Calling my shot. Mandatory in-store iPhone activation coming soon..

Originally Posted by prime_minister

Obviously, this will require an integration of an 'activation only' version of itunes at every terminal that operates OPUS. After activation a customer can use their home copy of itunes for software updates, sync, etc...

Originally Posted by ATnt-RSC

I think it would make more sense to print the ICCID as well as the IMEI on the back of the box, and just scan both into the system then hand it over. Box is still sealed, so you can keep the basic box-opening experience, as well as the 10% restocking fee. You can even keep it locked down until it's been associated with an iTunes account. It's win-win for everyone but the unlockers.

But, as another poster said, that's not happening.

Originally Posted by cingman66

Hopefully that is true...the part about letting stores activate the device. But let's go one step further and let the customer choose where to buy the product, and open up sales to all channels. No, wait...that makes too much sense. What was I thinking?

Originally Posted by classylady78

I am sure that AT&T would love all the channels to sell the iphone that would equal more money for them. The thing is like I said in an earlier post, that Apple runs the deal with the iphone. That is why things are the way they are with the iphone.

Personally, I do not see this happening because Apple wants customers to be able to activate their own phones. They want to sell them in the Apple stores and the people in the Apple stores are not going to activate lines.

Originally Posted by Raw Tunes

Apple would lose money if they made their reps sell cell phone service. The cost of training and commissions payouts would be too high. Lets not forget, Apple only produces ONE cell phone now. Indirects cant sell iphones because if they did you would "FREE iphone" banners posted everywhere, and Apple would be pissed.

Originally Posted by cingman66

Agreed about Apple not dealing with the activation process...but let's not get carried away by thinking Agents would offer free iPhones. We would certainly want to discount them...based on cost of the iPhone and commission payout...but nobody I know would offer them free. More likely $200 off the current asking price to reflect the activation commission. I'm guessing by keeping the phone to themselves, AT&T is saving that commission payout, thereby holding the line on Apple's asking price (because they don't have to pay their COR reps commission).

The whole scenario stinks...for Agents AND the consumer. Don't you think consumers would want to get some sort of discount off the phone...seeing as how they have to sign up for two additional years anyway?

Originally Posted by classylady78

In order for Apple to allow anyone to be an authorized retailer and sell their products, you have to sell the product for the price Apple dictates. You only can discount it if Apple does. (I used to sell Apple computers from a reseller) Apple won't let you take $1 off of the iphone to make a sale. In the Cor stores our Opus system won't even allow us to discount the iphone.

Originally Posted by krisguy

Or any of the accessories. I tried to discount a CLA due to damage, and OPUS wouldn't do it. I sold the customer a brand new one, but it's annoying that we can't even discount anything related to iPhone, even if it isn't an Apple branded product.

Originally Posted by krisguy

Or any of the accessories. I tried to discount a CLA due to damage, and OPUS wouldn't do it. I sold the customer a brand new one, but it's annoying that we can't even discount anything related to iPhone, even if it isn't an Apple branded product.

Originally Posted by Stea1th

That must be your market because we can discount anything as long as
it's not apple branded. All those gel cases and 3rd party accesories are
able to be discounted. We just can't take anything off apple products.

USB charger, Headphones, and the iphone itself.

Originally Posted by classylady78

Personally, I do not see this happening because Apple wants customers to be able to activate their own phones. They want to sell them in the Apple stores and the people in the Apple stores are not going to activate lines.

Originally Posted by prime_minister

And almost 2 months to the day....Booyahkasha!!

(pats self on back)

Originally Posted by smg1976

Yeah, that and the fact that Apple stores WILL be activating iPhones, after all. Good call.

Customers will be required to activate at point-of-sale, and must go on a 2-year contract. No more PAYG or PYP activations with the iPhone 3G.

Originally Posted by cingman66

And let me guess...they will still receive NO DISCOUNT on the iPhone with their 2-year sign up? Just a hunch.

I also heard that the price on the 16gb version will drop to $199...any confirmation on that? If so, I don't think we'll be selling any other phones any time soon.

Originally Posted by LUNDiS

WRONG.

the 199/299 price INCLUDES subsidy. pricing without subsidy has not been released, but according to CSP, a 2 year contract is required.

Originally Posted by cingman66

I stand corrected. Info is coming out in dribs and drabs unfortunately.

Apple can fo guck themselves for all I care.

Originally Posted by LUNDiS

pricing without subsidy has not been released

Originally Posted by nextel2cingular

Hahaha you did this same song and dance exactly a year ago when the first iPhone came out. All you did was bash the iPhone and say how great the Curve is. Here you are again bashing the new iPhone saying how great the Bold is going to be. News flash-the new iPhone DESTROYS the Bold in every category. Especially now that it has MS Exchange capability. Go back to sucking your thumb in your agent store and keep trashing the company that puts food on your table...

Originally Posted by cingman66

You really are a sad, little man. AT&T does not put food on my table...I put food on my table. They just make it harder.

As for the Curve vs. iPhone...let's look at some real numbers, not just your opinion:

Top 10 devices in the US as of May 2008 --

#1 BB Curve (20.6% marketshare)
#2 BB Pearl (11.9% marketshare)
#7 Apple iPhone (3.3% marketshare)

I guess over 32% of the market likes getting destroyed. In fact, I just had ANOTHER customer today who bought a Curve in September 2007, got it wet in March and bought an iPhone, and begged me to help her get back into a Blackberry because she LOVED her original one, and the iPhone just couldn't compete. She echoes the sentiments of the MAJORITY of our customers, so your little opinion matters NOT AT ALL. Thank you for playing.

Originally Posted by LinkmanOh and by the way, Apple didn't [B

lose money [/B] to create buzz around the launch of the 3G iPhone, and, one more little point Alltell is not a "major" carrier they are a regional carrier.

Originally Posted by liquidfiretibby

so regional means nationwide service?? and if you really want to argue it, Alltel isnt a carrier anymore, they are being bought by VZW.

Originally Posted by Linkman

Alltel is NOT a nationwide carrier and they are NOT part of VZW yet -- it's pending many govt agency approvals. They have always been a regional carrier or 2nd tier carrier. Which does NOT make them a "major" carrier.

I guess you didn't have a response to my main point since you choose to argue the status of Alltel.

Originally Posted by liquidfiretibby

way to assume that i am on the iphone bandwagon. also, alltel, as is, is the 5th largest provider in the US. so yea i'd call them a "major" carrier. Esp since they blast their dammed commercials EVERYWHERE, even where they dont have native coverage.

i hate the iphone as well. i work for vzw and i get ppl wanting a phone from me that is an iphone but not. (know what i mean?) sure its a nice phone, but its not "god's gift to cell phones" as everyone is making it out to be. \

i agree that apple didnt purposely lose money to hype the new product. that would be a horrible business decision since its not a sure thing that the new iphone will sell well. i'm sure it will, but its not something that you can safely bet on to the point of purposly losing money over it before its even released.

Originally Posted by Linkman

one making assumptions becuase I never said I hated the iPhone. You contridicted yourself too. In your earlier post you said, "There was in intentional 2G iPhone shortage to create a buzz around the release of the 3G iPhone." Apple is losing money right now and will until July 11th when the new 3G model launches.

Originally Posted by liquidfiretibby

actually that was nextel2cingular who said that

Originally Posted by nextel2cingular

I never said they were losing money. You did. But just for fun, try and go to an at&t COR store right now and purchase an iPhone. Oh-they are all sold out! Shortage...



You are splitting hairs.

And all this talk about market share is pointless. Of course BB sells more phones. The Pearl and the Curve are $100 and the 8GB iPhone is $400. And lots of companies buy tons of Blackberries because of the email/sync capabilites-something the new iPhone will have going for it. Not to mention the lower price.

Anyway, the original argument was which phone was 'better' not which one sold the most. Stay on track...

Originally Posted by Linkman

How is not having a phone in stock making money??!! You can't sell what you don't have, therefore they are losing money. Splitting hairs or stating facts as opposed to feelings. You choose.

But, OK lets go with the iPhone being better than all other phones feeling, really, how is that exactly? You said that the "new iPhone DESTROYS the Bold in every category." Really, every category or would I would splitting hairs if I were to say that you are wrong? Maybe AT&T should convert all of their stores into Apple stores and only sell the new iPhone and you could be nextel2cingular2apple.