iPhone 4 launch in Hong Kong
After yesterday’s fiasco, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Vodafone simply doesn’t understand what the launch of a product like the iPhone 4 means to its customers, or that it simply doesn’t ‘do’ glitzy launches. Wrong. Check out video footage of how Big Red launched the iPhone 4 in other countries including Australia and Hong Kong with lavish parties and awesome hospitality, and then compare that with footage of our own after the break.
Hong Kong
Australia
New Zealand
Okay, okay. Australia and Hong Kong had massive queues and that’s never going to happen on that kind of scale here. But the fact is we never asked for rockstars and Masterchef contestants filling us with roast pork belly and booze, and we don’t expect it because we’re little old New Zealand and we’re just not that flashy.
What we do ask for is to be treated with just a little bit of respect. Clearly somebody knew the launch wasn’t happening in the morning, but people were still left to queue all night in freezing conditions and in the dark as to what was going on, and then even in the morning the communication just wasn’t there. By the time the launch details were clear, those who had been eager to queue had gone home to bed and missed out.
I know one thing: I’m never going to queue for an iPhone again unless all the details are provided before-hand like they are in other countries with service providers who actually give a damn about their customers.
Seems like we always get a pretty rough deal… Sucks to be NZ!!!
(Allan has made 42 comments)
Paul Reynolds wouldn’t treat you like that. We’d love to have you aboard the HMS XT.
(moose has made 15 comments)
I really hope the estimated 3 weeks shipping for online purchases is an over-estimation. Would go along way for fans if they were able to fast track some NZ orders. Especially mine
(djsin has made 20 comments)
when i ordered via phone last night the guy said it most likely will be significantly less than that, because we were in the first set of online sales so we would be priority as soon as they become available to apple sales.
(Joe Bunting has made 69 comments)
Do we know who’s ‘fault’ it was conclusively yet? Was it down to Apple, or was it exclusively a Vodafone botch-up?
As for comparing Vodafone to XT, let’s take a step back and look at the big picture. They’re all as bad as each other when it comes down to it. I still can’t get my head around why not ONE carrier will simply let us pay as we go (better rates’d be nice too, but like *that’s* ever going to happen). Plans are such an overt way of getting us to pay for more than we use. Basically what I’m saying is that my opinion of the telcos is so low that nothing surprises me anymore.
(Subject22 has made 10 comments)
free macas….dream!
(daniel has made 26 comments)
@ Subject22:
Even if it wasn’t Vodafails fault, they could have at least communicated with their customers.
It was obvious they new something the day before when anything related to the iPhone 4 was removed form their site. They could have replaced it with a simple message like “iP4 launch delayed, watch this space for more info”. That took me about 10 seconds to type – I’m a slow typer.
Totally agree with you re paying for minutes/data we don’t use, even with home broadband – I’m usually under my data limit by around 1gig but every now and then go over and have to either pay more or get slowed down even though I’ve got around 10gig that I’ve previously paid for and not used. WTF!
(Omad has made 65 comments)
This product launch was a disgrace. New Zealand Apple fans were flipped over and given a dry one by Vodafone. To add insult to insult, selling it on new contracts only on day one shows how little they value their existing customers.
You would think it’s impossible to bungle an iPhone launch. Guaranteed record sales on day one, guaranteed TV coverage, guaranteed rave product reviews etc. Voda’s marketing and PR is *clearly* being managed by muppets.
(Chris Kinnell has made 37 comments)
How many people failed to get an iphone4 and wanted one?
(iFly has made 19 comments)
I’m one… but I’m sure many who failed to get one don’t know about this great site… in which case then they deserve it…lol… jokes
(Yaman_NZ has made 184 comments)
I was fully ready to buy an iPhone on contract. In June my contract was ready for renewal so I waited until yesterday, but living in Hawkes Bay as per usual we are left out. I was going to get a Android phone instead but again we have no real selection other than the crappy Nexus One.
Might just the money on upgrading my computer…
(leeh007 has made 5 comments)
I got mine, I opened the box, I used it a little bit, and almost when the guy was ready to get the next customer, I said, excuse me I want to cancel my plan..
The manager tried to scare me with the fact that I have to return the sim cards, i open my bag
and i showed him my new XT micro sim card..
walking out with my Iphone out of Vodafone making a call from my new XT sim card..
priceless…
(canito has made 5 comments)
@ Aotearoa:
I’d say not normal, can you see your order in the order status part of your account?
(Taika has made 15 comments)
@ Taika:
yes…. I can see it under order status…
(Aotearoa has made 5 comments)
@ Aotearoa:
I wouldn’t worry about it then.
(Taika has made 15 comments)
Those of you who got 1 already. Are you guys having any antenna isuue at all?? I ordered mine last night from apple store.
(redlock has made 3 comments)
@ Taika:
cool, thanx Taika!
(Aotearoa has made 5 comments)
@ redlock:
None in Auckland at all. It never drops below one bar. If I’m in a place with 4 bars of reception, then i death grip/antennagate, my bars RAISE from 4 to 5. Everytime.
So it’s like anti antennagate here in NZ
(Sprok has made 83 comments)
That’s great. can’t wait to recive my iphone. Hopefully it delivers before 3 weeks
(redlock has made 3 comments)
@ redlock:
i hope so too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *finger crossed*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Aotearoa has made 5 comments)