Corp stores upgrading new customers to 3GS for free?

[rvinny]

I was in a local corp AT&T store today asking about the new 3GS and the rep said they were sold out. While I am standing there a guy comes in and speaks to another rep and says "Yeah, I bought a 3G iPhone and the manager told me anyone who bought one after May 19 could swap for a 3GS free of charge?"

The rep acted like she knew the deal and started to do an exchange. Sold out iPhone for new customer but free upgrade to someone who bought after May 19? I didn't bother sticking around to see how it went. Walked out pi$$ed...

Any truth to this?

[Carl91]

I can see this happening if the customer purchased a 16GB iPhone 3G and wanted to exchange for the 16GB iPhone 3Gs. The 16GB 3G and 16GB 3GS are the same price, correct? I'd imagine a restocking fee of some sort, though.

[DrPants PhD]

I can't see AT&T ever doing this

[99slobra]

Uh no. There is a 10% restocking fee for iPhone purchase so you'd have to pay that.

[rvinny]

so you could do an exchange within the 30 days and upgrade? Minus the 10 restocking? He specifically said "I could exchange for the newer phone for free" - I was just more curious if this was a one-off deal specific to this guy/store or some sort of inside program no one knew about. And they stock phones for replacement but not a new sign up? I thought that was BS.

[ivwshane]

so you could do an exchange within the 30 days and upgrade? Minus the 10 restocking? He specifically said "I could exchange for the newer phone for free" - I was just more curious if this was a one-off deal specific to this guy/store or some sort of inside program no one knew about. And they stock phones for replacement but not a new sign up? I thought that was BS.

No they do not have seperate stock for existing customers. He probably pre ordered his 3Gs after he had upgraded to the 3G. He has 30 days to do so and must pay a restocking fee.

[rvinny]

ah ok - that makes sense. thanks