sell us your iPhones?

[ellenkushner]

Need to buy iPhones before leave for Worldcon on Thursday (long story). AT&T requires 2-yr service contract if we buy theirs - but if we BUY YOUR USED iPHONE (because you just upgraded, you techdog, you), thus "providing our own equipment," they'll give us a month-by-month contract.

Sweet? Or not?

I am but a babe in these woods.

Comments

[ckd]

Be careful, though; I've heard some reports that people are getting told they need to sign 2-year contracts even when activating hand-me-down phones. (As for the deal, I don't actually own an iPhone, just an iPod touch; I still haven't come down from my policy on never again buying a phone that's locked to a carrier unless I have a written agreement that it will be unlocked after the contract term.)

[inanna.livejournal.com]

I had a used iPhone (from a friend) and had to do a 2year contract. When my hubby's phone died, we gave him mine & I got the slightly newer one- we both had to do new 2-year contracts. Get it in writing if you want to avoid a 2-year contract with a used one, as I fear you may have been "misinformed."

that being said, we love our phones & our coverage (Seattle area and visits to Alaska).

Have fun at the Con!

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Thank you, both! I love to run angles, but you're right; in this case, may not be worth it. When you're my age, it's true, as a friend pointed out, 2 yrs are over before you know it....

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

I'd check Craig's List and eBay, with the usual cautions about being wary of scammers and (on CL) stolen goods. But they can be great places to get new-to-you tech.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

Caveat: AT&T has really poor coverage outside the most-urbanized parts of the NE at least, and so does T-Mobile. They are both concentrating efforts on the locales with the highest customer density. Verizon, having bought up a bunch of smaller carriers, has quite good coverage even in odd corners.

My Verizon phone worked in Canada, last time I was there.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Yeah; we've been on Verizon for years, now, because of that. But they irritate me. And Delia has her little heart set on an iPhone, so what can ya do?

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

And Delia has her little heart set on an iPhone, so what can ya do?

Ah. In that case I'd buy new and suck it up WRT the contract because the maximum possible warranty and tech support are highly desirable for her!

[casacorona.livejournal.com]

My Verizon phone works in Canada. It's expensive, because the roaming rate is ridiculous, but it does work.

[ndgmtlcd.livejournal.com]

Yes, Canadian cell phone rates are extremely high (for the natives) when compared to other countries, and when foreigners come in for a few days of roaming we don't give them any breaks. If you visit Canada with your cell phone try not to use it. Write postcards.

[casacorona.livejournal.com]

I don't think postcards will really help when I need to find someone at the convention. :)

[avocadovpx.livejournal.com]

Semaphore?

[(Anonymous)]

I bought a used phone and it was just no good. I've never had luck wiht used electronics. Can't you buy an apple iphone without paying for th contract? Might be more expensive, but better in the long run.

[ktempest.livejournal.com]

i feel like you can buy iphones from the apple store now.

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

You can, and given that the online one can probably do overnight delivery, it might be the least-hassle way to deal with it if E&D's local outlets don't have new phones. (I have heard rumors of in-stock problems).

I don't know about the monthly contract being possible with a used phone though; I kind of thought AT&T was sticking it to anyone who opened a new account with them, but I could be 100% wrong because I haven't been tracking those issues at all.

The online store sells refurbs, I wonder whether they ever have phones.

[otherdeb.livejournal.com]

I got my iPhone from the Apple store on Prince Street, although I am sure the one at 58th St and Fifth Avenue will do just as well.

If you are set on a used one, I know that J&R sells unlocked phones, and might or might not have an iPhone on any given day. However, I chose to buy from Apple, contract notwithstanding, so that if something went wrong, I would be able to get the phone serviced.

One thing you might want to invest in when you get your phone, BTW, is the "juice pack", which is an external battery that doubles the charge thereby doubling the time you have before needing to plug the thing into your computer or an outlet to recharge.

[whumpdotcom.livejournal.com]

I recommend getting the new phones (even with the #$@%! contract.)

I upgraded to the new model 3GS last month and love it.

However, if you do want to try a used phone, I still have my first generation iPhone. (Cynthia is holding on to hers a bit longer.)

Keep in mind, though, you won't be able to get AppleCare for a used iPhone (unless you buy a refurb phone directly from Apple) and in case of disaster, AT&T is a notorious pill about letting you buy a replacement.