iPhone 11 Finally pulling trigger on 11 - Activate now? Buy unlocked?

[ajm222]

Finally decided on a green 11 and will pull the trigger. Decided to buy through Apple online (wasn't available today in store) and trade in my 6S+. When going through the options, I am trying to decide which things to select and could use some help.

1 - I have Verizon. I imagine I should choose Verizon in the options rather than buy unlocked and sim free, though maybe it doesn't matter (see #2).

2 - If I choose to put my Verizon account info in now, does this mean someone will be handling the phone somewhere along the line and inserting a Verizon sim card before it is shipped to me? If I decide to wait, I guess I just use my current sim card and put in the new phone myself?

3 - Guy at the Apple Store said my phone should qualify for full trade-in value despite some screen scratches and body scuffs. Do I have a better chance at getting full price at store, or sending it in? Or should it not really matter?

Mainly just wanting to make sure I get a phone that is handled as minimally as possible between now and when it arrives at my house. That's another reason I was going to buy online - I'm OCD and didn't want someone at the Apple Store popping out the sim card holder and messing with the phone before it's handed over to me.

Thanks

 

[ruslan120]

The phone should come unlocked if on Verizon, you’re correct. In store was fine when I went with a friend to trade in her scuffed 6S for an 11. They did their magic and the phone was activated without opening the box.

 

[ajm222]

Thanks. Interesting. Did she buy ahead of time online and do the activation by providing her carrier login info, or did she just show up and do it there? Maybe all they need is your phone number and carrier and the serial numbers and such from the box.