Apple and AT&T - Culture Clash? What can we do?

Question

I cannot think of two vastly different corporate cultures in terms of customer service than Apple and AT&T.
I believe this exclusive arrangement is a huge mistake on Apple's part. I do understand the technical aspects of the deal, but Apple should have done better due diligence on AT&T customer service standards.
If you walk into any AT&T store and compare it to your experience in an Apple store the contrast is immediately evident. I've found AT&T employees in general to be too busy talking to each other to be bothered, often rude and not very knowledgeable.
AT&T's phone customer service is also deplorable and mostly outsourced to poorly trained reps.
What can we do to get Apple to allow other carriers iPhone service contracts? I'm waiting to buy an iPhone until AT&T is no longer an exclusive carrier.

Answer 1

Well you shouldn't have to deal with AT&T outside of buying the iPhone, even then you can get it at Best Buy or an Apple store so you might not have to deal with them at all.
The only other carrier in the US the iPhone would work with is T-mobile. I came from them to the original iPhone and T-mobile may have better customer service but their cell service is a lot worse than AT&T. I used to use unlocked phones with my T-mobile SIM and at least 70% of the time where ever I went I was roaming onto AT&T's network.
As much as you or others may want the iPhone simply does not work with Verizon. They use a CDMA network and not GSM like the rest of the world. Apple decided to go with the network that would allow them to only need to make one version of the device and sell it every where.
As such, they made the best choice they had available to them. Finally, I have not had any issues with AT&T. When my iPhone 3G arrived at the store where I ordered it via direct fullfillment they called me practically the minute it got to the store. They setup an appointment with me to come and get it setup. When I got there the rep was ready and waiting, the entire process took not even 10 minutes and I walked out the door with my iPhone 3G fully working. I have not had to deal with them since.
Message was edited by: Randy Fast
Message was edited by: Randy Fast