This was sent our way along with a tip saying almost a dozen people had successfully processed US apple.com iPhone 3G S orders using this hack to avoid AT&T’s online contract sign-up.

It doesn’t get you the subsidized $199/$299 price, nor an unlocked iPhone, of course, so don’t get too excited.

We have no idea if it actually works either — if orders placed this way will actually ship, or if AT&T goons in black will show up at your door for a little curb-stomping contract reminder. We obviously can’t condone it either, so we link to it strictly for educational and entertainment sake, knowing our readers are all responsible adults. Right?

Check out iTalkiPhone for the details…

At launch, Apple sent all US iPhone customers on trip to their local Apple Store or AT&T kiosk. Now, some 10 months post-release, Engadget has discovered that Apple will finally sell you your iPhone online and… still make you walk/drive on over to your local Apple for pick up and activation. send it directly to you instead of making you schlep to the Apple store. (Story updated, sorry for the mix up)