Comments on: Apple runs short of iPhones

By: arnie arias. westport ct.06880

arnie arias. westport ct.06880 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:55:01 +0000

i don't know how people can survive with out an iphone. iphones are the gratest evolution ever.in the cell phone history.nothing compares with it. thanyou apple corp.

By: Leigh, Winston-Salem, NC

Leigh, Winston-Salem, NC — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:38:51 +0000

And they say we're in a recession? Hmmm…unbelievable!

By: Roman, Boston, MA

Roman, Boston, MA — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:27:54 +0000

Mark -

To your last point, I read on a board somewhere a plausible explanation for this: if you treat the $99 as bait, then the relative increased demand for 3GS is explained. People see the "$99 iPhone" price and go explore it, even if they did not consider one before. But then they consider the added benefits of 3GS (x2 memory, much faster, video camera, compass) – and the $100 extra spread over 2 years doesn't mean as much to them.

In short, I think it's the RELATIVE demand that Apple may have slightly mis-estimate it. (I say slightly because, after all, the shortage is much less pronounced than last year, so this all is blown out of proportion anyway)

By: mark, boston, ma

mark, boston, ma — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:11:20 +0000

One and possibly the simplest, explanation for the US shortages is that Apple is not only supplying the original 8 countries, and the 6 that launched this past Friday, but also is beginning to supply the 34 countries with huge supplies for their July launches.

And based on what I've seen at the Apple Store, it seems demand for the $99 3G has been lower, and 3GS demand has been higher than anticipated since the launch weekend.

By: Tim in Michigan

Tim in Michigan — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:01:08 +0000

Wait until they experience the horrible service that AT&T provides. I cannot even get a signal in my house. I am 15 miles from Toledo and 35 miles from Detroit. My calls are dropped constantly. I yearn for my previous Verizon/Blackberry.

By: person, boston, mass

person, boston, mass — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:47:35 +0000

I would like to get an iphone. I was eligble for an upgrade awhile ago before the 3gs but the plan is too expensive. It is not the price of the phone, which is nice now at $200 but the price of the plan for 2 years

By: Son, Austin, Texas

Son, Austin, Texas — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:29:27 +0000

I think another reason why Iphone 3GS is having huge sale this year is that the original 2G Iphone owners now have finished their old 2 years contract with At&t and they are ready for new upgrades without paying early termination fees or upgrade fees or creating new plans etc.

About the 3Gs: excellent device which satisfies my need. Will enjoy it may be another 2 years.

By: D Ramos, Irvine, CA

D Ramos, Irvine, CA — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:50:25 +0000

To Mike in Boston,

Have you tried Apple's website? From there, you will be asked for your current phone number and whether you are a new or existing ATT customer. You will be told what your eligibility is at that time and what the purchase price would be. If you are eligible and agreeable to the price, you should then be able to either order one for delivery to your house (or business) or reserve one to be picked up at an Apple Store (which is what I did).

By: Mike, Boston, MA

Mike, Boston, MA — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:11:42 +0000

"I think the restriction about family plans has to do with adding a new line to your plan and purchasing an iPhone. Replacing an existing line with the new unit should be no problem."

Hm… I was trying to upgrade an existing line, and yet was turned me away at the Apple store. They told me that since I was on a family plan they would have no way of verifying my account info (even though I had a copy of a bill and have been eligible for an upgrade for over a year), They said the only way they would sell me one is if I paid the $699 non-contract price. I promptly walked away. I wish I had your experience…

By: D Ramos, Irvine, CA

D Ramos, Irvine, CA — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:19:00 +0000

"Unfortunately, because I’m on a family plan, I have to buy it through AT&T directly instead of going through Apple."

I was on a family plan with AT&T and purchased my new iPhone 3GS at the Apple Store with no problem. They activated it at the store and then I went home and hooked it up to my laptop, completed the registration process and transferred all my files from my previous backup all within an hour of picking up my phone on opening day.

I think the restriction about family plans has to do with adding a new line to your plan and purchasing an iPhone. Replacing an existing line with the new unit should be no problem.