For those of us who bought the 1st generation iPhone and the iPhone 3G right when they came out, we do it partly because we want to be a part of the hype. We want to be first! We want all the excitement! Now, we’re being told we have to pay an additional $200 to be a part of the hype, to be first, to have the excitement! We’re the reason the iPhone has been so successful! We’re the ones that are reported in the media as waiting hours and days before the stores open! We’re what make you, AT&T and Apple, successful!
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that the iPhone 3G was subsidized by AT&T. I understand that when we paid for the device that AT&T was kicking money to Apple as well and expecting to recover the money by our monthly payments for the majority of our contracts. HOWEVER….AT&T is allowing some customers to be eligible for the full upgrade pricing in July, some in December, some in January, and some in March. What’s with the inconsistency? We’ve heard grumblings of a reason behind this inconsistency. It has to do with the amount left on the contract, how much we pay per month, the type of plan (individual or family)….blah, blah, blah. These are just that, rumblings, though. No official word from AT&T as to rhyme or reason! Plus, when customers call in asking why their upgrade date is what it is, they are each being told something different. It has to do with how many night and weekend minutes you use, how many mobile-to-mobile, etc, etc, which essentially means, it has to do with how much money you cost AT&T with the “free” features. What! Get your story straight!
If AT&T and Apple had been straightforward with their customers in the beginning about what would qualify them for full upgrade pricing in about a year, then more than likely, all us early adopters would add the extra text messages to our plan to meet the requirements, or do whatever it took to jump through the hoops.
I want to be clear with the intent of this letter. I’m pointing a finger at BOTH AT&T AND Apple! I’m a very, very loyal Apple consumer. I’ve brought them a lot of business and referrals. However, I find it hard to believe that they are not aware of what’s going on here. Did they honestly expect that loyal, early adopters would be okay with paying $200 more or waiting God only knows how many months? They chose to contract with AT&T (an entirely other rant that I won’t get started on right now). So, it’s partly their responsibility to work with them to make sure their loyal customers win out! There are those who say that Apple iPhone customers should not get special treatment when it comes to cell phone contracts and upgrade policies. However, if AT&T and Apple had been up front about the upgrade policy a year ago, they would not have so many upset loyal customers!
Plus, I do believe that repeat iPhone customers should be treated with special regard! I want AT&T to keep in mind that we have made them a huge amount of money and dramatically increased their customer base. There is a large majority of AT&T iPhone customers who never would have signed up with AT&T if it had not been for the iPhone. Many of us are disgusted by how AT&T takes us for granted! Also, there is no other device that has received so much publicity and loyal following!
So, what should AT&T and Apple do?
- Revise the existing upgrade policy to allow every current iPhone customer who bought the iPhone 3G within a couple of months of its release to upgrade at the full upgrade discount via pre-order or in person on launch day, June 19th!
- Clearly state the upgrade policy so next year, there are no surprises! If Apple plans on yearly releases of the iPhone, then this needs to be taken into consideration with the upgrade policy so early adopters may continue to be eligible at launch.
Now, what should us loyal Apple iPhone customers do if we’re not eligible for the full discount price on launch day?
- Call, email, and visit AT&T and Apple making your complaints known!
- Post messages online on blogs, forums, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Plus, post your correspondence with AT&T and Apple along with their responses.
- Don’t cave and buy the iPhone 3GS on launch day at the higher price!
- Encourage all who plan on buying the new iPhone to NOT go on launch day! AT&T and Apple are expecting huge lines like the prior years. Show them that those of us who previous waited in those lines will be greatly missed!
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