Apple iPhone Upgrade Program Bait and Switch Scam?

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Apple iPhone Upgrade Program Bait and Switch Scam?

Got an email reservation after a few days of trying for an iPhone 6s Plus 64Gb Sim Free, went to the Apple store on time at Town Square, Las Vegas to pick up the phone and they wouldn't sell it under the upgrade plan. Told me Sim-free phones didn't qualify for the upgrade plan. Showed them my reservation receipt. They said sorry can't help you, Apple made a mistake and they can't do anything. I told them this is bait and switch. Only reason I came down here was to pick up the phone and I want what it says here.

Ended up paying FULL price for the 6s plus and then also bought a verizon 6s on the upgrade plan because I was sure they said I just didn't qualify for upgrade plan. Senior store manager Tony told me I need to complain to Apple Care. I did complain to Apple care and after hours of back and forth and going to 2 different managers, the net result was they said go back to the Apple store and work it out. ***?

Already took the Senior Manager's card (Tony) and he was the one that refused to sell it on the upgrade plan. Told him this was clearly illegal bait and switch getting customers in the door then giving them something else (conveniently 6s is ok on upgrade plan) or charging more (yes we will sell it to you full price no problem) but won't honor written reservation.

Went home and put the 6s sim into the 6s plus and it worked fine. I'm going to keep both phones for the 2 weeks while I keep trying to get Apple to do what is right and just honor the deal I got in writing.

Anyone else get screwed?

Posted on Oct 10, 2015 7:20 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 10, 2015 7:30 PM in response to pokermanlv

The upgrade plan requires a carrier plan.

http://www.apple.com/shop/iphone/iphone-upgrade-program

"If you don’t have any carrier commitments, you’re free to select a new carrier or stick with the one you have."

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Answer 2

pokermanlv Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 10, 2015 7:39 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

I was fully willing to add it to my Verizon line. I even asked if they could just give me a Verizon 6s plus on the upgrade plan instead and they said no this was the last one they had. In fact when they told me no the only way you can get this phone was to pay full price, I paid full price AND I got the 6s on the upgrade plan in the same visit just to prove they were screwing me. Right now I'm using the sim popped out of the 6s and put into the 6s plus which they refused to sell on the upgrade plan. Clearly it would be easier if they just activated it on my verizon line. Told me they had no verizon iphone 6s plus in stock. Later when I went home I found out other people were able to add it so am super angry Apple Store management lied to me and also they aren't doing anything.

Again easiest thing for them is to just hold a Verizon upgrade eligible 6s plus for me and I swap these 2 back.

They clearly didn't want to sell the Sim-free iphone 6s pluses on upgrade because of low stock and just baited me into the store and switched out the deal from under me.

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Answer 3

Nov 6, 2015 9:52 AM in response to pokermanlv

Had the same problem today. I noticed the fine print later. What makes no sense is when you go to the upgrade program page, they specifically ALLOW you to select a sim-free phone. Why offer this option if they make you activate on a carrier? Is it when you bring a sim from one of the approved carriers? If so, they really need to make this more clear. I ended up not buying the phone.

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Answer 4

Sep 28, 2016 3:25 PM in response to pokermanlv

They are trying some weird shady things with my upgrade also. They emailed me and called me to say my phone upgrade is at the store. I called the store to confirm and after 2hrs total (2 phone calls) they say they have no record & no phone is there. Then they call me an hour later to say my phone is at the store and will be put back if not picked up today. Then I call customer service back to find out if it's in or not. They say they need to call me back and/or email me. Then they send 3 emails saying they tried to call, but never did. They say they will keep case open for 5 days, but cannot answer my question by email and can only answer my question by phone. I call the reps direct extension 3 times and everytime it goes to voicemail. No call back, but email response says they tried to call. More lies, they only have one phone number on file, the only phone I have, my ATT Apple iPhone. So after many hours wasted today, still no answer, still no phone, no idea when the phone they promised me will come in. Such a horrible way to treat a 20+ year loyal customer. Smells like some type of scam, probably because they are having delivery or equipment issues and don;t want to be honest about it. Sorry I signed up with their upgrade plan 😟

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Answer 5

Sep 28, 2016 3:35 PM in response to pokermanlv

You said you wanted a SIM free phone, now you say you were willing to add it to your Verizon plan? Which one is it? If you pick the upgrade plan, you must active service on the device in the store, so no upgrade phone can be "SIM free". The only way to get a SIM free device is to pay full retail, which by definition is not part of the "upgrade plan" since you own the phone outright, so there is no residual value left to trade up in a year. Once you pay off the device, you are effectively out of the upgrade program. You can then sell the phone you own, recycle it with Apple for store credit, or do whatever you wish with it.

You can always enroll again with the purchase of a new iPhone at any time you wish.

I don't see any bait and switch here. If you wish to participate in the upgrade program, you cannot receive a SIM free device.

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Answer 6

deggie

Level 10

167,659 points

Sep 28, 2016 3:56 PM in response to Michael Black

Michael, the OPs question is from a year ago.

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Answer 7

Sep 28, 2016 4:44 PM in response to deggie

we need a forehead smack smiley (or I need to stop using my iPhone with the forums amd stick with a bigger display) 😊

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

60,063 points

Sep 28, 2016 4:49 PM in response to Mark Miller8

Mark Miller8 wrote:

Had the same problem today. I noticed the fine print later. What makes no sense is when you go to the upgrade program page, they specifically ALLOW you to select a sim-free phone. Why offer this option if they make you activate on a carrier? Is it when you bring a sim from one of the approved carriers? If so, they really need to make this more clear. I ended up not buying the phone.

Got a link to it, please?

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