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iPhone 3G without contract (got one)

G

galactic732

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 5, 2008
93
0
so I just walked out of an AT&T store with a brand new 3G iPhone.

the kicker is that they did not make me activate in store.

my questions are:

1) Is this phone useless unless activated on my plan?
2) If I go in to another store and try to order one (it's for my brother), are they going to recognize that I ordered one last week and not sell me another?
3) Should I sell it on ebay? I just looked and they are going for a ton unopened.


additional info:

I didn't sign a 2 year contract.
I just picked it up and walked out.
They didn't even look up my plan in the system.
 
I guess I will take your word for it, but all that sounds really weird.

All they do when they have you sign the contract is sign your name on the credit card pad. There is no actual paper contract they have you sign.

So you just went in, said give me an iphone, they handed it to you, you swiped your credit card, signed your name once, and left?
 
I ordered it DF.

I signed the credit card on the keypad.

When I got my phone (also DF), I had to sign two pieces of paper, a contract for my records and a contract for theirs.

I never signed anything today.
 
Is this aphone your had ordered and previously paid for? If so check your AT&T account it probably has already upgraded you to the new iphone 3G plan.
 
sounds like you got a contract sir

pretty sure when you go in to buy another they'll tell you their records indicate you can't.

also - how much did you pay?
 
let me clarify my last post.

When I ordered it last week, I signed for the credit card. My wireless account still only shows one line on the account.

When I ordered my phone (the one in question is for my brother), when it came in I also had to sign 2 papers for the contract.

I signed nothing today for my brother's phone.

EDIT: I paid 299. Its a 16 GB white.
 
Well regardless I would sell it on ebay. The worst thing that could happen is AT&T says you are not eligable for an upgrade and you have to pay the $399/$499 price. With the prices unopened 3G's are going for that should not be a problem.
 
You've got thirty days to activate it via iTunes and you'll probably get charged the new line activation price, you should get a new phone number, and the activation fee is $36 for a new line or $18 for adding to an existing account. ETF of $175 or $599 unsubsidized pricing applies. Get a family plan with those two 3G iPhones.:eek:
 
SFStateStudent said:
You've got thirty days to activate it via iTunes and you'll probably get charged the new line activation price, you should get a new phone number, and the activation fee is $36 for a new line or $18 for adding to an existing account. ETF of $175 or $599 unsubsidized pricing applies. Get a family plan with those two 3G iPhones.:eek:
Click to expand...

I have 30 days? I never signed a contract.

Activation and upgrade fees are waved from my corporate discount.

So if I don't activate they just charge me the ETF?

I know I'm trying to beat the system here, but I didn't sign a contract and they didn't activate the phone in store. My wireless plan only shows the 1 Phone I had on it before.
 
galactic732 said:
I have 30 days? I never signed a contract.

Activation and upgrade fees are waved from my corporate discount.

So if I don't activate they just charge me the ETF?

I know I'm trying to beat the system here, but I didn't sign a contract and they didn't activate the phone in store. My wireless plan only shows the 1 Phone I had on it before.
Click to expand...

I don't know what happens in the US, but in the UK if your upgrading all you need to do is bring a credit or debit card to upgrade, and you will be upgraded.
 
galactic732 said:
I know I'm trying to beat the system here, but I didn't sign a contract and they didn't activate the phone in store. My wireless plan only shows the 1 Phone I had on it before.
Click to expand...

That maybe true, but when the 3G iPhone is activated by whomever, then it will show up on your account. Basically, the iPhone is BRICKED until you activate it through iTunes, b/c the SIM card is set-up for specifically your account and no one else's. So, even if you do sell it, the 3rd party will activate it, but the SIM card used for your account will still show up on your account until the ETF and the unsubsidized iPhone price is paid or billed to your account. The 3G iPhone remains BRICKED until you activate it on iTunes. Remember, all they need to do is scan the outside of the box and it auto-fills everything to your account screen. I'm sure they expect people to turn around and sell it on EB or CL and then be really shocked when they get a bill for $800.00+ in about 30 days. Maybe you could be the TEST for the rest of us, and just keep us advised... Thanks ahead of time. :cool:
 
galactic732 said:
I ordered it DF.

I signed the credit card on the keypad.

When I got my phone (also DF), I had to sign two pieces of paper, a contract for my records and a contract for theirs.

I never signed anything today.
Click to expand...

But if it is going on a plan that already existed you don't necessarily.

When I went and upgraded to my 3G, I did not sign any paper documents, I still have a contract.

Shall see how it goes, but I would wait and see if it shows up on your account before you do anything. Did you buy both phones at the same time?
 
I bought the phones about a week apart (my brother saw mine and had to have one).

They handed me the unopened shipping box, not just the iPhone box.

Mine was an upgrade, but his is going to be a new line (porting from verizon)
 
Fine then keep it. You will get the fees assessed to you anyways since you only get that price by agreeing to a new two year contract regardless if you sign or not. It's called the fine print. :rolleyes:
 
galactic732 said:
let me clarify my last post.

When I ordered it last week, I signed for the credit card. My wireless account still only shows one line on the account.

When I ordered my phone (the one in question is for my brother), when it came in I also had to sign 2 papers for the contract.

I signed nothing today for my brother's phone.

EDIT: I paid 299. Its a 16 GB white.
Click to expand...

If you paid $299, there's no way they're not going to hit you with a contract..

It may not show up on your account until the phone is "unbricked" via iTunes..

So basically, if you sell it, the LUCKY person that buys it and activates it on iTunes, guess what? you're paying the contract for that person!!

It actually turns out to be a great deal for them!
 
galactic732 said:
I have 30 days? I never signed a contract.

Activation and upgrade fees are waved from my corporate discount.

So if I don't activate they just charge me the ETF?

I know I'm trying to beat the system here, but I didn't sign a contract and they didn't activate the phone in store. My wireless plan only shows the 1 Phone I had on it before.
Click to expand...

regardless of wether or not you signed a contract, if your phone is not activated on ATT within 30 days (they keep track of the serial number) then they charge you (im not sure how much)

never signed a contract for mine, perhaps they just did that because there was something wrong with the system

everyone buying one at the store i went to on launch day only signed for their credit card

that is considered signing the contract

but i think its just the ETF of 175

300 dollar phone + 175= 475
sold on ebay for over 1000
525 dollar profit
 
galactic732 said:
ok no ebay for me

dont want to risk it
Click to expand...

Ok listen, Almost everyone on ebay who sells an iphone confront the same issue you will probably pay 200+ for cancelling and not returning the phone so you will pay like 500
if you sell it on ebay probably you get 300+ of benefit.
 
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