Designed by Apple...As close as we are going to get?
Common Question: Where is the best place to buy an iPhone?
As there are a number of options I have decided to cover them below, giving you some pros and cons for each. Now I know that most people that visit this site will already have an iPhone, but if you already have a 2G or 3G and are moving up to a 3GS and looking around to figure out where to buy, hopefully this will help you out.
A lot of where you are going to buy will come down to which carrier you intend to go with. If you are going to go with XT or 2Degrees then you are probably best to buy from Vodafone Online or the Apple Online Store. If you are going to be a Vodafone customer then really anywhere would suit and it simply comes down to personal preference. Wherever you purchase your iPhone it will be “Factory unlocked” so you will be able to use any SIM card in it. Please note that I have based this on purchasing outright. Yes, there are ways of getting it cheaper by buying it on Vodafone account, then disconnecting, paying penalty fees and one months rental but this is based on outright price where all things are equal. If you sign up to Vodafone on a plan then yes you will get subsidised pricing.
Local Vodafone Store – If you are going on a plan or on prepay with Vodafone then you can just wander on in and walk out with your nice shiny new iPhone on the same day. If you are on Prepay (purchasing outright) then you’ll need to give Vodafone your details and they will check that you have been a Prepay customer for at least one month. You will also need to have topped up in the last 30 days, so top up at a dairy on the way if you have not. Vodafone no longer sell the iPhone outright from their stores to anyone unless you can prove you are a Vodafone customer and in an official comment from Vodafone they say “We have restricted sales of the phone in the raw (so to speak) to online only because of the number of iPhone 3G units we saw being sold and then moved offshore. Our agreement with Apple is focused solely on the New Zealand market so we have to take steps to ensure customers aren’t simply buying bulk supply of unlocked devices from Vodafone NZ and selling them in another territory.“ It is also an easy process should you have any warranty issues. If you are a Vodafone customer who wants/needs an iPhone and doesn’t want to wait then this is the option for you.
Vodafone Online – Buying from Vodafone online is a fairly straight forward process. You can get next day delivery and can purchase outright. There is a limit to one unit for outright purchases but is an option for those looking to another provider or on Prepay. Again, purchasing from Vodafone gives you the ease of having purchased from the “Official Carrier” should you have any warranty issues.
Apple Online – When Apple launched the 3GS in NZ they also enabled purchase online direct through their online store. They also made the iPhone $30 cheaper, thus undercutting Vodafone. There is a limit of two from the online store and you will have to wait for your delivery as the target is 5-7 days. There have been reports of people waiting over a week to get theirs and this could be because they are shipped from Australia. If you are happy to wait then this is the place for all non-Vodafone customers. It is $30 cheaper and you’ll be purchasing direct from Apple.
MagnumMac – MagnumMac (NZ’s closest relative to an Apple Store) are bound by the same rules as Vodafone Stores, i.e no outright sales. You need to be a Vodafone customer and must prove to them that you are by sending a text from your phone to Vodafone, who will send you a text back with your number to show to the salesperson. They will record your details and your SIM card number. Personally this is where I purchased from, I like MagnumMac and have always received good service from them. I like the feeling of supporting a local NZ company, however I have heard of people having problems when needing a warranty issue sorted as they don’t do the warranty repairs for the iPhone (it is outsourced to a 3rd party).
Australia/Overseas – Australian iPhones are also sold as unlocked, so you could get one from there and go through the rigmarole of claiming the tax back, thereby making it cheaper than buying it here, but there are a few drawbacks – You have to go to Australia to buy it (quite a biggie really) or know someone who is there that can get it for you and the other one is warranty issues:
From the iPhone 1 year limited Warranty T&C’s
“Apple may restrict service to the country where Apple or its authorized distributors originally sold the hardware product, and provide warranty service”
From the iPhone Applecare Extended T&C’s
“Apple may restrict service provided under this Plan to the Covered Equipment’s original country of purchase.”
The warranty is based on country of purchase and over here you may be required to show your receipt so personally I wouldn’t do it, just in case.
Overall where to buy:
If you are happy to wait then I would buy directly from Apple online regardless of which carrier you are going to use and get a $30 discount.
If you need it now and are going to go with Vodafone, then either MagnumMac or Vodafone Store are your best choice.
If you intend to connect with any other carrier but don’t want the possible delays of the Apple Online Store then the Vodafone Online Store is for you.
Pricing:
Vodafone Store/Online/MagnumMac
3GS 16Gb – $1179
3GS 32GB – $1379
3G 8Gb – $979
Apple Online store:
3GS 16Gb -$1149
3GS 32GB – $1349
3G 8Gb -$950
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I had ordered my iPhone 3Gs Last October ONLINE and was surprised to get it in hand in 48hrs. The reason to purchase it online was (a) it was less expensive (b) I did not want to sign any disclaimer forms. (c) I DONT LIKE VODAFONE.
(alopes has made 19 comments)