at&t vs. apple. part 1.

while enjoying a cheese plate at the neighborhood starbucks, it happened.

granted i drop it semi-regularly, this time, the fall was different. it slid off the table and landed, face-first, on the concrete. i heard the shatter, i felt it in my gut (which is quite large.) i flip it over, and…

bummed out, i hit my local at&t retail to replace my phone. not so easy…

in short, because it’s a newer at&t account (and i transferred the first generation iphone over,) i didn’t qualify for an upgrade until november. BUT, i could purchase the iphone3g for $399. uhm, no.

the weasel behind the counter blames apple for their strict rules with hardware and basically tells me, i’m screwed.

channeling michael douglas in falling down (with cracked iphone, not glasses,) i huff out of at&t, and over to the promised land (or, the apple store/fashion valley.)

once at the apple store, the cutie on the floor (i have a thing for ladies donning mac tees) was unable to do anything because of the aforementioned AT&T policy. grrr. BUT, she could sell me the iphone3g for its retail price of $399. uhm, no.

the mac girl blames at&t for their ridiculous policies.

“F”AT&T. i leave the apple store, call the at&t 1-800-number, and cancel my service on the spot (assuming the $150 early termination hit.) my thought: i’d rather toss my precious iphone, than settle for crappy service (coverage and customer) and a $399 charge for a replacement phone.

i goto verizon, transfer my number, and get the new crackberry curve for $99 bucks.

within new verizon minutes, i notice superior coverage and clarity. in fact, i didn’t drop ONE call all day. in the world of at&t, shocker! i couldn’t be more happy, but something is missing…

(to be continued.)