If you were in the US and planning to buy an iPhone 3G this Christmas then AT&T has just made it a lot easier. You can now buy it from the comfort of your home.
AT&T which was earlier offering the "pre-qualification" program online is now offering customers a chance to buy Apple's iPhone 3G online and finish the activation process at home through iTunes.
So you no longer need to wait at the store to activate the iPhone which at times can take a long time.
AT&T has just launched a promotion on their website informing customers that they can buy Apple's iPhone 3G online for Christmas.
After selecting a specific iPhone model, you can choose from one of their rate plans and add features such as roadside assistance, VoiceDial, and Smart Limits for parental controls.
AT&T is also offering free overnight shipping for all those buying iPhone 3G online.
However, it looks like only new customers can buy it online, if you are an existing AT&T customer, you will need to go to the store.
AT&T spokesperson Brad Mays has also told Ars Technica that:
"The device ships activated. But a customer must accept terms and conditions over the phone with customer care or online at att.com—the same process for other phones purchased online—after which he or she will simply sync the device with iTunes to use it."
Apple currently sells iPhone 3G online only in UK and Hongkong. So today's move by AT&T is quite unexpected as Apple is not offering a similar service through its own website.
If you want the iPhone 3G to be delivery by December 24th then you need to act soon, as per the banner you have only 8 days left.
[via Ars Technica]
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Wow.. way to kick existing customers in the shins AT&T! That makes zero sense that only new customers can buy online. >:(
I want a new iPhone 3G, but I'd prefer to purchase it the way I bought the original.
If they offer the 8GB at Wal-Mart then I will probably buy it there.
something sounds off here. I'm an existing ATT customer; and, I bought my iPhone four months ago – online.
btw, online is a great way to purchase your iphone — no waiting in line, no waiting for an Apple employee to stumble through the activation process.
Well, as soon as I log in the option to purchase a phone online (new or refurbished) disappears for me.
I also e-mailed AT&T, and was told by their representative I had to go to a retail store to purchase one.
I bought my first iPhone when I was a new customer online, and didn't have a problem.