The best way to avoid embarrassing public counter-rage when it's finally your turn to purchase iPhone 3G is to prepare like a trained ninja. Weather you wait in long sweaty lines on July 11th or choose to hold off until the insanity dies down sometime in September, you will need to be armed with the facts. Here are the iPhone Savior's Top 5 things new customers should know before showing up at AT&T to purchase your iPhone 3G.
1 iPhone 3G goes on sale at 8 A.M. with a one per person limit imposed on all customers during the initial launch to ensure everybody gets a fair chance to own pure genius. No Cash will be accepted. Your purchase will require the use of a debit or credit card. In-store activation is mandatory.
2 A basic credit check will be required along with a photo ID and Social Security number. To save time, AT&T suggests visiting the store where you will purchase iPhone 3G, prior to July 11, for a pre-qualifying credit check. Expect to pay a deposit if your personal credit sucks or you have no credit history.
3 A two year contract (prison sentence) is required by AT&T along with an additional $36 activation fee for your new service. Business customers must go to an AT&T store.
4 To Port (transfer) your existing phone number you will need to provide your account information as it appears on record with your current service provider, which includes: Account number, Name of the account holder, Account holder’s SSN or Tax ID, Billing address, PIN or password (if applicable). Information provided must exactly match your current service provider’s records. Any mismatch in the data will delay your port. Check the port eligibility of your number here.
5 Pre-Selecting your iPhone model will save drooling time at the counter in front of a sales geek. the Black iPhone comes in 8GB for ($199) and 16GB for ($299). The 'White Boy' iPhone comes in 16GB only for ($299) offering that feeling of smug superiority.
Before having your number ported, check and clear your voicemail. Any existing voicemail messages, no matter how romantic they are, will be lost once your new phone is activated. Expect roughly three hours or so for your number transfer to take effect.
For extra personal safety, don't admit to anyone in line that you're from New Jersey or that you've seen 'Hairspray' on Broadway four times. Avoid wearing a costume of any kind, especially Star Wars themed. Remember for Job's sake, you're attending a worship service on one of the holiest days for the cult of iPhone faithful. Be filled with excitement, but don't act like a total ass clown.
Finally, look over AT&T rate plans on their Get iReady site so your super sales nerd can flip you quickly because they're paid commission. Try not to loose your friggin mind counting down every minute until the iPhone 3G launch sequence has been initiated. Here's a link to an iPhone 3G countdown widget if you insist on torturing yourself. I will keep an eye out for you on the other side of your brand new life of cult bliss.
Apple has also confirmed an 8 A.M. Launch Time on July 11th
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