Guess what? The iPhone 3GS I just bought had a broken button

seanwes · 06-19-2009, 12:01 PM

I get to the AT&T store early so I could have the best options, an I'm first in line. At 7am, they took the preorder customers in. (there were only 2 or 3) at first, the lady told us we'd have to wait until 9am, but after they took care of those first direct fulfillment orders, they started taking the rest of us in around 7:20, so that was really nice.

The whole ordeal went reletively smoothly, except for the confused rep who was telling me I had to pay $699 for my phone. I kept saying, no, I'm SIGNING a new contract. the $699 is for NO contract. Finally with the help of an assistant manager, we got things taken care of.

Well, after spending close to $800 in there, my fiancé and I leave with 2 white iPhones, a 32GB and a 16GB. Much to my dismay, once we arrive at our location, and I decided to play with my new toy a little more, I discover that the home button is broken! it only works about maybe 20% of the time, and when it does, it acts like it's being held down. (i.e. it keeps jumping to the home screen, and then spotlight, then home screen, then favorites, then voice control, over and over.) and if I try to turn it off, it takes a screenshot. And then, the other majority of the time, it did not work at all. I could not wake it up from sleeping with home button or anything.

I rush back to the AT&T store, only to find that all they have is three 32GB Blacks left. So begrudgingly, I take a black one, though I had my heart set on white. I'm out of town now, but once I'm back home I'll be able to exchange it. It's not a huge ordeal, but it's just frustrating.

Oh well, at least I have a working phone right now.

And yes, I did reset it multiple times, tried pressing it with more pressure, nothing. Voice control kept popping up on it's own, constantly. When I brought it back, the AT&T rep definitely confirmed it was a bad egg. He was certainly as surprised as I was. I've had bad experiences with refurbished models before, but this one was NEW. That just sucks, I'm sorry. Thanks for letting me vent, all.

JimD · 06-19-2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by seanwes

Much to my dismay, once we arrive at our location, and I decided to play with my new toy a little more, I discover that the home button is broken!

Maybe you got the one the guy dropped in that video!

(as commented on here)

seanwes · 06-30-2009, 12:57 PM

This situation just gets better and better.

I've been calling AT&T stores to see if they're in stock, and they haven't been. But this time, I ask the rep a few more questions about my situation, and it turns out that I'm going to have to pay a 10% restocking fee on the $499 I already paid if I want to switch it out. After giving him more specific information about my particular situation, he said the only way I'm going to get an exception for the restocking fee to be waived would be to go back to the AT&T store that I bought it from.

Ok great. I was on a trip and out of town when I bought it. I guess I'm stuck with a black one.

cabinets · 06-30-2009, 01:33 PM

Black is better IMO.I had a white 3g, but the black seems more professional.

seanwes · 06-30-2009, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by cabinets

Black is better IMO.I had a white 3g, but the black seems more professional.

I guess I'll just have to learn to like it. I just always liked the white. Thought it looked clean and Applesque.

Get_Zwole · 06-30-2009, 02:44 PM

sucks man i hate that they do that crap. I like black better but would feel the same way if they made me take a white instead. sorry to hear about your situation.

seanwes · 07-03-2009, 02:36 PM

lol, this is just getting ridiculous.

I spoke to the guy at the AT&T store again on the phone, and he said since they don't have any in stock, I could pre-order it and pay another $499 up front, and when it comes in, I could exchange my black one and get my money back (minus the 10% restocking fee).

As much as I hated doing this, I decided I would just put it on the credit card, and then pay it off once the phone comes in, so I tell him that I will go ahead and pre-order my white 32gb. "Oh," he says, "you can only do that in the store, I can't take it over the phone." What the heck?

So a couple days later, I go to the AT&T store, and I talk to a lady there, and tell her my situation and explain what the other rep told me. She said they cannot do a pre-order unless I am starting new service or adding a line, not for an exchange. She said there's no option for that when they file a direct fulfillment order, they can only choose new service or added line.

Which means my only options are to wait and hope that AT&T stores get more phones in stock before the 18th of July (the end of my 30 days to return), or bring it to Apple and get a refurbished phone in a white box.

I paid $500, and I have to go through all this crap because I want a white phone?

Europa · 07-03-2009, 02:39 PM

Why are you sure it will be a refurb? It's so close to the release date, that they are probably giving out new ones. Even if it is a refurb, I'd go with that option. Refurb's are just as good.

seanwes · 07-03-2009, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by Europa

Why are you sure it will be a refurb? It's so close to the release date, that they are probably giving out new ones. Even if it is a refurb, I'd go with that option. Refurb's are just as good.

You're correct, I'm not sure, but it is a possibility. And I've gotten a couple bad refurbs in a few of my swap outs. Of course, they did switch those out too. Maybe you're right.

Will I need to return the box? Or do I just bring it in and they just swap out the phone?

edit:
oh wait, that would be weird for me to keep the black box and have a white iPhone. I guess I bring it all back it?

Europa · 07-03-2009, 02:51 PM

I haven't done it before, but I think I'd bring everything just in case.