Vodafone holding iPhone hostage ....

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AllessandraBrowne

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#43130 17-Oct-2009 23:18

A friend of mine had his precious iPhone stolen last night leaving him heartbroken and lying like a sack of sad on my couch so I suggested that as insurance would almost cover the cost of a new one that he might cheer up if we went and grabbed one today.

Well. I called Vodafone to make sure they had some in stock, he had decided to upgrade it to a 3gs. The Vodafone assistant said they did indeed have some instore but insisted she could not possibly sell it outright, he would have to get a plan if he wanted to buy it.

I told her she was wrong, in fact I had purchased my iPhone from that very store just a few months ago but she refused to sell it.

Can they refuse to sell an iPhone if you choose not to have Vodafone as your carrier? I didn't think so.

We had to drive from Rotorua to Hamilton (DSE) to buy one, time being an issue and all.

So, just thought I would ask those that are in the know ...

freitasm

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#264703 17-Oct-2009 23:21

Vodafone made it clear with the iPhone 3GS launch they wouldn't sell outright if the buyer didn't have a Vodafone account.

You should buy online at the Apple store - it's cheaper than Vodafone, not locked and anyone can buy it.

AllessandraBrowne

42 posts

Geek

#264706 17-Oct-2009 23:28

Hi freitasm - Wow - I didn't know that (obviously:) - He would love to have purchased it from the Apple store but we don't have one in Rotorua. In fact, I think the closest one is in Tauranga and it was already closed by 3pm today - Powerhouse was the only option.

Hey, while you are here - was just in the spare room checking out the modem/wireless router - I put up a post the other day about my slow torrent speed, you might not remember. Will go over to that post now and respond.

Allessandra

freitasm

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#264707 17-Oct-2009 23:31

There aren't "Apple Stores" in New Zealand - you buy online at www.apple.co.nz. Any store in New Zealand is just a reseller, not an Apple store.

thinhvy

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Master Geek

#264709 17-Oct-2009 23:34

AllessandraBrowne: Hi freitasm - Wow - I didn't know that (obviously:) - He would love to have purchased it from the Apple store but we don't have one in Rotorua. In fact, I think the closest one is in Tauranga and it was already closed by 3pm today - Powerhouse was the only option.

Hey, while you are here - was just in the spare room checking out the modem/wireless router - I put up a post the other day about my slow torrent speed, you might not remember. Will go over to that post now and respond.

Allessandra

Regards about The Apple Store I think he meant the Apple Store online,so just google "Apple store NZ" and buy it even you live anywhere in NZ.

AllessandraBrowne

42 posts

Geek

#264710 17-Oct-2009 23:35

OK - was getting mixed up with reseller store. I have purchased from the apple website but took a couple of weeks to arrive - could not have had sad sack mate lying prone on my couch for that long. :)

thinhvy

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#264711 17-Oct-2009 23:37

Oh...just saw the answered when I posted the reply.May be I typed too slow

sbiddle

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#264742 18-Oct-2009 09:02

AllessandraBrowne: OK - was getting mixed up with reseller store. I have purchased from the apple website but took a couple of weeks to arrive - could not have had sad sack mate lying prone on my couch for that long. :)

I've purchased a few things lately from the Apple store for people and had delivery within 48 hours ex Sydney.

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AllessandraBrowne

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Geek

#264747 18-Oct-2009 09:16

I purchased a Touch a couple of months ago that took two weeks to arrive but anyway, in this case 48 hours would have been too long to wait for his replacement.

Allessandra

antbs

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#264792 18-Oct-2009 11:57

How far away are you from a DSE Powerhouse? I got mine outright there, they are the best and provide a great three year warranty! :)

AllessandraBrowne

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#264794 18-Oct-2009 11:59

Hiya antbs - Yup, drove to Hamilton from Rotorua to purchase at DSE Powerhouse and yeah, he got the extended warranty.

antbs

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#264809 18-Oct-2009 13:30

AllessandraBrowne: Hiya antbs - Yup, drove to Hamilton from Rotorua to purchase at DSE Powerhouse and yeah, he got the extended warranty.

Sweet, now get your friend to sign up for MobileMe and enable the Find my iPhone feature!

AllessandraBrowne

42 posts

Geek

#264820 18-Oct-2009 14:04

Funny you should mention that, antbs. I signed up last night specifically for that feature - should never tackle that kinda thing when you are tired - knew it but continued anyway. I signed up - did this and that and before I knew it had deleted all the frickin' contacts in my iPhone even when I thought I had clicked on MERGE.

So, I sat and stared at the screen for a bit then decided I would restore from back up which worked fine even though I lost the twenty or so Solitaire wins *grin* ...

The biggest issue I had with Mobile Me in regard to my email - I use Windows Live as it manages three email addresses at once but it didn't want to play with Mobile Me so I have since deleted the email account from Windows Live.

The main reason for getting MM was the find my iPhone feature anyway - I wonder if it is worth the $149 a year just for that. I do have a Mac that is currently sitting on the floor beside me sulking but anyway that is a whole other story.

I have now got the password lock enabled on my phone too ... not that it is EVER out of my sight. :-)

Cheers
Allessandra