Not Eligible for 3G Subsidized Pricing? Try this!

Don’t have an iPhone 3G yet because you are scared of that $399 pricetag? I would be too. Why pay double the price of what everyone else is paying? Now you don’t have to. I have found a simple loophole that will allow you to instantly become eligible for the $199 or $299 subsidized price even if you are not upgrade eligible and are not an owner of a first gen iPhone. The best part is that this doesn’t take much time at all as long as you know what you are doing, and you can take care of this on the way to the Apple or AT&T store. DISCLAIMER: Although it has been proven to work, this is just a tip. BuyMeAniPhone.com is not responsible for anything that happens to your account as a result of this process. BuyMeAniPhone.com does not encourage deceitful acts against your carrier, but if you’re desperate and it doesn’t bother your conscience, use at your own risk!!

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, learn how to take advantage of the lack of knowledge of AT&T’s Customer Service after the jump!!

First off, I hope the disclaimer didn’t scare you. I’m just making sure we can’t get into trouble by releasing this info. I don’t want Omar mad at me because the AT&T Feds come breaking down his door. As far as I know, the following is a legit method. At least that is what the AT&T rep told me on July 10. The convo was recorded also so I’m covered. Moving on….

I know many of you read about my battle with AT&T to get eligible for the subsidized pricing the day before launch. If you haven’t, take the time to read it to get some background info on this topic. So here we go. I will list what you need to say and what the customer service rep’s response will most likely be, so you are prepared. Here is what you will need to do/to have:

• a phone (obviously)
• an IMEI number for the first gen iPhone (if you have record of your old one before you sold it or borrow a friends IMEI number that will work…it will not hurt their account)
• don’t dial 611, instead use this number: 877-419-4500 for the iPhone “specialists” of AT&T
• MOST IMPORTANT: sound like you know what you are talking about because they definitely don’t

Steps:

1. Call the number listed above ^ (DON’T DIAL 611 OR YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS TWICE)
2. YOU: Tell the rep that a friend just gave you their first gen iPhone because they bought the 3G version so now you need to add an iPhone plan.
3. REP: Most likely they will tell you that you need to go to the AT&T store to get a new sim card and tell you some other BS about tethering the iPhone blah blah blah.
4. YOU: Make sure you emphasize that the iPhone is already activated, you have already tested it, made and received calls and it works fine.
5. REP: They will probably tell you that your account shows that you still have your current phone on the plan and say that they don’t see any record of you using it.
6. YOU: The reason it doesn’t show on their system that you have one activated is because you put your sim back into your old phone because you didn’t want to use any data on the iPhone and have to pay for it.
7. YOU: Tell the rep that you don’t need to tether it. All you need is an iPhone plan on your account and you can provide the IMEI number to switch it over. Tell the rep to at least try to put the IMEI number in and see if it will go through in their system. All you have to do is get them to try it. If they put the number in IT WILL WORK. In my experience, I didn’t have to beg. The first time I tried it, the rep helped me figure this out. The second time, it took a little more persuasiveness on my part for the rep to try it. Nonetheless, the reps really have no clue of what you are really doing.
8. If you are convincing enough, they will grant your request and switch your plan over to an iPhone plan. Thus making you an “existing iPhone user.” What does this mean? It simply means that you have met the requirements for the subsidized pricing of an iPhone 3g.

I have, so far, done this twice. Once for myself and another time for my girlfriend. I used the same IMEI number to pull off this trick for both lines. The IMEI number I used is from a first gen iPhone I sold to my friend back in late May. He is still using the iPhone without any problems.

What you have to remember is, when you change your plan to the iPhone plan, don’t use any data on your current phone until you receive your new iPhone or you could incur data charges. Also, take note of how many text messages you will have and use. In other words, its best to do this right before you go pick up your new iPhone.

If you try this, good luck. Make sure to report your findings in the comments below. If you have any questions, post those also and I will attempt to answer them to the best of my knowledge. And remember……..YOU HEARD IT ON BuyMeAniPhone.com FIRST!!!