jenniferholfman

Q: Buying an iPhone (underage).

Hey guys! I have a really important question.

 

I will be going to New York in April, and I wanted to buy an iPhone 7, (sounds stupid because it's more expensive there because of the taxes, but I live in Barcelona now so it's cheaper for me). I will be visiting New York for a few days because I'm doing an exchange so I will be with my teachers and classmates (some of them are +18).

 

The problem is that I'm only 16 and I don't know if I can buy an iPhone being underage. If I can't, can some of my teachers buy it for me? Or a classmate? (my parents aren't, of course, coming with me). Is it a problem if someone that's not my mom or my dad buys it for me? Because it will be like his/her like "responsibility"? Or is it just fine? By the way, when I get back, can I go to an Apple Store an make the iPhone like "my mom's iPhone"? I mean the papers and stuff. (This explanation is terrible, I know).

 

Could PLEASE someone explain all this to me? I'm really confused:/

Posted on Sep 27, 2016 1:35 PM

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Q: Buying an iPhone (underage).

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  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Sep 27, 2016 1:38 PM in response to jenniferholfman
    Level 9 (56,005 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 27, 2016 1:38 PM in response to jenniferholfman

    This is a bad idea. To begin with, you will not be able to get it serviced either in or out of warranty outside of the US.

    Just wait until you get home to buy it.

  • by jenniferholfman,

    jenniferholfman jenniferholfman Sep 28, 2016 2:34 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 28, 2016 2:34 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Apple's warranty is international. Just googled it. And it says so in Apple's webpage.

     

    My question still is: can I buy it if I'm only 16?

     

    Someone please give me an answer. Thank you.

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Sep 28, 2016 4:16 AM in response to jenniferholfman
    Level 9 (56,005 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 28, 2016 4:16 AM in response to jenniferholfman

    No. It is not. Try actually reading the warranty documentation.

  • by Michael Black,Apple recommended

    Michael Black Michael Black Sep 28, 2016 4:31 AM in response to jenniferholfman
    Level 7 (24,872 points)
    Sep 28, 2016 4:31 AM in response to jenniferholfman

    Please read the actual warranty for iPhone specifically here - http://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/  Note the section near the top:

     

    IMPORTANT RESTRICTION FOR iPHONE, iPAD AND APPLE TV SERVICE.

    Apple may restrict warranty service for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV to the country where Apple or its Authorized Distributors originally sold the device.

     

    Apple has always included the statement that they may refuse warranty service on iPhones purchased in a country different from the one you seek service in. Other Apple products do have an international warranty, but iPhones have never been one of those products.

     

    If you insist on buying one, yes, you can do so in person as long as you have a legal method of payment that will allow you to pay the full retail price plus taxes, and in US dollars (so if using a foreign issued credit card then foreign currency exchange fees may also apply to your credit card).

  • by jenniferholfman,

    jenniferholfman jenniferholfman Sep 28, 2016 11:25 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 28, 2016 11:25 PM in response to Michael Black

    So I can buy it all by myself being 16 years-old?

     

    By the way, thanks for your information! It was helpful!

  • by FelipeV,

    FelipeV FelipeV Sep 29, 2016 4:48 AM in response to jenniferholfman
    Level 5 (6,837 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 29, 2016 4:48 AM in response to jenniferholfman

    What makes you think you cannot? You have money or a CC under your name, don't you?

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Sep 29, 2016 5:08 AM in response to jenniferholfman
    Level 6 (8,075 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 29, 2016 5:08 AM in response to jenniferholfman

    you need an iCloud account, that's available to anyone 13 or older

    http://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/icloud/en/terms.html

  • by FelipeV,

    FelipeV FelipeV Sep 29, 2016 5:11 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 5 (6,837 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 29, 2016 5:11 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    An iCloud account is not obligatory to use an iPhone. Plus an Apple ID is available to those under 13.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Sep 29, 2016 5:54 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 7 (24,872 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 5:54 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    You need neither an iCloud account nor proof of some or any age to buy and activate an iPhone.  All the OP needs is a legal method of payment in full in US dollars at the time of purchase.  They could pay cash if they wished to do that.  If they use a credit card, all that is required is that they be authorized to use that credit card, be it their own account or a guardians.

  • by JimmyCMPIT,

    JimmyCMPIT JimmyCMPIT Sep 29, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Michael Black
    Level 6 (8,075 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 29, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Michael Black

    you don't need it but much of the iOS has functionality is intergrated iCloud functionality. for instance you can use find my phone without it.

  • by FelipeV,

    FelipeV FelipeV Sep 29, 2016 6:41 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 5 (6,837 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 29, 2016 6:41 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    As I said before. A child under 13 can have an AppleID which will allow iCloud access. That is the way Family Sharing works:

     

    Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child - Apple Support

     

    Your point is moot.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Sep 29, 2016 7:27 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT
    Level 7 (24,872 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 7:27 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

    True, but the OP is not asking about usage, they are asking simply if the store will allow them to purchase the device at the age of 16.  And the answer is yes, as long as they have a valid means of payment of the full retail price plus taxes.  There is no age check, requirement or restriction when buying an iPhone or any other Apple device in person at an Apple store if buying outright. 

     

    There may be age limitations with a particular form of payment and certainly are if one wishes to set up service with a cellular service provider at the time of purchase, but those are separate issues from actually just buying the hardware.

  • by Gerald Edgar,

    Gerald Edgar Gerald Edgar Sep 29, 2016 8:26 AM in response to jenniferholfman
    Level 3 (693 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 29, 2016 8:26 AM in response to jenniferholfman

    Do you think the New York store will have in stock the model of iPhone that works in Barcelona?

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Sep 29, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Gerald Edgar
    Level 7 (27,681 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 29, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Gerald Edgar

    Yes, they will. Any iPhone will generally work, though some bands may not be supported and some features may not function correctly or be entirely supported, but for the most part an iPhone bought in New York will work in Barcelona.

     

    Or do you think that if one travels to Barcelona with a New York bought Phone, because one lives in New York, the Phone simply stops working all together when you get to Barcelona?

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