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What Do I Do About My Darned Husband?

M

meagain

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Nov 18, 2006
2,571
26
So get this.... I'm totally 100% obsessed with the iPhone but can't justify getting one as I work from home and really don't even need a cell phone, let alone this. My husband wants one. Yea for me because then I get to play with it when he gets home each night & on weekends. :D

BUT - He does NOT share my 100% faith enthusiasm and wants to wait till reviews start coming in. WHAT? I'm close to a store and have more than flexible time to stand in line either to make the buy or hold his place in line for when he gets off work. Further, it'll be a Friday so we could have a full weekend of new iPhone fun. But he's balking. 'No 3g', 'AT&T ewww', 'can I use it as a modem for my laptop?', blablabla...... I KNOW in my heart he's going to get one in the end anyway so why not get it on launch day?

Now, what am I to do here? I am officially taking any tricks, hints, suggestions to be able to turn this around and get in on the big party. Note: Getting a new husband is not practical at this time. HELP? :confused: :cool: Failure is not an option.
 
you're his partner right?

solution is easy = cut him off unless he buys one. :)

he'll change his mind pretty quick i'm sure.
 
Tell him if he doesn't like it after a few days, you'll return it - or sell it on eBay.
 
apachie2k said:
well he does come home every night... so you could give him "incentive" or "consequences" ahaha... don't think of it as extortion, more like negotiation!
Click to expand...

Haha, I like this way of thinking. It can be quite simple for a woman to get whatever she wants with her partners approval. ;)

OTOH, I say, if he is paying for it, respect his decision. If it is joing earnings or whatever then back to plan A. ;)

David
 
I know exactly what you mean.

wow, that sounds like my scenario. I want one, but can't justify the cost. But I can always justify buying my wife something nice! She's always wanted a PDA, needs a new phone, and has become addicted to texting and IM.

This way I get to play with it, but don't feel guilty about buying a new toy. Besides my 12" PowerBook is small enough to take with me everywhere I need internet and email!

But as for your case, why not just buy it? He'll be mad for like 2 seconds. ;)
 
First off, it's adorable how badly you want this iPhone. But, I think you need to look into why your husband feels he should wait on it. He seems to need a smart phone for work (and you just for play), so concerns over usability, first generation bugs, lack of 3G, no outside-vendor programs allowed, at&t being crap, etc. are very valid. Patience is a virtue, and so is supporting your partner. I say let him wait, but maybe have him buy you a video iPod or something to use while you have to wait with him. I should add that incentives might help you persuade him quicker, and best of luck to you, but keep in mind that you're pressuring into (I think) a $600 toy and a 2-year commitment to a carrier he doesn't like. And imagine how you'll feel if it's full of bugs after you force him to get it. On the other hand, if you are able to afford the iPhone on your own salary without financially hurting your family's quality of life, and really want a $600 toy, just get it with your own money.

To sum it up: Be patient, be understanding, be realistic, and most importantly be supportive. But, if he caves, let us know how you like it.
 
Well, his work bought him his current phone and also pays the monthly fees (data & phone). His current phone isn't a smart phone. Just a phone that can do some crude internet. While they have a different carrier, he could minimally break off with that carrier, pay the AT&T bill himself, then expense it back. It'll probably cost the same.
So it's not a money issue. It's an issue of him being far more lacksadaisical(sp) about it than I. And while IDK what's going to happen with availability on release day, I'm worried about it whereas he seems to take the stance that there will be tons of phones and he can just waltz into a store on Monday to buy. I think he might be mistaken (big time) on that and Apple will limit distribution which equals free marketing by making people covet/desire one more. I'm banking on poor availability. He doesn't really buy the concept as a possibility. I of course see this as a problem to be fixed. :)

While he does have 3g now, his phone basically sucks. What good is 3g if it can't really do the internet anyway? IMO, I'd rather have a bit slower REAL internet than a faster internet that really doesn't work anyway?

Now, if they sell the phone with instructions to go home and activate the AT&T online, then I can buy it myself. Surely he'd keep it.
Anyone have an inkling what the return policy is if the phone isn't activated? A restocking fee - right?
 
meagain said:
Well, his work bought him his current phone and also pays the monthly fees (data & phone). His current phone isn't a smart phone. Just a phone that can do some crude internet. While they have a different carrier, he could minimally break off with that carrier, pay the AT&T bill himself, then expense it back. It'll probably cost the same.
So it's not a money issue. It's an issue of him being far more lacksadaisical(sp) about it than I. And while IDK what's going to happen with availability on release day, I'm worried about it whereas he seems to take the stance that there will be tons of phones and he can just waltz into a store on Monday to buy. I think he might be mistaken (big time) on that and Apple will limit distribution which equals free marketing by making people covet/desire one more. I'm banking on poor availability. He doesn't really buy the concept as a possibility. I of course see this as a problem to be fixed. :)

While he does have 3g now, his phone basically sucks. What good is 3g if it can't really do the internet anyway? IMO, I'd rather have a bit slower REAL internet than a faster internet that really doesn't work anyway?

Now, if they sell the phone with instructions to go home and activate the AT&T online, then I can buy it myself. Surely he'd keep it.
Anyone have an inkling what the return policy is if the phone isn't activated? A restocking fee - right?
Click to expand...

It's not even going to be your phone. Relax. He's the one who's going to have to use it, so let him wait if he wants. What does it really matter if you get one the second they're released? He's going to have to take it away from you to use as, you know, a phone. And if he doesn't want to be committed to AT&T, forcing him to because YOU want a phone to play with is kind of selfish, IMO.

If his company is paying for a regular phone and not a smartphone, he may not be able to expense the data plan back. my company requires that you have service comparable to what they offered you to get them to reimburse your bill. Anything over that comes out of your pocket here.

So forcing him into a phone he's not sure he wants on a carrier he doesn't like while potentially adding a $40/mo bill for the data service seems a bit rediculous. If you really want one, but can't justify it for your own use, then don't get one. don't force someone else to get one for your amusement.
 
I am so glad that everyone is not supporting the "cut him off unless he buys one" moto that was thrown about earlier. Aside from it just being mean, I think the person who added that "when gadgets become more important than your relationship, you have a problem" was right on point. You really shouldn't be pressuring your husband into buying a toy you simply want when he is unsure about it, exspecially when he has his current phone paid for and he might not be able to expense an iPhone fully through his employer. Regardless you REALLY SHOULD NOT just go out and buy it assuming that he'll like it when he sees it and that there will be a small restocking fee. Remeber that this is something that he'll have to use and pay for or have to deal with terminating a phone plan (VERY HARD TO DO) and return the phone (ALSO HARD TO DO). You just want the newest and shiniest TOY and you can't be bothered with waiting! Be patient, be SUPPORTIVE of your husband, or buy it for yourself with your own money! Your second post is basically a list of justifications (that you're telling yourself) so you don't feel bad when you buy yourself a toy with his money. Like he just doesn't realize that he'll be better off and you're really doing it for him... YEAH RIGHT. You're only thinking about yourself and you're not being realistic. Go get an iPod video to play with!!!


Sorry for the rant... I've just been on the paying side of this argument in the past. Gahhhhhhhhhh
 
Can I add that "meagain" is a very "Sex and the City," "Dear Diary," etc. kind of name...

all about making choices with no regard for reason or accountability


:cool:
 
Adokimus said:
Sorry for the rant... I've just been on the paying side of this argument in the past. Gahhhhhhhhhh
Click to expand...

:) No need to explain. I figured I hit a nerve by the 3rd sentence.
No No... He wants one really bad and keeps talking about it. The cost is a non-issue as Data is already being paid for (about $40 he thinks). He needs a new phone anyway. I'm just excited about the product and don't think Apple would release this iPhone if it wasn't going to work and question waiting a week to buy it. He's still using a Windows laptop and I think doesn't fully 'get' the Mac experience.

Just trying to go all Apple here in the house.

There's no indication yet that the iPhone will be available on display before launch - right? IDK how it went down with previous iPods, etc. It would be helpful if one could at least see it in person pre-launch.
 
Rev. A anybody? Personally, I am glad that they aren't coming out in the UK for several months. Apple will have shaken out the bugs by then.
 
meagain said:
I'm just excited about the product and don't think Apple would release this iPhone if it wasn't going to work and question waiting a week to buy it.
Click to expand...

Oh, trust me, Apple has released products before they were ready and/or products that had flaws that didn't become apparent until the masses got a hold of them. The most recent probably being Apple Color which has enough show-stopping bugs to keep many pros away from it until there's an update or two. And, at least you can always update software. If there is something glitchy w/hardware that's much more of a PITA to address.

No offense, but I typically let people like your buy the Rev A products and stumble upon all the bugs so when the improved Rev B comes out I know I'm getting a more mature product. ;)


Lethal
 
lord patton said:
wow, that sounds like my scenario. I want one, but can't justify the cost. But I can always justify buying my wife something nice! She's always wanted a PDA, needs a new phone, and has become addicted to texting and IM.

This way I get to play with it, but don't feel guilty about buying a new toy. Besides my 12" PowerBook is small enough to take with me everywhere I need internet and email!

But as for your case, why not just buy it? He'll be mad for like 2 seconds. ;)
Click to expand...

... whose ur wife texting so much lol.. better becareful man
 
Just get one, and if you don't like it, you can either return it or sell it on eBay for lots and lots of profit.
 
Furious - I like that line and will try it on my husband right now.
 
ok ok.. if he really wants it too, I'll take back some of what I said. But, he is right to want to wait for some initial reviews. It's just the smart thing to do. Patience! If you're filthy rich, then buy it, but waiting a little (at least for initial reviews) is really the best idea. Apple is very secretive about it's products and there is no real-world review of the iPhone yet. And Apple, as well as any other company, has released products in the past that weren't yet clean of bugs and defects. Despite what a previous poster says, you WILL NOT be able to sell it on eBay for a large profit if there are bugs and doesn't work right.

My advice to wait still stands!
 
Adokimus said:
ok ok.. if he really wants it too, I'll take back some of what I said. But, he is right to want to wait for some initial reviews. It's just the smart thing to do. Patience! If you're filthy rich, then buy it, but waiting a little (at least for initial reviews) is really the best idea. Apple is very secretive about it's products and there is no real-world review of the iPhone yet. And Apple, as well as any other company, has released products in the past that weren't yet clean of bugs and defects. Despite what a previous poster says, you WILL NOT be able to sell it on eBay for a large profit if there are bugs and doesn't work right.

My advice to wait still stands!
Click to expand...

you won't be able to sell it on eBay anyway, as cingular contracts state that if you cancel service anytime in the first 6 mos, you will have to return any equipment you bought when you signed the contract.
 
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