Carphone Warehouse vs Apple. An easy choice, but will we be allowed?
Dan Lawson over at the Wee Apple has an interesting post about how Apple are going to sell the iPhone in the UK. He writes that,
AppleInsider and Macworld UK both pick up on reports that Apple may be forced to sell the new iPhone 3G in-store on a pay-as-you-go only basis, due to the retail chain’s stores and staff not currently being able to process in-store activations for a credit contract associated with Pay Monthly schemes.
Now this is would be tragic if this was allowed to happen. One of the joys of buying the iPhone, apart from the 8 hour queuing, was the fact that I could walk in buy it, and leave. Now contract hassle, no busy shop, no retail person not knowing anything about the product they were selling.
This would change dramatically if people have to go through Carphone Warehouse or 02 to buy their shiny new 3G iPhones. The reality is this. We, the Apple fan base, want a great purchasing experience, and this happens when you go to the Apple shrine (store) and interact with a genius / sales person. They know how much you like the brand. They are generally very knowledgable too. They enjoy working there, and this shows. A lot.
I really hope that Apple and 02 sort this out and do so before July 11th. Dan, in his blog post, states that they are, and I’ve seen some other news reports today also saying that they are doing this. They must do this for the sake of a decent retail experience. However, there is one thing we (the Apple fanbase) are overlooking. Steve Jobs wants everyone to buy and love the 3G iPhone. ‘Everyone’ may not want a fantastic retail experience. In fact, they probably couldn’t care less.
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Comments
10 Responses to “Carphone Warehouse vs Apple. An easy choice, but will we be allowed?”
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You know Jon, I’m not so worried about this. If I’m buying a mac there will be questions that I’d want a Genius to answer, but when it comes to a phone I just want the phone and to get out and if I do have questiosn its unlikely to be handset related and more contract based, and phone shops are the best place for this.
Also I’m fairly sure my local Stafford 02 will be slightly less crowded come the 11th of July than Regent street Apple store
Must admit I was similarly surprised on seeing this news – seems like a remarkable oversight on Apple’s part but then we should remember the source is an O2 spokesperson – here’s hoping it’s sorted before July…!
Steve, I know what you mean, but I still would like the store ambience, people who love their job and I hope a decent selection of cases.
Welcome Dan! It does seem a tad of an oversight, you’re right. It is not long to go…. I wonder if they will manage to do something. I guess, getting a free upgrade, I may just get mine in the post – but not if I need to activate instore – BOO!
I’ve just had my phone call for pre registration from 02, starts Friday (although I’m going down Saturday) appointments only which I thought was strange. Getting closer
Hmmmm thanks for the info Steve! Nothing yet from 02 for me (the cheek of it!).
BAD BAD NEWS
02 have been told by apple they can not accept any pre registrations as this is seen as pre ordering which they will not allow. I’ve just received a call from my local 02 store saying the decision has been taken this lunchtime and all stores are having to call-up customers who have been given appointments to cancel them
To be honest, I am TOTALLY lost about how and when I go about getting my free upgrade. The communication about the fact the iPhone 3G is great and will be available on July 11th has been excellent.
The communication about how to get it, simple steps of what you need to do, has been shocking.
Couldn’t agree more the communication has been awful.The 02 manager I spoke to today was really nice and helpful but couldn’t offer any solutions. Most stores he told me wont be opening until 9am some at 8amand he hadn’t heard of any opening at the 7:05 time which has been banded about.
I’m annoyed as opening at nine with loads of people I cant do, I have to earn some money to pay for it. So it means I probably won’t get one at launch which sucks big time when you have been waiting patiently.
Apple need to step in and sort this craziness out, I’ve always worried giving a key product like this to 02 was a mistake, I so wish they went the Orange route.
Agreed – I would have liked to have been there for the launch too – why an earth could they have not done it at Apple stores again like last time! That was a great experience….
I have no faith in phone companies at all, I’m unsure if Orange would have been any better though.
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