Comments on: Want a Legit Unlocked iPhone 3GS 32GB? Got $999

By: Phil

Phil — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:01:34 +0000

Interesting article.. I've had really good luck with JAB Cellular (http://www.jabcellular.com) with my past two cell phone purchases... Just my .02

By: andromaeda

andromaeda — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:34:51 +0000

I took the plunge and spent about US$872 (I got a refund on the tax at the airport) on a 32gb 3GS in the Chadstone Apple Store in Australia; and about US$737 on a 16gb. And these are including tax. When I left Australia, I signed up at the TRS (Tourist Refund Scheme) desk to have my credit card credited for the tax.

It's better to get it yourself the next time you visit countries that sell unlocked iPhones in their Apple Stores. Because I bought 4 phones (2 units limit per person, but my partner bought 2 as well) and even when I resell them to family at home, I still charge a markup for credit card interest and a "fee" for the trouble I went through to go and get it (even though I went to Australia to watch a musical; the iPhones were just a bonus).

By: lovemagic

lovemagic — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:12:04 +0000

I've seen better deals from US sellers for unlocked iPhone 3Gs. http://www.computersncs.com/rd_p?p=186122&t=9544&a=29670-theiphoneblog&gift=29670 not sure about the warranty though..Apple stores might fix it if you pay through the roof.

By: JMM

JMM — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:56:00 +0000

It's $899 at buy.com for the 16 gig

By: JMM

JMM — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:51:19 +0000

MONTO:

Would you contact me please?

atm2x "no spam" @softbank "no spam" .ne.jp

By: Monto

Monto — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:05:58 +0000

I can walk into any Apple Store in Australia to buy an official unlocked iphone outright, or order one online and have it shipped to any Australian address. 16GB 3GS is $AUD879 or around USD$740 with today's exchange rate.

If there are enough interest I might start selling them on Ebay and make some pocket money!

There seems to be a lot more choices here - All 5 mobile phone carriers are selling iphone here FREE and the cheapest 24 month plan starts from AUD $54 a month. It sucks to have only AT&T as the only choice in US.

By: JMM

JMM — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:16:29 +0000

Truth: Do you have a 3 GS? If so, how much did you spend? How much will you have spent in 2 yrs?

With an Unlocked 3 GS I can have internet access for $.40/hr and do 100 texts for the same amount! CHEAP!

How much is the buy.com's shipping?

All those ebay sellers selling officially unlocked 3 GS's say they are covered by Apple for one yr.. so that's Bull?

THNX

By: Truth

Truth — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:09:07 +0000

Anybody who spends over $600 for an Iphone is insane.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:01:10 +0000

I bought 10 of the neverlocked iPhone the day they came out in Australia as I was flying home later that day and knew the international traveling iPhone market was pretty ripe. I sold the first 2 for $2000, the rest for between 850-1200 (all were the 16gb version). As for warranty, they are only covered in the original country of purchase, but you can mail them to Apple Australia to get them serviced. Return shipping is free I wish I had bought more but already doubled the 'launch limit' of 5.

By: Janchai

Janchai — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:21:53 +0000

I just bought iPhone 3GS 32GB in Hong Kong last week for about $810.

By: jbrandonf

jbrandonf — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:12:40 +0000

Bah. I'll sell you my slightly used soft-unlocked iPhone 16GB 3GS for $750.

By: icebike

icebike — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:59:02 +0000

I wonder if Buy.Com is assuming the warranty for these phones, since Apple will deny service to out-of-country phones. This is one thing you guys quoting overseas prices fail to consider. If it breaks, you are in a world of hurt.

While these prices may seem like a total rip off, I'm not so sure they are.

If BUY.com has to import phones and assume the warranty costs, and be prepared to return the phone to country of origin for service they may not have as much of a retail profit margin as you think.

The average selling for 16/32 iPhones is 574/674 US$ Thats what APPLE gets.

Source: See the bottom chart here: http://financial-alchemist.blogspot.com/2009/07/apple-inc-aapl-iphones-substantial.html

The retailers (att/rogers/o2) subsidize these phones over the life of the contract to achieve the in-store prices.

With no contract, the retailers have to sell the phone at a profit, so its hard to see BUY getting them from resellers for less than 700/800. After shipping, importing fees, etc., there does not seem to be a lot of retail markup left.

Now if BUY has negotiated a deal with Apple directly (perhaps in Australia) they might be given a little more margin, but not much).

By: Happy 3gs

Happy 3gs — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:04:51 +0000

Or get a 16gb from AT&T for 199. My 2g was a great phone but for 199 the 3GS is great.

By: EUEUEUEUEUEU

EUEUEUEUEUEU — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:19:45 +0000

same thing for Greece 599/699 for 16/32 unlocked

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:05:16 +0000

Or even better get it from Australia unlocked direct from apple for AUD 1049 (EUR 612, USD 883). Buy.com is ripping you off!!

By: snowcrash

snowcrash — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:23 +0000

If you happen to travel to Italy this summer you can try any vodafone or TIM shop and get an officially unlocked iPhone 3GS for EUR 599 (16GB) or EUR 719 (32GB). However, you might have to look for a long time as they might simply refuse to sell you one since they prefer to sell you a contract. The easier way might be to go to a general electronics shop instead.