iPhone 3GS buying options: Best Buy vs Apple Store vs ATT Store

Stick with Best Buy your first on their list. I don't think you can beat that.

 

If you've got your name on a phone at BestBuy - by all means get it there. You will be missing out on one hellluva party at you local Apple store (and who's to say you would actually be able to get one there).

 

Agreed with the above posts. If you have a 32GB phone with your name already on it at Best Buy, simply go get it there. Yeah, going to an Apple Store on a release day is fun with all of the employees there that clap for you for like 2 minutes straight as they unlock the doors and take in the first customers.....but after that, you'll just be purchasing a phone and leaving the store. They're not activating them in store this go around (unless you want them to), so honestly, you can be in and out of there in 5 mins flat if you have credit card in hand to buy your phone. Will you miss out on anything buying it at Best Buy....no. Is it worth going to Apple for the "experience"....sure, if you like a bunch of people clapping for you and telling you "congratulations" as you leave the store with your spiffy iPhone bag in hand.....I did it last year on Launch Day of the 3G, but I'll settle for being comfortable at home, opening my own phone (part of the fun), and activating it myself on iTunes like I did with the original version. Just my $.02.

 

I would stick with your Best Buy pre-order. We did the same thing mostly for the convenience of being able to go pick it up anytime Friday after work and have it guaranteed and all we had to do was put down a $50 deposit. I thought it was great and they have all the tools there to transfer over my Verizon contacts while the AT&T store didn't.