T-Mobile Launches Galaxy S III in Select Markets; Tony Gets Denied and Rants About It

So, this should probably have been one of the first things I posted today, but I’m still bitter. Unfortunately, I still have to report news, even when it isn’t good news for me. What can I say? That’s just how much I love you guys.

Anyways, for those who have yet to hear, T-Mobile finally launched its version of the Samsung Galaxy S III in limited markets and on its website today. If you’ve been paying attention to our site the past few days, you know by now that I do not live in one of these markets (only the top 29 locales get it today). Unfortunately, that means I do not have a shiny new phone to show off for you just yet. Still trying to get over this.

First thing this morning, I decided to give T-Mo customer service a call. The response I got was that yes, I am eligible for a partial upgrade for the Galaxy S III, but there were no available units in Magenta’s system for me. I was told to call back on Monday, but because of the inconvenience T-Mobile would override my early upgrade (I’m about 3 months shy) and give me the phone at full upgrade price. How nice of them.

As a result of yesterday’s news regarding other availability options for the S3, I decided to bug my local Wal-Mart and Costco stores last night and this morning to see if they had received any units. To my dismay, today’s shipments had already arrived when I called around noon CST and there were no S3′s in sight. Imagine that.

Fortunately, the dude at the Costco Kiosk was the most helpful person I’ve come across yet, and told me they would “definitely have the phone in tomorrow”. He took my name and number and promised to call me “the second they scan the phones in”. We’ll see how that plays out.

Sooo…

Unless Costco comes through, I guess I’ll be stuck waiting until next week. While, there’s a ton of stuff to keep me busy between now and then, it irks the living shit out of me how carelessly launched this device was. I mean, really. Come on now, Samsung and T-Mobile. You guys should know by now that the device was going to shatter records. Look at the numbers Sammy did from the Galaxy Note, or the Galaxy S II (the top-selling Android phone of all times). You should have done a better job to ensure that your customers are taken care of.

It’s not even so much the fact of the delay that pisses me of; it’s the fact that the damn phone is already in the hands of people on the same carrier as me because T-Mobile deemed those markets to be more important than others. As a 7-year customer, I’ve even considered jumping ship, though I know that won’t likely happen, unless there are more unexpected delays. Then, I’m going to the first carrier that lets me walk out of their store with an S3.

I’m sure there will be plenty of people who want to tell me to quit bitching on this one. I honestly couldn’t care less. When I get my sights set on something, it’s balls-to-the-wall until I get it. Unfortunately, it looks like B2TW isn’t going to get me anywhere this time.

Fellow T-Mo customers, any of you manage to pick the phone up today? Drop me a comment and make me jealous by letting me know how much you’re loving it. Pissed off like me? Feel free to let it be known below. Also, if you’re interested in trying to get one for yourself, hit up T-Mobile.com — the Next Galaxy Phone is plastered all over the front page.

Happy launch day, kids.

[UPDATE: Before publishing this post, I caved in, ordered from T-Mobile.com and coughed up the extra $25 for overnight shipping. Needless to say, I better have one in hand tomorrow.]