(Sold Out) Refurbished Apple iPhone 8GB /w 2 Year Activation for $249

[Spoofee]

ATT.com is offering a refurbished Apple iPhone 8GB /w 2 year activation with AT&T for only $249.

They also have 16GB ones for $349

Apple refurbished items have a good reputation.
Here is a video review from CNet

Regular Price for New : $399

1. ATT Price : $249 Shipped
2. AT&T Requires activation on the site

[Leomon]

I heard the rumor about iPhone price cut this summer or Q3.
$100 price drop on its 8GB and 16Gb model.

New 32GB will be here.

[Stan DaMann]

Apple refurbished items have a good reputation.

That is true but who did the refurbing on these? AT&T or APPLE? The site has a load of refurbed phones also and I know Apple doesn't refurb all those phone brands (Nokia, Sony, Samsung, LG, etc)

If the iPhone is refurbed by AT&T, I'm really not interested...

Anyone know?

[dangster]

That is true but who did the refurbing on these? AT&T or APPLE? The site has a load of refurbed phones also and I know Apple doesn't refurb all those phone brands (Nokia, Sony, Samsung, LG, etc)

If the iPhone is refurbed by AT&T, I'm really not interested...

Anyone know?

I don't think AT&T has the ability to refurbish returned phones, especially not the iPhone. Repairing hardware like that would require the expertise of the manufacturer, not the 3rd party.

[Stan DaMann]

Right...right...however, how is it that Apple themselves are selling this iPhone refurbed for $100 more than AT&T?

Look here...

:sus:

[Kage_]

I can almost guarantee that it's Apple doing they repair. They are very picky about who works on there hardware. It's one of the reasons they maintain such a high quality for their products new and referb.

[Mateo1041]

I will never buy a phone from a company that partners with a single monopoly. Stupid. Not to mention I've had a ton of trouble with AT&T in the past. It's really too bad as these phones have a lot of appeal.

[Uleepera]

Does anyone know if the IPhone comes with a Calender or some sort of agenda tracker?

[Uleepera]

Right...right...however, how is it that Apple themselves are selling this iPhone refurbed for $100 more than AT&T?

Look here...

:sus:

AT&T Makes their money on the backend from the contract.. thus they can afford to break even or even take a loss when selling the phone.

[bakntime]

Right...right...however, how is it that Apple themselves are selling this iPhone refurbed for $100 more than AT&T?

Look here...

:sus:

They make their money on the two year contract. And then most people don't just cancel after the two years, they keep the service. It's the razor and the blades or the inkjet printer and the ink theory.

It's the same reason that cell phone companies give away free phones with their contracts. They lose money on the phone but more than make it up with the contracts.

Cell phone, internet, cable, and sattellite companies are making more money than they know what to do with. Even at the cheaper end of these services you pay $50/month = $600/year per customer. Wow.

[Stan DaMann]

I certainly want to thank everyone for their replies - very informative.

I'm also considering buying one "unlocked" so this contract with AT&T will not be another 2-year commitment but I read all kinds of "jailbreak", "installer" and numerous other titles + cutting sim cards, etc.. that apparently are needed to maintain an unlocked iPhone..

I've looked things up but frankly, I'm confused...

[Stan DaMann]

I just looked and the iPhone is gone....

:convinced:

[nick]

I just looked and the iPhone is gone....

:convinced:

It has been gone since the first night it was posted...
I could never find it on there.

[Stan DaMann]

Well I got to see it on their site but apparently I should have snatched it up then...

You know what they say..."You snooze, you lose...."

[whttgr]

so this contract with AT&T will not be another 2-year commitment

The only way to not have a 2-year commitment is to not have a 2-year contract. you would have to sign up without a contract if they allow you to do that.

but I read all kinds of "jailbreak", "installer" and numerous other titles + cutting sim cards, etc.. that apparently are needed to maintain an unlocked iPhone..

A locked phone mean that the phone is programed to work with only one carrier. If you were to put a sim card from another carrier (T-Mobile) into the phone it would not work - it would be like using it with no card - no service. This is the other side of the 2-year contract / losing money on the phones. Carriers do this so that when they sell you a phone at a loss they have some level of control that it can only be used with them (meaning you are paying them).

An unlocked phone is one that can be used on any (compatible) carrier. You enter a code on the phone that removes this programmed lockout. Then you can take the unlocked phone and put any (active) sim card in it and have service. Unlocking a phone is a one time deal. Once it has been unlocked it will work the same as before except that it will now be able to use sim cards from other carriers.

Some carriers will unlock phones for free. I think TMobile will unlock the phone after you have had it for 90 days or something like that. Another thing you can do is tell them you are going to another country and want to be able to use your phone with a rented sim card.