What is the safest way to buy 3g without contract?

[fredbram]

That's my question.
I would like to obtain a 16g iphone 3g, firmware 2.1, so that I can unlock it and use an alternate sim in it. What would you do? Buy used form ebay or craig's list? Buy a new one from ebay or craig's list. If so, how best to determine a trustworthy seller--who would you trust more, someone selling their lightly used iphone or someone who seems to sell tons of them on ebay (who knows where they get tem).

 

[fredbram]

Or is another option to buy from at&t, and then cancel after 30 days? I am unclear whether they will let you keep the phone when you cancel the contract.

 

[jmccullough108]

Or is another option to buy from at&t, and then cancel after 30 days? I am unclear whether they will let you keep the phone when you cancel the contract.

You can keep the phone, but you have to pay the 200.00 early cancelation fee, which in the same sense is the same price as the iPhone 3G total..