Apple Community Discussion/Support

[#1]

I came across walmart's website today to find that the 199.00 iphone 3gs 16gb I just bought at the AT&T store 1 week ago is $97.00 at walmart. I'm still under the 14day price match and 30day return policy.

I called ATT store I purchased it from in PA and they stated that they cannot do anything at this time for another 1 to 2 days while the management have a meeting and this may be part of it. So I called the customer care hotline and asked them about the price. First they couldn't find it and played dumb on the phone saying "I cannot find the walmart 3gs phone'' until I gave her the Model number. I was then able to prove to them that walmart has it cheaper starting today. I knew they couldn't do anything but wanted to bring it to their attention that I will be closing out the 2nd line on my account and reopening it and to expect no early term fee's or re activation fee's or anything like that.

I'm hoping we get enough people on here and to have AT&T recognize this issue that WALMART is beating AT&T's own customers to the punch of the discount and to do something about it. I guess I was wrong when I thought AT&T were the only ones to have control on Apple.

Oh and the best part, it's in stock and available in stores.

walmart.com

Model#: MB715LL/A

[#2]

Thats a good price.  I just think Wal-Mart is getting a month head start on everybody else.  When the new iphone comes out next month I think the 16GB 3GS will be $99 anyway.

[#3]

agreed, but im upset that the ATT Store won't do anything to keep their sale and at the same time I understand because  I'm an authorized Mac reseller/repair tech and the restrictions to have something pushed through for approval without loosing your ability to sell anything apple it takes forever.

but I may end up return it .. fight the restocking fee and everything else  (squeaky wheel gets the oil) and buy at walmart.

[#4]

WalMart is a third party retailer, so they can change prices as they wish. Also, this can be considered a prelude for the announcement of the 4th gen iPhone.

If you just bought the phone one week ago, as you said, your best bet is to return to the AT&T store you obtained it and return the iPhone, then re-open a new account buying the phone at WalMart. You're still at your 30 days of purchase so they can't say you NO. Of course, you'd pay the 10% restocking fee, but you still save money for buying the phone at WalMart.

[#5]

I can argue well with the restocking fee and fight them as i did before multiple times, now i have the loyal customer on my account which they like.

From my "fine print" no reseller can sell products from apple at a lower cost than stated in the agreement but if they do they risk voiding the contract and no longer being able to sell apple products.

ATT Customer care stated they are a nationwide dealer.. not sure what that is suppose to mean..

[#6]

Please help!

I just bought a 16gig iphone 3GS from ATT.com ($199) and it should arrive tomorrow.

Can I return it to an ATT store for a refund (minus restocking fee) and then go to Walmart and get one for $97. 

I'm sure it can't be that easy...any idea on what this would entail?

BIG THANKS!

[#7]

I am also in the same boat, bought from AT&T store about 20 days back. Any one know how much would be the restocking fee?

[#8]

If I've read corretly it's 10% (so $20 for $200).

I will be returning mine brand new (unopened)...do I still have to pay a restocking fee?

[#9]

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kevlo9 wrote:

If I've read corretly it's 10% (so $20 for $200).

I will be returning mine brand new (unopened)...do I still have to pay a restocking fee?

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You are correct, it is 10% on all iPhones.......... If you did not activate or use the iPhone, you may not have to pay the restocking fee, however, it is up to the manager to the manager in the store, so you should check with him/her to find out for sure.

[#10]

the only thing that walmart is doing is charging $325 early cancellation fee. so be sure you want to get it from them.

[#11]

If it was purchased without any service and is unopened (box still sealed), then there is no restocking fee.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/legal/return-policy.jsp

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 A 10% restocking fee applies to all iPhone purchases, except where prohibited. The 10% restocking fee does not apply if the device was purchased without AT&T service (device only sale) and returned unopened.

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[#12]

The EXACT same thing happened last year when WalMart and Best Buy started selling the iPhone 3G for cheaper when Apple was bout to release the iPhone 3GS. There is NOTHING AT&T can do & we are already aware of the price drop WalMart made. Unfortunately AT&T doesn't price match 3rd party resellers such as WalMart & they can sell the phone @ any price they like because they have a different agreement w/ Apple than AT&T does. You can return it to AT&T but you'll be CHARGED the restocking fee no doubt because you took a brand new prouct and am returning it just for a better deal. They can't resell this phone @ brand new pricing so the restocking helps cover some of the cost of selling it now as a refurb. Also the reps didn't play dumb on the phone. It's just a case of them not being able to access WalMart's pricing so if you really knew they couldn't do anything about why even bother and then slander them. Anytime something changes AT&T is notified so there's no need to notify them. Also if AT&T were to price match all other phones in order to keep their sales they'd lose tons of money. That same Motorola Backflip AT&T released and sold for $199.99 w/ a $100 mail in rebate, places like letstalk.com, wirefly.com and amazon.com had it free outright. AT&T matches that price and they might as well not even sell the phone because they're really just giving it away. Keep in mind WalMart is a RESELLER or products pretty much a 3rd party. Since they buy everything in bulk from the manufacturer, they can sell cheaper. Who knows, Apple may even be covering them in credits for the price drop.

[#13]

You can return it to AT&T but you'll be CHARGED the restocking fee no doubt because you took a brand new prouct and am returning it just for a better deal. They can't resell this phone @ brand new pricing so the restocking helps cover some of the cost of selling it now as a refurb.

If it's unopen and unused then it's not a refurb and can be sold as new.

[#14]

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kevlo9 wrote:

You can return it to AT&T but you'll be CHARGED the restocking fee no doubt because you took a brand new prouct and am returning it just for a better deal. They can't resell this phone @ brand new pricing so the restocking helps cover some of the cost of selling it now as a refurb.

If it's unopen and unused then it's not a refurb and can be sold as new.

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Honestly though, who woulda bought an iPhone a wk ago & not have used it by now thus making it from brand new into a refurbished model. An iPhone is deemed a refurb automatically because it is used during the activation process. So as soon as the customer walks out the store's doors w/ the phone IN HAND it has then become a refurbished model because it is OUTSIDE the box. Restocking fees are only not charged in Hawaii or Puerto Rico. So if the OP or anyone else affected doesn't reside in any of these areas, don't be too disappointed when you're declined the restocking fee credit. AT&T is taking a loss on this phone because most likely instead of getting that $199 or $299 for it plus tax, it'll wind up as an online refurb for $49 or $99 once the new phone is released as a new activation or upgrade special.

[#15]

^ I bought an iphone on ATT.com on Monday (should arrive tomorrow), so it will be brand new in the box (unopened).  I plan to return it that way (new and unused).

Now, from what I've been reading it can take ATT awhile to reset your upgrade date?!  How long does this normally take?

Can't they do this at the store when a return is made?

[#16]

You can return that BRAND NEW phone via a company owned retail store but keep in mind you must take the card you used for your purchase to have the funds refunded to it. Also the iPhone you bought WILL NOT be charged a restocking fee. The upgrade eligibility reset should take no longer than 72 BUSINESS HRS (M-F hrs).

[#17]

Thanks

[#18]

You're welcome and anytime. Glad to see someone appreciates my help!

[#19]

I have another question...

For those of us who just bought an iphone (at regular price), will we be able to get some kind of refund/credit when I'm guessing that a price reduction will be named when the new 4G iphone is announced on June 7th.

Thanks.

[#20]

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kevlo9 wrote:

I have another question...

For those of us who just bought an iphone (at regular price), will we be able to get some kind of refund/credit when I'm guessing that a price reduction will be named when the new 4G iphone is announced on June 7th.

Thanks.

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Suspect not, if you are within the first 30 days, take it back, go back to your old phone and get it at walmart since they already reduced prices,

[#21]

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kevlo9 wrote:

I have another question...

For those of us who just bought an iphone (at regular price), will we be able to get some kind of refund/credit when I'm guessing that a price reduction will be named when the new 4G iphone is announced on June 7th.

Thanks.

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It all depends this year because last yr AT&T did give credits to customers depending on when they bought their 3G iPhone but they had to have bought it BEFORE Apple's press release of the iPhone 4G. But, places like WalMart and Best Buy didn't give credits when they dropped their prices. This year, WalMart has actually undercut AT&T by selling it cheaper FIRST but may not give any refund to those who bought it before the price drop. A lotta times in this case they advise the disgruntled customers to call AT&T and see what they do. It's a WalMart issue not AT&T because they didn't sell you the phone.

[#22]

I'm also in the same boat.  I'm two weeks in to my 30 days.  My husband purchased the 3GS and I have the 3G. I called the AT&T store and they said they will not price match but if AT&T lowers the price, we can get a refund on my husbands phone and I can upgrade to the 3GS. 

AT&T PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!! 

[#23]

Nothing can be done UNLESS/ UNTIL AT&T lowers their price on the phone. So...if you happen to still be within your first 30days of purchase WHEN/ IF AT&T lowers the price you may geta credit.

[#24]

So are you replying as an AT&T Representative who is responsible for replying to posts or is this your opinion as an AT&T employee?

[#25]

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LoriF0823 wrote:

So are you replying as an AT&T Representative who is responsible for replying to posts or is this your opinion as an AT&T employee?

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his signature answers this.

If you want the lower price on the current model or the new subscribe cost for the upcoming phone, take the phone back before your 30 days are up, there is no promise that the price will lower or they will refund the difference, after 30 days you are locked in. Another choice if you want ot stay with the current modelis to take the phone back to where you got it, then go over to walmart and purchase it at the lower price that they are already offering

[#26]

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LoriF0823 wrote:

So are you replying as an AT&T Representative who is responsible for replying to posts or is this your opinion as an AT&T employee?

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His own opinion. Being an AT&T representative doesn't mean we have to respond always as an agent or that we can't give our own opinions.

[#27]

Not sure what to do now...

I would rather keep the iphone that I'm getting and then receive a credit...instead of taking the iphone back, waiting for my upgrade to reset, and then getting another iphone.

Argh...I wish I would've waited until Tuesday, instead of buying mine on Monday! 

Would it be possible to return the 3GS for the new model when it comes out as long as I'm in my 30 day window??

[#28]

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kevlo9 wrote:

Would it be possible to return the 3GS for the new model when it comes out as long as I'm in my 30 day window??

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Yes, it's possible. Pay the 10% restocking fee and you may be able to change it for the 4th gen one if it's released during your 30 day trial period.

But I doubt it will be released the next month, to tell you the truth. ._.

[#29]

they had another post where if the price was lowered in 30days from purchase that they will credit the difference

[#30]

they had another post where if the price was lowered in 30days from purchase that they will credit the difference

^ Who did? AT&T?  Is this something that they normally do?