I haven't been following in-store availability (at either Apple stores, or AT&T). Does anybody have a good idea if it's possible to just walk in and purchase yet. For my own reasons I'd like to buy in person.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Walk in and purchase?
- Thread starter Dobiewonkanobie
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Only if you reserve the night before on apples website. Inventory is still VERY thin.
I agree. Call the store and ask. When we purchased my wife's ipad2, it had been out for several months, but when we went into the store, they did not have any. They told us they got limited stock daily which sold out daily.
try local stores like target walmart best buy and radioshack. I got mine from radioshack on the 25th I think. the wednesday after the friday it came out. Or go to apple store first thing in the morning, like be there as soon as it opens. I'm sure the walk in demand has died donw a little since the phone has been out for about 2 weeks now .
Also keep in mind you can't just buy the phone with having a contract with either Verizon, Sprint, or ATT.
Some stores like Best Buy, Radioshack, etc can and will sell off contract iPhones if they choose to do so.
I tried
sadly socal is crazy...i called target, walmart, best buy ,and radioshack. they don't sell off contract device only iphones near me. You have to have a contract. My best bet is the apple store but the apple store near me(fashion island and south coast) are filled with rich iphone lovers so they're rarely in stockJust called to check local AT&T store to see if I should cancel my order and go get one there. They said they hadn't gotten a shipment for store stock in 2 weeks and not to waste my time with nearby locations
I tried
so I'm guessing you don't have any of the big 3? you know you could always buy one on a contract and pay the etf, you'll still be paying $100 less than off contract. Then you can put it on whatever carrier you have.
Car Toys often has them in stock. If not, they'll bring one in from their warehouse as part of their weekly shipment.
Since it was brought up, another question I had was about buying off-contract/unlocked versus on-contract. Other than the freedom to move, I can't see the benefit of buying off contract because the monthly rate is still the same.
Any insight into this that I'm missing?
Thanks to everyone else for the responses, I'll try calling some stores tonight.
Last edited:
locked vs. unlocked: You can get a plan from companies like Straight Talk for $50/month that pretty much corresponds to the $100/month plan on AT&T or Verizon (and Straight Talk is reselling the AT&T Network). Thats about $1200 more for a 2 year contract.
So you will have the extra cost for an unlocked phone back after about a year.
So you will have the extra cost for an unlocked phone back after about a year.
im not talking about the apple store....im talking about getting it from best buy, target, radioshack or walmart since all the apple stores are sold out of iphone 5's near me. my first choice would have been the apple store
I don't know what kind of weird stuff the apple store you live is pulling. But there is no such thing as a carrier unlocked iPhone 5 yet. You don't have to extend your contract in order to buy one. You don't have to have an upgrade in order to buy one. But you do have to have a Verizon, ATT, or Sprint phone number and account in order to buy one.