If you were one of the lucky ones who managed to get your hands on a PrePaid iPhone 3G before Apple decided not to sell PrePaid iPhones any more, then we suggest you go buy the biggest protective case you can find.
We decided to pose this question to 4 different Apple Store Staff:
If my PrePaid iPhone breaks, how can I get a new one to replace the broken iPhone?
A simple enough question right? Surely the answer is: ‘well, if the issue is not under warrantee, you’d have to pay out the total cost of a new iPhone on PrePaid and we’ll give you a new one.’
HOWEVER, in Australia for example, Apple are now NOT selling iPhones on PrePaid whatsoever, mobile phone stores, such as Optus or Vodafone have run dry, and now you can only get an iPhone on a contract.
So what happens to all the customers who have a PrePaid iPhone now? Because Apple refuse to sell iPhones without a contract*, ultimately, if you are not willing (or able) to get a contract with the main networks, you’ll have to forfeit your PrePaid iLifestyle that you’ve got used to and get back on your old standard mobile phone! Ridiculous right!?
The question is, did Apple plan this all along? Did they want to ‘hook in’ all the prepaid customers with the killer phone, then if and when it breaks, you’re only option is to sign up for a contract, and thus earn Apple a nice residual income on top of the phone cost.
I particularly liked the response of one Apple Store Sydney staff member who told me: ‘If you break your prepaid iPhone, you are f*cked’.
*In Australia for example
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October 19th, 2009 at 12:58 am
nice article and very helpful
October 19th, 2009 at 7:58 am
nice article and very helpful