iPhone 3G - Direct Fulfillment Reality

[jfarabee]

FRT is the shipping. This will remain on back order until you are first in the queue and your model is in stock.

[cousintim]

"FRT" is freight.

[Estroma]

 I ordered my 8gb  Iphone 3g  on 7/15.  Form what  I can see I should get it in 10 days which is tomorrow…I hope.

I checked the order status hoping to find some indication as to when the phone would arrive.  This is what I saw on the order status page:

Date Ordered: 07/15/08

Item   Description   Status     Ship Date       Qty ordered    Qty Shipped     Qty back-ordered     Tracking Number

1           FRT          In Progress                                1                           0                        1                                 None

2        PHONE         In Progress                              1                            0                        0                                None

I am not sure what this means.  I read FRT is freight but why two orders?  Why no dates?  There are still no charges on my credit cart yet either.    It honestly does not tell me much. 

I called the store and all they told me is that it wasn’t in and they had no info on the order status "code" as I call it.

Anyone who has received their phone have any insight?

[mpfeifer]

AT&T Order status page will tell you nothing - Until it says shipped and you have a tracking number, the BO column is worthless from my understanding.

Mark

[Estroma]

Is there any use for the order number other than accessing this useless order status page


It seems at this point all I can do is wat to be called...

[clortho]

Until it's shipped, no there is no point.

{please post courteously} when your phone is off BO and your FRT is.. it means nothing. That page is useless until it says SHIPPED.

Message Edited by tashina on 07-24-2008 06:39:20 PM

[tonester]

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clortho wrote:

Until it's shipped, no there is no point.

{please post courteously} when your phone is off BO and your FRT is.. it means nothing. That page is useless until it says SHIPPED.

Message Edited by tashina on 07-24-2008 06:39:20 PM

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Well it's not completely useless--at least you can see whether your order is still in the system (IIRC some folks had mentioned that their orders were canceled for some reason)...

[jimenezfive]

I ordered an 8GB on 7/19 and then when I saw that white 16GB were getting shipped first, I took a chance and cancelled 8GB and ordered 16GB.  Placed ordrer at 5pm on 7/23 and here it is noon on 7/25 and it's been shipped.  Glad I took the chance.

[bubba_mudd]

I am *this* close to doing that, but with my luck the white ones would end up being more popular & I'd have to wait in the back of the line.  I'm 14 now, but my store only shipped 6 in the last 3 days.

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jimenezfive wrote:
I ordered an 8GB on 7/19 and then when I saw that white 16GB were getting shipped first, I took a chance and cancelled 8GB and ordered 16GB.  Placed ordrer at 5pm on 7/23 and here it is noon on 7/25 and it's been shipped.  Glad I took the chance.

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[jaanthony]

I ordered an 8gig on 7/17 and still waiting for that one.  Today I ordered a 16gig in white hoping it would ship sooner than the first one, and then I'll cancel that one.  Anyone had experience canceling a direct fulfillment order?  It says on the receipt that you have 7 days to pick up your order after they call you, so I assume if you don't pick it up they just cancel the order and credit your account, right?

[mitchellzwick]

I ordered my plain black 8gb phone on the 17th here in the Daytona Beach Area, and still have not gotten it. I was told 10-14 days. But while snooping around changing the order numbers, I found an order that was ordered the 22nd (five days after me) and was shipped the next day!!! I thought they said they were doing DF in the order that they are received.

[PC-WONK]

They must have pumped out some serious iPhones. Mine shipped today. 8GB Roseville, MN.

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PC-WONK wrote:

Ordered mine on 7/16 from the Roseville, MN AT&T store 8GB. I was told 3-5 days, LOL!!!! There are 95 people still in front of me waiting for their phone. 95!!!!!!!

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[gbc1962]

I think most people are willing to wait their turn for their iphone via Direct Fulfillment.  What is worrying me, and I'm sure others, is that Direct Fulfillment is not working as AT&T claims, and no one at AT&T seems to be addressing this issue.

If Direct Fulfillment ships out orders on a first-come first-serve basis, then why, if two people order the same model iphone on different days, do we find numerous example where the person who ordered on a later day has already received their phone while the other person (ahead of them in the order queue) is still waiting for their phone to ship?

This is the question I would like answered by an official AT&T representative.

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Sentry wrote:

We’ve seen incredible demand for iPhone 3G since it launched—and subsequently sold out—on July 11. Many customers have opted to purchase iPhone 3G through direct fulfillment, which lets them purchase the device at their convenience and return to the store to pick it up as soon as it arrives in to the store. For those customers who have ordered through direct fulfillment, and have not yet received their iPhone 3G, here’s a quick update on our current inventory:

• As of July 23, direct fulfillment customers are receiving their iPhone 3G, on average, 13 or 14 days following purchase.
• Delivery times vary based on the specific model a customer chooses (8 GB, 16 GB white, 16 GB black).

AT&T handles direct fulfillment on a first-come, first-served basis, giving everyone an opportunity for stress-free shopping. As we receive new inventory from Apple, we are shipping it out immediately to fill customers’ orders. We hope to begin re-stocking our stores as soon as we can, but first priority goes to those customers who purchased through direct-fulfillment.

To check on direct fulfillment order status, visit https://www.wireless.att.com/order_status/. To learn more about iPhone 3G, visit http://att.com/iphone.

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[jleroy68]

I am 6 in line, but have noticed orders placed after mine have also shipped. No way to tell which models are shipping out (only can tell order numbers) and I suspect as I ordered a black 16gb my wait is longer.

[Dellman87]

Sorry for my post.. I just checked... For teh status page,you should do it under HOME number, but put the cell number that it is for...  HA...  att tired to trick me..

Anywho I ordered mine on the 20th, and it says...

It hasn't even been processed yet...

I called, and she says 17-20 days... BOOOOO ATT


Message Edited by Dellman87 on 07-25-2008 06:46:03 PM

Message Edited by Dellman87 on 07-25-2008 06:47:18 PM

[jleroy68]

Just log in with your order number and you will get a shorter number once there. Now just go backwards (number wise) to see when they are shipping. I have done same, but no way to tell which models are shipping, so only a partial revelation.

[tfa225]

I  ordered at 400pm In Gonzales Louisiana, 8gb. I'll repost when I get it. Since last night I have moved from 64 to 54 in line on the {no offsite order status sites, please} site.

Message Edited by tashina on 07-26-2008 12:07:46 PM

[lenrex]

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jleroy68 wrote:

Just log in with your order number and you will get a shorter number once there. Now just go backwards (number wise) to see when they are shipping. I have done same, but no way to tell which models are shipping, so only a partial revelation.

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This works...  I ordered mine on the 17th.  I went back two order numbers and the guys' had shipped (he ordered it on the 17th too).  So, one more to ship out, then mine will ship.  Dang weekend.

edit: I went back a few more order numbers and the 6th and 9th orders were still pending, so I don't know what's up.  All of the other orders going back 15 numbers have shipped though.  Hopefully those two orders aren't 16GB Blacks, like mine...


Message Edited by lenrex on 07-26-2008 01:10:48 PM

[crimsonxxdreams]

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mitchellzwick wrote:
I ordered my plain black 8gb phone on the 17th here in the Daytona Beach Area, and still have not gotten it. I was told 10-14 days. But while snooping around changing the order numbers, I found an order that was ordered the 22nd (five days after me) and was shipped the next day!!! I thought they said they were doing DF in the order that they are received.

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Its probably because they order the white 16g, think about it honestly if they have those in stock theres no point in making them wait till you get yours because if they were doing that we would be complaining about that too

[jgohil]

I ordered my 16GB White in St. Louis, MO - on 7/24/08.  I received confirmation on 7/25/08 and just checked today (7/26/08).. and it has already shipped!  Tracking suggests it should arrive at my local store on Monday (7/28/08) by 3:00 p.m.

Evidently, the Apple stores are all re-stocked and the direct fulfillment is catching up on the 8GB models, as well as the 16GB Black models, but the White had been in lower demand so they've been much more readily available.

[scbsli]

Model: 8GB Black

Order Date: 07/25/2008

Location: Hamden, CT

AT&T Est. : 21 Days

Position in Line: 60th  (Now I understand why there are still so many people are willing to stand for 5 hours in front an Apple store...5 hours v.s. 21 days...hmm!)

Actual Shipping Date: N/A


Message Edited by scbsli on 07-26-2008 02:53:47 PM

[doughnutrecall]

Ordered on 7/18 (8 GB) in Northern VA.  According to the order status, it shipped today and will arrive on Monday.  I was told 14-21 days.  It's looking like it was 9.  All in all not too bad, but it does suck that for the last three days my Apple store has been flush with iPhones and all I could do was stare.

[doughnutrecall]

As an FYI to those waiting, I just checked my status (see message above, but wanted to check anyway).  The two people ahead of me ordered black 16 GB.  I happened to catch their name in the store which is why I know its them.  Anyway, theirs have not shipped yet so I'm guessing there's a bit of a lag on the 16 GB ones.

[AmplifiedLife]

HERE IS ALL MY POST INFO (COMBINED) FROM THE APPLE FORUMS.  Dates are at the bottom.  Hope it helps...
- - -
POSTED JULY 25th:

I ordered 16GB Black around closing time (9PM PST) in Culver City, CA on July 15th and mine is still PROCESSING. They told me flat out that it was a 10-20 day wait. Not sure if they meant business days or shipping days (M-Sat). I'm assuming from this post that it means shipping days but planning on business days to keep my expectations in check.

But I wont lie ... I did that thing where you put in numbers sequentially too see that all orders (except for one) before me have been shipped and all after are still processing.  For the record, I bought an original iPhone on May 30th, within AT&T's timeframe for returning them to swap out for the 3G, and when I went to AT&T on the launch day they told me I was mistaken and not to believe everything I read online. Condescending ($#$@#$@#^$%'s insert name calling here)  After a little research I came to believe I was lied to and called 611. They told me that indeed it was true and I could take it a retail store for an exchange. So thats what I did. I went to a store in my neighborhood and asked if I could swap it for the 3G and they agreed I could. We went though the entire transaction without a hitch.

At the end they asked for my original iPhone back. I was confused and said if I give you this phone back, what will I use until my 3G arrives. They looked at me like I was stupid and sounded astonished when I said I didn't have any "extra phones" lying around that I could use in the meantime. So after being turned down by their manager I asked to cancel the process. He then brought out some used phone from the backroom for me to use while I waited for my 3G.  He had the nerve to warn me that "I better bring this loaner phone back or they would sell my 3G order on eBay". He really said that. Once again... Condescending $@#%#@#$^'s. It felt like he was suggesting that I was going to steal the piece of junk he loaned me.

Anyways, some employees were friendly and others, including the mgr was not. he should have let me use my original phone because during the course of the transaction I was never told I would have to relinquish my current phone and just "go without" a phone while I waited for their overloaded system to deliver my new one in 10-20 days.  Had they done that, I could have decided whether it was worth the wait.

- - -

POSTED JULY 26th:

I woke up this a.m. and checked the status page. Still processing... Then I checked my bank account and found a charge (~12PM PST) so I called my AT&T store. I asked them if my card had been charged, would that mean my iPhone had been shipped? They said no and told me to check back. So I went about my day.  When I got home I checked again (3pm PST). This time it said the phone was shipped. Today, the 26th., a Saturday. FedEx says the package will be there Monday by 3pm. So they must overnight them. The only reason I have to wait another day is because it is a Sunday. So don't include Sundays into your equations people.  I would advise folks who are dying from the wait period to keep an eye on both their bank accounts and the tracking page, but do it later in the day.  My phone is shipping from Texas by the way...

ORDERED: 7/15 (@ 8:45pm PST - 30 Mins before closing time)
Told 10-20 day wait.
SHIPPED: 7/26 (Saturday)
FEDEX STATED ARRIVAL DATE: 7/28 (Monday)

Total wait time: 14 days (if it arrives Monday and I count the day I ordered it)
Total SHIP days: 11 Days (excluding 2 Sundays & the day I ordered it.)
Actual time from ORDER to SHIP: 10 Days

Hope this timetable helps someone else. Really try that number thing where you put order numbers that are sequentially near yours and a shipping zip code to get an idea of where you are "in line". ( https://www.wireless.att.com/order_status/order_status )

I waited longer than I wanted but in all reality, it wasn't that bad. Though the customer service inflamed my distrust of AT&T's system and made me feel that my intelligence had been insulted.  If I get the choice in the future, I will purchase my product from an Apple store. Always. Every time. My experience has seen near polar opposite attitudes in the treatment of customers.

Peace,

LL

[Rd King]

Ordered 16 gig Black on 17 Jul

Killeen, TX

#1 in queue but others after me have received order.

Expecting delivery during this work week.

[Blackmoon012]

I ordered mine on July 15th

Black 16GB iPhone 3g

Shipped on July 26th

Expected to arrive July 28th

~Everyone good luck with receiving your own!~

[Jennifer8p]

I ordered the White 16GB iPhone from Elizabeth NJ at 5pm on the 21st of July.

July 22nd, at 11:33pm, my iPhone shipped.

July 23rd, at 12:30pm, my iPhone arrived at Elizabeth NJ.

[cirewil]

Not sure this has been said but, I doubt  all the orders on at&t status are iphones. The orders that are being filled next day and after you are probably just different phones.

[AmplifiedLife]

You are probably right.  Some of them are probably not.  But its safe to assume that most of the are.  Just because of the demand and such.  If you go and look at the numbers you can see a pattern emerge.

Anyways, it is true that they could be other phones, so take this all with a grain of salt.  It is NOT an exact science.  Just dudes with enough time on their hands to figure things out for themselves.

LL

[telmacbrit]

I just had a sickening experience with AT&T customer service and the AT&T store I ordered from.  I placed my order for a 16GB black last week after watching the lines get longer and longer at every Apple store around here.  I'm probably in the 20business day window to ever see that phone.  

In New York, Apple are now handing out vouchers so that you can guarantee the phone of your choice as long as you come back anytime before 6pm.  I went along and got a voucher this morning for a 16gb black.

All i thought i had to do next was go back to the AT&T store and cancel the back order.

They refused.  They said there is no way to cancel an iphone order.  I have to wait for it to be shipped and then refuse to pick it up, AND I'LL BE CHARGED THE 10% RESTOCKING FEE.

After some back and forth, they wouldn't budge, so I went outside and got on the phone with AT&T customer service.  They said I have to talk to Direct Fulfillment, but that they should be able to cancel it.  After waiting on hold for 30minutes, I speak to someone who again says it should be ok, but puts me on hold for another 10min while they check the order.  They come back and tell me that because I'm an exsiting customer (4years) and not a new customer, I have to talk to customer service not them.  Apparently Direct Fulfillment only talk to New Customers.

So I get back to CS and the guy again says it should be ok and begins to look into it.  He says he needs to phone some people and puts me on hold.  10min later, he comes back and says the only way I can cancel it is to go into the store. I tell him the store is REFUSING to cancel it.  He says he'll call the store on my behalf and goes on hold. 2min later I'm cut off.

I call back and talk to someone else.  After some back and forth, her solution again is to acll the store.  She gets the store on the line and puts it on a three way call.  I'm back to talking to the guy who originally placed the order for me, and he's sticking firm to his story of that there is no way in the system to cancel an order once placed.

I remind him that I've been a loyal customer for 4 years and that this experience is making me seriously consider not only letting them keep their phone, but cancel the account altogether, and thats still not enough.

It's a slap in the face, here I am trying to be a good AT&T customer by getting the phone as quickly as possible so they can start earning their extortionate monthly fees off me, and I'm locked into a backlogged order that is weeks away from fulfillment with the threat of either I pick it up or they charge me money.

Anyone else have problems cancelling Direct Fulfillement on the iPhone? any tips on how to proceed?

thanks