Orange says Polish iPhone 3G customers weren't paid actors

Folks, be honest with us here -- did you really expect Orange and / or Apple to say anything other than this? Amidst reports that iPhone 3G line sitters at Polish Orange stores were actually paid to be there, the carrier has shot back in order to defend its dignity. In an e-mail reply to an Ad Age inquiry on the matter, a spokeswoman proclaimed that as "part of the excitement around the launch of the iPhone, some of [Orange's] team has been joining customers outside [of the] shops." She also noted that "sales were strong" and that Orange "was happy," though actual numbers were not revealed. So there you have it, now make of it what you will.

[Image courtesy of AppleBlog]

[Seanross @ Aug 28th 2008 8:10AM]

Who cares? If you seriously would buy an iPhone on impulse just because you saw a line of people waiting for it... you're a tool.

[Bobby @ Aug 28th 2008 8:27AM]

Stupid says, stupid goes.
It is interesting though two Polish gangs carrying iphones happen to employ lots of kidos of former communist aparatchiks. Given all locked up "business" model I am no surprised.

[Bobby @ Aug 28th 2008 12:40PM]

Stupid says, stupid goes.
It is interesting though two Polish gangs carrying iphones happen to employ lots of kidos of former communist aparatchiks. Given all locked up "business" model I am not surprised.

[G. I. @ Aug 28th 2008 8:33AM]

iPhone buyers are tools, so...

[kccboy2004 @ Aug 28th 2008 8:40AM]

yeh, much better to buy it coz' some bloke in a turtle neck and some snake-oil told you that 3G is the very latest (and really really good) and that the phone is cheaper than the last one.

apple iphone design = Dell Axim 50v

[Blackstar @ Aug 28th 2008 9:05AM]

Hot Polish women with every iPhone™ purchase. Collect all 5!

[LarryLarryLarry @ Aug 29th 2008 3:43AM]

Do all five come with the "This is soooo stoopid" expression on their faces? Because I can get that in my home town.

[XenoX101 @ Aug 28th 2008 8:11AM]

Lies, these people are far too attractive to be picked out randomly.

[High Ranks make you sterile @ Aug 28th 2008 8:27AM]

My resume by Tyler H. Warsaw:

-Assistant line waiter for Apple iPhone 3G

References:
Steve Jobs

street performers are the vermin of the human race

[tatarynowicz @ Aug 28th 2008 8:48AM]

Actually, the two best things about Poland are women and food. You'd be surprised how high is the average quality of both around here.

[xdrewfacex @ Aug 28th 2008 9:36AM]

yeh, i've had a couple female polish friends over the years, and they were all lookers.

[Kris @ Aug 28th 2008 8:12AM]

That chickee in the front with the glasses is sexy. I'd line up and buy a iPhone to chat to her.. .So yes :)

[P90Puma @ Aug 28th 2008 11:46AM]

Her number is listed on the paper, why don't you try to hit her up?

[Izzy @ Aug 28th 2008 10:14AM]

Ya, these chicks are way too hot to just be random.

[Kris @ Aug 29th 2008 2:17AM]

Maybe I should direct her to my facebook profile.
Don't wanna be too forward. lol

[cmil1212 @ Sep 1st 2008 7:56AM]

@seanross: You just described the apple fanbase...

[Allan @ Aug 28th 2008 8:20AM]

"some of [Orange's] team has been joining customers outside"

And of course, by "joining customers" you mean "creating fake lines" and by "orange's team" you mean "orange's paid stand-ins" ... yup.

[Bobby @ Aug 28th 2008 8:31AM]

Stupid says, stupid goes.
It is interesting though two Polish gangs carrying iphones happen to employ lots of kidos of former communist aparatchiks. Given all locked up "business" model I am no surprised.

[Patrick @ Aug 28th 2008 8:32AM]

1 dude... 7 chicks... i like those odds. although those two women in the back may not like that dude as much as each other. even better.

[Kris @ Aug 28th 2008 9:05AM]

He does look rather proud of himself.. Now that you mention it :-O

[tiuk @ Aug 28th 2008 10:08AM]

That's not at all what he was getting at ;)

[mememe @ Aug 28th 2008 8:48AM]

Damn you Engadget! Now I don't know what I think...

[Wormbolt @ Aug 28th 2008 8:53AM]

So these actors were never paid? Outrageous!

[Busby SEO Challenge @ Aug 28th 2008 8:58AM]

i think that was a good info,..
nice job more blogs to create..
Busby SEO Challenge

[Jay-O @ Aug 28th 2008 9:05AM]

No way, these are the only eight people in Poland who can afford an iPhone.

[Major4Play @ Aug 28th 2008 9:08AM]

In other words....

[Steve Jobs phones Orange Poland]

Look guys you can't admit to using actors in the queue otherwise people are going to start asking sticky questions about all our product launches

[Orange Poland publicity manager ]

Powiedziałem, że jest mi przykro! Do widzenia, do zobaczenia


Another conspiracy is brushed under the carpet doo doooo dooo doo doo do

[smart.iphone.ph @ Aug 28th 2008 9:11AM]

I wonder how Globe (Phils) is doing in terms of iPhone sales...I think they are one of those carriers (worldwide) who are giving outrageously expensive plans (and prepaid). Anybody knows a site showing comparisons of the rates/charges/plans offered by carriers?
Engadget, can you do that?

[smart.iphone.ph @ Aug 28th 2008 9:14AM]

I wonder how Globe (Phils) is doing in terms of iPhone sales...I
think they are one of those carriers (worldwide) who are giving
outrageously expensive plans (and prepaid). Anybody knows a site
showing comparisons of the rates/charges/plans offered by carriers?
Engadget, can you do that?

[Arno @ Aug 28th 2008 9:30AM]

Polish people annoy the hell out of me. Why do they have to look like that??

[eggothewaffle @ Aug 28th 2008 9:32AM]

By "look like that," you mean extremely attractive?

[peternj @ Aug 28th 2008 9:36AM]

You mean like Americans?

[Kris @ Aug 28th 2008 9:45AM]

Americans are extremely attractive?

[FuzzyCat @ Aug 28th 2008 10:55AM]

Only if you like to "go large".

[szamot @ Aug 28th 2008 9:56AM]

But all these chicks are there to sell their place in line - at least that is what they are advertising on the little sheets of paper they are holding up.... Interesting. Any one got balls to call the one right at the front?

[Kris @ Aug 28th 2008 10:17AM]

I Shotgunned... Come on now. Thats not fair. Read the commnets above dude.. Sheesh!

[kevjohn @ Aug 28th 2008 11:34AM]

The chick in the glasses is fine! I'd go all Hitler on that ass!

Too soon?

[Hyponx @ Aug 28th 2008 11:39AM]

On a funny side note to everyone here the sign that the blond in the front is holding reads:

I will sell my place in line to get an iphone, telephone: [phone]### Orange Lounge

.... in fact so is the lady in the red behind her :P

[Operation Northwood @ Aug 28th 2008 4:01PM]

Tell you the truth, we are making a big deal of it but you know what? That is a smart way of marketing, its psychology, do you not know that people tend to fallow the masses? Seen someone's else s interests activates others interests too, unless otherwise, there is a strong character.

[MI @ Aug 28th 2008 5:28PM]

The funny thing is that it didn't work. However, in the USA...

[polish @ Sep 5th 2008 4:26AM]

Hahaha, guys, u are so funny gibbering about attractiveness of these girls on the photo. This is bottom line of what most polish men find as attractive girls, in fact they are pretty ugly considering most of fine looking women in poland. U have very low standarts folks. But alright, most of your women looks like big foot stomped on their faces plus cheesbureger diet, so i can understand that u might get erection from looking at this photo. U must be sad that your whole life you'll be banging girls looking like potatoes.