AT&T to offer credit or iPhone 4 trade-up for recent iPhone 3GS buyers
AT&T this week is sympathizing with customers who made the unfortunate decision to purchase an iPhone 3GS in the month leading up to Monday's iPhone 4 announcement, offering those customers a monetary credit or the option to trade up to the fourth-generation device when it's available.
Customer Price Protection
The "one-time Customer Price Protection" policy was outlined in a set of internal documents obtained by modmyi. It specifies that customers who purchased iPhone 3GS 16GB/32GB through an authorized dealer from May 7, 2010 until June 7, 2010 will be allowed to receive a bill credit for the difference in the Manufacturer?s Suggested Retail Price in May 2010 and the new Manufacturer?s Suggested Retail Price plus sales tax.
"This special one-time credit from AT&T will be provided to customers of Dealer regardless of what price the customer actually paid for their iPhone," the exclusive U.S. iPhone carrier wrote. The terms of the offer stipulate that:
Customers who purchased iPhone 3GS May 7th through May 14th will have until June 14th to visit the original location of purchase and receive this one-time bill credit
Customers who purchased after May 14th will have 30 days to complete their price protection transaction by returning to the original location of purchase
The Price Protection Credit applied to the customer?s account will equal $50 for the 3GS 16GB or $100 for the 3GS 32GB.
Return/Exchange Policy
Alternatively, customers who purchased and iPhone 3G/3GS through an authorized dealer from May 7, 2010 until June 7, 2010 can also exchange their handset for an iPhone 4 and pay the price difference. Authorized AT&T dealers are instructed to "inform these customers that they can continue using their iPhone 3GS until iPhone 4 is available and they will be given a full refund for their iPhone 3GS less the 10% Restocking Fee (if applicable)."
Full details and a series of questions and answers regarding the policy can be seen in a copy of the documents on the next page.
Customer Price Protection
The "one-time Customer Price Protection" policy was outlined in a set of internal documents obtained by modmyi. It specifies that customers who purchased iPhone 3GS 16GB/32GB through an authorized dealer from May 7, 2010 until June 7, 2010 will be allowed to receive a bill credit for the difference in the Manufacturer?s Suggested Retail Price in May 2010 and the new Manufacturer?s Suggested Retail Price plus sales tax.
"This special one-time credit from AT&T will be provided to customers of Dealer regardless of what price the customer actually paid for their iPhone," the exclusive U.S. iPhone carrier wrote. The terms of the offer stipulate that:
Customers who purchased iPhone 3GS May 7th through May 14th will have until June 14th to visit the original location of purchase and receive this one-time bill credit
Customers who purchased after May 14th will have 30 days to complete their price protection transaction by returning to the original location of purchase
The Price Protection Credit applied to the customer?s account will equal $50 for the 3GS 16GB or $100 for the 3GS 32GB.
Return/Exchange Policy
Alternatively, customers who purchased and iPhone 3G/3GS through an authorized dealer from May 7, 2010 until June 7, 2010 can also exchange their handset for an iPhone 4 and pay the price difference. Authorized AT&T dealers are instructed to "inform these customers that they can continue using their iPhone 3GS until iPhone 4 is available and they will be given a full refund for their iPhone 3GS less the 10% Restocking Fee (if applicable)."
Full details and a series of questions and answers regarding the policy can be seen in a copy of the documents on the next page.
Comments
It is a nice gesture since they didn't have to do it.
So my GF's Blackberry died on June 8th, she's hated the thing and wanted an iPhone...she's traveling extensively next week and needed a phone immediately... She got a 3GS on the 8th... Why in the world wouldn't they extend this deal right up until the release of the phone?? Any thoughts?
Can't you just let her borrow a regular phone and she can return the iPhone within 14 days and buy a new phone when it comes out? Just wondering...
So my GF's Blackberry died on June 8th, she's hated the thing and wanted an iPhone...she's traveling extensively next week and needed a phone immediately... She got a 3GS on the 8th... Why in the world wouldn't they extend this deal right up until the release of the phone?? Any thoughts?
Because anytime you buy a phone, you always have a 30-day return/exchange policy. Pre-order the new iPhone 4 on the 15th, and return the 3GS when it comes in, pay the 10% restocking fee that everyone else pays, and you're fine. Short answer: They already have a policy in place to take care of you in your situation.
Because anytime you buy a phone, you always have a 30-day return/exchange policy. Pre-order the new iPhone 4 on the 15th, and return the 3GS when it comes in, pay the 10% restocking fee that everyone else pays, and you're fine. Short answer: They already have a policy in place to take care of you in your situation.
Bingo. I called ATT and confirmed this memo.
Can't you just let her borrow a regular phone and she can return the iPhone within 14 days and buy a new phone when it comes out? Just wondering...
check ATnT's 30 day return policy
Because anytime you buy a phone, you always have a 30-day return/exchange policy. Pre-order the new iPhone 4 on the 15th, and return the 3GS when it comes in, pay the 10% restocking fee that everyone else pays, and you're fine. Short answer: They already have a policy in place to take care of you in your situation.
You're right!! THANK YOU!! I was so ballistic, I didn't even think of the obvious!
check ATnT's 30 day return policy
Just did... good to know!
Considering it will cost AT & T very little but gain them a large contract I'm sure it was a no brainer decision.
It is a nice gesture since they didn't have to do it.
It costs AT&T the difference between $199 and $599. They lose the price they have to pay Apple to subsidize the phone cost and any potential revenue/profit (their employees don't work for free).
I wouldn't just dismiss it as "the mighty evil AT&T is just throwing a cheap bone casually my way". That's a pretty steep per 'iPhone switching customer' hit they are taking to keep you happy. They heard the concerns and are doing what it takes to keep you happy. Those in your position should be super stoked, not everybody is so fortunate.
We paid $199 for a replacement for a two month-old water damaged 3GS last week. Since we paid the full price I am hoping they will honor that transaction as though it were a new phone. But I doubt it. First of all, there's no way of knowing whether or not it was a refurb--I suspect it was because it came in a mini box with no charger or headphones. This was done at an Apple Store. Any thoughts?
$199 isn't full price. Full price is $499-699
When you got the replacement phone, you didn't sign a new 2 year contract.
It did not affect your upgrade eligibility.
We paid $199 for a replacement for a two month-old water damaged 3GS last week. Since we paid the full price I am hoping they will honor that transaction as though it were a new phone. But I doubt it. First of all, there's no way of knowing whether or not it was a refurb--I suspect it was because it came in a mini box with no charger or headphones. This was done at an Apple Store. Any thoughts?
I think the AT&T and Apple stores can / do have different return policies, just as they can different incentives to buy from them.
Example: Buy an iPhone from Apple or Apple store and get MobilMe for $60.
But from AT&T and it's $90.
So my GF's Blackberry died on June 8th, she's hated the thing and wanted an iPhone...she's traveling extensively next week and needed a phone immediately... She got a 3GS on the 8th... Why in the world wouldn't they extend this deal right up until the release of the phone?? Any thoughts?
Because the 4G iPhone was announced on the 7th.