View Full Version : Where to buy iPhone 3G? Apple or AT&T?
stopthepain
07-01-2008, 11:37 AM
I have pretty much decided to get an iPhone 3G. Of course, like any other obsessed gadget freak, I want it on the day it comes out.
I am wondering if I would have better luck going to an AT&T store, or a local Apple store? The Att store is about 10 min away, the apple store is about 40 min.
Does anyone have any experience with last years launch? Were the AT&T stores given less inventory? Would I have a better chance of scoring one at the Apple store, or are both stores given plenty enough to satisfy the demands?
Thanks!
joeylang
07-02-2008, 01:21 AM
I would recommend going to the Apple Store, they will have more stock than your stnadard fare ATT store. Last year i bought my iphone on day one at an ATT store, I was first in line, but there were tons of people who left the store without iphones in hand. My parents went to the Apple Store the second day they were available and bought two of them. I think stock this time around will be less, but your best bet is the Apple Store. And i went with my parents to the Apple Store, and lemme tell you, the atmosphere is way different, being around knowledgeable people is wonderful.
ThisisCraigP
07-02-2008, 02:08 AM
I'd go to the Apple store. For a better service and the Apple store will most likely have more in stock.
Surf Monkey
07-02-2008, 02:27 AM
Apple store. No question.
tombellanca
07-02-2008, 03:25 PM
Will the apple store be able to handle things like porting a phone number over from another carier (Sprint)?
hardcle
07-02-2008, 11:05 PM
I initially wanted to go to the Apple Store (I figured it would be more fun to wait in that line), but when the in-store activation requirement was announced, I changed my mind. Activation problems are probably going to cause a lot of delays and there are likely to be a lot of people at the Apple store leading to a long wait. Also, there's only one Apple store in my city and it's pretty small. So I decided I'd be better off going to the AT&T store 5 minutes from my house.
Surf Monkey
07-03-2008, 04:28 AM
I initially wanted to go to the Apple Store (I figured it would be more fun to wait in that line), but when the in-store activation requirement was announced, I changed my mind. Activation problems are probably going to cause a lot of delays and there are likely to be a lot of people at the Apple store leading to a long wait. Also, there's only one Apple store in my city and it's pretty small. So I decided I'd be better off going to the AT&T store 5 minutes from my house.
Unlikely. The activation process for the 1.0 iPhone was easy as pie. Having someone at Apple do it instead of you won't take much more time at all. In fact, it may be faster.
On the other hand, the moment you set foot in an ATT store you're a mark. They'll be pressuring you to buy all kinds of products and services. Plus, it'll probably take them a LOT longer to get you activated, since they want to keep you in the store so they can badger you about getting a different plan or more SMS messaging.
Both use the same activation process. Go with Apple. You'll have a better experience. No question.
I plan on trying my local AT&T first since it's 2 miles away as opposed to 20 miles to my local Apple store. If it doesn't work out, I'll head out to the Apple store. Less convenient, but likely a better experience.
deftdrummer1
07-05-2008, 11:19 AM
I'm doing the same thing DIM, except if my att store doesnt have them I would have to head to Sacramento which is 2.5 hours away. I'm still undecided on if I'm gonna do this or not. I'm in a city without 3G do hopefully demand won't be so high.
I am going to have to go to the ATT store simply because there is not an Apple store close enough for me to justify spending money on gas to go get it....I will have to order my Invisible shields online since the ATT store only has like 3 cases and they are all ugly...so unless they get in some new ones like the invisible shield with the 3g looks like its online for me for accessories. Also how crazy do you all think the lines will be, I was thinking about just showing up to my ATT store at like 7:45....
deftdrummer1
07-07-2008, 02:07 PM
The lines aren't supposed to be that bad actually. I was just in my local northern california AT&T store yesterday, and they told me that they are indeed opening up early, but there shouldn't be much of a rush. The manager told me that in our particular region the store is bigger than the Sacramento store. He also said that last year the iphone launch didn't draw much of a crowd.
I think that the only waiting in line you do will be because the activation will take a bit longer than just purchasing the phone, as was the case last year. There should be plenty of supply this year, and the manager told me that all AT&T stores are getting the same amount of stock.
I really don't think anyone who wants one will have trouble getting an iphone.
I really don't think anyone who wants one will have trouble getting an iphone.Agreed. I wouldn't worry about it.
Well, I have to worry about it. Australian stocks have practically gone before sale... lucky I and working like a block away from the store. :)
kenics
07-07-2008, 10:54 PM
I stopped by my local AT&T store tonight on my way home and asked if they would be selling them. They said they wouldn't be, maybe towrads the end of the month. They said only the apple store would be carrying them at first. I am surprised they said this since I thought the phones would be sold at AT&T as well. and this store does the 2nd highest volume in the state.
Guess I'll just be waiting for the official anouncement sometime this week on where to go. I work very close to an Aple store, so I'll probably just end up going there. I am just really hoping to avoid any major lines...
Surf Monkey
07-08-2008, 01:19 AM
I stopped by my local AT&T store tonight on my way home and asked if they would be selling them. They said they wouldn't be, maybe towrads the end of the month. They said only the apple store would be carrying them at first. I am surprised they said this since I thought the phones would be sold at AT&T as well. and this store does the 2nd highest volume in the state.
Guess I'll just be waiting for the official anouncement sometime this week on where to go. I work very close to an Aple store, so I'll probably just end up going there. I am just really hoping to avoid any major lines...
Don't believe them. The employees at ATT stores are notorious for giving out bogus information. Go there on Friday and see for yourself.
hardcle
07-08-2008, 01:50 AM
I'm on the fence again. I stopped in to my local AT&T store to do the credit check (passed!) and one of the employees there encouraged me to come in early as they were expecting people to line up and stock is to be limited. However, I'm not sure how much to trust his word as he didn't know that only AT&T carried the iPhone.
I also read today that if you get a discount from your employer, you'll have to go to AT&T. My discount is small (3%), but I think I'd forgo it if I knew I could get a phone.
I've been so geeked up for this for so long, I'm really going to be disappointed if I can't get one on launch day.
What to do, what to do?
You can't take what the at&t guy said to heart. Just choose an option, but have a backup option just in case.
Sphyrna
07-08-2008, 10:22 AM
I really wouldn't put much weight behind what they say. I stopped by my local AT&T store last night to do my credit check as well and ask some questions. As I figured they have no idea how many they'll be getting in. He said they won't get them until Wednesday or Thursday. I asked if a lot of people have been asking about it and he said "oh yea". I asked him if he thought there'd be a line at 8AM and he said definitely. But then he went on to say that there was a line last year but the other guy corrected him and said there wasn't. I'm still not sure if I am going to go early or just get there at 8AM. If they didn't have a line last year I think I should be safe. But like I just said, I'm not putting much weight behind what any of them say.
kenics
07-08-2008, 03:46 PM
I stopped by my local AT&T store tonight on my way home and asked if they would be selling them. They said they wouldn't be, maybe towrads the end of the month. They said only the apple store would be carrying them at first. I am surprised they said this since I thought the phones would be sold at AT&T as well. and this store does the 2nd highest volume in the state.
Guess I'll just be waiting for the official anouncement sometime this week on where to go. I work very close to an Aple store, so I'll probably just end up going there. I am just really hoping to avoid any major lines...
So what I wrote above this is wrong. The store I stopped at is nat an actual AT&T storefront. It is owned by some other entity, thought all they sell is AT&T.
It looks like from the Apple/AT&T sites you can be directed to actual AT&T stores.
jamesus
07-08-2008, 03:56 PM
Will the apple store be able to handle things like porting a phone number over from another carier (Sprint)?
This is why I am heading to an AT&T store first. I'm also hopping back on the Family plan (since my family is all on AT&T) and I am trying to by optmistic about the AT&T employees being able to perform this transition without too much of a screw up...
I almost just threw up in my mouth for typing that last sentence. Good thing I live in Chicago and there is a million AT&T stores along with an Apple store right downtown...
Surf Monkey
07-08-2008, 04:01 PM
Apple can handle number ports just like ATT. There's even a statement on the Apple site that ports may take 4 to 6 hours to take effect.
1ghziMac
07-08-2008, 06:30 PM
I still dont know whether to go to the Apple store or not. My Apple store is in a snotty neighborhood so they may be a bunch of spoiled teens and stay home moms/dads inline to get it. Also its a good hour away in the morning thru traffic to get there by 8am. My AT&T store is 5 minutes away and in a "normal" mall. I read that Apple store would have plenty of stock and they will be getting replenished daily. I have not heard this about the AT&T stores. So I may show up at 8AM when they open only to find a gaggle of people who have been waiting from 6am. It is going to take a lot of self control to keep me from walking into a Verizon or Sprint store and picking up a new phone. Maybe if its too long I'll wait a week then go to the Apple store. Hey that sounds like a better idea.
(Rant over)
Surf Monkey
07-08-2008, 07:50 PM
They're going to have plenty of them. You don't need to be there right at 8:00.
hardcle
07-08-2008, 09:17 PM
Gizmodo has a post with lots of good information.
http://gizmodo.com/5022653/iphone-3g-definitive-guide-how-to-score-one-this-friday
A couple of interesting tidbits: Apple stores will have 750-1000 units. AT&T will have 50-75 or maybe 100-250.
If you wanted a white one, forget it. Looks like they're going to be pretty rare, at least for now.
1ghziMac
07-08-2008, 11:02 PM
Nice link. I'll swing by my local AT&T store, if the lines are too long I will wait a week.
willyouletgo
07-09-2008, 09:10 PM
I called att to find out what i need to do since i am gonna be adding a line to my mom's small business plan I HAVE to go to Att.. I am thinking i may show around 6:30 get a coffee bean (right down the way) and chill out and play with my BB pearl for the last time for a few weeks i am sure. I hope that since i am in a smaller town that it's not gonna be too bad.