Did you try to buy an iPhone from the Apple website to use with your current Verizon plan? Did you have very little success, or finish the process so late that your phone isn’t shipping until October?
You are not alone. Twitter was flooded with irritated pre-order customers unable to get their hands on their phones, including two separate Gizmodo writers.
Tried and failed to get an iPhone. The Verizon/Apple handoff failed, creating hassle with me getting my number ported. Such a shit show
— Christina Warren (@film_girl) September 9, 2016
fuck
— 𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚡 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚣 (@alexhcranz) September 9, 2016
Tried ordering the iPhone. @BestBuy said I wasn't eligible. @verizon wanted to know when my family came over after WWII. #iPhone7PreOrder
— Jim Verros (@JimVerros) September 9, 2016
@VZWSupport VZW authentication system isn't working for me and hundreds of others through Apple store (search "apple store verizon" 2 see
— Kevin (@kcosty77) September 9, 2016
#iPhone7PreOrder did not go that smoothly with Apple Store App, forced to go directly through Verizon online store. 09/23 delivery est.
— JCC 👨🏼💻👨🏼💼👨🏼🍼👨👩👦 (@JClaytonCarr) September 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/embed/status/774153697446080512
Wow cant order with my phone # via the apple store, then it took 24 mins to order through verizon… oct 5th ship date now… #wtf #iphone7
— Kristop (@kristop) September 9, 2016
Glad I stayed up for the @Apple store to show up 20 minutes late and not communicate with my verizon account, and locking me out for an hour
— Amandub ✭ (@amandub) September 9, 2016
The problem lies in Apple’s new method for purchasing phones. Traditionally you selected your phone, then your carrier, and then you made your purchase. Now, however, Apple requires a “handshake” with the server of your phone carrier and has to confirm your pre-existing account.
Something seriously went awry with the handshake between Verizon and Apple early this morning and created a major headache for eager (and cranky) pre-order customers.
Insult to injury? Verizon charges a $20 “activation” fee on any phone you managed to successfully purchase.
While we like to talk about the stagnation of phone sales as a problem of innovation in the smartphone industry, it might, just maybe, also have something to do with the near-sisyphean task that pre-ordering a phone has become.
Were you up at 12am PST/3am EST for your pre-order? Was it successful? Sound off with your pre-order nightmares in the comments.
