Apple now selling iPhones online in bid to clear inventory

[AppleInsider]

In the latest sign that iPhone season is rapidly approaching and inventories of existing models need a push out the door, Apple is now offering to sell customers an iPhone 3G through its website and ship it out for free.

The move is an extension of the Cupertino-based company's Buy iPhone website, which until recently offered customers the option to pre-approving themselves for a AT&T wireless account, select a calling plan, and then driving down to their local Apple Store to pick up their newly reserved handset.

In an update to the site discovered this week, Apple now says customers can "order directly from the Apple Online Store and have your new iPhone shipped free to your door." Pricing remains the same at $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model.

The offer, which is available to new AT&T subscribers, is noteworthy given that Apple made a point of halting online sales of the handset when it transitioned to the iPhone 3G from the original iPhone. The move was designed to help stifle the grey market for iPhones, which thrived off people buying the phones in bulk in the U.S., unlocking them from AT&T's network, and then exporting them overseas.

With the iPhone now offered in approximately 80 countries, new models expected in the next few months, and billing information now required online, Apple appears to be tapping the popularity and connivence of its online store to help rid its warehouses of any overstock ahead of those new models.

Marketing chief Phil Schiller has made no secret that Apple plans to refresh its iPhone family of handsets each year, specifying June as the time when customers should put an ear out for news on the latest advancements.

Apple is currently beta testing iPhone Software 3.0, which is expected to ship on any new handsets the company announces this spring. It's promised the software for a "summer" release.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[DimMok]

Geez Apple dont do us any favors.....they should be cutting the prices soon.....just wait.

[BenRoethig]

So, in other words, we are back to pretty much the same buying options that we were with the 2G.

[themoonisdown09]

I can't imagine buying an iPhone 3G right now with all the evidence leading to a summer release of a new iPhone. I guess some people don't really care about that, but I do.

[rg_spb]

Since when is June Spring?! And if Apple really wanted to clear the old stock out they'd drop the price...and I don't mean by $5.

[teckstud]

...but twice the thickness and lousy AT&T 3G- still no thank you. I pity the fool who buys now. And why couldn't people buy 3G this way in the first place?

[OriginalMacRat]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

The move was designed to help stifle the grey market for iPhones, which thrived off people buying the phones in bulk in the U.S., unlocking them from AT&T's network, and then exporting them overseas.

What a great example of Apple missing out on sales to a LARGE market that wants nothing to do with locked phones.

[macnyc]

Originally Posted by teckstud

...but twice the thickness and lousy AT&T 3G- still no thank you. I pity the fool who buys now. And why couldn't people buy 3G this way in the first place?

You really need to find something positive to do with your life. Being on here 24/7 complaining about everything cannot be healthy.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by macnyc

You really need to find something positive to do with your life. Being on here 24/7 complaining about everything cannot be healthy.

It's a lot healthier than ranting on others as only you know how to do.
So order yourself an iPhone now then- make yourself happy.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

So, in other words, we are back to pretty much the same buying options that we were with the 2G.

Not the same. With the first iPhone you ordered without signing up for AT&T (you sign up in iTunes when you get the phone). Now, you have to sign up for the 2 year contract at ordering time. You have to provide your information including SSN before you they can ship you the iPhone.

[xt500n]

in europe ( austria) you can get an iphone for 1 euro for half a year now..
data plans are cheaper than in the us..

carrier competition is urgently needed in the home of capitalism...

[MacShack]

What an offer!
</sarcasm>

Well that's no way to clear inventory, now is it? I hoped for more sharper prized iPhones. Then again they mustn't get a cheap image either. I'm just waiting for the new iPhone. I just want to see steve balmers face again. But then crying over his misery. And the rest of the market trying to play catch up.

[Rot'nApple]

Instead of the vacationing kids saying, "Are we there yet?", "Are we there yet?", "Are we there yet?"... They will be saying, "Is it June yet?", "Is it June yet?", "Is it June yet?"...

[fishstick_kitty]

<sarcasm>WOW, that's big of apple..how exciting</sarcasm>

[Tauron]

As long as the iphone remains with AT&T I will not even consider buying one.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Tauron

As long as the iphone remains with AT&T I will not even consider buying one.

Thanks for reminding me- I'm being tempted for a new 3.0.
I will wait and see how the reviews are for everything reglated to the phone call itself- clarity, dropped calls ,etc.
It is there where it always comes up below average in reviews here in NYC.

[Pooch]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

[...] Apple appears to be tapping the popularity and connivence of its online store to help rid its warehouses of any overstock ahead of those new models.

i think connivance sums it up. freudian slip?

[Chris Cuilla]

Originally Posted by rg_spb

Since when is June Spring?!

Since June 21st became the summer solstice.

[brucep]

Originally Posted by rg_spb

Since when is June Spring?! And if Apple really wanted to clear the old stock out they'd drop the price...and I don't mean by $5.

......READ THE FINE PRINT

dude,,,,,, i did ,,, you also get a free zune with your iphone !!!!








lol

[cameronj]

Originally Posted by teckstud

...but twice the thickness and lousy AT&T 3G- still no thank you. I pity the fool who buys now. And why couldn't people buy 3G this way in the first place?

Whose 3G service does the iPod have?

[pmz]

Originally Posted by Tauron

As long as the iphone remains with AT&T I will not even consider buying one.

Shame for you.

I hate AT&T, but only because I consider their entire iPhone business model criminal.

Service wise, no room to complain. 3G works beautifully I've dropped maybe 2 calls in a year, and it was driving through a dead zone.

People who complain about AT&T always do so for the wrong reasons. There are plenty of legitimate reasons though.

[pmz]

Originally Posted by Chris Cuilla

Since June 21st became the summer solstice.

win.

So the earliest release is likely june 22-july 10....

......just like the last two years in a row! What a shocker.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Thanks for reminding me- I'm being tempted for a new 3.0.
I will wait and see how the reviews are for everything reglated to the phone call itself- clarity, dropped calls ,etc.
It is there where it always comes up below average in reviews here in NYC.

i live in NYC and my wife never complains about her iphone. i have a BB from sprint from work and the coverage is horrible. Verizon is OK. my wife has had verizon phones since 2000 and it always depended on the phone. one phone was OK, next phone had horrible coverage and the final one she had before she went iphone received a good signal almost everywhere

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by Pooch

i think connivance sums it up. freudian slip?

HAH! Brilliant. ... Here in Malaysia, the exclusive telco for the iPhone3G, "Maxis", started out with fairly high data/contract plans, then now is offering buying the handset alone for tourists, soon they will offer prepaid options, which all essentially means... Maxis moving towards selling the handset just by itself. In Malaysia the iPhone3G, like Singapore, is fully factory unlocked.

It's all fun and games having contracts, lock-ins, high prices, until the time when you look and your inventory, and go, "OH, F*K that's a lot of crap sitting around, with more on the way from the factories..."

For reference, handset-only recommended retail prices in Malaysia are
~USD $700 for 8GB
~USD $800 for 16GB
[Local warranties only]

I can't comment on the details of how to obtain these, as the guidelines on how iPhone3G is being sold by Maxis seems to change on an almost daily basis and depending on whether you get it at a retail outlet or a "roadshow", or through an Apple reseller...

[nvidia2008]

Originally Posted by Rot'nApple

Instead of the vacationing kids saying, "Are we there yet?", "Are we there yet?", "Are we there yet?"... They will be saying, "Is it June yet?", "Is it June yet?", "Is it June yet?"...

Is it Snow Leopard yet?
Is it new iPhone 3G yet?
Is the xMac out yet?
Is GPGPU consumer apps for my 9400M out yet?
Are better GPU options for Mac Pro out yet?
Is there price drops on Macs yet?
Is Steve back yet?

and...

I spilt my ice cream in the backseat.

[Lancelot9201]

Until I can buy a new iPhone from Apple that's unlocked so I can pick my own provider you won't see me buying a new phone. At&T's price gouging is unacceptable to me & should be to anyone who values getting a good cellular plan that's in line with other companies. T-Mobile currently offers a $135 rebate for those that need to port over another number, a college student discount, free activation, plus unlimited minutes, 200 text & unlimited Internet (edge only) for less than $50.00 -- Yes this figure is correct because that's what I pay & my iPhone performs great -- Oh, I forgot to add that I bought a 3G that's in perfect condition & still under warranty for $250.00, not the $400 or $500 figure that some will use in an attempt to justify their $100 per month plan & the 45 cents per minute overage charges they face every month..

[simpleleap]

I can't wait until the iPhone is available from other service providers. I don't even like the concept of unlocking my phone for a cheaper service.

As for the bid to clear inventory, I wonder if Amazon will have any specials on these.

[Tauron]

Originally Posted by simpleleap

I can't wait until the iPhone is available from other service providers. I don't even like the concept of unlocking my phone for a cheaper service.

As for the bid to clear inventory, I wonder if Amazon will have any specials on these.

+1

Whoever signs any deal with AT&T is really stupid.

[Footloose301]

Originally Posted by Tauron

+1

Whoever signs any deal with AT&T is really stupid.

Please elaborate.

Millions have been more than satisfied with AT&T, including myself. Pretty sure Apple is making a pretty big dent in the cell phone market as well. I bought the original iPhone when it came out and I then bought the 3G the day it came out because I am happy with the service. I have had ZERO problems with AT&T.