AT&T begins personal iPhone shipments
updated 11:35 am EST, Thu December 11, 2008
AT&T online iPhone orders
AT&T is now offering personal online shipments of the iPhone 3G, according to an announcement on its website. Buyers have traditionally had to pick up the phone from an Apple or AT&T store, regardless of whether they had completed an online registration or bought a gift card. This is because Apple switched to a policy of requiring in-store activation, as a means of disrupting unlocking for unofficial carriers.
Through AT&T's website, however, people can now have an iPhone shipped directly to their home, after completing registration online and agreeing to a two-year contract. The company is additionally promising overnight shipping, so long as a phone is ordered before 4PM Central time. The strategy appears aimed at accelerating holiday shopping, as AT&T notes that there are only eight days left to guarantee shipping before December 24th.
buy before you try?
12/11, 12:20pm reply
This is an interesting development. I don't know what the laws are on "distance selling" in the USA but in the UK and many European countries, items sold online or through any form of mail-order or telephone sales classify as a "distant sale" with an automatic return policy of between seven and fourteen days. How does this work if you sign up to a contract "before' you receive the item? Is there an "opt out" or cooling-off period without liability or penalty?
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
US policy
12/11, 05:08pm reply
"Is there an "opt out" or cooling-off period without liability or penalty?" Yes. All cell phone plans in the US have to allow opting out within 30 days of signing up. They can pro-rate the usage, but no penalty is allowed.
bauhaus
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2003