You can chalk this one up to our bad in assuming best intentions, but when
Apple said no cash for iPhones, they damn well meant it -- enough to extend the policy out to no cash for anything that could in turn purchase an iPhone. Turns out you can't even use your Apple bucks to buy an iPhone anymore, not even if someone bought you an Apple Gift Card with
their credit card. Ok, for a lot of you this isn't a big deal, but who gets hit hardest? Try all those teenage Apple fanboys begging various family members for small denomination gift cards that will add up to the iPhone they've been after. We've never heard any company being so adamant about keeping non-paper trail for every single damned purchase, but now we're just left wondering how long until someone (or some state) sour from this bitter pill decides to challenge Apple on that whole
US dollar bills being "legal tender for all debts, public and private" thing.
P.S. -No we're not lawyers, but yes, we're aware that it's probably completely legal for Apple to do. But that doesn't make it right, nor does that mean it will go unchallenged, you feel us?
[Thanks, Kevin]
posted October 29th 2007 12:48AM
Gee, that's funny I just called Apple and they said no problem using a gift card for an iPhone. Another piece of crap from engadget.
There better be some workaround, like putting $1 on the credit card, as I have $430 in gift cards, which I was saving for the next generation iPhone. I will jump on any class action lawsuit. this is total crap and I really hope that it blows up in Apples face. If there is no workaround, I hope that I can buy Vista at an Apple store, cause goodbye Apple! Vista should run fine on my 3GHz Quad Pro Tower.
Hey Steve Jobs, you totally suck! Get friggin real about your precious iPhone! It's not the most coveted thing in the Universe and you cannot control the world to squeeze every friggin dollar out of us. PS, start giving to charity to cheap bastard!
I really am no fan of Apple (seriously, check my other posts), but in all fairness I think this needs a little clarification:
1) They're refusing to let you FULLY purchase the phone with a gift card. As I understand it (explained by an Apple store employee) you can purchase it half on a card, half on gift cards/cash. They still get their info.
2) This won't preclude kids (under 18) in any way, primarily because they aren't allowed to buy the iPhone on their own. The iPhone requires that you enter into a 2 year contract with AT&T, and if you're under 18 you aren't legally allowed to enter into contract.
3) Most cellphone carriers won't extend you a contract without credit unless you pay a huge premium on the phone (as much as $400 extra). Given Apple's inexperience in this market, it seems like they're taking a slightly different approach to try and plug the same hole, which is people using cash and fake information to sign a contract they plan to disappear from. At least with a credit card on file, you've got another company that claims to know the person.
Tis sad when many posts must be accompanied by little explanations so people don't freak out.
"APPLE CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT WITH THEIR SALES!!!!!@$%%$^"
So I found this on the Apple website:
Contact Us > Sales Support > iPhone > Additional Information
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=735D05DA&node=help/iphone#additional
"If you want your friends or family to be able to choose exactly the iPhone model and accessories they prefer, you can purchase Apple Gift Cards in any denomination between $25 and $2500. Apple Gift Cards can be redeemed in the U.S. in any Retail Apple Store, on the Apple Online Store, or by calling an Apple representative at 1-800-MY-APPLE. Also, read about iTunes Gift Cards and Certificates, which can be redeemed for songs, albums, audiobooks, and videos on the iTunes Store. To learn more, visit the Gifting section of online Help."
Just buy one from AT&T. By law, you have 30 days to cancel service for no reason what so ever and you don't have to return the phone!
Done Deal!
or have a friend say he lost his phone and then have him buy a new one and you take the old one and use it!
They will never have control once the device purchased!
I didn't read through the comments, but this is absolute BULLSHIT and I am pissed. My birthday is today, and for the past week, I told my wife that if family members want to know what to get me, they should buy Apple gift cards for me to use to buy my iPhone.
This is just wrong.
"I didn't read through the comments, but this is absolute BULLSHIT "
Well maybe you SHOULD read through the fuckin' comments because THE COMMENT JUST ABOVE YOURS talks about the premise of this article being questioned.
I too am a stockholder and this gets my dander up ....STEVE . What are you doing man? Are you trying to piss everyone else in the world off at one time? If us cash is not good enough for you then you need to leave this country. Quit being so controlling and let the free market work. I remember reading a stock guru's column a while back and he said it was the year that steve was going to screw things up. At the time I thought it was nuts, but now I'm a little concerned.
And another thing that bugs me, stop putting up barriers to the products Apple sells. I want to keep making a profit off the shares of stock I have. All I'm seeing here is barriers being thrown up. Tis is not good business.
I just called the local Apple store in Marton, NJ as well as 800-MY-APPLE, and both verified that you definitely can use your Apple Gift cards for a purchase of an iPhone at local stores as well as on line or by phone. The info here is WRONG about gift cards!
I just called the Apple Store at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, CA and they said that Gift Cards could be used to purchase the iPhone. What is the source on this report?
Everyone should go to an Apple store and attempt to purchase an iPhone with cash. When the purchase is refused turn around and walk out. It will not take to long for Apple to realize (or think) that they are missing out on a large number of sales.
Hmmm....good point
my michigan avenue chicago apple store is allowing gift cards and they said they won't stop. hmm....
I don't know if it's been explained, but the reason you can refuse a sale if they want to pay cash, even though it's legal tender, is because legal tender, by law must be accepted in the payment of debt. If they refuse to sell you it, you owe them no money (no debt is incurred.) If they give it to you under the agreement that you will pay them, only then must they accept the cash.
At least this was my reasoning when a friend and I got into an argument about whether it's legal to refuse if you're trying to pay with cash (for example if they refuse to take a $100 bill for a 50 cent candy bar.)
I totally understand why Apple is refusing to sell the iPhone this way. Here in the UK in order to buy a mobile phone (cell phone) you need a credit card (and credit scoring) to prove that you'll be able to pay the monthly bills.
If these kids save all their cash to buy a phone they can't afford to run what is the point in owning the phone?! That is the real point here. They're better off just buying the iPod Touch or something.
Buying an iPhone means buying into a contract with AT&T. That was a well known fact even before the phone was launched. So why is anyone surprised when Apple decides to ensure that iPhone purchasers can afford the contract price plan, before selling them the phone.
It is the responsible thing to do. Debt is not a good situation to be in and all Apple is trying to do in minimise the numbers of poor judgements made by iPhone craving teens who can't afford to run the thing. It like spending all your savings on a Ferrari and not having money for the gas!
Well,
I too just had a birthday a week ago and when my family members asked what I wanted, I told them apple store gift cards! I was planning on buying one when my verizon contract was up in December! Now I have $200 dollars in apple gift cards and you say I can't use it towards the iphone, even If i use my cc for the difference!
This is absurd, if apple won't let me use my gc, then forget it just on principal.
I hope this blows up in their face.
There seriously have been alot of bad decisions coming out of cupertino lately!
Apple - I loves ya, but stop being a sociopathic ass... Respect your early adopters, open up and let eager users play. Otherwise you're building the same proprietary walls as Sony did.
I'm a usually very happy Apple user, but this ain't good for your PR.
I purchased two iphones in cash a few months ago. now there is a $1260 balance on my account. In order to erase this balance i have to fax them my receipt. They are claiming this is due to a chargeback on my credit card. I do not use a credit card to purchase them. Thanx at@t or better yet apple. anyone hear of this i am not sure if its related to this thread ?!?!
To Steve Job
F*u*c*K You!
Oh.. please this is a little story. Get over it. If you're a little kid with 5 gift cards go talk to an Apple Store Manager. This move was to prevent slimy carpet baggers from making a quick buck. They aren't going to prevent little Jimmy or Sally from getting her birthday iPhone.
I'm not sure its been proven that gift cards can't be used.
Personally I think this is a setup for a instant rebate program. I.E. Buy the phone for $500 and get a instant credit for $100 when you activate.
iIn iOrder iTo iPurchase iThis iPhone iYou iMust iHave iCredit
What do you think you are some sort of jedi mind tricks do not on me only credit cards
every friend i know that has had an iPhone has gone through at least 1 (one friend as many as 4) from reasons such as wifi not working, screen not sync'd up to touch location, part of the screen dead, and my famorite volume adjusting itself when it feels suitable..."im sorry it appears you are listening to this voice too softly let me put it at the correct loudness, also Mr Jobs is here to anal rape you from behind please comply or i will lock up again"
Is this just iphones or does it apply for the ipod touch as well. Also could you order an iphone online with an apple gift card? I doubt it applies for the touch because I've seen them for sale at other places.
I think the reason so stores are still accepting apple giftcard and others are not is because of state laws. In some states store giftcards must be allowed to be used for any product or allow them to get their money back.
They are talking about refusing the prepaid and gift debit cards they can not do that if they take any type debit cards.
If they take the MasterCard or Visa debit cards, they can not refuse to take the Visa or Mastercard gift or prepaid cards. The honor all card rule still applies. If they do not want to take the visa or Mastercard giftcards or prepaid debit cards. They or actual their processor has to be setup to reject all type of debit cards, while still allowing all types of credit cards.
Merchants can do the following
take only credit cards (Must accept all forms prepaid, giftcard, secure card,etc )
take only signature debit cards (Must accept all forms prepaid, girftcard,etc)
take only pin based debit cards (No requirements for the most part*)
take cash only
It used to be they had to take all forms of signature (Visa/Mastercard) cards. Do to the merchant lawsuit they have a choice.
So apple maybe violating two card polices. I not a lawyer.
*interlink & maestro networks may have some requirements
My wife bought me and Apple store gift card on October 2nd, and gave it to me on my birthday last week. The card is for me to buy the iPhone, because I keep talking but never pull the trigger. Now I find out that the card is a $600 piece of plastic, nothing else. I called Apple Customer Service yesterday to ask them about it and got different answers from different reps. The first rep said they do take gift cards for iPhones and that she hadn't heard anything differently. The second rep told me to take the card back to the store and get a refund or try to get an iPhone since the card was purchased before the new rule went into effect. No where on the Apple site (gift card pages) or the gift card packaging does it say the card can't be used for buying an iPhone, so Apple will hopefully honor cards purchased before their ban. I haven't told my wife that her thoughtful gift could be useless, since I don't want any other Apple products. Ugh. Thanks Apple. Now I have to go argue my case to one of your 22 yr. old "geniuses" at the Apple Store. You almost had me convinced enough to consider one of your notebooks. It wasn't enough that you have to control everything else (proprietary everything), now this.
Wish me luck...
I went to an Apple store in Clarendon, VA. they refused to sell me an iphone on my amex gift card. I asked them the reason, they said they only accept credit cards, I said it is like a credit card. Rep. said it has to have my name on it, and gift cards don't have name on it. I have $500 amex gift card got from family and can't use it to buy an iphone :(.
I have placed an order on apple.com for iphone using the same gift card. it is not shipped yet, lets see what happens. This really bad, they should not do this
This is an excerpt from the iPhone purchase page:
At the top under the heading of iPhone purchase it says: "Apple Gift Cards cannot be used to purchase an iPhone."
But later on the same page it says:
"Gifting
If you want your friends or family to be able to choose exactly the iPhone model and accessories they prefer, you can purchase Apple Gift Cards in any denomination between $25 and $2500. Apple Gift Cards can be redeemed in the U.S. in any Retail Apple Store, on the Apple Online Store, or by calling an Apple representative at 1-800-MY-APPLE."
Isn't this just assanine?
See for yourself: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=735D05DA&node=help/iphone
I went into the Apple store today to buy my dad an iphone for Christmas. They refused to sell it to me because I wanted to pay cash. I didn't bring a credit card with me. I only brought cash, having no idea that cash is a discriminated currency. I have deep concern that this is a class issue in America. It is my opinion that All People are created EQUAL, not just people with credit cards. Way to go apple. I sold all my stock today. Enough is Enough.
I just got off the phone with Apple customer service to verify all this information. I was told by the service rep, who verified it with her supervisor, that as long as you use a credit card for "part" of the purchase, you CAN still use the gift cards toward the purchase of an iPhone. I'm going to test this theory myself, but not until after Macworld. I've heard rumors of new Iphones coming out at or after the show, but that's another subject.