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Apple Store vs. AT&T Store vs. Best Buy

G

gowanis

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 22, 2007
413
7
I'll be purchasing my 3GS 32GB at the end of June (week of 29th). I'm not in a rush to get it on the 19th.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of purchasing from one of the three over the others? All three are close by. I'm aware that Best Buy is offering an insurance plan, but otherwise is there any difference? Ease of return on a defective item perhaps? Anything else I should consider?
 
apple store = more fun.
best buy = 90 days 0% financing?
att store = closest to me.

so i went with att store.
 
gowanis said:
I'll be purchasing my 3GS 32GB at the end of June (week of 29th). I'm not in a rush to get it on the 19th.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of purchasing from one of the three over the others? All three are close by. I'm aware that Best Buy is offering an insurance plan, but otherwise is there any difference? Ease of return on a defective item perhaps? Anything else I should consider?
Click to expand...

Reward Zone points?
 
me it's easy: AT&T store pre order guarentees a phone in person, it's closest, it's open the earliest.
 
I'll be going to the Apple store so I can use my $100 credit that Steve sent me (as thanks purchasing the original iPhone) :)
 
gowanis said:
I'll be purchasing my 3GS 32GB at the end of June (week of 29th). I'm not in a rush to get it on the 19th.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of purchasing from one of the three over the others? All three are close by. I'm aware that Best Buy is offering an insurance plan, but otherwise is there any difference? Ease of return on a defective item perhaps? Anything else I should consider?
Click to expand...

Nope....

BB insurance is expensive but friends that have used it have not had any issues or BS or reasons why something isn't covered.
 
gowanis said:
I'll be purchasing my 3GS 32GB at the end of June (week of 29th). I'm not in a rush to get it on the 19th.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of purchasing from one of the three over the others? All three are close by. I'm aware that Best Buy is offering an insurance plan, but otherwise is there any difference? Ease of return on a defective item perhaps? Anything else I should consider?
Click to expand...

Revelation78 said:
Nope they're all the same...


My personal preference is to go to the Apple store.
Click to expand...

I have to second the Apple option unless you have a complex rate plan / account issue that needs AT&T special assistance.

There are two reasons; more inventory and and easy return if there are any issues. Applel provides warranty service for all iPhones in the US.

BestBuy is an option of you have a Rewards or Gift card or if you want the $15 per month insurance.

There were many reports last summer about issues with early returns to AT&T that resulted in the back and fourth between AT&T and Apple. If you buy it at Apple and have any "early" Issue they will give you a new phone. If you bring a AT&T purchased iPhone you may receive a "refurbished iPhone" even if you have only had the phone for a few days.

Yes, I know that the first wave of warranty iPhone 3G S units will be white box "new". As time goes, they will begin to be actual "refurbished units". This is another thread topic.

Dave
 
I am on a corporate account and I have to purchase through AT&T which stinks, I would rather be giving Apple as much of money as possible.
 
thanks for the replies... reward zone points at best buy is something to consider i guess.

regarding the insurance plan, a best buy salesman told me that with the plan i would be able to get a brand new phone even for one dead pixel. he seemed to imply that any little problem would result in a new phone, no questions asked. can anyone comment on this?

i also fear getting a refurb. while my 1st gen iphone has been perfect from day one, prior to that i had an ipod touch which was defective and i literally went through FIVE refurb replacements (all defective) until I loudly demanded a new sealed box, which the Apple store finally gave me.
 
Walmart = $2 cheaper,

Bestbuy = Rewards points

Att.com = Bing cashback, fre shipping

Att stores = get your phone first

Apple.com = free shipping, that's about it...

Apple store = get the whole apple experience!
 
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