|
Sunday December 28, 2008
|
Of course Sascha's right about the $99 Wal-Mart iPhone rumor--it was just that. While the big box retailer is in fact selling the Apple handset, the store's $197 price tag is a mere $2 off of the original Cupertino price. Those still looking to pick up the popular smartphone for under $100 are in luck, however--AT&T is offering an 8GB 3G iPhone for a cool $99.
The rub, however, is that the thing is refurbished--that's industry code for used. Says AT&T:
Each refurbished phone is independently quality tested and loaded with the latest software to meet current factory standards. Some refurbished iPhone 3G devices will have minor scratches.
Too good to be true? Well, yeah, sort of. As great a deal as $99 seems, you've still got to opt into that two-year AT&T contract, which will wind up costing you a lot more than $197.
The deal ends December 31st.
|
|
|
Mixx It
Digg It
Stumble
More...
December 28, 2008 10:20 PM
Oh, by the way, you can't already have the iPhone. Existing customers DO NOT get an iPhone for $99. I found it out the hard way when I tried to upgrade one of the phones on my account.
December 29, 2008 10:39 AM
current customers never count; as long as they have you cuffed with a contract they could care less to make any offer to you - satisfied current customer...who cares?!?!?
December 29, 2008 12:05 PM
Back in 1992, i worked at OKI's plant in Suwanee Georgia, refurbishing phones for AT&T. Assuming that whoever's got the current contract is working to the same standards we were, these are gonna be rather better than just "used".
December 29, 2008 1:02 PM
"Refurbished" iphones have an inferior warranty to new products, right?
December 30, 2008 2:44 PM
I am an ATT customer and the closet store is 50 miles away. I have always done biz with them online or by phone. Until recently they didnt have the Iphone online and I found it hard to figure out what it would cost me to up grade. Right now I have a family plan with 1400 minutes and three phone. Costs me about $100 with plan and 2 added phones. I have no data plan. How much is the data plan with the Iphone. I have heard its spendy.
December 30, 2008 4:04 PM
If it's anything like Verizon's Full feature plan for 1400 minutes with 3G, Video, TV, internet, etc, then expect around $300/Mo for three phones. That's what I'm shelling out. Live TV, the internet, music etc is nice but it's still $300. The only way I can justify it is I was spending more per month then $100 per phone when I was using one of Virgin Mobiles pay as you go plans and that's after buying the blinking phones for $100 each too.
The problem with Virgin Mobile is every time I turned around they had changed my phone plan without asking or notifying me. When I called them out on it they claimed there was no such plan offered by them ever & there I was with their documentation in my hand that stated otherwise.
They doubled the cost per unlimited IM service one month & I finally dumped them. Then there's "Somone" the most annoying computer system I've ever encountered. She can make a Nun cuss after trying to get through to a real live customer service person. Good Luck.
December 30, 2008 7:21 PM
Walmart is selling the 8gb Iphone for $197. Where is the 4gb Iphone that was supposed to come out. The 4gb is the one that is supposed to be $99, not the 8gb.