So I finally broke down and got an iPhone 5 from my local AT&T store since they had ONE black 64Gig model in and that's what I've been dying for. Problem is, they FORCED me to only buy it subsidized, which I kinda figured they would. With the closest Apple store being a two hour drive and no way to reserve it online without a subsidized price I figured there wouldn't be anyway to get one "device only".
However, I'm now looking at return policies with AT&T. It says I have 30 days after activation (yesterday) that I could return my iPhone 5 and just pay a $35 restocking fee as long as it's in like new condition. Do you know if I HAVE to cancel service to be able to return it? I'm thinking if Apple does start selling device only say 10 days from now or something, could I return my like new iPhone, pay the restock fee, trek up to Apple and buy device only? Would my discount roll back to being fully available next fall or would I still have this "new" two year agreement? I figure I can tell AT&T a family member knew I loved iPhone and as soon as they could buy one without a contract they got me one as a surprise. Or they got me an SIII because they saw it on an awesome sale or something (LOLz). I'm just pretty pissed they forced an "early" discount on me when I would have happily bought it full price AND kept service from them.
(The AT&T dude totally told me to just google who to pay to unlock my phone, glad their staff supports customers screwing "the man" )
Btw, man I hate buying outside of Apple; the rep put his grubby little hands all over my phone and threw away the plastic film on the back and stuff before I could even ask him not too. Would have liked that as a couple day hold over to protect from scratches. Man I hate when you fork over $811 (AppleCare+, Tax, and "early upgrade" price) and then THEY are the first one to razor cut open the box and unpack the phone. Bastards, all just to watch me turn it on and see that it works, DUH, I've used iPhone since 2007, I know how to follow the on screen steps to setup
However, I'm now looking at return policies with AT&T. It says I have 30 days after activation (yesterday) that I could return my iPhone 5 and just pay a $35 restocking fee as long as it's in like new condition. Do you know if I HAVE to cancel service to be able to return it? I'm thinking if Apple does start selling device only say 10 days from now or something, could I return my like new iPhone, pay the restock fee, trek up to Apple and buy device only? Would my discount roll back to being fully available next fall or would I still have this "new" two year agreement? I figure I can tell AT&T a family member knew I loved iPhone and as soon as they could buy one without a contract they got me one as a surprise. Or they got me an SIII because they saw it on an awesome sale or something (LOLz). I'm just pretty pissed they forced an "early" discount on me when I would have happily bought it full price AND kept service from them.
(The AT&T dude totally told me to just google who to pay to unlock my phone, glad their staff supports customers screwing "the man" )
Btw, man I hate buying outside of Apple; the rep put his grubby little hands all over my phone and threw away the plastic film on the back and stuff before I could even ask him not too. Would have liked that as a couple day hold over to protect from scratches. Man I hate when you fork over $811 (AppleCare+, Tax, and "early upgrade" price) and then THEY are the first one to razor cut open the box and unpack the phone. Bastards, all just to watch me turn it on and see that it works, DUH, I've used iPhone since 2007, I know how to follow the on screen steps to setup
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