if you buy an iphone in the US from an authorized sales location (not some shady back room reseller that unlocked them and is upping the price and voiding the warranty)
1. activation required at time of purchase, no exceptions
2. service is through ATT, no exceptions
3. 2 year contract, no exceptions
4. ETF is $175 - $5 for each full month completed after 30 days or if you don't return the phone, no exceptions
5. ETF is waived in first 30 days with return of phone
6. unlocking or jailbreaking phone voids warranty.
7. phone will not be serviced unless a sim card is present (so there goes taking out the sim to hide that you unlocked it to use on t-mobile etc)
take that info and use it as you wish