AT&T: iPhone sales limited to 'one per person'

[AppleInsider]

Wireless carrier AT&T said Wednesday it plans to limit iPhone sales at its retail stores to 'one per person' on Friday -- the first day the eagerly sought Apple handset is due to go on sale nationwide.

"With iPhone arriving June 29th at 6 p.m. in AT&T retail stores, the wait is almost over. Use our online store locator to find the closest AT&T store that sells Apple iPhone (limit one per person)," the company wrote in an email to subscribers. "We'll show you maps, directions, and everything you need to get your hands on an iPhone as quickly as possible."

Apple retail stores are also expected to limit the number of iPhones its shopper can purchase on the first day, though it has not said how many that will be. Obviously, both AT&T and Apple are in the business of improving their bottom lines, and will ease the limitation over time.

For its part, Apple will also be making iPhone available for purchase from its online store, where it's unlikely to impose limits.

A copy of the AT&T email follows:

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

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[TitoC]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Use our online store locator to find the closest AT&T store that sells Apple iPhone (limit one per person)," . . .

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

Good for them. I would really hate to get in line for this thing, only to see people coming out of the line with 2 or 3of them. That would piss me off! Plus it would ditract from "Ebayers" and the like from buying several of these things and then selling them online for profit.

Want an iPhone, then STAND IN LINE!

[studiomusic]

Well, so if I need one for me, my wife and my daughter... I'm SOL? Even if I transfer 3 lines from Verizon to AT&T?
Too bad for my wife and daughter then...

[JupiterOne]

I just remembered that there is both an AT&T store (upstairs) and an Apple store (downstairs) in my mall. It's going to be mayhem!

[TitoC]

Originally Posted by studiomusic

Well, so if I need one for me, my wife and my daughter... I'm SOL? Even if I transfer 3 lines from Verizon to AT&T?
Too bad for my wife and daughter then...

Well no. Too bad for your wife and daughter for the first FEW DAYS only. This I beleive is only for the first few days to give everyone a fair chance on getting their hands on an iPhone. I'm sorry, but there would be no way for anyone to determine if one is buying to scalp these things or one is getting them for their family. So for now, your wife and daughter are going to have to wait. Sorry. Unless of course they want to wait in line - just like everyone else.

[mmmdoughnuts]

Originally Posted by TitoC

Well no. Too bad for your wife and daughter for the first FEW DAYS only. This I beleive is only for the first few days to give everyone a fair chance on getting their hands on an iPhone. I'm sorry, but there would be no way for anyone to determine if one is buying to scalp these things or one is getting them for their family. So for now, your wife and daughter are going to have to wait. Sorry. Unless of course they want to wait in line - just like everyone else.

Yes, they could. In store activation of all the phones on the account simultaneously would lock the phones to the account without the ability to sell them.

[BlackSummerNight]

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please.

Originally Posted by TitoC

Well no. Too bad for your wife and daughter for the first FEW DAYS only. This I beleive is only for the first few days to give everyone a fair chance on getting their hands on an iPhone. I'm sorry, but there would be no way for anyone to determine if one is buying to scalp these things or one is getting them for their family. So for now, your wife and daughter are going to have to wait. Sorry. Unless of course they want to wait in line - just like everyone else.

One per person is dumb for someone on a family plan.

[JupiterOne]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please.

One per person is dumb for someone on a family plan.

That's some family there where everyone gets their own $499 or $599 phone!

I think a limit of two is more reasonable, you know, for the spouse.

[BlackSummerNight]

I don't see why not. Three is just one more than 2.

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

That's some family there where everyone gets their own $499 or $599 phone!

I think a limit of two is more reasonable, you know, for the spouse.

[atxz06]

It's one per person, not one per account. If your daughter and wife are in line with you, they can each buy their own based upon the wording.

[studiomusic]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

That's some family there where everyone gets their own $499 or $599 phone!

Well, we've made just over $10,000 on Apple stock in the last 4 months, so I'll sell a bit of stock on friday to pay for them.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by studiomusic

Well, we've made just over $10,000 on Apple stock in the last 4 months, so I'll sell a bit of stock on friday to pay for them.

Ain't the 'perfect circle' of capitalism amazing! Develop a great product, hype it (believably and intelligently) thereby getting the stock price up, have your shareholders use the profit from the stock gain to buy the product, thereby justifying/validating the hype that led to the stock price gain in the first place!

[TitoC]

Originally Posted by atxz06

It's one per person, not one per account. If your daughter and wife are in line with you, they can each buy their own based upon the wording.

Thanks for backing me on this.

[anantksundaram]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please.

One per person is dumb for someone on a family plan.

I agree 100%. Sounds like their reversion to type: typical service provider control-freak behavior.

[TitoC]

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please
-BlackSummerNight

Then on that same reasoning, I guess you won't mind buying your concert tickets from scalpers at 200% markup even though you waited in line for tickets and didn't get any? Come on!

Plus, if someone wants to buy an iphone to sell on eBay, then fine. But it will only be one iPhone, not 20.

If you want to get an ass-full of iPhones then bring the whole family. What's the matter, they all can't come? Then I guess they have more important things to do. If they have more important things to do, then I guess being the "first" to get an iPhone is not that important.

Basically it comes down to this: If getting an iPhone in the first few days is THAT important to you, then stand in line. If its not, then wait. It's that simple.

All they are trying to do is to make it fair so that everyone who is waiting in line for these things gets a fair shake. That's all.

[Robin Hood]

I second TitoC. Right on brother.

[atxz06]

I think the policy should be that existing customers can buy as many phones as you have lines of service... new customers can buy as many as they transfer. The problem is that shifting the validation to iTunes means the stores have no way to enforce policy or either drag the line down to a crawl.

If the policy was to prevent ebayers... the apple stores and online store would do the same. The fact that this isn't the case seems to indicate that it's control behavior as indicated by anantksundaram above.

[BlackSummerNight]

Well, you know, people never pay for scalpers for tickets after they charge more than their worth.

Why bring the entire family when 1 person will do.

Doesn't matter how important it is to anyone, it's just a dumb idea.

Fugg fair, first come first serve is logical.

Originally Posted by TitoC

Then on that same reasoning, I guess you won't mind buying your concert tickets from scalpers at 200% markup even though you waited in line for tickets and didn't get any? Come on!

Plus, if someone wants to buy an iphone to sell on eBay, then fine. But it will only be one iPhone, not 20.

If you want to get an ass-full of iPhones then bring the whole family. What's the matter, they all can't come? Then I guess they have more important things to do. If they have more important things to do, then I guess being the "first" to get an iPhone is not that important.

Basically it comes down to this: If getting an iPhone in the first few days is THAT important to you, then stand in line. If its not, then wait. It's that simple.

All they are trying to do is to make it fair so that everyone who is waiting in line for these things gets a fair shake. That's all.

[TitoC]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

Well, you know, people never pay for scalpers for tickets after they charge more than their worth.

Why bring the entire family when 1 person will do.

Doesn't matter how important it is to anyone, it's just a dumb idea.

Fugg fair, first come first serve is logical.

Well, let's see . . .
(1) Well, you know, people never pay for scalpers for tickets after they charge more than their worth. - Yeah, that never happens . . . right!

(2) Why bring the entire family when 1 person will do - Because the freakin' kids and wife need to get their ass off the couch and wait in line like everyone, that's why!

(3) Doesn't matter how important it is to anyone, it's just a dumb idea. Maybe to you and your clan, but not to everyone else waiting in line.

(4) Fugg fair, first come first serve is logical Sorry, one per person is fair. Fugg your comment.

But you know what, it really doesn't matter, 'cause this is the way it's going to be (one per person) so you and your family are just going to have to live with just one. Bitch all you want. It isn't going to happen. Period.

[BlackSummerNight]

You are a dolt for your illogical thinking. I bet 1,000,000 dollars that my family won't have to wait in line.

Originally Posted by TitoC

Well, let's see . . .
(1) Well, you know, people never pay for scalpers for tickets after they charge more than their worth. - Yeah, that never happens . . . right!

(2) Why bring the entire family when 1 person will do - Because the freakin' kids and wife need to get their ass off the couch and wait in line like everyone, that's why!

(3) Doesn't matter how important it is to anyone, it's just a dumb idea. Maybe to you and your clan, but not to everyone else waiting in line.

(4) Fugg fair, first come first serve is logical Sorry, one per person is fair. Fugg your comment.

But you know what, it really doesn't matter, 'cause this is the way it's going to be (one per person) so you and your family are just going to have to live with just one. Bitch all you want. It isn't going to happen. Period.

[pazimzadeh]

Originally Posted by JupiterOne

I just remembered that there is both an AT&T store (upstairs) and an Apple store (downstairs) in my mall. It's going to be mayhem!

hey me too! what mall are you talking about? Mine is Towson Town Center mall in Maryland.

[onlooker]

Is the Apple store doing the same thing? I need 3 as well, but I'm the only one able to stay out for a day.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please.

One per person is dumb for someone on a family plan.

I do think that it means one phone per person, if you have only one phone line on the account.

If you have more, that would be different.

I didn't see the actual wording. That should clear it up.

[Shanghai]

ENOUGH ALREADY. Sheesh. Is this Apple insider or iPhone insider. We get it. Lots and lots of news. We don't need "insider" for this junk anymore.

[TitoC]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

You are a dolt for your illogical thinking. I bet 1,000,000 dollars that my family won't have to wait in line.

Ok. Sure. Make the $1,000,000 check out to:

Mr. Right
123 Your Wrong Ave.
Springfield, OH 12345

[desarc]

it's about time there's another story on AI... ohh lookie, it's an iPhone story. iDont care. it comes out in two days. any idiot can figure out the registration w/o a 175 meg download. i understand, if you press the "A" key, the iPhone will type "A". awesome.

i agree, if your spoiled little kid wants an iPhone, have your spoiled little kid wait in line with you.

i'm getting to the mall at about 5:30 pm. can't believe i had to write pm. why so late? i'm not going to bother taking time off from work, i'll stop by the mall because it's on my way home.

there are TWO ATT stores and an apple store there. if there are lines, i'm going to apple because i'm fairly certain they'll have about 10x as many phones in their stockroom as ATT will. if the lines are ridiculous, i'll go home and order one online. i would LIKE to have the phone this weekend, but i can wait 3 or 4 days. if you want to by 30 iPhones "for your family", do it online, don't pissoff every1 behind you in line. then we'll see the iPhones flood ebay and crash prices down to $499.01 just like the PS3.

[TitoC]

Originally Posted by Shanghai

ENOUGH ALREADY. Sheesh. Is this Apple insider or iPhone insider. We get it. Lots and lots of news. We don't need "insider" for this junk anymore.

Then stop reading it. Go somewhere else. Sheesh. If you don't want to read about the iPhone, then . . . I don't know . . . . how about . . .STOP COMING TO IPHONE POSTS!

The post SPECIFICALLY says "AT&T: iPhone sales limited to 'one per person'" and NOT "Come here to bitch about too much iPhone Coverage" does it??

[desarc]

Originally Posted by TitoC

Then stop reading it. Go somewhere else. Sheesh. If you don't want to read about the iPhone, then . . . I don't know . . . . how about . . .STOP COMING TO IPHONE POSTS!

The post SPECIFICALLY says "AT&T: iPhone sales limited to 'one per person'" and NOT "Come here to bitch about too much iPhone Coverage" does it??

posts like "here's what the plan will cost you" are worth reading.

posts like "two employees will be sleeping in every store..." not so much.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by desarc

it's about time there's another story on AI... ohh lookie, it's an iPhone story. iDont care. it comes out in two days. any idiot can figure out the registration w/o a 175 meg download. i understand, if you press the "A" key, the iPhone will type "A". awesome.

i agree, if your spoiled little kid wants an iPhone, have your spoiled little kid wait in line with you.

i'm getting to the mall at about 5:30 pm. can't believe i had to write pm. why so late? i'm not going to bother taking time off from work, i'll stop by the mall because it's on my way home.

there are TWO ATT stores and an apple store there. if there are lines, i'm going to apple because i'm fairly certain they'll have about 10x as many phones in their stockroom as ATT will. if the lines are ridiculous, i'll go home and order one online. i would LIKE to have the phone this weekend, but i can wait 3 or 4 days. if you want to by 30 iPhones "for your family", do it online, don't pissoff every1 behind you in line. then we'll see the iPhones flood ebay and crash prices down to $499.01 just like the PS3.

Maybe some of us have had good incomes, and the price for the phone isn't a big deal.

Don't be so jealous.

[desarc]

Originally Posted by melgross

Maybe some of us have had good incomes, and the price for the phone isn't a big deal.

Don't be so jealous.

good incomes are far less valuable than good kids.

[TitoC]

Originally Posted by melgross

Maybe some of us have had good incomes, and the price for the phone isn't a big deal.

Don't be so jealous.

Then have your chauffeur, your gardener and your maid wait in line in place for your rich little "princess," your fat and lazy little "sport." and your hot tennis-playing "wife."

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please.

It's a great idea, especially for the first couple of days or weeks. Just like the PS3, it'll inflate to outrageous numbers... until the Wii Phone comes out.

[sandau]

there will be stacks of these things on the shelves saturday.

non-event. I predict undersold, with lots of inventory available saturday. --stock; on monday.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by desarc

good incomes are far less valuable than good kids.

Some of us have both.

[desarc]

Originally Posted by melgross

Some of us have both.

yes we do. and it's in part because we don't spoil them. [besides, i don't think my 2 1/2 year old or my 4 month old should be playing w/ iPhones - i mean they would have to learn where to press on the screen 6 different times just to call me.]

regardless, i don't care who in here makes 1/100th what i do, or 100x what i do, looks like you're still going to be able to buy the same number of phones on day ONE.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by TitoC

Then have your chauffeur, your gardener and your maid wait in line in place for your rich little "princess," your fat and lazy little "sport." and your hot tennis-playing "wife."

Not to speak poorly of your family, but I'm sorry for you.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by desarc

yes we do. and it's in part because we don't spoil them. [besides, i don't think my 2 1/2 year old or my 4 month old should be playing w/ iPhones - i mean they would have to learn where to press on the screen 6 different times just to call me.]

regardless, i don't care who in here makes 1/100th what i do, or 100x what i do, looks like you're still going to be able to buy the same number of phones on day ONE.

I'm not planning to buy them until they have 3G anyway.

But, spoil is a relative term.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

What's wrong with people putting them on ebay for profit. If they buy it, it's theirs to with as they please.

What's wrong with Apple setting sales policies, it's their product to sell as they please.

This way is fairest to those that actually stand in line. Maybe others don't think it's fair to have to stand in line. I think there is too much at stake that AppleT&T can't afford to have scalping sully their launch.

[Shanghai]

Originally Posted by TitoC

Then stop reading it. Go somewhere else. Sheesh. If you don't want to read about the iPhone, then . . . I don't know . . . . how about . . .STOP COMING TO IPHONE POSTS!

The post SPECIFICALLY says "AT&T: iPhone sales limited to 'one per person'" and NOT "Come here to bitch about too much iPhone Coverage" does it??

I'm bitching because every freakin' story on the front page is about the iPhone! So where does one come to bitch? Oh yeah! That's right - it's the forum. So I'm here and I'm bitching.

I love AI, but story after story about the iPhone has simply ceased to be insider. Just no point to it.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Shanghai

I'm bitching because every freakin' story on the front page is about the iPhone! So where does one come to bitch? Oh yeah! That's right - it's the forum. So I'm here and I'm bitching.

I love AI, but story after story about the iPhone has simply ceased to be insider. Just no point to it.

You might as well say the same thing to the New York Times and the WSJ.

The Times had four articles today about ti, and the Journal had three.