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Apple still selling old iPad data plan

S

SailorMike

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 2, 2008
63
0
Orlando
I was shopping for an iPad for my daughter and was stunned to see the old unlimited month-to-month plan STILL on the Apple web store. I called the 800 number and the sales person insisted to me that nothing has changed.

I told him about the announced changes and he conceded that at least he hasn't been told anything. He was very surprised. Yeah, an apple rep.

He gradually became embarrassed and concerned that his own company, Apple, was still advertising an non-existent offer.

I then called AT&T to complain since i have a 3G model and THAT guy had no idea that anything changed! I'm not making this up. After understanding what happened he started ripping his own company!

What a clusterf##k!
 
Well, the "old" data plan is the "current" data plan until Tuesday. If it's still up then, that would be a problem. However, considering that the plan will be honored for all purchases up to then it's not that big a deal.
 
But it's NOT the current plan. Unless you mean that theoretically I can turn unlimited on and off for the next two days.

The month-to-month is gone. Unlimited is grandfathered in. Those are two different issues.
 
Here's the problem: people are ordering iPads today under the mistaken impression that they will be able to get an unlimited data plan for $30. But since iPads are on backorder in most locations, they will never be able to activate that plan.

Apple is going to have to provide refunds or subsidies, as long as they have incorrect marketing material up.

It's misleading advertising. A misrepresentation. They are advertising a benefit that does not exist. Period.
 
"An AT&T representative has confirmed on the company's Facebook page that users who place orders for the 3G-capable iPad by June 7th will be eligible for the unlimited data plan. It is not clear whether customers will be required to sign up for the data plan in some form prior to the 7th and prior to receiving their iPads or if there will be a mechanism put in place that allow those customers to have their devices verified as having been ordered prior to the deadline for activation at a later date once they arrive."
 
poloponies said:
"An AT&T representative has confirmed on the company's Facebook page that users who place orders for the 3G-capable iPad by June 7th will be eligible for the unlimited data plan.
Click to expand...

But users who reserve one for in-store pick-up aren't placing orders. They're making reservations. The purchase is made at the time of pick-up.

People making those reservations today are relying on out-dated marketing materials.

Further, Apple bills your credit card when shipped, not when ordered.

How are consumers going to prove to ATT when they "purchased" their iPad? Where is the place on the built-in order form to upload your receipt, or even provide a comment?

It will take them weeks, at minimum, just to put the internal procedures in place for dealing with this.

I'm glad I don't work for ATT.

I'd speculate, now, that we may not even see a June release of a new iPhone. I'm thinking that the ensuing chaos from this data plan change is the reason why ATT employees were told they couldn't take time off in June. :(
 
poloponies said:
Well, the "old" data plan is the "current" data plan until Tuesday. If it's still up then, that would be a problem. However, considering that the plan will be honored for all purchases up to then it's not that big a deal.
Click to expand...

That's only partially true. The $30 price for unlimited will be honored *only* as long as the person autorenews every month. If they cancel their plan at any time, that option will go away the next time they need data. I'm guessing very few people need unlimited data every month on a device like the iPad.

I think Apple is in for some trouble on this one.
 
That's the other half of the elephant. You have to get unlimited EVERY month, not just on an as needed basis.

When I bought my iPad, I planned on unlimited only three months of the year when I was traveling heavily. Now I have to have it EVERY month to keep it in force.

AT&T's change will cost me $270 per year more.

I know they can change it anytime, but when it's done within weeks, you can reasonably call it unethical and bait-and-switch. Or you could call it AT&T. Same thing.

But my first issue was WHY IS APPLE BEING DRAGGED INTO THE GUTTER BY STILL ADVERTISING ATT FALSE INFO? By still saying that it's month-to-month on their website and through their reps, Apple is joining the deceptive practice. Now I love Apple but... (something about running with the wrong gang)
 
This is starting to become a big mess. I can't believe Apple isn't publicly addressing the situation.
 
SailorMike said:
That's the other half of the elephant. You have to get unlimited EVERY month, not just on an as needed basis.

When I bought my iPad, I planned on unlimited only three months of the year when I was traveling heavily. Now I have to have it EVERY month to keep it in force.

AT&T's change will cost me $270 per year more.

I know they can change it anytime, but when it's done within weeks, you can reasonably call it unethical and bait-and-switch. Or you could call it AT&T. Same thing.

But my first issue was WHY IS APPLE BEING DRAGGED INTO THE GUTTER BY STILL ADVERTISING ATT FALSE INFO? By still saying that it's month-to-month on their website and through their reps, Apple is joining the deceptive practice. Now I love Apple but... (something about running with the wrong gang)
Click to expand...

I think Apple is more at fault actually. I find it hard to believe they didn't know about these changes and yet they heavily marketed the iPad with these plans. I guess they didn't sign a contract with AT&T locking in these rates for customers beforehand. I don't trust either AT&T or Apple anymore. I'll be looking more closely at an Android phone when my contract expires this summer

Honestly, it doesn't sound worth it to me for you to pay the extra cost of having unlimited every month if you only need it for 3.
 
So what do I do? Cut my losses at only wasting $130 for phantom 3G?

Will Steve Jobs be telling us the truth on Monday? Hopefully deception was a one-time event. (like unlimited 3G)
 
barkomatic said:
That's only partially true. The $30 price for unlimited will be honored *only* as long as the person autorenews every month. If they cancel their plan at any time, that option will go away the next time they need data. I'm guessing very few people need unlimited data every month on a device like the iPad.

I think Apple is in for some trouble on this one.
Click to expand...

How do you know you need to autorenew in order to get the unlimited. That provision is not stated on any AT&T or Apple website, only quoted from "an AT&T rep", an "Apple rep". I still have yet to see it on a website.
 
As far as anyone expecting to have unlimited at any time in the future, that's a tough argument to make. People need to understand that contracts may lock you in for a longer term but they also protect consumers from price increases during the term of the contract.
 
This is a publicity issue for Apple, and Jobs should know better.

Promises to the consumer have been prematurely withdrawn and the carrier-hw device partnership isn't all what it seems.

A device that is meant to consume the internet voraciously is now hampered by its only viable carrier in the US.
 
SailorMike said:
That's the other half of the elephant. You have to get unlimited EVERY month, not just on an as needed basis.

When I bought my iPad, I planned on unlimited only three months of the year when I was traveling heavily. Now I have to have it EVERY month to keep it in force.

AT&T's change will cost me $270 per year more.
Click to expand...

Treat it like its unlimited for those three months even if you are on $25 package. Surely its not going to end up costing you $270.00 even if you pay $25 for 2 gigs (unless you use in the neighborhood of 8 gigs/month)

ciaran00 said:
This is a publicity issue for Apple, and Jobs should know better.

Promises to the consumer have been prematurely withdrawn and the carrier-hw device partnership isn't all what it seems.

A device that is meant to consume the internet voraciously is now hampered by its only viable carrier in the US.
Click to expand...

There are no promises. Its a no-contract situation. Where did AT&T/Apple promise to keep this $30/unlimited package? Its nice they are keeping people grandfathered when they dont have too.

Maybe TMobile will come out with a competing package.
 
vw195 said:
There are no promises. Its a no-contract situation. Where did AT&T/Apple promise to keep this $30/unlimited package? Its nice they are keeping people grandfathered when they dont have too.
Click to expand...

Actually, the reason their keeping the unlimited package is so they don't have to change the terms of the contract. If they did, then people would be able to terminate early.
 
ciaran00 said:
This is a publicity issue for Apple, and Jobs should know better.
Click to expand...

If there is a "questions" period for the press at WWDC on Monday, it is going to be a nightmare. I know what most of the questions are going to be about...

We are going to witness Steve either putting his foot in his mouth, or extracting it. Or both. Don't think he can win.
 
Blorzoga said:
How do you know you need to autorenew in order to get the unlimited. That provision is not stated on any AT&T or Apple website, only quoted from "an AT&T rep", an "Apple rep". I still have yet to see it on a website.
Click to expand...

I just called AT&T myself and he confirmed it. In order to keep the unlimited option you have to let your account auto-renew or you'll lose it as soon as you cancel. Very shady.

However, it wouldn't surprise me if Apple got AT&T to reconsider. I hope they do.
 
masterlimp said:
Actually, the reason their keeping the unlimited package is so they don't have to change the terms of the contract. If they did, then people would be able to terminate early.
Click to expand...

For the ipad there is no contract, no terminating early. Iphones a little different
 
barkomatic said:
That's only partially true. The $30 price for unlimited will be honored *only* as long as the person autorenews every month. If they cancel their plan at any time, that option will go away the next time they need data. I'm guessing very few people need unlimited data every month on a device like the iPad.

I think Apple is in for some trouble on this one.
Click to expand...

Agreed! I am pissed! Had I known this I would have bought a WiFi only and tethered it to my Android!

I specifically bought the 3G model because of the unlimited plan. BAIT AND SWITCH! Very bad business!
 
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