We had no idea that our quest to grab a few iPhone 3G units at launch here in the Seattle area would turn out to be an utter fiasco. Last year, when the original iPhone launched, we had a much longer wait in line (over 19 hours versus just over 8 hours) last year, and were further back in the line to boot. However, it was a complete failure on both Apple and AT&T;‘s part in making sure that the experience went as smoothly as possible.

Read our iPhone 3G purchase experience to find out what all went down.

I think they should of offered some kind of discount to people that had to go through this. If your standing in line all night waiting and then they dont even have it together enough to get you through the line once it opens then they should of offered a discount so that the customers wouldnt walk away completely disappointed. They knew that they were gonna be doing this they should of been ready that or announced another date that they would release it so that they could be ready.

The Iphone 3G horror continues. 

I arrived at the Old Orchard Apple Store early enough in the morning to get a ticket for an 8G phone, and had an appointment to have it set up at 7 pm that evening.  I came back in the evening and the phone was in my salespersons hands.  She attempted to set it up with my existing account and ten minutes later gave me the news that she couldn’t activate it and that she couldn’t sell it to me.  Apparently, the discount (3 dollars per month) I have with my employer locks them out from the AT&T;activation.  She started to tell me I could call AT&T;and have the discount removed, then she would be able to activate the phone.  She went to talk to a manager and I could see he was angry at her.  She came back and told me that she could not sell me the phone under any circumstances and that I couldn’t call AT&T;from the store and would have to get the phone through AT&T;.  I was rather disgusted and walked out.

The next morning I called AT&T;and was informed that I couldn’t have a corporate discount and an Iphone on the same account.  The associate was able to remove the discount instantly so I could have Apple set up an Iphone on my account.

I talked to another Apple Store manager today, he told me that at first when they were running into the discount problem they were having the customers call AT&T;to remove the discount like the salesperson first suggested.  A few days ago Apple Corporate told them to stop telling customers how to resolve the discount problem in the store which is why the Manager was angry at my salesperson.

Thanks a lot Apple!  I had one of your coveted Iphones practically in my hands, and the salesperson was forced to lie to me so I couldn’t take it home. And how about mentioning that discounts have to be discontinued on your Iphone website?  It would take your Web developer less than a minute to add the text and some instructions about how to have the discount removed.