I am selling my 3GS to someone, if they sign up for ATT do they need to sign contract?

[bobright]

so im selling my 3GS on ebay and had a couple questions.

i am not selling the phone unlocked or jailbroken just as is w/ no sim card.

what i want to know is if someone buys the phone and wants service through ATT are they required to sign a contract? i figure they wouldnt need to sign a contract as theyll have the phone already maybe im wrong

[cpjr]

If they already have ATT service, no.

If they are a new customer, yes.

[eserfeliz]

so im selling my 3GS on ebay and had a couple questions.

i am not selling the phone unlocked or jailbroken just as is w/ no sim card.

what i want to know is if someone buys the phone and wants service through ATT are they required to sign a contract? i figure they wouldnt need to sign a contract as theyll have the phone already maybe im wrong

From what I understand, if you go to a retail store to activate service on a phone not under contract, it is at the discretion of the store manager whether or not to make you sign a new contract. The trouble is finding a store manager willing to give you service sans contract.

[GenesisDH]

If all else fails, then s/he should sign the contract and grab a cheap/free phone, swap over to the iPhone and sell the other phone. But that's just an idea.

I've known of people going in and doing a COE (Customer Owned Equipment) activation, but it probably does depend on the manager's intent. One's milage may vary.
Besides, activations, even if they aren't w/ contract, still earn them commission, so I doubt they'll just turn the new no-contract customer away and risk the commission loss.

[PWNsyst3m]

I just got a no contract plan on AT&T with a 3gs I bought from eBay. I explained I wanted to save my upgrade for an iPhone 4 in a few months (waiting for the hysteria to calm) and she said she could try but it never worked before. Luckily it went through and now i can upgrade whenever i want. It was unlocked by ultrasn0w I don't know if that would do anything.

[lunercrab]

yeah i was wondering the same thing...i'm on tmo, and i know they offer non-contract service...i really wanna try att, but i'd hate to have to sign up for two years...att does offer 30 day trial period though right that i could cancel if i find the service doesn't cut it for me...

[GenesisDH]

yeah i was wondering the same thing...i'm on tmo, and i know they offer non-contract service...i really wanna try att, but i'd hate to have to sign up for two years...att does offer 30 day trial period though right that i could cancel if i find the service doesn't cut it for me...

Last I recall AT&T still had the 30-day remorse policy. Might be worth looking into.

The caveat on this is that you can't be considered a new customer for 90 days if you cancel. SO, you can't sign up, cancel in 30 days, and go back and buy a cheap iPhone for 3 months.

[IUiPodRepair]

If they already have ATT service, no.

If they are a new customer, yes.

You can sign up for the no commitment plan, no contract required. I am currently under it and can get out whenever I want.

[ianbroste]

You can sign up for the no commitment plan, no contract required. I am currently under it and can get out whenever I want.

True, however it doesn't make much sense financially for the vast majority of iPhone users.

[GenesisDH]

True, however it doesn't make much sense financially for the vast majority of iPhone users.

For the OP's question, it make a lot of sense.

[ianbroste]

For the OP's question, it make a lot of sense.

Touche. Got caught up in the other posts.

[bruincdc]

As a Store Manager for AT&T you absolutely do not sign a contract if you bring in your own equipment. The contract is tied to a discount received on equipment not to service. If you receive a discount on new equipment then you sign a 2 yr contract.