The (real) $99.99 iPhone: this week at Best Buy
Remember the pre-Macworld buzz about a $99 iPhone 3G? Well, how about a $99.99 iPhone 3G? Several sharp-eyed TUAW readers have let us know about a deal that Best Buy is offering for Reward Zone members. If you're a Reward Zone Premier Silver member, you can buy an 8GB iPhone 3G for US$99.99 through February 28th. The 16GB model is available for US$199.99. If you're a regular Reward Zone member, you pay just US$50 more for your iPhone 3G -- US$149.99 for 8GB, US$249.99 for 16GB.
Best Buy notes that you must be an existing Reward Zone member as of February 21, 2009, to take advantage of the special pricing, so you can't sign up for the program today and expect to get the discount. A two-year activation is required as well. If you're eligible and interested in getting a new iPhone 3G for a penny less than US$100, click the "Source" link below for details.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike said 1:17PM on 2-23-2009
Also, 3G 8GB refurbs are $99 from AT&T for regular folks.
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badweasel said 1:07PM on 2-23-2009
You actually have to be a Premier Silver rewards zone member to get the $99 price. To be that sort of member you would have had to spend $2500 in the last year at Best Buy. So normal members like you and me get the phone for $149. Still not bad..
My version of the story is at: http://www.tomorrowland.com/2009/02/23/100-iphones-at-best-buy/
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Zorro said 6:20PM on 2-23-2009
There is a second way to become a premier member. If you have a BB RewardZone MasterCard (legitimate credit card, not just for use in BB) and spend $2500 (on anything) in one year. Not hard to do if it's your main credit card, really.
Zorro said 6:24PM on 2-23-2009
To clarify, that's $2500 anywhere.
Alex said 1:41PM on 2-23-2009
How does the activation work? e.g. is it possible to just buy the phone and then register afterwards (or not)? Or does one need to sign the contract in store before leaving?
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Tony said 2:35PM on 2-23-2009
Well not real $99.99... it's tied to a 2 year contract, which at this stage you'd be insane to take - there's likely to be a new iphone this summer even.. by which point you'd have another 18 months of wishing you'd waited.
I don't get why mobile phone companies like such long contracts.. in this country they push 18 months (they've not dared try 2 years yet) but if asked will generally let you get away with 12 months. It's insane..
6 months is the longest contract I'd consider... never had a phone last longer than that before it's superceded by a better model. Against my better judgement I took an 18 month for the iphone 3G (no choice) and I'm regretting it already as it's going to cost me a minimum of £360 to get out of the damned contract, as I've since moved on to other devices.
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Maxwell Ash said 3:47PM on 2-23-2009
Assuming you live in the uk ( you said pounds) o2 gave free upgrades to existing iphone owners when the 3g came out. Maybe they will do the same this time an you won't waste £360.
Ryan said 2:54PM on 2-23-2009
TUAW seems like it is constantly days behind in the news.... This has been on MacRumors since the 18th... What gives guys?
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Izzy said 3:57PM on 2-23-2009
Ah, but if you can't afford the regular price of $199, you can't afford the monthly charges anyway.
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iBearTouch said 3:59PM on 2-23-2009
The dip in price tells my Spider Senses that something "new and improved" is not far off...
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jvill0627 said 11:46AM on 2-25-2009
i agree, that's what held me off from buying it today
Fowler said 5:03PM on 2-27-2009
The bad thing 1 is you got to spend all that money in BB to get the rewards #2 is that if you are on a family plan and you pay around ten dollars a month for A line like I do and you get the phone you can auto add $35.00 dollars to that so your line goes up grand total $45.00 a month so say we have 5 lines and my mom already has an Iphone it is $45.00 + her monthly family plan contract of $150.00 and add $50.00 more dollars per month for 5 lines = $245.00 dollars per month now add a extra Iphone to it and the total is $290.00 per month with out tax or any text or overcharges plus the cost of the phone so who does At&t rip off and Apple ?the Hard working family wanting nice things like Iphones Oh and a 2year contract renewal also DO not let these people rip you off think and do research and the funny thing is At&t who has the contract with Apple for the iphone will not even warranty the product the iphone they promote like glass defects but for a low fee best buy will don't be a fool and don't get fooled by greedy people
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