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Buy iPhone from Apple or carrier?

M

maceesback

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 18, 2007
32
61
Iowa, USA
Is there an advantage to buying directly from Apple (be it online or a physical Apple store) versus a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, or a Best Buy?

FWIW, I am about 2 hours from the nearest Apple store.
 
maceesback said:
Is there an advantage to buying directly from Apple (be it online or a physical Apple store) versus a carrier like Verizon or AT&T, or a Best Buy?

FWIW, I am about 2 hours from the nearest Apple store.
Click to expand...

Verizon's return policy is 14 days while Apple's is 30 days.

If you want an unlocked iPhone, you can only get it currently from the Apple Store (by getting a "device only" AT&T iPhone at full retail price)

Other than that, don't know of any differences
 
I would buy it directly from Apple at the Apple Store. Because they are the ones you deal with if you have any problems with the phone, plus you will be on record you bought it there. Get in good with a salesman you're golden.
 
Buy from an Apple store, not online. While many other can suggest buying online, I do not. If you ever need to return something you bought online, like a phone, at least have a backup phone for 1-2 weeks.
 
Other than the return policy, I don't really think it matters. Only reason I'm buying mine at the VZW store is because it's closer.
 
Personally I'd go with Apple unless 1) the carrier store is less crowded 2) the carrier store is closer and 3) you are confident with your device and service in where you won't be returning it.

1,2,3 apply for me so I personally go to my carrier store, but Apple is the way to go.
 
Apple

Don't even waste your time with a carrier.

Apple reps are able to answer many more questions. They even setup the phone for you (activation, moving contacts from your old phone if your old phone can't upgrade to iOS 5, etc.).

----------
ijohnbro said:
Can you do the whole thing at Apple? Get signed up for service and all of that?
Click to expand...

Yes. Definitely. And it's much more efficient.
 
If you are with AT&T (corporate account only), you have to go to AT&T. I had a 4S reserved for store pickup and was turned away for this very reason. :mad:
 
Apple Store!!

Depending on your state, you will pay less taxes buying directly from Apple, online or in store, verse the carrier stores. I know in Nevada and I think in Cali, when you buy from the carrier they charge you tax on the entire phone value instead of just the sales price. Meaning if you buy a 32GB model for $299, you will pay taxes on $749. Here in Las Vegas that's $60 verse $24. Since Apple is the maker if the device they don't have to go by that tax rule, therefore saving the consumer money!! :D
 
Yeah definitely Apple. Has others have mentioned, if bought from Apple, they are unlocked, so you have total choice of what carrier you want to use.

I live in the UK, but I don't live near an Apple Store (nearest to me is 90 miles away), so I order my iPhone from Apple's website. In the UK, if there is a problem with your iPhone and like me don't live near an Apple Store and like me have needed to order from Apple's website, you have a number of choices if the iPhone developes a fault.

1: Take out an Apple Care agreement, when you contact Apple Care to request a repair. This will then enable you to a free pick up of the faulty one and delivery of a new one at the same time. If there is stock you have a new iPhone the very next day or the day after.

2: Pay I think it's around £30 for the same service as above but obviously it wouldn't give you the additional feature of the Apple Care cover plan. Basically you would just be paying for the pickup charge.

3: Apple will send you out an empty packaging, which you then place the faulty iPhone in, which is then returned to Apple, it will either be repaired or replaced. This option has a total turnaround of about 10 days.

Not sure if you live near an Apple Store, so I thought I would point out the options available if a repair is needed. I've dealt with Apple/Apple Care on a number of occasions and I always find their service is outstanding.
 
As a Verizon customer, buying from an Apple store is less complicated since Applecare will be registered on the spot and Apple will have proof of your purchase.

Plus, I hate dealing with Verizon reps trying to dissuade me from buying an iPhone.
 
Other than a fan discount, there's no reason to buy at the carrier. Best Buy might be worth it for the rewards points. Apple charges less than the carriers for the same phone and the experience is better.
 
If you have a special feature on your account like international data, or whatnot, don't bother with the Apple Store; they can't do anything.
 
Being in Germany, I definitively will go with Apple or one of the retailers. At a carrier, you usually get a phone with a contract.
I hate long term contracts and there are already so many pay as you go services where you can just switch should you see a better deal :)
 
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