What you need to know
- Apple Watch and iPhone customers appear to be missing out on carrier rebates.
- Many took to Twitter to express their displeasure.
- T-Mobile and Verizon customers say they haven't received their rebates or were never offered them in the first place.
Customers of major carriers including Verizon and T-Mobile say they haven't received their rebates for devices like the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7, or were never offered them in the first place.
The issues were picked up by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on Twitter, who noted:
The carrier is wrongly denying the rebate advertised on Apple's website, with phone support saying the promotion doesn't exist. Would hold off on buying for this deal unless it works for others.
FYI for @tmobile customers buying a Watch Series 7: The carrier is wrongly denying the rebate advertised on Apple's website, with phone support saying the promotion doesn't exist. Would hold off on buying for this deal unless it works for others. pic.twitter.com/K07S3B2or8FYI for @tmobile customers buying a Watch Series 7: The carrier is wrongly denying the rebate advertised on Apple's website, with phone support saying the promotion doesn't exist. Would hold off on buying for this deal unless it works for others. pic.twitter.com/K07S3B2or8— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) November 18, 2021November 18, 2021
Other users immediately chimed in to say they were experiencing the same issue, one noted:
I am also having issues with Verizon's. I had them say it doesn't exist and only exists if you bring a Watch phone number to Verizon and not just an Apple Watch like it says.
And another stated:
Have the same issue with @Verizon also. Was told if the Verizon app doesn't "automatically" offer the rebate to me after activating the watch then I'm not eligible even though I did exactly what Apple said.
I haven’t gotten the $200 for my iPhone 13 Pro yet either. https://t.co/0EPhGwELadI haven’t gotten the $200 for my iPhone 13 Pro yet either. https://t.co/0EPhGwELad— Glenn Fleishman (@GlennF) November 18, 2021November 18, 2021
Customer support on Twitter for T-Mobile and Verizon looked to address individual complaints, however, it is unclear if this will lead to a wider rectifying of what looks to be quite an endemic issue.
When it unveiled its new best iPhone in September, Apple heavily emphasized the generous carrier subsidies on offer:
Customers can save up to $1,000 (US) on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max with trade-in directly from the Apple Store online or at an Apple Store when they activate it with select US carriers. Terms apply. For eligibility requirements and more details see apple.com/shop/buy-iphone/carrier-offers.
The full details of the carrier rebates offered can be found on Apple's website.
