From the desk of Allison

I’ve been ripped off by AT&T

It all started in May of 2011.  I was cutting the cord from my parents and leaving the family wireless plan and getting my own phone contract.  Off to the AT&T store I went, eager to join the ranks of those who can wholly declare their independence by paying their own bills and being an official grown up. 

‘New White iPhone 4 please!’ I cheerfully called out to the customer service gentleman at my local AT&T branch (no Apple Stores in Vermont!)

‘Since you’re purchasing a new iPhone 4, how would you like to also purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan for it?’ the helpful customer service agent inquired.

‘Hmmm, I’m not sure I need that.  That is, unless, the protection plan covered accidental damage, because that I could really use that!’ I laughed as I said this, thinking of the many ways I’ve broken iPhones over the last few years.

‘Why yes, as a matter of fact this protection plan does cover accidental damage! If you break your phone you just pay a minimal fee and you will be sent a replacement!’ he boasted.  He then told me how I could also receive a FREE phone case for purchasing the protection plan.

Well, I thought to myself, given my track record, it seems like a natural decision to make to also get the protection plan.  I WILL injure this phone in some way before I’m eligible for an upgrade, I might as well pay the money up front now so that I don’t have to pay full price for a new phone later on down the road.

‘Sign me up!’

9 months later…

Getting out of my car to walk into a friends house to celebrate our 30th birthdays. SMASH! The noise of my phone dropping facedown onto the pavement, the cracks spiderwebbing across the screen.

‘phew! good thing I bought the protection plan!’ I said about 30 times that night.

The next day, I called Apple to find out how to get my phone fixed.  ‘Well we can’t replace your phone because the Apple Care Protection Plan DOES NOT cover accidental damage’ explained the helpful Apple support help.

WHA?!?!?!?!?

You see my friends, it seems that the Apple Care PLUS Protection Plan is the plan that Apple offers that covers accidental damage…. which they didn’t start selling until 6 MONTHS after I purchased my phone.

So now I have to pay out of pocket to have my screen repaired. ON TOP OF paying for a protection plan that is totally worthless.  I’ve owned many variations of iPhone’s and Mac’s and iPod’s… hardware issues are something I’ve never dealt with.  If something didn’t work, it was directly from human error.

I paid an additional $79 when I purchased my new phone simply because an AT&T employee assured me that the protection plan could do something it simply just cannot.

It’s absolutely ridiculous.  I blasted AT&T on Twitter and was asked to DM a customer rep.. well I did that hours ago and have heard nothing back.  I will continue to pay my bill and tow the line the length of my contract.  But the minute I can lose you without having to pay additional money, I’m out AT&T, and I’m never coming back.