iPhone 4: The cancellations

GuyClapperton 0 390 Views

A few days ago I was reporting that people were unable to buy an iPhone 4 even if they were an existing customer.

It gets more complicated.

The story now is that O2 and other UK carriers are accepting orders only from people who are existing customers. (Except me, as you'll gather from the previous story).

It now emerges that a number of people in America have had emails saying their iPhone orders will not be fulfilled. They have been asked to go to a retail store instead.

No orders being taken yet from some outlets, even for existing customers. Cancellation of orders placed in good faith.

If I were an Apple shareholder I'd have mixed feelings. I'd think it was great, they can't make the phones fast enough. I'd also be concerned, though, about the prospect of a public backlash - and the long term effect this would have on sales.

Dani AI

Generated

— useful summary of the mess around the iPhone 4 launch. For anyone who had an order cancelled or blocked, here are practical, non‑technical steps and sensible expectations you can follow now and for future device launches.

If your order was cancelled

  • Keep the cancellation email and any screenshots of the order page or confirmation.
  • Check your card: many stores place an authorization hold rather than a charge. If a refund is required, keep the refund reference and monitor your statement.
  • Call the carrier’s customer service and ask for the exact reason and a reference number. If they can’t help, contact Apple Online Store support with your order number. Record names and times for every call.
  • Don’t re‑order immediately from a different vendor until you have written confirmation of the cancellation — duplicate charges/authorizations are a common billing headache.

How to try again quickly

  • Use the Apple Store app or the carrier’s online stock checker to look for available in‑store pickup; reserves and same‑day pickups often appear before general online stock.
  • For urgent needs, check nearby retail stores early on launch mornings; many retailers hold small walk‑in allocations.
  • Sign up for restock notifications where available and ask your carrier to place you on a priority contact list.

Context and caution

  • Launch cancellations are usually the result of allocation limits, fraud/credit checks, shipping errors or carrier provisioning issues — treat those as possibilities, not certainties.
  • Beware of phishing emails claiming to reinstate or expedite orders; verify links and caller identity before giving personal info.
  • Keep expectations realistic: high demand can create frustration, but documented proof (emails, order IDs, call logs) is the best leverage for getting a prompt refund or a concrete re‑order option.
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