So i really want to buy an iPhone 3G, but really don't want to spend $500 - $800 to buy an unlocked one on eBay. I have T-Mobile and i can unlock it by myself. I just considered necessary to know if it is possible for one of my friends to buy it for me, with his AT&T account, and distribute it to me without opening it at the store and activate it. Thanks.
Answers:
the impossible thing about the unlocked iphone is that you can't acquire updates and if anything happens, the warranty is voided b/c its unlocked
the 3g iphone can only be unlocked through a sim adapter. they run in the order of $40 on ebay.
as long as your friend is willing to do that. it doesnt matter if they cause it in store or at home. he will be solely responsible for it any way you do it. Nope. Still will have to sign the contract in store until that time he's allowed to leave with it. Only approach you might have gotten through with that be on the launch day when their servers were down & inhabitants were allowed to leave near that to activate at home.
But since then AT&T & Apple enjoy introduced online sign ups where people can command & set up their iPhone 3G & then go to the store to in fact get them.