The iPhone makes a great gift, but one thing to keep in mind is that over the course of a two-year contract, the true cost of an iPhone is over $2,000. You’ll want to make sure you and your loved know what you’re getting into. The following is a guide on how to give the iPhone as a gift, covering two topics:
Anyone currently hoping to stroll into an Apple store and pick up an iPhone 3GS might find their desired model out of stock. According to Apple’s iPhone 3GS Availability page, some stores are showing certain models as unavailable. A few stores are even completely out of stock of the 3GS, including the Orland Park Apple store in Illinois.
I’m sure Apple will likely make at least a couple more. If you can’t buy from an Apple store, you could try one of the four other stores that sell the iPhone.
Yes, it’s finally here. The iPhone 3G S. Where can you get one? Cruise on down to one of these fine retailers near you:
Round up the kids, put grandma in the trunk, and head on out for some sexy, cutting-edge tech at Walmart.
Mobile phone blog Boy Genius Report is reporting that AT&T Wireless has sold out of their preorders for launch-day inventory of the iPhone 3G S. Those looking to preorder an iPhone 3G S and receive it on launch day should now solely look to Apple.com.
According to separate sources who supplied screenshots of an internal AT&T email to BGR, customers preordering an iPhone 3G S on Saturday, June 13, or later “should be informed that their order will arrive at the store 7 to 14 days from the order date.” Launch-day preorders from Apple.com are still advertised on Apple’s site as arriving on June 19.
Links:
Boy Genius Report “Didn’t pre-order an iPhone 3GS? You might have to wait about two weeks”
The iPhone 3G S is coming June 19, and it’s unknown if there will be the same long lines as there were for the last two iPhones. But why risk waiting in those lines when the iPhone is available for preorder on both Apple and AT&T’s websites? (Update 6/13/09. AT&T is now sold out of launch-day preorders.)
If you preorder, you have the choice of having it mailed to you or picking it up in a store (where you may still have to wait in a line, albeit a supposed quicker one). According to AT&T’s press release, there will be two lines at AT&T’s retail stores on June 19: one for those who preordered (with the preorder line opening up early at 7am) and another for those purchasing their iPhone that day. From the press release:
Customers may preorder iPhone 3G S beginning at approximately 5 p.m. ET today at in AT&T’s more than 2,200 company-owned retail locations or later this evening at www.att.com/iphone. All preorders will be processed on a “first come, first served” basis beginning June 19. Customers who preorder online will have iPhone 3G S delivered directly to their home or office; customers who preorder in a store can pick theirs up at the same store on or after June 19. Stores will open early at 7 a.m. on June 19 exclusively for customers who have preordered.
If you want to preorder and pick up at an Apple store, Apple will be opening at 8:00am.
If you preorder and want to have it shipped to you, Apple will try to ship it early so that you receive it on June 19 (although from reports, experiences may vary).
AppleInsider is reporting that AT&T Wireless stores are offering early upgrade pricing to existing AT&T customers stuck in 2-year contracts without iPhones. However, the details are vague.
The silent offer, which began this week, is being extended to customers on a case-by-case basis…..AT&T representatives have confirmed…that as of this week the company is waiving the upgrade clause for customers who are approximately 14 months into their two-year contract
The waiver isn’t bound to strict terms, however, meaning that retail employees are free to grant upgrade pricing for customers who may not be quite as far into their 2-year contract, but that determination is to be made by the employee after accessing and reviewing the customer’s account history. Other factors like long-term loyalty to AT&T may play into the decisions.
While this may sound like you can “sweet talk” your way into an upgrade, it’s more likely that the AT&T employee will check to see if your current subsidized phone has been paid off through your monthly fees. Still, it may be a good deal for those who are unhappy with their current phones and can’t wait the 10 months until their contract runs out to buy an iPhone.
Apple is also getting in on the act by offering contract-free iPhone 3Gs for $599 for the 8GB and $699 for the 16GB. Customers at Apple retail stores can buy an unlimited amount of “no commit” iPhone 3Gs, while AT&T Wireless is limiting it to a one-per-customer basis, also requiring that you be an AT&T Wireless customer.
Link: AppleInsider “AT&T stores now offering early upgrade pricing on iPhone 3G“
There are currently five places where you can purchase an iPhone in the US: Apple, AT&T Wireless, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Sam’s Club. If you just want to run in and purchase the phone, any of these locations can offer a convenient shopping experience. However, if you have questions about voice or data plans or how to use the iPhone, you can get very different results. If you’re looking for a cheaper price on the iPhone, you have a few options.
Wal-Mart has the cheapest base price for the iPhone, but it’s only a savings of $2 ($197 for 8GB, $297 for 16GB) compared to other stores ($199, $299). The real bargains are found with refurbished iPhones.
From December 28, 2008, to December 31, 2008, AT&T Wireless had a brief post-Christmas sale of refurbished 8GB iPhone 3Gs for $99. The sale has not since returned. *Update 2/17/09* AT&T has brought back the $99 Refurbished iPhone 3G sale for a limited time .
Refurbished iPhones are the best deal for purchasing an iPhone. Refurbished 8GB iPhone 3Gs go for $149.00. They can be purchased at Apple.com, Best Buy Mobile brick-and-mortar stores, and AT&T Wireless. Refurbished 16GB iPhone 3Gs are $249.
The best place to purchase a refurbished iPhone is either from Apple or Best Buy as they both offer a 1-year warranty on the phone, which is the same warranty that a brand new iPhone has. AT&T Wireless only offers a 90-day warranty on refurbs.
Check Apple’s online stores first for refurbs, as Apple has the best quality-assurance program. Refurbs from Apple undergo a certification process. Also, I have heard nothing but good things about Apple refurbs. Best Buy also has quality-assurance testing for refurbs and should be the second place you look to buy a refurb from.
Because of the popularity of refurbs, it may by difficult to obtain them from Apple or Best Buy. Buyers can check Apple’s website and contact their local Best Buy and Apple stores. If you don’t care about their smaller warranty, AT&T Wireless refurbs are usually pretty plentiful on their website.
If you have questions about the iPhone, it’s recommended you go to either a AT&T Wireless or Apple Store. Voice plan and data plan questions (eg, corporate discounts, family plans, international rates, coverage, etc) are best answered at AT&T stores. If you’re looking for instruction on how to use the iPhone, Apple stores are the best to go to.
Apple also offers Genius Bars and free workshops on how to use the iPhone at their stores. Note that the Genius Bars are almost always busy, as they offer a terrific one-to-one customer service experience. You’ll need to make an appointment a few days ahead of time. Call your local Apple store to check their Genius Bar schedule.
Refurbished products at Apple.com.
Refurbished iPhones at Best Buy (info only, must buy in-store).
The new Apple In-Ear Headphones are now available for purchase online at Apple.com for $79.99 with free shipping. The headphones were originally slated for an October 2008 release.
The most exciting feature of the heaphones are the dual drivers in each earpiece–a woofer and a tweeter. This feature is normally found in much more expensive headphones, although we’ll reserve judgment on Apple’s quality until we can review them ourselves.
The headphones also feature a microphone and a control button with three buttons: volume adjust, play/pause + call answer button, and record voice memo button.
No word yet on whether the volume controls and the voice record will work with the iPhone, but it seems likely.
Link:
Apple In-Ear Headphones with Dual Drivers at Apple.com
A quick scan of the iPhone availability page shows most Apple retail stores now have all models of the iPhone in stock. If you were waiting until you were sure you’d get an iPhone, now might be a good time to consider heading on down to the Apple store.
Link:
Apple.com iPhone availability page.
Apple has announced a change to store hours in order to better meet iPhone demand. Two weeks after the iPhone’s launch, long lines are still forming outside of Apple stores for people waiting to purchase an iPhone. From Apple.com’s iPhone availability page:
To accommodate demand for iPhone 3G, all Apple Retail Stores will now open at 8:00 a.m. every day but Sunday. We’re also adding staff to help you get up and running as quickly as possible.
Your favorite Apple Retail Store likely has your iPhone 3G in stock. You can check availability right here. Shipments of iPhone 3G arrive most days and availability is updated nightly.
Select your state and then check the list to see which Apple Retail Stores currently stock iPhone 3G.
Return after 9:00 p.m. to check iPhone 3G availability at your local Apple Retail Store.
Due to the cost of extra staff and working hours, this change would seem to indicate that Apple will continue to resupply stores to meet demand and that Apple stores are unlikely to run out of inventory for long periods of time.
