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iPhone 7/Plus Buying iPhone as a gift

Apple_Robert

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Original poster
Sep 21, 2012
36,191
53,852
In a van down by the river
I am looking to buy an iPhone 7 Plus for my work wife. She doesn't know. She has Verizon and is currently using a Samsung Galaxy (I believe). I have never done this before and have a few questions for those in the know. I am also going to get her a Apple leather case and screen protector.

1) Is it best to get the SIM Free model since I want to surprise her? If so, will that mean she has to go to a Verison store to get added to her account, (to replace the Android) or can it be done over the phone?

2) I was planning on letting her spring for the AppleCare+, which I will recommend she do. Since I am buying the phone, what route will she need to take,(if any) besides calling Apple and having it added in her name?

I appreciate the help.
 
Not real sure about #1 as I don't have Verizon but for #2 Apple Care plus can be added right from Apple website within 60-days. It will run a diagnostic on the phone then allow her to purchase it online. Could also go into an Apple Store and do so in-person if she wanted.
 
raqball said:
Not real sure about #1 as I don't have Verizon but for #2 Apple Care plus can be added right from Apple website within 60-days. I will run a diagnostic on the phone then allow you to purchase it online.
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I know it can be added online. I was wondering if she does want to add it, would there be a problem doing so since she didn't purchase the phone.

Thanks for the reply.
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
I know it can be added online. I was wondering if she does want to add it, would there be a problem doing so since she didn't purchase the phone.

Thanks for the reply.
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Nope.. It does not matter who purchased the phone as it's by the SN#
 
raqball said:
Nope.. It does not matter who purchased the phone as it's by the SN#
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Excellent. Thanks.
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tonybarnaby said:
What's a work wife? And I'd say either get Apple Care or not, but don't suggest it to her. Getting a gift and then being told to buy something for it is weird.
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A woman who others would think one was married to, with the way both people interact together etc.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
Excellent. Thanks.
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NP.. I bought my Niece a iPhone a while back for her birthday and she added Apple Care + it after she opened it. I think she went into the Apple Store to add it but it does not matter who purchased the phone. All Apple cares about is IF it's eligible for the coverage (time frame and damage free) and that they get paid for it..
 
Got the SIM FREE phone, (32GB) along with the new Belkin Glass screen protector, a Pink Fuchsia case, and AppleCare+. After I thought about it, I agreed with @tonybarnaby. I don't want her worrying if the phone is covered over not. Going to give it to her tomorrow.

Apple guy said her SIM should work as long as she has a newer phone. Fingers crossed I am right about her model.
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
Excellent. Thanks.
[doublepost=1518977674][/doublepost]
A woman who others would think one was married to, with the way both people interact together etc.
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So you’re a good friend of this lady and want to buy her a $700 phone just for the hell of it? That’s very generous, but what do you get out of the deal? I’ve never heard of this before. Not judging you at all, this is just completely new to me.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
Got the SIM FREE phone, (32GB) along with the new Belkin Glass screen protector, a Pink Fuchsia case, and AppleCare+. After I thought about it, I agreed with @tonybarnaby. I don't want her worrying if the phone is covered over not. Going to give it to her tomorrow.

Apple guy said her SIM should work as long as she has a newer phone. Fingers crossed I am right about her model.
Click to expand...

Do you think 32gb will sufficient long-term? Is there a SD card in her Galaxy right now? Sim free is the way to go. The other thing is the size of the iPhone 7+. Is it going to be something she will be comfortable with because the form factor could change since the 7+ is a bigger device than older phones.
 
nviz22 said:
Do you think 32gb will sufficient long-term? Is there a SD card in her Galaxy right now? Sim free is the way to go. The other thing is the size of the iPhone 7+. Is it going to be something she will be comfortable with because the form factor could change since the 7+ is a bigger device than older phones.
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I know she liked the size of my iPhone 7 plus before I upgraded to the iPhone X. As to GB, she doesn't download stuff hardly on her current phone. She mainly watches FB videos and the like online. I also couldn't justify spending over 1K on the gift with everything included. That is another thing that kept me at ther 32GB. I was just over $900 as it is.
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tonybarnaby said:
So you’re a good friend of this lady and want to buy her a $700 phone just for the hell of it? That’s very generous, but what do you get out of the deal? I’ve never heard of this before. Not judging you at all, this is just completely new to me.
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We are close. As to what I get out of the deal, I get the satisfaction of doing something nice for a woman without asking or expecting anything in return.

Edited to add: If for some reason she feels uncomfortable with getting a phone she didn't have to buy, I will return it and use the money for a possible upgrade to the latest iPhone X later this year.
 
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This isn't going to go well IMO.

Even if you expect nothing in return, she will think you do, and it will be perceived as creepy and awkward.

The whole "Don't **** where you eat" and all that.

I honestly wouldn't do this - it will change your relationship. I have a work spouse too but something like that would be absolutely off the table.
 
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puma1552 said:
This isn't going to go well IMO.

Even if you expect nothing in return, she will think you do, and it will be perceived as creepy and awkward.

The whole "Don't **** where you eat" and all that.

I honestly wouldn't do this - it will change your relationship. I have a work spouse too but something like that would be absolutely off the table.
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I will take what you said, and think on it some more. I am in no hurry.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
I know she liked the size of my iPhone 7 plus before I upgraded to the iPhone X. As to GB, she doesn't download stuff hardly on her current phone. She mainly watches FB videos and the like online. I also couldn't justify spending over 1K on the gift with everything included. That is another thing that kept me at ther 32GB. I was just over $900 as it is.
[doublepost=1518985885][/doublepost]
We are close. As to what I get out of the deal, I get the satisfaction of doing something nice for a woman without asking or expecting anything in return.

Edited to add: If for some reason she feels uncomfortable with getting a phone she didn't have to buy, I will return it and use the money for a possible upgrade to the latest iPhone X later this year.
Click to expand...

New sim free 7+ devices are probably better bought off Swappa or eBay since you can save on taxes and some of Apple's premium pricing.
 
If you are close and have been together for awhile it will not be an issue. If she is uncomfortable, she will let you know. However, if you relationship is new and just dating, it may be awkward. But, that doesn't seem to be the case with you. These relationships are more common now days then when I was young. However, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who came from previous marriages and with kids from them, lived together for 35 years as a "married couple". They finally married a few years before they both passed. Coming from 47 years of marriage, I say give her the iPhone and enjoy her happiness. Good Luck :)
 
rugmankc said:
If you are close and have been together for awhile it will not be an issue. If she is uncomfortable, she will let you know. However, if you relationship is new and just dating, it may be awkward. But, that doesn't seem to be the case with you. These relationships are more common now days then when I was young. However, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who came from previous marriages and with kids from them, lived together for 35 years as a "married couple". They finally married a few years before they both passed. Coming from 47 years of marriage, I say give her the iPhone and enjoy her happiness. Good Luck :)
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He isn't in a relationship with her, they are just close work friends if I understand his definition of "work wife". My guess is she will be extremely uneasy and feel weird, but he knows her better than any of us do. Maybe she's going to be thrilled, but it seems very awkward to me. Then again, I have never heard of a "work wife" before this thread and don't know their relationship.
 
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The real issue will come if OP has an actual wife at home... or the work wife has a husband at home (or boyfriend/girlfriend)

If none of the above apply, then it may not be a disaster, but certainly has the potential to be a game changer for better or worse
 
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MacDawg said:
The real issue will come if OP has an actual wife at home... or the work wife has a husband at home (or boyfriend/girlfriend)

If none of the above apply, then it may not be a disaster, but certainly has the potential to be a game changer for better or worse
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It's almost guaranteed to leave one or both of them feeling extremely awkward or upset.
 
Some men give a HOUSE to their favorite woman. I personally know of one. A wee little iPhone is not an earth shattering gift...depending on who the giver and receiver are. Maybe just sweet.
 
Does she follow MR? ;)

I take my post back. I may have misunderstood the relationship. If this is mostly a work relationship, it may be a bad idea.
 
rugmankc said:
Does she follow MR? ;)

I take my post back. I may have misunderstood the relationship. If this is mostly a work relationship, it may be a bad idea.
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No, she isn’t an Apple tech head like the rest of us.

At this point, it has kept to work although she did say not long ago that we should go on a cruise together.

Edited to add: I am surprised we have not seen any female input thus far.
 
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