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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

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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.

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  • Dorian Benkoil
    The issue isn't the price of the phone. It's the price, term and inflexibility of the AT&T plan.
  • Peter Kafka
    All 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.
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About Peter

Peter Kafka has been covering media and technology since 1997, when he joined the staff of Forbes magazine. Most recently, he has been the managing editor of the tech and media Web site, Silicon Alley Insider. Read more »

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