Apple iPhone...
#1141
In Memoriam




Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,111
#1143
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Madison NJ; Watopia
Posts: 3,161
No iPhone have been delivered to Metro NYC ATT stores since Saturday. I waited in line at the Short Hills Apple store tonight, and there was an ATT employee in line - wearing ATT Wireless garb. Even they couldn't get a phone at the ATT store. Not a great partnership between Apple and ATT.
After waiting in line a modest 45 minutes, I learned that I can't get an iPhone from an Apple store because my current ATT phone is under a discount plan through my employer. The sales clerk said there is some screen the Apple drones can't get past if the existing account has a corp or military/govt discount attached. Perhaps this is payback for the lack of iPhone flow.
Incidentally, the Short Hills store ONLY had the 16Gig white model in stock. If you wanted anything else, SoL.
I'm pretty frustrated that this is not an easy process, and that Apple and ATT can't get their acts together. It hasn't been a good customer experience for me.
After waiting in line a modest 45 minutes, I learned that I can't get an iPhone from an Apple store because my current ATT phone is under a discount plan through my employer. The sales clerk said there is some screen the Apple drones can't get past if the existing account has a corp or military/govt discount attached. Perhaps this is payback for the lack of iPhone flow.
Incidentally, the Short Hills store ONLY had the 16Gig white model in stock. If you wanted anything else, SoL.
I'm pretty frustrated that this is not an easy process, and that Apple and ATT can't get their acts together. It hasn't been a good customer experience for me.
#1144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
After waiting in line a modest 45 minutes, I learned that I can't get an iPhone from an Apple store because my current ATT phone is under a discount plan through my employer. The sales clerk said there is some screen the Apple drones can't get past if the existing account has a corp or military/govt discount attached.
I did that, but when I got inside my account was still associated with my employers discount. The Apple rep had an AT&T number to call which he used to reset my account while I was still in the store.
Once that was done, the activation worked, an I walked out with my new toy.
#1145


Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 4,847
When I picked up my iPhone, an Apple employee was walking the line saying the same thing. He was asking everyone on a corporate plan to call AT&T right then and have their plan reset to an individual one before getting to the door.
I did that, but when I got inside my account was still associated with my employers discount. The Apple rep had an AT&T number to call which he used to reset my account while I was still in the store.
Once that was done, the activation worked, an I walked out with my new toy.
I did that, but when I got inside my account was still associated with my employers discount. The Apple rep had an AT&T number to call which he used to reset my account while I was still in the store.
Once that was done, the activation worked, an I walked out with my new toy.
#1146
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,724
What may be happening is that they sold weeks or even months of production in a few days.
They thought limiting to 21 countries out of the 70 would meet initial demand but the stocks they'd built up is depleted.
They thought limiting to 21 countries out of the 70 would meet initial demand but the stocks they'd built up is depleted.
#1147
In Memoriam




Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,111
When I picked up my iPhone, an Apple employee was walking the line saying the same thing. He was asking everyone on a corporate plan to call AT&T right then and have their plan reset to an individual one before getting to the door.
I did that, but when I got inside my account was still associated with my employers discount. The Apple rep had an AT&T number to call which he used to reset my account while I was still in the store.
Once that was done, the activation worked, an I walked out with my new toy.
I did that, but when I got inside my account was still associated with my employers discount. The Apple rep had an AT&T number to call which he used to reset my account while I was still in the store.
Once that was done, the activation worked, an I walked out with my new toy.
E.g, http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=115
Once you're on, you can call and have it put back on or do it online.
#1149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SNA
Programs: UA Million Mile Nobody, Marriott Platinum Elite, SPG Gold
Posts: 25,228
Not likely. This was a well planned debut. Absolutely nothing about the sale of the new iPhones was unplanned, right down to the exact number of phones in the right stores AND selling out in key areas. It's not like selling out of something at Christmas. Christmas is a set date. The iPhone release date was set only after elaborate and detailed planning. The frustrating part for customers is Apple and AT&T are not sharing their strategy with anyone.
#1150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,788
Not likely. This was a well planned debut. Absolutely nothing about the sale of the new iPhones was unplanned, right down to the exact number of phones in the right stores AND selling out in key areas. It's not like selling out of something at Christmas. Christmas is a set date. The iPhone release date was set only after elaborate and detailed planning. The frustrating part for customers is Apple and AT&T are not sharing their strategy with anyone.
#1151
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: DL Silver Medallion
Posts: 2,671
I decided to drop by my local Apple store here in Jacksonville this morning. I got there shortly after they opened (about 30 minutes) and although there was a sign on an easel in the window clearly stating "no iPhones today" there were still AT LEAST 50-75 people in line inside waiting for any potential UPS delivery. 
Not coincidentally, as I was leaving the shopping center about 20 minutes later I saw a large UPS truck dropping off several large boxes to the rear of the Apple store. @:-)

Not coincidentally, as I was leaving the shopping center about 20 minutes later I saw a large UPS truck dropping off several large boxes to the rear of the Apple store. @:-)
#1152
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
The IPhone 3G debuted in France today. At lunchtime I walked over to a popular Orange boutique near Place de Madeline and there was a line out the door. They said they only had 8GB in stock. It was 90% businessmen in suits standing in the line.
Later in the day I was out in the provinces and the store there said I could have had an IPhone earlier in the day and there was no lines. But they sold out of their meager supply by the time I got there at 6pm. They did take my name and number and will call me when they have a black 16GB for me. I'm in no hurry though as my 2.5G IPhone works fine.
Also, since I have been an Orange customer for several years, they said they would unlock the IPhone for me so I could use other SIM's when I travel overseas.
Later in the day I was out in the provinces and the store there said I could have had an IPhone earlier in the day and there was no lines. But they sold out of their meager supply by the time I got there at 6pm. They did take my name and number and will call me when they have a black 16GB for me. I'm in no hurry though as my 2.5G IPhone works fine.
Also, since I have been an Orange customer for several years, they said they would unlock the IPhone for me so I could use other SIM's when I travel overseas.
#1153
In Memoriam: Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: LGB/LAX
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,853
I have both the original 8gb and the new 16gb black and have noticed that my BT will pair with my in car hands free (Chrysler U-Connect) and vise versa but will not connect with either an incoming or outgoing call. Also, as previously noted, the battery drains pretty fast.
#1154
FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
Can IPhone serve as PC data connection?
I've never thought about using an IPhone for this, but with 3G it might be desirable.
Can I connect my IPhone by cable to my Windows laptop and use it for a 3G (or Edge even) data connection?
Can I connect my IPhone by cable to my Windows laptop and use it for a 3G (or Edge even) data connection?

