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Apple & AT&T begin sending $40 checks to original 3G iPad buyers

ipadunlimited

Apple and U.S.-based wireless carrier AT&T have begun sending out $40 checks to buyers of the original iPad WiFi + 3G in the United States over a “bait-and-switch” regarding the device’s data plan. The backstory is that when Steve Jobs announced the 3G iPad in January 2010, he announced a deal with AT&T for a $30/month unlimited iPad data plan.

When the 3G iPad launched in late April 2010, this plan was available, but AT&T eliminated the plan just about one month later in early June 2010. Lawsuits followed in the months and years following the shift in data plan strategy claimed that customers overpaid for the 3G iPad believing that they would be able to use the device to access unlimited amounts of data.

In September 2013, Apple and AT&T settled and agreed to pay $40 to each affected iPad buyer. For iPad buyers who had not yet purchased an unlimited data plan, a discount on the replacing 5GB plan was offered. The two companies began sending the checks out late last week, and they began arriving today. You can view the entire check stub and letter from the payout fund below:

Check

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Comments

  1. cjt3007 - 10 years ago

    How do they know where the purchasers currently live if they moved from where they lived in 2010?

    • alphabetize1 - 10 years ago

      I was thinking the same thing. Also, how do they know where customers live if they paid in cash?

      • John Clabaugh - 10 years ago

        They still have to have a physical address when going into an agreement. They probably had to opt in for the class action lawsuit which they would have had to provide their most recent address.

      • John Wertheim - 10 years ago

        Means all the sleazy lawyers will get most of the take.

    • Eric Johnson (@Soulified) - 10 years ago

      If you had a forwarding address, from the address that they had on record, you would have received the Settlement Agreement and request for updated address. If not call (800) 248-1504. Hope that helps. I just received my two checks. :)

    • InformNow (@InformedNow) - 10 years ago

      They use Apple’s “Find My Claimant” app for iPad! That’s how they know where the purchasers currently live…

  2. herb02135go - 10 years ago

    Screw customers for hundreds and pay back only $40. Nice gig if you can get it.

  3. Rachid Outil - 10 years ago

    Apple Updates Most Affordable 9.7-inch iPad with Retina display, Improved Cameras & Enhanced Performance—Now Available Starting at $300
    and the surprise is Apple to give early subscribers one free
    http://goo.gl/lQWAmL

  4. rob nienburg (@robogobo) - 10 years ago

    Is it too late to opt in?