Carrier AT&T 2018 iPhone Pre-Order Thread

[FSUSeminole007]

Space Gray XS Max 256gb
Order date: 09/14/2018 at 10:50:26 a.m. ET

Received 2 emails
Status: Preparing to Ship

Gold XS Max 256gb
Order date: 09/14/2018 at 11:08:11 a.m. ET

Received 2 emails
Status: In Process

Interesting, I wonder if color determines preparing to ship v. In process. I too, ordered a Gold XS Max and am still at the 'in process' status mark. Perhaps this is a data point worth exploring.
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Maybe I can clear some stuff up for people. I used to work at the fulfilment centers that shipped phones for carriers. Apple gives ATT an inventory of phones weeks before the pre orders before the phone is announced (200K SG XS Max, 100K SG XS, etc) so if you got a delivery date on this Friday than that means ATT has a device that is alloted for you, The only times people wont get the device on time is from issues such as billing issues, or transport issues (Late Plans, Late Trucks etc). Moral of the story if your delivery date from ATT shows this Friday you already have a phone assigned to you and you have a 99% chance of getting it to you on time, As well dont worry if its Wednesday or Thursday and your phone hasnt shipped, depending on where you are from the hub or services as next day air they can ship the phones last minute and still get to you on time. Remember UPS and Fedex do this stuff EVERYDAY and have this shipping stuff down to a science.

This is one of the most well written, and thoughtful posts i've seen thus far. Thank you for summarizing everyone's concerns and relaying data driven information.

 

[steve knight]

Oh man, what a mess!! Sorry to hear about that.

never had a order problem but last eyar when I returned my phone they lost it. I called and called and they finally found it but then they returned it cause it was returned late. then I battled to prove I shipped it on time and I finally got it returned again. but they only gave me half the credit as they charged me the full amount. when they did not get the phone. then I got the phone back again so I just sold it and came out a little behind.
[doublepost=1537207992][/doublepost]

Oof- I have my confirmation (second email) but with $0.00 for total- never payed taxes so not sure my order will go through or not.. Still "in progress"

I never got a notice there was a problem I just logged into att and saw it. and it sounded like no clue what was going on.

 

[Dld23]

well for the first time att goofed up my order. I saw a notice on my account about a problem with my phone order. I had to call first they said unpaid taxes Hello this is oregon second I did not pay the 35.00 upgrade fee. Hello gave you my card. after 20 minutes or so on hold and them sending me a temp passcode then they said I could not upgrade till I paid about 450 to pay off my phone. then after talking they got my IMI number I had to turn off find my phone and then they placed the order again. so now of course my order is delayed.

Same happened to me. Pay amount off to upgrade(it reflects instantly), go to best buy website and order there for att. You need phone number and 4 digit security code. Best buy is still showing a 9/21 date. You can set it up on next plans from best buy site too.

 

[steve knight]

How can you see the ship date? I don't see it.

 

[Murx52]

never had a order problem but last eyar when I returned my phone they lost it. I called and called and they finally found it but then they returned it cause it was returned late. then I battled to prove I shipped it on time and I finally got it returned again. but they only gave me half the credit as they charged me the full amount. when they did not get the phone. then I got the phone back again so I just sold it and came out a little behind.
[doublepost=1537207992][/doublepost]
I never got a notice there was a problem I just logged into att and saw it. and it sounded like no clue what was going on.

Did you ever receive the 2 confirmation emails before you eventually logged into AT&T? Hoping the will cahrge it to my bill but I doubt it

 

[RGC1981]

Hello all,

I went with the iPhone Xs Max 256GB in silver. My iPhone 6 was gold, iPhone 7 plus Jet Black so I went with the silver this time. I placed my order on Saturday.

 

[Skoal]

And each year, 98% of the people who come here are so concerned. I get it...it's like Christmas for us, but just chill.

Yep. Been doing this pretty much every release since the iPhone 4 and I recall I used to get all worked up. By now I know how it all ends up (even if I have no real idea how) and it nearly always ends up the same. Fret for a week over this and that and in the end your phone shows up on time (for 95% of the folks who preorder). I understand the excitement and fear of the unknown but it’s just a phone.

 

[bmdub]

Yep. Been doing this pretty much every release since the iPhone 4 and I recall I used to get all worked up. By now I know how it all ends up (even if I have no real idea how) and it nearly always ends up the same. Fret for a week over this and that and in the end your phone shows up on time (for 95% of the folks who preorder). I understand the excitement and fear of the unknown but it’s just a phone.

Yep...that's how long I've been doing it too. Patience my young padawans. AT&T sucks as far as customer service, but they have this shipping thing down. They aren't going to give you any updates, but just like Christmas magic you'll get your phone on Friday.

 

[steve knight]

Did you ever receive the 2 confirmation emails before you eventually logged into AT&T? Hoping the will cahrge it to my bill but I doubt it

Yes the order was fine got text and email notifications along with my wife's phone. If I had not logged into the att page i would not even have known.

 

[smooth]

Yep. Been doing this pretty much every release since the iPhone 4 and I recall I used to get all worked up. By now I know how it all ends up (even if I have no real idea how) and it nearly always ends up the same. Fret for a week over this and that and in the end your phone shows up on time (for 95% of the folks who preorder). I understand the excitement and fear of the unknown but it’s just a phone.

We upgrade our phones every other year. iPhone 4's were our first. We were excited but new to the Apple ecosystem at the time, we only had MacBooks and iPods. We switched carriers so we walked out of an AT&T store with the phones a few months after release.

We upgraded to the 5's and I honestly don't even remember if we did it online or at the store. With the 6's I was the most excited. While the 4's and 5's were nice additions to the ecosystem, I just found them too small to spend any significant amount of time on them. I was very happy when the Plus's were announced and I recall following the AT&T thread for the first time on here. Once I realized the huge demand, I accepted it would be several weeks til mine shipped and I was ok with that. But I remember about 4 or 5 individuals posted many times a day, encouraging each other and posting so many updates. I continued following the thread well after I got my phone until those individuals got their phones and stopped posting about it. Truly entertaining posts just about a phone, it was almost like a support group. When we upgraded to the 7 Plus's, I don't think I even came on here but this time find myself scrolling to through almost 700 posts lol

 

[Murx52]

Yes the order was fine got text and email notifications along with my wife's phone. If I had not logged into the att page i would not even have known.

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it. I logged in and nothing- only notice I have is my order "in progress" I think ill wait it out until Wednesday and see if they ship it. If not, ill cancel and order from Apple directly. I don't mind waiting an extra week or so. iOS 12 on the X can hold me over

 

[bmdub]

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it. I logged in and nothing- only notice I have is my order "in progress" I think ill wait it out until Wednesday and see if they ship it. If not, ill cancel and order from Apple directly. I don't mind waiting an extra week or so. iOS 12 on the X can hold me over

If you have a 9/21 date and are currently "In Progress", I urge you to NOT cancel on Wednesday. Please. Trust us. AT&T sucks at updating order status. I believe the last phone I had shipped I got the shipping notification in the wee hours of Friday morning. But...you do you.

 

[Murx52]

If you have a 9/21 date and are currently "In Progress", I urge you to NOT cancel on Wednesday. Please. Trust us. AT&T sucks at updating order status. I believe the last phone I had shipped I got the shipping notification in the wee hours of Friday morning. But...you do you.

Think that's a good idea- again, I have no issues waiting so I have nothing to loose so Ill wait till Friday, or to see if I have tracking by then or Monday. I tried to order from Apple but kept getting error messages when processing so went through ATT. Wish they were a little more communicative with their customers....

 

[iDrummer3]

If you have a 9/21 date and are currently "In Progress", I urge you to NOT cancel on Wednesday. Please. Trust us. AT&T sucks at updating order status. I believe the last phone I had shipped I got the shipping notification in the wee hours of Friday morning. But...you do you.

I agree. If you still have a 9/21 delivery date there is a 99% chance you will get your phone on Friday. Just looking at all of the posts, the ones who contact ATT and have them poking around in their order, are usually the ones who get theirs mysteriously canceled. Just be patient and dont contact ATT unless you get an email or notice to do so.

 

[Evangelistman]

well for the first time att goofed up my order. I saw a notice on my account about a problem with my phone order. I had to call first they said unpaid taxes Hello this is oregon second I did not pay the 35.00 upgrade fee. Hello gave you my card. after 20 minutes or so on hold and them sending me a temp passcode then they said I could not upgrade till I paid about 450 to pay off my phone. then after talking they got my IMI number I had to turn off find my phone and then they placed the order again. so now of course my order is delayed.

Dang! I was never asked to pay taxes when I placed the order, and no one from AT&T has reached out to me about it. I called today and a manager said it would be charged to my bill, although that’s never happened before.
What happened when you ordered?

 

[Skoal]

Mine is expected to deliver 9/21 but not shipping until 9/20. Isn’t that odd?

No not really. Happens often. They overnight stuff. If it’s shipping on 9/20 from China, they are a day ahead basically. If the shipping is indicating 9/20 from one of the US hubs then it’s overnight.

 

[Murx52]

I agree. If you still have a 9/21 delivery date there is a 99% chance you will get your phone on Friday. Just looking at all of the posts, the ones who contact ATT and have them poking around in their order, are usually the ones who get theirs mysteriously canceled. Just be patient and dont contact ATT unless you get an email or notice to do so.

10/4- good call- just not sure how I got out of paying taxes? But hey, that's what happens when your site gets slammed at 3AM lol....outliers still occur I guess.
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Dang! I was never asked to pay taxes when I placed the order, and no one from AT&T has reached out to me about it. I called today and a manager said it would be charged to my bill, although that’s never happened before.
What happened when you ordered?

I saw a drop down that said put on bill- but during that time the site was getting crushed and I had to reload some webpages as they didn't load properly. So not sure, but they may start allowing people to do that now? new policy?

 

[dt808]

Ordered my 7Plus from ATT and got it on release day.

Ordered my wife's 8Plus from ATT last year and got it on release day.

I'm sure I will also get my XS Max on release day.

I think if you don't have billing issues, you should be fine on release day if you ordered immediately when the pre-order started.

 

[bmdub]

I agree. If you still have a 9/21 delivery date there is a 99% chance you will get your phone on Friday. Just looking at all of the posts, the ones who contact ATT and have them poking around in their order, are usually the ones who get theirs mysteriously canceled. Just be patient and dont contact ATT unless you get an email or notice to do so.

Off topic...I remember you from last year, iDrummer. lol

10/4- good call- just not sure how I got out of paying taxes? But hey, that's what happens when your site gets slammed at 3AM lol....outliers still occur I guess.
[doublepost=1537215307][/doublepost]
I saw a drop down that said put on bill- but during that time the site was getting crushed and I had to reload some webpages as they didn't load properly. So not sure, but they may start allowing people to do that now? new policy?

Yes, they are and it was my default so I'm sure lots of people didn't realize it.

 

[joefrank64k]

I’ve been on the yearly upgrade train since iPhone 2007. The last two cycles were the first time I used AT&T, since their site came up before Apple’s.

Yes, shipping updates are hit and miss, but they said “delivers by xx/xx” and they delivered on “xx/xx”.

IIRC, my status changed from “processing” to “preparig to ship” Thursday night, and then to “shipped” when the FedEx driver rang the doorbell on Friday morning, haha!!

Bottom line.. don’t worry folks (I know easier said than done, haha!!). If they say delivers on “09/21” then you’ll get it, updates be damned.

 

[ssledoux]

Anyone know if AT&T still has XS phones available for 9/21 arrival? Looking for a 64 gb silver or gold for my daughter. I can’t get to the order screen though without paying off her 8+ and I don’t want to do that if there’s gonna be a big delay in the shipping.

 

[Surfer13134]

Anyone know if AT&T still has XS phones available for 9/21 arrival? Looking for a 64 gb silver or gold for my daughter. I can’t get to the order screen though without paying off her 8+ and I don’t want to do that if there’s gonna be a big delay in the shipping.

Still shows a Friday delivery. You can check just dont log into ATT and browse like a new or guest customer. https://www.att.com/cellphones/iphone/apple-iphone-xs.html#sku=sku9200512

 

[scorpioria]

Glad I'm not alone

I posted a screen shot of that same info - it did the same thing last year right before it shipped...it said backorder via the text and that is exactly what you want it to say
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My order just says preparing to ship on AT&T website and can't track by reference number yet on UPS so no label created.

My shipment always comes via FedEx

 

[ssledoux]

Still shows a Friday delivery. You can check just dont log into ATT and browse like a new or guest customer. https://www.att.com/cellphones/iphone/apple-iphone-xs.html#sku=sku9200512

I just know sometimes they change the dates during checkout.

I just looked and it says order for delivery September 21, and then it says “shipping date subject to change.”

 

[scorpioria]

No not really. Happens often. They overnight stuff. If it’s shipping on 9/20 from China, they are a day ahead basically. If the shipping is indicating 9/20 from one of the US hubs then it’s overnight.

Its usually waiting at your local hub all week then BAM overnight shipping - even if arrives in your area FedEx and UPS get specific instructions not to deliver until 9/21