Are Apple really this crap?

[stoop]

My son is over from Thailand for 2 weeks and has decided to upgrade to an iphone 4 from the Apple shop in Sheffield. He would order one on line but there is a 3 week lead time for delivery and he will be well gone by then.

We decided Meadowhall, Sheffield could be an option and we are here with £500 to spend but can I get them to answer the phone? No way!

2 days I've been trying and left the phone on speaker for ages and still no answer. It's best part of 90 miles round trip and we wanted to know if they have any in stock before we set off.

I rang the Apple help line and did get through once I said I wanted to buy a phone but they do not keep any records of shop stocks.

No wonder this country is going down the pan! Service with a smile went years ago and now I can't even get it with a frown!

Before anyone asks he needs it from Apple as they come sim free and this means he will be able to use it in Thailand and any other country in the future.

[!]

[captainjon]

According to the magazine called PC PRO,they are available from Tesco on a contract, or sim free and I think they were also about £500.

[stoop]

Wife works there and only seen them on PAYG and contract. Tesco direct the same and all showing out of stock anyway.

Thanks though - if anyone sees a sim free one(16gb)please let me know.

[stoop]

Tried to get an answer all day and nothing. Emailed them to complain and I 'should expect a reply withing 4 days'!! Must be snailmail.

[legless]

You can get one from O2 then ring to have it unlocked for free, my brother in law has done it with his and he travels the world

Ron

[Scunner]

I have an iphone and it is on o2 - you can unlock it without even a phone call (contract phones and PAYG over 12 months in I think) at http://shop.o2.co.uk/update/unlockmyiphone.html

Not the iphone 4 yet though.

[stoop]

Problem is if it's not unlocked by Apple you cannot put updates on as the phone throws a wobbly. Rather than 'unlocked' it's 'sim free' that he wants - sounds similar but the latter leaves much more options than the former.

He's now going to Sheffield visiting friends on Thursday so he will call into the shop to see if they have any.

Thanks for all the offers of help though.

[Scunner]

Available via Amazon, £500 won't buy one though []

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Apple-APPLE-IPHONE-16GB-BLACK/dp/B003TQ3NCY/ref=pd_cp_ce_1

[stoop]

Must be mad people paying £750 for a phone you can buy direct from Apple for £499.00.

[legless]

Stuart, Alan & Rach both have I-Phone 4 both unlocked and both work perfectly well unlock was done via apple

Ron