First of all, I am glad to have found this post! I ordered my Gold 64 GB iPhone 6 Plus on 11/28/14 (BLACK FRIDAY), and my estimated ship date from AT&T is 12/18-12/30. I have been checking the order status everyday (as I usually do with anything I order online) and subsequently started researching ship dates for AT&T orders--of course everything until now has been from those that pre-ordered pre-release date back in September and October orders.
So, here is my story:
I have always loved the Apple iPhone. I was never one that went crazy over it when it first came into existence-heck I never owned an iPod. I only got hooked when my husband got his (the 3 model back in 2009) and had me set it up for him. I have never pre-ordered an iPhone when the next upgrade was coming out either. I am actually quite satisfied with my iPhone 5S. Anyway, my husband and I are enrolled in AT&Ts Next Plan last November when we upgraded our 4S's to the 5S model. It's been a year that we have been on the installment plan and after making our last month's payment (on Black Friday), I noticed that we are eligible for an upgrade. Husband not interested. But I of course was! All I had to do was pay one more installment of $32 to be eligible. I had two options regarding an upgrade: 1. Pay the $32, trade in 5S, and remaining balance on cost of phone would be "forgiven" or 2. Pay of the balance of the phone which was $288, keep the phone, and go on and get the iPhone6 Plus (which I am sure would have required some form of payment like the $199 it usually is with a new plan or new customer). Because I wasn't exactly sure how the upgrade process worked with the Next Plan I went to an AT&T store (we were in Cincinnati that weekend, but live in Columbus). I initially only wanted the 6 because I thought the 6 Plus was too big. But then I ended up changing my mind because I do get a lot of screen time at work (nursing and EMRs) and at home. So, I decided on the 6 Plus. Dude at the store recommended the 64 GB version considering the fact that I have 32 GB for 5S in which most of it is being used. He explained that with 6 model, that there is no 32. 16 would not be enough. He also said they were out of stock for the 64GB in both the 6 and 6 Plus, only had 16GB in stock for the 6. He said they didn't know when next shipment of phones would be, but said on average if I placed order with AT&T, it would take about 3-4 weeks. I didn't want to wait THAT long. He checked other stores in Cincinnati for 64 GB (any color) 6 Plus, and all stores sold out. He also checked Columbus stores and they were all sold out. He then said, that because Columbus has three Apple Stores they would probably have in stock and they would honor the upgrade there. Cincinnati only has one Apple store and so he wasn't sure what their inventory was like.
I then went online through the Apple App on my phone and proceeded to order to see if it was in stock in any color at the Cincinnati Apple store and it was. I naturally got super excited and was on my way to the mall. After placing the order with one of the Apple reps (he had the phone ready to hand to me) and explaining what guy at AT&T told me, he informed me that in order for Apple to honor the upgrade through AT&T, the entire balance of the 5S had to be paid off--$288--because I was on a "finance plan". He said although I am eligible to upgrade with AT&T, only AT&T could "forgive" the remaining balance and accept a trade in. Apple doesn't take the trade in nor "forgive" the remaining balance. I left the store super bummed!! It wasn't necessarily in my budget that day to give up $288 plus pay whatever else for the 6Plus, in addition to the fact that I just paid our bill (which includes three iPhones). I figured I would go on ahead and do business through AT&T and placed my order online. They are holding my card for the taxes that had to be paid on phone. No change in shipping status yet. But I will still be checking everyday with hope that I will get the iPhone sooner. Reading all of these posts about shipping delays--not just from AT&T but other carriers as well--is just depressing. No rhyme or reason to how orders are being fulfilled. I know one thing, if I don't have the phone by the end of the year, I am canceling my order and will continue on with my 5S. I'll be like my husband, and wait for the iPhone7 to come out next year--LOL!
