Optus iPhone 3G customers left in doubt with deposits returned

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 09 July 2008 10:27

Your IT - Mobility

For those that don't fancy an early start, deposit holders will be given priority over other customers throughout the day, though that's strictly on a 'while stock last' basis: "Stock is strictly limited. Your deposit does not guarantee you an iPhone 3G," warns the email.

Another would-be iPhone 3G buyer to receive an unexpected refund was Les Posen. The money hit his account on Monday, with no explanation, which he interpreted to mean he was no longer considered a priority customer. He received an email from Optus today, but it did nothing to change his assumption.

But there is good news for anyone that paid a deposit on an iPhone 3G. An Optus spokesperson has confirmed that anyone presenting a printout of a deposit receipt will be able to join the priority queue, including the Sydney launch event.

Receiving a refund is not a sign that you are no longer a deposit holder, she told iTWire.

iPhone 3G buyers at Optus will also need to present 100 points of ID, plus a secondary form of identification.

All deposits should be refunded by July 16. Refunds will be made to the account used to pay them - the deposit will not be applied directly to the purchase of an iPhone 3G.

For those that did not pay a deposit, Optus recommends placing a pre-order at a participating store on or after July 12. Such orders will be filled on a 'first in, first served' basis.

However, Optus may live to regret handing back deposits so readily to its would be iPhone 3G customers. Armed with their refunds, they may decide to check out what Telstra or Vodafone have on offer. Trouble is, they could unnecessarily miss out on a Day One iPhone 3G in the process.