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I need to buy an iphone 3GSwithout contract

C

cracked

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 2, 2009
6
0
Hi guys, i'm knew to this forum, but i need some help

I've been in the US for a week, and i have been unable to purchase the iphone 3GS. I wanted the contact-less 700 dollar one, but the apple guy said i need a contract with At & t. And i have no contract since i live abroad.

It doesnt have to be unlocked, i can take care of that on my own. But i need to know how to buy an iphone 3gs. I'm gonna stay in the US for two more weeks and i really need to know how to get my hands on one.

Thanks in advance guys. Sorry if this thread was brought up already, but i'm really desperate.
 
You cannot buy a 3GS in the US without a contract (at least through usual channels)
 
Yeah, i know i cant buy through 'proper channels', thats the problem. And i'd rather not buy off ebay since i was screwed over on it once. I was hoping to find one from an actual guy or store. Or you know anyone reliable.
 
cracked said:
I've been in the US for a week, and i have been unable to purchase the iphone 3GS. I wanted the contact-less 700 dollar one, but the apple guy said i need a contract with At & t. And i have no contract since i live abroad.
Click to expand...
If you wanted to use that $700 phone with AT&T, then you'd need a contract, but you do not need an AT&T contract why you pay full-price ($599/$699) to buy the iPhone from Apple.

Very few people do what you tried to do (buy an iPhone for full price), so the guy is probably just confused.
 
Applejuiced said:
Have someone u know in the us open an account and get the 3GS for $199 and then pay him the ETF and one months bill.
Click to expand...

I heard AT & T has certain plans to counter this. That its only allowed when the phone breaks or is lost, and then they send the replacement.

aristobrat said:
If you wanted to use that $700 phone with AT&T, then you'd need a contract, but you do not need an AT&T contract why you pay full-price ($599/$699) to buy the iPhone from Apple.

Very few people do what you tried to do (buy an iPhone for full price), so the guy is probably just confused.
Click to expand...

I heard that i dont need a contract, but the problem is i still need a subscription with AT and T.

I might check out craigslist.
 
cracked said:
I heard that i dont need a contract, but the problem is i still need a subscription with AT and T.
Click to expand...
You don't need anything with AT&T to buy the iPhone for full-price from Apple.

If you can't find one on craigslist for a good price, I'd try the Apple Store again.

If they still tell you that YOU need anything with AT&T, tell them you're buying it as a gift for someone else. You shouldn't even have to say that, but it may be enough to shut them up. If they're still confused, point them to the Apple web page for buying iPhones:

For those who are not eligible for an early upgrade or who wish to buy iPhone as a gift, the prices are $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB)
Click to expand...
http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/
 
I initially went to the AT&T store with a friend who had a AT&T connection but the lady there gave me a bunch of ******** and basically didn’t sell me the phone. Next day i walked into the Apple store and just picked it up, just like that! they charged my credit card 700$ and i walked out with a brand new 3GS 32 gigs.:eek:
Only thing the guy at the apple store said was that i would need to a AT&T plan to activate the phone. Little did he know that i had all the tools from our Dev team friends ready on my laptop to unlock the phone.. :D

One thing that alarmed me was that my name and email id was on the receipt, when i didnt give any of those! Looks like their system automatically picks up the info from the iTunes account.
 
I think it probably does a cross search with the name on the credit/debit card. I like how they can send you your receipt via email and I think it's something that more shops should do - as, then, you can't lose your receipt if you want to do a refund or exchange.
 
cracked said:
I heard AT & T has certain plans to counter this. That its only allowed when the phone breaks or is lost, and then they send the replacement.



I heard that i dont need a contract, but the problem is i still need a subscription with AT and T.

I might check out craigslist.
Click to expand...

In order to utilize the ETF, you need to be part of the plan for exactly 30 days from the start of the billing process.

After those 30 days are over, you can pay the ETF, and keep the iPhone. If you cancel before the 30 days, then you must return the iPhone. That is the only catch.

If you have a friend willing to help you for those 30 days, you could, but that's a bit tough.


Your best bet is to go back to the Apple Store, and simply tell them that it's a gift for someone else. It distinctly says on their website, "For those who are not eligible for an early upgrade or who wish to buy iPhone as a gift, the prices are $499 (8GB), $599 (16GB), or $699 (32GB)." Just ask different Geniuses/Specialists, and you'll be able to get one in no time.

Otherwise, eBay and Craiglist are your next options.
 
jaghond said:
I initially went to the AT&T store with a friend who had a AT&T connection but the lady there gave me a bunch of ******** and basically didn’t sell me the phone. Next day i walked into the Apple store and just picked it up, just like that! they charged my credit card 700$ and i walked out with a brand new 3GS 32 gigs.:eek:
Only thing the guy at the apple store said was that i would need to a AT&T plan to activate the phone. Little did he know that i had all the tools from our Dev team friends ready on my laptop to unlock the phone.. :D

One thing that alarmed me was that my name and email id was on the receipt, when i didnt give any of those! Looks like their system automatically picks up the info from the iTunes account.
Click to expand...

Creepy. About the way they know.............

But thanks for the advice, i might just do that. Now as for activation, i can unlock the phone using 'programs' right?

BTW to anyone who can help, i am in LA. So anyone know a store where the apple and at & t guys are more, ehm, open to persuasion, then let me know.

:D
 
Why would you buy an iPhone while abroad? The Apple Care plan is only applicable to the country you purchased the phone. You won't be able to exchange your iPhone for defects when you get back home.
 
cracked said:
BTW to anyone who can help, i am in LA. So anyone know a store where the apple and at & t guys are more, ehm, open to persuasion, then let me know.
Click to expand...
Don't spend a lot of effort trying to persuade an Apple employee to sell you a full-priced iPhone like they're doing you a favor -- it really is Apple policy to sell them for full-price regardless of if you have any relationship with AT&T or not.

If you get an Apple employee that doesn't know this, politely ask him to check with his manager! :)
 
cracked said:
Creepy. About the way they know.............

But thanks for the advice, i might just do that. Now as for activation, i can unlock the phone using 'programs' right?

BTW to anyone who can help, i am in LA. So anyone know a store where the apple and at & t guys are more, ehm, open to persuasion, then let me know.

:D
Click to expand...

yes there are programs for unlocking
but unfortunately you'll need SERVICE with ATT to buy one
the contract-less price doesn't require signing a 2 year contract, but it still requires you have service from ATT
that's how it works. They won't just hand you a phone and essentially say yea go ahead enjoy unlocking
they still want you to be on ATT

just have a friend who is on ATT buy it, and pay him/her the money. They'll sell them one for the $700 price and not require them to sign a contract

just make sure when you buy, to have them ask to activate at home (or alternatively, have them buy online)
 
dccorona said:
yes there are programs for unlocking
but unfortunately you'll need SERVICE with ATT to buy one
the contract-less price doesn't require signing a 2 year contract, but it still requires you have service from ATT
that's how it works. They won't just hand you a phone and essentially say yea go ahead enjoy unlocking
they still want you to be on ATT

just have a friend who is on ATT buy it, and pay him/her the money. They'll sell them one for the $700 price and not require them to sign a contract

just make sure when you buy, to have them ask to activate at home (or alternatively, have them buy online)
Click to expand...

hmmm.... i have been looking for someone to help out. but i've been unsuccessful so far. i'll keep looking. anyways as for the activation, i can take care of that by unlocking it at home right?
 
Its quite simple. Put your iPhone in restore mode, run the software. Run through any of the numerous tutorials, Youtube video walkthroughs and you will have an unlocked iPhone in less than 20 minutes. All in the comfort of your home/hotel.
And you don't need an AT&T sim or plan to do this as long as you get the phone contract free.
And yes, no need to persuade. You can pretty much insist that they sell it to you, just tell'em its meant to be a gift if they want a reason.
 
On Release Day I walked into an AT&T store, handed them over my cash and they gave me a brand new iPhone 3G. No contract, no questions. Try an AT&T store, not an Apple Store ... You should be good.
 
jaghond said:
Its quite simple. Put your iPhone in restore mode, run the software. Run through any of the numerous tutorials, Youtube video walkthroughs and you will have an unlocked iPhone in less than 20 minutes. All in the comfort of your home/hotel.
And you don't need an AT&T sim or plan to do this as long as you get the phone contract free.
And yes, no need to persuade. You can pretty much insist that they sell it to you, just tell'em its meant to be a gift if they want a reason.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I appreciate it. I was just worried that if i did manage to get the phone, that it would end up as a nothing more than a paperweight. Good to know I can unlock it directly
 
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