Apple forced to close store after iPhone madness

hamid84 · 15-07-2008, 11:39

Police called to ensure doors shut without trouble from queuing masses
Apple was forced to call in the police on Friday to help it close its Regent Street store at 3pm, after problems with O2's authorisation system meant that customers wishing to purchase a 3G iPhone were facing a three hour wait.

Staff at the store were forced to tell the queue, which by that point had snaked around the corner onto Oxford Street, that the store was closed and that they weren't able to guarantee that they would receive an iPhone anyway.

The problems saw the store close to those wishing to browse, or make purchases other than the iPhone, with the police called in to make sure things didn't turn sour.

http://www.pcretailmag.com/news/3018...iPhone-madness

Sananda Maitreya · 15-07-2008, 11:42

that's bad! it's been an interesting few days for apple. great sales numbers from iphone 3g and the app store, but these systems for the new instore activation haven't worked very well and the transition from .mac to mobileme has been unsatisfactory.

neo6776 · 16-07-2008, 04:48

Why did they change the way of activation?

Was it because the amount of phones being bought then used with PAYG or on other networks?

Just find it odd as it was touted as being the best way to buy a phone.

chocolate_boy · 16-07-2008, 06:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo6776

Was it because the amount of phones being bought then used with PAYG or on other networks?

.

Precisely!

happyhatter · 16-07-2008, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo6776

Why did they change the way of activation?

Was it because the amount of phones being bought then used with PAYG or on other networks?

Just find it odd as it was touted as being the best way to buy a phone.

yep, coz when they reduced the price of the 2g to £169 lots of people bought one and then jailbroke it at home (it was really quick and easy to do)- thus really peeing off o2 who have paid big cash for the exclusivity deal. The stocks didnt last long.

£169 for a payg iphone was a bargain.
plus contract sims worked fine also so people were selling their contract phones and getting an iphone for less money.

TheSoulBrother · 16-07-2008, 09:38

The original iPhone wasn't really subsidised. The new one is. So O2 are taking a considerable hit when you buy an iPhone at £0/£59/£99. The only way to ensure they get their money back is to sign you up for the contract in store as opposed to doing it at home like the old way.

15-07-2008, 11:39	#1
hamid84 Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 977	Apple forced to close store after iPhone madness Police called to ensure doors shut without trouble from queuing masses Apple was forced to call in the police on Friday to help it close its Regent Street store at 3pm, after problems with O2's authorisation system meant that customers wishing to purchase a 3G iPhone were facing a three hour wait. Staff at the store were forced to tell the queue, which by that point had snaked around the corner onto Oxford Street, that the store was closed and that they weren't able to guarantee that they would receive an iPhone anyway. The problems saw the store close to those wishing to browse, or make purchases other than the iPhone, with the police called in to make sure things didn't turn sour. http://www.pcretailmag.com/news/3018...iPhone-madness

15-07-2008, 11:42	#2
Sananda Maitreya Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,687	that's bad! it's been an interesting few days for apple. great sales numbers from iphone 3g and the app store, but these systems for the new instore activation haven't worked very well and the transition from .mac to mobileme has been unsatisfactory.

16-07-2008, 04:48	#3
neo6776 Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dundee, Scotland ♂ Posts: 9,026	Why did they change the way of activation? Was it because the amount of phones being bought then used with PAYG or on other networks? Just find it odd as it was touted as being the best way to buy a phone.

16-07-2008, 06:14	#4
chocolate_boy Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire Posts: 2,118	Quote: Originally Posted by neo6776 Was it because the amount of phones being bought then used with PAYG or on other networks? . Precisely!

16-07-2008, 09:07	#5
happyhatter Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: middle of the midlands Posts: 444	Quote: Originally Posted by neo6776 Why did they change the way of activation? Was it because the amount of phones being bought then used with PAYG or on other networks? Just find it odd as it was touted as being the best way to buy a phone. yep, coz when they reduced the price of the 2g to £169 lots of people bought one and then jailbroke it at home (it was really quick and easy to do)- thus really peeing off o2 who have paid big cash for the exclusivity deal. The stocks didnt last long. £169 for a payg iphone was a bargain. plus contract sims worked fine also so people were selling their contract phones and getting an iphone for less money.

16-07-2008, 09:38	#6
TheSoulBrother Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,940	The original iPhone wasn't really subsidised. The new one is. So O2 are taking a considerable hit when you buy an iPhone at £0/£59/£99. The only way to ensure they get their money back is to sign you up for the contract in store as opposed to doing it at home like the old way.

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Apple forced to close store after iPhone madness