Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Having Trouble Buying an iPhone in New York City? - Why do I suddenly feel heartbroken

New York

There have been reports that some New Yorkers have had trouble buying an iPhone through AT&T's Web site. If you've experienced difficulty purchasing an iPhone online or at a retail store, ABC News wants to hear from you.


Please share your story below and include your name, town and a daytime phone number. An ABCNews.com producer may contact you for more information or an excerpt of your message may be used in future news pieces.


Thank you!


AT&T has apparently found a workable solution to the reported data congestion in New York City. They've quietly stopped selling the iPhone to customers in the New York metropolitan area, at least from their web site.


I guess that's one way to solve the problem.


Reader Stephen in Brooklyn made the discovery while shopping for a new phone today.


"I was on the AT&T Wireless website trying to get an iPhone. However, when I put in my zip code 11231, the site says the iPhone is unavailable. This seemed a little odd so I started punching in other famous zip codes: 90210, 60609 (spiegel catalog), 02134 (zoom, an old children's show). For theses cities, LA, Chicago, Boston, iPhone is available. Then I looked up some other zip codes: Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco. All those cities are ok. Then I started putting in more NYC zip codes: midtown, Staten Island, the Bronx...no iPhone available.


This is weird...AT&T has cut off New York City.


"


I went to the AT&T site to verify what Stephen said. Sure enough, the iPhone was available to zip codes in San Francisco and other major cities. It was not available to purchase for people living anywhere in New York City, or any of the suburban zip codes in Westchester County or northern New Jersey that I tried. Was it a web site bug? I hopped online with a customer service chat rep to check.


"Daphne: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today? Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my ZIP code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?


Daphne: I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone.


Daphne: You don't have enough towers to handle the phone.


Laura: Thank you for your help. So the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?


Daphne: Yes this is correct Laura.


"


Update: In a written statement, AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook told Consumerist that "We periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels." We have requested additional details, and will add them when and if they become available.

10 comments:

  1. Relax, You Can Still Buy An iPhone In New York City. Just Not Online.

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  2. AT&T Reverses Course: iPhone Available Again in New York City

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  3. Hey Luke Wilson...who stopped selling the iPhone in New York City? Oh, that was AT&T.

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  4. AT&T Inc temporarily stopped selling the iPhone on its website to New York City residents over the weekend, raising fresh concerns

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  5. iPhone + New York = suck. iPhone + Seattle = Merry Christmas! Not sure the phone or service is the problem.

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  6. That article is about AT&T users in New York! The iPhone is only available in that network hence the creative reception solutions

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  7. Online iPhone sales return to NYC: Filed under: Retail, Deals, iPhone
    As Engadget is reporting, New York City residents can get back to ...

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  8. lol, that sounds so movie-theatre ominous, "In a World...Where New York is Not Ready for the iPhone!"

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  9. AT&T now sells iPhone in New York. Everything is back to normal.

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  10. AT&T apparently resumes online iPhone sales in New York City

    ReplyDelete