would get their shipments directly from China as well, at around the same time, but the extra couple of days had to do with them receiving it from China and then handling the shipping to its customers once they received them, therefore not being able to generate a tracking number until received from customs.
Click to expand...

Apple themselves (through their website) does ship to customers directly from China, but the carriers do not. Apple sends the carriers a shipment of X amount of iPhone 5's, which are then kept at different shipping hubs/warehouses around the country. Apple sends these shipments to the carriers weeks in advance to assure they have enough in stock and at strategic points around the country. Since they're already in the country, the carriers can afford to ship the iPhone 5's on Wednesday with 2 day shipping and then sending the customers their shipping notices, or they can ship them out Thursday with overnight shipping and then send out email notices. That's why the carriers email out their shipping notices later than Apple does. :)
 
SR71 said:
Apple themselves (through their website) does ship to customers directly from China, but the carriers do not. Apple sends the carriers a shipment of X amount of iPhone 5's, which are then kept at different shipping hubs/warehouses around the country. Apple sends these shipments to the carriers weeks in advance to assure they have enough in stock and at strategic points around the country. Since they're already in the country, the carriers can afford to ship the iPhone 5's on Wednesday with 2 day shipping and then sending the customers their shipping notices, or they can ship them out Thursday with overnight shipping and then send out email notices. That's why the carriers email out their shipping notices later than Apple does. :)
Click to expand...

Ah, Okay. I just thought that the Carriers themselves didn't get their shipments in from China until a day or two before they ship them out to customers. I remember some issue a few months back when the S3s were supposed to ship from Sprint and arrive on launch date but they didn't because the week before, the orders got held up at Customs.
 
spacebetween said:
Ah, Okay. I just thought that the Carriers themselves didn't get their shipments in from China until a day or two before they ship them out to customers. I remember some issue a few months back when the S3s were supposed to ship from Sprint and arrive on launch date but they didn't because the week before, the orders got held up at Customs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's why Apple sends them out to carriers weeks in advance, so that if any problems with customs arises, it won't hold up any orders.
 
John Adams said:
You can talk and use data on all Verizon 4G LTE devices. That includes the new iPhone.
Click to expand...

Apparently that is not true from what Ive read on here the past day. Many people went with ATT because even on the iPhone + Verizon LTE, you still cant talk and use data :(
 
Does anyone know what time Verizon will be opening there stores on the 21st? I've already got mine preordered but now my wife wants one now and she has an upgrade with an extra $50 off.
 
Last year's 4S from Verizon details

October 7th, received shipment email at 5:48PM Central time on Wednesday October 12th, shipped via Fedex. Received on Friday October 14th.

So should be getting shipment emails around Wednesday, as long as it says "delivers by September 21" in email and "shipped by September 21" on order status page, you will receive on September 21st.

Last year FedEx reference number was : OrderLocationNumber_OrderNumber (not preorder number)

Example:
Preorder Confirmation:9403328000330002
Order Number: 3413389
Order Location: M733801

Fedex Ref Number: M733801_3413389

So try this prior to getting actual tracking number.
 
Prospekt said:
This is my exact situation as well. I got a preauthorization charge on my Amex so I'm assuming all is well.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem, I called verizon and they said my order was on hold. They had to do a bunch of verification stuff and they forced my phone into order. When the phone ships, they said it will charge my card and there will show a dispute which they will contact me again. I'll still be receiving my phone but I would still have to go through a process that will correctly charge my card.
 
It Shipped!

Maybe. Got a shipping notice from VZW but can't verify what it's for with FedEx although I'm not expecting anything but iphones. We'll see.

EDIT: Maybe not. Have to see if one of the kids ordered something else. Just seems too early.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back