One iPhone per person at AT&T stores

If you're planning to stand in line for an iPhone at an AT&T store, or if you're already there, understand that you can only buy one of those babies this weekend.

AT&T will only be selling one iPhone per person this weekend at this downtown San Francisco store, according to AppleInsider.

(Credit: Corrine Schulze/CNET Networks)

AppleInsider received an e-mail from AT&T informing potential customers that it's one-and-done for iPhone purchases starting this Friday at 6 p.m., at least at the onset. Apple is also expected to limit purchases, but the company hasn't said how many devices you'll be allowed to take home. Neither company's Web site appears to have that info at the moment.

That could be bad news for anybody planning to flip an iPhone on eBay or Craigslist this weekend for a profit--that is, assuming you actually wanted one for yourself. At either $499 or $599, that's quite the upfront investment, but several folks tried to do the same thing with PlayStation 3s last winter. Since the iPhone isn't actually activated until you take it home and hook it up to the Internet, it should be easy to sell a deactivated iPhone, assuming there's no purchase contract that would preclude you from doing that.

[nortearbor]

1 for 1

actually, I think that is a good policy for Apple and AT&T to implement. it protects the brand and lowers the likelyhood of others hording on Apple/AT&T's venture. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the phone at this time. Yet, there may be be benefits in waiting for version 2, for the next model will have the GPS chip. see: http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2007/01/15/gps-navigation-on-iphone/

[setyree]

iPhone

I would get the new iPhone but don't know if I am going to keep my service since I had such a terrible time getting my $750 deposit back. Took 9mo to get it back. Lots of lies and run around before I finally got it.

[NCNSolutions]

There is a contract...

AT&T has already said that all iPhones require a new 2-year service agreement. That was announced over a month ago.

So by the time someone buys an iPhone for $499, signs the 2-year agreement, cancels the agreement and pays the $250 early term fee, and gets the phone up on ebay, they're already out $750-$800! Now add on the time they took to wait in line, drive to the store, and wait on the phone to deActivate the service. You're looking at a total cost of over $1000. And FINALLY you need to justify all of this time and effort, so add on another $500 for profit.

Frankly if anyone is willing to buy an iPhone for $1500, then please contact me asap, I have a nice bridge I'd like to sell you.

[jjesusfreak01]

Im not sure thats completely accurate...

Apparently, from what I have seen of the activation video, the 2 year contract is required to activate and begin syncing the phone. You have to setup or link it to an iTunes account when doing this. If you dont sign up for a network contract, then the phone can pretty much do nothing. Maybe im wrong, we'll see...