As I need them internationally (GSM), ordered two (had to reserve one at a time, system only allows one contract phone at a time) for pick up in Tampa today (there was stock in all Tampa stores when reserving 10:15pm last night).
As described here, in order to make the reservations, set up (as an international visitor) for new AT&T accounts (dummy Social Security, US billing address for credit card etc).
When I got to the store, they noted that they could sell them full price, but they'd be locked.
I asked them to double check..the guy checked with his colleague. Procedure was to a) have them return them to inventory (so they were not tied to AT&T), then b) sell them from inventory to me as device unlocked, contract free.
They were perfectly happy to sell them to me, took only a few minutes to do the "return to inventory and reissue" procedure.
Thought I'd share the learnings for others who may be flying in from overseas, simply reserve (if they have inventory at the store you want) at 10pm the night before you fly in, then drive to the store and pick up with the method I noted.
Of course now I have to wait until I get home, get my phone company to cut down my SIM to nano-SIM size, then follow the procedure of a) stick nano-SIM in iPhone, b) switch on, c) plug in to laptop, d) load iTunes (to activate).... so have a few days before I can use the shiny new toy
As described here, in order to make the reservations, set up (as an international visitor) for new AT&T accounts (dummy Social Security, US billing address for credit card etc).
When I got to the store, they noted that they could sell them full price, but they'd be locked.
I asked them to double check..the guy checked with his colleague. Procedure was to a) have them return them to inventory (so they were not tied to AT&T), then b) sell them from inventory to me as device unlocked, contract free.
They were perfectly happy to sell them to me, took only a few minutes to do the "return to inventory and reissue" procedure.
Thought I'd share the learnings for others who may be flying in from overseas, simply reserve (if they have inventory at the store you want) at 10pm the night before you fly in, then drive to the store and pick up with the method I noted.
Of course now I have to wait until I get home, get my phone company to cut down my SIM to nano-SIM size, then follow the procedure of a) stick nano-SIM in iPhone, b) switch on, c) plug in to laptop, d) load iTunes (to activate).... so have a few days before I can use the shiny new toy