Here is the link my article titled, “No Go for iPhone at NYC SoHo Apple Store; A Series of Unfortunate iPhone Events.”

http://www.kencutts.com/myarticles/NOGOtoSOHOapple...

The possibility of getting the newer 3GS came to light when the store employees were confirming reservations down the line as the store began to open.

I explained I was buying the older phone, and two employees sifting through the people in line, and on separate occasions, said that I'd get to buy the 3GS if I purchased my original between July and September 2008 (which I had).

They also said I would be able to get the 3GS for $199 â– all I had to do was talk to anyone inside.
But the Apple Store employees quoted me an incorrect price (there's a technicality on how much your monthly bill is) on the new 3GS, and multiple attempts to set up a new phone they locked my account (meaning I'd have to jump through more hoops JUST to get any phone), and the best part is that the 3GS they were going to sell me wasn't even allowable since the quantity in the store “needed to match those on hand for the reservations people made.” They also could not find my 3G purchase and since they locked my account I wouldn't have been able to buy one if they had.
So you're asking why this is a problem? Bait and switch tactics. They wanted to get me in the door, tell me whatever and then spring a $400+ surprise on me. I'm very disappointed in my customer service experience at the SoHo Apple store.

Here's a link to my full story “No Go for iPhone at NYC SoHo Apple Store; A Series of Unfortunate iPhone Events”:

http://www.kencutts.com/myarticles/NOGOtoSOHOapple...