iPhone 3G in the UK = a lot of interest
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Being greeted by this on the O2 site after clicking on the HUGE banner on the front of the page, does seem to point towards a high level of interest. I just hope they can meet the demand.
I registered my interest a few weeks ago, just after the announcement, but I am still not sure what I will be doing on Friday. Tomorrow will start with a call to O2 to get some clarification, and then Apple. Come on guys, people like me need some solid info!
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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.
Apple Stores not selling iPhones in the UK?
This just in!! Check the new page out - click! It is only stating 02 Stores and Carphone Warehouse… Interesting.
I wonder if this is true?!?! Anyone know anything else? I really hope we can still activate through iTunes.
Thanks to Ian for the tip - well spotted sir!
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A special form of advertising in the USA, perhaps not for GB
I saw this picture on the church of customer blog - this is well worth subscribing too, a great read.
I’m not sure whether this would work in the UK, possibly for the fuel card, but not for guns. What were they thinking? Imagine if some company started giving out free knives? Shocking, especially with the escalating knife crime in the UK 
Advertising needs to find a happy balance. People must always ask a few questions:
- What do you want people to do when they see your advert?
- Does the advert have continuity? (Does it match your other communication channels?)
- Is there some form of measurement? (So you can track ROI - hard to do with traditional media)
- Is the advert memorable? (But for the right reasons and not just for shock value)
- Can you afford to advertise? And sometimes, can you afford not to in some circumstances when your customers expect to see your brand)
Whatever you do, don’t get suckered by people hawking unnecessary advertising, cheap deals, last minute placements. Make sure you think first, plan and then book.
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