I am somewhat disturbed by this whole payment with credit card for the iPhone. I don't understand why cash will not be accepted!

Is someone trying to match iPhone purchases to contacts or in the case of hacked iPhone's lack of contracts?

If you purchase an iPhone in an Apple, t-mobile, orange, o2 or AT&T store, you have to pay with a CC. Then when you sign up through iTunes for the contract is an attempt to match the iPhone purchase to the signing of an official contract?

This surely couldn't be the case, and if it is the case, is there a violation of some law? I provide credit card details in good faith to a store and I do not expect them to be shared with a third party! So if I purchase from Orange, I would hope that Orange would not inform Apple that John Doe, from the darkside of the moon, purchased an iphone using credit card XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX! Then Apple could identify me when I log in with my Apple ID!!!!

Because you only can purchase 2 Phones per CC and they use this system to track it.

Because they are afraid of us.

I don't think they are actively comparing purchases to activations. What would be the point? If they are allowing you buy up to 2 iPhones per credit card it's not likely you're going to activate both on the same credit card/AT&T account anyways - one of them is probably a gift or something.

I think it's most likely they are trying to create a means by which to limit the flow of iPhones into the 'grey' market - ie, us.

Sure, a few people will buy a phone or two and unlock them personally. Fair enough and that seems to be a chance Apple is willing to take with their policy.

What they're trying to protect against is the guys who are buying 500 phones at once.

Originally Posted by SimplePanda

I don't think they are actively comparing purchases to activations. What would be the point? If they are allowing you buy up to 2 iPhones per credit card it's not likely you're going to activate both on the same credit card/AT&T account anyways - one of them is probably a gift or something.

I think it's most likely they are trying to create a means by which to limit the flow of iPhones into the 'grey' market - ie, us.

Sure, a few people will buy a phone or two and unlock them personally. Fair enough and that seems to be a chance Apple is willing to take with their policy.

What they're trying to protect against is the guys who are buying 500 phones at once.

This makes a lot of sense. But, I could walk into any store today and purchase 2 iphones, then do the same tomorrow and the same the next day. They can't restrict the number of iphones I purchase overall, but can in one visit. This could just as easily be achieved with cash also!

Is there a more sinister explanation!

Originally Posted by tiny_r

This makes a lot of sense. But, I could walk into any store today and purchase 2 iphones, then do the same tomorrow and the same the next day. They can't restrict the number of iphones I purchase overall, but can in one visit. This could just as easily be achieved with cash also!

Is there a more sinister explanation!

actually as far as I know you can't go in day after day and keep buying iphones, the limit is per CC not per CC per visit.
If you'll try to buy more phones they'll tell you that you have to activate at least one of them first with AT&T.

Or maybe because they like plastic! it's good for your heart and good for your tummy!

Originally Posted by elan22

actually as far as I know you can't go in day after day and keep buying iphones, the limit is per CC not per CC per visit.
If you'll try to buy more phones they'll tell you that you have to activate at least one of them first with AT&T.

In this case they are keeping records of our transactions. I guess there is allowed if we choose to purchase items with a CC, however is there not a limit! I recall a recent news item about a well known retail outlet.

Also the point was made that if you try and purchase an more than two iPhones, then you'd be told that you need to activate one of the original purchases. How would they know it wasn't activated if they are not cross referencing contracts and iPhone sales....

There is something very strange with this requirement. It does not make sense. Personally I prefer to use CC for purchases (90 days etc...) and maybe its just a conspiracy theory ATM.

My question is probably flawed, but my thought was that the dollar bill is LEGAL TENDER, so how can they theoretically refuse cash?

What does LEGAL TENDER mean if something for sale cannot be purchased with it? Or is a CC the same as cash, thought they were different but provide the same end result.

Sorry .,., but this has been answered a lot of times.!!! APPLE can legally refuse CASH.! they can even legally refuse to do business with you