A few weeks ago I received a message in Facebook that I had won an iPhone. A cause for celebration, right? At first I was skeptical, but a quick google search showed the sender of the message to be the community manager for Wetpaint wiki’s. Now we all know how reliable & dependable community managers are!
Rest of the Story: They had a sweepstakes & everyone that installed the Wetpaint wiki app in Facebook was registered to win. And my name was randomly chosen. Totally feasible. Then yesterday the iPhone arrived. See? You can always believe a community manager.
My husband charged the iPhone & then I called ATT. The rep asked for my zip code. She said we don’t have service there. I suggested that their map did show service. Then she said that I needed to find carriers in the area. I said, yes, we have Verizon, Sprint & Alltel that I’m aware of. But I said I want to GIVE you my money. (Now if you recall I didn’t buy the $60 data plan last month when we signed up with Verizon. But I was willing to GIVE ATT my money). Still no go. So I asked what if I sign up for service & not say where I live? She said that after awhile they would flag my account & shut off my service. That was a great response. So I asked if ATT would partner with one of the local carriers (we do have cell towers here), but no. She suggested I sell the iPhone on eBay. I’m wondering if ATT train their rep’s to offer these not-so-helpful suggestions?
I really only want to use the iPhone as an organizer & maybe play audio books & music. So I connected it to my computer but it’s true that you need to have an ATT account. I debated signing up for one to see how long before ATT cut me off. My sister & I didn’t think that they would quit taking my money, but I’m not sure that I want to gamble with $1500 (the 2 yr commitment) to find out? I also have learned the terms jailbreak, unlock, activate, SIM card, etc & realized that there’s quite a community out there doing those things.
So what’s the plan? There are a lot of nice Pocket PC’s out there that are wifi capable. That’s really all I need. They don’t cost $1500 either. My Palm is 4 years old & doesn’t hold a charge so it does need replacing. But I don’t have time to get something for my trip next week to my home offices. I will rely on Outlook on my PC (laptop) & program a bunch of numbers into my Verizon cell phone.
I must say a huge thank you to Michael from WetPaint! I will definitely partner with you. I’ve been a Wetpaint fan for quite awhile. Thank you for the iPhone – it was exciting until the reality of the lack of service hit. I’ve heard it’s the #1 electronics device of the year (except maybe if you live in rural Minnesota).
How do I feel about Apple & ATT? Isn’t it cruel to lock out all the aspects of the iPhone? I have a 1.1.2 version – made in week 46. Someone suggested I return it to an Apple store as a credit towards a laptop.. but this experience doesn’t leave me with warm fuzzies for the brand.
Feel free to email me at conniebensen@gmail.com if you have any ideas.
I have a friend & ATT is already taking their money, so that may be a solution?
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head: find an existing AT&T Wireless user who happens to be on your Christmas list. It’ll be a big hit.
There will be many people happy to see Apple distribute iPhone2 through a broader base of carriers.
Yes Chris,
I agree.
I really didn’t *need* an iPhone, but it would’ve been cool. easy come… easy go ;)
Ouch! I gave the phone a thumbs up here with our local TV Consumer Reporter – video, but I’ve never been an AT&T fan. I couple of weeks back, I bought my wife the newer IPod with jumps on our WiFi nicely and does a great job browsing with Safari, YouTube, Calendar, Contacts, (and of course Music, Videos, & Photos).
For an organizer, I’m completely hooked on Hosted Exchange which does a beautiful job synching my Treo/Verizon with my desktop.
Just curious, have you had occasion to drop the iPhone yet? It’s so sleek and nearly buttonless that there’s not much to grip!
All the best with this and thanks for sharing the misfortune.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the empathy. Drop it? umm I usually intervene when my hubby throws his work issued GPS in the gravel or threatens his laptop. I’m generally pretty calm & am on the side of the electronics, but in this case.. I wanted to step on it. It is best to get it out of the house – soon. (how something inanimate can cause angst I’m not sure – but it has been an irritation!). Life will go on though.
There’s a calendar functionality on my cell phone but I doubt if it synch’s with Outlook – I should see…
YOu could also donate it to a nonprofit or cause and they could auction it off as a fundraiser.
That’s a great idea Beth!
(I knew people would have some good ideas)
Connie have you thought about selling the iPhone and getting the iPod Touch? I’m also out in ‘the sticks’ where carrier coverage is spotty at best. I’ve heard that the Touch has a great wifi grabber.
Hi Connie, If you want to keep it I’d unlock the phone using one of the many kits available then run it on T-Mobile. If you do this you have to be careful not to allow iTunes to upgrade the software on the iPhone in the future otherwise the phone will be relocked, or even bricked.
If T-Mobile is not available in your market either then sell it and buy a good Windows SMARTPhone and use it on Verizon. Although I’m a Mac fan and an AT&T customer I’m still using Windows SMARTphones for their great utility and robust features.
The iPod touch idea that your other reader mentioned is a good idea as well.
And then, of course, there’s a bloke in Australia who’d LOVE to try it out to see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be! :-)
I’ve heard he’s even willing to pay the shipping…
Connie,
Really AT&T should have thought of these scenarios – what do we do if a IPhone is gifted and there is no coverage there ? I hope atleast Apple has someone who reaches out to you and redeem their brand.
I myself use a T-Mobile Dash. its a windows mobile phone. Small, handy and has good browsing capability – I get exchange email from work and GMail works very well. I paid $99 for it 1 yr commitment. I will think about changing it only when android becomes popular (2009)
In some ways TMobile does a great job.
Shashi
I’m sorry this happened to you, Connie! I don’t think that going to Apple will help though. From everything I have read, it wasn’t AT&T who stipulated that NO iphone features could be used without a contract, it was Apple. Apple is the one who is locking customers phones when they try and use the other features without a contract. Any other cellphWhile I’m sure that AT&T doesn’t mind this one bit, going to Apple will get you nowhere on this one.
I like the suggestion of donating to charity. :)
attack of the puppy. *lol* she stepped on just the right keys. There in the middle, it was supposed to say that any other cell phone still allows you to use the non-phone features, even if you don’t have phone service. I can play all of the old games on my old cell phone anytime.
Connie,
I know a charity having a silent auction in June and looking for stuff to raffle off .. but I’m sure you know of a few too.
The other idea – and this one would be more work – is to do a blog fundraiser and raffle off the IPOD and give the cash to a charity.
for tips
http://personalfundraising.wikispaces.com
I had a wonderful (sarcastic) experience with AT&T, if anyone needs a good read…
http://www.darowski.com/tracesofinspiration/2007/08/06/wtf-happened-to-customer-service/
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