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Buying new iPhone- At&t store or Apple store?

G

Greene23

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 26, 2009
30
0
I searched Mroogle and didn't see this specifically, so I apologize if this has been answered.

I am planning on getting an iphone 3gs on Friday and didnt know if I would be able to get everything done at the Apple Store alone. Do I need to go to an AT&T store? I will be porting my number from Verizon if that affects anything. Reccomendations on the process?

Thanks!
 
I would go to the AT&T store because I don't think that Apple creates new AT&T accounts. I'm pretty sure they only do upgrades. You can have AT&T set you up a new account, and then make sure you have your Verizon account number, address and password, so you can give it to AT&T so they can port your number. Or you can do it all over the phone. It's really easy.
 
I went to an Apple store and they were able to port my number from Sprint and it was activated before I reached the subway station to go home. I don't know why they couldn't do the same for you.
 
Well its convenient either way for me to go to either store, but I would prefer do everything with Apple. Now what about these $25 discounts everyone wants to offer up? whats that all about?
 
jmann said:
Oh wow. Did they go over contract/plan details and prorations like they were supposed to? :)
Click to expand...
Yes, and you even get to sign your signature on Apple's EasyPay device that you agree to AT&T's two-year contract. ;)

Greene23, if you're going to buy inside an Apple store, you can (and should) start the process at home.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/buy

You can start the port process, credit check, and pick your plan BEFORE you get into the Apple store. It'll make the whole process go a lot quicker! At the very end, you pick the store that you want to pick up your phone at.
 
aristobrat said:
Yes, and you even get to sign your signature on Apple's EasyPay device that you agree to AT&T's two-year contract. ;)

Greene23, if you're going to buy inside an Apple store, you can (and should) start the process at home.
http://www.apple.com/iphone/buy

You can start the port process, credit check, and pick your plan BEFORE you get into the Apple store. It'll make the whole process go a lot quicker! At the very end, you pick the store that you want to pick up your phone at.
Click to expand...

You alla re so helpful. So if I began the online work before my contract is up with Verizon... (I am literally switching the day my contract is up - the 19th) will I get punished by Verizon? I guess until I hit "Go" nothing will talk to Verizon huh?
 
Greene23 said:
You alla re so helpful. So if I began the online work before my contract is up with Verizon... (I am literally switching the day my contract is up - the 19th) will I get punished by Verizon? I guess until I hit "Go" nothing will talk to Verizon huh?
Click to expand...

This is true. Make sure that you don't port your number over even a few hours too early. I would call Verizon before you finalize it just to verify that you are now off contract.
 
Greene23 said:
You alla re so helpful. So if I began the online work before my contract is up with Verizon... (I am literally switching the day my contract is up - the 19th) will I get punished by Verizon? I guess until I hit "Go" nothing will talk to Verizon huh?
Click to expand...
No worries about the online stuff, ... none of that goes out to Verizon. It just makes the in-store process go more quickly.

During the in-store process is when Verizon is notified that you're porting your number away, which cancels your contract with them.
 
Greene23 said:
You alla re so helpful. So if I began the online work before my contract is up with Verizon... (I am literally switching the day my contract is up - the 19th) will I get punished by Verizon? I guess until I hit "Go" nothing will talk to Verizon huh?
Click to expand...

You contract ENDS on the 19th? Or the 18th? I would let a day pass just to be safe.
 
hsk said:
You contract ENDS on the 19th? Or the 18th? I would let a day pass just to be safe.
Click to expand...

Ends on the 19th, going in the 20th. Think Im safe? would love to go on the 19th but wanted to be totally safe.....
 
I endured Verizons killing of features for one year and 335 days. I called them and told them that I had enough. The rep first told me that I would have to pay a $60 cancellation fee but quickly back tracked to a $30 fee. I reminded her of the lack of features when I owned the same phone with AT&T and I asked for a Supervisor. After a brief time on hold she came back and released me of my contract.
 
Just make sure you still have service with the number you want to port over, else Verizon may NOT port it. That's VERY VERY VERY important. I was specifically asked if my number was active because it makes porting it MUCH easier.

So, don't wait for your contract to end and then port it. You can port your number out WITHOUT canceling your contract and paying the ETF.
 
if you want to jailbreak, I'd try the ATT store because you are more likely to find a phone with the older bootrom at ATT than at the Apple store.

if you dont care about Jailbreak, ignore this post
 
Hankster said:
Just make sure you still have service with the number you want to port over, else Verizon may NOT port it. That's VERY VERY VERY important. I was specifically asked if my number was active because it makes porting it MUCH easier.

So, don't wait for your contract to end and then port it. You can port your number out WITHOUT canceling your contract and paying the ETF.
Click to expand...

Contract expiration has nothing to do with your service - he could just not sign a new contract and go month to month. Just because his contract expires does not mean his line of service is going to suddenly turn off.
 
I don't know about Verizon but Sprint allows customers to port their number over to another carrier 30 days before the contract expiration date with no early termination fee. Might want to call Verizon to check and see if they have a similar policy. You could have your iPhone today. :)
 
The only thing that I wished I had known before going to the Apple store is that if you get your phone at the Apple store you can't get phone support at AT&T. I got mine at Apple and it's farther from my home. I've had to switch out the phone a few times for issues, and I have to go to an apple store. if you need a sim card, you go to att.
 
I would go to the Apple store, just because the experience is so much more enjoyable. I've definitely gotten good service at AT&T stores on occasion, but half the fun of going to the Apple store is just hanging out in the Apple store. Congrats on the new iPhone!
 
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