iPhone 3G Store Displays, Demo Units, Apple Retail Launch

[nokq]

Actually in this day and age it is cheaper to for large companies to take a credit card than cash. The cost of having someone come collect the money from all the stores and deal with it is very costly, also their is next to no risk with credit cards, people cant hold you at gun point and demand money that was paid by credit card.

Don't forget about the super iTunes rate apple has negotiated with the credit card companies...

This makes it even cheaper

 

[ClassicMac247]

The whole idea is sending chills through my bones, I really wish i could be there for launch, I'm so bummed, I'm nowhere near an apple store and I refuse to go to my local at&t store because the staff is full of inconsiderate, stupid, Microsoft fans who don't know anything about the iPhone other than the price and plan rates.

 

[calancaster]

haha aw man, that sounds exactly like what my girlfriend has been telling me. Well besides camping info I'll toss out my convoluted account situation and see if anyone has a suggestion:

I have AT&T with a non local number (# from IL and I'm in NY) and I have been out of contract for a few years (I always managed to find phones without using AT&T subsidized upgrades) but the account is currently in my fathers name. I want to try to keep my number, but sign a contract in my own name while getting the iphone. Anyone know how to work that magic?

I have talked to a few different AT&T reps and they have all had something different to say. Worse comes to worse I'll just sign a new contract on Friday and give up my number if I really have to.

Since the account is in your father's name, BOTH of you will need to complete a Change of Financial Responsibilbity in order for the account and phone number to be changed over to you (assuming you are over 18). You WILL also need to pass a credit check in order to take over the account. And once the account has been transferred to you, it will be considered a "new" account and you will qualify for a subsidized iPhone. By the way, they will assign you a new account number with the old phone number provided you pass the credit check.

 

[epicmar]

Why don't you try getting out of T-Mobile with that change to text message pricing they made...

You should be able to terminate your contract free of charge due to that..

Any ideas for getting out of an early termination penalty with Sprint? I have a Sprint family plan with 4 numbers. Three of the numbers are out of contract and one number (one of my children lost their cell phone last summer) still has 13 months to go.

 

[marcre]

If you have a phone with AT&T already, but it is not an iPhone you do need to go to an AT&T store to make your purchase. They will not be able to do it at an Apple store.

 

[h2z81]

PS3 is correct, I questioned him as well but if you DO NOT qualify for an upgrade and are willing to pay the unsubsidized 399/499 then you have to go to an AT&T store. This could all be proven otherwise if Apple announces something tomorrow which is entirely possible seeing how there was a big teleconference today.

My brother works in Apple Retail... at his meeting he was told you could buy the unsubsidized phone in the store.

 

[saminsocks]

Mac news websites aren't the only place people can find information about an iPhone. There's information about the pricing plans and eligibility on AT&T's website as well, and since it would be current AT&T customers who have a question about eligibility they have plenty of information available to them. Non-AT&T customers wouldn't know what the original data rate plan was so they would also check this out on the website. Which I'm certain anyone who's planning on purchasing the iPhone on Friday has already done. I don't know many people who would go through the hassle without knowing what they're getting themselves into.

And things won't be complicated if people don't make it that way. Everyone has these crazy what-if and should-I questions that really don't need to be addressed when you buy the phone. AT&T has a 30 day trial period (at least they did when they were Cingular. I assume it's still in effect) so anyone who has signed up for an account after June 12th will still be eligible. As for porting your number, unless you got a phone I'm not sure what they're porting it to. And if you're switching plans on Friday, I would just take the new number from AT&T and then port your old number later. When I originally signed up for AT&T I still had a few weeks left on my Verizon account, so I just did call forwarding to my new phone until my account expired, then ported the number after my contract ended. The only problem I had was people seeing the new number when I called them back.

If you're not certain about whether or not Apple stores will be able to handle your situation, go to an AT&T store. Or wait a day or two and see what other people are saying. I would say it's a pretty good bet that people who don't follow Mac news don't know about the unsubsidized pricing. And those that do probably know from calling AT&T who hopefully encouraged them to go to an AT&T store. That's really the only foreseeable snag I can think of. They should be able to do everything else.

And I don't think pay-as-you-go is considered under contract. But since you can't get a contract you wouldn't be eligible for a subsidized phone. Same with people who are eligible but don't want to sign another contract. That's how it is for any phone from any cell phone provider.

 

[Kid Panic]

"Leaks" from Apple

I hope whoever the moron (or morons) are who think it's cool to violate the NDA's they signed get fired.

 

[DN7335]

I hope whoever the moron (or morons) are who think it's cool to violate the NDA's they signed get fired.

Wow..harsh... not me though, I love leaks, that's why I read a RUMOR site about Apple.

 

[MiniMark]

AT&T Store here I come

It looks like i have to visit the AT&T store...bummer. I was hoping for an Apple store purchase, esp. since I have a gift card there. But, I have an existing family plan with a business discount...and I'm adding 2 new lines, so it looks like I'm forced to go to AT&T. Oh well, it's the phone that counts.

 

[Doctor Q]

The AT&T stores I've visited still haven't put out carrying cases and other third-party products for the iPhone 3G. They apparently still have them in boxes and won't put them out until Friday.

Why not put them out now and let customers start looking at them, deciding what they like, or even buying them?