only 2 per person per lifetime!?!?!? seriously?

Thats just not true. During the initial release they were only allowing buyers to purchase two at a time, but that was per visit. You can buy as many as you want at the stores now and there is no "lifetime" limit.

This video indicates the iPhone doesn't break so easily but this is relative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czCCavcnNd8

I don't believe this limitation is two iPhones in your lifetime. Due to black market sales, Apple no longer accepts cash for iPhone sales and limits two per customer with each sale. I don't believe this would prevent someone from returning to the same Apple store the next day or to a different Apple store or purchasing two iPhones at an Apple store and another two at an AT&T store - especially for those interested in purchasing more than two iPhones as a gift or for multiple family members. It is usually the few that ruin things for the majority.

if that turns out to be the case i will be seriously **** off and will be contemplating my personal commitment to apple products as the foundation to my technology platforms both at home and at the office.

Boy I would need to be really upset to purchase a Windows PC for personal use. I've been forced to use the Windows platform at work and I'd go without a personal computer at home before doing so - I could never be that upset.

I've purchased nothing but Apple computers for personal use beginning with the Apple IIe which didn't have a hard drive but Apple doesn't "owe" me anything special for this. This was my choice because I consider the platform superior and Apple is usually well ahead of the curve and/or sets the bar in many areas.

Ansuz82 wrote:
Thats just not true. During the initial release they were only allowing buyers to purchase two at a time, but that was per visit. You can buy as many as you want at the stores now and there is no "lifetime" limit.

Actually, you can't buy as many as you want at a store now. The limit of 2 is back in place and you cannot pay with cash.

Due to black market sales, Apple no longer accepts cash for iPhone sales and limits two per customer with each sale. I

You probably meant "gray market". Black market is illegally avoiding taxes or selling stolen goods. Gray market is simply selling outside normal channels, and is not illegal.

The question is: does limiting mean enough of a jump in contractual users giving them monthly royalties, to offset the lost sales? I'd be surpised if so. Remember, over 15% of their sales was to people not willing to use the normal methods.

naturalone wrote:
has anyone that's answered my question actually asked an apple employee? just curious if any of these answers are 'official'.

Apple employees generally don't post here so you'll need to call Apple if you want an official response.

There was a two per customer limit on a per sales basis during the initial introduction which didn't prevent anyone from returning the next day to purchase two more. This limit was later removed and re-introduced not long ago along with Apple not accepting cash.

No I have not spoken with an Apple employee but if so and this employee tells me the opposite from what you are being told by the employee or employees at this particular Apple store, I'm not sure how this would help but common sense alone dictates this is not true. How would Apple go about enforcing a two iPhone limit per person for life? How would they prevent me from purchasing two from an AT&T store one day, two from another AT&T store or an Apple store the next day?

And this means if Apple introduces a new iPhone model next year which would be my 2nd iPhone purchase, I can no longer purchase another iPhone for the remainder of my life or does this apply to the current model only - only two purchases of a given iPhone model for life?

This makes absolutely no sense for a number of reasons.

Yes I did mean gray market but there are some probably selling or have sold multiple iPhones who are not paying taxes on the profit, etc. which by itself doesn't make it black.

The question is: does limiting mean enough of a jump in contractual users giving them monthly royalties, to offset the lost sales? I'd be surpised if so. Remember, over 15% of their sales was to people not willing to use the normal methods.

Not sure but I doubt Apple made such a decision on a whim but regardless, there is a percentage of iPhone's being sold to those not willing to use the normal methods so they are getting the best of both worlds in some respect.

I'm pretty sure the currency we use here in the ol' US of A specifically states "this note is legal tender for ALL debts public and private". So I've been wondering, how is it even legal for them to refuse cash?

And the 2 iPhone limit per person is laughable.

While the paper money is legal tender for all debts, each business has the right to decide on what forms of payment they choose to take.

http://www.treasury.gov/education/faq/currency/legal-tender.shtml

There is no federal law requiring you to accept US paper currency. There may be state laws but that is too broad a scope for this discussion.

Thats incorrect you can buy 2 per purchase in an Apple store its not 2 per lifetime I have already purchased 2 in the last 2 months and i have 1 more to purchase as a christmas gift. The limit is to cut down on people buying up 10 or 15 iphones at once and unlocking them in the process they would be depleting stock so if someone really wanted an iphone they wouldnt be able to buy one for the holidays.

++*only 2 per person per lifetime!?!?!? seriously?++*

*++Posted: Dec 3, 2007 1:58 PM Reply Email++*



*++my assistant is telling me that a person can only buy two iphones in their lifetime!??!?! i have broken two and am on my third. this must be a new rule, and if so then i won't be able to get another iphone. if that turns out to be the case i will be seriously **** off and will be contemplating my personal commitment to apple products as the foundation to my technology platforms both at home and at the office.++*

*++tell me it isn't so. i realize apple is doing so well, that even those of us who stuck with them through the tough times don't really matter anymore...but, **, this would be a real bummer, esp. for a phone with no insurance and one that breaks really easily.++*


Funny I see nothing in this that says Apple Store. I see Apple mentioned.
You canbuy the iPhone at an AT&T store.

Funny I see nothing in this that says Apple Store. I see Apple mentioned.

You need to read a little closer or read more than the first post - namely the OP's 2nd post in this thread which the following was copied from.

+no need to be an * about it. she double and triple checked. *that's what the employees at the apple store in sherman oaks are telling people.* so, my assistant isn't as much of an idiot as they are, if it's not true.+

That is 100% true!!!
*You can buy only 2 iphones in your LIFETIME!!*
I'd heard of that more than 4 times in Apple stores (New York) last month.
and you can pay only CASH so that Apple can have the records
Isn't that ridiculous???
I thought we are in a free market today

The 2 iphone is to limit them getting to the grey market. Once the phone is released world wide such a limit (if true) will be lifted.

My understanding was two per method of payment. You can buy two on a Visa, two or a Master Card etc... so the two per lifetime is false. The use of the CC as legal tender is a control for the grey market iphones