[Ohio-talk] Do You Want The iPhone 4 From Verizon Wireless?

[Sheri]

Hello Fellow Federationists, 
I was a diehard Verizon Wireless customer and was content to settle for the
"most" accessible phone they supported. Then came along the iPhone. The most
incredible, accessible cell phone on the market. This was not a Verizon
supported phone, however, and I had to make a choice. Accessibility won over
carrier loyalty. For the past two years, I haves loves using my iPhone but
have been unhappy with my service. THAT IS NOW ABOUT TO CHANGE! 

On February 3rd 2011, Verizon Wireless will be offering the iPhone 4! It
will be available online for pre-orders to current Verizon customers ONLY on
a "first come, first serve" basis. The cost will be $199 with a 2-year
contract. This can be done on Verizonwireless.com. 

On February 10th, Verizon Retail Stores will start selling the iPhone 4,
again on a "first come, first serve" basis. When the in-store supply is
gone, Verizon will then take shipping orders, until they are completely sold
out. The stores will open at 7 AM and they expect the line to start forming
at midnight on the 9th. The iPhone can also be purchased at the Apple Retail
Stores, also this same day.

There are some obstacles for me, as a blind person, to getting my iPhone.
First of all, in order to pre-order the iPhone 4 on February 3rd, the
website will need to be accessible. If not, fortunately, Cindi will be there
to help me. Next, if the supply of pre-orders runs out, then I will have to
wait until February 10th and go the store. The problem with that is, how
will I get to the store at midnight on February 9th to get my spot in line?
I spent four hours in my local Verizon store, talking to the manager and
sales staff, voicing my concerns. Although they were very sympathetic, their
hands were tied by Apple, who made it very clear on how the iPhone sale was
to be run. Absolutely no "holds" were to be made, or phones set aside for
any reason whatsoever. I needed to impress upon them that blind people not
just "want" the iPhone, we "need" the iPhone for its accessibility. For us,
it is not a merely a luxury. When we left the store, we knew that if
anything were to be done, it was going to have to come from Apple.

The manager at the store did find a loophole for me to make it possible to
pre-order the iPhone 4, since I am not an existing Verizon customer. All I
need to do is set up an account on Verizonwireless.com before February 3rd
with ANY old Verizon Wireless phone, using the serial number on the back of
the phone. I am setting up this account as having no contract and eligible
for an upgrade. When I go to pre-order the iPhone, I will sign on to My
Account on Verizonwireless.con, upgrade that phone to the iPhone and sing up
for the 2-year contract.

I hope this all makes sense to you. If you have any questions, let me know.
I just wanted to get the word out so you all would be able to take advantage
of this wonderful opportunity of getting the iPhone from Verizon. All of
this with no help from Verizon or Apple.

Good luck!
Sheri Albers