[caliguy134]

We actually switched at the end of May to AT&T from verizon, purely because I was waiting for the new iphone 3G. Before we switched, we talked to a rep in the store about our situation (we thought the iphone was coming out the same day as the keynote... makes sense.....) and he told us it would be no problem to get the iphone 3G when it came out. We then decided to switch a couple of days later at another AT&T store, which told us the same story. My dad got me this free garbage phone to last me till I got the new iphone.. what made things more complicated after the keynote was that we would be out of our "30 day trial" before the new iphone came out, so we went to the store and explained the situation, telling them that if we didn't get the subsidized price for the iphone, we would cancel everything.

It worked :) They typed it into the computer and gave us receipts telling us that wherever we went on the 11th, they would give us the subsidized price.


You should try that. good luck!

[buzzygwood]

I switched to AT&T June 16th. Was told by my rep I should do it, and that when the iPhone comes out July 11th, I can trade in my temporary phone for the real deal. I told him I'd be out of the country until July 16th-- the last day of my 30 day hardware/trade-in guarantee, so I would have to hop off the plane and run to AT&T. My in-store rep gave me his card, and even assured me that even if I was a day or two past the 30 day return policy, I won't have to worry due to their "customers first" policy and that he would personally make sure I receive an iPhone. We'll see if they try to make me pay that new surcharge, because I simply won't... I'll let you know how it turns out, if you're interested. Seriously, if they hassle me, I will be irate! At the time of my two-year activation, I even insisted that the AT&T retail rep make a note on my account that I'm only switching NOW so I can have a hassle-free phone-number-porting experience for the new iPhone 3G.

I'm sorry about your experience so far. I hope that on the actual day of the launch, AT&T will honor your request for the NORMAL price of the iPhone and believe your story about why you switched early. It totally makes sense to any normal human being and I would have done the exact thing as you. I feel like people are being blind-sided by this surcharge announcement! I can't believe how awful this could turn out for you. They should have had some check-box for furture iPhone users when you switched that makes you automatically "eligible" for a hassle-free, no extra charge upgrade to the new iPhone -- especially for switchers like us.

[mdmoore]

Thanks for sharing your experience, buzzygwood. My husband ended up calling AT&T. He told the rep that we had recently talked to several other reps who were telling us we were not eligible to upgrade to the new iphone. He told them that when we first switched to AT&T less than two months ago we were assured of a no-hassle upgrade to the new 3G iphone. After a little bit of persuasion, the rep put him on hold to talk to her supervisor, and then came back on the line and said our account had been flagged so that we would be able to purchase the new iphone at the preferred price whenever we decided to switch to it. Sounds like AT&T might be trying to make things right if you make enough noise, but I'll only truly believe it when I have the new iphone in my hand.

[mdmoore]

Thanks for the advice. My husband called AT&T and told the rep what we were told when we switched over to AT&T less than two months ago. After a bit of talking, the rep put him on hold, talked to her supervisor, and then came back on the line and said they had flagged our account to be able to purchase the iphone at the lowest price whenever we decided to buy it. Sounds like AT&T is trying to make things right.

[buzzygwood1]

Hi mdmoore

As I'm out of the country, could you possibly post the actual AT&T phone number (even if it was a basic customer service number) your husband called (and if possible the name of the rep...?). I would love to have my account flagged in a similar fashion. Thanks so much, and good luck!

Buzz

[mdmoore]

buzzygwood1,

My husband called the 800 number on the AT&T web site - 1-800-331-0500. I don't know the name of the rep he spoke to. I know he wasn't happy with them when he started the conversation, which is what prompted the conversation with the rep's supervisor. Good luck!

[Irish2dabone]

Nucklehed, (and or other's reading this on 3G data plan usage after 2-yr contract)

Just had another conversation with AT&T Customer Service repr... my question for him was around what happens after the
2-yr 3G iPhone contract on having to pay $30/month for unlimited Data Plan? Would I be able to go to a month-to-month option as BlackBerry user's and other wireless phones with data access & email. Answer was NO... and NO again.
So, I understand AT&T recouping their costs for subsidizing the 3G.. but to LOCK us in after the 2-yr contract seems unreasonable.

So for others reading this, you may ask, "why would you want" a 3G iPhone if your intent was not to have 24/7 access to the internet and email and occasional GPS, etc." And I would say, Great Question from you all... but also would point out:
1. IF a BlackBerry user; business traveler or otherwise, had the option to go month-to-month from AT&T on their data plan from "day-one", why wouldn't iPhone user's have the same flexibility after their 2-yr contract was up after buying Steve Job's new AFFORDABLE iPhone?? isn't the purpose of someone going with a BlackBerry for the same functional access to the internet and email?? what's the difference??
2. personally, my business travel is a couple times a quarter where I may require data access during those two weeks only seeing I have a MacBook Pro I use in my home office... also but willing to bite the bullet for the two yr contract in fairness to AT&T recouping their investment, even though they are still coming out way-ahead on this deal.
3. I am at a stage of my career where I may only have another 4-5 years to work where I would require access from the road.... and seeing I have hung onto my existing wireless phone for 4-yr's now and essentially waiting for this form of technology, why would I want to make this tech investment in an iPhone to only have to sell it in 4-yr's so I wouldn't be tied to a data plan 24/7 for as long as I owned it?? I say this because the AT&T rep told me I could simply move to another wireless phone that didn't require a mandatory monthly charge... surrendering my iPhone, which obviously didn't sit well with me, essentially seeing that BlackBerry users weren't faced with the same dilemma.

Am I to assume that my choice as a "buyer is to avoid the iPhone technology all together because I am not a candidate for one, or because I have finally reached my goal of retirement and earning the right the last 4-5 yr's of my career of not being on the road 5-days a week any longer? Shouldn't I be able to enjoy month-to-month access as well? If I buy an iPhone or BlackBerry, TILT, or whatever, why shouldn't I enjoy the same data access plans and use the PHONE THE WAY I CHOOSE?
You younger "pup's" out there should be thinking about this now and not discounting my "personal" concern's of not being your problem "today"... so I present just one of many scenarios to you, what it you go to a company that insists that you use their wireless provider and their BlackBerry for your company phone if you want your wireless activities reimbursed... wouldn't your iPhone data access needs be streamlined considerably...? Would you be wanting or willing to be put in a position of moving your iPhone to shelf-ware" or sheet-canning it? Get my drift....

Will SOMEBODY please tell me how to put a simplified version of the above together for MACWORLD feedback to voice this? Is there a specific site or link I need to go to to bring this to MACWORLDS attention? Thx

[wase]

I think you have said it perfectly, man.
I am in the same exact situation as you are, and I am wrestling with the same feelings for this thing.
I just went all Mac at home, after being a 30 year WinTel guy,and I love all the Mac interoperability, but....

I too own a blackberry 8830 with Sprint, and my deal is really nice; 30 bucks a month for all data/test/other stuff that the offer, and I am one of 3 phone sharing a 59 dollar family plan.

Most of the "pups" as you call them, are willing to pay whatever it costs to have an IPhone, so I doubt you can persuade many of them to reconsider, but, you are right; this phone is NOT perfect, or, as is MORE Accurate, ATT as a wireless service provider is NOT the best choice for many people...
If only this phone was available via other carriers..........

[mdmoore]

Irish2dabone,

Thanks for all of your insight on the iPhone. You brought up issues about the iPhone that I never knew before. We were so excited about the iPhone that we overlooked how much it would actually cost to own one. Yes, the iPhone is great to look at, and the movement on the Internet is amazing, but i don't want to go broke owning one. I really wish I had seen your posts before switching over to AT&T. Thank you for all of your information.

[Irish2dabone]

I was encouraged by your online exchange with your AT&T person... I have spoken with three different AT&T reps (1-sales and 2-Cust Support)... one says you activate your iphone on iTunes... the other two claim you must activate your new iphone wherever you buy it (APPLE store or AT&T) that you can't take it out of store without activating it... and actually, another Cust Svc person indicated they are clueless as to what the final verdict will be. There you have it... depends on who you speak with at AT&T... although APPLE store rep indicated to me last week that you must activate it in the APPLE STORE if that is where you bought the phone. I would save your thread with AT&T rep you posted

[buzzygwood1]

I complain, you complain, we all complain about the pricing, but no one is forcing us to buy this device. You sound like someone has a weapon pointed at our backs. May I remind you why you (and all of us you refer to as Nuckleheds) will likely buy this phone (and probably upgrade to a new model two years from now).

You like the idea of your device speaking "mac" right out of the box, right? You own a macbook pro, so you understand the mac vs. pc difference. It's Apple, and things just work the way they should. Sure other phones have other features, and other carriers are cheaper. I get that. But they're all missing something: there's a mac experience that you just don't have with a non-apple device. Period. I'm not a fan-boy -- technology to me is choosing the right tool for the job -- and it just so happens that most tools around my house, over time, have an Apple logo on them. Consider syncing. No other device can work this seamlessly with the Apple apps you want to use quite the same way: ical, iphoto, address book, soon-to-be mobile me, App store, iTunes, come on... this is huge. From a developer-to-user experience standpoint, when you control the hardware and the software, things just work. I will pay a premium to have things work the way they should.

You do bring up a good point: that after the two year contract (and theoretically AT&T recoups their cost for subsidizing the phone) you should have the option of paying month-to-month for 3G. But come on: two years from now is a long long time, and a lot can happen. Steve Jobs is like Santa Claus for us adults, well sort of: instead of being fat and wearing a red suit, he is skinny and wears a black turtleneck. Santa puts presents under the tree every year, and Steve makes an annual new-product announcement at WWDC. Now here's my point: I understand you bringing up your 4-year old Blackberry story, but if I could see just two years into the future, we all will probably be drooling at the mouth in a nerd-like fashion, over what Santa Jobs has under the WWDC tree in 2010. And I dare say, we would all consider jumping ship from AT&T, (or any carrier) to a different one, to get our hands on it. And if you really want to keep your (at that time) 2-year old 3G iPhone, you may be able to work out something with AT&T at that time, but two years is a life time in technology, so whatever some pimple-faced rep at AT&T says to you today, I'll take with a grain of salt.

So, go get your sleeping bag and fold-up chair out of the garage, check it for spiders, buy some Starbucks and get in line at your local AT&T store, because one way or another, you're gonna get that phone. Admit it.

[buzzygwood1]

Silly me... I just read a few other posts and saw Irish2dabone was referring to Nucklehed in an ongoing series of replies, (not calling people Nuckleheds!)... haha - forget that part of my discussion thread. Thanks!

-buzzygwood1

P.S. I spoke with an AT&T rep this morning from overseas and they said my account has been noted, that I will qualify for the 199/299 device price under my 30 day equipment return policy (as I'll be back in the states literally on the 30th day of the policy: actual words from rep below:

Buzzygwood1 called in about new iphone. Buzzygwood1 will be back n the states on the 16th and will still be with in the 30 buyers remorse period and was informed prior to this call that he would still be able to change to the iphone at the 199.99 price for the 8G and the 299.99 for the 16G. original note was set on june 16th since Buzzygwood1 will still be with in the 30day period he techniqually still quallifies to switch.

[buzzygwood1]

I spoke with an AT&T rep this morning from overseas and they said my account has been noted, that I will qualify for the 199/299 device price under my 30 day equipment return policy (as I'll be back in the states literally on the 30th day of the policy: actual words from rep below:

Buzzygwood1 called in about new iphone. Buzzygwood1 will be back n the states on the 16th and will still be with in the 30 buyers remorse period and was informed prior to this call that he would still be able to change to the iphone at the 199.99 price for the 8G and the 299.99 for the 16G. original note was set on june 16th since Buzzygwood1 will still be with in the 30day period he techniqually still quallifies to switch.

Thanks for getting me the number... like you, I'll believe it when the device is in hand... you won't regret your purchase... I wrote a response to Irish2dabone that you should read if you're having buyers remourse regarding the iPhone... you'll have to dig for the thread... You'll have to tell me what you think...

[Irish2dabone]

Buzzygwood1,
In response to your comments to my blog on 3G iPhone data plan concerns.
FIrst and foremost... I was NOT addressing other readers of my Blog as "nucklehed's"... I was responding to an entry by a blogger who call's himself "Nucklehed".... and we all have choices in Life, as it goes with whether "we as individuals" opt for the 3G as a new AT&T customer... I couldn't agree with you more... you are correct! Ultimately, its my choice as a consumer and nobody "has a gun to my head" to jump on board the 3G or AT&T bandwagon. Guess I as an "individual" that doesn't care for the "options" I am left with and that's my challenge with this whole thing... I am also frustrated with the fact that Steve Jobs presented the 3G as a "new and affordable" iPhone... and on the surface it is compared to last years prices... but when you peel the onion back, we are paying A LOT more for his AFFORDABLE phone and I am sure he is not on the short-end of this stick seeing AT&T are subsidizing the balance of the phone. I am in IT sales and while i can appreciate vendor's "canniblizing" their offerings, call it what you may, but proclaiming this to be a more affordable phone is nothing but a corporate "shell game". And yes, "technology" changes from day to day from the day we purchase it... but for some of us having choices is still important... and I for one is not one that changes technology every time somebody passes a new gust of wind past us... and my house has an APPLE: desktop, two-laptops and four iPods. Yeah, I am disappointed with the pricing... but because I recognize the 3G is still the best option out there for most of us, I was willing to make the investment at first-blush... but when I discovered that BlackBerry user's aren't subject to the rigid data plan's out of the gate whereas iPhone user's will be, I don't see the rationale or logic regardless of the tech differences between the two phones... both user's access the web... both user's access email and both user's have access to GPS... so why differentiate on the data plans? Simple question in my mind. Sure, my situation is different than some out there when it comes to 24/7 usage of the web, etc... and I am willing to bite the bullet 2-yr contract since AT&T has the right to recoup their subsiding the phone for us and to even make a profit... but to make it mandatory after the two yr's is a stretch and therefore, I have tough choices to make before I break out my sleeping bag and wait in line July 11. Unfortunately, Steve has turned a blind eye towards a small population who desire the purchase of the new 3G in my mind and I am sure statistically he has done the math by opening the 3G up to 70-countries, so losing a few dollar's from my jumping on board was a calculated risk he assumed. 3G is a great phone in my mind and kudo's to Steve and those creating it... but at the end of the day, life isn't always fair and this is a great example of it... and the iPhone may not be for me personally under the current circumstances? I will bend over a little for good technology, but won't stay there too long regardless whose playing Santa or wearing a black turtleneck.
Respectfully