S3 LTE availability?

[uffestar]

Can I actually buy the LTE version anywhere? In the MS store it is listed as "mail me when available". Yet I hear about people actually having it.
Does anyone know if it is available for purchase somewhere?

 

[michail71]

AT&T stores will usually have 1 or 2 in stock.

 

[enixon]

Only place I know of right now is the AT&T stores. I'm using mine and purchased it through Next.

 

[uffestar]

Hi again,
Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention that I'm in the EU. I'm wondering where I can buy it. Anyone knows?

 

[michail71]

I thought it had been available in other markets before the US first. Seems to be in short supply. Even when I had a support ticket open with MS they didn't have a LTE unit available for testing.

 

[Paten1]

I'm trying to buy one of these LTE models from T-mobile with no luck so far. I have seen absolutely no advertising from T-mobile that they even sell it. I've only seen articles from tech sites saying that it will be sold by T-mobile. None of their sales people know it's available thru T-mobile until I tell them. Once I convince them that they do sell the Surface 3 and they find the information on their computer, they tell me it's only available to their business customers and they won't sell it to me as I only have a regular consumer account. It just makes me wonder if T-mobile even wanted to sell this product at all.

So now, here it is coming up on the last week of August and there is still no word yet on specifically when these LTE models will be available from Microsoft and their retail partners. Why is it so hard to get one of these things? :angry:

 

[enixon]

I'm trying to buy one of these LTE models from T-mobile with no luck so far. I have seen absolutely no advertising from T-mobile that they even sell it. I've only seen articles from tech sites saying that it will be sold by T-mobile. None of their sales people know it's available thru T-mobile until I tell them. Once I convince them that they do sell the Surface 3 and they find the information on their computer, they tell me it's only available to their business customers and they won't sell it to me as I only have a regular consumer account. It just makes me wonder if T-mobile even wanted to sell this product at all.

So now, here it is coming up on the last week of August and there is still no word yet on specifically when these LTE models will be available from Microsoft and their retail partners. Why is it so hard to get one of these things? :angry:

It took I think 3-4 months of the Surface 2 being out for the LTE version to be officially sold by Microsoft. It will probably be another month or so before it's readily available.

Also, as a side note, MOST carrier salespeople (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc) have no idea about the latest technology. They are told what to sell, and how to sell it. Most don't go out of their way to research products or competing devices on their own time. Remember, not everyone is super into technology, and it is just their job to sell product to you. It's your job as a consumer to educate yourself about what you want. (Personal opinion from experiences of mine.)

 

[Paten1]

I'm just going by the Microsoft blog post that mentions it. Supposedly the LTE model is going to be available in "late August". Here it is the last week of August so what actually constitutes "late August"?

blog.surface.com/2015/07/surface-3-4g-lte-available-in-the-u-s/

 

[enixon]

I'm just going by the Microsoft blog post that mentions it. Supposedly the LTE model is going to be available in "late August". Here it is the last week of August so what actually constitutes "late August"?

blog.surface.com/2015/07/surface-3-4g-lte-available-in-the-u-s/

They have until August 31st...

 

[Paten1]

They have until August 31st. Wow I had not considered that. Thanks for that thoughtful and oh so helpful reply. So tell me, as a Microsoft Retail associate, do they not tell you when these things are going to be on sale? Do you just go in one day and boom, there it is?

I would just like to see something that says "Hey, this item will be on sale on this date". It's got to be close enough to "late August" for them to do that by now, right?

 

[enixon]

I'm going to assume you've never worked in a retail environment. Retail associates know nothing more than an average consumer when products are going to be available.

If Microsoft made a deadline by "late August", they have until the last day in August for them to be available to purchase in the United States through MicrosoftStore.com, Microsoft Stores, or trusted retailers. I cannot tell you if they will be available a day earlier than that, and I cannot tell you if they will make their deadline (Not because I am not allowed, but because I haven't the slightest clue). I have no insider information, but it's pretty pointless to complain on a forum that is not affiliated with Microsoft about them missing a deadline that hasn't even reached yet.

 

[Paten1]

It is not pointless if it helps me vent my frustration due to the lack of information on the subject. It's either this or I might have an aneurysm trying to keep it bottled inside. :unhappy:

 

[enixon]

Well, let's hope they meet their deadline!

 

[Griffinx]

Found one on sale here for €719
Microsoft Surface 3 64GB Windows 10 LTE bei notebooksbilliger.de

 

[Paten1]

Still no word from Microsoft. Now I need to wait to see the Sunday flyers from the big box stores.

Now it's Sunday, Aug. 30th. You can't get much later in August than this and I don't see anything for sale anywhere. Who releases anything for sale on a Monday? It's like they forgot about it.

 

[Paten1]

I guess they meant really, really late August.

 

[Paten1]

I was able to put in my pre-order in the Microsoft Store this morning. I should receive it on Sept 19th. I guess that would translate to August 50th.

 

[Paten1]

Here it is Sept. 16th and my Surface 3 w/LTE still hasn't shipped yet. I'm thinking I won't get it by Saturday now. I wonder if anybody at Microsoft cares?

 

[Paten1]

Received my shipment notification today. Why is it always the day after I complain that Microsoft seems to act? I did not realize I was so influential. :winktongue: I won't get it by Saturday but in 3 to 7 business days I might actually be happy. Yay!

 

[FrontRoyalCPU]

I received an email this morning from Microsoft that the Surface 3 4G LTE is available today