iPhone activation in Apple

[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