iPhone as Christmas present, how?

[polarmystery]

Is it possible to get an iPhone 3GS for around $300 used/refurbed without going through AT&T and still having it locked? Most of what I've seen on eBay are almost double that, but they are unlocked. A little baffled here...

 

[Parasitic]

This may not be what you want to hear, but...

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-pho...at1003=cat1003

Refurbed 3GS 16GB for $149. Sign up for one, gift the phone, cancel after a month and pay ETF. Would work out to be maybe ~$500 and you won't have to worry about the phone being a shanzai knockoff from China or a dud.

 

[AMCRambler]

Is it possible to get an iPhone 3GS for around $300 used/refurbed without going through AT&T and still having it locked? Most of what I've seen on eBay are almost double that, but they are unlocked. A little baffled here...

Does AT&T sell gift cards? Get one for the price of the iPhone and put the card and a picture of the iPhone in a box.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Do you want it sealed in a box?

All you have to do is do a restore with iTunes and it's locked again.

Also, your prices are unrealistic unless you purchase a subsidized phone with a 2 year contract.

eBay prices generally reflect the purchase price of the phone + the cost to break a contract with ATT.

 

[lokiju]

You can get non S models for that price point.

Unlikely to get the S though for that price.

 

[Kelvrick]

S should be around 500+
3g 8gb should be around 200-300
3g 16gb should be 300-400

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Apple sells gift cards.