Apple refusing to accept cash for iPhone, limits 'em to two per person
by Darren Murph 
posted Oct 27th 2007 at 12:18AM
Coincidence or not, Apple has stiffened up the requirements to pick up a new iPhone shortly after announcing that 250,000 or so of the 1.4 million it sold in Q4 went to unlockers. In an admittedly intriguing move, Apple has decided that it will "no longer accept cash for iPhone purchases," and moreover, each individual will only be allowed to buy two (on plastic, of course) in an effort to "stop people from reselling them." More specifically, spokeswoman Natalie Kerris stated that the company is "requiring a credit or debit card for payment to discourage unauthorized resellers," so don't even bother bringing the greenbacks if you're lookin' to grab an iPhone from Apple.[Image courtesy of PCWorld]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nxtiak @ Oct 27th 2007 12:22AM
WTF??? Is that even 'legal'? CASH is fugging LEGAL TENDER.
Business are able not to accept checks/cc etc.. but not accept CASH for a product?!?!?! WTF!
Archer @ Oct 27th 2007 8:18PM
There is a simply way around this obviously idiotic move made by Apple. Simply purchase a visa or mastercard gift card that is used like a normal credit card but shows no name and can be destroyed after making whatever purchase you want. Create barriers all you want Apple and the masses will build bridges!
shetaan819 @ Oct 27th 2007 12:41AM
No, in fact its not legal - its US law that when someone offers cash for an item that is on sale, you MUST accept cash if its presented as an option. It gets tricky when you are talking about an overseas purchase, but for Apple, that is a US company and incorporated in the US, they are breaking the law if this is their actual new policy.
Final Light @ Oct 27th 2007 1:01AM
hehe, lucky for me. I paid full in cash. this is a stupid rule tho...not everybody is able to charge 400 dollars on their credit card...
Jdog @ Oct 27th 2007 1:11AM
...that's the point. They're trying not to screw AT&T out of the money they are due, per the agreement iPhone purchases agree to when they purchase the phones. You know, that pesky "activation is subject to AT&T credit approval" part no one seems to care about.
..oh, and a lot of businesses - large and small - don't accept cash.
happy? @ Oct 27th 2007 5:45PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280166944779&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018
jcaof911 @ Oct 27th 2007 1:32AM
Cash has to be accepted as legal tender. Its written on the notes. Apple is making a big mistake and possibly getting themselves into something they do not want to be getting themselves into again.
Xeno9114 @ Oct 27th 2007 2:14AM
I looked into this when paying a parking ticket in pennies, and I believe that law really only applies to the actual federal government, and when you are talking about private institutions it becomes a bit stickier. They could probably get away with it if they post a sign or something about it, sort of like those "no bills larger then a $20" signs that seedy places have.
Just because they are legal tender does not mean they have to accept them I don't think.
Dylan Pask @ Oct 27th 2007 2:39AM
Its hilarious to me that people still buy apple products when they make business moves like this.
Its like if Honda, actually we'll say GM said we're going to be selling the new cavalier/cobalt through only dealerships marked with an x. The dealership will need to input a special code in order for the car to work so if you do not buy it from these exact dealerships the car will not run no matter what you do to it. Oh and by the way, these dealerships will be selling it at a price premium. You CAN NOT buy the car used, you CAN NOT sell the car after you have bought it, you CAN NOT buy it from any other dealer and if you try any of these things the warranty be void and we'll have the serial number matched with your account so we'll know you did it so you won't be able to bring it back to us and have it serviced.
You can't tell me the American's would settle for that with even a low end car so why would they settle for it with a phone that originally cost $600? Do you have no spine, are you simply willing to give in to the raping of personal freedom because of the culture joinery you get by owning an iPhone? Where is your character or self respect...its shamefull really...and sad.
Hank @ Oct 27th 2007 4:58AM
Here's the answer (from http://www.treas.gov/education/faq/currency/legal-tender.shtml):
"Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise."
Marius @ Oct 27th 2007 8:27AM
Absolutely ridiculous...
med1320 @ Oct 27th 2007 9:10AM
I think it's hilarious seeing all you guys crying over a damn phone. LOL, LOL, LOL
Tim @ Oct 27th 2007 9:59AM
WAY to go APPLE.....Businesses DO NOT have to accept cash, as a matter of fact they can choose any form of payment they want. You people cry to much!
mingkee @ Oct 27th 2007 10:02AM
be proud of iFree!
PEZ @ Oct 27th 2007 10:45AM
I smell a lawsuite! HAHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHA! AHAHAHAHA!
Daren McDougal @ Oct 27th 2007 11:30AM
That is totally and utterly the stupidest thing Steve has ever allowed.
keithwwalker @ Oct 27th 2007 2:32PM
Apple IS the evil phone company. I have been saying it for a long time now!
Jason @ Oct 27th 2007 4:47PM
My fellow union brothers in the IBPP (International Brother of Pimping Professionals) are currently organizing a class action lawsuit based on discriminatory business practices.
Tidus @ Oct 27th 2007 5:45PM
I was wondering, does the credit card have to be american? I mean does the owner of the card have to be a citizen of the USA? because i'm coming to the states next weekend and i was planning to buy an iphone :(
happy? @ Oct 27th 2007 5:45PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280166944779&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018
PAy cash =-)
happy? @ Oct 27th 2007 5:48PM
We should burn down all apple stores as a response to this! =-P
Mike @ Oct 27th 2007 10:22PM
Stupid. How many prepaid credit cards are out there these days... easy circumnavigation. Forget you Apple... you're headed where only Microsoft has been.
Alfa @ Oct 28th 2007 4:46AM
Can anyone explain me what could happen if I pay with credit card and after I don't activate with AT&T but I unlock the device?
AT&T is going to charge my credit card every month anyway?
What about if I pay with a prepaid credit card?
Duck @ Oct 28th 2007 10:53AM
Hank - "Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise."
Apple is PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY though, right?
Frodo @ Oct 29th 2007 2:16AM
Publicly traded is still privately owned by those that purchase their stock.
Jorge @ Oct 28th 2007 6:36PM
I was told that only 2 per credit card and if I wanted to buy more I would have to set up a business account of some sort to buy more. The guy told me that it was to "prevent illegal credit card use" because they had been "burned" by people buying a lot of iphones with stolen credit cards. BS. I bought 2 with one card and 1 with another. I did go to the store with another friend. It's BS but it's still possible to buy more than 2.
Mark @ Oct 29th 2007 8:36PM
How can they legally not take cash? There has to be something that is illegal there. If it is legal tender, and the price is in the same tender...
Steve @ Oct 28th 2007 9:56PM
Anyone know where I can get a 4GB Iphone other the ebay?
Navi Thach @ Oct 29th 2007 11:57PM
I smell FTC action here.
Norman @ Oct 31st 2007 10:15AM
the obvious reasons is to stop Hording of the iphone now that Unlocking it has become easy. when you make money off every activated Iphone you want to keep them unlocked. while it may limit your buyer base the residual is where you make it up.