6 ms·

AT&T Screwed Up the iPhone 5 Launch for me

17 points by nickwoodhams 14y ago

captaincrunch 14y ago
You should have said something, not only did your experience get ruined, but every passive person behind you will now have their experience ruined.
- incongruity 14y ago
  Sometimes "unboxing" is just about getting something out of the box. Sometimes we take it all too seriously and forget, as another poster said, that our norms are not everyone else's norms. Thus, "all those passive people" might well have had their experience ruined not by being deprived of some unboxing experience, but by having to wait while every person ahead of them opens their box to make sure the phone's there, working/can be activated, etc. It's too bad that the poster's experience wasn't what they wanted it to be, but really, seriously, don't make it a bigger issue than it really is and don't assume everyone else has the same issue, even given the same treatment.
  - captaincrunch 14y ago
    My point was, if he didn't like something they did, he should have used his voice. I personally don't care if I open a box, in fact, it would be less work for someone to setup the phone for me.
andyfleming 14y ago
Yeah, AT&T doesn't run the tight ship that Apple does. I'm sure it is easy for them to open it like it is just any other phone. That's why people buy an iPhone in the first place though. It is the experience, that starts before you even turn on your iPhone.
knowtheory 14y ago
Do not assume your cultural norms are everyone's cultural norms. That this guy was spoiling your (and likely other folks') moment is unfortunate. However, this is not screwing up an iPhone launch, this is spoiling your experience. Your experience is not the iPhone 5 launch. I am sympathetic that this engagement didn't go the way you wanted it to. Complaining on the internet is not the way to address this issue, and if you thought this was actually a big deal (especially for how they were going to treat others), I hope you expressed your feelings to the guy at the store, not just the anonymous internet, because it comes off as a bit entitled. After all. You got your iPhone didn't you? You now get to spend the rest of its life with your iPhone, one would presume that is actually the important part of your relationship with your phone. Edit: Nice stealth edit on the title (going from "AT&T Screwed Up the iPhone 5 Launch" to "AT&T Screwed Up the iPhone 5 Launch for me"). *grin I should say that I really don't want to delegitimize your disappointment (c.f. http://weeklysift.com/2012/09/10/the-distress-of-the-privileged/ http://weeklysift.com/2012/09/10/the-distress-of-the-privile... ) because I know exactly how you feel. But I also don't think your post is constructive, or lends any interesting insight or analysis to the topic of a user's relationship with their devices, or Apple and AT&T.
- MartinCron 14y ago
  it comes off a bit as entitled That's an understatement. I'm tempted to think that the original article was a troll, satire, or both.
  - nickwoodhams 14y ago
    And can you explain why it comes off as entitled?
    - MartinCron 14y ago
      The overall message that I need to be the one to remove a product from its packaging and that if anyone else does it, then my whole experience is ruined feels whiny and entitled to me. I get where the guy is coming from. I appreciate quality of experience as much as anyone, and each time I purchased an iPhone in store (three times now) it was at an Apple store and they did it the "right" way. I would even feel a bit annoyed if I didn't get the "proper" experience, but I'm mature enough to understand the magnitude of the infraction, and I wouldn't whine about it in public. This is unboxing a goddamn phone, not your wedding night.
      - powertower 14y ago
        This isn't necessarily entitlement, it could be a combination of 1) having paid for a product and wanting to be the only one handling it and 2) OCD. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Though there is clear evidence of some idol worshiping going on here with the author of this peace (in regards to Apple). But IMO that's another story. Personally, I'd want to open the box myself without anyone else handling what's clearly mine. Especially not some lame ass that couldn't care less if he damaged the device.
      - nickwoodhams 14y ago
        Point taken. I didn't write about it to whine, I wrote about it to plant the idea that AT&T should have some stricter requirements from Apple. Apple has had a profound affect on my life and my way of thinking. I've had some emotional experiences with some Apple products in the past. I consider that a gift. I think that shouldn't be undermined for anything. If the rep was encouraging and shared in my excitement, imagine the change in sentient from this one small change.
mariusz79 14y ago
Guy. WTF? Buying of a communication device as a religious experience? What's next? Church of The Holy iOS?
- pacomerh 14y ago
  Agree, really man, I felt stupid even reading an article about how some guys experience was ruined. So many topics you can talk about to create interesting internet content, and people are writing about this?. What's happening, are we becoming this spoiled?
  - Rhymenocerus 14y ago
    This is the epitome of a first-world-problem. I'm also having a hard time believing this isn't some kind of satire.
jsz0 14y ago
I would guess most people want the carrier to do this stuff for them though I agree it should be optional. If you order directly from Apple you can avoid it. AT&T definitely did screw up their iPhone 5 launch in other ways. Lagging behind Verizon in LTE coverage and failing to offer iPhone 4S owners any good option besides paying their ETF and switching carriers.
ghshephard 14y ago
This person would have been better served going to an Apple Store. I've bought (many) phones from an AT&T store, and I don't ever recall them not opening the boxes for me, tracking down various pieces of cable, throwing out crap. Indeed, on a few occasions, I just walked out with the receipt, phone and charger - nothing else. And, when it wasn't an apple phone - that's exactly what I wanted. If you want the pristine "Apple" experience, then the Apple store is absolutely where you went. I really, really feel for the author - wish that his day one iPhone 5 experience had been all he had been looking for - I know precisely what that moment of expectation is like, where you actually sit and marvel at the fit-and-finish of the cardboard box, and how the packaging all fits together as you slowly unbox it - but, AT&T was not the place to do that.
- nickwoodhams 14y ago
  I think you might be right, that the Apple store would have better served this purpose, definitely. I guess that I just assumed that to sell Apple products on launch day, there are certain procedures that Apple would make AT&T follow.
stewartromance 14y ago
Don't buy Apple kit from AT&T. They aren't invested in Apple's brand and frequently discourage purchasing Apple devices.
- Rhymenocerus 14y ago
  You're making me appreciate AT&T more.
cwe 14y ago
My AT&T rep was very considerate of my strong desire to get my hands on my new device. He also mentioned a survey to review his performance, and how likely I would recommend AT&T strictly on how he handled me. OP should use that survey. My guy was delightful.
jontonsoup 14y ago
Not trying to troll you but where did you read apple spends 10x on packaging? Not only do you sound spoiled, but you also sound uninformed. I'm sorry that your experience was ruined but its just a toy.
bmasci 14y ago
Did he post his own blog?
- jwuggles 14y ago
  I believe so.
Rhymenocerus 14y ago
"Opening an Apple product is a religious experience" And people wonder why so many of us hate Apple fans, this is off the charts lame.
fourmii 14y ago
I'm hoping this was satire of some sort. Otherwise this guy got a ton of page visits for a non-issue. And if isn't a troll, please grow up. They didn't screw up anything, just your box opening experience. Besides, they're suppose to make sure your SIM is working in your new phone!
malenm 14y ago
While I can understand the excitement of opening up a shiny new thing, and agree somewhat with your assessment that the rep messed up (forgetting the charger and haphazardly handling your new phone), I don't feel that your proposed solution is in any way viable, and might even end up pissing people off more: 2. The rep retrieves the phone and hands it to you to check. 3. The rep then encourages you to open your iPhone and shares in your excitement. 4. Once the phone is open, the rep then respectfully asks to take the phone and goes about his business. He leaves the protective covers on the phone, and lets you take them off at your own will. So, here you are on iPhone 5 launch day, you've been waiting for hours, and the store is absolutely packed with people. How does this process work out? Do you lose your place in line while you open your phone and play around with it for a few minutes (even though it doesn't do anything yet)? Is the rep supposed to stand there and wait, 'sharing in your excitement' while the lines grow even longer? The reps are at work and they are trying to get these rabid fans their iPhones as soon as possible. This guy was working quickly because the line was out the door and he's trying to do his damn job. I'm guessing that when you work at a phone company, even the thrill of a new iPhone loses its charm pretty fast.
jwuggles 14y ago
If they waited for every customer to enjoy the unboxing experience then the line would have barely moved as everyone would be joygasming. On the real. The employees are trying to rush through the mass. They have the setup the phone, activate and etc for the account that they don't have the luxury of time for you to enjoy the unboxing experience. It is unfortunate for those who enjoy it - sure. But it is what it is and business is business. There are a hundreds of customers waiting and want to play with their phone and so they have to blitz through to fulfill every customer.
crankharder 14y ago
first world problems
nathanexplosion 14y ago
I can't wait to read the next installment where our protagonist offs himself over this betrayal. How embarrassing.

17 points by nickwoodhams 14y ago

You should have said something, not only did your experience get ruined, but every passive person behind you will now have their experience ruined.

incongruity 14y ago
Sometimes "unboxing" is just about getting something out of the box. Sometimes we take it all too seriously and forget, as another poster said, that our norms are not everyone else's norms. Thus, "all those passive people" might well have had their experience ruined not by being deprived of some unboxing experience, but by having to wait while every person ahead of them opens their box to make sure the phone's there, working/can be activated, etc. It's too bad that the poster's experience wasn't what they wanted it to be, but really, seriously, don't make it a bigger issue than it really is and don't assume everyone else has the same issue, even given the same treatment.
- captaincrunch 14y ago
  My point was, if he didn't like something they did, he should have used his voice. I personally don't care if I open a box, in fact, it would be less work for someone to setup the phone for me.

andyfleming 14y ago

Yeah, AT&T doesn't run the tight ship that Apple does. I'm sure it is easy for them to open it like it is just any other phone. That's why people buy an iPhone in the first place though. It is the experience, that starts before you even turn on your iPhone.

knowtheory 14y ago

Do not assume your cultural norms are everyone's cultural norms. That this guy was spoiling your (and likely other folks') moment is unfortunate. However, this is not screwing up an iPhone launch, this is spoiling your experience. Your experience is not the iPhone 5 launch. I am sympathetic that this engagement didn't go the way you wanted it to. Complaining on the internet is not the way to address this issue, and if you thought this was actually a big deal (especially for how they were going to treat others), I hope you expressed your feelings to the guy at the store, not just the anonymous internet, because it comes off as a bit entitled. After all. You got your iPhone didn't you? You now get to spend the rest of its life with your iPhone, one would presume that is actually the important part of your relationship with your phone. Edit: Nice stealth edit on the title (going from "AT&T Screwed Up the iPhone 5 Launch" to "AT&T Screwed Up the iPhone 5 Launch for me"). *grin I should say that I really don't want to delegitimize your disappointment (c.f. http://weeklysift.com/2012/09/10/the-distress-of-the-privileged/ http://weeklysift.com/2012/09/10/the-distress-of-the-privile... ) because I know exactly how you feel. But I also don't think your post is constructive, or lends any interesting insight or analysis to the topic of a user's relationship with their devices, or Apple and AT&T.

MartinCron 14y ago
it comes off a bit as entitled That's an understatement. I'm tempted to think that the original article was a troll, satire, or both.
- nickwoodhams 14y ago
  And can you explain why it comes off as entitled?
  - MartinCron 14y ago
    The overall message that I need to be the one to remove a product from its packaging and that if anyone else does it, then my whole experience is ruined feels whiny and entitled to me. I get where the guy is coming from. I appreciate quality of experience as much as anyone, and each time I purchased an iPhone in store (three times now) it was at an Apple store and they did it the "right" way. I would even feel a bit annoyed if I didn't get the "proper" experience, but I'm mature enough to understand the magnitude of the infraction, and I wouldn't whine about it in public. This is unboxing a goddamn phone, not your wedding night.
    - powertower 14y ago
      This isn't necessarily entitlement, it could be a combination of 1) having paid for a product and wanting to be the only one handling it and 2) OCD. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Though there is clear evidence of some idol worshiping going on here with the author of this peace (in regards to Apple). But IMO that's another story. Personally, I'd want to open the box myself without anyone else handling what's clearly mine. Especially not some lame ass that couldn't care less if he damaged the device.
    - nickwoodhams 14y ago
      Point taken. I didn't write about it to whine, I wrote about it to plant the idea that AT&T should have some stricter requirements from Apple. Apple has had a profound affect on my life and my way of thinking. I've had some emotional experiences with some Apple products in the past. I consider that a gift. I think that shouldn't be undermined for anything. If the rep was encouraging and shared in my excitement, imagine the change in sentient from this one small change.

mariusz79 14y ago

Guy. WTF? Buying of a communication device as a religious experience? What's next? Church of The Holy iOS?

pacomerh 14y ago
Agree, really man, I felt stupid even reading an article about how some guys experience was ruined. So many topics you can talk about to create interesting internet content, and people are writing about this?. What's happening, are we becoming this spoiled?
- Rhymenocerus 14y ago
  This is the epitome of a first-world-problem. I'm also having a hard time believing this isn't some kind of satire.

jsz0 14y ago

I would guess most people want the carrier to do this stuff for them though I agree it should be optional. If you order directly from Apple you can avoid it. AT&T definitely did screw up their iPhone 5 launch in other ways. Lagging behind Verizon in LTE coverage and failing to offer iPhone 4S owners any good option besides paying their ETF and switching carriers.

ghshephard 14y ago

This person would have been better served going to an Apple Store. I've bought (many) phones from an AT&T store, and I don't ever recall them not opening the boxes for me, tracking down various pieces of cable, throwing out crap. Indeed, on a few occasions, I just walked out with the receipt, phone and charger - nothing else. And, when it wasn't an apple phone - that's exactly what I wanted. If you want the pristine "Apple" experience, then the Apple store is absolutely where you went. I really, really feel for the author - wish that his day one iPhone 5 experience had been all he had been looking for - I know precisely what that moment of expectation is like, where you actually sit and marvel at the fit-and-finish of the cardboard box, and how the packaging all fits together as you slowly unbox it - but, AT&T was not the place to do that.

nickwoodhams 14y ago
I think you might be right, that the Apple store would have better served this purpose, definitely. I guess that I just assumed that to sell Apple products on launch day, there are certain procedures that Apple would make AT&T follow.

stewartromance 14y ago

Don't buy Apple kit from AT&T. They aren't invested in Apple's brand and frequently discourage purchasing Apple devices.

Rhymenocerus 14y ago
You're making me appreciate AT&T more.

cwe 14y ago

My AT&T rep was very considerate of my strong desire to get my hands on my new device. He also mentioned a survey to review his performance, and how likely I would recommend AT&T strictly on how he handled me. OP should use that survey. My guy was delightful.

jontonsoup 14y ago

Not trying to troll you but where did you read apple spends 10x on packaging? Not only do you sound spoiled, but you also sound uninformed. I'm sorry that your experience was ruined but its just a toy.

bmasci 14y ago

Did he post his own blog?

jwuggles 14y ago
I believe so.

Rhymenocerus 14y ago

"Opening an Apple product is a religious experience" And people wonder why so many of us hate Apple fans, this is off the charts lame.

fourmii 14y ago

I'm hoping this was satire of some sort. Otherwise this guy got a ton of page visits for a non-issue. And if isn't a troll, please grow up. They didn't screw up anything, just your box opening experience. Besides, they're suppose to make sure your SIM is working in your new phone!

malenm 14y ago

While I can understand the excitement of opening up a shiny new thing, and agree somewhat with your assessment that the rep messed up (forgetting the charger and haphazardly handling your new phone), I don't feel that your proposed solution is in any way viable, and might even end up pissing people off more: 2. The rep retrieves the phone and hands it to you to check. 3. The rep then encourages you to open your iPhone and shares in your excitement. 4. Once the phone is open, the rep then respectfully asks to take the phone and goes about his business. He leaves the protective covers on the phone, and lets you take them off at your own will. So, here you are on iPhone 5 launch day, you've been waiting for hours, and the store is absolutely packed with people. How does this process work out? Do you lose your place in line while you open your phone and play around with it for a few minutes (even though it doesn't do anything yet)? Is the rep supposed to stand there and wait, 'sharing in your excitement' while the lines grow even longer? The reps are at work and they are trying to get these rabid fans their iPhones as soon as possible. This guy was working quickly because the line was out the door and he's trying to do his damn job. I'm guessing that when you work at a phone company, even the thrill of a new iPhone loses its charm pretty fast.

jwuggles 14y ago

If they waited for every customer to enjoy the unboxing experience then the line would have barely moved as everyone would be joygasming. On the real. The employees are trying to rush through the mass. They have the setup the phone, activate and etc for the account that they don't have the luxury of time for you to enjoy the unboxing experience. It is unfortunate for those who enjoy it - sure. But it is what it is and business is business. There are a hundreds of customers waiting and want to play with their phone and so they have to blitz through to fulfill every customer.

crankharder 14y ago

first world problems

nathanexplosion 14y ago

I can't wait to read the next installment where our protagonist offs himself over this betrayal. How embarrassing.