Unlocked iPhone 5: Isn't it $100 cheaper to buy on Verizon, cancel, and pay ETF?

[Lick]

I hadn't reconsidered this since the news broke about Verizon iPhone being unlocked but this fine fellow reminded me...

I think it's actually cheaper to buy the phone with a contract and cancel it the same day... It should work out like this:

32GB no subsidy: $749
with subsidy: $299+350(etf)+35(activation)+(80/30)(one day of service)=$686.67

Today I picked up my VZW iPhone, activated the phone with the VZW SIM, then went straight to the VZW store to cancel the account. No problems at all. It's unlocked (tested with ATT and Rogers SIM), and works great. One thing I noticed, I checked the unlock status on dev.mk before turning it on, and it said "LOCKED". But once I activated with VZW SIM, it changed to UNLOCKED immediately.

Is there anything I'm missing here, does doing it this way secretly mess with your credit score? If not why isn't everyone who wants it unlocked going this route? If his math is right shouldn't it save you $100 total? When you factor in the $36 less sales tax you'd have to payon a $299 phone vs a $749 one.(assuming its 8% in your area)

 

[aneftp]

I hadn't reconsidered this since the news broke about Verizon iPhone being unlocked but this fine fellow reminded me...



Is there anything I'm missing here, does doing it this way secretly mess with your credit score? If not why isn't everyone who wants unlocked going this route? If his math is right shouldnt it also save you another $36 on sales tax? (assuming its 8% in your area)

Cause it's not worth the trouble to try to save $64.

I guess if you want to do it than by all means go for it.

This is one of the reasons carriers raised their etf to $325 (att), and $350 (Verizon/Sprint).

Before their etf was $175 for all phones including smartphones. People would do the same trick as you and the savings would be even than paying full price.

The carriers aren't stupid. They will notice an uptick in people doing what you are doing. Knowing Verizon they will probably try to raise the etf to $400 if people continue doing this.

 

[Lick]

Well ordering iphones on a carrier for instore pickup is literally the only way to get an iPhone right now. Seeing as there's no way to order unlocked now, this is really the only option, at least till stores get enough to sell to walk-in. So if you want the verizon iphone off contract why wouldn't you do this now and save yourself $100 in the process?

 

[gottafly]

I hadn't reconsidered this since the news broke about Verizon iPhone being unlocked but this fine fellow reminded me...



Is there anything I'm missing here, does doing it this way secretly mess with your credit score? If not why isn't everyone who wants it unlocked going this route? If his math is right shouldn't it save you $100 total? When you factor in the $36 less sales tax you'd have to payon a $299 phone vs a $749 one.(assuming its 8% in your area)

So, what carrier will you be using it on?

I've been buying full price unlocked for the last couple generations and decided to renew only one of my lines with AT&T in order to get a 32GBiphine 5 for $299. I immediately submitted the IMEI for unlock with a 3rd party provider and now have an unlocked for $325 instead of $750.

 

[Lick]

So, what carrier will you be using it on?

I've been buying full price unlocked for the last couple generations and decided to renew only one of my lines with AT&T in order to get a 32GBiphine 5 for $299. I immediately submitted the IMEI for unlock with a 3rd party provider and now have an unlocked for $325 instead of $750.

I'll be on straight talk, AT&T or Verizon are just too expensive for 1 person. So i need it unlocked, off contract.

 

[ehchan]

The reason is not solely for the unlock... It's more for the lack of contract since some people want to use ST or TMo, since they have much cheaper individual plans... Or sell to rich overseas peeps on eBay...

So, what carrier will you be using it on?

I've been buying full price unlocked for the last couple generations and decided to renew only one of my lines with AT&T in order to get a 32GBiphine 5 for $299. I immediately submitted the IMEI for unlock with a 3rd party provider and now have an unlocked for $325 instead of $750.

 

[blevins321]

If it matters, note that the Verizon iPhone cannot get on AT&T LTE.

 

[joeshmo2010]

You can't pay the etf after one day. You have to cancel after 14 or 30 days depending on carrier.

 

[Lick]

You can't pay the etf after one day. You have to cancel after 14 or 30 days depending on carrier.

Really? Maybe the guy i quoted above didn't actually do it yet. How long before you can cancel for Verizon?

 

[Applejuiced]

Really? Maybe the guy i quoted above didn't actually do it yet. How long before you can cancel for Verizon?

Under 30 days you will need to return the phone. After that you keep and pay the etf. You're paying prorated charges, activation fee and others so you're not saving anything and have to jump through 20 hoops.
Just buy one full price. It's cheaper and hassle free.

 

[Lick]

Under 30 days you will need to return the phone. After that you keep and pay the etf. You're paying prorated charges, activation fee and others so you're not saving anything and have to jump through 20 hoops.
Just buy one full price. It's cheaper and hassle free.

How can i buy one full price? There's never any stock in the stores aside from what they get for those nightly in-store pickups. Everything from apple store to radioshack is sold out in my area.

 

[aziatiklover]

How can i buy one full price? There's never any stock in the stores aside from what they get for those nightly in-store pickups. Everything from apple store to radioshack is sold out in my area.

Try your luck going to an apple store! Or do what i did reserve it and once I get to the apple store will tell the specialist that I changed my mind and want it full price instead of new contract or upgrade! Since it is already reserve under your name.

 

[Lick]

Try your luck going to an apple store! Or do what i did reserve it and once I get to the apple store will tell the specialist that I changed my mind and want it full price instead of new contract or upgrade! Since it is already reserve under your name.

Did that work for you without any hassle? I heard other reports of people having to buy it go home calling apple, going back, returning it, buying it back, and having to call Verizon and try to cancel. Guess it all depends on how logical and laid back the person you get is.

 

[Applejuiced]

How can i buy one full price? There's never any stock in the stores aside from what they get for those nightly in-store pickups. Everything from apple store to radioshack is sold out in my area.

Well then you have to wait till there is stock.
You cant do the reserve online thing on Apples site and pick it up at the store the next day?

 

[aziatiklover]

Did that work for you without any hassle? I heard other reports of people having to buy it go home calling apple, going back, returning it, buying it back, and having to call Verizon and try to cancel. Guess it all depends on how logical and laid back the person you get is.

Well went to the store earlier at 4pm walked in told them i change my mind about att upgrade at $450. Now I would like to buy it at full price.

So the specialist cancel my upgrade with att then sold me the iphone 5 at full price.

Well then you have to wait till there is stock.
You cant do the reserve online thing on Apples site and pick it up at the store the next day?

Thats what i did reserve it last nite pick it up today at 4pm.