I've been trying to figure out how Apple is going to determine how they're going to allow you to preorder your iPhone 4 at the price you're looking to get for it.
Considering that preorders are full authorizations on your charge card, it has to be at the right price and the full price, not a deposit. It also is going to be shipped to a location of your choice, so that it can be activated completely away from an Apple or AT&T store.
I've come up with the theoretical scenario that might just fit, and I apologize if another thread has already discussed this (I thumbed through a number of pages and couldn't find anything pertinent).
1. All preordering will be done through the Apple Store only.
2. If you're a completely new customer, it will ask for all your personal information and you can pick out your phone at the $199/299 price. If your credit history is insufficient or unsatisfactory, it won't be able to be shipped to a location of your choice, but rather you will be asked to pick up the phone at an AT&T store where they will request a large security deposit. If your credit is fine and they ship to the location of your choice, you will simply be preassigned a telephone number.
3. If you're an existing customer, they will ask for the telephone number which they will cross-check with AT&T's servers to determine eligibility, and price the phone accordingly ($199 to $699). Once the purchase is completed, that telephone number is flagged as "used" on AT&T's system so that you will not be able to purchase another phone on it.
4. In order for Apple to quickly and efficiently mass-produce and mass-distribute to everyone, all iPhone 4's will be factory-sealed in a box with an non-programmed micro-SIM card already in its tray. You will be prompted by iTunes to activate your number on that phone when you plug it in, and the micro-SIM card will then be programmed.
Of course, any issues with activation or purchasing, and you'll likely end up having to "reserve" for an in-store pickup or wait on line on launch day.
Considering that preorders are full authorizations on your charge card, it has to be at the right price and the full price, not a deposit. It also is going to be shipped to a location of your choice, so that it can be activated completely away from an Apple or AT&T store.
I've come up with the theoretical scenario that might just fit, and I apologize if another thread has already discussed this (I thumbed through a number of pages and couldn't find anything pertinent).
1. All preordering will be done through the Apple Store only.
2. If you're a completely new customer, it will ask for all your personal information and you can pick out your phone at the $199/299 price. If your credit history is insufficient or unsatisfactory, it won't be able to be shipped to a location of your choice, but rather you will be asked to pick up the phone at an AT&T store where they will request a large security deposit. If your credit is fine and they ship to the location of your choice, you will simply be preassigned a telephone number.
3. If you're an existing customer, they will ask for the telephone number which they will cross-check with AT&T's servers to determine eligibility, and price the phone accordingly ($199 to $699). Once the purchase is completed, that telephone number is flagged as "used" on AT&T's system so that you will not be able to purchase another phone on it.
4. In order for Apple to quickly and efficiently mass-produce and mass-distribute to everyone, all iPhone 4's will be factory-sealed in a box with an non-programmed micro-SIM card already in its tray. You will be prompted by iTunes to activate your number on that phone when you plug it in, and the micro-SIM card will then be programmed.
Of course, any issues with activation or purchasing, and you'll likely end up having to "reserve" for an in-store pickup or wait on line on launch day.
