How do we buy a new iPhone X for our nanny (Verizon)

[spaceballl]

Hey There,

Our nanny is on Verizon, and instead of a Christmas bonus this year, we're going to splurge and get her an iPhone X 256GB Verizon. However, I just started the buying process, and it looks like I need to put in her phone number, last four of her social, etc. I obviously have her phone number, but I don't have the last four of her social. I might be able to get that someplace in all the paperwork we have, but will that like send a text message to her phone or something like that? I'd like it to be a surprise. For the Verizon phone folks, let me know how that went. Thanks in advance!

 

[xboarder56]

You will want to buy the phone in an Apple store because the account information is not required. Even if you did find all the required information to order online you will need the account pin or text message code to complete the online order. This is not the case when you buy in the Apple store.

 

[Revels]

Buy her an Apple gift card to that amount?

 

[kirkhuffy]

Buy the phone outright at an Apple Store (or order online) for Verizon and then she can activate it when you give it to her.

 

[spaceballl]

Got it. So if I just walk into an Apple Store, I can say, "give me the verizon 256gb iPhone X," and assuming availability, they'll just hand it to me. No account verification needed. Now I just need them to be available....

 

[xboarder56]

Got it. So if I just walk into an Apple Store, I can say, "give me the verizon 256gb iPhone X," and assuming availability, they'll just hand it to me. No account verification needed. Now I just need them to be available....

Yep that is correct and for availability I would recommend using istocknow.com

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

Why not just give her the bonus? I don't know her circumstances.... but an iPhone X might seem like a very specific gift. Has she expressed that she likes or is interested in the iPhone X? She might be in that pool of people that would rather have iPhone 8 and not lose the home button. Or maybe she might count on a Christmas bonus as liquid cash... and it would be inconvenient to tie it up into a single item.

 

[ideal.dreams]

Why not just give her the bonus? I don't know her circumstances.... but an iPhone X might seem like a very specific gift. Has she expressed that she likes or is interested in the iPhone X? She might be in that pool of people that would rather have iPhone 8 and not lose the home button. Or maybe she might count on a Christmas bonus as liquid cash... and it would be inconvenient to tie it up into a single item.
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I was thinking the same thing. $1100+ is a lot to spend on one item, maybe she'd rather have the bonus as cash and spend it on what she wants. Just my two cents.

 

[D.T.]

I was thinking the same thing. $1100+ is a lot to spend on one item, maybe she'd rather have the bonus as cash and spend it on what she wants. Just my two cents.

Nannies are pretty personal, almost like family, so you kind of have to think in those terms (i.e., an actual gift you considered, spent time purchasing vs. cash).

 

[noobinator]

She would most likely rather have $1000 cash.

 

[Europa13]

You will want to buy the phone in an Apple store because the account information is not required. Even if you did find all the required information to order online you will need the account pin or text message code to complete the online order. This is not the case when you buy in the Apple store.

You absolutely do need Verizon account information. I tried it without it and they didn’t let me. Apple also wouldn’t let me sign up for Verizon in the store, so I added a line to my brother’s Verizon account to get an X. Once the SIM-free version is available in a month or so, you can get it without a Verizon account.

I’m pretty sure the reason they do this is to minimize scalping at launch.

 

[xboarder56]

You absolutely do need Verizon account information. I tried it without it and they didn’t let me. Apple also wouldn’t let me sign up for Verizon in the store, so I added a line to my brother’s Verizon account to get an X. Once the SIM-free version is available in a month or so, you can get it without a Verizon account.

I’m pretty sure the reason they do this is to minimize scalping at launch.

This could depend on the store manager but Others on this forum did not have an issue walking into an Apple store and requesting the Verizon model, paying full price and walking out. If it was a payment plan such as iUP they require device activation but out right purchase they don’t require activation or even a valid cell phone line to use it on.

 

[Ryan5505]

Got it. So if I just walk into an Apple Store, I can say, "give me the verizon 256gb iPhone X," and assuming availability, they'll just hand it to me. No account verification needed. Now I just need them to be available....

FWIW: The Chestnut store in San Francisco has inventory. I walked in on Friday without a reservation and purchase an unlocked 256 GB spacegrey iPhone X. I've heard other going and still being able to purchase as well.

 

[puma1552]

I agree with the sentiment of giving her the cash, never know what she has planned to buy with her bonus - most likely, it isn't an iPhone X. You want an X, she probably doesn't. While a well-meaning gesture, don't give her what you want for Christmas.

 

[praterkeith]

She would most likely rather have $1000 cash.

I’m thinking the same thing. While I’m sure she’ll be thankful for the iPhone X, she may have private circumstances that she’s looking forward to taking care of. It’s like you’ve decided what she should do with her money.

 

[dmx]

guys, if the guy wants to give his nanny a phone, good for him. I'm sure she is paid fairly already, and this is just an extra bonus that Im sure she will appreciate. OP knows her situation better than we do. Good for you OP!

 

[Acejam2k]

Apple store employees will often think you are confused if you want only the phone. The key words to say here are "I'd like to buy a Verizon iPhone X as a device-only transaction". This is allowed.

 

[Charadis]

I’m on at&t and bought a Verizon X at the Apple Store. Like you, I couldn’t reserve online due to no account info with Verizon. They reserved for me when I got to the store and just waited in line until it was my turn.

 

[spaceballl]

Haha thanks for all the gifting advice. FWIW she'll still get cash, she needs a new phone, is out of memory on her current phone, etc. There are some selfish motives, too... she sends us pics of our kids everyday while at work, and I'd like some better quality pics! We're willing to spend more on getting her a new phone + some cash than if we just got her straight cash. Plus, she is a very savvy eBayer and is currently on a monthly payment plan for her old iPhone. She'll be relieved from having a monthly payment to the carrier for her phone, and she'll get some extra cash when she sells her old device.

 

[Hoosier317]

Hey There,

Our nanny is on Verizon, and instead of a Christmas bonus this year, we're going to splurge and get her an iPhone X 256GB Verizon. However, I just started the buying process, and it looks like I need to put in her phone number, last four of her social, etc. I obviously have her phone number, but I don't have the last four of her social. I might be able to get that someplace in all the paperwork we have, but will that like send a text message to her phone or something like that? I'd like it to be a surprise. For the Verizon phone folks, let me know how that went. Thanks in advance!

Umm...wouldn’t it be better to let the nanny choose for herself how to spend her hard earned bonus? This has Christmas Vacation’s holiday bonus plot line written all over it.

 

[partyboy4357]

Hey There,

Our nanny is on Verizon, and instead of a Christmas bonus this year, we're going to splurge and get her an iPhone X 256GB Verizon. However, I just started the buying process, and it looks like I need to put in her phone number, last four of her social, etc. I obviously have her phone number, but I don't have the last four of her social. I might be able to get that someplace in all the paperwork we have, but will that like send a text message to her phone or something like that? I'd like it to be a surprise. For the Verizon phone folks, let me know how that went. Thanks in advance!

Let me know what you find out as I want to get my butler, chauffeur and private jet pilot one as well!

 

[noobinator]

Photography lessons would do more for nice photos than an incremental camera upgrade.