According to a recent story over on the Consumerist; Ronny has lost his iPhone and cannot buy a new one at any price because of a new policy that is aimed at stopping people from “jailbreaking” them. To begin with, I would assume the employee who gave him the bad news is actually referring to unlocking, but that aside, this is an interesting story.
Ronny has stated that he originally purchased an 8GB iPhone and then returned it (within 30-days) and replaced it with the larger 16GB model. He then used that 16GB model until this past weekend, when as he put it, he left his “iPhone unattended for a brief period” and had it stolen.
I would imagine he was feeling a little down and out after that, however, he then visited a local AT&T store only to get some worse news. The reps in the store told him that they could not sell him a new iPhone (even at full retail) because he had to many iPhones on his line. The rep said this was due to a new policy that went into effect about two weeks ago.
After receiving the bad news, he then spoke with AT&T customer care and an Apple Store. He even visited another AT&T location and was told the same story.
Personally, I have not yet heard of this new rule, if anyone has any further information (proof) please feel free to send it our way. Could there be something that Ronny is leaving out?
If nothing else this should teach all of us iPhone users to be a little more careful moving forward. In the past I worried about damaging my iPhone and not having insurance, but now not being able to buy a replacement sounds even worse. I guess he could always try checking the used market.
![Jailbreaking news: Trick iTunes into thinking you have iPhone OS 3.1.3 [UPDATED]](http://www.iphonefreak.com/wp-content/themes/freshnews/thumb.php?src=/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/iphone3gofficial.png&h=28&w=28&zc=1&q=80)
March 10th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Some people buy the iphone then cancel the plan. Then they sold the iPhone and unlock it. But AT&T and apple only allow you to puchase certain amount of iphone.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
ATT did that to me. ATT will allow you to buy another 3g phone but not the iphone. They did check my records and this was the second time I lost the iphone. What was bad was if I bought another phone, they would not cancel my data plan for the iphone. They are ridiculous.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:04 am
This is more than ridiculous…I went yesterday to pick up a new 3G that I broke and AT&T told me the same thing. They said because I have two lines on the same account I already meet my allotment!!! I have to wait 18 months to be eligible to purchase a new one at FULL price. What AT&T is doing is wrong…I know they are trying to stop “jailbreaking” but look at the user history to see if actually use the phone to make that judgment!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I am having the same problem… My iPhone was stolen from me and I really need it for work. I am totally willing to pay the full price for it but after getting denied by AT&T and Apple I’ve had about enough… I’ve raved about the phone and how amazing the product is for the past year but after this kind of service from ATT and Apple I don’t think I would buy another Apple product on principle alone… I would expect this kind of behavior from ATT but I really thought Apple paid a little more attention to the consumer… guess its all about makin a buck… but a lot of loyal customers are getting screwed in the meantime… Just the idea of having apple tell me that I cannot have my stolen phone replaced… That’s the typical kick em when they’re down response you can expect from ATT but not apple… sellouts…