Even MORE iPhone suckiness!

[WouldYouLikeToBuyAPhone?]

It never ends. The dam iPhone will be the death of me.

There is currently an Australia wide shortage of the iPhone 3GS. This much is hard enough to comprehend. Apple knew full from the FIRST time they launched an iPhone that it is the most popular item to be sold in Australia, nay, the world. In short, ever man and his dog wants one. Apple's marketing team have certainly been doing their jobs well. Personally, I just don't see whats so complicated about it. There are approximately 21 million people in Australia. Assuming that half of the Australian population own a dog... by my calculations, that equals 31 and a half million iPhones will be needed in time for launch, give or take any dogs out there who aren't up with the latest trends.

So, does Apple MAKE 31 and a half million iPhones in time for launch? No, they make 7. Its all part of their marketing ploy. Make them wait, it'll make them want it more! I'm sorry Apple Marketing team, you missed two crucial points:

1) Everyone ALREADY wants one. Making them wait for it doesn't make them want it more, it makes them pissy.

2) They don't get pissy at you, Apple Marketing team, they get pissy at US - the poor unfortunate souls at the local telecommunications carriers, who sell your products for you, because you are too sucky to do it yourselves.

These two points combined make for the following friendly callers.


Me: Welcome to <My Company> You're speaking with <Me>.
SC: I've bought an iPhone a week ago and you haven't sent it to me yet! I want compensation!
Me: First of all, you didn't buy an iPhone. You applied for a contract that comes with a free iPhone. You have not actually given us a cent yet, so, technically, you're not a customer and therefore, I don't have to be nice to you. Secondly, the BIG RED SIGNS all over the website where you applied for said contract, all of which say 'iPhone Shortage! May take up to 4 weeks to be delivered!' didn't give you a hint? No, you can't have compensation. Fuck off and stop wasting my time.


Me: Welcome to <My Company> You're speaking with <Me>.
SC: <Competitor> is offering me an iPhone for less than you are! What are you going to do about it?
Me What am I going to do about it? I'm going to do my best to ensure that the door hits you in the arse on your way out.


Me: Welcome to <My Company> You're speaking with <Me>.
SC: Cancel my order. I'll go pick one up from a store.
MeBest of luck with that. Clearly, you haven't grasped the concept of 'Australia Wide Shortage'. That means AUSTRALIA wide, not 'the small online store for <Company> that you have contacted' wide.

[Pairou]

...I fail to see what makes iPhones so omgmust-have. Just throwing that out there for a sec.

Yes, it's convenient, but personally I don't mind taking some extra time to make calls or text and I don't need to be online every second of every day.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

...I fail to see what makes iPhones so omgmust-have. Just throwing that out there for a sec.

It's an Apple product. That's about the only attraction I see to it.

I don't need or want one. My crappy little Motorola is fine, thank you.

[Wenchie]

Yeah... I can get a new phone (either for free or a hefty discount) in November... I'm NOT getting an iPhone. I decided to stay with Tmobile and I'll probably get one of the Sidekick LXs. I'm not big into touch screens and I don't want to deal with the hassle of using an unlocked phone, and I've never had a problem with tmobile. *shrug*

[protege]

It's an Apple product. That's about the only attraction I see to it.

It's also *expensive* relative to other phones. That's why my boss just had to get one as soon as the first ones came out...and has had trouble with it ever since. Too many dropped calls, static, and other annoying crap. I have a cheap LG flip-phone which works fine. I guess you don't get what you pay for

[EricKei]

Me: Welcome to <My Company> You're speaking with <Me>.
SC: <Competitor> is offering me an iPhone for less than you are! What are you going to do about it?

...Wish you luck in actually GETTING one before Thanksgiving?

======================

Same thing happened with the Wii. Ninty promised us 120ish units at our GameStore when we were taking pre-orders. Around October, the number abruptly dropped. Then that happened 3-4 more times. On the actual release day, we got sixteen. Took us until March just to get the pre-orders taken care of. Guess who the cursetomers were mad at?

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

Personally I hate the Apple propagated perception that "you're a technology illiterate douche if you don't have a sleek, shiny apple product that apparently never fails or screws up."



I'm not sure I've ever seen a company more into themselves than Apple and that's why I don't really care for them....well that and all the problems I had wih my Ipod. I bought an el-cheapo 4GB MP3 player instead and I haven't had a single problem with it, I don't have to put up with the itunes bullshit any more either.

[Doodlesprite]

Never really been into Apple myself, no iPhone, no iPd, no i anything. I have a pay as you go phone, a little 4 gig mp3 player, a PDA with a wifi connection if I am ever that desperate to get online.

But I do think it sucks that the companies seem to be falling back on what they promise to ship. Because you are exactly right. They don't take it out on the company. They take it out on the poor clerks at the retail stores.

God forbid they throw the stones at the right person.

[rerant]

As someone who is currently waiting for her iPhone 3Gs I can say that yes, it is a pain to have to basically sit on your hands and pray for the all-important email indicating that your phone has arrived and will be shipped via courier very soon, but I haven't called anyone (aside from my boyfriend) to complain about it.

I've been waiting almost 3 weeks. I knew I would have to wait almost 3 weeks.
That's life.

Thankfully mine is only costing $199 (woo new customer discounts!) and my monthly bill is only going to be about $50 (woo family plans with data sharing!) and yeah, I WANTWANTWAAAAAANT it right NOW (I've been without any phone at all for about 6 months) but you know, I'm just going to shut up and keep waiting.

Because I knew I would have to wait.
Just like everyone else knew.

Jerks.

[technical.angel]

I decided to stay with Tmobile and I'll probably get one of the Sidekick LXs.

G1!!!

It does have a touch screen, but it has a flip out, REAL qwerty keyboard. I'm totally in love with this phone.

[Broomjockey]

"you're a technology illiterate douche if you don't have a sleek, shiny apple product that apparently neveroften fails or screws up."

Fixed that for ya

[Red_Dazes]

I decided to stay with Tmobile and I'll probably get one of the Sidekick LXs. I'm not big into touch screens and I don't want to deal with the hassle of using an unlocked phone, and I've never had a problem with tmobile. *shrug*

I feel you there, I've been with T-mobile for 2 years after coming out of a contract with Cingular/At&t And I dont think I am going to switch carriers soon. They don't have the greatest coverage everywhere, but their customer service is AWESOME, I've never once gotten the brush off from them when I have a problem. And I am also getting a great deal on a new phone soon ^_^ yey!

G1!!!

It does have a touch screen, but it has a flip out, REAL qwerty keyboard. I'm totally in love with this phone.

The boy just got a MyTouch, just released, and he loves it, everyone I have talked to says it is like the iPhone but way better, doesn't have all the crap problems apple does. Me personally I like my key pad, I don't like touch screens cause they get all smudgy from fingers, drives the OCD part of me nuts. I'd be cleaning the thing more than I would be using it. Top that with... I really only need a phone to call and text... if I want the internet on the go I'll break down and buy a laptop with a wireless card.

[Soulstealer]

G1!!!

It does have a touch screen, but it has a flip out, REAL qwerty keyboard. I'm totally in love with this phone.

I don't mind either one per say but I really like having a number pad or whatever they call it on a phone. Now if a phone comes with it and a qwerty keyboard or touch screen I'll be happy.

The thing is none of us need 90% of the features we want it. My needs are decent battery for the phone type and quad band (I have family abroad and if there's an emergency I won't wait until I can login to skype). My next phone however will probably have internet and other shiny things because I want it and I have been lured by the shiny technology.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

...I fail to see what makes iPhones so omgmust-have. Just throwing that out there for a sec.

It's the latest, greatest thing and if you don't have one you're OMGSONOTCOOL and your friends will ostracize you

Give it a couple of years and something else will come out that'll make the iPhone look like what it really is: a glorified Walkman.

[Nohbody]

Considering mine's only one step above the old brick models, and missed out on having a rotary dial by a couple of generations, I don't see the appeal of them, either. If I have a phone, it's because I want to call someone, not to play games, balance my checkbook, or anything like that.

Besides, when I want to talk to people not physically present, usually I'm at home, with my handy-dandy internet connection, and a real keyboard that doesn't require using a pen tip to type on the keys.