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July 11, 2008
Telstra's iPhone victims - on camera
Is this video [opens with a brief commercial] of iPhone zealots captured queuing outside a Telstra store in Bourke Street this morning a parade of world-class dimwits? Or are they unfortunate victims of Telstra's shabby marketing tactics ... which in our opinion amount to deliberate concealment.
We found it impossible yesterday - a day before the launch - to get the details of Telstra's iPhone data charges. The staff at the four Telstra shops we rang simply didn't know, and the Telstra PR whom we asked to return our call, predictably didn't bother.
Nevertheless, that didn't stop all those people lining up overnight to buy an iPhone on what is, in terms of data charges, arguably the world's least iPhone friendly network. They've spent a cold night, being jeered at by drunks (who obviously know a lot more than these people do), in order to sign up for deals that are likely to get them stuck with savage bills for excess data charges, if they dare to use the iPhone as the promotional hype says it is designed to be used. $89 a month gets them bugger-all. A total of 107MB of data for God's sake, that will allow them to look at a few web pages every day, providing they don't get much email. Each additional MB will cost them $1. For $70, the people who queued at Optus get more than six times that data allowance.
We think they should ask The Age to obscure their faces, because they're clearly identified as people with a particularly low IQ.
Or perhaps they took the advice of Telstra's David Moffatt, and in asking the question "What do they most need their phone to do?" came up with a different answer to everyone else. They don't want to use the iPhone on the Internet. They want to use it as a phone. A highly fashionable, not particularly brilliant phone. Honestly, it makes us shake our head in wonder at the Australian consumer. Most of them are beyond help, aren't they?
We're thinking of having some bumper stickers made up: "I'm so dumb, I bought my iPhone from Telstra."
What's fascinating is that in Canada, the customers of Rogers Wireless Communications were so irate, they ran a public petition which forced the company to cut iPhone charges from 400MB for $60 per month, to 5GB for $30 per month. So much for the Anzac spirit. At least the Kiwis complain about being ripped off by their corporations.
Posted by cw at July 11, 2008 04:26 PM
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Comments
Let me start by saying: "I'm so dumb".
Anyway, I got the iPhone from Telstra because where I live and travel has minimal or no coverage from the others - despite the worst data and included calls.
Since their System (MICA) was down for processing mobiles, no one in Melbourne and possibly Australia was able to get an iPhone activated or number ported over to them Friday.
As of today I still have in effect an "iPod touch" as it has no phone capability. Calls to 125 111 advise me to ring Activations, whom are not available until Monday during Business Hours.
Way to go Telstra. Take my money, give me less than any other carrier in the world, and leave me without a phone. (NB: I work indirectly for Telstra, so this is my personal opinion only).
Posted by: Lantrix at July 12, 2008 03:03 PM
Iphone prices..
I have friends in nth bay CA up from San. Fran
People were queuing from early morning to get first chance on the Iphone
Yes
Iphone 8G $199
Iphone 16G $299
Now Aussie $ is High WHY is the Iphone $799 pre-paid here (8G)
and the 16G $849 (OPTUS)
Land of ripoffs here
I mean the damn thing is made in Asia anyways
Posted by: John Smith at July 14, 2008 10:14 AM
No,
the US prices of 199 and 299 are with a 2 year ATT contract which includes a commitment to go on a significantly priced plan.
They pay about the same for outright versions.
Posted by: Nick at May 21, 2009 01:25 AM