yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] 3rdamention:
And I would say, "Hey have you called AT&T? Have you had your Corporate employees from Best Buy call AT&T?"

This whole wait and see approach by Best Buy is disappointing. They are not looking out for us or they would find out the freaking launch date. The biggest problem for me is Best Buy didn't have one problem preselling the phone. Did they have a launch date then? Probably not! They presold the crap out of the AT&T Galaxy S3 without a launch date, sold those $50 Gift Cards like Candy for those peordering the AT&T Galaxy S3, without a launch date.

Now, when it is time for them to deliver, they say they cannot sell them cause AT&T hasn't announced the launch date. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE BEST BUY, SINCE JUNE 5th WHEN YOU STARTED PRESELLING THE GALAXY S3 FOR AT&T, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO FIND OUT THE LAUNCH DATE?

WHY WOULD BEST BUY PRESELL THE PHONE WITHOUT THE "OFFICIAL" LAUNCH DATE, THEN HOLD THEM AND NOT RELEASE THEM TO THOSE THAT BOUGHT THEM? It is pretty hypocritical if you ask me. Best Buy has no problem taking your money for the Gift Card for the Presale without a launch date, but will not give you the product in return.

We all know this phone released from AT&T on June 21st, if not sooner! Oh well, this has really opened my eyes to how Best Buy handles this type of thing, they really do not care about the dates, or delivery the goods, or their corporate employees would get the freaking answers.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] KLLSWITCH:
i just got off the phone with the store i preordered from and they said they dont have any but have 7 on order
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
Yea that is what my store said except I had to contact the district manager to get that info. At least he trying to get one sooner.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] zmore:
Sorry that you guys still haven't gotten your AT&T S3's... I know how it feels, but BB finally came through for me Friday, "only" 1 week late. FWIW, while the S3 is an AWESOME phone, the angst waiting for it wasn't really worth it, or maybe I'm just taking the phone for granted too soon (post-coitus relaxation)? :highfive:

My NYC BB only had 6 pre-orders available (saw them in the locked cabinet they removed mine from; half and half white/blue), and when I got to the store a few hours after my pickup call there were already 3 people ahead of me activating their phones.

They also mentioned that the Evo 4G was the only other time their preorder situation was as FSCKED as this, but I don't know if I believe that.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] rookie789:
I'm awaiting a replacement PB Sprint GS3 as my BBY pre ordered phone has a reception/signal problem. I checked stores today in Caifornia, Nevada, Washington and Louisiana all of which had white in stock but no blue, my search probably included 50-60 individual stores.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wdguy:
Sorry, but when I was told that by a store manager while on a conference call with BB corp CS, I dialed into AT&T corp, so having managers from BB Corp, a store and AT&T I would challenge the claim. The AT&T manager said there was no such delay on their part and they have been delivering preorders as they arrive from Samsung. The manager asked the BB manager where the AT&T agreement came from to which he replied a coprorate communication. Corprate BB mgr on the phone as well was unaware of such a policy. I ended the conference call at that point realizing there would be no responsibility claimed or even better, a solid answer. BTW, according to Forbes this month, Verizon is the most expensive and Tmobile the best value. A store walk in is $50/line unlimited talk/text/data (2Gb). 5Gb data is another $15. The store I walked into had abt 40 GS3s total. I compared the services and coverages with AT&T and the differences were inconsequential and actually in Seattle, Tmobile speeds from my GS3 tether were 18mbps to my MacBook. The most I've had from AT&T was 11.5mbps. Now is a good time to compare options. I was very hesitant to leave AT&T bc my long standing account with them yielded a great deal of perks over the years. Also consider the GS3 call to wifi capability. If you hit a hotspot or wifi availability, the phone switches to wifi calling (VoIP), giving you full bars. You must turn this feature on in the settings but it will drain the battery in < 8hrs on standby.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] tjr2010:
I just picked up a Sprint 16gb white S3 today. I put the phone on reserve at one store, and I called today to see if they had them in and all they could say was I dont know, I asked if they knew when, again they said idk, then my lastquestion was how many preorders were ahead of the reserves... you guessed it, "idk". I've worked in retail and idk, isn't an appropriate answer. maybe more of the lines of i don't know but I will find out. So I called another store about 20 miles away, they had 4 there. This was in dallas texas, I reserved at the store in cedar hill, I actually picked up the phone off of 635@ Midway. Phone is a beast! I'm going to keep an eye out on this thread until more people has gotten their phones.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
A few more best buys have SGS3s in store. I called and "in store only" meant for pre orders only, just that they were holding them in store :crying:
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] dpmcgarry:
I walked into a store this morning and was able to purchase just fine (no preorder). I originally wanted blue but all they got was white. Apparantly all the other stores in my area only got white as well.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
Wow I'm jealous!!

I'm calling the other best buy stores. Maybe I will get lucky.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Ascertion:
I got my gs3 from radioshack for 149 on contract. :p
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Gadgetz:
I just got a call from the Regional Manager of Best Buy, yes, on a Sunday afternoon....he just wanted to make sure that I was taken care of and that my issue had been resolved. I was blown away to get a call at all, but to get one on a Sunday afternoon, from the Regional Manager, in his attempt to ensure I was happy....impressed!

I wish things didn't have to get elevated to the point they did but it did and I have to admit i'm amazed at how management has responded, resulting in me getting my phone this past Thursday FOR FREE. I think it's time to retire my sig pic now...they have gone above and beyond to resolve this issue for me so at this point it's water under the bridge.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
I'm definitely jealous of you. As of now, it looks like I wont be getting this phone unless I switch to Sprint.

I have zero experience with Sprint, so I don't know if I want to do that.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] tjr2010:
I overhear the mobile manager, he said the blue they weren't sure when they were coming out. they only had white for sprint. as far as ATT he hadn't a clue when they were going to be releasing? I take it he ment in stores not for pre-order.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] aimfire72:
Actually found a BB Mobile store near me that had the AT&T version in stock, according to the web site. So I called to double check and was told the same thing most of you are hearing: They can't sell it until AT&T announces a date, which should be sometime this week. Unbelievable, what a mess this is. So I'm just gonna order direct off AT&T's site, seems the only way to get one now.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
I wouldn't get sprint. They are aways off from lte and it isn't gsm so you can only use it in the states.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
I'd love to have a release date this week.

I'm on the phone with ATT right now. I've been a customer for, probably, 15 years now.

So far, this manager doesn't even believe any of you have your phones. Dear lord this is stupid.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] aNdroidnut:
I used my upgrade and got a note to hold me over. I'm silver premium so I have 60days to return. I'm still hoping they get them tomorrow. As far as holding till AT&T announces launch date I don't know where this came from. Only email my bb mobile had stated they could not sell Verizon or sprint versions until today.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] XxAndroid:
I just picked one up from best buy yesterday, not on pre order neither I just called BB and asked them to hold it till I come in to buy it. Another store by me just started selling them today.

By the way this phone is ****ing amazing. Defiantly worth the wait.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] bacuy82:
Just a heads- up.... Radio Shack is having a promotion $50 off any Android smartphone $99.99 or higher from 1- 7July. Do you guys think BB will honor this price match?
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] ram8704:
Best Buy Boston

I just picked one up from the Fenway store. They had a few at&t phones and a ton of Sprint. The LTE speeds in some areas are bananas.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] 3rdamention:
I emailed the 4 different Best Buy Emails posted in this and the other Best Buy Thread. 2 of the 4 emails came back "rejected" and had some errors. I dont know if those accounts are now blocking emails or the emails posted in the threads were wrong. 2 of the emails DID go through, but nobody responded. Now I only did this yesterday, so I am sure the suits are not working. I ALSO LINKED TO BOTH OF OUR BEST BUY THREADS AND BEGGED THEM TO READ THEM. I am going to go ahead and assume they will not respond to mine, because it was very long, very professional, but long and I am sure they will not read it. I had so many valid points about the misinformation and miscommunication.

Oh well, we will see if they ever respond and try to straighten this out. Hell, I have been one of the most patient customers ever, I have only called my store once and stopped in only a couple of times. Every time I heard something different, and received attitude when I called (after the told me to call them a few days before).
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] KennyG123:
Walked into Best Buy in Daytona Beach this morning and bought 1 of the 11 phones they had gotten in. Only white ones came in so hope to swap it for a blue one when they get them in.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Tommo153:
I love you...
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Gadgetz:
Email Greg.Johnson@bestbuy.com

I hope it works out for you man.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] KLLSWITCH:
pfftt wish i could do that ive called 7 stores near me the last three days and nada either they only have preorders or they dont have any i did get a tip that a shipment is coming in on wednesday to one of the stores so ill be waiting when they open haha
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] jblazea50:
Radio Shack is selling the AT&T and Sprint version this week for $149.99. Actually, they are giving $50 off for any smartphone over $99.99 with a new 2 year contract or upgrade. If anyone signed up for the Phone Freedom $50 gift card, you can pricematch with Radio Shack and use the Phone Freedom to get the phone for $100.

Radio Shack
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] KLLSWITCH:
can you go into the store and get the phone or does it have to be pre order?
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] EthanMG:
chances are that this will not work. if you read best buy's price match page, it says that they will not price match if the item is in limited availability at either store. sorry buds =/

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Help-Topics/Bestbuy.com-Price-Match-Guarantee/pcmcat204400050011.c?id=pcmcat204400050011&searchresults=1&searchterm=price+match
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Ind3lible:
Thanks man! But with this can I use a different line's upgrade and switch it over to mine right away? I know with amazon you gotta wait 181 days!:confused:
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] jblazea50:
I saw on slick deals hot deals forum that some people were able to walk in the store and get it. I would recommend that you call the store to find out if they have it in stock.

I'm planning on getting it for Sprint.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wolfc70:
That email did not work. Anyone else I can try and email? All of the ones posted in this thread are not working.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] LightningGA:
I tried that one to and it came back. I did find a post on here that listed Gregory.Johnson6@bestbuy.com
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] toughcookie:
maybe today is the lucky day :)

highly doubt it tho if nothing today then im ordering through AT&T i heard they are shipping within hours
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
Its always worth trying. I heard people price matching with amazon. I think it is up to the store..
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
That is the one I used and got a call from the executive resolution team.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] 3rdamention:
Yeah, heck, I would just like ANY NEWS OF ANY KIND! Hopefully, Today, July 2nd, provides me with any one of these scenarios:

Best Buy calls and emails me to tell me the phone I preordered on June 6th is here!

One of the 2 Corporate Employees I emailed on Saturday will email me back, I have heard NOTHING so far!

I will find an AT&T Galaxy S3 at another store so I can snatch it up then.

Here are the email addresses I emailed that didn't get rejected:

gregory.johnson6@bestbuy.com

Steven.Waligoski@bestbuy.com

Is it just too much to ask for just one of these to happen today?
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] 3rdamention:
Oh snap!@ Just got my email! No way, my AT&T Preorder from Indianapolis is ready for pickup!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] ssbmg:
Looking for some advice here... I switched to ATT for work reasons (corp discount) about 3 weeks ago and got the HTC One X. Did it at Best Buy because I am Reward Zone Silver and figured they would get the GS3 relatively quickly. I figured that the GS3 would be available in plenty of time before my return window closed. Now I'm getting a little antsy.

My questions:

1. I was told over the phone from 2 BB stores that the extended return policy for Silver RZ members doesn't apply to cell phones. It is the same 30 day policy for cell phones. I can't find any written documentation stating any exceptions to the extended return policy for cell phones. I do see 45 day policy and 60 day policy being stated in BBs FAQs but no exceptions to mobile called out. If indeed I have 45 or 60 days to exchange the HOX then I can wait as I'm sure this BB inventory issue will be sorted out by the time my extended exchange period ends (if there is one for mobile).

2. Is there any way I can work around BB not having stock/refusing to sell existing stock? For example, could I add another line to my plan via ATT or Amazon, switch devices so that my main line is now on the GS3, and then return the HOX to Best Buy without automatically losing my main line but cancelling the new line I activated to get the GS3? I'd have to pay another activation fee but looks like I can get a $25 credit for a new line as an ATT Premier customer. Has anyone ever pulled anything like this off successfully?

Thanks in advance for any tips.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wolfc70:
I just got a call from Steven Waligoski from Best Buy! I was pretty surprised they he got in touch with me. He made no promises about being able to find a phone, as it appears Best Buy does not have many AT&T GS3 phones on hand. This has made me slighly more optimistic. I hope Best Buy uses this as a learning experience and fixes whatever internal communication problems they have.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] aNdroidnut:
Just got my email
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
http://www.androidcentral.com/att-galaxy-s-iii-hits-stores-friday

July 6th is the day!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
They aren't completely cross network. Most AT&T phones won't get 3G on T-Mobile and vice versa. The same once T-Mobile gets LTE which I believe they are skipping to Adv LTE.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] jbadboy2007:
I just got a white 16GB instead of pb and this thing is awesome. And to whoever thinks the evo lte is even in the same ball park as this phone is on crack.:D
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] spdapimp217:
Just got the email, heading to the store soon to pick up the new toy!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
Sweet! I noticed that on BB product status, more stores are showing in store today. That is a good sign.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] kydkupa:
I jus t came from Best Buy 291 in Houston to exchange my S3 for another one. They have more in stock too.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] jblazea50:
I went to Best Buy this afternoon. Upgraded to white 16gb GS3 and asked if they pricematched. Guy asked for what store, I said Radio Shack. He then asked how much they are selling it for and I stated $150. No issues whatsoever. He printed out the Phone Freedom $50 GC and applied to it. Total cost $109 with taxes.

This is for Sprint.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] EthanMG:
sweet! I'm glad they will, I was just watching people that they may not. I will give it a try

when my phone comes in too.

why did you exchange it for another?
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
I just called best buy. The guy that answered said they would hold a white SGS3 for me while I returned my One X.

As soon as I got on the freeway he called back and said they weren't allowed to sell it in store. ****!!!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wgarrido:
OMGoodness! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! I just got the call! Phone will be ready in an hour!

AT&T Pebble Blue: Marina, CA BB
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] ssbmg:
I've been told the same thing by multiple stores in the Denver area. I did have 1 store tell me they have 3 blue phones with only 2 on preorder so to come in and preorder the last one and they'll let me exchange my HOX for it once they are allowed to sell it. Hopefully they can sell them before my 30 day return is over.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
Preorder wasn't a part of the conversation. They were going to sell it today.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] KLLSWITCH:
i finally got my email this morning at 1145 had my phone in hand an hour later pebble white att version finally the wait is over
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] ssbmg:
I just put in a preorder. They told me that I am #3 with 3 phones in stock so as soon as they can sell I get the first batch. They told me since ATT announced 7/6 then that should be the day for them as well. We'll see...
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] EthanMG:
well i got my preorder email today, and picked up my phone. they could not price match for att because radioshack doesnt have att gs3 yet. oh well!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] browniegirl:
Is it bad that i saw the guy at BB sell a att galaxy s3 to a creepy looking man? Arent they going to get in trouble?
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] toughcookie:
Finally got my phone!!!

so happy!

love it so much!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] spdapimp217:
Yay, finally playing with my new SIII!!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] skatin707:
Yeah, my local ATT store guaranteed me that I would get one on release day. Hell, my account says "Directive for in store ATT representative: Retain 1x Samsung Galaxy S3, disregard color, for customer to pick up in exchange for HTC One X."

I doubt I will be so lucky.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wolfc70:
I got my phone! Steven called me this afternoon and said it should be ready to pick up around 5pm, It was. So far, this phone is amazing. Granted it is my first android phone (I have a Android tablet), but it is so fast and smooth.

Hope others start getting their phones in. At my BB location, all phones for pre-orders arrived today. Fingers crossed for the rest of you.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] ssbmg:
So I just got the email from BB saying my preorder is ready. 3 hours after placing preorder. Called to verify and they said my name is on the box!
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] wishywashy:
I preordered pretty late (6/20) and so far I haven't heard a word from BB. I called yesterday because I was so tired of just not knowing anything and they said they didn't have any and weren't sure when they were going to get any. To make it all better, he couldn't even tell me how many preorders they had for that store. I am so sick of reading about everyone who just preordered getting their phones. I know I waited a while before I did it but it's been more than a day.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] aNdroidnut:
Well got mine today. Preordered white but went with pebble blue and could not be happier. Man this thing flys. Glad I can stop checking this thread all the time now. On to development, think this is the most time I've ever spent in general. Good luck to the rest
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] ssbmg:
So I spoke too soon. I went to the store to pick it up and despite the email saying my preorder is ready to pick up and the phone call to the store to verify I could come get it, they wouldn't sell it to me saying that they'd be fined $10k and all lose their jobs if they sold it to me before the 6th. I really wouldn't mind waiting a couple more days if it wasn't for the fact that someone over the phone told me I was good to go. The manager comped me a case and screen protector - didn't even cover the gas to drive 30 minutes each way.

They told me that the reason they have been able to release some of the preorders around the country is because everyone that preordered super early supposedly were allowed to get their phones but them Samsung/ATT came down and said they have to wait until the official release date to sell any more phones. The only explanation they could offer for reports of people walking in and purchasing without early preorders is that the stores aren't following protocol and are going to get in trouble. Not sure how much of this is true - just repeating what I was told. By $9/hr sales associates who would probably at this point say anything to get a-holes like me off their back about this phone.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] TechSilver13:
Got mine! Super happy and this thing is gorgeous! Patiently waiting for AOKP
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] nharris1225:
Best Buy has national retailer (short-term) exclusive on white gIII

BB's website claims they have a non-carrier retailer exclusive availability to sell the white GIII for Sprint for now. It's hard to imagine this wasn't planned long in advance and makes it understandable why they had to push back other carriers release date to satisfy their promise to Sprint.

I'm still frustrated as I pre-ordered at&t blue version on 6/6 and I'm first in line at my store....
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] toughcookie:
I don't believe that. I picked mine up yesterday and they had gotten 6 in and all 6 were available for pick up. I would call BB customer service and talk to someone who might actually know. I know they can't sell any non preorder's until the 6th since that is the street date now but anyone who did a preorder should be able to get.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] jbadboy2007:
Actually no they did the same thing with sprint once they set that official date you could not pick a pre order either
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Jirv311:
I would just cancel the order with BB and get it through AT&T. You'd still get it the same time and you wouldn't have to give BB your money. I ordered mine Friday and got it Monday.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] Sephirothvfc:
Not sure if this was posted already but just saw email saying that at&t S3 release date is July 6.
[Galaxy S III General (US Carriers)] KentuckyHouse:
I just came in to post the exact same thing. I stopped by one of the local BB here in Lexington, KY. and the guy told me they'd be available on Friday with their shipment coming in on Thursday.