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Where Will You Buy the New iPhone?

Where do you plan to buy the new iPhone?

  • AppleStore.com

    Votes: 200 54.2%

  • Apple Brick & Mortar Store

    Votes: 49 13.3%

  • Wirelesss Carrier Store (AT&T, VZW, Sprint, etc.)

    Votes: 81 22.0%

  • Big Box Store (Wal-Mart, Target, BestBuy, etc.)

    Votes: 23 6.2%

  • Other Authorized 3rd Party Retailer

    Votes: 4 1.1%

  • Other (Explain below)

    Votes: 12 3.3%
  • Total voters
    369
  • Poll closed .
willmtaylor

willmtaylor

macrumors G4
Original poster
Oct 31, 2009
10,314
8,198
Here(-ish)
Just curious as to where most people who are thinking about getting the new iPhone are going to make their purchase.

Vote in the poll and then explain why on the thread to help others make more educated decisions.

Thanks,
Will
 
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Preordering an unsubsidized Verizon phone from the Apple store website. Picking one up from VZW and Apple Store was a PITA last year! Everywhere I go they were out of stock so this year I'm going to stay up and click preorder like my life depends on it.
 
I voted: Apple Store. I'm thinking this time around to get an unlocked iPhone 5 and go with a Virgin Mobile plan a subsidized the cost through their inexpensive plans. I really don't need Data and could wait 'till I get somewhere with wi-fi to access any data needed. I noticed VirginMobile only carries a 4 8GB or a 4S 16GB, so I suspect, they won't carry the 32GB or 64GB variation of the next iPhone.
 
At apple store or apple online store...no reason to buy at ATT or Verizon, they charge useless upgrade fees to screw us even more.
 
The online Apple store, assuming a few things first:
1. I actually want the phone
2. I am able to actually get online (I am told the site gets "slashdotted" that evening)
3. (assuming the above two points are true) the phone's delivery date is launch date or sooner. Otherwise I will just stay in line. It might be kind of silly, but I like the Apple lines. Get to meet new people into the same geeky stuff I am.

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fins831 said:
At apple store or apple online store...no reason to buy at ATT or Verizon, they charge useless upgrade fees to screw us even more.
Click to expand...

You will still be charged... it's just going to go on the following month's bill. It's a matter of when you want to pay... at the point of sale, or on your next billing statement.

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ET iPhone Home said:
I voted: Apple Store. I'm thinking this time around to get an unlocked iPhone 5 and go with a Virgin Mobile plan a subsidized the cost through their inexpensive plans. I really don't need Data and could wait 'till I get somewhere with wi-fi to access any data needed. I noticed VirginMobile only carries a 4 8GB or a 4S 16GB, so I suspect, they won't carry the 32GB or 64GB variation of the next iPhone.
Click to expand...

Assuming they carry the phone at all on or close to launch... I honestly don't know what I think about that.

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KJmoon117 said:
Preordering an unsubsidized Verizon phone from the Apple store website.
Click to expand...

I'd be all for this. I am really, REALLY hoping these are fully unlocked for ALL GSM bands. I am currently on AT&T but will have to switch to Verizon at some point with the new year and would hate to have to purchase two phones. :(
 
^^^

This is a situation that I really hate. I'm planning on coming home to the States in the near future. The way carriers "Lock" your phones back home really does suck.

Here in the UK I buy the phone, sim free and chooses the carrier I want. If I don't like the service, or the coverage isn't up to scratch, I just take out the sim, and pop in another one.

The idea of having to choose my carrier on purchase day, and being stuck with them is not something that appeals to me one bit. It's also apparent from posts here that where you live defines which carrier is best...I guess I will just have to suck it up when I get back.
 
I voted applestore.com because that's how I ordered my 3GS and it was on my doorstep (well, my wife brought it in) when I got home from work, no worries, no waiting, no messing around.

Although, I've always wanted to be a "part of the experience" of waiting in a line with all the other geeks at the Apple store. I just know that I would FREAK if they sold out before I got one!

And I also like the idea of Best Buy offering the $9 a month insurance. Very tempting. Though again, I don't want to be one of the unlucky ones that can't get off work in time to get the model I desire.

So, probably online pre order and kick back and wait. :rolleyes:
 
I think it would be helpful if we continued explaining why we voted what we did especially so newbies and other interested parties would benefit from our thought processes & reasoning.
 
If I was to get it I'd get it from Applestore.com as I wouldn't have to deal with crowds of people and it would be at my door by the time I get up.
 
Dmaynard83 said:
Yea might be worth it to wait for the 5s.
Click to expand...
Well I personally won't pay more than contract price for an iPhone. I don't make a lot of money and value the money that I do make too much to ever get a new phone every year, especially one as sophisticated as an iPhone. Two years is perfect for me. I can understand why some people feel the need to get it every year. I guess I'm not very "tech competitive".
 
Hi,

In the Uk new iPhones tend not to be released on pay as you go until approx 3-4 months after being released for contract customers.

So the choices for me are :

Wait until its released on my chosen network.

Buy straight from an Apple retail store.

Buy from a well known Uk high street shop that buys unwanted phones from joe public.

Upside is I get to monitor peoples updates and feedback on the good and the bad of the new handset. :D

Downside is I don't get my hands on the new toy for a period of time. :(
 
ecwhite4S said:
Well I personally won't pay more than contract price for an iPhone. I don't make a lot of money and value the money that I do make too much to ever get a new phone every year, especially one as sophisticated as an iPhone. Two years is perfect for me. I can understand why some people feel the need to get it every year. I guess I'm not very "tech competitive".
Click to expand...

While two years isn't exactly perfect for me, signing with contract saves you minimum $500 without even factoring the time and depreciation costs of resale. So although it isn't perfect, two years is what I'm on too (also with a 4S).
 
Che Castro said:
Why is it better to buy it at apple online instead of at&t website?
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure about this one but I think Apple's website will take pre-orders first and ensure faster delivery.

Plus I buy Applecare with my iPhone and so I like to make sure the products are registered together. After all, it's Apple that does the A/S.
 
Seeing as how Apple doesn't sell the pre-paid carriers' versions in their stores, I'll be buying it direct from Cricket. This will be, of course, in February- when my contract with Verizon is up. I'm sick of their games and will be voting with my money to show them just how I feel.

That said, if Apple does begin selling direct the iPhone for the smaller/pre-paid carriers by February, then I'll buy it from a brick & mortar store.
 
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KJmoon117 said:
I'm not too sure about this one but I think Apple's website will take pre-orders first and ensure faster delivery.

Plus I buy Applecare with my iPhone and so I like to make sure the products are registered together. After all, it's Apple that does the A/S.
Click to expand...

How does this work if i order thru apple , they have my at&t info?
 
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