7 Reasons NOT to Buy an iPhone from Your Wireless Carrier
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For many in the U.S., the process of getting a new iPhone probably involves going to their carrier and purchasing or leasing one on an installment plan alongside a new contract. But that’s far from the only option. There are better alternatives out there because, frankly, getting a new iPhone from your carrier is often the most frustrating and most expensive route.
You could buy it directly from Apple, snag a used or refurbished iPhone, or even purchase a new Apple handset from a third-party vendor like eBay, Best Buy, or Amazon. Whatever option you choose, there are a variety of benefits to avoiding getting your next iPhone from a carrier.
Remember the last time you went into your carrier's store? You most likely waited in line until a representative could sign you in to be seen. (You basically just stood in line to wait in another line.) Then when you were finally able to talk with a representative, they tried to up-sell you with additional options for your package that you definitely didn't need. On top of all of that, they probably tried to sell you a chintzy iPhone case for $49 (and it definitely wasn't worth the price). Being up-sold is just one of the most frustrating things about a carrier store, that you just won't have to deal with when you shop for an iPhone elsewhere. Use the right arrow to learn 7 additional reasons NOT to buy an iPhone from your carrier.
7 You Won’t Be on a Contract
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By far the biggest reason to avoid buying your next iPhone from a carrier is freedom. Specifically, freedom from the contract plan that your carrier will try to get you on. There are quite a few benefits to this.
For one, you’ll be able to take your phone wherever you’d like — you aren’t tied to a carrier if you’re unhappy. Your phone will also likely be unlocked from the get-go, meaning you can use whatever carrier or plans you’d like (even cheaper prepaid options).
6 Buy Used, Save Money
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You have a couple of options when you’re buying an iPhone from a non-carrier source. You can get it refurbished from Apple, or from other great vendors like eBay and Amazon.
We don’t always recommend buying used iPhones, but doing so could save you hundreds of dollars off the original price (among the other benefits on this list). It’s even better if you buy a used device off someone you know and trust, like a friend or family member.
5 It’s Easier to Travel Abroad
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If you bought/leased your iPhone from your carrier, there’s a good chance that it will be locked to that carrier. While there’s always the option of getting your device unlocked once you own it, it’s not always the easiest thing to do.
This gets iffy if you’re traveling abroad. Roaming charges and international data fees can be extremely pricey. And you can’t simply swap out your SIM card for a cheaper international one if you’re device is locked. You likely won’t run into this problem if you get your iPhone unlocked from a non-carrier source.
4 You Can Avoid Big Down Payments
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Depending on how your credit is doing, your carrier may want a hefty down payment before you’re able to walk out of the store with a shiny new iPhone. Oftentimes, this happens when your credit is less than stellar.
Apple’s special financing doesn’t need to involve any down payments. And in many cases, you can finance a new iPhone or another device without interest. If you have a credit card through a third-party vendor, you can get a similar payment situation (though probably with interest).
3 You Could Nab Some Amazing Deals
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Depending on where you buy your iPhone from, you could stand to benefit from some pretty amazing deals. For example, Apple has an iPhone Upgrade Program that could get you a brand new device after 12 payments.
But the perks can go further than that. If you shop a lot at Best Buy, you might be able to use your reward points toward the total cost of your iPhone. If you’re an Amazon Prime cardholder, you’ll get 5 percent cash back as a statement credit on any purchases — including iPhones. Get creative and save some cash.
2 You Get Better Return Policies
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One thing is clear: Apple has an incredible return policy. The company lets users try out devices for about two weeks with no obligations. Don’t like it? You can return it for a full refund with no questions asked. Best Buy has a similar policy, though there are some other strings attached.
It can get trickier if you’re buying used. Of course, most people don’t sell their iPhones on Craigslist with a return policy.
Even the best carrier return policies typically come with an additional fee (sometimes called a “restocking” charge, or something similar).
1 You’ll Own Your iPhone
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If you buy your iPhone used, or simply pay the full price for it up front, there’s another upside for you: you’ll own your device outright. It’ll be yours, period. That, of course, means you’ll automatically get some of the other benefits from this list. But it also means that you’re free to do with it as you please. And if you happen to break it, your carrier can't hold you liable for damages.
You could sell it at any time for extra cash (perhaps toward a new iPhone), give it away to a family member if you have your eyes on a different device, or just keep it and have multiple smartphones to play around with.