iPhone 6 Preordering/Launch day purchasing. No one cares about your tracking info!

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > iPhone 6 Preordering/Launch day purchasing. No one cares about your tracking info!

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Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

Welcome to the thread devoted to stupid questions about preordering the iPhone, people invariably complaining at 12:05 AM when the website they were using goes down, and endless order info updates for the next week!

Should I preorder through Apple or my carrier?

Typically, you want to stick with Apple. They hold the largest preorder stock and have been the most reliable at fulfilling orders on-time. If you're doing anything weird with your plan (mismatched addresses, swapping lines around) then you'll want to go through your carrier, and you'll still probably receive your iPhone on time. Otherwise, preorder through Apple whenever possible.
What about third-party retailers (Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Radioshack, etc.)? They're doing some awesome promotions!

not guaranteed

Okay, I'm going to preorder through Apple. What's the best way to do this?

Apple Store's website

Apple Store app

before

Can I preorder an unlocked phone?

Yes. Buy the unsubsidized "T-Mobile contract-free" version.
What shipping provider will be used?

Whoever gets your iPhone to you on the promised date. No, really. It could be UPS, it could be FedEx � we just don't know. I've received iPhones on the same day from 3 different couriers. Expect the delivery to come signature-required.
What if no one's around to sign for my package?

after your order has shipped

You can sign for it in advance, releasing liability from Apple and allowing the courier to leave it at your front door. This is usually a very bad idea, as thieves have wised up and wander around on iPhone release day looking for small boxes on front doors. If you decide to do this, it's done through the Apple Store on your Order Status page.
Have the package held at your local FedEx/UPS center so you can pick it up on Friday. Using the tracking number (once you have it) you contact your courier and instruct that the package not be put on a truck. Usually this needs to be done by the evening before scheduled delivery. Don't just show up at UPS on Friday morning and say "but it doesn't show Out for Delivery yet!" You won't get your phone. Also expect lines to be long.
Miss the delivery on Friday, receive a note on your door, and react accordingly. You can usually either use this to authorize the package be left at your door on the next attempted delivery, or go pick it up yourself.
Some couriers allow you to reroute the package before delivery (UPS My Choice, etc.) but there may be a fee associated with it. Check with your courier once you have a tracking number for details.

Can I preorder one to be picked up at the Apple Store?

apparently you can!

I'll add more frequently-asked questions to the OP as they come up, and please let me know if I've got something wrong here. US customers should probably ask plan questions in their respective carrier threads:

Verizon AT&T T-Mobile Sprint

CNET also posted a nice FAQ that details each US carriers' and several large retailers' promotions.

Star War Sex Parrot fucked around with this message at 02:15 on Sep 18, 2014

# ? Sep 11, 2014 17:39

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# ? Apr 25, 2024 13:08

CoasterMaster: Aug 13, 2003; The Emperor of the Rides; Nap Ghost

If you're ordering an AT&T iPhone from Apple (this may apply to other carriers as well), you can only have it shipped to your account's billing address. May want to add that

# ? Sep 11, 2014 17:53

Phizzle: Aug 12, 2004; heh heh BONERS

So how do I pre-order if I want to take advantage of the AT&T trade in deal? Do I have to wait until tomorrow and do it in a store?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 17:56

Auron: Jan 10, 2002; <img alt="" border="0" src="https://fi.somethingawful.com/customtitles/title-auron.jpg"/><br/>Drunken Robot Rage

This is a Verizon question:

I'm on my parents' plan, which obviously uses their address on the Verizon account. If I preorder through Apple, am I able to use MY billing address using CC and shipping address (work)? Or does it automatically get shipped to the Verizon account holders address?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 17:58

Funky Bunkbed: Jul 27, 2007; You are now.

Posted this in the iPhone thread but it got buried.

I have T-Mobile. It looks to me as though, if I pre-order the 6 directly from Apple, I will be on the hook for the full cost of the device up-front. To use T-Mobile's EIP, will I need to pre-order through T-Mobile? Should I just call T-Mobile and ask? I understand the point in the OP about Apple having the most stock and being the best guarantee for a release-day phone, but I don't know that I wanna drop $850 all at once for a 64GB 6+.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:00

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

The Whiz Kid posted:

To use T-Mobile's EIP, will I need to pre-order through T-Mobile?

That's what it looks like.

Auron posted:

This is a Verizon question:

I'm on my parents' plan, which obviously uses their address on the Verizon account. If I preorder through Apple, am I able to use MY billing address using CC and shipping address (work)? Or does it automatically get shipped to the Verizon account holders address?

I asked a coworker who is still on his parents' Verizon plan and he said that he preordered the iPhone 5 with his card and shipped to his billing address despite it not matching the account's billing information. He preordered through Verizon, and did receive it on release day. I'm not sure if Apple will kick it out of their system if the CC and shipping info don't match the carrier account information for Verizon like they (apparently) do with AT&T.

Star War Sex Parrot fucked around with this message at 18:12 on Sep 11, 2014

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:05

Sir Bobert Fishbone: Jan 16, 2006; Beebort

So, if I buy an unsubsidized (T-Mo) phone from Apple, will I be able to activate it on Verizon? Or are they still really squirrely about devices on their network of non-Verizon origin and I'll have to buy one subsidized?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:12

smackfu: Jun 7, 2004

I sure wish the preordering didn't start at 3 AM ET.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:19

Daniel Bryan: May 23, 2006; GOAT

I really want an iPhone 6+ on Sprint, but I'm not eligible for an upgrade until next May. Is there any better option than Easy Pay or paying full retail?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:19

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

Sir Bobert Fishbone posted:

So, if I buy an unsubsidized (T-Mo) phone from Apple, will I be able to activate it on Verizon? Or are they still really squirrely about devices on their network of non-Verizon origin and I'll have to buy one subsidized?

Why wouldn't you just buy a Verizon version unsubsidized to be safe? That's what I did with the 5S since I was only one year into my contract from my subsidized iPhone 5.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:20

THE BIG DOG DADDY: Oct 16, 2013; Rasheed was, with Aliases, the top 7 PvPers in Bone Krew.

No one talks about this.

Anyone know if I pre-order online through the Apple Store if it will let me just go pick it up at one of the stores on my way to work?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:22

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

Santas Ainol Elf posted:

Anyone know if I pre-order online through the Apple Store if it will let me just go pick it up at one of the stores on my way to work?

If last year is any indicator, no. They didn't open up the in-store pickup option from the Apple Store until a few days after release. All of the Apple Store stock on release day is probably going to be sold to walk-ins.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:24

Sir Bobert Fishbone: Jan 16, 2006; Beebort

Star War Sex Parrot posted:

Why wouldn't you just buy a Verizon version unsubsidized to be safe? That's what I did with the 5S since I was only one year into my contract from my subsidized iPhone 5.

I guess that would be the least dumb way to do it. Whoops.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:26

THE BIG DOG DADDY: Oct 16, 2013; Rasheed was, with Aliases, the top 7 PvPers in Bone Krew.

No one talks about this.

That's what I figured. I remembered trying to go to a location on Day 1 last year and they only had Sprint models :negative:

. If I pre-order it on the Apple Store, then will it arrive on Day 1, or will it ship on Day 1 and then I'll see it sometime next week?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:26

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

Santas Ainol Elf posted:

If I pre-order it on the Apple Store, then will it arrive on Day 1

Yes, if you get your order in early enough. Usually within an hour or so the delivery date starts slipping to something like "2-3 days" or even "7-10 days" by the morning.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:28

suddenlyissoon: Feb 17, 2002; Don't be sad that I am gone.

I really wish I could get a definitive answer on whether or not Best Buy is going to do preorders. I've got about 150 in credit plus if I renew with best buy I'll get another $50 gift card back.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:37

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

suddenlyissoon posted:

I really wish I could get a definitive answer on whether or not Best Buy is going to do preorders. I've got about 150 in credit plus if I renew with best buy I'll get another $50 gift card back.

According to:

Star War Sex Parrot posted:

CNET also posted a nice FAQ that details each US carriers' and several large retailers' promotions.

quote:

Best Buy will open preorders for the iPhone 6 in-store on Friday, September 12.

So I guess swing by a store on the 12th and hope that CNET is right.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:39

The Dave: Sep 9, 2003

Thankfully my company has an awesome relationship with Apple and Apple will hold a number of phones for us, so I have the option of work getting one on hold for me and I could just show up to the Apple store and skip the line and use the business entrance.

However, I may still just have it shipped. Is shipping absolutely locked to the billing address on the ATT account, even when ordering from Apple? Only ever ordered through ATT.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 18:58

digital penitence: Jan 3, 2008

The Apple Store App is telling me my "account type is not supported" (Sprint Sero Premium) and I have to contact my account manager or call *2 to complete my purchase.

Here's hoping Sprint's website holds up and doesn't give me any trouble.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:07

ScarletBrother: Nov 2, 2004

How easy is it to do a cross upgrade (renew one line, but put phone on another line on the same account) using Apple's website?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:10

empty baggie: Oct 22, 2003

The Dave posted:

Thankfully my company has an awesome relationship with Apple and Apple will hold a number of phones for us, so I have the option of work getting one on hold for me and I could just show up to the Apple store and skip the line and use the business entrance.

However, I may still just have it shipped. Is shipping absolutely locked to the billing address on the ATT account, even when ordering from Apple? Only ever ordered through ATT.

I had my AT&T iPhone 5 shipped to my workplace on launch day. IIRC, It wouldn't let me set the correct shipping when placing the order, so I had to go back in and change my shipping information after completing my order. Not sure if that option is still available.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:11

CoasterMaster: Aug 13, 2003; The Emperor of the Rides; Nap Ghost

The Dave posted:

However, I may still just have it shipped. Is shipping absolutely locked to the billing address on the ATT account, even when ordering from Apple? Only ever ordered through ATT.

I just tried going through the ordering workflow for the 5C and this is what I got:

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:12

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

ScarletBrother posted:

How easy is it to do a cross upgrade (renew one line, but put phone on another line on the same account) using Apple's website?

Yeah I don't think you can do that through Apple. I believe your options are to just swap SIMs when the new phone arrives, or deal with your carrier directly for the purchase.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:12

BlackLaser: Dec 2, 2005

smackfu posted:

I sure wish the preordering didn't start at 3 AM ET.

I've never pre-ordered a phone before. I am in charge of purchasing new phones for my office and someone wants to order one that day through our Verizon small business account. Do the pre-orders usually sell out in minutes? I am not getting up at 3am to order a co-workers phone.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:25

The Dave: Sep 9, 2003

Star War Sex Parrot posted:

Yeah I don't think you can do that through Apple. I believe your options are to just swap SIMs when the new phone arrives, or deal with your carrier directly for the purchase.

Everytime I've crossed upgraded I've had to actually go to the ATT store while they gently caress around in their dashboard a little. I think both times it was because the phone activation was locked to the upgrade number.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:31

Flash Gordon Ramsay: Sep 28, 2004; Grimey Drawer

I did cross activation two years ago. Got the phone in the mail on release day, called AT&T, and took care of it in about 10 minutes. The rep easily understood what I wanted to do and pressed whatever buttons he needed to do to make it work. Super easy.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:40

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

BlackLaser posted:

Do the pre-orders usually sell out in minutes? I am not getting up at 3am to order a co-workers phone.

I know for the iPhone 5 delivery times slipped to "two weeks" about an hour after preorders began. I expect demand for the iPhone 6 is gonna be nuts, and I suspect the 6+ is gonna be really tough to get; like the gold 5S last year.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:43

trilljester: Dec 7, 2004; The People's Tight End.

FWIW: The Apple Store iOS app allows you to go through the whole purchase process up to the point of adding the iPhone to your cart. Great way to check your upgrade eligibility and what not.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:47

ScarletBrother: Nov 2, 2004

Flash Gordon Ramsay posted:

I did cross activation two years ago. Got the phone in the mail on release day, called AT&T, and took care of it in about 10 minutes. The rep easily understood what I wanted to do and pressed whatever buttons he needed to do to make it work. Super easy.

Which phone did you call from?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:48

spongeworthy: Jan 16, 2009

I'm going with the 128GB model just to have a few minutes chance on the pre-order of increasing release day delivery. Extra 5/month why not

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:53

Flash Gordon Ramsay: Sep 28, 2004; Grimey Drawer

ScarletBrother posted:

Which phone did you call from?

My existing one, because I didn't want to activate the new one until I talked to them. If you activate the new phone on the other line, then youll have to swap sims or go in store. But as long as its not activated yet, they can activate it under your line. Does that make sense?

At one point in the call he did have me hang up and then called me on my landline because he was going to be switching over the service to the new phone and well that would have impacted our phone call.

I figure I will be able to avoid that this year because the phone I will be cross upgrading from is a 5 so I can activate the new phone on the wrong line, swap that SIM to the 5 and then put the SIM from my 5s into the 6.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:55

aBagorn: Aug 26, 2004

spongeworthy posted:

I'm going with the 128GB model just to have a few minutes chance on the pre-order of increasing release day delivery. Extra 5/month why not

Yeah it seems like if you're going with the installment plans (EDGE/NEXT) there's really little reason not to go with the 128gb model. an extra $100/$200 over 20 or 24 months is pretty chump change, IMO.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 19:56

smackfu: Jun 7, 2004

Star War Sex Parrot posted:

I know for the iPhone 5 delivery times slipped to "two weeks" about an hour after preorders began. I expect demand for the iPhone 6 is gonna be nuts, and I suspect the 6+ is gonna be really tough to get; like the gold 5S last year.

Yes, that is exactly what happened to me. Ordered on 9/14 at 1:18 AM PDT and it was "ships in two weeks". It shipped on 9/22 and arrived on 9/28, with the actual release date being 9/21. So not the end of the world, but kind of sucked.

(I was on vacation at the time, and actually had time zones on my side, but I figured I didn't have to order at exactly midnight PST. Oops.)

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:04

Vintimus Prime: Apr 24, 2008; DERRRRRPPP what are picture threads for????

Leaning towards the + now. I wish they hadn't kept the additional UI options to just the plus.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:07

Josh Lyman: May 24, 2009

IIRC, the 5 and 5S were available for walk-in purchase at Apple Stores without any lines, right? My 5 got delivered at like 9:45pm on launch day because I'm late on UPS' route, so I'm contemplating walk-in just so I'm not stuck at home all day waiting to sign for a package.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:32

Pissingintowind: Jul 27, 2006; Better than shitting into a fan.

Star War Sex Parrot posted:

Why wouldn't you just buy a Verizon version unsubsidized to be safe? That's what I did with the 5S since I was only one year into my contract from my subsidized iPhone 5.

Can one preorder this version?

Also, what are the chances of the Sprint version being somehow available in an unlocked flavor (it has a few extra bands)?

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:41

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

Pretty sure I ruined a UPS driver's day today. He was walking out of work as I was walking in and I said "hey good luck next week" which prompted a confused look from him. So I followed up with "iPhones release next Friday" and he exclaimed "aw gently caress!"

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:42

Star War Sex Parrot: Oct 2, 2003

Pissingintowind posted:

Can one preorder this version?

It's not a "version" � it just has to do with the price you pay when you check out. If you're not eligible for a subsidy, you're going to be charged the full price. Preorders aren't restricted to those who only have subsidies available.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:45

Bugsy: Jul 15, 2004; I'm thumpin'. That's
why they call me
'Thumper'.; Slippery Tilde

suddenlyissoon posted:

I really wish I could get a definitive answer on whether or not Best Buy is going to do preorders. I've got about 150 in credit plus if I renew with best buy I'll get another $50 gift card back.

I just got an email from best buy saying pre-order in store on the 12th, and the phone is coming on the 19th.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:48

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# ? Apr 25, 2024 13:08

Pissingintowind: Jul 27, 2006; Better than shitting into a fan.

Star War Sex Parrot posted:

It's not a "version" � it just has to do with the price you pay when you check out. If you're not eligible for a subsidy, you're going to be charged the full price. Preorders aren't restricted to those who only have subsidies available.

So if I don't have a Verizon account, do I need to create a new one? That would be really unfortunate. I am interested in buying Verizon's unsubsidized phone for use on Cricket (for now). The Verizon phone is "special" since it is the only one that works fully on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

# ? Sep 11, 2014 20:52

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