Colombian iPhone Launch = EPIC FAIL

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The iPhone was officially launched in Colombia today. I was very excited about this, and even more they were making a midnight launch, so you could go and get yourself an iPhone. Movistar and Comcel (Colombian cellphone carriers) are both selling the device today.

There were some people in line, waiting for midnight (I’ve been in line for around an hour, I was the 10th person in line, out of about 20). And a couple of really ridiculous fangirls. <- PLEASE click on this link.

Doors opened, I was the first at a counter, horrible, horrible attention BTW. Ok lets sign those papers and get myself a new iPhone, how much is it ma'am? Uhmm that'll be $1'230,000 (about US$660) for the 16GB model and it comes with a two year plan which costs about US$90. WTF!!! That is madness!!!

Ma'am I'd like an 8GB model, how much is that? Of course, that'll be about mhhh $910,000 (about US$500)... Of course, my WTF face was unforgettable... So shall we sign the papers? ... (walking away) No thanks. Cya later.

Oh and I forgot to mention, they don't carry the 8GB model until next week, that OR this is a really bad sales scam to make people buy de 16GB one.

So, with no more to say, the Colombian iPhone launch by Movistar is an EPIC FAIL. Although I'm sure people will buy the phone (a lot of people actually), BUT I don't want to get ripped off and get stuck with a really expensive two year contract. I'm about to buy my first car, I don't need another hole in my pocket right now.

Edit: For those who have been asking, I live in Barranquilla, Colombia

Update: The price list in US currency (I was actually charged more)

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Thanks to Applecol.com for the price list.

But wait, there’s more! Go to minute 4:52 and look at Jobs himself setting the worldwide price for the iPhone

Filed Under apple, rants, tech

13 Comments »

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  1. Erick said on Aug 21st @ 10:01 pm

    Great article, I think someone showed report that scam to Apple. Those prices for the phone are way to hi and remember Jobs said 199 worldwide at the WWDC. I am so f… pissed off I can’t even sleep. I hate f… Movistar I hope the worst for them.

  2. CATRUGO said on Aug 21st @ 10:04 pm

    En que ciudad fué?, en Cali?.

    Saludos!

  3. max said on Aug 21st @ 10:13 pm

    Catrugo, esto es en Barranquilla

  4. CATRUGO said on Aug 21st @ 10:16 pm

    Ah, ok. Gracias.

  5. HMUÑOZ said on Aug 21st @ 10:17 pm

    Esas fangirls apestan jajaja igual que el lanzamiento de movistar

  6. jonathan said on Aug 21st @ 10:26 pm

    ese precio no fuel que vendio steve jobs en junio. ESTAFA!

  7. max said on Aug 21st @ 10:27 pm

    Eso es lo que digo yo! esta vaina me suena a tumbe

  8. fal-z said on Aug 22nd @ 10:05 am

    Pues aka en ecuador el iphone si sale en $200 dolares pero te toca aguantar el plan mas ridiculo que hay por 2 años pagando $80 al mes, por que el plan mas ridiculo? te dan 400 minutos a cualquier operadora+50 sms y un plan de datos “ilimitado” por solo tres meses(movistar no va a habilitar la banda 3g sino hasta diciembre) despues de eso tienes 100mb de hay hasta que se te acabe el plan.

  9. andres said on Aug 22nd @ 10:27 am

    great article i live in cali and i want 2 buy an iphone 2 but the price is ridiculous…

  10. Paula said on Aug 22nd @ 3:46 pm

    Tienen guevo estos HPs de Comcel y Movistar… para qué comprar un iPhone 3G si el iPhone original es casi lo mismo? Solo para navegar mas rapido? A ese precio prefiero seguir navegando por edge y dejar la 3G para despues

    ratas!!

  11. Migsy said on Aug 23rd @ 12:13 am

    Well… We are actually not taking in count how business really works… Steve said $199…
    Now, you have change that amount to your currency… In Colombia that would be approx. 199 x 1900 (official dolar value) = 378.100
    Now add the country taxes… 16%? = 438.596…
    If you see, the value for the 8gb in the most expensive plan ever is approx. that…
    There’s the catch…
    iPhone should be $!99 right? See in more detail Apple’s webpage… It says 199 with a two year contract… bla bla bla bla…
    It “really is” 199 approx…

    That’s how marketing works…

    sad but true…

  12. Cesar Troo said on Aug 23rd @ 5:35 am

    Is there someone planning to sue Apple for a public statement not honored in Colombia through the carriers of choice?

  13. lorena said on Sep 3rd @ 5:31 pm

    Tengo iphone para la venta si estas interesado escribeme lore256@hotmail.com