Two weeks out of warranty, my iPhone 1.0 becomes a turnip.
Cost to replace an out-of-warranty iPhone 1.0 with a refurbished version of the same model: $199.
Minimum wait time to receive the $199 replacement at the 57th Street Apple Store: two hours. That’s 120 minutes, folks.
Can I leave and come back? No.
Cost to replace my old iPhone with a new model: also $199.
Minimum wait time to receive the new model at the 57th Street Apple Store: one hour.
I don’t want the new model but one hour is better than two.
Alas, though I’ve got a dead phone, I also have a hungry toddler. I can’t wait here that long.
The Apple Genius recommends that I make an appointment and come back.
First available appointment? Tuesday.
Today is Saturday. My phone, my connection to the world, is dead. I can’t replace it at the Apple Store unless I devote the afternoon to the project.
Lightbulb: AT&T stores sell iPhones. There are AT&T Stores all over this city. I don’t have to wait in this airless giant gerbil cage all day!
Availability of iPhone at nearest AT&T Store: nil.
How about at this other AT&T Store? Nope.
Or this one? No iPhones here either.
A tropical storm hits New York, ending my quest, sending me home soaked and phoneless.
I will have to go back to the Apple Store some other day, and queue as if for Madonna tickets.
I love this phone, but I’m starting to have my doubts about the company that makes it.
[tags]apple, iphone, applestore, scarcity[/tags]