UPDATED: What Happened To Optus’ Pre-Paid iPhone 3G Offer?
Before the iPhone launched back in July, Optus made a big deal about the fact that they were offering the phone to pre-paid customers as well as on contract. But now, just two short months later, it seems that Optus have quietly decided to stop selling the iPhone outright for pre-paid customers.
Reader David was told when he went to purchase a pre-paid iPhone from Optus’ Ringwood store that “all new iPhones will be on contract”. And a quick look at the Optus website shows that any option for pre-paid iPhone pricing has disappeared.
Naturally, we’ve contacted Optus for some clarification on the issue, and we’re still waiting to hear back. While we wait, has anybody else tried to pick up an Optus pre-paid iPhone only to face the bitter taste of rejection?
UPDATE: I’ve just heard back from Optus - turns out that you can still pick up a pre-paid iPhone 3G, but only from the George street Optus Store in Sydney. Apparently it’s got something to do with stock issues, but when asked whether or not it was a permanent change, we got the old “no comment”.
We’ll keep you updated with any further developments - but if you happen to want a pre-paid iPhone from Optus and you don’t live in Sydney, looks like you’re out of luck.
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Comments
I’ve picked up a 16G White(Last one left) and a 16G Black Iphone last friday from (Melbourne Westfield Optus store) and was told by the sales that the batch of prepaid iphones they have received early last week is the last ever prepaid iphone shipments they are getting.
She said that Optus will no longer offer prepaid/outright iphones after this batch.
The other week I told Optus to cancel my pre-paid order and that I’d rather wait for the iPhone to be more stable.
Now I’m kicking myself.
Optus sent a bulletin out to dealers letting them know that the iphone will not be offered prepaid. There is no mention of whether this is permanent or until the price drops (which I’d imagine would be the case). It’s a pity, too, because we have TONNES of post-paid stock, so i’m sure it’s not because of lack of stock.
I did notice the mysterious disappearance of any pre-paid iPhone mention on the Optus website… But then I was confused when a mate’s brother and several people on various forums confirmed that Optus still did have pre-paid phones available.
I’ll be livid if I have to move from 3 to get an iPhone now, especially reading about Optus’ terrible network (outages etc) and the fact that their expansion isn’t even the iPhone frequency!
You could go on the $19 12 month plan, the total cost is $1008 plus 100Mb of data a month and $50 worth of calls, plus you have an unlocked 16Gb iPhone (optus unlock for free on contract). For an unlocked Telstra phone it is $999 ($849 + $150 unlock) but without any of the bonuses.
Funny this is posted today, I just went looking for one yesterday and thought I was going crazy because stores didn’t have any available on prepaid and the website now says in its iphone faq that the iphone will not be available on prepaid. The wording used makes it seem like it never was available on it… Bizarre.
There are still per-paids in Perth. I have no idea how long it will go for because everyone is saying something different. Some are saying there will still be some coming (but they don’t know when) and only a small few have said that none are coming, “…so stop asking. now can I interest you in one of our plans?” And a new batch of orders have arrived in Melbourne from what I’ve heard. And the iphone URL can still be found. Its just hard to get to!
direct link:
http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Template_wRHS&FP=/personal/mobile/prepaidmobile/prepaidmobileappleiphone&site=personal
i’ve actually gone to the george st store for this very reason and it’s a lie - if you ask them for a prepaid iphone from them, they will tell you they dont do them anymore.
wtf!
one thing i would also like to add is my fustration here..
there aparently was a waiting list for pre-paid iphones, but according to the optus sales rep, the reason they have stopped is because people did not want to pay outright for the phone/lack of sales.
how could people buy an iphone outright if there was a waiting list. it sounds more like an excuse from the carrier to get people on plans
My brother picked one up from an Optus shop in a regional shopping centre (Indooroopilly for those near Brisbane). I think you just have to ask nicely and get the right attendant
Bourke street Melbourne optus has both models available.
I went to my Optus store in Dubbo NSW last week, they told me that they are taking orders for the pre paid handset and would be shipped out as soon as possible.
Launch day at the Chapel Street Optus store in Prahran, the store manager told the line clearly and in no uncertain terms that the mothership had decreed there would be no pre-paid phones, no outright buys - EVER. About a handful of people left immediately on hearing the news.
I would be very interested to hear if anyone has bought a pre-paid on Optus because to me it looks like a giant bait and switch.
I visited the Harvey Norman store in Broadway Shopping Centre in Sydney yesterday and they had iPhones for outright purchase for $847 for a 16Gb White, locked to Telstra! I didn’t buy one as the Telstra plans stink.
SO basically Optus have neither confirmed no denied if this is true, they are just commenting to try and avoid people drawing the obvious conclusion.
I still don’t understnad how they are allow to sell a product that requires a contractual commitment. It just sounds like something that should be illegal.
I ordered a pre-paid Optus 16GB from Strathfield (Vic) on launch day July 11. I paid a fifty dollar deposit and was put on a waiting list. For weeks it was always “next week” and when Optus removed all mention of Pre-Paid iPhones from their web site a couple of weeks ago I went back and cancelled my order and got my deposit back. Staff were still saying we don’t know when the next prepaid shipment will arrive.
I have now gone and bought a 16GB Black iphone from a Telstra dealer and had it unlocked for $150. Seems the only (and easiest) way to go prepaid. BTW my original Optus prepaid SIM works fine - 3G and EDGE.
i bought my prepaid iphone 3G a week ago from Optus with no problems…Some stores still have them in stock
Gleeeso
Well I bought the Pre-Paid iPhone 16GB Black from Optus Central in Hay Street Mall, Perth 2 weeks ago.
I saw it myself, in their stock room there are STACKS of pre-paid iPhone. 8GB, 16GB, Black, White they are all there. No shortages whatsoever.
P.S. I wasn’t happy with the iPhone, so stuff it, I sold the iPhone the next day via eBay. Got my money back. iPhone sucks.
I was told several weeks ago at the Optus store in Chermside (in Brisbane), that “due to stock levels” they were only able to offer the iPhone to customers prepared to sign up on contract. Last week I called in and a different staff member said they had both the 8 and 16 GB models available on prepaid…
I visited my local Optus at Gungarlin, ACT and popped the question yet again.
“Yes, I have a white one and it’s the last in Canberra.”
Needless to say I snapped it up there and then.
The vague responses from all ACT stores left me convinced that the original Optus iPhone launch offer is dead in the water.
Brookside in Brisbane 5 weeks ago put my name on the “waiting” list as no stock i went back two weeks later and then finally around a week ago and was told sorry no stock, im like WTF how can you have no stock. After a few more questions i found out they have lots of iphones in stock just no prepaid ones as they are “different” I purchased one on fleabay and paid to unlock problem solved. FarQ U Optus lying twats….
My phone dealer was telling me there was a meno from Optus stating to stop selling prepaid for iPhone.
i bought the last one in stock in Strathfield Parramatta in Sydney New south wales. it was on prepaid optus and i got it for $850 for a black 16 gb, i’m so inlove with it now. i know a place where u can get it in bankstown, i saw three black ones left and im pretty sure their all 8gb’s black. their in the china town with optus prepaid
I did notice that Optus no longer supports prepaid. which is exactly what I need. What other company supports prepaid iphones? Looks like I may have to throw away my new iphone 3g to buy a newer one with a contract to get anywhere.
Why would you ‘throw’ it away? Why bother paying all that money outright for something you can get for free (for 8gig and I paid 120 bux with VF for 16gig) if you stay with a carrier for 2 years. If you stay with them even for 6-12 months and then pay your contract out??? VF let you leave, just finish paying your phone, which is the price you would pay on pre paid (minus what you already have paid of course)
If you need the phone now, just contract and then disconnect???