Buying an iPhone from the US - need some inputs!

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Gannu

Gannu

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Hey guys!

A colleague of mine wants to purchase an iPhone from the US. His sister has been posted there for deputation for over a month. Upon inquiry, she was told that the SSN needs to be produced for buying a phone with a contract. If not without the contract, she will have to pay 600USD upfront for the unlocked phone.

Is there any work around? As in, is there no way one can buy a phone with a contract without producing the SSN and leave the country? :P

TIA
 
This is what I have heard - you will need to check the validity.

You must have an SSN to buy the phone. So you can take help from some friends there. However, the contract ceases to be valid if you move to an area [within the US of course :) ] NOT serviced by the provider [ATT in this case]. Then you don't have to pay the early termination fees.
 
Yep the SSN is the biggest catch! No drivers license, no phones, no internet, no nothing without it. :( The laws here used to be so easy some 10 years back. S#$%w you Osama.
 
^That's for my friend like I said before. Not that the iPhone is a bad one - I own a 3G myself and did not feel the need to get an Android based phone.

Besides, Android needs a bit of tweaking as well. Not for the average joe. :P
 
Desecrator said:
^That's for my friend like I said before. Not that the iPhone is a bad one - I own a 3G myself and did not feel the need to get an Android based phone.

Besides, Android needs a bit of tweaking as well. Not for the average joe. :P
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i had iphone 3g for a year & now i have nexus one, guess i ain't average joe :ohyeah:

secondly, ask her to contact the chinese buggers via ebay US, they sure might be able to help.
 
I am in the same boat as your friend. I need to get an Iphone 3gs my friend there in US dsnt have a SSN.
$600 is for wat capacity bty?
 
I was looking for same deal but realized that for 27k you may buy Fully Unlocked iPhone 3GS.

Those $600 are paid for just termination of 2 year plan for iphone not for fully unlocking.
 
All you guys looking for good deal on iPhone from US, you can PM me,

Condition would be - Bring 1 iPhone extra with you & give to me, Money will be paid for that :) Just need physical person to bring iPhone (1 for you & 1 for me)
 
^ how would that person explain 2-3 phones to the customs dude ..
Oh so i thought the $600 Deal was for a unlocked iphone .. Sorry for noobish question then can i assume that in US we dont get the Unlocked iphones directly from apple. The unlocked ones are only sold in SE Asia and Europe?
 
malhotraraul said:
i had iphone 3g for a year & now i have nexus one, guess i ain't average joe :ohyeah:
Click to expand...
In what way(s) is one better than the other ?

Ya, i also want better than avg joe answer to that Q :ohyeah:
 
Ok, sort of thread hijack but i hope Gannu forgives me since its in the same vein.

I am traveling in June (1 day after WWDC to be exact :D). Have to purchase a 3GS, what should be the best way to do it? I will be staying only for 3-5 days so online purchase is not an option. Radioshack and Apple Store both are less than 1 mile from where I will be putting up.

I do have a contact or two in the same town who have a SSN so what are my chances.
 
^Oye even if one has an SSN and she or he buys the phone for you and you flee to India back, the person who's got you the phone is going to be in deep shit. Someone correct me if I was wrong there!
 
^ Correct. SSN is directly linked to the credit rating of that person. Incase you run back with the phone that guys credit rating will take a major hit.
Thats the reason i am asking whats the best legit way to get an iphone from US?
 
@Gannu: I dont want to put anyone in trouble. All I am asking is what could be the best legit way to do it. IIRC there was one workaround which entailed 200$ iphone + some activation charges + some early termination fee. which comes to be less than 600usd

Anyone knows the trick?
 
Unlocked iphones are sold by Apple itself, Seen few of them as refurb.

Also saw them on best buy.

If you have 2 open phones in pocket, Customs dont say anything. Just tell them one is official & one personal.

@sarang

Let me know if want used 3GS, New one MUST need SSN.
 
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