dumb question - how to buy an iPhone from an Apple store

buglawton

I want to physically walk into an Apple store and purchase an unlocked iPhone 4 - I don't want to mail order it. I means an hour's journey to Covent Garden but that's OK. Problem is this:

Really complicated info on the Apple site - do I really need to bring all these docs if I want to walk into a store and buy for cash - am UK resident but still puzzled as this page does not cover "I've got my own pay as you go SIM, (and know how to trim it to fit an iPhone) thanks":
http://www.apple.com/uk/retail/iphone/
...so how do I guarantee I've brought all the correct docs - or do I need them at all?

And then, I'm somewhat scared off by this Mail Online article of Sept last year - so the chance of a fruitless journey looms large:
Wondered why you couldn't find an Apple iPhone 4?
The Apple website just does not simply seem to have a page that states you can call to reserve one (or reserve online), they check the stock then you arrive at the store the next day and collect.

Anyone know the truth?

S0litaire

I've never bougth anything from an apple store but don't think it will be much different from other shops!

Just walk in and ask for a sim free one! (if you're buying in cash they *might* want to see a Credit/Debit card!)

As long as you've got the cash in hand or in your account, there should be nothing else they would need from you!

They will have them in store, (it's not like they have a HUGE range of products to store!) ^_^

Just tell them you already have a SIM (or micro-sim if it needs it) and just want a Sim-Free iPhone.

if they push, just say it's a present for someone and they you don't need anything else from them.

lr1277

I bought an iphone4 from the apple store at lakeside. I didn't need any docs as I was going to put a sim in later. The advantage of having the SIM at the time, is that the staff can help you set up certain things, if they have the time.

The main problem I find is getting the attention of a member of staff. They always seem to be busy with customers, but I normally go in at a busy time (7 - 8pm on a weekday).

First problem I found is that the first time I went, their network connection went down so they couldn't process card payments. They would sell you one for cash, but I wanted to pay by credit card so had to go in another day. (Minutes before I saw an assistant, they were taking card payments fine). I guess if you are only making the one trip, make sure you have access to cash, just in case.
The 2nd time I went in they had stock. The customer before me bought 8 Iphones (don't know which type), but they still got an iphone for me. And I paid by card.

HTH

NeverAgain_2

I've found staff in Apple shops to be friendly and helpful, in sharp contrast to those in most other High Street shops.

The OP gives a location of Thames Valley and writes of an hour's journey to Covent Garden.

I would call into a nearer Apple shop, there must be one.

macman

Make sure you know exactly what you want though, as DSR does not apply if you buy in-store.

Humphrey10

As others have said it's easy.
Just ring up the store to see if they have stock of the model you want, walk in the shop, pounce on the first free member of staff you see (finding one who isn't busy is often the hardest part), tell them what you want to buy. Beware they will try to sell you an extended warranty, decide beforehand if you want this or not.

Also, if you are going to use screen protectors, don't take the film off the iPhone screen until you have the screen protector ready to put on, or else you'll get dust etc on the screen and will have to clean it off before putting the screen protector on.

buglawton

Solved

While wondering around Reading today, staff in a mobile shop (where they admitted that they never have unlocked iPhones, just locked ones) told me that a new Apple shop had just opened yesterday in the Oracle (main Reading shopping centre)! Popped in there. Place packed and what seems like lots of staff drafted in from elsewhere. Was able to purchase the iPhone 4 white from stock and take away.

PS - it's Apple's own UK website that does them no favours. Why can't there be a simple page to reserve for later collection? Had there been, it would have no doubt warned me of the existence of the new Reading store.

prowla

You can get from Apple Store, or alternatively I think that Carphone Warehouse's phones are unlocked.

If you are looking at setting up a contract then you might need ID, but I don't see why if you are just getting a handset.

BTW, you don't have to buy from an Apple Store to get help from them; we've just had my son's iPod Touch replaced there (within warranty) that we bought from either Lewis's or Currys.

buglawton

CW seem to be saying that any iPhones they sell (even non-contract) would be locked to a network - but doing search on their site gives 0 results for PAYG iPhones.

macman

There's 3 iPhones on here:
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go/phone-finder

buglawton

Yes, each one locked to a different network!

Anyway, my Virgin SIM is now trimmed to micro SIM size and working in the unlocked iPhone. Virgin offer 25 MB of data on any one day for 30p. The data monitor on the iPhone allows an accurate gauging of whether this is likely to be enough. Since all images are compressed (in contrast to a home internet connection) it may well do, but going over will empty your payg balance as £2 per MB! Apparently, going Direct Debit will offer a better data tariff without this penalty.