The bloom is off the Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone rose.
Yes, the all-in-one wireless gadget has sold in huge quantities since its launch in late June, but when customers started receiving hundred-page bills, the fervor soured somewhat. The iPhone is one heckuva device, but it's not for everyone. It especially may not be for AT&T customer Herbert Kliegerman, who roamed in Mexico only to later realize that AT&T had hit him with a $2,000 bill. Ouch -- there's a mortgage payment down the tubes.
Kliegerman is now suing, claiming that 'hidden' roaming fees are built into the plan he has with his iPhone, since the device is locked to the AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) network and can't be used with SIM cards from other wireless carriers in different countries (which is spelled out in AT&T's terms if you read them). I'm not sure this suit has any legs, but it's neat to see what customers will dredge up for lawsuits these days regardless.
Kliegerman states in his suit that AT&T did not adequately disclose that restriction before he purchased three iPhones. At issue here is the term "adequately" -- which is pure attorney speak. We'll see how this case goes, but in this instance, AT&T will probably have the upper hand here. Well, unless Kliegerman did not sign a contract with specific terms. Oh wait -- he activated the iPhone and used it. Isn't a contract the sole prerequisite for something like that?
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