O2 iPhone 3G Pre-Order Service In Trouble

Author Gordon Kelly
Published 7th Jul 2008
O2 iPhone 3G Pre-Order Service In Trouble
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We did say the iPhone 3G pre-order service was good theoretically...

Sadly however we are getting reports from customers that the whole process has - in the words of one reader - degenerated into "a total and utter shambles", something we can confirm from our own experience. So what's going on?

In a nutshell what we are seeing is a late surge of O2 texts to customers informing them they are eligible to upgrade to the iPhone 3G. This in turn is overloading the dedicated order site and bringing it to a near standstill causing orders to time out and - worst still - hit upgraders with a barrage of upgrade code text messages as they are forced to restart the ordering process time and time again.


Ultimately, this all seems a classic case of underestimating demand and it certainly doesn't bode well for the 11 July official launch when stores are expected to be deluged by 1,000s of eager customers. On the other hand, it does suggest the new subsidised iPhone 3G prices are going to be a major hit following the rather muted response to its predecessor's sky-high upfront costs.

Will you be upgrading? Let us know your experiences: did it go smoothly or has the whole process put you off the iPhone 3G for good...?

Update: O2 has acknowledged these troubles and says it is working hard to rectify the problem. It is also re-emphasising that customers get to stores early on 11 July to minimise risk of disappointment. Doors open 8.02am.

Links:
O2 iPhone 3G Product Page
iPhone 3G Upgrade Page

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Latest 4 of 16 Comments

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Comment betelgeus said on 7th July 2008

the thing is,if you upgrade you are basically agreeing to a new contract;exactly the same as a new customer,unless they look at your account and think you're not spending enou... more

Comment waisal said on 7th July 2008

Definitely put me off the 3G iphone I was going to upgrade as a loyal iphone user who got my iphone on the day of launch but after this upgrade fiasco and the fact that O2/CPW sold... more

Comment Tarik Bos said on 8th July 2008

all this trouble about a phone with an feature that should have been there from the beginning, like say... every high end phone...

Comment HSC said on 8th July 2008

Official Email from o2 Director - http://customerforum.o2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=17399&sid=04ac3c729d2ff921b1b8fefc9055f2af#17399

A resonable explanation - but on... more

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