Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

CorpITGuy · Dec 3, 2008, 08:42 AM

Apple's idea of giving someone an iPhone 3G for Christmas:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/gift/buy.html

Simple? Yes. Genius? Yes. Would anyone spend $200 plus tax on a gift and give their loved one a crummy card on Christmas morning? Prolly not.

Verdict: Christmas gift FAIL.

Zeeb · Dec 3, 2008, 10:23 AM

Since it represents a new iphone---I think a lot of people would love that--I would have but I already have an iphone. You have to make sure they're ready for the monthly fees though.

Maflynn · Dec 3, 2008, 10:27 AM

I'd love to get this, I don't think its crummy.

I agree with zeeb, that the monthly costs would have to be considered when making the decision to buy the gift.

Simon · Dec 3, 2008, 10:28 AM

Smart idea since you can't really buy somebody else an iPhone. And it costs Apple virtually nothing.

64stang06 · Dec 3, 2008, 05:09 PM

Christmas Fail? Nope, just this topic.

CorpITGuy · Dec 4, 2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by 64stang06

Christmas Fail? Nope, just this topic.

Zing.

::Adds 64stang06 to 'posters I don't like' list::

I can't believe I'm the only person who wouldn't want to spend $200-$300 on a gift for someone only to hand them a card on Christmas Day that they can't even redeem until the following day (assuming there's enough stock).

Nodnarb · Dec 4, 2008, 11:56 AM

You'd have to be some kind of an A-Hole to receive the iPhone 3G gift card and be like "Gee Thanks. This is it. Really? I can't even get the iPhone today!!!!

"

I admit it might be a little underwhelming, only because of the anxiety to actually have the phone in hand. But since buying a cellphone is a pretty personal thing (need SS #, etc.), then the gift card is just fine.

And hell, if the recipient isn't able to pay the monthly fees, they can just take that card and put the money towards anything else at the apple store. They aren't locked into getting an iPhone.

tooki · Dec 5, 2008, 03:06 AM

If the recipient doesn't want any Apple gear (I seriously doubt that that gift card can only be used for iPhones), they can always exercise the little-known right to demand cash payout of the gift card.

Big Mac · Dec 5, 2008, 03:18 AM

That's really a right?

Nodnarb · Dec 5, 2008, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by tooki

If the recipient doesn't want any Apple gear (I seriously doubt that that gift card can only be used for iPhones), they can always exercise the little-known right to demand cash payout of the gift card.

It's not, it says online it's just like any Apple gift card. They just made it easier by figuring out the exact amount ($199/$299 +tax) of the iPhone on the card and it says "iPhone 3G" on the front. Other than that it is just like a regular Apple gift card.

tooki · Dec 5, 2008, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

That's really a right?

It is on Apple gift cards, it's on their fine print somewhere. Some state laws require it, so Apple Store policy just makes it a blanket right. Just don't expect every Mac Specialist to know about this, you may need to get a manager.

thechidz · Dec 5, 2008, 05:25 PM

I would love it!

::maroma:: · Dec 5, 2008, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by CorpITGuy

Apple's idea of giving someone an iPhone 3G for Christmas:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/gift/buy.html

Simple? Yes. Genius? Yes. Would anyone spend $200 plus tax on a gift and give their loved one a crummy card on Christmas morning? Prolly not.

Verdict: Christmas gift FAIL.

So you're saying if someone gave you this for Christmas you'd tell them they failed? Anyone who would be disappointed by this gift card doesn't deserve a gift at all. Some people are just too pretentious for their own good.

zro · Dec 6, 2008, 11:50 AM

Assuming you'd be giving the card to an adult, their having to wait a day to redeem it shouldn't be a problem. Plus they should be able to wrap their brains around what it is and why it can only be a card.

But take giving a Toys R Us gift card to a child. Don't underestimate the power of choice. What kid wouldn't want a free ticket to the toy store? Kids love going to the toy store. So a gift like that has a double payout. Whereas we hate the crowds, they don't even notice.

imitchellg5 · Dec 7, 2008, 08:46 PM

I would love it, but only if whoever gave me the card was paying for service.

CorpITGuy · Dec 8, 2008, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

So you're saying if someone gave you this for Christmas you'd tell them they failed? Anyone who would be disappointed by this gift card doesn't deserve a gift at all. Some people are just too pretentious for their own good.

No, you're putting words in my mouth, or, words on my keyboard.

As the giver the gift, if I spent that much money on the gift I'd want the person to HAVE THE FREAKIN' GIFT, know what I mean?

As it is, who says the local ATT store will even have 3G iPhones in stock? There is no Apple store in most cities, and AT&T SUCKETH PROFUSELY when it comes to keeping iPhones in stock.

Nodnarb · Dec 8, 2008, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by CorpITGuy

No, you're putting words in my mouth, or, words on my keyboard.

As the giver the gift, if I spent that much money on the gift I'd want the person to HAVE THE FREAKIN' GIFT, know what I mean?

As it is, who says the local ATT store will even have 3G iPhones in stock? There is no Apple store in most cities, and AT&T SUCKETH PROFUSELY when it comes to keeping iPhones in stock.

I doubt they're even redeemable at an AT&T store. Haven't looked into it that much, but it's an Apple gift card, what makes you think they'd be redeemable anywhere else besides an apple store or Apple online?

Best Buy also sells iPhones, but I highly doubt they'd swipe an Apple gift card.

Even though AT&T "SUCKETH PROFUSELY" at keeping iPhones in stock (is this even still an issue? thought it was only for a month or two after launch) you can still go to the Apple store, or worst case scenario, Apple Online and order the iPhone there.

You're really making an issue out of nothing.

CorpITGuy · Dec 8, 2008, 03:07 PM

I hadn't thought that there aren't ANY local retailers (if you don't have an Apple Store) at which to buy an iPhone with the gift card, but you're probably right.

There were supply problems at two of the AT&T stores that I frequent as of October. That problem might be gone now that the economy dropped off a cliff.

Nodnarb · Dec 8, 2008, 03:22 PM

Wow, I'm surprised if AT&T is still having supply issues with iPhones... Well, not too surprised actually, because I remember hearing reports last week that Apple stores were running low on iPod Touches after Black Friday. Guess it's better for Apple to have just enough to meet demand (or just under) than to have a huge surplus sitting in warehouses.

CharlesS · Dec 8, 2008, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by ::maroma::

So you're saying if someone gave you this for Christmas you'd tell them they failed? Anyone who would be disappointed by this gift card doesn't deserve a gift at all. Some people are just too pretentious for their own good.

If someone decided to gift me an iPhone without asking me if I wanted it first, they'd better make the gift card for $920, not $200, because that's the true price of the iPhone when you factor in the data plan.

Hell, actually, they'd better pay for the difference in the voice plan prices too. My T-Mobile plan gives me 1500 minutes for $50 per month, and the closest AT&T has to that is the $130 unlimited plan, which is twice as expensive just for the voice part. So the total cost of the iPhone there is $2120, and the price to the giftee after cashing your $200 coupon is $1920. I could get a new MacBook Pro for not much more than that!

Oh, not to mention that I'd have to turn down the gift anyway, because AT&T has no signal (not even roaming) in places where I need to use it.

So yeah, it really is a lousy gift, I'm sorry.

Nodnarb · Dec 8, 2008, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

If someone decided to gift me an iPhone without asking me if I wanted it first, they'd better make the gift card for $920, not $200, because that's the true price of the iPhone when you factor in the data plan.

Hell, actually, they'd better pay for the difference in the voice plan prices too. My T-Mobile plan gives me 1500 minutes for $50 per month, and the closest AT&T has to that is the $130 unlimited plan, which is twice as expensive just for the voice part. So the total cost of the iPhone there is $2120, and the price to the giftee after cashing your $200 coupon is $1920. I could get a new MacBook Pro for not much more than that!

Oh, not to mention that I'd have to turn down the gift anyway, because AT&T has no signal (not even roaming) in places where I need to use it.

So yeah, it really is a lousy gift, I'm sorry.

Or, you just use the card to buy any other apple product (or anything they sell in the stor) instead of having a hissy fit about pricey data/voice plans and lack of AT&T coverage.