vB Easy Archive - Word to the wise, if you are going to buy the new 3g use your AMEX.

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Word to the wise, if you are going to buy the new 3g use your AMEX.
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Posted by: tigres013

Thought I would remind everyone of last years drama of the price drop fiasco.

As you are all aware (or actually unaware) of what exactly is coming your way with this new phone, be wise and be covered; use your AMEX.

I do not work for them, but I can tell you... they always have the customers back.

Take it or leave it, just trying to be a bit of help.

Posted by: P Nut

Can you expound on this? I am a bit confused...

Posted by: Phreakish

AMEX will stop payment and hold it as long as you have a slightest reason not to trust the sellers opinion, decission, etc.
They will also work very hard for you in terms of pricing, disputes, etc.

All other banking credit institutions do not give a flying poop about your buyer rights so any issues that might occur, you are on your own.

Posted by: P Nut

I understand that. I have been an AMEX customer since 99. But I'm just wondering about what happened last year with the "price drop fiasco?"

Posted by: t-bone-t

Are you telling me that if I use AMEX to buy the new iPhone and 3 months later when the price drops I can order a stop payment? It seems it would be a tad late for that. Just buy the phone with whatever you want and know that the price could drop at any moment. That's what happens.

Posted by: bootycancer

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-bone-t

Are you telling me that if I use AMEX to buy the new iPhone and 3 months later when the price drops I can order a stop payment? It seems it would be a tad late for that. Just buy the phone with whatever you want and know that the price could drop at any moment. That's what happens.

That's one of the advantages of AMEX. Although I seriously doubt much of a price cut from Apple, given the price that's been given from SJ himself. But then again, I'm pretty sure that there will be a 32GB 3G Iphone in the not so distant future(4-6 months), which may influence pricing a tad. Or not

Posted by: wookiee2cu

Don't you only have a short period of time to dispute the charges, like 1 month? To be honest, I can't see the iPhone 3G dropping in price, it's already so inexpensive compared to the initial iPhone and other PDA phones AT&T sells.

Posted by: XanderMac

they did it last time only as a courtesy to "some" customers. It was outside their policy time limits but because of the uproar from whiners they were kind enough to help shut some babies up. Don't expect them to do it again, especially on a heavily subsidized phone.

Posted by: alex310

You have a very good point, American Express will refund your money for up to 90days if the price changes.

But, I doubt the iPhone will go any cheaper anytime soon, and the reason for that is because their stock already took a big hit when Jobs released news of the price dropping. Even though Apple makes more money in the long run by charging the customer a extra $10 a month they will collect a extra $40 in 24months (All iPhones require a in store activation for 24months) and even more from those customers who will keep paying month to month after that, stock holders do not trust his choice in dropping the price, so I doubt he will ever do such a thing again.

Posted by: tigres013

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderMac

they did it last time only as a courtesy to "some" customers. It was outside their policy time limits but because of the uproar from whiners they were kind enough to help shut some babies up. Don't expect them to do it again, especially on a heavily subsidized phone.

I think that you missed the point of my post Xander. Apart from your opinion on shutting up some babies, I think that it certainly fell into the realm of a prudent business decision on AMEX's part, aside from the fact that I am sure they knew what they were actually doing as a company. This in fact could have fallen under their insurance policies that they hold for lost/damaged or stolen property. Nonetheless, they made a careful decision in my eyes and I am sure in the eyes of many others as well. A move like that could actually keep a client around paying yearly subscription fees for years to come, so I would gather to say they may have done it more than to shut some babies up IMO.

Getting back to point, the reason for this post was to enlighten those who may be wanting to know that AMEX will in fact back them should any issue arise with regards to this new phone/plan/ or whatever may occur. That is all, nothing more/nothing less. Let's face it, nobody actually knows how this is all going to cost (aside from the device) and what penalties may be incurred for the upgrade. Hence, just be smart... thats all.

If you or any other care to try it in another fashion, i.e. your capital one CC, well... good luck should any trouble arise with Apple, or AT&T for that matter.

Simply put, cover your a$$ if you care to, if not, don't. It makes no difference to me, as I will be keeping my 1st Gen. anyway.

Posted by: starry1

Well, it is good advice-pricing issues aside. Don't they cover you for loss or breakage? I don't think Cap One does that.

I'm keeping v1 also. No 3G where I am & not sure about that plastic back. Kinda like the metal.

Posted by: bootycancer

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderMac

Uhhh, come on. Are you really sour about that? Think about what you're saying. Dropping the price of any product, over 200 bones, within 2 months is a poor decision and not the way to treat your customers, especially your loyal early adopters. Imagine if car manufacturers did that, or television manufacturers. Ideally, 1 year is enough to justify such a price drop. The competition didn't even have anything out to compete with Apple to justify it. They made a mistake, by either asking too much in the first place or releasing the 16GB too early.

What would justify a $600 IPhone now? I doubt anyone would pay $600 again. Well.....unless Apple puts some of the missing functions into the Iphone, to the functional level of a $400 + subsidized LG Vu, or the likes.

Posted by: lordhamster

Amen on Amex, they are the best hands down when it comes to supporting their customers.

Posted by: baller4ever85

yea i usually use my citi card, but i was going to use my amex blue when i get the iphone

Posted by: dave006

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex310

You have a very good point, American Express will refund your money for up to 90days if the price changes.

But, I doubt the iPhone will go any cheaper anytime soon, and the reason for that is because their stock already took a big hit when Jobs released news of the price dropping. Even though Apple makes more money in the long run by charging the customer a extra $10 a month they will collect a extra $40 in 24months (All iPhones require a in store activation for 24months) and even more from those customers who will keep paying month to month after that, stock holders do not trust his choice in dropping the price, so I doubt he will ever do such a thing again.

Apple is not charging the customer an extra $10 a month. Apple gets all of their money upfront. That is why recent estimates are that Apple is headed to $250 per share.

The revenue sharing on the Data contract is gone. AT&T now pays Apple a subsidy on each phone sold at an AT&T store and a subsidy and a commision on each phone sold in an Apple store. The phone will not leave the AT&T store without being activiated since the employee will not get a commission credit if it does.

Apple has a little more flexibility here, they can complete the full activiation in-store or just the contract portion and the customer has 30 days to complete the contract and agree to the terms. If the iPhone is not activated on the AT&T network, then Apple loses the subsidy and the commision and that means the customer is going to be hit by Apple for a hefty fee. This fee has not been determined at this point.

Posted by: 1G-Drew

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordhamster

Amen on Amex, they are the best hands down when it comes to supporting their customers.

+1. I'm not sure there's more reason to use Amex with the iPhone than with any other purchase, but Amex is *far* better handling disputes than any other card I've had. Amex believes you, whereas most cards believe the merchant and require you to "prove" the merchant is wrong. Amex puts the burden on the merchant squarely.

Posted by: rickrope

Plus they extend the warranty up to one year.

Posted by: tigres013

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickrope

Plus they extend the warranty up to one year.

Very true, wonder how they would battle the MaBell monopoly for us should it come to that...

Posted by: nvisi0n

Bah my Capital One Platinum does the same....

Posted by: cowboy1964

or we could just not have an AMEX and save the ridiculous yearly fees they charge.

Posted by: rs2183

Quote:

Originally Posted by P Nut

I understand that. I have been an AMEX customer since 99. But I'm just wondering about what happened last year with the "price drop fiasco?"

Those who adopted early for the 1st Iphone (like me) paid a ton of money (200 more before price drop). I received $100 back from Amex and $100 credit from Apple. Def use your Amex.

Some people reported Amex giving them $200 back plus the $100 credit from apple.

Posted by: rs2183

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

or we could just not have an AMEX and save the ridiculous yearly fees they charge.

I don't pay any yearly fees and I have several cards.

Posted by: Leland915

This whole getting money back thing, after you have purchased the phone is driving me nuts. All of you people that feel that you are entitled to get money back or get a further discount when the price of the one you bought drops are crazy!! You are purchasing a product and paying a possible premium to get it before others. If I go and buy a car and six months later they drop the price on the car I am not going to go back to the dealer and though a fit because the price dropped. Or how about a computer because im sure there are others that would go back to the dealer. I buy a computer, well three months from now the price for those exact same components is most likely not going to be the same. Am I going to go back to the place where I purchased my computer and demand money back? No, I would be laughed right out the door!

The way I look at it apple did a huge favor for all of their customers by giving them anything at all when the last iphone’s price dropped.

Be an adult and live with your decision! If you buy it day one, live with it, be happy with it. If there is a new model that comes out later and you just have to have it that is your prerogative. It is by no means the responsibility of the manufacture, (in this case apple) to give you your money back or let you trade your device in for a newer version.

That is all

Posted by: XanderMac

Quote:

Originally Posted by bootycancer

Sour? No, not at all. Go back to the threads that covered this when it happend and you'll see my opinion was the same back then. People were whining like little girls because the price dropped! Aww, what a shame. I paid $599 gladly and I'd do it again for an unlocked iPhone. If the price drops, tough, thats the price of early adoption.

In this case though, with a heavy subsidy and AT&T setting the price I wouldnt expect AMEX to do a thing if the price drops to $99.

Posted by: asnpcwiz

This is a good point. Whenever I buy something expensive or buy something I'm very iffy about (such as my most recent purchase with Cheapcarribean.com) I ALWAYS use my AMEX. They are very good at protecting their customers.

Posted by: BEEBERRY

excellent suggestion, thanks!

Posted by: bigb252

The phone is subsidized this time...

Posted by: bootycancer

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigb252

The phone is subsidized this time...

probably by means of an increase in your 2 year contract.

Seriously, think about it, faster internet connection...added GPS functionality...other improvements(speaker)....yet cheaper?