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ronaldcastillo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 25, 2009
619
36
Would it be possible to buy an iPhone 5s full priced for AT&T or would I have to stop at an Apple Retail Store to buy one?
 
Usually they reserve iPhone's on launch day for contract customers.

Good luck getting a non-contract version.
 
You might not be able to do either if you are eligible for an early upgrade.
 
I've always been able to preorder or order a full price att iphone on the day of a launch .. dunno why this time would be different .. im gonna do it tonight hopefully
 
I've always been able to preorder or order a full price att iphone on the day of a launch .. dunno why this time would be different .. im gonna do it tonight hopefully

If you are eligible for an early upgrade you won't be able to upgrade for full retail price.
 
I remember I went in on launch day and they sold me one for $649. I don't really care if it's not unlocked, I just don't want to extend my contract for another 2 yrs, but hopefully this option is available like the 5c (Sim-free) tonight.
 
I remember I went in on launch day and they sold me one for $649. I don't really care if it's not unlocked, I just don't want to extend my contract for another 2 yrs, but hopefully this option is available like the 5c (Sim-free) tonight.

I am hoping for the same but I am not confident.
 
I remember I went in on launch day and they sold me one for $649. I don't really care if it's not unlocked, I just don't want to extend my contract for another 2 yrs
I don't get this. If you CAN get a subsidized phone, and all you have to do to get it is extend your contract, why would you pay full price?

Subsidized iPhone = $199
Full price iPhone = $649 (or $450 more than the subsidized phone)

Cost to terminate AT&T contract early = $325 minus $10 for each full month
of completed Service Commitment

Even if you terminated the contract on day 1, it would cost less than the Full Price phone.

Or maybe I'm not smelling what you're cooking.
 
I don't get this. If you CAN get a subsidized phone, and all you have to do to get it is extend your contract, why would you pay full price?

Subsidized iPhone = $199
Full price iPhone = $649 (or $450 more than the subsidized phone)

Cost to terminate AT&T contract early = $325 minus $10 for each full month
of completed Service Commitment

Even if you terminated the contract on day 1, it would cost less than the Full Price phone.

Or maybe I'm not smelling what you're cooking.

Because they don't want to be in a contract. To do that you have to buy the phone at full price. Also you have more bargaining power when issues come up because you can leave without playing them anything.
 
These days AT&T could care less.

Then why do they keep trying to force contracts? I'm not trying to be a jerk and my question isn't directed *at* you specifically. Legit question. If they don't care if you stay or go, why don't they just sell unlocked non-contract phones? Or unlock it and keep me on contract like they did for every Nokia or BB before iphones came out. I have no interest in leaving my plan. I just need to be able to use it overseas. For me, that is the main reason for buying full price.
 
Because they don't want to be in a contract. To do that you have to buy the phone at full price. Also you have more bargaining power when issues come up because you can leave without playing them anything.
But but but... It's irrelevant if you're in a contract. You pay the money, and you're out. And the money you pay to get out (including the price of the subsidized phone) is LESS than the price of an unlocked phone.

Or am I missing something?
 
But but but... It's irrelevant if you're in a contract. You pay the money, and you're out. And the money you pay to get out (including the price of the subsidized phone) is LESS than the price of an unlocked phone.

Or am I missing something?

Everybody has a different situation. I am on an old Verizon (really alltel( grandfathered plan. $70/mo, unlimited data, text, etc... If I upgrade they bump me to a share plan for $100/mo. $30 more a month over 2 years is $720. Better for me to pay full retail and keep my better plan. The problem is - as of now - I can't figure out how to do it on Verizon. Not sure about at&t
 
I don't get this. If you CAN get a subsidized phone, and all you have to do to get it is extend your contract, why would you pay full price?

Subsidized iPhone = $199
Full price iPhone = $649 (or $450 more than the subsidized phone)

Cost to terminate AT&T contract early = $325 minus $10 for each full month
of completed Service Commitment

Even if you terminated the contract on day 1, it would cost less than the Full Price phone.

Or maybe I'm not smelling what you're cooking.

I ordered a white 5 for home delivery, but ended up wanting black. They had it in stock, but my upgrade eligibility would take several days to go back to my AT&T acct. So I ended up buying it full priced and sold my white one on Craigslist for the same. I don't qualify for an upgrade but want to get the 5s. So that is why I'm gonna pay full price for the 5s so that I'll be eligible for the next generation iPhone.
 
Then why do they keep trying to force contracts? I'm not trying to be a jerk and my question isn't directed *at* you specifically. Legit question. If they don't care if you stay or go, why don't they just sell unlocked non-contract phones? Or unlock it and keep me on contract like they did for every Nokia or BB before iphones came out. I have no interest in leaving my plan. I just need to be able to use it overseas. For me, that is the main reason for buying full price.

You are asking why they wnat you to be under contract?

Good luck at finding your phone. Mine is ordered and will ship in a few days.
 
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