iPhone activation in Apple

[VPA021]

does anyone know if apple will be activating iPhone in there stores? I heard something about you will just buy the phone and activate it your self? Can anyone confirm this?

[robhon]

I'm not sure it's possible to confirm it. There's only speculation that Apple folks will be trained to do this in the stores.

We all find out on iDay.

[Marksman]

Which seems less likely, because apparently nobody is being trained, and to train for activation seems like it might be a longer process than just learning about the phone.

They very well may require you to activate it with AT&T if you buy at an Apple Store.

[thedwp]

I called my Apple store and they told me that they WILL NOT activate the phone in the store.

[robhon]

I called my Apple store and they told me that they WILL NOT activate the phone in the store.

So, that begs the question, how will they "require" a two year contract with purchase?

[RyanFavre]

If apple doesn't activate in store it may be a good thing. Lines will move much faster and I imagine you'll be able to activate the phone at any cigular wireless store (including the authorized retailers).

[tpeter]

So, that begs the question, how will they "require" a two year contract with purchase?


They wont.

If you read the article in USA today they said to prevent hoarding and reselling they would limit the number of phones each customer could buy. They said they were not sure on the number as of yet though.

But what does that tell you? It says to me that someone will be able to buy more then one phone and obviously you wont make them sign up for contracts on each phone.

[ps49556n]

So, that begs the question, how will they "require" a two year contract with purchase?



They won't necessarily require a contract with purchase, Im sure they will tell you it is required but it is my understanding that the phone will essentially be locked until you call att to activate. I posted this info in another thread where I stated that by calling Apple.com you can get a definitive response to this.

Example::

Caller: Hi there, I am interested in purchasing an iPhone online later this week but I am wondering how I would activate the phone once I receive it?

Apple Rep: iPhones sold through Apple.com arrive at the customers home with nothing else; just the phone and packaging. The user activates the phone manually at home.


If you do not believe me call, an apple rep and ask the same question.

[wjp09]

Well who knows we will all find out on iday.

[dirtyd]

apparently, the apple store here in indianapolis cannot activate phones due to a policy that the mall it is housed in has. this may very well be the situation with other apple stores in malls.

[joe]

So, that begs the question, how will they "require" a two year contract with purchase?

What's kinda funny is that it doesn't mention this anywhere on the iPhone web site. I know it was part of the January keynote and the initial TV ads, but I haven't seen it since. Am I just missing it? Maybe activation, a 2y contract, or service is no longer required to purchase?

[tpeter]

I liked the fact that i thought they would make people sign up when they bought the phone. This was a great way to stop ebayers waiting inline.

If they are not making you sign up for the contract in store which is looks to be they arent, get ready for 300 ebayers to be waiting in line.

[thedwp]

I think it all goes back to having to have an iTunes account and having to activate the phone through iTunes. If that part is true, then God help us all if EVERY person who buys a phone at an ATT store has to set up an iTunes account on the spot!!! That's scary.

[dirtyd]

perhaps the reports that apple will be scanning the unopened boxes upon purchase are the key. is it possible that you will have to register the phones via serial number at the time of purchase? it also looks likely that at&t will restrict sales to one per customer (not one per line on your account!) - so i imagine apple stores will have the same policy as well.

[wjp09]

Maybe those who buy at Apple who are existing customers can just pop in their sim card.

[robhon]

If you do not believe me call, an apple rep and ask the same question.

It's not that I don't believe you. I'm just trying to point out that we are getting conflicting "reliable" information.

I hope they DON'T activate at the stores. It'll take forever for them to process everyone.

[ps49556n]

I am telling you, go to apple.com, call the sales line and ask the question I proposed. Apple sales reps have CLEARLY been briefed on this issue as they responded to the question without any hesitation. The only un reliable sources have been "friends uncle who knows a att store manager"......take it for what its worth but I am not going to question Apple sales reps, who in this case know a little bit more than Apple stores or ATT stores.

[wjp09]

^ What they are saying is they believe that the information you provided was what you were told but the reps aren't 100 percent accurate and are not always told everything and tend to make things up.

[ps49556n]

I have called apple reps many times trying to extract new info about various new products and they always give you similar answers: "I am not familiar with that sir", "We have no information on that product at this time".

When asked about this one specific scenario, they CLEARLY have a rehearsed response. This was not a random incident, another member called and I also called, both with the same response.

[tbos]

does anyone know if apple will be activating iPhone in there stores? I heard something about you will just buy the phone and activate it your self? Can anyone confirm this?
I talked to an Apple Rep today and He told me that they are being sold online with no AT&T contact at all. They can be bought and activated at a later date. His name was Phillip, and he was kinda rude.
Tbos

[robhon]

His name was Phillip, and he was kinda rude.
Tbos

'Cuz it's the 12 millionth time he's had to answer the same question. :wink:

[lucy]

I am getting an Iphone from one of the free iphone sites. Do I need to use AT&T/Cingular or can I use it on another service providers network?

[3dg]

Logistically, Apple stores can't activate phones. Have you EVER bought a phone in a cell phone store and went through activation? It takes a while. There's no way they could manage that with the amount of people who'll be waiting.

Apple has said that you'll need an iTunes account to setup the phone - but it didn't mention activation. Still, they warned to have your account ready. That's one scenario.

The other is that you just activate through the phone. Rumors I've heard from in store are that you'll activate online. We recently added a phone to our family plan on Cingular. The number was setup in the store, but before I could use the phone, I had to answer automated questions through the phone "do you agree to an extended two year contract? Push 1 for yes..."
After a bit of that, the phone was active and I setup my voice mail. So, I'd imagine the iPhone would be similar.

The bigger question is HOW you transfer your number. I think activation is going to be easy. Transfers are the big issue since you can't move your SIM. The iPhone doesn't allow you to put your own SIM in it - this is done as a theft deterrent.

[mav]

I don't think the iPhones will be activated at Apple stores. Logistically, they cannot handle the long process and still sell hundreds of phones Friday night.

It'll probably be done afterward via the internet or calling AT&T.

Transferring numbers to a new SIM card is simple. Just call AT&T and tell them you want to transfer xxx-xxx-xxxx to your new iPone's SIM.

[stuart9682]

I think it all goes back to having to have an iTunes account and having to activate the phone through iTunes. If that part is true, then God help us all if EVERY person who buys a phone at an ATT store has to set up an iTunes account on the spot!!! That's scary.

this is most likely the correct answer. but i don't forsee ATT reps activating the phones in-store. They will sell you the phone and you take it home to your machine and activate it. However, that does leave the number transfer issue up in the air. I think mav was right about this when he said specifying your number will probably be done by ATT either over the phone or via internet.

[stuart9682]

I am getting an Iphone from one of the free iphone sites. Do I need to use AT&T/Cingular or can I use it on another service providers network?
UTFSE :foot: