Blog
iPhone Madness
Saturday July 26th 2008
Like many others, I decided to succumb to iPhone madness. Late last
night I checked the
Apple website
and determined that my local Apple Store would indeed have the phone
in-stock this morning. It also stated on the website that even though
the Apple Store doesn't technically open until 10am, they actually begin
selling the iPhone at 8am. Knowing this, I programmed my alarm to wake
me up at 6:30am and drifted off to sleep.
This morning I got up and in a groggy haze made my way to the local Apple store, approximately 20 minutes from my home. I would have rather gone to an AT&T store, but it seems as though Apple is only restocking their own stores at this time, making them the only game in town. I arrived at the store at 8:10am and found approximately 100 people already in line in front of me. The line moved very slowly, giving us time to get acquainted with those around us as we waited for our precious phones.
After standing in line for over TWO HOURS, one of the Apple employees finally decides that maybe she should come out and explain the process to everyone since it was 7:45am the last time she did that. I listen to her explain that for those of us who are already using AT&T Mobility service, upgrading to the iPhone would be a quick and easy process (though you couldn't tell it by how slowly the line was moving). By this point, I'm only a few people away from going into the store to purchase my phone. It was then that she dropped the bomb on me though: She stated "If any of you have any type of corporate or employee discounts on your existing AT&T service, you will NOT be able to purchase the iPhone at the Apple Store. You will have to proceed to an AT&T Corporate Store to make your purchase."
At this point, I was about to come unglued. Not only had they let me and several other people stand in line senselessly for hours, they were directing me to go make my purchase at the same AT&T Stores that Apple hasn't restocked since the iPhone was launched over two weeks ago! I tried calling AT&T Mobility Customer Care to get my discount temporarily removed so I could purchase the iPhone, but didn't have much luck. I got through to them right away, and the gentleman that I spoke with was extremely polite and helpful, but he explained that once he took the discount off it would take six to eight hours before the change would be reflected on Apple's computers. By that time, their supply would be exhausted, so I just turned and headed home. In other words, I got up early on a Saturday and wasted my entire morning for absolutely nothing.
I can't blame AT&T for my frustration, but I can say that I am disappointed with Apple. Actually, I guess I should say that I am disappointed with the Apple employees working this morning more than I am with Apple itself. If there is something that could actually prevent those in line from making a purchase, they should make the Customer's aware more than just once every 2 or 3 hours. If nothing else, post some signs along the area where the line forms so the Customer's may read the info.
Regardless, here I am back home a few hours later, chatting away on my AT&T Tilt while I type this. Am I still interested in the iPhone? Sure. Will I remove my discount and try buying it again at a later date? Who knows?!