$30 unlimited good if ordered online by June 6th

[Ptarmigan]

I just noticed this on the Apple Store New York website. So my wife (and I) love her wifi Ipad ... do I bite the bullet and order myself the 3g over the weekend?

******
250MB/month $14.99
2GB/month $25.00
Unlimited* $29.99
* Available if ordering iPad from the Apple Online Store by June 6
******

http://store.apple.com/us_kiosk_255437/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad?mco=OTY2ODA0NQ

 

[Chupa Chupa]

You have to activate by June 7. If you won't have it in your possession by then you might be able to buy an ATT SIM and ask at the Apple store if they will activate the SIM for you on one of their machines. But you need an iPad to activate the unlimited service.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

You have to activate by June 7. If you won't have it in your possession by then you might be able to buy an ATT SIM and ask at the Apple store if they will activate the SIM for you on one of their machines. But you need an iPad to activate the unlimited service.

That isn't what it says, it hasn't propagated over to the main apple.com/ipad site though.

They NEEDED to do this, i'm guessing Apple will be providing a block of serial numbers to AT&T that qualify?

From the link posted.

What are the 3G data plan options from AT&T?
There are two monthly data plans: 250MB or 2GB. Customers who order iPad from the Apple Online Store by June 6th will also qualify to purchase an unlimited monthly plan. There’s no contract, and you can sign up and change your service right on your iPad. In addition, AT&T data plans include unlimited access to over 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at locations including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and more.

No mention on having to keep it activated to keep it.... i expect we will be getting something official from Apple tonight.

 

[DougFNJ]

You have to activate by June 7. If you won't have it in your possession by then you might be able to buy an ATT SIM and ask at the Apple store if they will activate the SIM for you on one of their machines. But you need an iPad to activate the unlimited service.

Looks to me like they are allowing exceptions on that.....

"3G data plan FAQs.
What are the 3G data plan options from AT&T?
There are two monthly data plans: 250MB or 2GB. Customers who order iPad from the Apple Online Store by June 6th will also qualify to purchase an unlimited monthly plan. There’s no contract, and you can sign up and change your service right on your iPad. In addition, AT&T data plans include unlimited access to over 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at locations including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and more."

 

[ob81]

You have to activate by June 7. If you won't have it in your possession by then you might be able to buy an ATT SIM and ask at the Apple store if they will activate the SIM for you on one of their machines. But you need an iPad to activate the unlimited service.

Not much room for opinion on that one bro'. If you order from the store by the 6th you can still get that plan. Clearly.

Nice find OP.

 

[ZBoater]

This is a cluster waiting to happen...

 

[HXGuy]

It makes sense that you don't have to keep it constantly active to be grandfathered in...that just wouldn't be right. So if you bought your iPad prior to June 6th, even if you have never even used 3G yet, I have a feeling you will still be able to get the Unlimited plan since that's what was advertised at the time of purchase.

Which brings up the question...will the older 3G iPads be worth a whole lot more money to people, say on eBay?

 

[TraceyS/FL]

This is a cluster waiting to happen...

True that!

BUT, the next question becomes, do we early buyers maintain the ability to start and stop it.... THAT is what is important to me at this point!

I am excited that all the buyers prior will get it (provided it is an online order, time to order online and give up on the store waitlist 'eh?) when they finally receive their orders.

 

[msavwah]

It makes sense that you don't have to keep it constantly active to be grandfathered in...that just wouldn't be right. So if you bought your iPad prior to June 6th, even if you have never even used 3G yet, I have a feeling you will still be able to get the Unlimited plan since that's what was advertised at the time of purchase.

Which brings up the question...will the older 3G iPads be worth a whole lot more money to people, say on eBay?

They already said if you let it lapse you lose it forever.

 

[HXGuy]

BUT, the next question becomes, do we early buyers maintain the ability to start and stop it.... THAT is what is important to me at this point!

I think so but of course someone needs to confirm it. If it was advertised that was at the time of purchase, I think they would have to hold their end of the bargain, even if the small print somewhere said that it could change at any time.

 

[HXGuy]

They already said if you let it lapse you lose it forever.

Who/where did it say that?

 

[DougFNJ]

This is a cluster waiting to happen...

My guess is there will be a little window of opportunity for a bunch of new iPad owners, particularly ones still waiting for their 3G with expectation of unlimited.....try getting your unlimited in July though and I'm sure your out of luck.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I think so but of course someone needs to confirm it. If it was advertised that was at the time of purchase, I think they would have to hold their end of the bargain, even if the small print somewhere said that it could change at any time.

I already was renewing it tomorrow, so i'm set for a month. I just need to decide what to do after that.... my usage this month should be more typical and i'm hoping to be under the 2gb because i know i will need to start and stop it.

 

[msavwah]

Who/where did it say that?

"What is changing on the iPad? As of Monday, you will no longer be offered the $30 Unlimited data plan on the iPad. Instead, you can opt in for a $25 30-day 2GB plan. However, if you have already signed up for the $30 Unlimited plan and are set with the auto-renew option in place, your unlimited plan will continue to renew for the indefinite future. Unlimited customers will not be cut off. Beware: if you cancel your auto-renewing plan, you will not be able to re-join it after Monday."

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/06/02/candid-answers-from-atandt-on-the-new-iphone-data-plans/

 

[HXGuy]

That's coming from TUAW though, not from ATT.

Seems to contradict what is posted from ATT that if you order by the 6th, then you can still sign up for Unlimited. Obviously if you order by the 6th, you will not get your iPad by the 7th, so the option still has to be there even after the 7th, no?

 

[waydon13]

Just got off the phone with AT&T!

They state that if the monthly renewal is stopped on the device then the next time you want to activate service you no longer have the unlimited option. You will only see the 2GB or 250MB plans listed. The only way that you can be grandfathered in is if you do not cancel the renewal. They have not received any info on how long the grandfathered clause is for. Hope this answers some questions.

-Donald

 

[bowlerman625]

They state that if the monthly renewal is stopped on the device then the next time you want to activate service you no longer have the unlimited option. You will only see the 2GB or 250MB plans listed. The only way that you can be grandfathered in is if you do not cancel the renewal. They have not received any info on how long the grandfathered clause is for. Hope this answers some questions.

-Donald

Make sure you use a debit or credit card that will never wind up declining the purchase. If you're not careful you could be cancelled and lose the right to the unlimited plan due to a card problem.

 

[ckr4282]

They NEEDED to do this, i'm guessing Apple will be providing a block of serial numbers to AT&T that qualify?

That would explain why my order has been stuck on "Prepared for Shipment" status for over a day and a half now.

 

[Blorzoga]

They state that if the monthly renewal is stopped on the device then the next time you want to activate service you no longer have the unlimited option. You will only see the 2GB or 250MB plans listed. The only way that you can be grandfathered in is if you do not cancel the renewal. They have not received any info on how long the grandfathered clause is for. Hope this answers some questions.

-Donald

Still no one can produce this statement from either the apple or AT&T websites. It's always hearsay. Once I see it officially in writing on one of their websites I'll believe it. The statement on apple's website seems to contradict what you're saying. It states that 1) if you buy it on line by June 6 you will be able to get unlimited data and 2) you can start and stop the service as you like. These statements were just recently added to their site. Put those two statemens together and you've got what everybody wants : true grandfathering

 

[barkomatic]

I hope AT&T clarifies this. Its such a bait and switch if they don't uphold the bargain made to early adopters.

 

[diehldun]

Just talked to Apple re: grandfathering unlimited 3G plan (deadline)

Still no one can produce this statement from either the apple or AT&T websites. It's always hearsay. Once I see it officially in writing on one of their websites I'll believe it. The statement on apple's website seems to contradict what you're saying. It states that 1) if you buy it on line by June 6 you will be able to get unlimited data and 2) you can start and stop the service as you like. These statements were just recently added to their site. Put those two statemens together and you've got what everybody wants : true grandfathering

Okay I spoke with Apple just now... her words: "unfortunately if you ordered your iPad today then you would have to receive on or before June 6th and purchase the unlimited package. It's been confusing for a lot of people, I'm sorry. I would have been confused as well." She recommended calling Sprint and Verizon up to explore their 3G plans specific to iPad.

I asked her about Apple providing a block of serial numbers to AT&T for iPads that qualify, and she basically said the same thing: no.

Apple's website statement regarding the ability to grandfather the unlimited plan for all online orders by June 6 is VERY deceiving, if this is true.

 

[Blorzoga]

Okay I spoke with Apple just now... her words: "unfortunately if you ordered your iPad today then you would have to receive on or before June 6th and purchase the unlimited package. It's been confusing for a lot of people, I'm sorry. I would have been confused as well." She recommended calling Sprint and Verizon up to explore their 3G plans specific to iPad.

I asked her about Apple providing a block of serial numbers to AT&T for iPads that qualify, and she basically said the same thing: no.

Apple's website statement regarding the ability to grandfather the unlimited plan for all online orders by June 6 is VERY deceiving, if this is true.

I'm still not convinced. I seriously doubt an apple employee directed you to go to verizon or sprint. Those people at apple dont know any more than you or I can read on their website. They're just speculating.

 

[jaxo]

Okay I spoke with Apple just now... her words: "unfortunately if you ordered your iPad today then you would have to receive on or before June 6th and purchase the unlimited package. It's been confusing for a lot of people, I'm sorry. I would have been confused as well." She recommended calling Sprint and Verizon up to explore their 3G plans specific to iPad.

I asked her about Apple providing a block of serial numbers to AT&T for iPads that qualify, and she basically said the same thing: no.

Apple's website statement regarding the ability to grandfather the unlimited plan for all online orders by June 6 is VERY deceiving, if this is true.

If that happened, she was confused at best.
Regardless, what's in writing on their website trumps what someone tells you verbally either way.

I called an Apple store and the employee who answered the phone didn't know how I could get the unlimited plan before it expired and said I should check with AT&T, but I did online chat on the Apple.com website and that person checked and said it can be done:

Hi, my name is Carla G. Welcome to Apple!
*

Carla G: Good evening.
*

You: If I order an iPad 3G this week, is there any way to reserve the data plan before it changes June 7th?
*

Carla G: One moment, I will be happy to verify that for you.
*

Carla G: Yes by ordering the iPad before June 6th then you will able to qualify for the current pricing.
*

You: How will I be able to sign up with AT&T when I won't have possession of the iPad before the June 7th deadline?

It may not be an option to choose when I try to activate it.
*

Carla G: As long as you place the order before June 6th, you will be eligible for the current pricing.

 

[diehldun]

I'm still not convinced. I seriously doubt an apple employee directed you to go to verizon or sprint. Those people at apple dont know any more than you or I can read on their website. They're just speculating.

I agree, the lady didn't seem like she knew what she was talking about and I still don't have much confidence. I really hope we will get concrete clarification from Apple and AT&T soon regarding this issue!


ME: I'm confused because on the website it says "*Available if ordering iPad from the Apple Online Store by June 6"

HER: It's been confusing for a lot of people, I'm sorry. At&t will be changing there plan and there is unfortunately nothing that we can do about it however there are other options available to you.

HER: Verizon & Sprint have other options that you can consider.

ME: Verizon and Sprint provide 3G service for the iPad too??

HER: Oh no it is not exclusive to At&t any more. You can give them a call to see what kind of deals they would offer at Sprint or Verizon.

HER: I don't have all the details for Sprint and Verizon so I would definitely recommend you giving them a call for more information.

HER: I know that with Verizon it is called MiFi.

 

[jaxo]

I agree, the lady didn't seem like she knew what she was talking about and I still don't have much confidence. I really hope we will get concrete clarification from Apple and AT&T soon regarding this issue!


ME: I'm confused because on the website it says "*Available if ordering iPad from the Apple Online Store by June 6"

HER: It's been confusing for a lot of people, I'm sorry. At&t will be changing there plan and there is unfortunately nothing that we can do about it however there are other options available to you.

HER: Verizon & Sprint have other options that you can consider.

ME: Verizon and Sprint provide 3G service for the iPad too??

HER: Oh no it is not exclusive to At&t any more. You can give them a call to see what kind of deals they would offer at Sprint or Verizon.

HER: I don't have all the details for Sprint and Verizon so I would definitely recommend you giving them a call for more information.

HER: I know that with Verizon it is called MiFi.

What more clarification would be needed when it's in writing and she didn't point you to anything updated in writing that contradicts it?

What someone tells you verbally means nothing in this case.