I am ready to go to the Apple Store and purchase a new 3gs. Can I just purchase the phone in-store and take it home unopened and do the activation myself or is it required that they open everything in-store and do the activation there?
Order the iPhone from AT&T on-line.
It comes to your door in a sealed, shrink-wrapped box.
You still have to call an 800 number, and push buttons to activate it, but you don't have to deal with any store.
Great way to give a gift....it even has a new SIM card installed, with your phone number - if it's an upgrade, your old phone and card are active until you activate the new phone.