Apple tells UPS to stop overachieving, puts brakes on early iPhone 3G S deliveries

Just because UPS can get you your iPhone 3G S a couple days ahead of its official launch date doesn't mean Apple wants it to. We're getting a bunch of tips rolling in with updated tracking information for shipped 3G S orders folks have placed through the online Apple Store, confirming that Apple has actively coordinated with its shipper to hold on to the packages until "a future delivery date" that isn't specified. We can only assume that'd be the 19th, but our question is this: can you just march down to your local UPS branch and try to pick it up yourself in the meantime? Carriers often require that at least one delivery be attempted before you can waltz in and grab the package, but it might be worth a shot later today.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 3:27AM]

once again damn apple

p.s first

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 25th 2009 1:46AM]

I was just reading these commnets. OMG! what, are we talking about 2 days? Cant be without your phone for 2 days? Get a life.. How fregging pethitic.

[kunal Posted Jun 17th 2009 3:41AM]

I guess you need to look at your sister site. The delay is coz of Customs related and not by Apple.

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/06/17/iphone-3g-s-update-ups-places-hold-on-shipments/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 2:33PM]

And the hard evidence for this explanation is what?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 4:24AM]

I received that notice, too. However, my date of delivery is still scheduled for June 18 per my UPS tracker.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:18AM]

Interesting that is says receiver requested ... can you call in and un-request the hold, since you are the receiver?

[TrueEddie Posted Jun 17th 2009 8:37AM]

That's bs. You paid for the product, it's your's. They shouldn't be able to hold it hostage at UPS. I bet if you went to UPS and made a fuss they would hand it right over.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 10:00AM]

They most defiantly would not.. sorry to say

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 9:18AM]

The shipper can put a hold on a delivery.
Louisville, KY is a bit far for me to go and pick it up.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 9:24AM]

Good luck picking up the package even if you are in Louisville. The package is at the UPS Worldport which is the main hub for UPS with literally hundreds of thousands of packages. You can't just waltz in there.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 9:30AM]

iPhone coming out of Hong Kong?

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 9:59AM]

Sucks.. but I work for UPS and could possibly intercept my order thanks to the tracking number.. it would tell me exactly what truck it was on and when it gets scanned into the system.

[hungarianhc Posted Jun 17th 2009 10:32AM]

Yep i got the same issue: http://www.crazyhawt.com/2009/06/17/early-delivery-of-iphone-3g-s-not-so-much/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 12:10PM]

Yet more evidence of Apple's marketing arrogance: Put launch dates ahead of customer service. See what I mean here: http://chriskoch.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/apples-marketing-arrogance/

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 1:06PM]

Wow so now your telling me that apple could just tell another company how to do there jobs and no one says anything to them are you kidding me last I remembered we lived in the united states. If i were UPS i would have some balls and tell them screw you once its in our hand it is our responsibility to get it to the customer as fast as possible until it is in there hands. Next thing you know apple will be telling president Obama that everyone in the united states must own an Iphone or they will be thrown in jail.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 18th 2009 3:48AM]

I really hate the way the whole AT&T/Apple relationship has put such grips on a GSM based phone. The locking, protecting, threatening and draconian policies have really soured me to their brand.

I love my Nano and MacBook, but if my MacBook only worked with AT&T HSI and only compatible with DSL broadband I would never buy it. When I see the iPhone chained to AT&T, it makes me sick.

I would love to use an iPhone but only if it was compatiable with T-Mobile's 3G network here in the states. Other manufacturers can create devices across different platforms with multiple radios (thank you RIM). Apple could do it too.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 17th 2009 6:20PM]

wow come on