Upgrade Swap Confusion

[seanerin]

Hello all...I have been reading the forums here for quite some time but this is my first post. As the subject line suggests, I am a little (or a lot) confused about the upgrade swap. So here is my situation and maybe you can help me:

My brother and I are both with ATT (different accounts). I am not due an upgrade until Jan of 2011, whereas he can upgrade now. He, however, is not interested in upgrading as he is perfectly happy with his bare bones cell phone. So, can the following be done:

He orders the 32 gb iphone online and when the phone comes in, we take it to the local ATT store to have them activate the phone using my number transferring my current rate plans to the iphone (from my current phone, blackberry bold). He would either continue to use his current phone or use my blackberry bold. Can this be done?

Now, from all of the posts I have read, it can be yet there appears to be no definitive way to do it and it seems to be quite a hassle. I did in fact speak to a customer rep at ATT over the phone and he said that it is not allowed. This confused me further as I recall reading many folks talk about very helpful ATT reps taking them through the upgrade swap.

Help Please. Thank you.

Sean

 

[Ashin]

Pretty sure the iPhone itself isn't actually connected to a specific sim card

As long as it is activated, you can put any same network sim in it

 

[sportster]

The only thing I can think of that may come up is, he may be required to carry the 3g data plan on his account for the life of the new contract. I would ask someone at AT&T before you have him order.

 

[PUCCY]

good question. umm I'd go to the ATT store if i were you.

 

[dave006]

Well you could try the AT&T process:

Youtube videos - Daniel explains the basic process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=262Z5yrpYGs

iPhone 4 Upgrade: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/articles-resources/iphone4upgradesupport.jsp

Dave

 

[seanerin]

Thanks Dave for the link. However, it seems that the video refers to family plan upgrade swaps. My brother and I have different accounts. Would the procedure outlined in the video still apply?

I guess I wonder what would prevent someone from buying the iphone 4 at a discounted price and then selling the phone to someone else. Is that a no no?

 

[i-John]

I'm pretty sure they have to be on the same family account.

 

[seanerin]

Update...

Just thought I would post an update to my original question...

I walked into an ATT store today and talked to a rep who said he would take care of the swap with no problem, so I guess the stories of finding the "right rep" are true.

He told me that my brother comes in tomorrow to upgrade. He will sign a new two year contract that includes a data plan (at this point he does not have a data plan at all). I pay for the phone...

When the phone comes in in about a week, my brother and I both go in to the store and he will activate the phone on my line. My brother goes back to his old phone and then removes the data plan from his account. The sales rep will take care of all of it for us...

Sean...