How to Get a (Slightly) Cheap(er) iPhone: Buy One Someone Else Returned
by Peter Kafka
Posted on January 6, 2009 at 3:53 AM PT
The long-rumored/wished for $99 iPhone has yet to arrive. But if you’re ready to buy a phone that supports iFart but don’t want to pay full price, you do have one option: Buy one that someone else decided not to keep after all.
Apple (AAPL) has quietly allowed some of its vendors to resell gently used iPhones for a while, but now Best Buy (BBY) is making it a standing policy. Reuters:
The electronics chain said the used iPhones, which were returned within 30 days of purchase, are priced at $149 for the model with 8 gigabytes of storage, while the 16-gigabyte version is $249. A two-year service contract with AT&T Inc. is required.
New iPhone 3Gs currently sell for $199 and $299 at Best Buy Mobile stores.”
AT&T (T) will also sell you a used iPhone at the same discount, though only online. But don’t bother looking for iPhone bargains at Apple’s online store: It’s one of the only products the company doesn’t offer in its bargain/refurbished section.
Comments
The issue isn’t the price of the phone. It’s the price, term and inflexibility of the AT&T plan.
Posted by Dorian Benkoil at January 6th, 2009 at 6:31 amAll true. Was going to point out that $50 discount doesn’t mean all that much when you’re paying $30 a month for two years for data alone. But that’s why I have readers to help! Thx Dorian.
Posted by Peter Kafka at January 6th, 2009 at 6:52 am