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

TypeMRT

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 7, 2007
528
134
I was at an Apple Store yesterday and watched someone buy an unlocked iPhone 6 to replace their iPhone 5. I feel bad because I'm sure he'll be quite upset after next week's announcement, but I figure news of a new iPhone in September is basically mainstream knowledge by now. It didn't seem like his iPhone 5 was lost or broken (maybe it was). Would you have interrupted the sale to tell them about the upcoming iPhone event?
 
No, because if they were out a phone, they may not have cared about the latest, and it's at least a month if not longer before the 6S is released (if it gets released a month after the event that's Friday, October 9th). That's a long time to go without a phone!
 
I was at an Apple Store yesterday and watched someone buy an unlocked iPhone 6 to replace their iPhone 5. I feel bad because I'm sure he'll be quite upset after next week's announcement, but I figure news of a new iPhone in September is basically mainstream knowledge by now. It didn't seem like his iPhone 5 was lost or broken (maybe it was). Would you have interrupted the sale to tell them about the upcoming iPhone event?

If the customer had a broken iPhone 5 maybe he couldn't wait for the new model and we all know how hard it is to get it at the beginning.
Too bad he cannot wait for a few days, next Thursday they'll lower the price of 6 and 6S
 
  • Like
Reactions: AJsAWiz and ABC5S
If the customer had a broken iPhone 5 maybe he couldn't wait for the new model and we all know how hard it is to get it at the beginning.
Too bad he cannot wait for a few days, next Thursday they'll lower the price of 6 and 6S

He might be able to argue for a readjustment at the sale price since it will be within 14 days.

But, hey, his choice. :)
 
No, because if they were out a phone, they may not have cared about the latest, and it's at least a month if not longer before the 6S is released (if it gets released a month after the event that's Friday, October 9th). That's a long time to go without a phone!
Release is typically just a week or two after the keynote. It probably just felt a lot longer given the supply issues last year with the 6/6+.
 
No, because if they were out a phone, they may not have cared about the latest, and it's at least a month if not longer before the 6S is released (if it gets released a month after the event that's Friday, October 9th). That's a long time to go without a phone!

iPhones usually release 9-10 days after they are announced. Been this way for years.

That being said, the person may not even care about having the latest and greatest device, and more than likely isn't one to sit up and wait for a pre-order to go live, else he'd probably already know about the 6S. I have a feeling the 6S will be supply constrained.
 
I get what you're saying and I'd most certainly wait for the new model. But, not everyone can wait nor does everyone care about the same things enthusiasts like we do.
 
A lady at my worked did a 2 year contract on a 4S 2 days before last years announcement. She was just like... I don't care..It was free
 
A lady at my worked did a 2 year contract on a 4S 2 days before last years announcement. She was just like... I don't care..It was free
Lol, my aunt replaced her water damaged iPhone 4 after the 4S announcement and just days before actual release. For most folks, they just don't care as long as they have a working phone.
 
If you need a phone, you need a phone.

That being said, Apple are quite flexible with return windows so buying unlocked is A-OK. I daresay if you bought an iPhone this week but wanted to return it for a 6S, management would allow it.

It would be silly to jump into a two year plan at this point unless you got one heck of a deal though.
 
My step-daughter thinks it is silly and a poor use of money to buy a new phone when the old one still works perfectly fine.
I quite agree. Unfortunately, the old 2-year contract system in the US penalized you (to the tune of up to $450 every 2 years) for not upgrading "on schedule".

Now that equipment subsidy has been decoupled from plan costs (thank you, T-Mobile), I think I might actually keep my iPhones longer now instead of upgrading every year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Surf Donkey
I'm an Apple enthusiast, watch every keynote, used Apple products long before iPhone, have used iOS since the iPhone 3G and owned multiple iOS devices.

I know the upgrade schedule inside out, but I still upgraded from the 5s to the 6 last week because I got a good deal between selling my 5s and the upgrade fee.

I'll get the "optimal" iOS 9 experience on my iPad Air 2 and I didn't find my 5s slow ... I just wanted a bigger screen and Apple Pay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arran and yui4
I wouldn't assume the buyer wasn't aware. He could've just needed a phone and is using Apple's return policy to his benefit.
 
I deal with these kind of customers every day single day lol. Not everybody cares about having the latest greatest device. It's not just iPhone users, but also Samsung users. Sometimes they want free phones or they just don't care, I remember when the Note 5 came out, we were taking pre-orders and I kept telling customers they could pre-order the new one instead, but they would be like nah I'll stick with the Note 4! I'm like SERIOUSLY? lol same with iPhones.
 
I'm an Apple enthusiast, watch every keynote, used Apple products long before iPhone, have used iOS since the iPhone 3G and owned multiple iOS devices.

I know the upgrade schedule inside out, but I still upgraded from the 5s to the 6 last week because I got a good deal between selling my 5s and the upgrade fee.

I'll get the "optimal" iOS 9 experience on my iPad Air 2 and I didn't find my 5s slow ... I just wanted a bigger screen and Apple Pay.
Why on earth would you not have waited until sept 18th at this point?
 
It wouldn't be any of my business to interrupt the sale. Heck, I shake my head whenever I read threads on here about people who cut in on sales at BestBuy to recommend Macs.

The point is, that person probably had a specific reason why he bought an unlocked iPhone 6 now.
 
Due to work, I can't go a single day without a phone. Not only is it about 2 weeks till the new phones come out, there's a huge risk that I wouldn't be able to get one! So if it was me I'd run to the store ASAP and get a phone now.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.