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Apple offers iPhone 3G purchase online

by Megan Lavey-Heaton May 14th 2009 at 9:30AM



For new customers wanting an iPhone 3G, you now have another way to buy it - ordering straight from Apple, an option that hasn't existed since the original iPhone was sold. Online purchasing was taken away with the introduction of the 3G. AT&T brought it back in December, and only now has Apple caught up.

New subscribers can activate their service online, then have their new iPhones shipped straight to their door. Current AT&T customers will need to reserve their iPhones online, then go pick them up at the Apple Store.

As I found out last month, having existing subscribers go in to pick up their iPhone can be a very good move, because things can certainly go wrong. When I went to the Apple Store to pick up my new iPhone 3G, it turns out that when I purchased my original iPhone in November 2007 that they didn't enter it into the system properly. I was nearly charged the full price of the iPhone rather than the subsidized price offered to those who wanted to upgrade from EDGE to 3G. A trip to the nearby AT&T store took care of that, but it was the sort of thing that was far easier to handle in person than over the phone. They were able to pull up my original receipt and override the system so I was recognized as a previous adopter rather than someone just trying to break my original contract.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

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For new customers wanting an iPhone 3G, you now have another way to buy it - ordering straight from Apple, an option that hasn't existed...
 

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12 Comments

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ali

hello!
i am from china,i would like to buy a Iphone with 3G and 8GB or 16GB . i am wandering if i can use it in china with my Sim card?
thanks

June 28 2009 at 4:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
directapplestore

Please note: This phone is unlocked and can be used with any SIM card. No activation required.

Product Includes
Nokia N97 32GB Unlocked
AC Travel Charger
Standard battery
Stereo Headset
Car Charger
Mulitmedia Cable
USB data cable
Data Software CD-ROM
User manual

BUY 5 UNITS AND GET 2 UNIT FREE
BUY 2 UNITS AND GET 1 UNIT FREE


Email: directapplestore@gmail.com

ORIGINAL APPLE PRODUCT ONLY....

Apple iPhone 8GB Unlocked ====== 240usd
Apple iphone 16GB Unlocked ====== 250usd

Apple Iphone 3G 8gb Unlocked ====== 270usd
Apple Iphone 3G 16gb Unlocked ===300usd

Apple Iphone 3Gs 16GB ===============500usd

Email: directapplestore@gmail.com

June 12 2009 at 10:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Fer Lim

Not in the US, it isn't ^^

Here's a page on the current state of things:

http://www.squidoo.com/Where-Can-I-Purchase-an-iPhone

and a couple more on related issues

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZDPhJtkPxQ

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14997085/WHERE-CAN-I-PURCHASE-AN-IPHONE-CHEAP-

May 19 2009 at 6:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roland Dobbins

This headline and article are 100% inaccurate. I ordered my unlocked-from-Apple iPhone 3G online via the Hong Kong Apple Store during the first week in October of 2008, and received it two days later.

May 16 2009 at 7:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Maddy

I found out last month, having existing subscribers go in to pick up their iPhone can be a very good move, because things can certainly go wrong. When I went to the Apple Store to pick up my new iPhone 3G, it turns out that when I purchased my original iPhone in November 2007 that they didn't enter it into the system properly.

May 15 2009 at 2:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dannyboybass

So, there's definitely gonna be a hardware upgrade, but what I'm most interested in seeing is the battery. I feel like it would make so much sense to implement the new battery technology they're using with the 17". The phone is gonna be used so much more by it's users because of all the new gadgets it offers.

May 14 2009 at 5:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pmilagro

It's free shipping ! not the phone ^^

May 14 2009 at 2:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ClassicGuy911

Yeah they do number porting online through iTunes... Simple step by step thing...

May 14 2009 at 1:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason

I wonder if they can do number porting online, too. I'm a VZW customer and I'm seriously thinking about switching to an iPhone soon.

May 14 2009 at 12:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
OJ

Definately an attempt to clear out old stock! Cant wait to be one of the first to own a 3rd Gen iPhone!

May 14 2009 at 11:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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