American Express is crediting my account back for $200+tax

[seb481]

I bought my iPhone on July 28 from AT&T store.
Yesterday, I called Apple and At&T to get my money back but their was nothing I could do.
This morning I read a post on this forum telling to call American Express. I first asked Amex to match the price difference. The lady first said there was nothing she could do as they don't offer this service since last year.
My Amex protection plan states that if my item is stolen or broken, they will pay it back. For a minute, I was seriously thinking about drowining my iPhone or pretend it got stolen (this is actually a bad idea since you need to get a police report, etc...)

Later this morning, I went to the apple's iphone forum and read a thread about amex paying back customers!!! I called them again and explained I read somewhere they were paying the $200 back.

I am a gold member and I use my amex for everything I can. I spend A LOT of money with amex and I ALWAYS pay bills on time.

After 2 minutes (literraly) on the phone with a rep, he told me he would be able to credit my account back for $200+tax!! He says it will appear on my account online within 24 hours!!!

I can't believe how easy it was...

He said they received hundreds of calls and for most people, you're gonna have to fill out forms and wait like 3 weeks and stuffs but for people like me who have a gold card (or platinum), they give the money back almost instantly.

This terrible nightmare is over for me but I still wanna fight apple as much as I can. I hate them for what they did to us. I will never buy apple ever again and I encourage you to do so.
Good luck everyone!

[kimirike]

Really? I had a bad time with At&t yesterday but I called AMEX today it was only a few minutes (3 at the most) and the lady told me that she might send me some forms and it could take a couple of weeks. I am Gold card member also but I'm not sure if it my take longer form since I paid $100 cash upfront.

Either way your post and talking with the AMEX claims lady gave me some hope. I was thinking about switiching my card to an AMEX BLUE card but never mind that now!

Here's hoping I get $200 back!

[Prelector]

I was on the phone with AmEx.
I am a gold member and I use my amex for everything I can. I spend A LOT of money with amex and I ALWAYS pay bills on time.
After 2 minute (literraly) on the phone with a rep, he told me he would be able to credit my account back for $200+tax!! He says it will appear on my account online within 24 hours!!!
I can't believe how easy it was...
He said they received hundreds of calls and for most people, you're gonna have to fill out forms and wait like 3 weeks and stuffs but for people like me who have a gold card (or platinum), they give the money back almost instantly.
This terrible nightmare is over for me but I still wanna fight apple as much as I can. I hate them for what they did to us. I will never buy apple ever again and I encourage you to do so.
Good luck everyone!

I wouldn't count on seeing that refund in 24hrs... I'm also a Gold card holder, and have been for 12 yrs. I use my card for most business purchases, averaging $50k or so per month on mine.

I spoke to AmEx this morning, and while they are going to TRY and help us purchasers, there is no guarantee. It's also not a 24hr thing, but up to 2weeks I was told.

I don't doubt you were told an immediate refund was coming, but the rep you spoke too was probably mis-informed. I'm sure AmEx management will set him straight :P

[minivini]

I was on the phone with AmEx.
I am a gold member and I use my amex for everything I can. I spend A LOT of money with amex and I ALWAYS pay bills on time.
After 2 minute (literraly) on the phone with a rep, he told me he would be able to credit my account back for $200+tax!! He says it will appear on my account online within 24 hours!!!
I can't believe how easy it was...
He said they received hundreds of calls and for most people, you're gonna have to fill out forms and wait like 3 weeks and stuffs but for people like me who have a gold card (or platinum), they give the money back almost instantly.
This terrible nightmare is over for me but I still wanna fight apple as much as I can. I hate them for what they did to us. I will never buy apple ever again and I encourage you to do so.
Good luck everyone!

How long ago did you buy your phone? I wonder how long AmEx's price protection lasts? I bought mine with AmEx about 5-6 weeks ago...

[Prelector]

How long ago did you buy your phone? I wonder how long AmEx's price protection lasts? I bought mine with AmEx about 5-6 weeks ago...

I purchased mine on July 9th, and had no problem from AmEx.

[seb481]

I am gonna edit the Original post and answer these questions

[robd54]

I called citi bank (my AMEX issuer) and they said i needed some sort of print ad showing the price, a printout or something wouldn't do. Has anyone had to do this? If so what did you use????

[seb481]

I called citi bank (my AMEX issuer) and they said i needed some sort of print ad showing the price, a printout or something wouldn't do. Has anyone had to do this? If so what did you use????
I didn't have to use anything. Everyone at amex knew about the price change.
Here is all the information I gave amex:
Date of purchase
Price
My mailing address

That was it!!

[Prelector]

I called citi bank (my AMEX issuer) and they said i needed some sort of print ad showing the price, a printout or something wouldn't do. Has anyone had to do this? If so what did you use????

Everyone I know of has gone directly to AmEx for the claim (as their card issuer). Not sure if you'll have a problem since yours is issued by CitiBank or not...

[connie]

Just got off the phone with AmEx. I am also getting credit of $200 +tax within 24 hours. I bought mine with my Blue card on 7/8 and they have a 90 day protection plan. They told me usually this would not fall under the plan but they are making a one time exception if you are in good standing. I have been a long time customer of Gold and Blue cards. Hope you guys get it too because I still am also mad as heck at Apple for this, we shouldn't be having to do this. But in their stupidity at least its under the 90 days. I will be very cautious recommending or ever buying anything from Apple again. Their reputation in customer service is way down in my book. But this is just my opinion. Good Luck.

[robd54]

Yeah, I'm wishing I had gotten an AMEX through AMEX and not Citi, but I did just call again and got a much better rep this time. She is sending me the claim forms and said they are trying/hoping exceptions will be made without a sales circular. So i'll hope for the best. While I'm not quite as upset as others I certainly will not object to getting $200 back.

[seb481]

Yeah, I'm wishing I had gotten an AMEX through AMEX and not Citi, but I did just call again and got a much better rep this time. She is sending me the claim forms and said they are trying/hoping exceptions will be made without a sales circular. So i'll hope for the best. While I'm not quite as upset as others I certainly will not object to getting $200 back.
Let us know how it works out for you!

[deac]

Ya'll spurred me to call. I have a green AE card I rarely use and a Gold AE Delta Skymiles card which is the one I used. As usual I got an extremely nice lady as you do almost every time with AE and here's all she could do. She did not know anything about a one time exception (after checking) but said that she could open a case file for a disputed charge. In the meantime they would issue an immediate credit of the $200 to my account. The claim could take awhile and I would be notifed in several weeks if the claim was accepted or not. At that time the credit back would be permanent or my card would be recharged the $200.

Dang its nice to hear a company that really wants and values you as a customer. I even went ahead and upgraded to platinum level for $80 which gives me a free companion ticket/year on flights I'm using miles and also gives me 5,00 more Medallion miles.

So we'll see how this turns out. As confirmed above they no longer have the price guarantee as a formal part of it, just the lost stolen, damage thing for 90 days unless I think she said you have one of the higher level pure AE cards.

Thanks for the heads up folks.

Still can't over the PR nightmare Apple created with this -- seems like the same kind of thinking that went into the plans for activation on Day 1. Someone was bad asleep at the switch or blew us off and didn't care -- which is the part that grates me still.

[Prelector]

...but said that she could open a case file for a disputed charge. In the meantime they would issue an immediate credit of the $200 to my account. The claim could take awhile and I would be notifed in several weeks if the claim was accepted or not. At that time the credit back would be permanent or my card would be recharged the $200.


OK, this explains the "immediate" credit some folks are reporting!

I'd bet they are doing this for everyone, but some of us aren't catching that part. Hell, this makes AmEx even BETTER in my mind... willing to go that one step even further.

[seb481]

In my case, the case is closed! I got my $200 back. They won't investigate any further. My $200 will be on my account tomorrow and it will stay there. I don't have any claim to file or anything.

[connie]

I did not have to file any report or paper work. They said my credit will show up tomorrow also. They did give me a claim number though. They said nothing about taking it back, they said it was a one time credit adjustment.

[seb481]

I did not have to file any report or paper work. They said my credit will show up tomorrow also. They did give me a claim number though. They said nothing about taking it back, they said it was a one time credit adjustment.
Exactly the same here!

[seb481]

Hopefully we'll still get our money back even after this $100 gift card marketing loophole

[echristodo]

I wouldn't count on seeing that refund in 24hrs... I'm also a Gold card holder, and have been for 12 yrs. I use my card for most business purchases, averaging $50k or so per month on mine.

If you spent an average of $50k a month your card would be black, not gold :2cool:

[Prelector]

If you spent an average of $50k a month your card would be black, not gold :2cool:

Not if you don't pay the increased monthly fee it won't.

Gold gives me the level of service I need, so why pay more for additional features I don't?

[seb481]

Not if you don't pay the increased monthly fee it won't.

Gold gives me the level of service I need, so why pay more for additional features I don't?
The AmEx Gold rocks!!!! It cost me $100/year and so far, I got more back than the price of the card: amex accepted to pay me back for an item the merchant wouldn't take back, they saved me $250. Now they are giving me back $200. This card is all profit for me.
I LOVE YOU AMEX!!! :laugh2::laugh2:

[kimirike]

So if I get my $200 back from AMEX do I still get the $100? lol

No seriously would I? That would be so sweet! But yeah I think I'll be happy if I get one or the other, though $200 through AMEX is better.:laugh2:

[seb481]

So if I get my $200 back from AMEX do I still get the $100? lol

No seriously would I? That would be so sweet! But yeah I think I'll be happy if I get one or the other, though $200 through AMEX is better.:laugh2:
Honestly, I don't really care about the $100 from apple. I want cash! I LOVE AMERICAN EXPRESS! Oops, did I say this out loud? I LOVE AMERICAN EXPRESS. oops, did I said it again? :tounge:

[jordan6]

So I just called American Express. It has been sixty days since I purchased the 4 gig model. Without getting into the details, the rep told me that they no longer have a price protection plan and that they cannot help me. I stated that other people had been getting stuff and he said sorry but there's nothing he can do. I am a gold cardholder and that didn't seem to make any difference.

[Silverado]

So I just called American Express. It has been sixty days since I purchased the 4 gig model. Without getting into the details, the rep told me that they no longer have a price protection plan and that they cannot help me. I stated that other people had been getting stuff and he said sorry but there's nothing he can do. I am a gold cardholder and that didn't seem to make any difference.

Here are my details in case any of it helps: I called last night and they asked me to call the Price Protection department which is handling the iPhone refunds (800-322-1277). Those guys told me that they don't ordinarily do this but because I was a valued member (I have been with them 18 years), they will submit my claim for the two iPhones that I bought on 6/29 and that I'll hear back soon. The person I spoke to said they've been doing this all day.

I don't know if any of the variables above are different for you. I also wonder if the $100 store credit thing is causing them to stop doing this.

[btrom56]

I am and have been a Platinum member for many years. I called this morning and was also told they drop the price protection member program last Aug. If they are not doing anything for plat members I doubt they are doing anything for other Amex card holders

[funkeruski]

I called Citi today and I do have that price protection benefit. Problem is I need a printed advertisement, not a printout from Apple's website. Another problem is that I bought the 4 gig which is discontinued, so there will most likely be no advertisements on this phone. They are sending me a claim form. Am I wasting my time?

[Silverado]

I am and have been a Platinum member for many years. I called this morning and was also told they drop the price protection member program last Aug. If they are not doing anything for plat members I doubt they are doing anything for other Amex card holders

Then Apple's store credit must be the reason for the change in policy this morning.

[reebs]

I also called AmEx this morning and they are processing my claim. They said ordinarily it doesn't cover cell phones BUT they are making an exception for the iPhone! It seems they all know about this. The first question she asked me is if it was about the iPhone! She said I should hear something from them in about 3 weeks.

[btrom56]

I don't understand what they are allowing you to claim. They do not have price protection and the phone is not broken or stolen. Are they just blowing smoke up your *** and in three weeks tell you sorry we did every thing we could for you?

[Prelector]

I don't understand what they are allowing you to claim. They do not have price protection and the phone is not broken or stolen. Are they just blowing smoke up your *** and in three weeks tell you sorry we did every thing we could for you?

As was explained in an early post of this thread, and as reebs stated in the post just before you:

AmEx as created a SPECIAL Price Protection policy ESPECIALLY for the iPhone. AmEx isn't guaranteeing any refund, but they will gather up all the "claims" by card holders, and see what they can do for us.

[btrom56]

What they are saying to you is that they enacting a Special Policy to review a Special Protection Plan that does not yet exist. I, as everyone else would like to get my $200.00 back, but I'm afraid it ain't going to happen. Apple is offering their $100 in store credit, which they will point to. That now leaves $100.00 Will they make good on that amount hope so but I doubt it.

[jordan6]

Here are my details in case any of it helps: I called last night and they asked me to call the Price Protection department which is handling the iPhone refunds (800-322-1277). Those guys told me that they don't ordinarily do this but because I was a valued member (I have been with them 18 years), they will submit my claim for the two iPhones that I bought on 6/29 and that I'll hear back soon. The person I spoke to said they've been doing this all day.

I don't know if any of the variables above are different for you. I also wonder if the $100 store credit thing is causing them to stop doing this.

I keep trying to call this number but it keeps giving me a busy signal. I don't really have any different variables, I bought my phone about two months ago and I mentioned to them it was an iphone, he put me on hold for a minute then said that they don't offer price protection etc etc. He said he really couldn't help me even when I mentioned I heard other people had been getting a claim and such. I'll keep trying to get through, but it's been busy for a while.

**UPDATE**

I finally got through, they were extremely helpful and the guy took my purchase information and told me they would get back to me within two weeks. Hopefully I'll get something, but if not it was worth a try.

[connie]

Maybe too many people have called and they cut it off. I gave my details in an earlier post on this thread. I was told I would be getting my credit within 24hrs yesterday morning. I called them back today with the claim number they gave me yesterday and they said my claim went through and my $215 credit was posted this morning to my account. Hope you get yours. Keep trying, maybe someone different will help. I also had to call the protection plan 800 number yesterday.