AT&T has stopped selling iPhone in NYC because it can't handle the traffic? (Update: Fraudulent activity)

Seth Weintraub
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December 27, 2009
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Update 2: just heard from AT&T.  They said:
Thanks for reaching out.  Here's our statement this evening:

"We periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels."

 

WTF!

Update: We're hearing that they aren't shipping online orders to NYC because of widespread fraud in the NYC area.  If so, these fraudsters aren't going to be able to foil this sophisticated fraud prevention tactic by ordering to another ZIP code.

Thanks Dan B.

 

According to a Consumerist report, AT&T has stopped selling the iPhone online to Zip codes in the New York City Metro area.  We've confirmed that we cannot get an iPhone online from AT&T's online store with our NYC and Westchester Zip codes. Is New York not ready for the iPhone?

A Consumerist reader reported:

I was on the AT&T Wireless website trying to get an iPhone. However, when I put in my zip code 11231, the site says the iPhone is unavailable. This seemed a little odd so I started punching in other famous zip codes: 90210, 60609 (spiegel catalog), 02134 (zoom, an old children's show).For theses cities, LA, Chicago, Boston, iPhone is available. Then I looked up some other zip codes: Dallas, Miami, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco. All those cities are ok. Then I started putting in more NYC zip codes: midtown, Staten Island, the Bronx...no iPhone available.

This is weird...AT&T has cut off New York City.

They even contacted AT&T support to verify the problem:

Daphne: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?

Laura: Hi, I was looking at the iPhone 3Gs and the system tells me that I cannot order one in my ZIP code. My zip code is 11231. (Brooklyn, NY) Is this true? Are iPhones no longer available in New York City?

Daphne: I am happy to be helping you today . Yes, this is correct the phone is not offered to you because New York is not ready for the iPhone. Daphne: You don't have enough towers to handle the phone.

Laura: Thank you for your help. So the phone is not available to people anywhere in the city?

Daphne: Yes this is correct Laura. 

Is it true? Is New York not ready for the iPhone?  We're hoping to get some clarification from AT&T ASAP.  

Update: We're hearing that they aren't shipping online orders to NYC because of widespread fraud in the NYC area.  If so, these fraudsters aren't going to be able to foil this sophisticated fraud prevention tactic by ordering to another ZIP code.

Thanks Dan B.

Thanks Mark!

Comments (23)

Ian Gendel (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 3:28pm

Has nothing to do with not ready for it.  Has to do with the fact that most people that unlock the phones and send them to other countries come out of NYC.  We see it so often at the Apple Store I work at.  They are constantly finding ways to get people's social security numbers and use them to get phones.  Most are from NYC.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 3:50pm

At the Apple Store?  Are you one of them Mac Geniuses?  Oh man I hope not, if so, I am quite glad I haven't bought any Apple products yet, because that is the dumbest thing I ever heard.  Research the market sir, that can't even be 2% of the iPhone market, if that can debunk all that Apple is, then Apple truly is pathetic.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 5:40pm

2% of 20,000,000 phones is around 400,000.  When AT&T ships a phone, Apple will not receive it's (high) subsidy until the iPhone is activated by AT&T.  When these hijacked phones disappear, Apple loses money....an awful lot of money.  This is why Apple stopped these online sales.

 

Rest assured, you can still walk into your local Apple/AT&T store in NY and buy one.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 5:45pm

That is such BS man. You need an ID as well, no Apple employee or AT&T employee will sell an iphone to someone for just providing a social number that does not match the name.

I am in NYC as well, although I agree that a lot of people unlock it and export it, there is major dropped calls in the city, AT&T cannot handle all the traffic at this moment.

 

Instead of upgrading their network like a reputable company would do, they stop selling iPhones lol, what a joke. I hope Apple drop their asses and go with a more reputable cellphone carrier.

I have an iPhone here in NYC and I get dropped calls every 5 minutes, not counting the 3G and EDGE outages...

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 3:29pm

this is just pathetic. can we have verizon already??

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 3:49pm

How did the support person know her name?

I thought the "Stimulus Package" was supposed to create jobs (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 4:25pm

My gosh....this smells like conspiracy! If this is a complete transcript, how in the world did Daphne know Laura's name?

 

It sounds like Verizon DISINFO agents are out to get ATT. Lol.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 4:44pm

This was online support.

It's a chat.

All support has to do is look at the customers name in the chat. Anyone who's ever been in sales of any type knows to call customers by name.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 5:42pm

Apple continues to count the  amount of bull_sh*t AT&T has done to make the iPhone an un-pleasurable device to use. Apple has more than enough reasons to break and modify their contracts and move on.

Hello Jan. 26_

The new product will be for new network(s).  The name "might" be change to not infringe with the iPhone on AT&T contract. The device is more than just a phone after all_ but for a lot of people they probably never notice it was a phone given AT&T.

I think a new name for these new devices is proper as well, given that they do more than a phone or smart-phone. Wish name will it be given? We shall know hopefully on Jan. 26

So much for extending exclusivity AT&T,  you did it to yourselves_

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 6:55pm

they have it for my town too, and im not even in the city. im in new jersey like 40 minutes away 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 9:13pm

AT&T fraudulently claims to have 3G service.

P7000 (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 11:04pm

cause att blows!!!!! they cant handle the iphone

dave (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 11:06pm

AT&T has fraudulently been taking customers money while providing substandard service in the New York area.

boat accessories (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 11:32pm

It's not a glitch or an error, AT&T is just proactively ensuring that your call is not dropped by preventing you from purchasing one of their phones. Pretty soon you'll receive a bill for considering the use of their network too.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 27, 2009 - 11:46pm

why are you posting screenshots from a windows machine?!

streetglide (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 4:08am

Once again, we see where AT&T is destroying the iPhone. Seriously this is getting bad. C'mon Man!!! lets get it together, AT&T sucks more than anything has ever sucked before. I hate that my friends with Droids get 3G on that phone. The phone is nowhere near as good as the iPhone, but they get great coverage and fast 3G, I am stuck with Edge. C'mon Man!

Elijah (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 5:13am

You at&t and Apple haters really need to get a grip. Your demented comments are exposing your mental issues to the world. You have no clue as to what is actually going on yet, but your hatred leads to conclusions that suit the needs of your mental illness. Seriously, go see a doctor and get some meds. You need help. 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 5:33am

The sky is falling. SOmebody needs to get a grip and save the hysteria for a real life and death situation.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 5:47am

I wish the iPhone was on Verizon's network. I have had Verizon for years, never had issues with poor signals / dropped calls. This is the only reason I won't get an iPhone, as I don't like ATT's service. Those commercials weren't wrong and ATT knows it. 

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 12:00pm

I think the TSA should look into this

Sally (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 1:37pm


> I think the TSA should look into this

 


The Transportation Security Administration ???


I think people will eventually file a class-action suit against AT&T.


You can't keep charging me for cell service... that just doesn't work 50% of the time.


What if your gas or electric only worked 50% of the time?


Or your water?   Or your newspaper delivery.   Or if you went to the store... and paid for $70 in groceries... but they only gave you 1/2 of it.


Why does AT&T think they can legal rip-off millions of people????


I paid for *WORKING* cell coverage.


 


 

Toni (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 1:30pm

> We periodically modify our promotions and distribution channels


 


Buy refusing to sell just 1 phone... the iphone????


How is that "modify our promotions"???


 

Sally (not verified) | December 28, 2009 - 1:32pm

AT&T only covers about 17% of the country with 3G coverage.
 
Their ads keep bragging about their speed, their (slower/older) 2G coverage, number of cities,
number of users, clear calls, low static, happy customers, and few dropped calls.
 
Ever wonder why they removed their 3G map from their web-site?
 
And *NEVER* mention that their 3G only covers 17% of the USA?


I wonder why.