No iPhone for business account customers?
updated 06:00 pm EDT, Wed June 13, 2007
Biz customer iPhone ban?
Apple's iPhone is scheduled to ship on June 29th, but customers with Cingular/AT&T business accounts may be unable to purchase the handset unless they stand in line as individuals through retail channels. "I just spoke to a Cingular/AT&T business representative from the headquarters of the company (not a kiosk) and was told that iPhones will not be available for purchase by business account customers until further notice," one informant told AppleInsider. Another user who spoke with his Cingular business account manager was also informed that he would be unable to purchase an iPhone via Cingular business channels, but must instead purchase the handset through the carrier's retail channels.
"Furthermore, you can not use a normal business account -- only an account with individual responsibility," the second reader said.
Yet another AppleInsider reader and AT&T business customer claims to have been told by a representative of the AT&T Business Division that "AT&T is not selling [iPhone] to business or to sponsorship accounts under a business; only retail consumers for the first few months. There is no ETA on the sale ban to business."
AT&T Sucks!!!
06/13, 08:04pm reply
This is just proof of what I have been saying all along AT7T is not and will not be the right provider of such a great phone. As such the iPhone will not be worth getting.
drbroom
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2006
makes
06/14, 02:47am reply
makes sense. these phones are going to be in very short supply when they first come out. Like PS3s, or ipods a few years back. In order to get them out into the wild as soon as possible, they are going to start selling them right away, rather than build up stock of a hundred million before they go on sale. I won't be getting mine for a few months probably anyway so i could care less.
l008com
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2000
re:at&t sucks
06/14, 10:08am reply
Honestly, how does this prove it? There's going to be a shortage of these things, and they need to control it somehow. Why not take it away from the sleezy business execs who are trying to avoid waiting in a line to buy the phone through inside channels instead. s**** them, get in line like the rest of us.
cambie
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
I wonder....
06/14, 11:23am reply
... if big media company mucketymucks will have to wait in line like the rest of the proles.. Especially if they can authorize a massive Hearstian flame campaign in their mags (Forbes, GQ, Vogue, etc)..
OtisWild
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
wrong.
06/14, 07:23pm reply
This is wrong. I contacted AT&T. A business account (like myself b/c I get a discount through my college) can get an iPhone as long as I go to the store or online. They are not offering the phone (yet) on the business portal because there are no discounts so what is the point. YES BUSINESS ACCOUNT PEOPLE CAN GET THE IPHONE. AT&T doesn't discriminate :)
drole.homme
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Ridiculous
07/16, 12:46am reply
First off, NO IPHONE FOR BUSINESS ACCOUNTS. I stood in line... purchased one... got it home, and tried to activate it to no avail. I called AT&T and they said that I can only activate it for an "individual" account.
Secondly, why is there such bitter distain for businesses owning iPhones? I stood in line and waited like everyone else and I cannot think of a single reason why I should be prevented from owning/using the device like anyone else.
"Why not take it away from the sleezy business execs who are trying to avoid waiting in a line to buy the phone through inside channels instead. s**** them, get in line like the rest of us."... uh... what? "Sleezy" business execs? Ridiculous.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999