Reader Anthony was robbed at knifepoint by a jerk with a 10″ blade, but his real complaint is that he feels that AT&T is robbing him again. After he filed a police report and told AT&T that his new iPhone had been stolen, they told him that since he already bought an iPhone he no longer qualified for the subsidized price of $199.
Anthony writes:
My name is Anthony [redacted], and I was just robbed at knifepoint in Queens, NY, for my iPhone. I was walking home fairly late at night and a man walked up to me wielding a 10-inch or so blade and demanded my money and my iPhone.
I am writing you because after reporting the robbery to the police, I called AT&T – my service provider for 3 years – and asked if they could possibly work with the NYPD to track down my phone via the iPhone 3G’s GPS. They said it was not possible to track any closer than the closest cell tower if the iPhone’s functions were used, which kind of defeats the purpose of GPS in many ways. Given the Patriot Act and everything, I figured they can track down where we’re taking a piss at this point.
But the big problem came when we started talking about replacing my iPhone 3G. Now I was an early adopter of the original 8GB iPhone and I just purchased the iPhone 3G in July. So when I asked if there would be a free replacement or a discount of sorts, the woman at customer service responded that since I just purchased the iPhone 3G that I would have not qualify for the discounted $199 iPhone 3G and I would have to purchase the phone at the higher price point of $399.
So after being such a long time AT&T customer and supporter of Apple’s marquee product of the moment, I have been told that despite the fact that I was robbed by someone brandishing what was essentially a mini-machete I am now being robbed by AT&T.
I feel insulted as a customer, and appalled by the customer service at AT&T. This is beyond poor customer service; this is a lack of basic human compassion.
It’s a shame that you’re stuck in a 2-year contract because of a phone that you now no longer have. Ugh! AT&T is probably a dead end, but if you bought the phone with a credit card, you might want to call your credit card company. Many credit cards have 90-day “purchase assurance” or “purchase protection” programs that protect your recent purchases from loss, damage or theft.
Most people don’t think to call their credit card company when something like this happens, which is a shame because they can be very helpful, and certainly more pleasant to deal with than your cellphone company. Don’t delay, however, once the 90-days is over, so is the coverage.
(Photo: jetsetpress )
More From Consumerist
-
Getting Robbed Would Be Worse If Thieves Didn't Leave You With Bus Fare
-
Top Posts Of The Week And Open Thread
-
Pole Vaulter: Delta Airlines Robbed Me Of My Title By Losing My Poles
-
A Mobile Phone Warranty Isn’t The Same Thing As Insurance
-
Teen Bragging Online About Pulling Off Bank Robbery Must’ve Thought No One Watches YouTube
Just to make this really clear to anyone who’s iPhone is stolen, AT&T WILL NOT sell you a replacement at any price…
You must do one of the following
A: Open a new number on your account and get an iPhone on that account. You can later cancel that number and pay the early term charge. Net Cost= $199+tax +$175 decreasing early term fee +$10/mo voice + $30/mo data x #of months before terminating that number (at least one) you may also be required to make a deposit to open a new line, they wanted $300 in my case. Total is greater than $700 for me
B: Switch a bundle of your home services to AT&T must be two of the following Internet, Voiceline, DirectTV Net Cost: $199 + Tax plus or minus difference in cost of services +time to do so. This option may not be available everywhere and is a one time thing.
C. This is the one that makes me sick. AT&T condones the purchase of stolen property from Craigslist or eBay. We all pretty much can guess where these handsets came from, that’s right you are buying someone else’s stolen, err, lost phone. Net Cost $350-$600. This is by far the simplest way to get another iPhone, buy a stolen one.
So, yes, there are options for replacement, just not from AT&T without opening another vein and sending more blood their way. I’m thinking about starting a class action suit so we at least have the option to purchase a new replacement at $400 or maybe $350 for a referb without having to job their system.
SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE -
I asked him….
If you were driving your BMW and someone carjacked you, should the dealer or BMW give you a replacement for free? Nope!
Granted neither Apple or AT&T offer ANY sort of insurance on this phone specifically to make a buck raping people into buying a new phone, but the real kicker is that if you bought the FIRST phone at FULL PRICE, how could that “lock” you into a contract – This is why Ive revolted against iPhone and AT&T for the last 2 years.
At the end of the day…
1. Should have had renters or homeowners insurance or an outside agency insurance if you knew your phone was valuable, irreplaceable, and everyone including you know that iPhone is the hottest thing to be stolen these days, surpassing iPods and laptops.
2. Should never ever expect any company that already gave you a major discount on a product to “free” replace, or offer a “discount” on a product you already had, stolen or not, without resigning a new contract if you are at the end of the previous one. If not, then you might be better off canceling service, paying the ETF and resigning for a deal.