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jimsong

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 19, 2010
40
64
I have an iPhone 4 reserved for pickup but was able to pre-order one from Apple. My friend wants an iPhone 4 but doesn't have a reservation or pre-order. Can he use my reservation to buy and activate the phone on his account? I understand they check for ID, so I can go with him to the store. Anyone have previous experience with this? Thanks!
 
Can I use someone elses pre-order?

On a similar note, I was wondering if I am able to use someone elses pre-order. My account is not eligible for upgrade pricing, but my friends is, but doesn't want an iPhone 4 (Heaven Forbid). Can he order it for me, and can I activate it under my account? Will he or I be charged extra?
 
My Guess

My guess for both of our circumstances is that we will be able to do it. The only question is whether or not we will get charged for doing the sellee will be charged an activation fee and one month of service.
 
On a similar note, I was wondering if I am able to use someone elses pre-order. My account is not eligible for upgrade pricing, but my friends is, but doesn't want an iPhone 4 (Heaven Forbid). Can he order it for me, and can I activate it under my account? Will he or I be charged extra?

Its called upgrade swap, but your friend's contract will be extended by 2 years (not yours)
 
On a similar note, I was wondering if I am able to use someone elses pre-order. My account is not eligible for upgrade pricing, but my friends is, but doesn't want an iPhone 4 (Heaven Forbid). Can he order it for me, and can I activate it under my account? Will he or I be charged extra?

He will be charged, and will have to choose a data plan but can have it removed. Now usually, you would be able to just call up AT&T and have them associate your line with the upgraded line, but since I'm assuming you two are on separate AT&T accounts, I'm not sure exactly how that will work. Though I do believe its very possible, he may just have to end up having it activated on his line first, and you either cut your SIM or get a micro-sim from AT&T ---probably the two most likely scenarios.
 
So does this mean we can go with a friend to the Apple store and have them take our reserved iPhone? I'm in the same boat... reserved first, finally got through with an online order, then noticed a few of my friends weren't so lucky on either front.
 
I have an iPhone 4 reserved for pickup but was able to pre-order one from Apple. My friend wants an iPhone 4 but doesn't have a reservation or pre-order. Can he use my reservation to buy and activate the phone on his account? I understand they check for ID, so I can go with him to the store. Anyone have previous experience with this? Thanks!

On a related note, would you be able to purchase a phone for the unsubsidized price and walk? Or, would they require activation in the store?
 
If you give your friend an iphone...

When your friend buys the iphone at the subsidized price, he is agreeing to a two year contract including voice and data. If he then gives you the phone and cancels the data plan, he will be cancelling his contract and be subject to the $3XX AT&T ETF.

AT&T allows upgrade swaps on family plans because they're still assured someone will be using the data plan.

Correct me if I'm wrong, please.
 
You can only use upgrades from other lines on your account. And this varies. But often they will do it for you. At least at ATT. Not sure of Apples policy.
 
I have an iPhone 4 reserved for pickup but was able to pre-order one from Apple. My friend wants an iPhone 4 but doesn't have a reservation or pre-order. Can he use my reservation to buy and activate the phone on his account? I understand they check for ID, so I can go with him to the store. Anyone have previous experience with this? Thanks!

Just spoke with a sales rep at Apple Valley Fair in CA, and she confirmed that the reservation can be used by another person provided the person in who's name the reservation is, is also there. So both would have to stand in line.

Also checked if there'd be separate lines for pre-orders and she wasn't sure.

She also confirmed that there indeed was a reserved phone in my friend's name.
 
Just spoke with a sales rep at Apple Valley Fair in CA, and she confirmed that the reservation can be used by another person provided the person in who's name the reservation is, is also there. So both would have to stand in line.

Also checked if there'd be separate lines for pre-orders and she wasn't sure.

She also confirmed that there indeed was a reserved phone in my friend's name.


Strange because i called earlier and asked if my friend can just take the iphone under my reservation and said no he can not. Maybe ill try walking into the store with him and seeing what happens.
 
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