Buying an iPhone with Cash

[uwguy]

Someone else suggested it, but no-one else seemed to notice, but in canada you can get a prepaid visa or mastercard which you pay a fee of about $5 to get. They carry them at places like Shoppers Drug Mart, and they are just like a credit card when it comes to paying and are accepted anywhere that takes visa / mastercard.

Also, because it's prepaid they don't ask you your age when you buy them.

 

[joshj09]

Hmm I don't think I've seen pre-paid visa's/masterscard's. When Im on lunch tomorrow I will have to browse around.

Worst comes to worst I'm sure you could find a good natured American that would make the purchase for you.

 

[uwguy]

If your shoppers has a Gift Card wall they're in there, and if they don't, often they get put with the card, etc. If you're in toronto, I know I bought one at the eatons center just before Christmas. You can look below to get more details. They travel card looks like it could be promising.

http://www.visa.ca/en/personal/prepaidcards/

 

[slapguts]

Bought mine with cash, but from an AT&T store.

 

[joshj09]

Yep I am in Toronto, so maybe I will check out some surrounding Shoppers and if not I will check out the Eaton Center.

This sounds like a promising idea though, sounds like I will be able to get my iPhone after all. Yay!

 

[joshj09]

Slapgutz,

Did you have to sign a contract? Did you just pay for the iPhone and leave or what?

 

[Victor ch]

Did you have to sign a contract? Did you just pay for the iPhone and leave or what?

I believe that if you tell them that is a gift they won't make you sign a contract, also tell them you rather buy in an AT&T store because it has less people or stuff.

-Victor

 

[joshj09]

Thanks Victor. I'll try your tips and see how they go.

 

[Trop Dep]

I bought mine with cash and a gift card combined at the apple store in boston. no problems. it really seems odd that they would turn away cash......first post

 

[slapguts]

Slapgutz,

Did you have to sign a contract? Did you just pay for the iPhone and leave or what?

Nope, just walked in and told the guy at the counter I wanted the 8gig iPhone. We walked over to the register, he totalled it up, asked for my email address, and I went home and signed up through iTunes. Easy as pie.

 

[Grey Goshawk]

So to make one thing clear, all I need to do is get someone to pay the bare minimum on their credit or debit card and I can pay for the rest in cash.
Doing that I would be able to get an iPhone?

 

[myphone]

So to make one thing clear, all I need to do is get someone to pay the bare minimum on their credit or debit card and I can pay for the rest in cash.
Doing that I would be able to get an iPhone?

Just go to AT&T store in NY. They accept cash. I paid mine in cash with no problem.

 

[Grey Goshawk]

Just go to AT&T store in NY. They accept cash. I paid mine in cash with no problem.

Thanks for telling me
You just made my day ^^

Edit: Did you buy your iPhone after October 27th because that's apparently when they stopped accepting cash.

 

[myphone]

Thanks for telling me
You just made my day ^^

Edit: Did you buy your iPhone after October 27th because that's apparently when they stopped accepting cash.

Yes. I got mine last month. I really love it.

Goodluck

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Thanks for telling me
You just made my day ^^

Edit: Did you buy your iPhone after October 27th because that's apparently when they stopped accepting cash.

AT&T stores don't have the limitation. They will sell them for cash. That will probably be your best bet - they won't ask you to sign a contract or anything, you do that at home with iTunes.

 

[thechidz]

Just idle curiosity here but can "legal tender" be refused?

anything can be refused... they are not "obligated" to sell anything to anyone...

 

[VoodooDaddy]

There is a guy on 53rd and Central that sells them out of the trunk of his car, he accepts cash only.

j/k, Ive never even been to NYC, that is a made up intersection. As suggested, get a prepaid card. Im pretty sure you can get them at Walmart even. There is a small fee, $5-10 to load it, but it works just like visa/mc.

 

[BOSS10L]

Im typing this on my iPhone that I just got today, and I paid cash for it.
I love my iPhone!!!

 

[joshj09]

Im typing this on my iPhone that I just got today, and I paid cash for it.
I love my iPhone!!!

I'm jealous. I'm hoping to get to Buffalo next weekend if everything goes according to plan. Since I have to unlock it after, what update does it come with out of the box currently?

 

[BOSS10L]

I'm jealous. I'm hoping to get to Buffalo next weekend if everything goes according to plan. Since I have to unlock it after, what update does it come with out of the box currently?

1.1.2

 

[joshj09]

Perfect. I'm hoping it's pretty simple to unlock.

 

[Grey Goshawk]

AT&T stores don't have the limitation. They will sell them for cash. That will probably be your best bet - they won't ask you to sign a contract or anything, you do that at home with iTunes.

Thanks for the info, I was under the impression that you needed to sign for a contract before you bought the phone at AT&T stores.

 

[Rspaight]

Just idle curiosity here but can "legal tender" be refused?

Cash is "legal tender for all debts." If they never agree to sell you the phone, there's no debt.