iPhone store credit is resolved; kudos to Apple support

Just a quick update that Apple was able to resolve the iPhone store credit issue I was having. The fact that I ported a new number to my iPhone four weeks after activation was definitely the culprit and Apple was very responsive in addressing the issue. What I gather is that they had to manually update their database to link my new number with the iPhone's serial number. Once that was done, they actually generated the SMS to my iPhone for me, which provided me with my access code. Kudos to Apple's customer service; thanks for making next month's expected Leopard upgrade cheaper out of my pocket.

If you ported a number to your iPhone after your activation, you'll likely have the same issue so contact the support folks at iphonestorecredit@apple.com for help. You'll need to provide your serial number, original phone number and new phone number.

Comments

[asiriusgeek]

Kevin: as time goes on, do you have further thoughts on your iPhone? I'm struggling with a purchase decision for some sort of smartphone, and have the iPhone on my list. I have basic data management (especially task lists. Things occur to me at random times and out of context for which I need a ubiquitous capture tool) as a higher priority than media stuff - you probably use your UMPC for that sort of thing? - so I'm wondering if the iPhone is really my best choice. If you have any further thoughts to share, I would really appreciate any information you have to offer!

[Gene Schmeling]

Do you think that the received your somewhat speedy resolution of this issue because of your public exposure from blogging on JKOnTheRun? Or do you think that anyone would receive the same attention to their problem?

[Kevin C. Tofel]

asiriusgeek: good question and after two months with the iPhone, maybe it's time for a revisit to share the experiences, likes and dislikes.

Gene: I can't speak for Apple support so I have no idea if they treated me differently. I can't see why they would as I'm a regular customer just like anyone else. In the grand scheme of things, most bloggers like me aren't treated any differently, nor should we be IMO.

[Xavier]

Kevin, good to hear you were taken care of.
Did you happen to purchase your iPhone with an AMEX card?
AMEX just gave me a $108.50 credit in price protection, even though they don't have an official price protection policy.
http://www.notebooks.com/2007/09/20/american-express-iphone-purchase-protection-just-got-my-credit/

[Marc Orchant]

Kevin:

I was concerned the same thing would happen to me as I ported a number over from T-Mobile to the iPhone after I had initially activated with a new AT&T number. Didn't happen. I got my credit just fine. Glad to hear your issue was resolved.

I can pretty much guarantee that Kevin's blogger credentials had nothing to do with his experience. Based on what I know about the mysterious goings-on at 1 Infinite Loop, being a blogger is no big thing.

And asiriusgeek - in my opinion. if you're buying the iPhone because you think it's a smartphone you're going to be disappointed. It's not. If you want a smartphone, buy a Blackberry or a Treo.

If you want an "intelligent" phone that converges media player, mobile Internet device, and cell phone then go for it. But be clear about what you want because the iPhone will demand many tradeoffs, workarounds, and compromises if what you really want is a PDA combined with a phone.

[eas]

I ported my old verizon number over a couple of weeks after buying the phone, so I've been putting off applying for the refund until they worked out the kinks.

I just did it now though. Put in my serial number and my current number and got the SMS a minute later. I'm going to stop by the Apple store this afternoon with my PIN code.