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"Congratulations your iPhone has been unlocked"

I had a reservation for two iPhones today, went to the store, waited around 45 minutes.
I told the sales rep that I want the phones off contract, because I don't want to extend my current ones. She said ok and then asked me about my AT&T details. I refused to give her my numbers and explained that I want to activate the devices at home. I asked politely for double checking because she insisted that the only way to get the phones is with valid AT&T numbers. I asked for the manager too - told him that a friend of mine got his phone last Saturday but still he said that this is impossible. So long story short they refused to sell me the phones and I wasted more then 3 hours waiting and driving to the store... This is in Connecticut.
Does anyone had similar experience?

Btw. The manager told me that they were instructed by Apple not to sell phones without activating them first, it was a policy to block resales according to him.
 
Only thing I'm afraid of is when I reserve mine online and I go to the store, they say they wont sell it to me without a contract.

Oh god, I just posted at the same time as the post above mine and is exactly what I'm afraid of.
 
Last edited:
moldi said:
I had a reservation for two iPhones today, went to the store, waited around 45 minutes.
I told the sales rep that I want the phones off contract, because I don't want to extend my current ones. She said ok and then asked me about my AT&T details. I refused to give her my numbers and explained that I want to activate the devices at home. I asked politely for double checking because she insisted that the only way to get the phones is with valid AT&T numbers. I asked for the manager too - told him that a friend of mine got his phone last Saturday but still he said that this is impossible. So long story short they refused to sell me the phones and I wasted more then 3 hours waiting and driving to the store... This is in Connecticut.
Does anyone had similar experience?

Btw. The manager told me that they were instructed by Apple not to sell phones without activating them first, it was a policy to block resales according to him.
Click to expand...

just wait 2 weeks and buy the unlocked one,
I don't trust this story with this offcontract deal.
I like one that will have a model # unlocked
 
iPhone 7 said:
I just called the Apple Store and asked a genius

"Are you guys selling the iPhone 4S off-contract?"

He said:

"Yes, we are selling them off-contract but they will be locked."




WHAT.
Click to expand...

Thats what they say, but they are not locked! I also gave my AT&T information and the salesperson said it will activate but then her system said no activation needed since I was buying full price. No worries about giving your account info!
 
bought a white 64gb off contract today at the Apple store - luckily the apple person did not ask me anything, she just said "ok". scanned the box, swiped my card, gave me the receipt, and I left the store.

Came home, cut up my Tmobile sim, and put it in the iphone 4s slot. I am now using Tmobile, without any problem.

However, I did NOT get the "CONGRATULATIONS" screen on iTunes like everybody else. I assume this means it is unlocked!
 
bunnyhop said:
bought a white 64gb off contract today at the Apple store - luckily the apple person did not ask me anything, she just said "ok". scanned the box, swiped my card, gave me the receipt, and I left the store.

Came home, cut up my Tmobile sim, and put it in the iphone 4s slot. I am now using Tmobile, without any problem.

However, I did NOT get the "CONGRATULATIONS" screen on iTunes like everybody else. I assume this means it is unlocked!
Click to expand...
yes it is ! CONGRATULATIONS :))

----------
AttilaTheHun said:
just wait 2 weeks and buy the unlocked one,
I don't trust this story with this offcontract deal.
I like one that will have a model # unlocked
Click to expand...

u are right .. i am waiting for that too ... $650 to $850 is too much money to take a chance in 6 months where apple wants to give you back a AT&T phone as replacement for your warranty ! u wont be able to fight them on this .. the receipt clearly says AT&T on it ! ... regardless you activate it or not..
 
ansabakhan said:
yes it is ! CONGRATULATIONS :))

----------



u are right .. i am waiting for that too ... $650 to $850 is too much money to take a chance in 6 months where apple wants to give you back a AT&T phone as replacement for your warranty ! u wont be able to fight them on this .. the receipt clearly says AT&T on it ! ... regardless you activate it or not..
Click to expand...

The thing is, though, you're pretty wrong. If you buy an unlocked phone, which the off-contract phones are classified as in Apple's database of unlocked IMEIs, Apple will replace it with another unlocked phone. Plus, you don't have to take your receipt to the Genius Bar (I know this is true for phones bought from Apple, but I think it's true in general), so I'm not really sure why you mentioned it.
 
My iPhone 4S is defective, keeps overheating when plugged in
And gives me the over heat warning on the phone. My question is I purchased this phone contract free at the apple store so it's unlocked, has anyone swaped out the 4s and was it still unlocked with the new replacement? I don't want to receive a AT&T locked phone if they were to replace it.
 
davariable said:
The thing is, though, you're pretty wrong. If you buy an unlocked phone, which the off-contract phones are classified as in Apple's database of unlocked IMEIs, Apple will replace it with another unlocked phone. Plus, you don't have to take your receipt to the Genius Bar (I know this is true for phones bought from Apple, but I think it's true in general), so I'm not really sure why you mentioned it.
Click to expand...

these phone will never lock that's for sure ,as apple has them listed as UNLOCKED in their database, how ever when you take these phones to genius bar and they enter your Serial number in the system it will say this on their screen

iPhone 4S White 64GB AT&T
Part Number:MD271LL/A
Serial Number:C29XXXXWDTDX (your serial)

and this might run u into problems , as for them MD271LL is AT&T .... where phones sold as unlocked wont say AT&T / Verizon or Sprint on their info screen, i dont think there is any guaranty you will get a unlocked phone (a different part number) as replacement., this is risky !
 
ansabakhan said:
....enter your Serial number in the system it will say this on their screen

iPhone 4S White 64GB AT&T
Part Number:MD271LL/A
Serial Number:C29XXXXWDTDX (your serial)

and this might run u into problems , as for them MD271LL is AT&T .... where phones sold as unlocked wont say AT&T / Verizon or Sprint on their info screen, i dont think there is any guaranty you will get a unlocked phone (a different part number) as replacement., this is risky !
Click to expand...
Well what about the MD269LL/A which is also a 64 GB (AT&T Micro-SIM carrier) device direct from Apple.

For warranty exchanges, they don't care about the model number as you might get a replacement for any valid model group. As a previous poster indicated the key to unlocking is the data in the Apple DB and not the model number of the iPhone.

Dave
 
Okay, so, I finally got one on reserve!
To ensure they don't screw me over and say they wont sell it to me, what exactly should I do and say, guys?
 
bdzer said:
To ensure they don't screw me over and say they wont sell it to me, what exactly should I do and say, guys?
Click to expand...
No way to be certain. Tell them you want to get the AT&T iPhone, device only, off-contract. If they ask for your account details, repeat that you want it at full price off-contract. If they say they still need your account info, say it's a gift for your relative. If they still refuse, you're SOL.
 
SGMD1 said:
No way to be certain. Tell them you want to get the AT&T iPhone, device only, off-contract. If they ask for your account details, repeat that you want it at full price off-contract. If they say they still need your account info, say it's a gift for your relative. If they still refuse, you're SOL.
Click to expand...

Which is why I reserved on two stores. WUAHAHAH.
 
bdzer said:
Okay, so, I finally got one on reserve!
To ensure they don't screw me over and say they wont sell it to me, what exactly should I do and say, guys?
Click to expand...

It really depends on the store you go to, and on the Apple person that helps you.

Just goto the store and tell them you are there to pick up your reserved ATT xx gb, off contract, and ask how much it is. If the prices they quote are high $649-$849, most likely it means they are selling you an off contract one :)
 
Straight talk GSM

any one tried straight talk GSM SIM Card?

some one else posted in the thread, it uses ATT as their backbone network, may be 3G might work with iPhone 4S and Straight talk GSM
 
I'm thinking about going to the apple store and when the official unlocked one comes out in November, returning the one I have now and exchange it for an official unlocked one just to be on the safe side.

I want my receipt to read "unlocked" so that if anything was to happen to my iPhone 4S and if need be needs to be replaced I don't have to worry about getting a locked AT&T replacement.

I'm a little skeptical about how would apple honor a replacement unit if we bought our units b/f the official factory unlocked iPhone 4Ss were released. Pretty much although they are unlocked, the apple receipt doesn't say so.

Anyone thinking about doing the same?


Ps: the return policy is 30 days from date of purchase, and many of us who bought the AT&T unlocked version now will be whithin that time window of 30 days.
 
That is assuming by November they meant before the 13th. You can return for another one and get yourself another 30 days though.
 
Wao AYN I never tought about that :) I can extended even for 60 days using this method until the official factory unlocked is released LOL
 
I got 4 32GB and 3 64GB all "Device Only" for my family overseas. I tested one and it said it was unlocked in iTunes. Do you think I need to test all of the other ones to see if they say the same? I don't want to open the wrapper because they are gifts.
 
chestvrg said:
I'm thinking about going to the apple store and when the official unlocked one comes out in November, returning the one I have now and exchange it for an official unlocked one just to be on the safe side.

I want my receipt to read "unlocked" so that if anything was to happen to my iPhone 4S and if need be needs to be replaced I don't have to worry about getting a locked AT&T replacement.

I'm a little skeptical about how would apple honor a replacement unit if we bought our units b/f the official factory unlocked iPhone 4Ss were released. Pretty much although they are unlocked, the apple receipt doesn't say so.

Anyone thinking about doing the same?

Ps: the return policy is 30 days from date of purchase, and many of us who bought the AT&T unlocked version now will be whithin that time window of 30 days.
Click to expand...


You must have read my mind! I had these same thoughts/concerns. Still not sure I will return it, but I am following closely this and any other thread I can find about this so if any issues come up I can return before my 30 days is up.
 
joec1101 said:
You must have read my mind! I had these same thoughts/concerns. Still not sure I will return it, but I am following closely this and any other thread I can find about this so if any issues come up I can return before my 30 days is up.
Click to expand...

These phones will always be unlocked. Not sure why people are worrying about this so much?
 
Nahmeanz said:
I got 4 32GB and 3 64GB all "Device Only" for my family overseas. I tested one and it said it was unlocked in iTunes. Do you think I need to test all of the other ones to see if they say the same? I don't want to open the wrapper because they are gifts.
Click to expand...
Sorry but that is the only way to verify that they are really Unlocked!

It comes down to how lucky do you feel as a previous poster indicated, they purchased two and only one was Unlocked when they checked.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/13676830/

Dave

----------
SGMD1 said:
No way to be certain. Tell them you want to get the AT&T iPhone, device only, off-contract. If they ask for your account details, repeat that you want it at full price off-contract. If they say they still need your account info, say it's a gift for your relative. If they still refuse, you're SOL.
Click to expand...
Just a general word of caution. They don't need your phone number or AT&T account information to sell you a locked iPhone 4S even at full retail. Please read what you are signing before you leave the store. This is a loophole and has some real risks. Make sure that you understand the risks and the recovery options.

It all comes down to the individual sales rep and how they process your transaction. So check to verify that it is really unlocked quickly so that you can return it if it turns out to be carrier locked to AT&T or wait until next month for the SIM free model to be available for sale in the Apple store.

Dave
 
dave006 said:
Sorry but that is the only way to verify that they are really Unlocked!

It comes down to how lucky do you feel as a previous poster indicated, they purchased two and only one was Unlocked when they checked.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/13676830/

Dave

----------

Just a general word of caution. They don't need your phone number or AT&T account information to sell you a locked iPhone 4S even at full retail. Please read what you are signing before you leave the store. This is a loophole and has some real risks. Make sure that you understand the risks and the recovery options.

It all comes down to the individual sales rep and how they process your transaction. So check to verify that it is really unlocked quickly so that you can return it if it turns out to be carrier locked to AT&T or wait until next month for the SIM free model to be available for sale in the Apple store.

Dave
Click to expand...
if you don't give apple store your at&t account , and buy it as divice only ...there is nothing much apple sales rep can do different really ....to make it locked...
 
I think it would be the best way to return it and exchange it for the official unlocked.
 
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