Not allowed to open box in store

[kdarling]

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/Documents/iphonelaunchguide2.pdf

Hmm. Several places in that AT&T launch manual note that the customer is supposed to leave the store with the box still sealed. No opening allowed.

Yet returns are subject to a 10% restocking fee.

I don't like leaving with a sealed box when a device costs that much.

I can't count the number of times that I've gotten a sealed box home and found out something important was missing.

I think this policy will be hard to enforce.

 

[jshbckr]

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/Documents/iphonelaunchguide2.pdf

Hmm. Several places in that AT&T launch manual note that the customer is supposed to leave the store with the box still sealed. No opening allowed.

Yet returns are subject to a 10% restocking fee.

I don't like leaving with a sealed box when a device costs that much.

I can't count the number of times that I've gotten a sealed box home and found out something important was missing.

I think this policy will be hard to enforce.

If something was missing from your "sealed" box, then it wasn't really SEALED.

iPhones will be Apple sealed, so you can be confident everything will be in there.

 

[tasslehawf]

Like those camera shops in NYC where it's a certain price for the camera and then sell you the accessories from the box as extras ("well that'll be $50 for the manual..").

 

[Le Big Mac]

If something was missing from your "sealed" box, then it wasn't really SEALED.

iPhones will be Apple sealed, so you can be confident everything will be in there.

And, if not, presumably they'll give it to you free.

If you're really worried, just open it up after they hand you the bag. I don't think the restriction applies to the customer--the point is the salesman isn't supposed to take everything out and show you how it works.

 

[loudestnoise]

Or just walk out the door, open it then. If it's missing stuff run back in screaming, "Fraud! I'm calling Steve!" Something will be done.

 

[sananda]

obviously you the customer can open the box if you want to. it will be yours. it's in the document to stop at&t people opening the box if the customer doesn't want that but want to have their private little fan opening ceremony

 

[ghall]

obviously you the customer can open the box if you want to. it will be yours. it's in the document to stop at&t people opening the box if the customer doesn't want that but want to have their private little fan opening ceremony

Agreed. AT&T could care less about the customer opening the box before leaving the store. They just don't want their employees opening it. Seems reasonable to me.

 

[r6girl]

yeah, i'd actually suggest people open their iphone boxes before they leave the store. i knew someone (and read other stories online) who purchased a nano, and when they opened the box, there was no nano in it! the box was sealed and freshly purchased from an apple store. there was no final word on what had happened, but it was replaced, and the thought was it was most likely theft in the packaging line before it left the factory. i'm guessing the security at the factory for the iphone is greater, but you never know...

 

[kdarling]

Agreed. AT&T could care less about the customer opening the box before leaving the store. They just don't want their employees opening it. Seems reasonable to me.

C'mon, did you guys even read the document before answering? Obviously not. Quote, including their boldface:

"Customers who purchase iPhone will leave the store with a sealed box. The box is not to be opened in-store."

 

[carfac]

"Customers who purchase iPhone will leave the store with a sealed box. The box is not to be opened in-store."

Or what? Is ATT gonna call the cops on their customers? Violation of civil code 34-13: Opening your personal property in a public place?

That is just wacked!

 

[sananda]

C'mon, did you guys even read the document before answering? Obviously not. Quote, including their boldface:

"Customers who purchase iPhone will leave the store with a sealed box. The box is not to be opened in-store."

yes i read the document. what do you think is the purpose of telling at&t employees this? it's because apple buyers are more particular than the average buyer and many many would be upset to get an already opened box. it's for the benefit of the buyer. if the buyer wants to open the box, s/he can. unless america has recently turned into a totalitarian state and no-one informed me here in the uk.

 

[aricher]

Tis is strange news indeed.

 

[dagomike]

I suspect the reason is so they can enforce the 10% restock. If Chuckles opens the box for the customer, or allows the customer to open it in front of him, that would be a door for returning w/o paying the restock. Apple obviously doesn't want to deal with returned products from fickle customers during constrained supplies.

I suppose too that Apple clearly doesn't put much faith in AT&T retail. They want Chuckles & Co. to have as little interaction as possible with their customer's iPhone experience.

 

[kdarling]

I suspect the reason is so they can enforce the 10% restock. If Chuckles opens the box for the customer, or allows the customer to open it in front of him, that would be a door for returning w/o paying the restock. Apple obviously doesn't want to deal with returned products from fickle customers during constrained supplies.

I suppose too that Apple clearly doesn't put much faith in AT&T retail. They want Chuckles & Co. to have as little interaction as possible with their customer's iPhone experience.

Now THAT's an intelligent response. And it makes sense. Thank you.

 

[*Spitfire*]

Do Not Remove This Tag Under Penalty of Law

Anyone who actually opens the iPhone box while still in the store can join up with those already on the lam for having torn off their mattress tags.

 

[neven]

Anyone who actually opens the iPhone box while still in the store can join up with those already on the lam for having torn off their mattress tags.

Off-topic, but since you brought it up... It's perfectly legal for you, the end buyer of the mattress, to take off the tag. That's exactly what it says on it. It's illegal for the seller to do it since the tag contains material disclosures.

And yes, you the buyer can open the iPhone box in-store. They just don't want employees to do it.

 

[wongulous]

This thread has inspired me to refer to all AT&T employees (even directly when speaking with them) as "Chuckles."

 

[carfac]

And yes, you the buyer can open the iPhone box in-store. They just don't want employees to do it.

That is NOT what the ATT memo says. In fact, the ATT memo does not make reference to Employees at all.

Again, for the 3 or 4th time in this thread:


"Customers who purchase iPhone will leave the store with a sealed box. The box is not to be opened in-store."

 

[sananda]

That is NOT what the ATT memo says. In fact, the ATT memo does not make reference to Employees at all.

Again, for the 3 or 4th time in this thread:


"Customers who purchase iPhone will leave the store with a sealed box. The box is not to be opened in-store."

are we taking orders from apple now?

ve vill obey!

 

[greymouser]

I would assume this is to keep the flow of the store moving, and not some plot to secretly steal from their customers.

With the anticipation of huge crowds, I bet the stores are simply trying to keep the store from jamming with a hundred people, all hunched over their iphone boxes as they tear into them like rabid ten year olds on Christmas day.

And hey, if you want to open the box in-store, I'm sure that the stores can't really stop you. But you'll probably end up looking like total tools for jamming up the aisles and slowing down everyone behind you.

Have fun tomorrow, and remember; play nice.

 

[voicegy]

I bet the stores are simply trying to keep the store from jamming with a hundred people, all hunched over their iphone boxes as they tear into them like rabid ten year olds on Christmas day.

LMAO. Exactly.

 

[SheriffParker]

That is NOT what the ATT memo says. In fact, the ATT memo does not make reference to Employees at all.

Again, for the 3 or 4th time in this thread:


"Customers who purchase iPhone will leave the store with a sealed box. The box is not to be opened in-store."

I double dog DARE you to open your box in the store after you buy it.

No! I'd never do that. I could get in big trouble!

I TRIPLE dog dare you to leave the store with your iPhone in hand, unboxed.

NOOOOOOO!!!

 

[jaw04005]

I think this document just reinforces that this phone should not be treated like others sold at the store. Whereas, normally the AT&T service rep opens your new phone's box, inserts the SIM card and calls and activates your service through corporate ... the iPhone will be treated differently (or not so differently if you are used to purchasing iPods).