Buying Unlocked iPhone 5 at apple store USA?

[macman312]

Ok! So i've read most of the thread. I live in Peru, we have a GSM network here, but i understand that the best thing to do is to buy the Verizon phone.

So my cousin is going to Austin and then to Chicago and I want her to bring me back a Black Slate, 32 GB unlocked iPhone 5. But I'm not yet sure what I need to tell her to do. Does she go to an Apple Store? Will they sell her the iPhone? What does she have to say in order to get the unlocked full price version (749$ for the 32 GB).

Finally, what i don't understand, does apple sell the unlocked iPhone 5 or not? I'm confused.

No they don't sell them officially unlocked but verizon models are unlocked. You need to CALL the apple store near where your cousin is staying and make sure they are in stock when she is gonna be there or if not order one in so there is one.
Otherwise follow my post above for the steps to order on the verizon website
She can cancel the plan when she gets the phone

She should ask for a VERIZON model without a plan or contract just the device, don't ask for a "unlocked one" as they will probably say
"we don't have them".

Also note that in chicago the sales tax is 9.5% so price is

749*9.5%=71.155+749= US$820.155

 

[macman312]

I have a question, though, what is the return policy with verizon (how many days) to return the device? I ask this because I need to use the phone on T-Mobile USA and I hear that the AT&T model is a better choice due to the possibility of LTE coverage (but I can't get my hands on one right now).


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Alright you guys, I just placed my order using the step-by-step Verizon method listed a page or two back. I will update you with how things turn out.

I signed up for a new service (new phone number) month to month for $40 and with activation fee of $40. My total with taxes for a 16gb black ip5 is $707.68. I'm American so had no issues with delivery or social security number. The ”ship by” date says 11/16/12.

I am going to do it in the next few days.... only problem is I don't actually get to America till the 23/24th or something so I need to try and either get the hotel to hold it for me or restrict the delivery till I arrive.... That also means I can't hold off till you receive your phone.... I guess if it turns out not to be unlocked I will sell it on ebay

 

[Angellyca]

Have you tried? Sounds logic to be unlocked after the activation so they can bill you for the plan that you are paying for ($40 for the activation plus 40 for the cheapest plan)
Can someone tell us the final amount of the purchase thru this process? For the 32G I estimate 740 plus 80. But I haven't finished the process because still looking for a SSN. Oh and how about international credit cards? Mines from PERU

I have a similar issue: I have a friend Social Security number but my credit card is not american. Can I buy the Verizon iPhone online or you MUST have a US credit card? The site says that billing address and shipping address have to be the same: does that mean that I must have a credit card whose address is the same as where I live? Or it only means that I will receive my bills at the same address where they will send the phone?

 

[macman312]

I have a similar issue: I have a friend Social Security number but my credit card is not american. Can I buy the Verizon iPhone online or you MUST have a US credit card? The site says that billing address and shipping address have to be the same: does that mean that I must have a credit card whose address is the same as where I live? Or it only means that I will receive my bills at the same address where they will send the phone?

I suggest getting your friend to buy it under his/her name and then you pay him/her back via direct debit/ cheque.

Once you order the phone and receive it you can cancel the plan at no charge and the phone will be unlocked

 

[max5peru]

Do i get a refund for the 40 activation fee and 40 for the plan if I cancel the plan once I got the phone?

I suggest getting your friend to buy it under his/her name and then you pay him/her back via direct debit/ cheque.

Once you order the phone and receive it you can cancel the plan at no charge and the phone will be unlocked

 

[macman312]

Do i get a refund for the 40 activation fee and 40 for the plan if I cancel the plan once I got the phone?

I am not 100% sure on this I will contact verizon and check

 

[rajivvarma]

I bought my device-only iPhone 5 at full-price from the Apple Store this past Thursday. I had no trouble from the employees when I asked to purchase it full-price.

As soon as I got home, I plugged it into my laptop with iTunes and the unlocked screen came on. I'm using it now on Straight Talk and may switch to T-Mobile in the future.

 

[macman312]

I bought my device-only iPhone 5 at full-price from the Apple Store this past Thursday. I had no trouble from the employees when I asked to purchase it full-price.

As soon as I got home, I plugged it into my laptop with iTunes and the unlocked screen came on. I'm using it now on Straight Talk and may switch to T-Mobile in the future.

Verizon or AT&T?

 

[rajivvarma]

Verizon or AT&T?

AT&T. I was under the impression that all of the Verizon full-price iPhones 5 are factory unlocked due to an FCC regulation.

 

[3rd Rock]

I have a question, though, what is the return policy with verizon (how many days) to return the device? I ask this because I need to use the phone on T-Mobile USA and I hear that the AT&T model is a better choice due to the possibility of LTE coverage (but I can't get my hands on one right now).


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14 days. Apple is 30 days.

 

[Virgo]

14 days. Apple is 30 days.

But is it 14 days from when I receive it in the mail?

 

[max5peru]

Thank you! I appreciate your help.

I am not 100% sure on this I will contact verizon and check

 

[accounti]

So who tried the "verizon site method" and is not american (using fake ssn and an international credit card) and succeeded ?


For the others do you know if Apple stores in NYC still sell the iphone without contract ?

 

[macman312]

Thank you! I appreciate your help.

You will not be charged if you don't use the service

 

[antonelli]

I bought my device-only iPhone 5 at full-price from the Apple Store this past Thursday. I had no trouble from the employees when I asked to purchase it full-price.

As soon as I got home, I plugged it into my laptop with iTunes and the unlocked screen came on. I'm using it now on Straight Talk and may switch to T-Mobile in the future.

From which Apple store did you buy it?

 

[max5peru]

Thanks, I hope I can make the order today and get the phone on time.
Once I get It, I should call verizon to cancel the plan so I wont be billed for the $40 activation fee and $40 for the monthly plan.
Thanks!

You will not be charged if you don't use the service

 

[max5peru]

no international cards - delivery date on verizon ....

Mark: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

ANTONIO: Hi Mark, how are you? Got a question. I am planning to get an iphone 5 on your website with a month to month plan. The estimated shipping time is 11/16/12. Could you confirm me if that information is correct? I'm planning to fly outside the US on november 25th and I need the iphone to use it overseas with another carrier. SO, Will I get the phone on time? I want it to be delivered to Atlanta, GA

ANTONIO: I have visited some stores here and they told me that they are out of stock

Mark: Yes that info is correct that is the latest that the phone will be shipped to you

ANTONIO: Ok, but can you estimate the delivery date?

ANTONIO: I have a friend who ordered an iphone from the apple website one month ago and she hasnt received yet

Mark: The delivery date will be 2 days after the phone ships

ANTONIO: are you sure? for iphone 5 incluse? It's out of stock. Pls confirm that because I dont want to expend $$$ for a full price phone and travel without it

Mark: Would you like the number to customer care to get further info about the shipping date?

ANTONIO: How about if I'm not satisfied with the delivery date. Can I cancel the order?

Mark: Yes you can cancel the order

ANTONIO: Oh another question. Do you accept international credit cards?

Mark: Unfortunately we only accept U.S. credit cards

 

[rajivvarma]

From which Apple store did you buy it?

At one of the Michigan Apple Stores.

 

[AriGold]

OK for anyone interested in the A129 model unlocked.
GO to https://preorder.verizonwireless.com/iconic/

select new customer
then device with wireless plan
then up the top select month to month
then select the phone you want
then you will get to the select plan window
again select month-month
select a plan(you can remove it later)
then follow the prompts to the shipping address section
**NON US**

Enter your hotel's address and phone number
then for ID select passport
then for social you need a friends/family members (doesn't matter about the state etc)

I hope that helps anyone that needs it

I have spoken to 2 customer reps on live chat from verizon today.....


The outcome was YES it is unlocked

YES you can remove the plan I am going to double check on that one but it seems you can

If you don't have a US address use the hotels and the hotels phone number

If you don't have a social security number then contact a friend and get them to put theirs in for you

IT SHOULD work the reps I have chatted with were really great

Has anyone done this process and received and tried theirs yet? I was about to do the same as I work in the US for 8 months and in the UK for 4 months so would like to use a sim here and a different one in the UK.

The Rep I just spoke to told me this cant be done and only a verizon sim will work. Was she just talking utter nonsense?

 

[alphaod]

The key to buying the iPhone unlocked is not to look like you're going to resell it. That is why Apple doesn't want to sell iPhones device-only anymore. You know those iPhones on Ebay that sells for $1500? Yeah, Apple doesn't want any of that.

Just on Saturday, I have been able to convince the Apple store sales person to sell me another iPhone device-only. It's partly about who you get and how persuasive you can be.

 

[Virgo]

The key to buying the iPhone unlocked is not to look like you're going to resell it. That is why Apple doesn't want to sell iPhones device-only anymore. You know those iPhones on Ebay that sells for $1500? Yeah, Apple doesn't want any of that.

Just on Saturday, I have been able to convince the Apple store sales person to sell me another iPhone device-only. It's partly about who you get and how persuasive you can be.

I got an ****** today at the apple store at fifth avenue who refused to sell me an at&t full price iPhone when there were plenty of them sitting right there on the shelf. Meanwhile, there are a bunch of OBVIOUS scalpers yammering away in line and at the counter.. they will ALWAYS find a way to do the scalping.

Treating honest regular customers like crap isn't helping their image. The attitude the guy gave me today really turned me off from even wanting the phone anymore . I explained to him that I'm a T-mobile customer and I've been trying to get this phone full price since launch for personal use, calling and wasting time going to a bunch of apple stores, and I had no problems purchasing the 4S last year full price a month after it came out, at that very same apple store.

He gave me such an attitude and said "well sir there's nothing you can say to me that will change the apple policy so if you want to keep wasting your time talking to me we can." Jackass.. I just walked away.

It blows my mind that they can have a product on the shelf and refuse to sell it to someone who is willing to pay the $700 for it. They could at least put a 1 per person limit or something via your ID.

I was just really bothered by this customer service experience and disenchanted by apple and their products.. normally they are great.. but I can't help feeling like an idiot still buying the phone after all the red tape they have put me through .

 

[macman312]

Has anyone done this process and received and tried theirs yet? I was about to do the same as I work in the US for 8 months and in the UK for 4 months so would like to use a sim here and a different one in the UK.

The Rep I just spoke to told me this cant be done and only a verizon sim will work. Was she just talking utter nonsense?

Yep utter BS. I told the rep I spoke to that I travel a lot and asked if it was unlocked and she said because it is full price it was. Anyway if it turns out not to be you have 2 weeks to return it/ sell it on ebay the phone is in hot demand world wide. As long as you have a US credit card and a social it will be fine

 

[yhan]

Question

I bought my device-only iPhone 5 at full-price from the Apple Store this past Thursday. I had no trouble from the employees when I asked to purchase it full-price.

As soon as I got home, I plugged it into my laptop with iTunes and the unlocked screen came on. I'm using it now on Straight Talk and may switch to T-Mobile in the future.

From which Applestore did you buy?

 

[vbtwo31984]

I got an ****** today at the apple store at fifth avenue who refused to sell me an at&t full price iPhone when there were plenty of them sitting right there on the shelf. Meanwhile, there are a bunch of OBVIOUS scalpers yammering away in line and at the counter.. they will ALWAYS find a way to do the scalping.

Treating honest regular customers like crap isn't helping their image. The attitude the guy gave me today really turned me off from even wanting the phone anymore . I explained to him that I'm a T-mobile customer and I've been trying to get this phone full price since launch for personal use, calling and wasting time going to a bunch of apple stores, and I had no problems purchasing the 4S last year full price a month after it came out, at that very same apple store.

He gave me such an attitude and said "well sir there's nothing you can say to me that will change the apple policy so if you want to keep wasting your time talking to me we can." Jackass.. I just walked away.

It blows my mind that they can have a product on the shelf and refuse to sell it to someone who is willing to pay the $700 for it. They could at least put a 1 per person limit or something via your ID.

I was just really bothered by this customer service experience and disenchanted by apple and their products.. normally they are great.. but I can't help feeling like an idiot still buying the phone after all the red tape they have put me through .

It's been this way for a while now at the NYC Apple stores. They will not sell you a device-only iPhone 5.

 

[rit]

At one of the Michigan Apple Stores.

Michigan Apple Store do really have them i got somebody visit them they declined him saying no stock.