iPhone 3G Now Available At Best Buy

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/09/08/121500-bestbuy.jpg
As of yesterday, Best Buy is offering the iPhone 3G at Best Buy Mobile stores (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat160500050018&type=category).

While the launch is lacking the fanfare of the original AT&T and Apple iPhone 3G launch, we've heard reports that Best Buy had extra staff in some locations in anticipation of heightened store traffic.

Best Buy's distribution of the iPhone 3G had been rumored. Still outstanding from the original rumor (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/30/best-buy-and-radio-shack-to-sell-iphone-3g/) published by The Boy Genius Report is whether Radio Shack will distribute the phone.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/09/08/iphone-3g-now-available-at-best-buy/)

[ltldrummerboy]

So do they activate it in-store just like at the ATT and Apple stores?

Edit: Nevermind, I was confused by Best Buy Mobile. I'd never heard of that before. No Best Buys within three hours of where I am. I guess this should help them hit 10 million iPhones sold a little quicker.

[bbplayer5]

Yes

[happydude]

i'd be excited . . . except that i hate best buy . . .

[Beric]

I'm glad, if only that there will be less traffic in Apple stores when the new products on the 9th are released.

[pacohaas]

So do they activate it in-store just like at the ATT and Apple stores?

Yes

Yes to which, just like AT&T or just like Apple stores? I was turned away at an Apple store last month when they said they couldn't activate my line because I had a discount on it, but that AT&T could do it so I should just go to an AT&T store. They said AT&T had a different activation system than what was available at the Apple Stores, so I wonder which one Best Buy got...

[iMACTASTIC]

CAUTION!!!

If you buy anything from Best Buy you better know what you are talking about because the idiots that work there have no clue about a thing they are selling. Best Buy is a crap store that doesnt mind ripping you off. With zero customer support.

[blackpond]

Best Buy "Mobile" stores. According to BestBuy.com, these stores are only found in three states.

[Digital Skunk]

hopefully Best Buy has a much better activation system than the garbage the Apple Store has. Either way they are all going to be tied to AT&T's servers, so most people may still be better off going to AT&T to activate their iPhones.

And after about two so months with the iPhone 3G, and all the reported defects and flaws, I doubt there will be any more rushes to grab an iPhone. Apple may hit 10 million world wide, but America is pretty much done with the rush.

Agreed about BB and AT&T not know squat about the iPhone. Most likely they will send you to an Apple store after activation to get all your questions and concerns answered... and to buy that surprisingly worthless Apple Care for the iPhone. I was in line at a Genius Bar and there was far more iPhone users there than CPUs.

[happydude]

CAUTION!!!

If you buy anything from Best Buy you better know what you are talking about because the idiots that work there have no clue about a thing they are selling. Best Buy is a crap store that doesnt mind ripping you off. With zero customer support.

exactly! i've never had anyone that wasn't a prepubescent oily faced, voice cracking teenager "helping" me out. never have i ever been satisfied with anything best buy.

[.:R2theT]

I guess this should help them hit 10 million iPhones sold a little quicker.

I am sure Jobs will announce tomorrow that Apple has well surpassed the 10 million mark already.

[curbyourdesign]

I was in Best Buy yesterday checking out the iPhone and the rates seemed off. The lowest plan they advertised for the FamilyTalk was the 700 plan, the 550 plan was no where to be found. However, when you go to an at&t store or online it shows the 550 plan. Let me know if anyone has come across the same plans at best buy.

[cgtyoder]

Why is AAPL tanking today? Down 7 points, 5% right now. Seems like the BB thing should be helping.

Maybe the analysts had bad weekends or something.

[manhattanboy]

Why not just wait for the new 2.1 update?
Jesus, this iPhone 3G is all about money.
Consumers are getting f*cked in the arse by Apple on this one.
And can AT&T really handle EVEN MORE people on their networK???

[MacBass]

Granted, despite having to deal with the incredibly "helpful" employees at Best Buy stores, it's nice to see that the iPhone is available where there isn't necessarily an AT&T store nearby.

I still won't get an iPhone until the price for the plan drops significantly enough for me to be able to afford it, because after all, it is just a phone with some extra gadgets, and my current phone is working out pretty well for me.

[deannnnn]

I live right across from a Best Buy Mobile here in NYC... They've been advertising the hell out of having the iPhone 3G with like signs in the streets and stuff.... but I didn't see people in there today lol.

[franzmueller]

Great , now you can get a phone in almost every corner in the US while here in Spain I´m still waiting to get one ... I was nr. 80 on the waiting list in my local shop back then in July 11th ... last week I was told 40 iphones have been handed out which makes an average or 20 stupid phones per MONTH .

Like things move around I may be lucky to get mine sometime in October


YEah.... way to go Apple :mad:

This is just plain ridiculous

Saludos

[TalkAboutApple]

Radio Shack would be a much better fit. They've been selling cellular since it was a rocket science in the 80's, and for the most part the salespeople are quite knowlegeable.

[Digital Skunk]

Why is AAPL tanking today? Down 7 points, 5% right now. Seems like the BB thing should be helping.

Maybe the analysts had bad weekends or something.

Apple's just not making amazing moves in the industry right now.

Maybe after Tuesday, but I have a feeling the stock may stay the same for a good while until Apple does some breakthrough stuff.

[eyephone]

I miss compUSA.

At the apple "booth" in the compusa stores, there was a dedicated apple sales person at all times, answering questions, and wearing all apple clothing, etc. It was very professional.

In New Orelans now that the compusa is closed, the BestBuy is the only resource for apple. The store has a nice kiosk set up for apple displaying their most popular consumer products, but no one sales person is stationed. This makes for a real head ache when asking questions, as most BB sales people avoid the apple kiosk, and stay around the HPGATEWAYCOMPAQDELL computers because there are only limited questions that these potential buyers may ask. I.E. "where does the cd's go?"

I am wondering if the Apple Kiosk in BB will house the iPhone, or if the bland cell counter will be diluted for once.

This all makes me feel like as Apple gets a larger fanbase, their products may become too mainstream and once apple sees that they can sell a cheaper more bland product in retail stores.......... well you know how this rant ends.

[bella92108]

Best Buy "Mobile" stores. According to BestBuy.com, these stores are only found in three states.

It's 900+ stores... there's Best Buy Mobile "Stores" (as in brick and mortar stores only selling mobile in the three states), and then "Best Buy Mobile" which is a department branding in a store... like the Apple Store At Best Buy which is just a little section in the computer section. See "where to buy" at http://www.apple.com/iphone/buy/ for confirmation.

[emaja]

I miss compUSA.

That is the first time I have read that. I guess all stores were different, but my local CompUSA was awful. Employees scattered like bugs whenever a customer came in and if you could find one, they were about as helpful as a Wal-Mart employee - not at all.

I was at BB yesterday when they launched the iPhone, and by 3PM they had sold 2 - TWO! - iPhones and had over 50 left. I guess the people who really wanted one already have it and the stock levels are good nationally.

My local BB has an Apple store in it, so they are extremely helpful.

[walala]

I've asked this before, but...

Can you buy the iPhone at Best Buy with Best Buy gift cards? Because I have a few cards there worth about $100

[frankfurter]

You're kidding, right? I didn't know Radio Shack was even still around (and I'm in an American city with 500K people....).

I guess I quit going there when it became like a flea market trying to pay them for something.

Me: I just need these batteries here.
RS: Ok! Need a warranty?
Me: No.
RS: How about a phone card?
Me: No.
RS: Cell phone service is half off for 4 weeks and .....
Me: No.
RS: Phone number?
Me: (makes up 7 random numbers)
RS: Address?
Me: (again, my address with the wrong house number)
RS: Anything else?

Anyway, Radio Shack was (is?) almost comical. It was so painful to buy from them, that even if I needed some electronic whatever, I'd wait and order online. I question Apple's reasoning on this.

[MrCrowbar]

Best Buy isn't that bad. The often label electronics wrong so a specific item can be a lot cheaper than it's supposed to be. And my mail-in-rebate-check only took 6 months to arrive.

I ... molested a 3G iPhone today. The plastic back feels very veird and cheap compared to my EDGE iPhone. And the chrome Apple on the black plastic looks a bit tacky IMO.

[emaja]

I've asked this before, but...

Can you buy the iPhone at Best Buy with Best Buy gift cards? Because I have a few cards there worth about $100

You can use them for the phone itself, but if a deposit is required for your service, that will need to be paid with a credit card - according to what I was told previously.

[MrCrowbar]

You can use them for the phone itself, but if a deposit is required for your service, that will need to be paid with a credit card - according to what I was told previously.

Imagine the face of the employee when you tell me you wish to get an iPhone and the $100/month contract and pay all in advance with 26 $100 gift cards. I love paying big things cash, the money frenzy gives the seller some extra motivation to go down with the price.

I don't want, need or have a credit card, by the way. There's absulutely no security in the system, everything you buy with it is tracked and you pay more for the same things. If you get mugged and have no cash on you, only a credit card, it's more likely to get stabbed by an angry aggressor than if you gave him all your money.

[VoR]

I buy everything on credit card, because there is absolute security in the system. I don't care if 'everything I buy is tracked' and I pay less for the same things.

[cenetti]

How cool is that huh?

in MD, I lost 3G today...when I switch to 3G, I get "no service" been using Edge since this morning...

Obviously Att can't handle the volume, but they keep pushing iphones every where..
I heard, next red cross will be giving away 3G iphones for free :eek:

Oh and Ihop is also next? order 2 pancakes and 2 eggs, get a free 3G iphone?

[Jeremy1026]

I'm also in Maryland (Mt. Washington) and I have full 3G service.

[cenetti]

I'm also in Maryland (Mt. Washington) and I have full 3G service.

Are you serious?
I am in Towson right now, and no 3G...it says "no service" and automatically switches back to Edge...wtf

[fishkorp]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5C1 Safari/525.20)

In Columbia, full bars.

[topher2889]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5C1 Safari/525.20)

I miss compUSA.

At the apple "booth" in the compusa stores, there was a dedicated apple sales person at all times, answering questions, and wearing all apple clothing, etc. It was very professional.

In New Orelans now that the compusa is closed, the BestBuy is the only resource for apple. The store has a nice kiosk set up for apple displaying their most popular consumer products, but no one sales person is stationed. This makes for a real head ache when asking questions, as most BB sales people avoid the apple kiosk, and stay around the HPGATEWAYCOMPAQDELL computers because there are only limited questions that these potential buyers may ask. I.E. "where does the cd's go?"

I am wondering if the Apple Kiosk in BB will house the iPhone, or if the bland cell counter will be diluted for once.

This all makes me feel like as Apple gets a larger fanbase, their products may become too mainstream and once apple sees that they can sell a cheaper more bland product in retail stores.......... well you know how this rant ends.

at my best buy in northeastern Wisconsin there is a dedicated apple consultant (works for apple) who used to work for compusa. Only certain (usually larger) best buys have them.

[Chris Rogers]

turn the phone off/on...usually works for me...

[MrCrowbar]

I buy everything on credit card, because there is absolute security in the system. I don't care if 'everything I buy is tracked' and I pay less for the same things.

How do you think credit card companies make money then?

[ChrisA]

I don't want, need or have a credit card, by the way. There's absulutely no security in the system

Ever try to get your bank to do a chargeback on cash? Try telling them you lost a $100 bill and want another re-issued to you. Good luck.

With a credit card when it's lost or stolen I've twice gotten it replaced and charges reversed. I don't pay any fee for my cards. The banks issue the cards on hope that you are dumb enough to run up a bill you can't pay off so they can hit you with 21% interest. Simply pay the bill and the cards are free forever.

Don't need one? Have you ever tried to rent a tool at Home Depot or rent a car with no CC. You'd need a cash deposit. I would have had to bring in $4K in cash to cover that pneumatic demo hammer I rented a while back. How to you reserve airline tickets without a CC? What if a disk drive fails under warenty. With a CC seagate will ship a replacment before they receive the failed unit. I could go on ....

How do you think credit card companies make money then?

As I said, they hope you run up a bill you don't pay off and carry a balance forward to the next month. If you do then they have sold you and expensive load.

[cenetti]

turn the phone off/on...usually works for me...

been doing that all day... as well as turn on/off airplane mode...

this is such a BS... Now I am pissed!
:mad::mad:

[slapppy]

Errr, what about those MS agents that was recently planted at BestBuy? I bet they were really placed there to steer customers away from the iPhone and iPods....

[pacohaas]

How do you think credit card companies make money then?

Simple...off the people who don't pay off their cards every month. For those of us who do pay them off, there is no interest and usually a 1-5% rebate on everything we buy. Also off the 1-3% fee they charge merchants for accepting cards, but almost no merchants(in the US) will charge you more for using a credit card. The few that I've come across, I just use cash or shop elsewhere, simple.

ChrisA brings up a great point: How in the world do you buy a plane ticket without a credit card? Perhaps your parents buy it for you with their credit card. In that case, I would see your point. You don't need a credit card, because your parents have one, but don't worry, you will. At the very least, you can get yourself a debit card that can be used in places that cash can't. (for example: iPhone purchase)

[VoR]

I know they make money by charging the seller a fee, which 99.9% of the time isn't passed on to me.
My purchase is guaranteed, and I get cashback, and all sorts of fine print extras like a year extra warranty on consumer electronics - how much does apple care cost again?
Why, how do you think it works?

[iMACTASTIC]

I was in Best Buy yesterday checking out the iPhone and the rates seemed off. The lowest plan they advertised for the FamilyTalk was the 700 plan, the 550 plan was no where to be found. However, when you go to an at&t store or online it shows the 550 plan. Let me know if anyone has come across the same plans at best buy.

Thats what Best Buy does they screw you. They manipulate what they offer until its completely in their favor. PS good luck trying to get your phone set up with a best buy employee.

[iMACTASTIC]

Errr, what about those MS agents that was recently planted at BestBuy? I bet they were really placed there to steer customers away from the iPhone and iPods....

Yeah and I bet they have a chip implanted in their head with the real tapes of the moon landing.

[kornyboy]

Wirelessly posted (iPhone: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 2_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/525.18.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/3.1.1 Mobile/5C1 Safari/525.20)

Yep, saw them in Best Buy today. I did notice that there wereno large lines for them so either they are sold out or everyone around here that just had to have theirs as early as possible has already gotten one.

[landyman]

Simple...off the people who don't pay off their cards every month. For those of us who do pay them off, there is no interest and usually a 1-5% rebate on everything we buy. Also off the 1-3% fee they charge merchants for accepting cards, but almost no merchants(in the US) will charge you more for using a credit card. The few that I've come across, I just use cash or shop elsewhere, simple.

ChrisA brings up a great point: How in the world do you buy a plane ticket without a credit card? Perhaps your parents buy it for you with their credit card. In that case, I would see your point. You don't need a credit card, because your parents have one, but don't worry, you will. At the very least, you can get yourself a debit card that can be used in places that cash can't. (for example: iPhone purchase)

A couple things..

When a retailer accepts credit cards, EVERYONE pays for the cost (3%-5% typically) for accepting these cards. It is against the VISA merchant agreement to charge more for customers to use their cards (This takes away the 'penalty' imposed on the customer). So, the retailer raises prices so that overall, the customers who pay with cash subsidize those who pay with credit.

On a side note, you'll notice that if you live in California (im not sure about other states), you can't pay your utility (electric/gas/water) with a credit card because the government won't allow the overhead to be rolled into the rates for all customers, and the companies aren't allowed to directly charge the customers the 'overhead'.

You will notice that you can pay your cable bill with a CC, since they aren't regulated and are free to rip customers off for as much as they can.

It is also against their agreement to have a minimum purchase amount. (Tell the liquor store you're going to report them next time they tell you that you cannot use your credit/debit card to pay for that candy bar instead using your ATM card and being charged the $.45 they want to rip you for).

[walala]

You can use them for the phone itself, but if a deposit is required for your service, that will need to be paid with a credit card - according to what I was told previously.

Thanks

[nep61]

Radio Shack would be a much better fit. They've been selling cellular since it was a rocket science in the 80's, and for the most part the salespeople are quite knowlegeable.

I absolutely agree with you on this one... For a much maligned retail store, I have found time and time again, the people who work at Radio Shacks are mostly well informed and are REAL GEEKS who are truly interested in the products they sell.

Not like at a BB where your average HS or College student doesn't even want to be there, let alone learn about the items they sell. (No offense to those FEW Best Buy employees who actually KNOW what their doing) :)

[cgtyoder]

Apple's just not making amazing moves in the industry right now.

That doesn't explain why AAPL is headed south right now, and most of the rest of the market, including the tech sector, is either flat or up.

[ivladster]

Well Best Buy is truly living up to its name now. It is Best Buy.

[sonicwind]

This is going to be great.

When you have a problem with your phone:

Best Buy: You'll have to contact AT&T for that --->
AT&T: You'll have to contact Apple for that --->
Apple: You'll have to contact Best Buy for that --->
Satan: Welcome, BB, AT&T and Apple

[nickXedge]

Granted, despite having to deal with the incredibly "helpful" employees at Best Buy stores, it's nice to see that the iPhone is available where there isn't necessarily an AT&T store nearby.

I still won't get an iPhone until the price for the plan drops significantly enough for me to be able to afford it, because after all, it is just a phone with some extra gadgets, and my current phone is working out pretty well for me.

When have cell phone rate plans dropped, ever?

[nickXedge]

Thats what Best Buy does they screw you. They manipulate what they offer until its completely in their favor. PS good luck trying to get your phone set up with a best buy employee.

Wow, do you really think that Best Buy has the ability to change AT&T rates? And do you actually think Best Buy gets any money from AT&T at all from the service fees? That's ridiculous. There are minimum rate plans for iPhone, for example the 700 FamilyTalk plan is the lowest available plan from AT&T FOR the iPhone and they have an individual limit as well. You are ridiculous.

[nickXedge]

A couple things..

When a retailer accepts credit cards, EVERYONE pays for the cost (3%-5% typically) for accepting these cards. It is against the VISA merchant agreement to charge more for customers to use their cards (This takes away the 'penalty' imposed on the customer). So, the retailer raises prices so that overall, the customers who pay with cash subsidize those who pay with credit.

On a side note, you'll notice that if you live in California (im not sure about other states), you can't pay your utility (electric/gas/water) with a credit card because the government won't allow the overhead to be rolled into the rates for all customers, and the companies aren't allowed to directly charge the customers the 'overhead'.

You will notice that you can pay your cable bill with a CC, since they aren't regulated and are free to rip customers off for as much as they can.

It is also against their agreement to have a minimum purchase amount. (Tell the liquor store you're going to report them next time they tell you that you cannot use your credit/debit card to pay for that candy bar instead using your ATM card and being charged the $.45 they want to rip you for).

I'm a business major specializing in finance and as such I monitor my purchases very closely. I use my credit card for purchases about half the time and I have NEVER ONCE paid a penny more for using my credit card. The only time I have ever heard of being charged extra to use a credit card is at a gas station. I shop at Best Buy as well as many other establishments and they do not add on any cost nor does my credit card company for using my card. I pay it off in full when the bill comes and I have never paid interest on anything. I collect the reward points from my credit card company and I'm planning a vacation next summer where I won't be paying for airfare at all.

[The Tall One]

Want... one... so... bad... stupid... Sprint... contract

[BarneysPosse]

CAUTION!!!

If you buy anything from Best Buy you better know what you are talking about because the idiots that work there have no clue about a thing they are selling. Best Buy is a crap store that doesnt mind ripping you off. With zero customer support.
exactly! i've never had anyone that wasn't a prepubescent oily faced, voice cracking teenager "helping" me out. never have i ever been satisfied with anything best buy.

And I've never read a thread without seeing something completely ignorant and/or moronic.


-Best Buy employee
Store #503
Atlanta, GA

[davidbrummy]

December 11th is my last day of my 2 year contract at Sprint. Counting it down as my Treo 755 and my wifes 650 looks so dated these days. What ever happened to Palm?

I did look into breaking the contract. Since my wife and I are on a family plan it would cost me $400 ($200/line).

[Daveway]

There will be insurance offered on the phone through Best Buy. So far it's the only company doing it. It's going to be $14.99/month.
-BBY Employee

[unixfool]

I was in Best Buy yesterday checking out the iPhone and the rates seemed off. The lowest plan they advertised for the FamilyTalk was the 700 plan, the 550 plan was no where to be found. However, when you go to an at&t store or online it shows the 550 plan. Let me know if anyone has come across the same plans at best buy.

I bought my 3G from Best Buy yesterday. They continued my 450 plan from my old phone (I added the iPhone data plan, of course). The thing is, they did this only because that's what my old phone was basically using (Nokia e62)...I told them I wanted my old plan, if possible.


Thats what Best Buy does they screw you. They manipulate what they offer until its completely in their favor. PS good luck trying to get your phone set up with a best buy employee.

Hrmm...I got exactly what I wanted and walked out with an iPhone and very close to my same plan...it would've worked out similar to if I'd went to ATTW (and let me tell you that ATTW isn't anyone's BFF). I was less concerned with the tech guy setting up my new phone...I went home and commenced to doing that on my own.

[franzmueller]

I was at BB yesterday when they launched the iPhone, and by 3PM they had sold 2 - TWO! - iPhones and had over 50 left. I guess the people who really wanted one already have it and the stock levels are good nationally.


how great .... my store got 40 iphones in 2 months

[cleric]

Best Buy iPhone handsfree deals!

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/1373/img0124ln0.th.jpg (http://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0124ln0.jpg)http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6076/img0126da6.th.jpg (http://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0126da6.jpg)http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2267/img0127tu5.th.jpg (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0127tu5.jpg)

[hexonxonx]

CAUTION!!!

If you buy anything from Best Buy you better know what you are talking about because the idiots that work there have no clue about a thing they are selling. Best Buy is a crap store that doesnt mind ripping you off. With zero customer support.

Not exactly true.

I bought my iMac there back in March about an hour before closing on a Sunday night. The Apple rep was very knowledgeable and it felt like he worked in an Apple store before. I also bought my 23"ACD there but I ordered it online for pickup so I didn't have to deal with anyone on that.

I still prefer to buy my HP computers there or at CircuitCity but I always order online for in store pickup.

[Digital Skunk]

That doesn't explain why AAPL is headed south right now, and most of the rest of the market, including the tech sector, is either flat or up.

Apple is the one company whose stock price is dependent on people's perception of the rumors that are posted throughout the web. The price usually goes up before any event that promises to be the unveiling of the iJesus... such as with the iPhone launch a year ago.

This upcoming one looks to be very paltry.

To the Best Buy employees, give it a rest. It's a retail business just like the Apple Retail Store, both of which hire a majority fresh out of high school/still in high school/fresh out of college and couldn't make it into industry personnel that could really care less about their jobs.

Most Apple employees think they are the $h!t somehow because they are wearing a blue shirt, when most of them don't even know what a IIc or a PowerBook 165C is.

[landyman]

I'm a business major specializing in finance and as such I monitor my purchases very closely. I use my credit card for purchases about half the time and I have NEVER ONCE paid a penny more for using my credit card. The only time I have ever heard of being charged extra to use a credit card is at a gas station. I shop at Best Buy as well as many other establishments and they do not add on any cost nor does my credit card company for using my card. I pay it off in full when the bill comes and I have never paid interest on anything. I collect the reward points from my credit card company and I'm planning a vacation next summer where I won't be paying for airfare at all.

If you were trying to refute what I was saying then I think you sortof missed my point.

When you're shopping at best buy, you don't pay more than the marked price (as I was saying, due to the VISA/MC merchant agreements), but instead the marked price is inflated. Since you're still in school I can understand how you can easily make that mistake... many people don't see it. Just thought I'd share something else... You know how those gas stations that post different prices for cash and credit? Gas stations that charge different prices for cash and credit usually have been around for quite some time (or their parent company has) and thus have 'grandfathered' agreements with the CC companies that allow them to push the overhead only to the customers choosing to pay by credit vs paying by cash. For a new company these types of agreements are basically impossible to get.

And if you think those 'points' are really free to you, you're mistaken :)

[Jpoon]

How do you think credit card companies make money then?

Off interest, from idiots that make the minimum payment over long periods of time.

There's also this thing called credit that you need if you're trying to finance a car or a house. Unless you're filthy rich and can just hand out thousands of dollars of cash via wire transfer for things of that nature.

Anywho, the iPhone 3G at Best Buy and possibly RadioShack is just another way to **** a product out into the market to people who probably don't even need it. I hope those poor dumb salesclerks have fun trying to answer simple iPhone questions.

[Mac2004]

What is the best case for an IPhone? I just bought one yesterday at Best Buy? Also, I wasn't sure when I bought it if I should buy Best Buys replacement warranty or AppleCare. With their warranty if you drop and break your phone they will replace it. I don't think AppleCare does that.

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

How do you think credit card companies make money then?
Do you really have to ask?
How many people have you met that carry a balance on their credit cards? That sometimes pay late, or sometimes go over their limit? How many people do you know with perfect credit? These are the people that are making a killing for credit card companies. The really good customers who don't make these mistakes and don't carry a balance usually break roughly even thanks to merchant fees -- unless it is American Express, which thrives off those fees.

I save money left and right by using my credit cards, but they're still making some money from my use (even if it isn't from interest or fines).

[walala]

What is the best case for an IPhone?

Although we're going a bit off topic...

According to iLounge..
1. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/switcheasy-colors-for-iphone-3g/

2. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/switcheasy-capsule-rebel-for-iphone-3g/

http://www.switcheasy.com/index.html

[Desamell]

The Best Buy near me has 2 apple workers at the store 24/7. i guess its only in store where they have a dedicated apple area.

[macmaml]

A couple things..
* * *
On a side note, you'll notice that if you live in California (im not sure about other states), you can't pay your utility (electric/gas/water) with a credit card because the government won't allow the overhead to be rolled into the rates for all customers, and the companies aren't allowed to directly charge the customers the 'overhead'.
***


Way off topic, but that's simply not true. Pacific Gas & Electric has accepted credit card payments for the last two years--as its name implies, it provides gas and electricity to millions of Californians. (See, http://www.pge.com/about/news/mediarelations/newsreleases/q1_2007/070216.shtml) Also, I've paid my municipal water bill (water & sewer) in California with a credit card for years.

[Bubba Satori]

i'd be excited . . . except that i hate best buy . . .

My store sold 3 yesterday. Most just laughed when they saw the prices. Some were talking about their experiences with MobileMess. Customers are more interested in the unlocked HTC Diamond that's rumored to be coming out soon.

[ToM7]

i'm new here by the way..:)...
& ive a question about the iphone that sells now in best buy..
they're selling the iphone with the at&t plan?...or the is the full price?..
i'm sorry but i dont get it..:confused:
thanks:)..

[TuffLuffJimmy]

i'm new here by the way..:)...
& ive a question about the iphone that sells now in best buy..
they're selling the iphone with the at&t plan?...or the is the full price?..
i'm sorry but i dont get it..:confused:
thanks:)..

with the AT&T plan.

[twoodcc]

well, seems like Best Buy is coming around when it comes to Apple products. glad to see this

[peestandingup]

exactly! i've never had anyone that wasn't a prepubescent oily faced, voice cracking teenager "helping" me out. never have i ever been satisfied with anything best buy.
It wasnt this guy was it??

http://images.wikia.com/simpsons/images/7/77/222px-Squeaky_Voiced_Teen.png

[charlituna]

Yes to which, just like AT&T or just like Apple stores? I was turned away at an Apple store last month when they said they couldn't activate my line because I had a discount on it, but that AT&T could do it so I should just go to an AT&T store. They said AT&T had a different activation system than what was available at the Apple Stores, so I wonder which one Best Buy got...


ATT must have gotten tired of folks cancelling their discounts then restarting them to sign up at Apple when the ATT stores were out of stock cause my roommate, who gets a discount through her job at barnes and noble, was in just two days ago and had no issues signing up.

[charlituna]

You can use them for the phone itself, but if a deposit is required for your service, that will need to be paid with a credit card - according to what I was told previously.

i asked my roommate about what happened at apple. she was new to att and had to give them a credit card for some kind of credit check thing. she didn't want to but they told her that if she didn't, she couldn't get the phone there. they didn't know if an ATT store could skip that part or not.

my guess is that best buy will have a system like apple's so no credit card, no luck.

[charlituna]

How do you think credit card companies make money then?

easy.

1. they charge companies to run the card.
2. they charge you interest plus late fees/annual fees

[charlituna]

Thats what Best Buy does they screw you. They manipulate what they offer until its completely in their favor. PS good luck trying to get your phone set up with a best buy employee.

the 700 plan is also the lowest you can get at apple. my guess is that att is using that lower plan as a way to get folks to come to their stores so they can make sales. same as what they tried with the discounts until it blew up in their faces.

course if you already have that 550 family plan you are set. they aren't letting apple stores mess with minutes and text set up on an existing account. I had 400 minutes and unlimited text on my account when I went to get the iphone and all the employee could do was add the data plan.

[charlituna]

when most of them don't even know what a IIc or a PowerBook 165C is.


so you are going to judge them because they don't know the inner specs of a computer that has been off the market for eons.

I would rather worry about whether someone can tell me correctly if I can run ProTools without freezing or crashing on a $1099 Macbook

the apple trained and certified personnel at best buy probably can do it. but the kid that usually works over in home stereo can't and I really wish they would stop putting him over in computers.

[pitchfork]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/09/08/121500-bestbuy.jpg
As of yesterday, Best Buy is offering the iPhone 3G at Best Buy Mobile stores (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat160500050018&type=category).

While the launch is lacking the fanfare of the original AT&T and Apple iPhone 3G launch, we've heard reports that Best Buy had extra staff in some locations in anticipation of heightened store traffic.

Best Buy's distribution of the iPhone 3G had been rumored. Still outstanding from the original rumor (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2008/06/30/best-buy-and-radio-shack-to-sell-iphone-3g/) published by The Boy Genius Report is whether Radio Shack will distribute the phone.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/09/08/iphone-3g-now-available-at-best-buy/)

Retarded! After the "Iron Fist" of "No, your not allowed to buy this phone until we guilt trip you into oblivion...you may be one of the evil people that might want to use the iphone on a cheaper/just as good network"
Now they're opening the floodgates on all mobile sale stores.
I work for a Authorized Apple Sales/Repair center and they've managed to make me cringe. I hate their way of doing business. They cut their customers off with bad policies and have that power because the OS only works on their machines. I used to love that about them. But, they're abusing that advantage. I'm T-Mobile and have the iPhone and have no plans on switching. AT&T, the Iraq War supporter, can suck me off. I'm looking forward to the first Class action lawsuit against Apple for not honoring the warranty of an iPhone because it isn't on an AT&T network. That's just aching to happen. A Warranty is a Warranty. Hardware is hardware. No network can do physical damage to a phone.

[thecartoonguy]

Retarded! After the "Iron Fist" of "No, your not allowed to buy this phone until we guilt trip you into oblivion...you may be one of the evil people that might want to use the iphone on a cheaper/just as good network"
Now they're opening the floodgates on all mobile sale stores.
I work for a Authorized Apple Sales/Repair center and they've managed to make me cringe. I hate their way of doing business. They cut their customers off with bad policies and have that power because the OS only works on their machines. I used to love that about them. But, they're abusing that advantage. I'm T-Mobile and have the iPhone and have no plans on switching. AT&T, the Iraq War supporter, can suck me off. I'm looking forward to the first Class action lawsuit against Apple for not honoring the warranty of an iPhone because it isn't on an AT&T network. That's just aching to happen. A Warranty is a Warranty. Hardware is hardware. No network can do physical damage to a phone.

I think you should open up a little bit more. I feel like you are holding back on us. Someone needs a hug? One question. What does Iraq War supports have do to with the iPhone? Just asking?

[thecartoonguy]

This is going to be great.

When you have a problem with your phone:

Best Buy: You'll have to contact AT&T for that --->
AT&T: You'll have to contact Apple for that --->
Apple: You'll have to contact Best Buy for that --->
Satan: Welcome, BB, AT&T and Apple


LMAO

[Digital Skunk]

so you are going to judge them because they don't know the inner specs of a computer that has been off the market for eons.

Now now... I never said that I am judging them based on their knowledge of specs of older machines, I am judging them based on their age.

I don't want to hear some punk fresh out of high school tell me that Photoshop is GPU dependent, or that the Mac Pro is over kill for professional video editing.

[Monty1]

Will best buy be offering them without contracts? And will you still need to activate in store?

[hexonxonx]

Will best buy be offering them without contracts? And will you still need to activate in store?

It's no different than buying at an Apple store or AT&T, contract and activation required and done in store.

[Nicolecat]

I am a little stumped as to how Best Buy was able to carry the iphone considering the contract that Apple has with at&t..although, I don't know the parameters of the contract.

[hexonxonx]

I am a little stumped as to how Best Buy was able to carry the iphone considering the contract that Apple has with at&t..although, I don't know the parameters of the contract.

The contract with AT&T only goes so far as that AT&T is the exclusive service provider for a set amount of years. It doesn't say that only Apple and AT&T can sell the iPhone.

[sprice25]

let's see if best buy can keep inventory in stock. they seem to always be out of the apple products when i go there. poor stock management. best buy is always last place i check for anything apple. best of luck best buy!

[Nicolecat]

I agree...it seems to always be the "Best last resort Buy" :D

[spydr]

the 700 plan is also the lowest you can get at apple. my guess is that att is using that lower plan as a way to get folks to come to their stores so they can make sales. same as what they tried with the discounts until it blew up in their faces.

course if you already have that 550 family plan you are set. they aren't letting apple stores mess with minutes and text set up on an existing account. I had 400 minutes and unlimited text on my account when I went to get the iphone and all the employee could do was add the data plan.

A call to AT&T easily lets you change from 700 to 550 minutes. I bought at apple store and called after two days and changed the plan. You only pay prorated costs on the higher plan for couple of days. Not a biggie IMHO.

[spydr]

I am not sure if any of you guys read the "specs" – Best buy says "PC synchronization of Outlook Contacts, Calendar and Tasks
Requires additional software and cable (not included)"

But above that it says, "Dock connector to USB cable" is included in the box.

What additional cable does one need to sync with Outlook? :confused:

[hexonxonx]

I went to my local BestBuy to get a replacement HD for my Mac Pro. I walked right by the Apple table where the Mac computers are allong with the one iPhone they had on display. There was not one person looking at the computers there nor the iPhone.

Sure the Denver / Oakland game had just started and I am right here in Denver so maybe that was the reason....:D:apple::D

[nvjusme]

WOW, this is really untrue. We have spent a lot of time training our employees on the IPHONE and other products too.


CAUTION!!!

If you buy anything from Best Buy you better know what you are talking about because the idiots that work there have no clue about a thing they are selling. Best Buy is a crap store that doesnt mind ripping you off. With zero customer support.

[ryanvsrobots]

WOW, this is really untrue. We have spent a lot of time training our employees on the IPHONE and other products too.

You are absolutely wrong.

Sunday I went to go buy an iPhone because my phone was recently destroyed.

1. The girl at the desk took me off my family plan and put me on an individual line when I specified several times very clearly that I wanted to maintain the family plan. She then said I would have to call ATT and fix it myself, being put on hold for an hour. I said this was unacceptable and she waited on her PERSONAL cellphone for the hour I knew it would take.

2. The silent/ringer switch on my phone broke off the day I got it, the first time I switched it. This is no fault of BB I know, but they accused me of rough handling it and had no idea that this is a known problem. The supervisor knew when he came over, but I guess he decided not to inform the minions of this.

3. They also lost my contacts during the transfer to the 2nd iPhone and I have to re-enter them again by hand. [my original sim was destroyed in my old not iPhone]

I did see to my surprise they had unlocked n95's there... for 700 dollars. As I approached the second hour of waiting for them to figure their crap out I almost thought it was worth it.


I wish there was an apple store around here.

[GIGI.10]

Something really good about the best buy warranty compared to applecare:apple: is that the BBY warranty "DOES" cover accident, water damage, cracked screens etc... The downpoint is that its 15 bucks a month. I think its worth it because how many of us out there have dropped our iphone....what is the screen breaks, you will be screwed!

[cleric]

I did see to my surprise they had unlocked n95's there... for 700 dollars. As I approached the second hour of waiting for them to figure their crap out I almost thought it was worth it.


Yea looks like they revamped their whole phone section to reflect the newer stores. Thing is none of the phones actually work anymore, just the fake demo floor models.

[usarioclave]

My local best buy seems to have the best looking phone reps I've ever seen. I'm not sure why that would be, but if I needed to waste another hour of my life buying an iPhone, I'd buy it with one of them.

[ToM7]

with the AT&T plan.

ok..thanks:)

[Digital Skunk]

Something really good about the best buy warranty compared to applecare:apple: is that the BBY warranty "DOES" cover accident, water damage, cracked screens etc... The downpoint is that its 15 bucks a month. I think its worth it because how many of us out there have dropped our iphone....what is the screen breaks, you will be screwed!

Make sure you read the fine print. Apple and Best Buy may have worked something out with that warranty stuff. And make sure you fully understand what is covered by the BB warranty in dealing with repairs or replacements.

[Daniel M87]

as a best buy sales person. forgive me for saying some of you guys are really stupid. no offense to most of you. my job at best buy is strictly apple. mac,ipod,iphone. every best buy store with macs will have a dedicated apple associate. so i dont know what you guys are whining about how there is never anybody there. and yes there will be a iphone at the apple display. sorry but reading this ***** on here kinda messed up.

[emaja]

Something really good about the best buy warranty compared to applecare:apple: is that the BBY warranty "DOES" cover accident, water damage, cracked screens etc... The downpoint is that its 15 bucks a month. I think its worth it because how many of us out there have dropped our iphone....what is the screen breaks, you will be screwed!

I am nearly positive that neither AT&T or Best Buy are allowed to sell any extended service plans or accidental damage plans on the iPhone. I believe the only option is AppleCare.

[Daniel M87]

I am nearly positive that neither AT&T or Best Buy are allowed to sell any extended service plans or accidental damage plans on the iPhone. I believe the only option is AppleCare.

no, best buy is offering a accidental coverage on it.

[jghiesc]

Yes to which, just like AT&T or just like Apple stores? I was turned away at an Apple store last month when they said they couldn't activate my line because I had a discount on it, but that AT&T could do it so I should just go to an AT&T store. They said AT&T had a different activation system than what was available at the Apple Stores, so I wonder which one Best Buy got...

That's strange, I got my phone discount and activation right at the apple store, they connected me to ATT activation by cell phone. Piece of cake.

[mastrorj68]

ok in responce to people hating best buy i see what they are talking about cause like u i was a customer there too at one time. I got screwed over by them big time. It would be nice to say they only hire qualified people but they dont the reason is we have to know all this info esp the dept i work in. They dont compensate us for the amount of knowledge i atleast know. But i know on a daily basis im trying to make a difference by turning customers back around and gaining their trust. Everyother day it seems im doing things right because i had pissed off customers at bestbuy and bc of th service i gave them the were so happy they would constantly tell my GM's how i did all these great things. Problem is not eveyone has the same work ethic as me. We dont get paid enough and people cant take the stress from the job so the good ones unless they move up end up quitting

[Nicolecat]

My husband used to work for Circuit City (a loooooong time ago)....(yes, I realize that it isn't Best Buy)

they used to send them to training when new products came in. Like, paid for the hotel and everything...kind of training.
This was when they actually got commission from the larger ticket item sales.

From what I understand...there isn't any more commission.
Is this true?

If it is...it would explain soooooo much. :(

I try to avoid BB & CC whenever applicable...like I said in a previous post, it's always been a last ditch effort.

[MacBass]

ok in responce to people hating best buy i see what they are talking about cause like u i was a customer there too at one time. I got screwed over by them big time. It would be nice to say they only hire qualified people but they dont the reason is we have to know all this info esp the dept i work in. They dont compensate us for the amount of knowledge i atleast know. But i know on a daily basis im trying to make a difference by turning customers back around and gaining their trust. Everyother day it seems im doing things right because i had pissed off customers at bestbuy and bc of th service i gave them the were so happy they would constantly tell my GM's how i did all these great things. Problem is not eveyone has the same work ethic as me. We dont get paid enough and people cant take the stress from the job so the good ones unless they move up end up quitting

Best Buy customers demand excellent customer service, but English competence need not apply? At least you have good intentions.

That said, Geek Squad is pure crap. Especially their tendencies toward privacy invasion.

[mastrorj68]

Best Buy customers demand excellent customer service, but English competence need not apply? At least you have good intentions.

That said, Geek Squad is pure crap. Especially their tendencies toward privacy invasion.

Totally agree!! Ive worked at the top 3 places compusa CC and BB. Heres a good example of crap service. The BB in NY told my dad they would not run wires through the walls for him unless we were also buying tv's from them. I told my GM this and he was pissed got a hold of the DM and the DM told the GM of the Ny store and made it happen. ITs just crap the way **** works. like my manager will match Sams Club stuff. Others wonT??? WTF! As Far as the workers being bad we are currently understaffed. So which would u rather have no help or bad help well even though its kinda one in the same BB seems to think as long as we have someone out there and sucking at the job its better then having no one there at all. Geek Squad sucks where im at, Poor Attitudes thats all ill say. Not everyone of them but the majority. My management is pretty good at making customers happy. Like i said b4 i try as hard as i can to make uneducated customers happy. I had this one woman come back with a printer that bc it said PHOTO on it she didnt believe me it did text too. Finally i told her look If im wrong nd i know im not i will personally buy u a new printer and i was serious. Also cause ive been doign this for 4 yrs and i knew i wasnt wrong

[charlituna]

Make sure you read the fine print. Apple and Best Buy may have worked something out with that warranty stuff. And make sure you fully understand what is covered by the BB warranty in dealing with repairs or replacements.


sounds to me that the BB thing is more insurance than a warranty.

course if you buy with an AmEx they cover the replacement cost built in. or at least they used to.

[marcre]

That's strange, I got my phone discount and activation right at the apple store, they connected me to ATT activation by cell phone. Piece of cake.


For the first little while Apple stores weren't able process the accounts with discounts on them. This is no longer true though. Apple stores can handle most, if not all accounts now.

[charlituna]

as a best buy sales person. forgive me for saying some of you guys are really stupid. no offense to most of you. my job at best buy is strictly apple. mac,ipod,iphone. every best buy store with macs will have a dedicated apple associate. so i dont know what you guys are whining about how there is never anybody there. and yes there will be a iphone at the apple display. sorry but reading this ***** on here kinda messed up.

No what is messed up is that you don't understand that you and your store are not indicative of every Best Buy out there. Trust us, there are major differences. And the staff in many of the Best Buys are uninformed and lazy.

[MacRacer]

But, what is the pricing at best buy? do you have to be eligible for a phone upgrade from ATT to get the iphone at 299 or do you have to pay the full price of it?

[.Chris]

I have two best buys in my area and they got the iphone in, but right before they did, they rearranged the entire department removed the old snake like counters and added the new straight ones. Much nicer, as well as a few desks for people to sit down while they get getting their phone activated.

Expect the display models went working. :rolleyes:

[mastrorj68]

No what is messed up is that you don't understand that you and your store are not indicative of every Best Buy out there. Trust us, there are major differences. And the staff in many of the Best Buys are uninformed and lazy.

absolutly right! i wrk in computers at bb and im a apple person meaning i use only appl but i sell both. WE DO NOT HAVE A DEDICATED APPLE PERSON AT OUR BB. sorry daniel u are so wrong. It would be nice but theyre right not all bb are the same. and also true about being lazy and uninformed. However my store i have great confidence in bc i know alot i know i know alot and my customers thank me everyday for being so nice and helpful but not everone works like me. Im not going to say im the best at all but im dam good at my job and i take interest and pride in it as much as i can with going to school too. sadly not everyone does this

[starkbot4007]

But, what is the pricing at best buy? do you have to be eligible for a phone upgrade from ATT to get the iphone at 299 or do you have to pay the full price of it?

this.

The only reason why I haven't gotten an iPhone yet is because AT&T tells me I'm not eligible for the $199 / $299 pricing until February. I'd have to pay "full price" for the phone which is basically double that.

Is Best Buy just selling the phones at $199 / $299... or do you have to be eligible for an upgrade? Do they have a way of checking that? If not... I'll go there today.

thanks in advance

[emaja]

this.

The only reason why I haven't gotten an iPhone yet is because AT&T tells me I'm not eligible for the $199 / $299 pricing until February. I'd have to pay "full price" for the phone which is basically double that.

Is Best Buy just selling the phones at $199 / $299... or do you have to be eligible for an upgrade? Do they have a way of checking that? If not... I'll go there today.

thanks in advance

Best Buy will check your account with AT&T for upgrade eligibility just like at an AT&T store.

[starkbot4007]

Best Buy will check your account with AT&T for upgrade eligibility just like at an AT&T store.

thanks. guess i'm waiting till february then.

[Daniel M87]

absolutly right! i wrk in computers at bb and im a apple person meaning i use only appl but i sell both. WE DO NOT HAVE A DEDICATED APPLE PERSON AT OUR BB. sorry daniel u are so wrong. It would be nice but theyre right not all bb are the same. and also true about being lazy and uninformed. However my store i have great confidence in bc i know alot i know i know alot and my customers thank me everyday for being so nice and helpful but not everone works like me. Im not going to say im the best at all but im dam good at my job and i take interest and pride in it as much as i can with going to school too. sadly not everyone does this

well according to the apple SOP its soposed to be one full time per store one part time, so looks like your GM is being cheap.

[mastrorj68]

well according to the apple SOP its soposed to be one full time per store one part time, so looks like your GM is being cheap.

lol and we have neither