Rogers Plus - North Hill

I’ve been wanting an iPhone since they first debuted last year, and finally, they were available in Canada yesterday. When Rogers first announced their rate plans, it did make me think twice about getting one, but then when they made amends and announced the promotional $30 data plan (for 6GB) earlier this week, it made iPhone ownership a little easier for me to swallow… (I was still going to get one anyways, but now it made it easier to justify getting two - one for me and one for Michelle.)

I went to the Rogers Plus in North Hill Centre about 2 weeks before the actual launch date to make sure they’d be carrying the iPhone. At the same time, I did some research to find out what time the mall opens, what doors open first, etc., just in case ;-) Then, the day before, I went again to re-confirm that they actually had iPhones - they had been telling people that the mall doesn’t open until 8am but I guess they were unaware that it actually opens at 5am due to the World Health Club in the mall. Research pays off.

The night before, I was debating on whether my best bet was to go to the Rogers in Falconridge and get in line the night before, (they were opening two hours early and doing an “official” launch there), or if my best bet was to stay with the smaller North Hill Centre location and be there at 5am. Obviously, I ended up going to North Hill and arrived just after 5am - first in line ;-)

The second and third people in line arrived at 5:45am. By 7:05am the fourth guy arrived telling me that there were lineups expected overnight at the Chinook Mall location. By 7:17am the fifth guy had arrived, twenty minutes later saw the sixth person arrive, and then after that I couldn’t keep track because they all started to show up quickly. By 8am, there were already 40+ people in line and it was funny to see their faces when they realized that they were’nt first in line - I think nobody expected anyone would be there that early…

Just after 8am, the Rogers employees arrived and informed us that they were under strict orders to not sell any iPhones before 10am, the official mall opening. They were also nice enough to let us know that they only had 21 iPhones so everybody else in line could go home ;-) (All other Rogers stores in Calgary were also sold out by then and it was unclear when more shipments would be arriving.) There was only one 16GB white iPhone and, being first in line, I was given first dibs on it. The store was very well organized and kudos to Jennifer Meng, the store Manager for that. She had prepared sheets for us to fill out in advance with all of our information to make things go smoother and assigned us all an iPhone (which she individually named after varieties of apples) to keep a better track of things.

The Rogers employees were anxious to get things rolling, (they thought they’d at least be able to enter our information in the computer before 10am, and just not let us walk away with the phones until 10am, but unfortunately that was not the case). They had the Mall’s Customer Service desk announce that the mall was “officially now open for your shopping pleasure” at 9:55am. With this technicality out of the way, the mall was now officially open and they could start to get the ball rolling.

As I’m sure you’ve heard, both Apple’s servers and Rogers’ servers were unprepared for the tidal wave that followed, (Rogers took relief in knowing that AT&T in the US was also experiencing server issues) so the process was extremely slow. I was able to get my first phone activated by 11:30am - the same time that a UPS driver came by with some iPhone accessories. Also with the accessories was an additional 16GB white iPhone, as well as a black 16GB iPhone. Again, having arrived first, I was given first dibs on the additional white iPhone and picked it up too. (I was going to get Michelle a black 8GB iPhone but given the exclusivity and rarity of the white iPhones, I just had to jump at it.)

It took an extra three hours to get my second phone activated and I was finally able to leave the store just after 2:30pm. By that time, they had decided to get some lunch for their customers who were patiently waiting all day. (Yes, very patiently!)

I’m sure you’ve heard that stocks were extremely low all across Canada, most Rogers stores across Canada were “sold out” at least two hours before the stores officially opened. I must admit I felt like a geek when people asked me (and gawked at the answer) what time I got there to be first. But in the end, being one of the lucky few in Canada to have an iPhone would have been worth it alone - having two, rare white iPhones made it more than worth it! ;-)

Once again, Kudos to the store manager for being so organized and for her diligence in serving us as quick as possible under the circumstances. Here’s an article in the Calgary Herald reporting on the official launch at the Falconridge location in Calgary. And finally, here are some pictures I took of the event:

Line-up at 8:30am

Waiting, waiting, waiting…

12pm - only 3 activations so far

Computer issues all day

Two 16GB White iPhones

2pm - Lunch is served…

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1. 1
   Laurie
   July 24, 2008 at 9:40 am #

   Hi, it’s been nearly a week since you got your iphones and I’m wondering if you are happy with them so far. I am on the ‘list’ to get one, but a friend tells me web access is very limited to certain areas of Calgary, and rarely works at all. Also, do you think 6gb data is enough? I’m concerned about spending the money if it’s not going to work as expected.

2. 2
   DM
   July 24, 2008 at 10:51 am #

   Hi Laurie:

   Yes, we’re both happy with them so far. Thrilled actually.

   Michelle was only 50% sure she wanted an iPhone to begin with, but now she won’t set it down ever. Seriously. She says she feels like she just got a new computer, a new phone and multiple entertainment devices - all from her iPhone. She’s not the most technically inclined person, nor a gadget geek by any means, but she’s definitely living proof that it’s way more than just a phone. (But the “phone” part is worth it alone - easy to use, clear, great sounding, etc.) She’s had no problem using any of the features - you don’t need an instruction manual because it really is that easy to use. The entertainment value of the iPhone is what I wanted for her - I just never expected she’d get addicted to it so fast…

   In terms of data access, yes Rogers is still working out some kinks - the iPhone is the first phone they have on their new 3G networks. I personally haven’t experienced any issues though and it’s been speedy for me. The good news is that the networks are aggressively being updated so it will only get better. (And when 3G isn’t available it kicks into EDGE anyways, so you’re always covered.)

   6GB data should definitely be enough for most users. Take it while it’s still available! Michelle and I haven’t even used 0.5GB between the two of us yet. Mind you, most of the time we are using our wifi network at home, or using Rogers/Fido Hotspots (which is free until December)…

   Yesterday I was coming back from Market Mall on the C-Train and while listening to music on my iPhone, I was checking out the Maps feature - the GPS followed me all along the train tracks in real time - it was really cool to watch it update…

   So, for us the iPhone has tremendous value for the price. We don’t regret buying them at all and would do it all over again - especially Michelle ;-) The only thing in question was Rogers’ price plans, which voice-wise, we’re actually saving money now since we changed both our plans to include long distance. Data-wise, I would take advantage of the $30 / 6GB plan while you can.

   I hope this helps - and thanks for posting a comment on my blog! Let me know if you still have questions.

   DM

3. 3
   Laurie
   July 24, 2008 at 11:05 am #

   Thanks Daniel, that’s great to hear!