iPhone 4 Price

"money isn't the issue for me..."

Because dad is buying you whatever you want. The vast majority of us working for a living, and some of us are supporting our dads. When your father forces you to support yourself, your perspective is going to change.

I see Imagine Engine already posted a link.

If you click on purchase and follow that link you will find this:

"Is a new contract with AT&T required?

A new 2-year commitment with AT&T is required when starting your purchase online. Additionally, the Apple Retail Store offers a no-commitment iPhone for the full retail price."

A new 2-year commitment with AT&T is required when starting your purchase online.
Additionally, the Apple Retail Store offers a no-commitment iPhone for the full retail price."

Correct. That is for those folks that need to replace a lost or stolen phone. I fail to see why anyone would pay $400 to not have a contract, when the fee to end the contract is only $375 maximum, which decreases over time. You still have to have a credit rating, and a card to bill the monthly charges to.

The ETF is not something bad. It does not affect your credit if it is imposed (unless you don't pay). It is just a fee to end the contract early.

Thank you, I wouldn't have known I was correct without the affirmation. I wasn't posting it as I needed it, it was a response to Imagine Engine and Tamara regarding a link showing that you had to have a two year contract. Of course Tamara wasn't talking about Apple policy, she said that she read some material that AT&T was going to end the no commitment iPhone and still has not provided a link for that.

It isn't just for people to replace a lost or stolen phone, it is also for those that want to upgrade every year and have the money to do so, or want the freedom to sell it an switch whenever they want, etc.

I believe the ETF on AT&T for smartphones is $325.

It isn't just for people to replace a lost or stolen phone, it is also for those that want
to upgrade every year and have the money to do so\

Actually it depends on how much you spend monthly. I have two phones. I upgraded both of them at the one year point. One had the full subsidy price, the second I paid $200 extra to make the move (called an Early Upgrade fee). Very few people have to pay the full retail amount, unless it was lost or stolen (and then an insurance company is likely picking up the tab). Bottom line is, it is dumb to pay 599/699 for a new phone with new service. ATT will help you get in to the phone by paying the fee if you stay for two years. If you leave early, you will pay part of the fee on your departure. Pretty decent IMO.

Based on the Apple USA website Apple is only selling the iPhone on AT&T contracts subsidized. I don't see any option to buy one at full price in the USA whether at an Apple Retail Store, Apple Online Store or from AT&T.

The quote I provided you was directly from the Apple website. Of course they can't sell it at any price if they do not have them.

But if you are a single person without a family plan you will not be spending enough to qualify for early upgrades so you can pay $299 325$18=$642 or you can pay $699+$18 = $717, a $75 difference, and cancel whenever you want. Again, if you have the money and you are the type of person who does not want to go through a contract cancellation paying the full price allows you to upgrade whenever you choose. It may be dumb to you, but to others it is exactly what they want.

Consider to that canceling your contract and paying the ETF will also affect your credit rating, another reason to just pay full price and go month to month.

Neither option is "dumb" it is just a personal choice.

Consider to that canceling your contract and paying the ETF will also affect your
credit rating, another reason to just pay full price and go month to month.

No it won't. It is not a penalty, it is a standard option if you decide part way in, you want to cancel early. It will only affect your credit if you do not pay it and ATT sends you to collection. There is nothing bad about the ETF itself. That is why it makes no sense to not sign up for a contract. Besides, the ETF decreases every month you are on the service.

The only reason to pay the full price as far as I can see is that you're paying the early cancellation price in advance. If you're thinking of early cancellation going in, why even get an IP4?

You might want to recheck that, you are still breaking a contract and then paying back the subsidy on the phone. I believe they do report it to the credit bureaus. Personally, if I wasn't sure I wanted to stay with that phone or possibly that company, I'd rather not enter into a contract that I do not intend to keep. If I am month to month they do not have to charge me, I don't have to send them any money, I just stop and I am gone.

It only makes "no sense" to you in your situation. To others it makes perfect sense. To each their own, which is the point you can't seem to get.

You might want to recheck that, you are still breaking a contract and then paying back
the subsidy on the phone. I believe they do report it to the credit bureaus.

Nonsense. The ETF is the built-in, early out provision. Heck, most of us paid an ETF to our previous carrier to get on the iPhone train. It is just $$, nothing more.

Personally, if I wasn't sure I wanted to stay with that phone or possibly that company,
I'd rather not enter into a contract that I do not intend to keep.

That is included in the dumb part...

It only makes "no sense" to you in your situation. To others it makes perfect sense.

I fail to see a single case where it makes sense for anyone to do that with new service. At the very beginning, it costs $75 more. A few months in, the ETF is even less.

To each their own, which is the point you can't seem to get.

No I get that point clearly, it is just dumb to do that. But suit yourself, you can do whatever you want. AT&T will love you for it.

I am a dad and am trying to make ends meet. I bought my iPhone 4 and my 17 year old bought his. We are both happy with them.

Your post makes "no sense". You get the phone cheaper and if you decide to cancel early you still end up paying less than buying the phone without a contract.

And yes you have to pay for the service even if you don't have a contract. That WILL be reported to the credit bureau. And you will find yourself in court as well. And have a judgment against you.

When you pay the ETF you are essentially buying your way out of the contract and it will not be reported to the credit bureau.

<Edited by Host>